HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-IURAAC-2025-04-25
108 E. Green St.
Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 274-6565
MEETING MINUTES
ITHACA URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY
Audit Committee
9:00 A.M., Friday, April 25th, 2025
Members: Karl Graham, Chairperson; Donna Fleming, Vice-Chairperson; Shaianne Osterreich
Excused: Robert Cantelmo (Mayor); Siobhan Hull
Common Council Liaison: Ducson Nguyen
IURA Staff: Nels Bohn; Anisa Mendizabal; Charles Pyott [virtual]
City Staff: Lisa Nicholas, Director of Planning & Development Department
Guests: None
I. Call to Order
Chairperson Graham called the meeting to order at 9:04 A.M.
II. Review of Audit Committee Membership & Charge
Membership:
Each member of the IURA Board is appointed to the Audit Committee (Chair: Karl Graham; Vice-Chair:
Donna Fleming).
Responsibilities:
1. Oversee preparation of an annual audit of the Agency prepared by an independent accounting firm;
2. Review the results of external audits and develop recommendations to the Agency to address any
issues or concerns raised by the external auditor;
3. Review and approve internal controls to safeguard its assets; and
4. Investigate problems in financial reporting, internal control or compliance as they arise.
III. Additions/Deletions to/from Agenda
None.
IV. Public Comments (3 min. max. per person)
None.
Approved: 5/28/26
V. New Business
A. Election of Committee Vice-Chairperson & Nomination of Chairperson
Graham asked if any other Committee members would like to serve as Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson.
No Committee members responded.
Moved by Graham, seconded by Osterreich:
2025 IURA Audit Committee Election of Vice-Chairperson and Nomination of Chairperson
WHEREAS, the IURA By-laws provide that the committee membership shall elect its own committee
Vice-Chairperson and nominate to the Agency a member to serve as Chairperson of the Audit
Committee, 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: Karl Graham
Vice-Chairperson: Donna Fleming, and
WHEREAS, at their April 25, 2025 meeting, the IURA Audit Committee called for nominations for Vice-
Chair and Chair of the IURA Audit Committee; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the IURA Audit Committee hereby nominates Karl Graham as Committee Chairman,
and be it further
RESOLVED, that the IURA Audit Committee hereby elects Donna Fleming as Committee Vice-
Chairperson.
Carried Unanimously: 3-0
B. Approval of Audited 2024 IURA Financial Report
Graham explained that Insero & Company’s FY2024 Financial Audit Report once again raised no issues,
findings, recommendations, or concerns. Since the IURA is considered a blended component of the City of
Ithaca, this audit only represents a small proportion of the larger City audit. The IURA audit is required to be
conducted within 90 days of the end of each fiscal year. Bohn added that the audit is performed based on a
modified accrual basis. He noted that while the IURA possesses a number of significant assets, most of them
are restricted in terms of the uses they can be employed for (e.g., HODAG funds can only be used towards
affordable rental housing).
Moved by Fleming, seconded by Osterreich:
Approval of 2024 IURA Financial Audit Report
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) derives the majority of its finances from grants
awarded to the City of Ithaca, and
WHEREAS, for financial reporting purposes, the IURA is a blended component unit of the City of Ithaca
whose financial activity is reported in the Special Grant Fund, a governmental fund of the City of Ithaca
financial statements, and
WHEREAS, the IURA contracts separately from the City to have its finances audited within 90 days of the
end of its fiscal year to comply with the Public Authorities Accountability Act, and
WHEREAS, the IURA received an audited 2024 IURA financial report on March 18, 2025, and
WHEREAS, at its April 18, 2025 meeting, the IURA Governance Committee reviewed the financial report
and attached correspondence and recommended its approval, and
WHEREAS, at its April 25, 2025 meeting, the IURA Audit Committee reviewed the financial report and
attached correspondence and recommended the following action; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, the IURA hereby approves the Financial Report of the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency for the
period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, prepared by the accounting firm of Insero & Co. CPAs,
LLP.
Carried Unanimously: 3-0
VI. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:18 A.M.
— END —
Minutes prepared by S. Dean, edited by C. Pyott/N. Bohn.