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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-IURACDC-1980-02-04 1U RA/CDA MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING FEBRUARY 4, 1980 4:00 PM - Planning Office PRESENT: Anne Jones, IURA/CDA H.M. Van Cort, Planning and Development Director Stuart Stein , IURA/CDA Katherine Evans , CD Staff Mayor Raymond Bordoni , Chairman , IURA/CDA James Dennis, IURA/CDA Press Mayor Bordoni called the meeting to order at 4:00. As the January 28 resolution to enter into a contract with the American Cities Corporation (ACC) did not include mention of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) , this special meeting was called to discuss and act on a new, more complete resolution. Stein asked about the 9th clause dealing with right of first refusal . Van Cort said that this consisted of the McRobb/Goldberg group 's right to attempt to build the Ithaca Center according to the ACC development plan. Dennis asked whether, if McRobb/Goldberg said yes, they would have to return to the IURA/CDA after 90 days with their plans and Van Cort said yes. He added that the ACC will help judge the group's progress towards construction but that specific goals were not set out because 90 days is too short a period to develop financing and leasing commitments. Stein asked what will happen once McRobb/Goldberg make their decision. Van Cort said there were three possibilities. If they said no, then a new developer would be sought. If they said yes and they return within 90 days with a good indication of progress , then the IURA/CDA will either set a new percent of completion goal and time frame or will ask that construction begin immediately. If, on the other hand, they have not shown sufficient progress, the IURA/CDA can terminate the contract and search for a new developer. Dennis asked if the ACC will determine what is reasonable progress, and Bordoni said yes , that this was part of their job. Jones said that the expectations of the ACC and the IURA/CDA should be made clear to the developer. Bordoni said that- the IURA/CDA will work with the ACC to set up guidelines and help the City define the milestones for each step of the way. Dennis asked if the ACC knows enough about the McRobb/Goldberg proposal and Van Cort said no, that they have not yet assigned a project director. Stein asked if the final decision rests with the IURA/CDA and Van Cort said that it does. IURA/CDA MINUTES Feb.4 , 1980 Rages 2 Dennis suggested writing to McRobb/Goldberg about the 90 day progress requirements and Van Cort said that he would. He added that if they were still interested after 90 days, the IURA/CDA would continue sponsorship of the program and define the additional requirements. Dennis said that in the past. after a certain point. the IURA didn 't know what to ask. He suggested spelling out project goals even if not apparently needed. After discussion, it was decided to add the following clauses to the resolution : BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon completion of the 90 day period, if McRobb/ Goldberg are still interested in the project and it is determined by the IURA/CDA that they have made reasonable progress, that their redeveloper status will be continued for a specified amount of time, and that further achievements in leasing and financing will be defined for the next phase of development, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ACC will assist the IURA/CDA in setting up scheduling and progress goals for the project and the IURA/CDA' s future approvals. Jones asked how much money was being put down by the developer. Van Cort answered that during the summer of 1979, McRobb/Goldberg stated they were willing to make a goodwill deposit... Mayor Conley and Van Cort had therefore subsequently dropped the subject. Stein suggested that this could be brought up again in the 2nd stage and said it acted like a bid bond in that the receiver has a committment too. Van Cort added that it raises the developer's risk and makes him more reluctant to pull out. Stein noted it also tied the IURA/CDA to the developer and said they might want to consider it as a good faith deposit in the 2nd phase. Stein also asked- if the 1st stage also included !Nest State Street and Van Cort said yes. The 550,000 from CD funds would cover the West State Street project and part of the Ithaca Center project. Stein then asked how much -coney the ACC would need for those 90 days and Van Cort suggested adding the amount of up to $45,000 to the contract. Stein asked that "Ithaca Center" be added into the contract to define "project" and questioned if the last clause of the resolution designated that the Mayor be empowered. to sign all necessary agreements for the Ithaca Center/ ACC contract only. Stein asked if the ACC will be looking into Colleaetown as well and Van Cort said they have been specifically asked to examine the Elmira Road and all competing business nodes to determine what area is drained by another with special emphasis on the downtown. 1URA/CDA MINUTES Feb. 4, 1980 Pace 3 Stein asked if this Resolution had been to Council and Van Cort said it was on the Agenda for the 6th of February. A similar resolution was passed at the last Council meeting but needn't be chanced as the changes made at this meeting had established built-in protection for the IURA/CDA Dennis MOVED approval of the contract as amended and Jones SECONDED. WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has worked toward construction of a development on the Ithaca Center site for many years, and WHEREAS, there have been various attempts at development, and WHEREAS, the assistance of a professional development corporation would be of considerable help to the City in accomplishing development of this crucial site in downtown, and WHEREAS, the American City Corporation, a subsidiary of the Rouse Company has made a proposal to the City of Ithaca for providing such development assistance, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor is hereby directed, with review by the City Attorney, to enter into a contract with the American City Corporation and the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency, based on American City Corporation 's proposal to the City of Ithaca of December 1979, for development assistance for the Ithaca Center Project. