Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-IURACDC-1980-10-08 thL MINUTES CAC October 8, 1980 GIAC Gymnasium 7:00 P.M. PRESENT: Peter Klinge, Chairman Jasmine Lim, C.D. Coordinator Argin Hutchins Kathe Evans, C.D. Housing Specialist Angelo De Giacomo Peggy Gebhart, C.D. Intern James Loveall H.M. Van Cort, Director, City Planning William Kiernan Also: See Sign-Up Sheet Martin Sampson Bonnie Williams John Ford I. Preliminary Remarks Peter Klinge welcomed the public and CAC members present. He explained that Public Hearings were required during the pre-application process to insure that citizen input was a part of the program. CAC members, he said, were appointed to represent various constituencies throughout the city and were responsible for bringing neighborhood needs and concerns to the attention of the C.D. staff, the IURA and to Common Council. II. Introduction to the C.D.B.G. Program Jasmine Lim explained that Ithaca has received funds since 1975. The Small Cities grant will be up in 1982. In order to receive new funding the city must make a new application. She said that the two slide shows would inform the public about the Community Block Grant Program and what projects are eligible for funding. After the slide shows, Lim passed out a summary of the eligible activities, ineligible activities and the dates, times and locations of upcoming meetings. She stressed that all meetings were open to the public and invited everyone to attend. Lim also mentioned that there was a large grey area between projects that are eligible and ineligible. An example, she said, would be a historic preservation project that would not be eligible on its own, but would apply in a target area. III. Previous C.D. Performance in Ithaca Evans passed out Performance Reports and noted the areas where problems have been encountered and funds not wholly expended. Begininning with the Small Cities funds she explained that these funds were programmed for projects in the target area (Northside, Southside and Central ). Line S104 (312 Loan Administration)she said had administrative problems and the balance of $5,905 was now in limbo until some decision could be made for its use. The same was true for line S204 (also 312 Loans Administration). The St. James AME Zion line S110 was unexpended because of a problem with the church/state controversy. HUD has told the city that it can act at its own risk but no determination has been made as yet because of the threat of suit being brought by the local ACLU. • MINUTES CAC October 8, 1980 Page 2 Merrell Shepherd asked what the outcome of the lawsuit would be and Lim said that it could take years to decide. In the meantime, the city is seeking legal advice and some decision should be made in the next months. Evans added that there were precedents for historic facades of churches being repaired with public funds. She said that it was a shame because the neighborhood was in the process of major rehabilitation and the church stands out as a blighting influence. Summing up the Small Cities expenditures, Evans said that 94% of the first years funds were expended. This was an outstanding record she said as HUD evaluates how fast a program is developed and completed. She commented that the Rehab Loans and Grants. program, INHS Technical Assistance, House Recycling and Neighborhood Improvements projects had been very successful. The 2nd Year Small Cities funds continue the programs begun in the first year. To date, 59% of these funds have been expended. The Washington Park, Southside People's Park and Wood Street Park will. be completed during the next few weeks. The West State Street projgct will be underway when the marketing study is finished in December. Evans said that the 312 Loan Administration funds have been transferred to INHS for implementation there but that HUD may not grant more loan administration funds in Fiscal Year 1980-1981. C.D. staff is therefore investigating the possibility of setting up a small local , non owner occupied rehabilitaion loan fund with the remaining money. Merrell Shepherd asked if HUD's refusal to give new 312 funds to Ithaca was a reflection on the community. Evans said that there had been a nationwide cut back but that HUD was also penalizing Ithaca for not meeting last year's loan threshold ($50,000 in loans or 5 loans). Mr. Shepherd then asked why Ithaca was not able to perform and Evans said that there had been administrative problems and that possibly the original placement of the program in City Hall had been a mistake. INHS is familiar with the immediate community and would probably have performed better. Evans said that the 3rd Year Small Cities grant funds had been received and will begin to be spent. She then briefly reviewed the Entitlement Performance Report noting again the Historic Preservation balances and the 312 Loan Administration balance. She said that Park Facilities (line 209) was being held as matching funds for another grant and that construction would begin in Spring 1981 . In line 303, Neighborhood