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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-IURAED-2025-05-13 108 E. Green St. Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 274-6565 MEETING MINUTES ITHACA URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY Economic Development Committee (EDC) 3:30 P.M., Tuesday, May 13th, 2025 Common Council Chambers, 108 E. Green St., Ithaca, NY 14850 Present: Derek Adams; Siobhan Hull; Chuck Schwerin; Donna Fleming, Acting Chair; Leslie Ackerman [virtual] Excused: Robert G. Cantelmo (Mayor), Chair Vacancies: 0 Staff: Nels Bohn; Charles Pyott [virtual] Guests: Danielle Szabo, Director of Workforce Innovation, Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED) Tom Knipe, Deputy Director for Economic Development, City of Ithaca I. Call to Order Acting Chair Fleming called the meeting to order at 3:34 P.M. II. Agenda Additions/Deletions None. III. Public Comments (3-minute max. per person) None. IV. Review of Meeting Minutes: April 8th, 2025 Schwerin moved, seconded by Adams, to approve the minutes with no modifications. Carried Unanimously: 5-0 V. New Business A. Overview of IAED Workforce Initiative Programs: Danielle Szabo, Director of Workforce Innovation — Discussion • Direct to Work: Pathways to Manufacturing [click to the left] • Tompkins Work: Pathways to Apprenticeship [click to the left] Szabo remarked that the model used by IAED is a workforce industry and community partnership model, and she presented an in-depth overview of the components of the programs. She explained that IAED applied for an OSWD (Office of Strategic Workforce Development) Grant, which will provide flexible capital to create a third initiative known as “Southern Tier Connect Vehicles – Vehicles to Work.” Approved/Adopted: 8/12/25 EDC Meeting Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 2 of 4 Schwerin asked what marketing strategy was used to attract applicants. Szabo responded that recruiting for manufacturing and construction trades was conducted simultaneously, using a digital campaign strategy including ads on Google and algorithms on Facebook. She noted that significantly more applications were received for the construction program from outside of Tompkins County, whereas for the manufacturing program, fewer applications were received, and the majority were direct referrals from community partners. Ackerman commented on the potential of the programs and asked how these programs could pair with other programs that do not have the scale or capacity of the IAED programs and for participants who are not yet ready for an intensive program. Szabo responded that multiple programs can exist under industry partnerships and other programs, and that working with the Workforce Development Board as the workforce intermediary and being embedded with the Career Center is crucial. Adams asked what the goal is for retention following job placement. Szabo responded that the goal is 75% retention with the support of intensive case management and partnership with employers and community partners. Hull asked how many of the first cohort graduating through the construction program will have job placements and if there are any challenges with maintaining living wage jobs. Szabo responded that the program looks for employers to pay the locally designated living wage, and all employers pay $18.59/hour or higher for full-time positions with a benefits package. Several participants have already applied to unions. Various unions have eligibility windows for recruitment, but feedback from the unions indicates that program participants stand a good chance of being accepted as first-year apprentices. Bohn asked for an explanation of pre-apprenticeship in one of the trades and the economic effect on participants. Szabo replied that business managers from each trade inform participants up front about the different levels of apprenticeship, pensions, annuity, health care plans, wages, and expectations. Schwerin asked if graduates are considered independent contractors. Szabo responded, “No.” Schwerin asked if graduates are paying dues. Szabo responded that it is up to the unions. IAED has flexible capital to assist with payment of dues or additional tools needed when they enroll in their first year of apprenticeship, if not sponsored by their union of choice. Bohn asked if IAED has successfully attracted a diverse pool of candidates. Szabo responded that 50% of the construction program is male and 50% female. She indicated that racial diversity is not there. Socioeconomically, education levels are higher. The manufacturing program is lower in gender diversity and 50% in racial diversity. Knipe asked what opportunities are seen in the next 2-5 years for expanding this model. Szabo responded that expansion in health or human services has been identified, but more capacity is needed to grow. EDC Meeting Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 3 of 4 Bohn asked about the cost of job placement. Szabo responded that funding is offset with federal, state, and local dollars, partnering with the Workforce Development Board, and offsetting operational costs under WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act). The tuition per person is $781, which offsets the cost of OSHA 10-Hour Certification, the non-technical skills instructor, and the proctored and national credential testing. Funding is leveraged, working with SUNY and TC3 to offset the remaining technical cost and stipend for Direct to Work. B. Annual Election of Committee Officers Bohn explained that per the IURA By-Laws, the Committee selects its own Vice-Chairperson and nominates a Chairperson for the IURA Board to appoint, one of whom is required to be an IURA Board member. Adams nominated Hull as Chairperson, and Fleming proposed the appointment of Ackerman to continue as Vice-Chairperson. Fleming moved, seconded by Adams: 2025 IURA Economic Development Committee (EDC) Election of Vice-Chairperson & Nomination of Chairperson WHEREAS, the IURA By-laws provide that the committee membership shall elect its own committee Vice-Chairperson and nominate to the IURA Board a member to serve as Chairperson of the Committee, and WHEREAS, IURA By-laws further require at least one officer must be an IURA member, and WHEREAS, officers of each committee serve a one-year term, but continue to hold office until their successor is selected or appointed, and WHEREAS, the current committee officers are: Chairperson: Rob Cantelmo Vice-Chairperson: Leslie Ackerman, and WHEREAS, at their May 13, 2025, meeting the Chair called for nominations for Vice-Chair and Chair of the IURA Economic Development Committee; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, that the IURA Economic Development Committee hereby nominates Siobhan Hull as Committee Chairperson, and be it further RESOLVED, that the IURA Economic Development Committee hereby elects Leslie Ackerman as Committee Vice-Chairperson. Carried Unanimously: 5-0 EDC Meeting Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 4 of 4 VI. Old/Other Business A. IURA Grant Disbursement, Loan, & Lease Receivable Reports: March 2025 Bohn reported that progress has been made on disbursing grant funds, though he does not anticipate meeting the spenddown goal because of several larger projects under the CDBG program. Bohn reported that all loan payments are current and that all lease payments, except one, are current. B. Staff Report Bohn reported that he has been working with John Guttridge on his rehab project at 115-123 South Cayuga Street. He has made significant progress, and Bohn anticipates the project will be on the Committee’s agenda by July. Fleming asked about the next step for the Cherry Street and Inlet Island properties. Bohn replied that the next step for Cherry Street is issuing a Request for Expressions of Interest, and that the next step for Inlet Island is working to eliminate some of the uncertainties, one of which is to complete the acquisition of the property currently occupied by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the other to hire a consultant to determine the extent of soil contamination. VII. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 4:54 P.M. — END — Minutes prepared by S. Dean, edited by C. Pyott/N. Bohn.