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the above contract shall be in two phases , the first phase to be paid for with Community Development funds , in the amount of up to $45,000, the second phase to be authorized by the Common Council , contingent upon receipt of a 304 Technical Assistance Grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor is hereby directed to make application to the Economic Development Administration for a Section 304 Techinical Assistance grant to undertake the second stage of the i^f, i(' r. M NF TES i Jf:r,j DN, i :I YJ� �� Feb. 4, 1980 Pace 4 consultant services for the Ithaca Center site. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IURA does hereby request that the New York State Urban 'Development Corporation grant redeveloper status to the McRobb/Goldberg group. • BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this conditional redeveloper status, consisting of a right-of-first refusal , shall terminate automatically alter a 90-day period, commencing upon signing of the contract by and among the City of Ithaca , the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency, and the American City Corporation, if the McRobb/Goldberg group has not made reasonable progress toward development of the project, as determined by the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon completion of the 90 day period, if McRobb/Goldberg are still interested in the project and they have made reasonable progress, it is the determination of the IURA/CDA that their redeveloper status will be continued for a specified amount of time to be then determined at which time other achievements (leasing and financing) will be defined as above, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ACC will assist the IURA/CDA in setting up time periods and progress goals as above, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor, as Chairman of the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency, be hereby authorized to enter into any and all agreements necessary for this phase of the completion of the Ithaca Center Project as specified above upon approval of the City Attorney. MOTION PASSED Meeting adjourned at 5:15. Respectfully _Submitted, A proved, Natalie de Co -bray katherine Evans :URA AGENDA - February 11 , 1980 - _ Our Orawdown Goal for February is $37 , 030 Our Drawdowns have been January - February , 1980 : $130 , 000 REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES : Jan. 14 , 1980 Jan . 21 , 1980 Jan . 28 , 1980 NEW BUSINESS • 1 . City Wide Sidewalks Grant Program Detailed Program Proposal-Discussion 2 . Report: West State Street Design Project OLD BUSINESS 1 . ' Review and Approval of Contracts - INHS Work Crew, ACC Contract 2 . Report on Status of IURA Contract with DPW 3 . Resolution : Trnasfer of Cherry Street to IURA. ADMINISTRATION 1. Set up meeting times for Personnel Subcommittee Program Income Subcommittee IURA/CDA MINUTES FEBRUARY 11 , 1980 5:00 P.M. - PANNING DEPARTMENT PRESENT: Mayor Bordoni , Chairman, IURA/CDA Anne Jones, IURA/CDA Stuart Stein, IURA/CDA James .Dennis, IURA/CDA Clarence Reed, IURA/CDA H.M. Van Cort, Director, Planning Herman Sieverding, Planning Staff Kathe Evans , C.D. Staff Press Mayor Bordoni called the meeting to order at 5:15. Evans pointed to the drawdown goal at the top of the Agenda and said that this month we were holding to our schedule. Since January, $30,000 has been drawn down. Review and Approval of Minutes Discussion of the January 21 , 1980 Minutes resulted in the following amendments: 1 . In the Resolution regarding the IURA Parcel closeout, that the late Richard M. Daley's name be replaced with the name of the acting Chief Fiscal Officer, Deputy City Controller, Joseph Spano; 2. That the figure $12,500 be amended to read $2,500 regarding the McEvoy bill on page 8; 3. That the Minutes also be amended on page 11 to show that Stuart Stein volunteered for the Program Income Committee and that Dennis volunteered for the Personnel Committee; 4. That on page 12, the step preceding check signing should state that it involves the initialing of each separate bill indicating approval for payment, by either Evans, Cox, de Combray, or Van Cort, depending on the nature of the bill . Dennis MOVED to approve the Minutes of the January 14 Minutes, the January 21 Minutes as amended above, and the January 28 Minutes. Jones SECONDED and MOTION PASSED. Section 8 of Resolution Number 131 will now read as follows: Joseph Spano, Deputy City Controller of the City of Ithaca, New York, is hereby authorized and empowered to execute and file requisitions for funds in a lesser amount of $14,696.37, which, together with the Grant heretofore made of $963,615, is not to exceed 5948,918.63, which is the amount of the State capital grant contract. ._BRA/CDA MINUTES FEBRUARY 11 , 1980 Page 2 Van Cort asked Agency members if they wanted all Resolutions included in full in the Minutes as the Minutes are a legal document. Agency members said yes. New Business 1 . Citywide Sidewalks Grant Program Evans introduced new Planning staff member Herman Sieverding who has worked up a sidewalk proposal using $10,000 of 4th Year Project funds set aside to assist low income homeowners throughout the City. Sieverding suggested working with the Department of Public Works