Facilities, studies were being made on the Handicapped Accessibility project for GIAC. Line 307 deals with site acquisition for new construction of low and moderate income housing. As yet, the city has not bought any appropriate land though the East Hill Valentine property is a possiblity. IV. Application Requirements Lim explained the difference between a Small Cities grant and an Entitlement grant. She said that Ithaca is no longer eligible for an Entitlement Grant because Ithaca's population is not over 50,000 people. For the Small Cities grants there have been no major changes in the application requirements and the program continues to emphasize benefits to low/mod persons through the • MINUTES CAC October 8, 1980 Page 3 provision of housing opportunities, economic opportunities, and public improvements in a targetted area of the city. She said that the competition for Small Cities funds has increased significantly and that the pre-application Ithaca submits in December will be placed among an estimated 40-50 applications from other upstate New York communities. If Ithaca's pre-application is successful , we would be asked to submit a final application. The final application is essentially a formality. If Ithaca's pre-application is successful , we could be fairly certain that funding would be secured. She explained the difference between Single Purpose and Comprehensive Small Cities grants and said that the 1978 application was a comprehensive one. Referring to a handout, she noted the rating system used by HUD and said that the expressed community needs should fit into these categories. Although Ithaca has an excellent past record and was rated first in upstate New York, she said that this was no guarantee that the city would be funded another time. She said that it was very important that the CAC and C.D. staff work together to develop a good program that would meet both local needs and score well under the rating system. V. Citizen Participation Schedule Evans explained the Citizen Participation process and noted the meetings that were coming up in the next months. She said that any questions from the public should be addressed to the CD staff. Proposals would be accepted between October 8 and November 10 either at the public hearings or in writing.. Staff will be available to help individual proposers or organizations draft a good proposal . Forms would be available at the CD office or could be picked up after the meeting. She noted that the IURA will set up the final budget but that they will make their decisions on which programs to include on the basis of CAC and public input. Once again Lim said that all meetings are open and she said that they are advertized in the Journal . New items that might come up will be sent to those people who signed the sign-up sheet at the entrance to the meeting. • VI. Public Comments Evans discussed demographic studies made available by the Planning and Development Department and other local organizations. She said that the report from the assessor's office was very recent as they update information every three months. Noting that the student population in Easthill made the area appear low income, she said that HUD must be advised that the neighborhood is not populated by a majority of full time Ithaca low income residents but that this population is transient and not a permanent part of the community. On the other hand, she said that the student population aided Ithaca's low income figures. Referring to Fall Creek, Evans said that 16% of the residences there were dilapidated compared to 50% of dilapidated residences in the present target area. She said that Fall Creek is under study to see if there is a defined area that might be eligible for rehab funds. MINUTES CAC October 8, 1980 Page 4 After summing up other facts and figures contained in the handout sheets, Evans stressed that eligible programs and designation of target areas must reflect the needs of the low/moderate income persons in the community as reflected in these charts. Chairperson Peter Klinge opened the floor to public comment and six speakers were heard: Pat Valls for Battered Women, Diana Rutherford and Robert Bohdan for the Community Gardens, Sorrel Fisher for the Tompkins County Arts council , Elizabeth Klaer for Senior Citizens and Doug Dylla for Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services. Valls spoke to the increasing national interest in the plight of battered women and said that 20 communities in the country are being funded by CDBG to help these women in various ways. She said her organization would like a grant so they could buy a house in the target area, rehabilitate it and use it as a temporary residence for women who need immediate shelter for themselves and their children from violent home situations. This proposal would both serve the immediate neighborhood because of the rehab work on the house and would provide help to a large number of needful people. Valls noted that once a woman leaves her home without financial resources