ANSONIA – A member of the city’s economic development commission resigned Aug. 11, citing a lack of communication between the mayor’s administration and the commission.

“Based on my experiences with the commission for seven months, the communication between fellow commissions, legal, and Alders has been abysmal,” wrote Bill Luneski, the commissioner, in his resignation letter.

The economic development commission held its first meeting in nearly six years in February. Mayor Frank Tyszka said while campaigning last year that he would re-form the commission and have it start holding regular meetings again.

However, members of the commission including Luneski have expressed frustration in recent months over what they perceive as a lack of authority over economic development matters.

That frustration came to a head after the Aldermen on July 14 granted a loan to new local business GR8COFFEE to improve the storefront’s facade. According to meeting minutes, members of the commission said they should have authority over the city’s facade loan program.

The commission asked Tyszka and the city’s legal counsel to appear at a meeting. Javier Varas, Tyszka’s chief of staff, appeared at the board’s Aug. 20 meeting – after Luneski resigned – to discuss the commission’s complaints.

Varas said the Aldermen currently have authority over the facade loan program, because they assumed the economic development commission’s powers when the commission stopped meeting six years ago. He said the Aldermen are willing to give that power back.

“To my understanding and my informal conversations with the Board of Aldermen, it seems to be the understanding of that board that they would be willing to return and do a resolution, (and) direct the power to have the EDC be in charge of the facade loans,” Varas said.

Varas said sixth ward Alderman Karl Williams would be appointed as a liaison to improve communication between the commission and the Board of Aldermen. He said a city staffer would also be assigned to future meetings to improve communications with city hall.

“We understand you all want to be a part of the process, and the first thing that we acknowledge we have to do better is communication,” Varas said.

James Smith, a member of the commission, said he was frustrated to learn about economic development matters from sources other than city hall.

“We have nothing to talk about, because we don’t know anything that’s going on officially. So things like the new grocery store coming and auto store coming in and all those things that are happening, who handles that?” Smith said.

Varas said those two developments in particular are outside the city’s hands because they involve leases between private landlords and commercial tenants. However, he said when developers present plans to the planning and zoning commission – as could happen with Olson Drive in the future – city staff will keep the commission in the loop.

Varas and members of the commission each said that the meeting was a productive step afterwards.

“I genuinely do want to apologize for the lack of communications earlier. And thank you today for giving me a bit of grace, and hopefully we can find a good step forward,” Varas said to members shortly after the meeting adjourned.

The Board of Aldermen voted to accept Luneski’s resignation and send him a letter of thanks during a meeting Aug. 25. They also voted to appoint Mountain View Road resident Miguel Cardozo to fill Luneski’s seat.