to disseminate the program information in the yearly Sidewalk Inspection Report. The inspection concentrates on different neighborhoods each year and this year South Hill is slated for the survey. He said that 40 to 45 applications could be taken as sidewalk repair generally costs $200 to $250. Stein said that last year, City repair of sidewalks did not include needed curb cuts and he asked if this program could include the cuts . Evans said no, that the program was only for fixing low income resident's sidewalks. Stein said that the DPW only lowers curbs when they are being reconstructed but not when sidewalks are reconstructed. He asked about changing the policy and he MOVED that the IURA/CDA request that the Department of Public Works adopt a policy of lowering curbs at the corners each time the curbs or sidewalks are reconstructed so that handi- capped people may thereby be served. Jones SECONDED and MOTION PASSED. Jones asked if the schedule proposed is effective in reaching all eligible owners from all parts of the City and Van Cort said that it was. He added that he was more worried that they would get twice as many applications than they can afford and may have to request more money. Reed asked if a progress report could be had in April and Evans said yes and that she would have a contract prepared for the next meeting. She added that this was the most economical way to spread a little money a long way. Dennis MOVED that the IURA/CDA support the Citywide Sidewalk Repair program and direct C.D. staff to proceed according to the memorandum. Stein SECONDED and MOTION PASSED. 2. Report - West State Street Design Project Van Cort explained that this was a Small Cities project that would provide valuable information to the ACC to include land use and marketing information. One job of the Community Organizers, he said, was to try to get some interest among the merchants but that to date they have met with disinterest. Now, working with Cornell students under Henry Richardson and Keith Grey, organizers hope some interest has been generated. 1 � IURA/CDA MINUTES FEBRUARY 11 , 1 980 Page 3 Stein asked who the client of this project was and Van Cort said INNS. He said that this was because the organizers work most closely with the students. Stein then asked who was sponsoring the organizers and Van Cort said that the relationship has never been very clear and was still not spelled out. He said that though it was actually a joint interest, the organizers worked mainly with the NHS. Dennis asked how the study relates to the ACC and Van Cort said that if a merchant owner organization is established, it will help ACC. However, he added that it could go wrong in that some people may perceive the student's plans as the plans for West State Street and resist the new ones presented by the ACC. Van Cort said that he had had many meetings with the students to stress that they must represent their plans as idea generators. Old Business 1 . Report on Status of IURA Contract with the DPW Van Cort said that in November, he had sent a memorandum to Dingman setting down arrangements with regards to the contract between IURA/CDA and BPW/DPW. Three weeks ago a memo from Dingman referred this information to the City Attorney who said that one more meeting is needed. Dennis stated that Council has passed a resolution requesting the contract, and the IURA/CDA has passed a resolution requesting the contract and that the meeting should be set up to finalize the contract. All members agreed and Van Cort said that he will see to setting up the meeting in the next few weeks. 2. Review and Approval of Contracts - INNS Work Crew, ACC Contract Evans passed out copies of the INHS Work Crew contract for review and noted that the $20,000 allocated to this project was for two years and would be matched by other fund sources such as CETA. With regards to the ACC contract, Jones said that the developer needs to know the exact time scheduling for performance and added that some information should be available after six weeks. After some further discussion, Reed MOVED to approve the contract contingent upon City Attorney approval . Stein SECONDED and MOTION PASSED. IURA/CD:4 MINUTES FEBRUARY 11 , 1980 =ape 4 3. Resolution : Transfer of Cherry Street to IURA/CDA Dennis asked if it was important to pass this resolution at this meeting. Van Cort said yes as we have a lessee and the contract had to be signed. He said that as it was a City Capital Project , the bills would be paid by the City Finance Department. He added that the contract was acceptable to the Engineering Department, the Finance Department, and to the City Attorney. He said that the City would retain ownership of the road bisecting the property but would be leasing the land. Stein asked about insurance and Van Cort said he would check into it. Reed MOVED and Stein SECONDED the following Resolution: RESOLVED that the IURA/CDA accept ownership of the Cherry Street Industrial Park in cooperation with City Departments who will assist in the developing and leasing, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the IURA/CDA directs the Mayor as Chairman of the IURA/CDA to sign any papers necessary to effectuate that transfer contingent upon City Attorney approval . MOTION PASSED. 4. Administration Discussion followed as to meeting times for the subcommettees and Dennis said that any day except Thursday after 5:00 would be alright with him. Stein said that after 5:00 on Thursdays or Fridays would be good for him. Van Cort said that meetings would be set up in the following weeks. Jones asked that discussion of the IURA/CDA Directorship be added to the next meeting 's Agenda and Evans said that she would see to it. Meeting adjourned at 7:00. Respectfully Submitted, Apr oved, 446-1"- -4.1444.1—k7.1044.5 Natalie de Combray Katherine Evans