she becomes classified as a low income person no matter which income bracket she originally came from. Diana Rutherford and Bob Bohdan discussed the two acre parcel of land behind the Northside P&C and said that their organization could buy the land for $40,000 and turn it into a permanent, well organized community garden project. At present the land is owned by the Lockwood family and has been donated on a seasonal basis. The land is assessed at $85,000 but as the Lockwoods strongly support the project, they would sell it at a lesser price if a clause was included to use the land in perpetuity as a community garden. Bohdan noted that 83% of the garden participants at present are low income persons. He said that through education and a permanent facility more people could learn to grow and conserve their own food and become independent of the increasing prices at the stores. Sorrel Fisher said that the Tompkins County Arts Council 's proposal would be used for cultural outreach of the city's low/mod income communities. She said that HUD representatives visited Ithaca and were interested in the yearly festival but noted that many neighborhood ethnic groups did not take part. She said that funds could be used for 'cultural ' vs 'material ' revi- talization of neighborhoods. Elizabeth Klaer said that more elderly INNS housing was needed in the city. She said that her organization supports INNS efforts to halt deterioration of homes owned by elderly people and said that she thought more funds towards this kind of support would be useful . Doug Dylla also spoke for further funding of INNS programs and noted that in some cases more money was being paid for utilities than for mortgages. He said that $5,000 would help with a maintenance training project and also spoke about the continuing blighting influence of St. James AME Zion Church. Chairman Klinge asked for more comments and hearing none adjourned the meeting at 10:00 pm. Lim passed out CDBG summaries of the rating system and proposal forms. Klinge thanked all those present for attending. Respectfully Submitted, • 4 ( / Approved, 9.044.7wruL 7644,,) 7 IURA/CDA and CAC JOINT MEETING OCTOBER 27, 1980 7:30 P.M. SALVATION ARMY BUILDING AGENDA 1 . Small Cities Application - Discussion a) Application Requirements b) Review Progress made to date 8:30 P.M. - CAC adjourns and IURA/CDA meeting begins 2. ACC Contract - Approval 3. Strand a) Approval HUD-City Contract b) Approval CDA-TCCCPA Contract c) Approval CDA-TCCCPA-Building Owners Lease Agreement 4. Adams Street Bridge - Approve Railing Project 5. St. James AME Zion Church 6. Surveyor for Neighborhood Improvements - Disencumber Funds lL p -N'UT )N CAC-IURA/CDA October 27, 1980 7:30 p.m. SALVATION ARMY BUILDING PRESENT: P. Klinge, Chairperson, CAC Mayor R. Bordoni , Chairperson, IURA/CDA Martin Sampson, CAC J. Dennis, IURA/CDA Clarence Reed, CAC, IURA/CDA S. Stein, IURA/CDA A. De Giacomo, CAC H.M. Van Cort, Director, P&D K. Evans C.D. Specialist J. Lim, C.D. Coordinator P. Gebhart, CD Intern D. Siewrattan, CD Bookkeeper See Sign-Up Sheet The meeting was called to order at 8:15, the delay being due to a previous special session of the IURA/CDA that took place in Common Council Chambers. 1 . Small Cities Application Requirements - Discussion a) Application Requirements Lim stated there had been no major changes in Small Cities Application requirements. Although some clarifications and modifications occurred in the regulations, the only 'significant difference lies in the increased competitiveness of the grant. In FY'81 , HUD buffalo Area office expects $5.9 million dollars will be. available to fund 5 to 10 communities from a possible 40-50 applications. She said that the pre-application deadline is December 1st when a preliminary screening occurs. If Ithaca is approved at this point, the city is essentially guaranteed of funding. Final applications are due in April or May and funds would be available on July 1 , 1981 . Lim then outlined the differences between Entitlement and Small Cities grants saying that Ithaca is no longer eligible for Entitlement funds as the population of a community must be 50,000. Two types of grants are included in the Small Cities.'= Grants: sixiale purpose and 'comprehensTve: Both. HUD Buffalo and consultants Raymond Parrish and Pine have encouraged CD staff to apply for a.comprehensive grant, .a there exists more flexibility in program development. The single purpose grants are granted only once and have less money available. Lim:then reviewed the Summary of Rating System and noted that there are a possible 945 points to be gained. She explained the varying ,factors involved in attaining those points and noted there was direct control over 600 of the points. She said that item number 6 'energy conservation' had not previously been included in the rating system and though it counts for only 20 points, they will be trying to include it in all future construction projects. For item number 7, Lim said that the city has heard from the Regional Planning