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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-IURA-2024-08-23 108 E. Green St. Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 274-6565 MINUTES ITHACA URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY BOARD 8:30 A.M., Friday, August 23rd, 2024 Common Council Chambers, Third Floor (City Hall) 108 E. Green St., Ithaca, NY 14850 Members: Robert Cantelmo, Chair (Mayor); Karl Graham, Vice-Chair; Chris Proulx; Shaianne Osterreich; Donna Fleming Excused: Ducson Nguyen (Common Council Liaison) Vacancies: 0 IURA Staff: Nels Bohn; Charles Pyott [virtual] City Staff: None. Guests: None. I. Call to Order Chair Cantelmo called the meeting to order at 8:35 A.M. II. Agenda Additions/Deletions Osterreich suggested adding a proposed resolution expressing appreciation for Chris Proulx to the agenda. No objections were raised. III. Public Comments None. IV. Review of Meeting Minutes: July 26th, 2024 (postponed until subsequent meeting) V. Governance Committee (GC) A. Pay-Out of Accrued Compensation Time: IURA Accountant Fleming explained that the Committee discussed the IURA Accountant’s request to pay-out of 30 hours of her compensatory time, since she does not anticipate being able to both complete her assigned duties and use the compensatory time. The Committee had no objections to the request (although it did briefly discuss the possibility of increasing the Accountant’s 22-hour workweek). Approved: 10/25/24 IURA Minutes August 23, 2024 Page 2 of 7 Fleming moved, seconded by Proulx: Pay-Out of 2024 Accrued Compensatory Time — Accountant WHEREAS, compensatory time is earned when a non-management IURA employee works additional hours beyond their normal work week, and WHEREAS, the Accountant works a 22-hour workweek, and WHEREAS, IURA Human Resources Manual policy regarding compensatory time provides employees with equal hours of time off, but recognizes that in time of particularly heavy workload, compensatory time may be paid in cash rather than time off, and WHEREAS, IURA policy further states that total accumulation under usual circumstances shall not exceed 80 hours and that any accumulation in excess of 80 hours will be reported to the Agency, and WHEREAS, the balances of accumulated compensatory time for non-exempt employees as of July 31, 2024 are: • Accountant – 63.25 hours • Contracts Monitor – 0 hours • Community Development Planner – 19 hours, and WHEREAS, at separation of employment an employee must be paid for unused compensatory time, and WHEREAS, the Accountant requests pay-out of 30 hours of compensatory time as she does not project she can complete her assigned duties and take time off to utilize the full compensatory time accrued before the end-of-year accounting cycle begins, and WHEREAS, pay-out of 30 hours of the Accountant’s accrued compensatory time includes the following projected expenses: $1,119.00 Payroll (30 hours x $37.30/hour) $85.60 FICA (7.65%) $123.09 Retirement (11%) $1,327.69 Total WHEREAS, the IURA Governance Committee discussed this issue at their August 2024 meeting, and recommend the following; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby approves pay out of 30 hours of compensatory time accumulated by the IURA Accountant through July 2024, and be it further RESOLVED, that the source of funds shall derive from IURA local funds held in the #05 Non-CDBG account (Bank Account #511044275) that had a balance of $532,859.36 as of 6/30/2024, and RESOLVED, that the Director of Community Development is hereby authorized to take any actions required to implement this resolution. Carried Unanimously: 5-0 IURA Minutes August 23, 2024 Page 3 of 7 B. IURA Board Annual Self-Evaluation Questionnaire — Review & Distribution Fleming explained the Committee reviewed the questionnaire (included further below) at its meeting. Bohn added the hardcopy was provided to Board members. Completion of the questionnaire by Board members (though not Committee members) is a requirement of NYS Public Authorities Law (PAL). Bohn compiles the completed questionnaires anonymously and provides the results to the Governance Committee (GC). IURA Minutes August 23, 2024 Page 4 of 7 C. Review of IURA Financial Standing — Discussion Bohn explained the Governance Committee reviews IURA financial standing and discusses strategic planning issues every year. The IURA is currently essentially at a break-even point in terms of its financial outlook; however, it that has primarily been due to recent one-time CDBG-CV and HOME-ARP funding. Once both those funding streams age out (in approximately two years), the IURA will no longer be at a break-even point and will need to consider strategies to identify future funding opportunities. The meeting agenda materials include the following summary of IURA assets, many of which are restricted in terms of how they can be used (e.g., cannot be employed for loans or grants). IURA Minutes August 23, 2024 Page 5 of 7 D. Executive Session to Discuss Employment History of Particular Person(s) ― EXECUTIVE SESSION ― Cantelmo moved, seconded by Graham, to open the Executive Session at 9:04 a.m. Carried Unanimously: 5-0 Fleming moved, seconded by Graham, to close the Executive Session at 9:25 a.m. Carried Unanimously: 5-0 Fleming reported in the Executive Session the IURA unanimously approved the following resolution. Fleming moved, seconded by Osterreich: IURA Community Development Planner ― Merit-Based Bonus WHEREAS, Ms. Mendizabal was hired as IURA Community