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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-IURA-2024-11-22M 108 E. Green St. Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 274-6565 MINUTES ITHACA URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY BOARD 9:00 A.M., Friday, November 22nd, 2024 Common Council Chambers, Third Floor (City Hall) 108 E. Green St., Ithaca, NY 14850 Members: Mayor Robert G. Cantelmo [virtual], Chair; Donna Fleming; Shaianne Osterreich; Siobhan Hull Excused: Karl Graham Vacancies: 0 Common Council Liaison: Ducson Nguyen IURA Staff: Nels Bohn; Anisa Mendizabal; Charles Pyott [virtual] City Staff: Lisa Nicholas, Director of Planning & Development Guests: None. I.Call to Order Fleming called the meeting to order at 9:01 A.M. (on behalf of Chair Cantelmo). II. Agenda Additions/Deletions None. III.Public Comments None. IV.Review of Meeting Minutes: October 25th, 2024 Hull moved, seconded by Osterreich, to approve the meeting minutes, with no modifications. Carried Unanimously: 3-0 Approved: 12/20/24 IURA Minutes November 22, 2024 Page 2 of 10 V. Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC) A. Committee Chairperson Report Osterreich reported on a discussion at the last meeting with guest Jordan Clemons and some of his colleagues of the Unbroken Promise Initiative (UPI) about needs and history from West Hill, a non-functioning relationship between UPI and TCAT, and West Hill Village not getting as much bus service as would be ideal. UPI produced an initiative to create on-demand public transportation, for which TCAT was awarded a $7 million NYSERDA grant. However, there has yet to be any on-demand transportation. Additionally, the committee discussed the Annual Action Plan calendar and the Grant summary. Osterreich reported on another guest at the last meeting, Liddy Bargar, who gave a full rundown and shared a presentation on the general conditions of the ability of the County and the City to manage issues with the unhoused due to the exit of St. John’s and other external factors. B. HUD Entitlement Grant — 2025 Annual Action Plan Organizational Meeting: Report Mendizabal explained that the 5-year Strategy for HUD entitlement funds was created last year, and PY2024 was the first year of the consolidated plan. She referenced the City of Ithaca HUD Entitlement Program 2025 Annual Action Plan (AAP) Overview, noting that the strategic plan goals remain primarily the same and an updated schedule of the various milestones of the action planning process to the public input. She explained that the anticipated 2025 awards, calculated based on prior years’ awards and understanding the average and median change in awards over the years, are $636,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding and $232,000 in HOME funding. That would provide about $95,000 to utilize for public services, which category is capped by statute at 15% of the total CDBG award. She mentioned it is not yet known how much funding may be returning from completed projects with remaining funds other than approximately $1,300 of HOME funds remaining from a completed 2021 project. Fleming asked when the 2025 award amount would be known. Mendizabal replied that the award letter was received in March this year. Bohn commented that it may depend on the change in administration, and he expects it may be late as the 2025 federal budget has yet to be adopted. After the budget is adopted, it is six to eight weeks before IURA is informed of the award amount. (continued on following page) IURA Minutes November 22, 2024 Page 3 of 10 IURA Minutes November 22, 2024 Page 4 of 10 IURA Minutes November 22, 2024 Page 5 of 10 VI. Governance Committee (GC) A. Affirm IURA Mission Statement Fleming explained that last year, the sentence “The IURA strives to carry out its mission in an equitable and sustainable manner, and to build and maintain an inclusive community with the input of the people and organizations we serve.” was added to the mission statement. The Committee reviewed the mission statement and recommended it be re-affirmed. Fleming moved, seconded by Osterreich: Annual Review of IURA Mission Statement WHEREAS, the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) adopted the following amended mission statement in 2023 to better incorporate concepts of equity and sustainability in its mission: The Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency secures and manages resources to improve the social, physical and economic characteristics of the City of Ithaca by expanding access to quality affordable housing, strengthening neighborhoods and the local economy, and supporting other community development activities. The IURA strives to carry out its mission in an equitable IURA Minutes November 22, 2024 Page 6 of 10 and sustainable manner, and to build and maintain an inclusive community with the input of the people and organizations we serve. And, WHEREAS, Public Authorities Law requires authorities, such as the IURA, to conduct annual review of its mission statement and post its mission statement on its website, and WHEREAS, at their November 15, 2024 meeting, the IURA Governance Committee reviewed the mission statement and recommended the following action; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby re-affirms the existing IURA mission statement: The Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency secures and manages resources to improve the social, physical and economic characteristics of the City of Ithaca by expanding access to quality affordable housing, strengthening neighborhoods and the local economy, and supporting other community development activities. The