Agency that Ithaca is a growth center. She explained that CAC had selected six potential goals around which staff is able to develop programs. Of these six potential goals, four will be chosen for the pre-application. Although these design criteria are based on needs and viability, she said that sometimes needs cannot be met. Once the program develops, staff will write up proposals to see which goals can best be implemented. CAC-IURA/CDA w. October 27, 1980 Page 2 Evans said that Ithaca will do well on points number 1 and 2, ' 'number and percentage of persons at or below poverty level ' . She said that the students help with this rating compared to other communities but noted that students are not eligible for funding. At this time, she said, fifty other communities are putting together their pre-applications. Some are doing this for the first time, other, like Ithaca, are applying for a second time. She said that Philtichael .owsky of Raymond Parrish and Pine said that it will be hard for HUD to ignore the good performance of Ithaca's drawdown rate which proves Ithaca's (capacity to perform. Lim noted that staff fluctuates between optimism and pessimism over the city's chances of funding. On good days they think of the rehabilitation programs; on bad days they think of the lack of new housing construction, lack of minority contracting, and the lack of a 7% minority employment by the city. Klinge referred IURA/CDA members to the list of goals and objectives and Stein asked what was the potential use of this list. Evans answered that the list can give some guidance to project proposers and CAC evaluation regarding the objectives to be met. The original list had some 40-50 items which had been pared down during the public hearings and through the input of the CAC. Bordoni asked what "intervention sale of housing" was and Evans explained that many Northside and Southside properties are becomcirig absentee landlord properties. One of the aims of the present Duplex Program is to slow the turnover process by having orgainzations such as INHS ta purchase the buildings and resell them to lower income persons who can rent out portions of the house to help with mortgage payments. • Stein noted there were no handicapped needs listed and Evans agreed but said that the Office Of The Aging had mentioned the lack of handicap accessible meeting places. Bordoni asked why handicapped persons had not attended the meetings and Stein said that a year ago, the application disucssions had been largely dominated by handicapped needs. He added that it was not possible to assume that all these needs had been met. Bordoni said that possibly the Advocates of the Handicapped had not heard about the meetings as sometimes it was difficult to find the time to read the newspaper. Reed said that the City, through the Community Development Agency, had funded the HandicappedcAccess Study, had provided ramps on the Southside Community Center as well as continuing its target area curb cut programs. Dennis said that since the last application, the city has demonstrated its good will and suggested that many of the needs had been met. Evans said that the issue of handicapped transportation was taking priority over the pre-application. It was generally agreed that the Agency would make some attempt to notify Handicapped Advocates of the present series of meetings and advise them of the proposal deadline. Stein questioned the clause stating that if 100% of the requirements of the target area are met, that the remaining funds would be used to begin improvements in Fall Creek. This statement suggested that it might be possible to complete the Northside and Southside projects with the proposed funds. Klinge said it would be more accurate to say that there is a concern about the condition of Fall Creek but that the priority remains in the present target area. CAC-IURA/CDA October 27, 1980 Page 3 Evans further elaborated by saying that what the statement meant was that, for instance, if there are 200 houses to be rehabilitated in the target area and 100 homeowners are willing and eligible for Small Cities assistance the CDA must show how it will rehab them under the program. Stein said that it would be good to have a sense of the numbers rather than just a general concept. Klinge added that the research should be up-to-date. Evans said that the data on income eligibility was per the September 15 income guideline. At present a family of four at or under the $13,600 level would be eligible for low/mod designation. A sample questionnaire is presently being developed to aid interviewers with this task. The questionnaire will address itself to adult residents of rental units and owner occupied buildings throughout the target area and will asko what, if any, improvements or repa1its they believe necessary to the property; how many handicapped, students or elderly people live in the unit and what the income of that family is. Evans said the survey is scheduled to begin this week. Stein asked what the next CAC step would be and Klinge said that the project proposals would be reviewed, at the November 10th joint IURA/CDA-CAC meeting and public hearing. He noted that only goals and objectives had been discussed so far. Lim said that staff is trying to keep Common Council members informed about the goals, objectives and planned target area and that as soon as the projects selected for funding are established, Council will be informed. Dennis asked when the proposals were due. Lim answered that the proposals were due on November 10th. The CAC portion of the meeting adjourned at 8:50 P.M. The IURA/CDA meeting convened at 9:10. 