Development Planner on May 3, 2017 and is currently earning an annual salary of 64,770 ($35.59/hour), and WHEREAS, the primary responsibility of the Community Development Planner is to manage all aspects of the HUD Entitlement grant process, and WHEREAS, the IURA Director of Community Development has recently completed a personal dialogue effectiveness review with Ms. Mendizabal, and WHEREAS, Ms. Mendizabal has successfully completed the following major HUD-approved plans in the last 12 months: • 2024-2028 HUD Consolidated Plan • 2024 HUD Annual Action Plan • HOME-ARP Allocation Plan • HOME-ARP Policies and Procedures Manual, and WHEREAS, Ms. Mendizabal continues to successfully administer the HUD Entitlement program in compliance with all applicable regulations and has closed out the 17 special activities funded from special CDBG-CV awards, and WHEREAS, the adopted 2024 IURA budget includes $5,000 of unallocated funding available for merit- based bonuses or salary increases awarded at the discretion of the IURA, and WHEREAS, management staff recommend rewarding Ms. Mendizabal for her recent work accomplishments and high-quality job performance, and WHEREAS, at their August 2024 meeting, the IURA Governance Committee discussed this matter and recommended the following, now therefore be it IURA Minutes August 23, 2024 Page 6 of 7 RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby awards the Community Development Planner a bonus payment in the amount of $4,000, and be it further RESOLVED, that such bonus payment shall become effective the first full pay period following adoption by the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency, and be it further RESOLVED, that the IURA Executive Director is hereby authorized to execute any and all documents necessary to implement this resolution. Carried Unanimously: 5-0 E. Committee Chairperson Report None. VI. New/Other/Old Business A. Expression of IURA Appreciation for Chris Proulx Osterreich moved, seconded by Graham: IURA Appreciation for Chris Proulx WHEREAS, Chris Proulx will relocate his residency outside the City of Ithaca on September 1, 2024 requiring his resignation from the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency, and WHEREAS, Chris Proulx served on the IURA and its Economic Development Committee since 2013 following his service as a City Alderperson representing the greater Fall Creek neighborhood, and WHEREAS, Chris Proulx was elected to serve as IURA Chairperson from mid-2022 until mid-2024, and WHEREAS, the IURA mission is 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. The IURA is committed to carrying 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, and WHEREAS, through his leadership and insightful wisdom Chris Proulx has helped the IURA meaningfully advance it mission in an inclusive manner, and WHEREAS, he has especially worked to expand the supply of quality, affordable housing and build a stronger economy that works for everyone; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency hereby recognizes Chris Proulx for his enormous contributions to the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency and long-lasting improvements to the Ithaca community. Carried Unanimously: 5-0 IURA Minutes August 23, 2024 Page 7 of 7 B. Review of IURA Financials: July 2024 Bohn reviewed the Grants Summary, explaining the left-hand “On Schedule” column calls out any projects (with a ) that are not progressing on schedule and may need attention. No projects are currently stalled, which is encouraging. Board members will see that earlier Program Year projects have now been entirely spent down. 2024 HUD Entitlement projects will be added to the report relatively soon. All loan payments are current as of today. All lease payments are also current as of today. C. REPORTS: IURA Chair, Mayor, Common Council Liaison, & Staff Mayor’s Report Cantelmo reported that IURA staff has been invaluable with the City’s successful application of the Restore NY Round VIII, “lthaca Flatiron Building Project,” which was awarded $1,890,000. The project will involve demolition and reconstruction of three contiguous properties to develop a residential apartment building, including demolition of two vacant commercial buildings totaling 7,900 square feet and reconstruction of a 24-unit residential apartment building. The reconstructed four-story building will be approximately 29,000 square feet and contain three stories of housing over ground-level enclosed parking. Cantelmo added that the City will soon be immersed in its lengthy annual budget negotiation process. Cantelmo reported he recently participated in a town hall meeting for Nate’s Floral Estates, whose residents expressed their gratitude for the IURA’s financial support for the sidewalk improvements in the neighborhood. IURA Chairperson Proulx thanked the Board for its expression of appreciation. He never expected to serve on the Board for 10 years. He always valued the diversity of backgrounds and expertise on the part of Board members. The breadth and quality of the IURA’s work over the years has been amazing and he has been very impressed with the work of IURA staff. Common Council Liaison Report None. Staff Report Bohn reported that Cantelmo was recently appointed to the Economic Development Committee (EDC), to fill Proulx’s place. Cantelmo will also serve as the Committee’s Chairperson. VII. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:37 A.M. — END — Minutes prepared by C. Pyott, edited by N. Bohn.