IURA strives to carry out its mission in an equitable and sustainable manner, and to build and maintain an inclusive community with the input of the people and organizations we serve. Carried Unanimously: 3-0 B. 2025 IURA Budget Fleming explained that at the last meeting, the Board reviewed the proposed budget for 2025, approved it, and referred it back to the Governance Committee for further review per protocol. Bohn explained the budget and answered any questions, and the Committee reviewed and recommended approval of the proposed budget. IURA Minutes November 22, 2024 Page 7 of 10 Fleming moved, seconded by Hull: 2025 IURA Budget WHEREAS, the IURA desires to annually adopt an administrative budget to guide expenditures and manage financial resources of the IURA, and WHEREAS, New York State law governing public authorities requires submission of a proposed budget 60 days prior to the start of the next fiscal year, and WHEREAS, the IURA budget is due to be submitted to the New York State Authorities Budget Office (ABO) by November 1st of each year, and WHEREAS, the IURA conducted a preliminary review of the proposed budget at their October 25, 2024 meeting, and WHEREAS, the IURA authorized submission of the staff-prepared draft budget to the Authorities Budget Office and referred the budget to the Governance Committee for a recommendation, and WHEREAS, the IURA Governance Committee reviewed this matter at their November 15, 2024 meeting and recommended the following; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby adopts the FY 2025 IURA Administrative Budget, dated 10/25/24. Carried Unanimously: 3-0 IURA Minutes November 22, 2024 Page 8 of 10 C. IURA Board Annual Self-Evaluation Responses: Report Fleming explained that the Committee was presented with the results of the self-evaluations. Osterreich asked if the evaluation was a HUD form. Bohn explained that the form is from the NYS Authorities Budget Office, which oversees the New York State Public Authorities Law. D. Committee Vice-Chairperson Report None. VII. New/Other/Old Business A. Review of IURA Grant Summary & Receivables Reports: October 2024 Bohn reviewed the Grants Summary, explaining that the left-hand “On Schedule” column calls out any projects (with a ) that are not progressing on schedule and may need attention. All loan payments are current. All lease payments are current. He noted that 2024 action items have been added since IURA now has access to those HUD funds. IURA Minutes November 22, 2024 Page 9 of 10 Mendizabal, referencing 2022 CDBG Activities Project 2.0 INHS Homeowner Rehab, reported that INHS contacted IURA to say there were some delays. One of the households being vetted for eligibility ended up not being eligible, and they need to identify another household for those 2022 funds. INHS is also having difficulty acquiring the three bids required for its projects. This has been a lingering issue in the local construction field. INHS has requested a 120-day extension and will attend a future NIC meeting. Referencing 2023 CDBG Activities Project 7.0 SJCS Sober Living Reintegration Project, Mendizabal reported that they have been reimbursed for all their full expenses. However, their proposal was to serve 14 individuals; they have served four so far, so the project remains open until they reach their goal. They have been referred to the Planning Department to address questions regarding the need for a variance and some permits. Concerning 2024 CDBG Activities Project 6.0, Black Hands Universal’s Career & Resources Program, Mendizabal explained that the project is not listed because they are behind on a project but because they are working through board requirements to satisfy requirements to be certified as a Community Based Development Organization (CBDO). B. PY2023 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) Bohn reported that the Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) is due every year to be submitted to HUD as a condition to be in good standing for future grants. The report compares planned goals and actual outcomes over 5 years, as well as a very in-depth analysis of the inspections conducted of home-assisted units in 2024. Mendizabal commented that the IURA program year begins in August of each year, so there is lag time from the calendar year, which can confuse the report. Bohn added that outcomes are only reported when expenditures are made and documentation is provided regarding the beneficiaries, resulting in a long timeline between funding and project completion. C. REPORTS: IURA Chair, Mayor, Common Council Liaison, & Staff Mayor’s Report None. IURA Chairperson None. Common Council Liaison Report None. Staff Report Bohn reported that INHS has a crane setting scheduled for December 3rd from 9-11 a.m. to set modular units for the four single-family affordable homes on Sears Street. Mendizabal reported that two submissions were received in response to the Request for Qualifications for the HOME-ARP contractor selection process. The Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC) has reviewed IURA Minutes November 22, 2024 Page 10 of 10 and ranked them. The next step is for the working group to develop a recommendation to bring to the Neighborhood Investment Committee and the IURA Board in December. Nicholas reported that the City is working on the Southside Neighborhood zoning proposal, which is intended to implement the Southside Neighborhood Plan adopted in 2019. A public outreach event is scheduled for December 9th at the Southside Community Center. VIII. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:39 A.M. — END — Minutes prepared by S. Dean edited by C. Pyott/N. Bohn.