2. ACC Contract Approval Van Cort presented three Draft Resolutions regarding the American City Corporation. Reed MOVED that it be RESOLVED that since the terms of the Phase I contract between the American City Corporation and the City of Ithaca have been satisfactorily(` fulfilled, final payment to the American City Corporation for the Phase I work be made. Dennis SECONDED and MOTION PASSED. The second draft resolution, Van Cort explained, referred to the $45,000 Technical Assistance Grant. Stein asked if that meant the second phase of the project would be funded by the State and the Federal Government and Van Cort said yes. CAC-IURA/CDA October 27., 1980 Page 4 Reed MOVED and Dennis SECONDED that WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca is the grantee of a Section 304 Technical Assistance grant from the Economic Development Administration, and WHEREAS, the services to be performed under that grant have been developed with CDA staff for CDA sponsored projects, now THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the CDA administer the Section 304 Technical Assistance grant on behalf of the City pending authorization by Common Council at its next regularly scheduled meeting. MOTION PASSED. Regarding the third resolution, Stein noted that when dealing with large coprorations, it was important to ask who the people would be that would be carrying out the projects.s. Van Cort said that Tom Bourke 'wolf be working on the study and that Bert Winterbottom would be the team leader of the project. He said he would get Borg's resume and added that also a landscape architect working with the Rouse Company and an ACC planner would also be on the job. Stein said that there had been a lack of cooperation with the business people involved with the project and Van Cort said that it was in terms of apathy rather than in negative terms. Dennis said that perhaps the businessmen thought only a study would be done and that there were no more plans after that. Van Cort said that during the Cornell student survey it had been found that one or two large business people and some small business people were interested. Lim said that there had been many 312 requests after a Journal article mentioning the funds to be spent was published. Reed MOVED and Dennis SECONDED that it be RESOLVED that the contract between the American City Corporation and the City of Ithaca for the West State Street study be approved by the IURA/CDA and that the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute such contract, as approved by the City Attorney. MOTION PASSED. 3. Strand Theater Lim referred to the draft contracts sent to agency members and said that in the packet of material handed out at this evening's meeting were two sheets of changes based on the City Attorney;s suggestions. Stein asked what response had been given by HUD and Lim said that their letter was included in the handout material . Lim said that there may be problems during implementation but that the terms of the agreements were as tight as possible. She added that Martin Shapiro would like leeway in the lease agreement because another attorney is involved. Therefore, the lease agreement is not as final as the other contracts. CAC- IURA/CDA October 27,-1980 Page 5 Reed MOVED that it be RESOLVED that the Mayor is authorized to execute a contract with HUD for $290,488 in funds from Section 214 of the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965, such execution contingent upon approval by the Budget and Administration Committee of. the Common Council and the City Attorney. Dennis SECONDED and MOTION PASSED Dennis MOVED and Reed SECONDED that it be RESOLVED that 1 . The Mayor, as Chairman of the IURA/CDA, is hereby authorized to execute the Agreement/Cooperation Agreement between the CDA and the Tompkins County Center for Culture and the Performing Arts as reviewed by the IURA/CDA on October 27, 1980. 2. Such Agreement shall be approved by the City Attorney who may make changes as necessary. 3. $290,488 shall be allocated to and dTsbursed from line 514- Strand Theater. MOTION PASSED. Reed MOVED that it be RESOLVED that: 1 . The. Mayor, as Chairman of the IURA/CDA, is hereby authorized to execute the lease Agreement between the CDA, TCCCPP, and Landlord as reviewed by the IURA/CDA on October 27, 1980. 