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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-IURAED-2025-02-11 108 E. Green St. Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 274-6565 MEETING MINUTES ITHACA URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY Economic Development Committee (EDC) 3:30 P.M., Tuesday, February 11th, 2025 Common Council Chambers, 108 E. Green St., Ithaca, NY 14850 Present: Robert G. Cantelmo (Mayor), Chair; Leslie Ackerman, Vice-Chair; Derek Adams; Siobhan Hull Excused: Chuck Schwerin; Donna Fleming Vacancies: 0 Staff: Nels Bohn; Charles Pyott [virtual] Guests: None. I. Call to Order Chair Cantelmo called the meeting to order at 3:32 P.M. II. Agenda Additions/Deletions Cantelmo noted that agenda item, “A. 209 W. State Street Urban Renewal Project: Disposition of Real Property to Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (INHS) for Affordable Housing Project with Ground- Floor Daycare,” will not be discussed today, since no quorum is present to arrive at a decision. The item will be reviewed at the full IURA Board meeting on February 28th, 2025. III. Public Comments (3-minute max. per person) None. IV. Review of Meeting Minutes: January 14th, 2025 Ackerman moved, seconded by Hull, to approve the minutes, with no modifications. Carried Unanimously: 4-0 V. New Business B. 2025 HUD Entitlement Action Plan – Preliminary Review & Identification of Questions for Economic Development Category Funding Applications #7, Finger Lakes ReUse, Inc. (FLRU), #8, Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC), #9, Historic Ithaca, Inc. (HI), & #10, IURA (available for review on IURA webpage) Approved/Adopted: 4/8/25 EDC Meeting Minutes February 11, 2025 Page 2 of 3 Bohn explained that each applicant would provide a presentation and answer questions at the IURA public hearing on February 28, 2025. The IURA decided to give the applicants questions in advance of the public hearing. The Economic Development Committee would review the applications and propose questions to the IURA Board for consideration. Specific to Finger Lakes ReUse, Inc.'s ReUse, IT, and Clean Energy Job Skills program, Bohn explained that it includes a paid apprenticeship component and that, historically, many job placements have been internal. Adams asked what is meant by “permanent jobs” as referenced in Finger Lakes ReUse, Inc.’s application and what the breakdown of internal jobs is. Ackerman stated that it would be beneficial to know if the program will still include an energy component. Hull noted that she would like to know the location and timeline for the warehouse component of the program. Committee members expressed a desire for all applicants to provide a breakdown of job positions, the calculation of projected numbers, and the input and output associated with the roles. They also sought to understand how training programs have evolved over the years to achieve optimal effectiveness. Hull added that she would like to hear what applicants consider the greatest challenges in working with participants since the COVID-19 pandemic and in recent years, as numbers have fluctuated, and if barriers differ from those when the programs were initially designed. Bohn noted that it may not be feasible to fund all applicants in the amount requested. He added that a current balance of approximately $200,000 is available for making new loans. VI. Old/Other Business A. Inlet Island Urban Renewal Project: Next Steps – Recommendation Cantelmo, referencing options that Bohn had proposed for proceeding, stated that he was in favor of the option to resolve development barriers, including finalizing the Coast Guard Auxiliary land swap, addressing the brownfields cleanup, and potentially issuing a new Request for Expression of Interest (RFEI). Bohn stated he agreed with the impediments to developers. He noted that IURA funds were invested in the investigation of the brownfield on City-owned property, and reimbursement from the City should be sought. He added that procuring the Coast Guard Auxiliary property would expand the IURA’s ability to EDC Meeting Minutes February 11, 2025 Page 3 of 3 bring in a developer. He questioned the timing of the RFEI but noted that it would help in understanding the types of projects developers are seeking on the island. Ackerman expressed her agreement with the proposal to pursue the brownfield cleanup and acquisition of the Coast Guard Auxiliary property and that it might be beneficial to find resources to identify creative use projects. Members reached a consensus on delaying the issuance of a new RFEI. B. IURA Loans Review: January 2025 Bohn reported that all loan payments and lease payments were current. C. Staff Report Bohn reported that IURA works on a one-year delay in funding. He stated that no vouchers submitted for funds in place were declined and noted that the federal budget for 2025 had not yet been adopted. VII. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 4:26 P.M. — END — Minutes prepared by S. Dean, edited by C. Pyott/N. Bohn.