The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMN-IURAED-2026-04-14 108 E. Green St. Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 274-6565 MEETING MINUTES ITHACA URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY Economic Development Committee (EDC) 3:30 P.M., Tuesday, April 14th, 2026 Common Council Chambers, 108 E. Green St., Ithaca, NY 14850 Present: Leslie Ackerman, Vice-Chair; Donna Fleming; Derek Adams; Robert G. Cantelmo (Mayor), Chair; Chuck Schwerin [virtual] Excused: None. Vacancies: 1 Staff: Nels Bohn; Charles Pyott [virtual] Guests: None. I. Call to Order Cantelmo called the meeting to order at 3:32 P.M. II. Agenda Additions/Deletions None. III. Public Comments (3-minute max. per person) None. IV. Review of Meeting Minutes: March 10th, 2026 Ackerman moved, seconded by Fleming, to approve the minutes with no modifications. Carried Unanimously: 5-0 V. New Business A. Common Council-Adopted City Policy Priorities — Review Cantelmo explained Common Council recently adopted a new set of policy priorities (as described in resolution pasted further below), including: (1) establishing citywide minimum residential density requirements; (2) creating a comprehensive zoning reform package to modernize land use regulations; and (3) consideration of new design standards to streamline and improve the residential and mixed-use property development process. Ackerman asked how establishing a “standalone Parks Department” would be paid for, given the City’s tight budget. Cantelmo replied that most likely resources would be reallocated from related City departments/divisions. Bohn added there has been a general movement towards rationalize a more Approved/Adopted: 5/19/26 EDC Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026 Page 2 of 12 efficient management structure for overseeing the City’s park system. Ackerman observed there may even be some cost savings associated with the project. EDC Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026 Page 3 of 12 EDC Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026 Page 4 of 12 EDC Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026 Page 5 of 12 VI. Old/Other Business A. Development of 2026 HUD Entitlement Program Action Plan 1. FY2026 HUD Funding Allocations — Report Bohn explained the City/IURA finally received official notice of Ithaca’s FY2026 HUD Entitlement Funding allocations, both of which fortunately increased compared to FY2025: • Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program $715,084.00 • HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) $286,155.57 2. Excerpt from 3/26/26 Draft IURA Minutes Public Hearing/Q&A on Economic Development Projects — Review Bohn noted the IURA Board’s recent discussion of the two Economic Development applications, which the Committee is considering today, is excerpted in today’s meeting agenda materials and reproduced below: (continued on following page) EDC Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026 Page 6 of 12 EDC Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026 Page 7 of 12 3. IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC) Recommendation: Review Matrix Bohn reported that NIC met on April 9, 2026 and agreed on the recommendations (i.e., full funding for both programs) reflected in the matrix pasted further below: (continued on following page) 4. Committee Recommendation Cantelmo indicated he agrees with NIC’s funding-level recommendations. Graham agreed. Cantelmo moved, seconded by Ackerman, to approve and recommend the Neighborhood Investment Committee’s (NIC) following Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program funding recommendations for 2026 HUD Entitlement Program economic Development projects to the IURA Board for its consideration: • Coordinated Pathways to Permanent Local Employment (Finger Lakes ReUse, Inc.) $65,132 • Hospitality Employment Training Program (HETP) (Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Inc.) $100,000 Carried Unanimously: 5-0 B. Draft Revision to Density District Priority Business Loan Fund Program — Review Bohn explained the following initial draft changes have been made so far to the IURA’s PB-LF policy, as a result of the Committee’s February 2026 discussion: EDC Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026 Page 2 of 12 EDC Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026 Page 3 of 12 Bohn noted this program is designed to tolerate a little more risk in return for more community benefit, including a maximum of $250,000 loan amount and a higher proportion of project costs to be funded through the IURA. Cantelmo proposed extending the eligible area to the Southworks property (e.g., 1-block width through Cayuga Street for an additional 2½ blocks). No objections were raised. Bohn replied he would need to check to ensure the area is within the Urban Renewal Plan. Ackerman remarked that “arts and entertainment” and “destination food and beverage” are both listed twice in the list of categories. Cantelmo asked if the interest rate is 75% of prime. Bohn responded the program does not actually formally establish the interest rate (although the practice has been to set it at 75% of prime, as a starting point, and adjusted according to benefit and risk). Cantelmo moved, seconded by Ackerman, to recommend that the proposed changes be circulated for review by the IURA Board and Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA). No objections were raised. EDC Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026 Page 4 of 12 B. Staff Report Bohn reported that an older grants summary has been included in the agenda materials for the Committee’s review. He believes the IURA should be able to comply with the HUD CDBG spend-down deadline on June 1st. VII. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 3:58 P.M. — END — Minutes prepared by C. Pyott, edited by N. Bohn.