2. Such Agreement shall be approved by the City Attorney who may make changes as necessary. Ste:in'.SECONDED but asked why the agency was involved with lease agreements. Lim explained that when federal funds are used for rehabilitation, the government requires a lease of long enough duration to protect the federal funds put into the property. She said that a 10 year lease is involved as in the GIAC lease with the same conditions imposed. Dennis asked if the TCCCPA went out of buisness if the City would own the theater. Barbara Thuesen said that it would have to kept as a theater. Lim said that in such a case, CD would get a depreciated share with which to repay the government. The City Attorney has reviewed the lease to ensure that the city does not become liable or obligated for the money. She said that this had been her major concern during the drafting of the lease. MOTION PASSED. • f CAC - IURA/CDA October 27, 1980 Page 6 Bruce Silvey and Barbara Thuesen thanked Agency staff for their help. 4. Adams Street Bridge Approve Railing Project Evans presented railing designs for the Adams Street Bridge project. She said that the original design presented by the engineering department had not been satisfactory to nearby community residents who attended public hearings when this improvement was discussed. Therefore, approval of an extra $1 ,975 was being asked in order to include a railing design appropriate and acceptable ' to the neighborhood residents. She said that the concrete work had begun and that the difference between the simple pipe railing and the proposed new rail.- ing design was $700. Reed MOVED that WHEREAS, the improvements to the Adams Street bridge were to have been a Year III Neighborhood Improvements Project, and WHEREAS, plans were developed for the design of that bridge by Duryea and Wilhelmi and Citizen Participation hearings held, and WHEREAS, both CD staff and citizens have expressed a preference for a bridge railing which better matches the bridge design, now THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that $1 ,975.00 be allocated from line S205/S305, Neighborhood Improvements III, for payment of that part of the Adams Street Bridge bill which is for the handrail . Stein SECONDED and MOTION PASSED. 5. St. James AME Zion Church Evans referred members to a memo from Rocky Piaggione included in the material handed out. Reed asked what the City Attorney had said and Evans said that the memo from Rocky had just come in and that thei_:City Attorney had been very busy with other matters at the time and had made no comment. . After studying the draft resolution it was decided to seek another lawyer's assistance and the Mayor noted that funds were available for this purpose. Reed MOVED that WHEREAS, the deteriorating appearance of the exterior of the St. James AME Zion Church has been determined to be a blighting influence on the CD target area, and WHEREAS, the structure is designated a local landmark, and is being considered for nomination to the National Register by the State Preservation Office, and WHEREAS, monies from HUD have been allocated for exterior restoration of historic buildings, and WHEREAS, INHS= Historic Ithaca and the ILPC have urged recently that these monies be used as proposed, and WHEREAS, HUD Central has advised the city that unless and until HUD determines that use of CD monies for these activities is illegal , the city may make its own decision whether or not to proceed, and WHEREAS, funds are available to engage the services ;a lawyer other , �. ... _than the City Attorney for assistance in this matter, now CAC-IURA/CDA October 27, 1980 Page 7 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor, as Chairman of the IURA/CDA, direct staff seek legal assistance in this matter, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, pending the approval of the attorney that the IURA/CDA does direct staff proceed with release of funds for the exterior facade improvements to the St. James AME Zion Church and that the facade restoration begin as soon as the supervising architect determines. Dennis SECONDED and MOTION PASSED. 6. Surveyor for Neighborhood Improvements - Disencumber Funds Lim explained that in July 1980, CDA had encumbered funds to hire a surveyor of its Neighborhood Improvements projects. This had been done to avoid problems such as occurred in the 1st and 2nd year of the program. Since this encumbrance however, it was discovered that the architect was providing surveying services. Therefore, the staff is asking that the agency dis- encumber the money so that it can be used in another line. Stein MOVED and Dennis SECONDED that WHEREAS, the CDA on July 14, 1980 encumbered $2,500 from line 309 for survey and engineering services to implement Neighborhood Improvements III, and such services are no longer necessary, now THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that these funds be disencumbered for these services and used for other CD expenditures as applicable. MOTION PASSED. The meeting was adjourned at 10:30. Respectfully Submittal, Approved, )6)//-C,14/i-L (10.4AquAia_ Natalie de Combray Jasmine Lim • • t • • •-