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Home My WebLink AboutMN-IURA-2018-02-22Approved: 3/22/18 108 E. Green St. Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 274-6565 DRAFT MINUTES ITHACA URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY Common Council Chambers, City Hall 8:30 A.M., Thursday, February 22, 2018 Members: Svante Myrick, Chair; Tracy Farrell, Vice‐Chair; Karl Graham; Laura Lewis (Common Council Liaison); Eric Rosario Excused: Chris Proulx Staff: Nels Bohn; JoAnn Cornish; Anisa Mendizabal; Charles Pyott Guests: None I. Call to Order Chair Myrick called the meeting to order at 8:32 A.M. II. Agenda Additions/Deletions No changes were made to the agenda. III. Public Comment None. IV. Review of Draft Meeting Minutes: January 25, 2018 Farrell moved, seconded by Graham, to approve the January 25, 2018 meeting minutes, with no modifications. Carried Unanimously 4‐0 V. Governance Committee (GC) Report A. Authorized Signers on IURA Bank Accounts Rosario explained that the former City Deputy Director for Economic Development retired, so the authorized signers list needs to be updated to include the City’s Deputy Director for Planning and Development. Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency IURA Minutes February 22, 2018 Page 2 of 9 Moved by Rosario, seconded by Farrell: IURA Minutes February 22, 2018 Page 3 of 9 Carried Unanimously 4‐0 IURA Minutes February 22, 2018 Page 4 of 9 B. Procurement of Independent Contractors Rosario explained this is the last year an extension to the original IURA independent contractors RFP can be made, so next year the IURA will need to issue a new RFP. 1. Legal Services Moved by Rosario, seconded by Farrell: 2018 Procurement of Independent Legal Services: Geldenhuys WHEREAS, the contract for independent legal services with Mariette Geldenhuys, Attorney‐ at‐Law (Geldenhuys) expires on February 28, 2018, and WHEREAS, in accordance with IURA procurement policy and regulations contained in 24 CFR §85.36, the IURA selected Geldenhuys through a Request for Proposals (RFP) selection process in 2015, and WHEREAS, whereas per applicable procurement regulations, a contractor selected through an initial competitive selection process may be renewed for up to three additional one‐year terms without undertaking a new competitive selection process, and WHEREAS, a proposed 2018 contract would constitute the third one‐year extension of the base independent consultant contract, and WHEREAS, Geldenhuys submitted a proposal on January 31, 2018 to continue providing legal services to the IURA at a maximum billing rate of $215 per hour, a 2.3% increase from the current contract rate, and WHEREAS, the IURA staff is highly satisfied with the quality of legal services provided by Geldenhuys, and WHEREAS, the 2018 IURA budget recommended a total authorized contract amount of $12,000 for legal services; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that IURA Chair is hereby authorized, upon review of IURA legal counsel, to execute a contract extension for independent contractor legal services with Mariette Geldenhuys, Attorney and Mediator, at a maximum hourly rate of $215 per hour with the total amount not to exceed $12,000, and be it further RESOLVED, that the source of such funds for legal services shall be derived from a variety of funding sources, including, but not limited to, CDBG and HOME funds, and expenses shall be billed to the appropriate source of funds for which the services were performed. Carried Unanimously 4‐0 IURA Minutes February 22, 2018 Page 5 of 9 Moved by Rosario, seconded by Farrell: 2018 Procurement of Independent Legal Services: Ruswick WHEREAS, the contract for independent legal services with Richard P. Ruswick, Attorney at Law, at Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP (Ruswick) expires on February 28, 2018, and WHEREAS, in accordance with IURA procurement policy and regulations contained in 24 CFR §85.36, the IURA selected Ruswick through a Request for Proposals (RFP) selection process in 2015, and WHEREAS, whereas per applicable procurement regulations, a contractor selected through an initial competitive selection process may be renewed for up to three additional one‐year terms without undertaking a new competitive selection process, and WHEREAS, a proposed 2018 contract would constitute the third one‐year extension of the base independent consultant contract, and WHEREAS, Ruswick submitted a proposal on February 5, 2018 to continue providing legal services to the IURA at a maximum billing rate of $195 per hour, a 2.6% increase from the current contract rate, and WHEREAS, the IURA staff is highly satisfied with the quality of legal services provided by Ruswick, and WHEREAS, the 2018 IURA budget recommended a total authorized contract amount of $4,000 for legal services; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that IURA Chair is hereby authorized, upon review of IURA legal counsel, to execute a contract extension for independent contractor legal services with Richard P. Ruswick at Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP, at a maximum hourly rate of $195 per hour with the total amount not to exceed $4,000, and be it further RESOLVED, that the source of such funds for legal services shall be derived from a variety of funding sources, including, but not limited to, CDBG and HOME funds, and expenses shall be billed to the appropriate source of funds for which the services were performed. Carried Unanimously 4‐0 Moved by Rosario, seconded by Farrell: 2018 Procurement of Independent Legal Services: Sulimowicz WHEREAS, the contract for independent legal services with Sharon M. Sulimowicz, Attorney at Law, (Sulimowicz) expires on February 28, 2018, and IURA Minutes February 22, 2018 Page 6 of 9 WHEREAS, in accordance with IURA procurement policy and regulations contained in 24 CFR §85.36, the IURA selected Sulimowicz through a Request for Proposals (RFP) selection process in 2015, and WHEREAS, whereas per applicable procurement regulations, a contractor selected through an initial competitive selection process may be renewed for up to three additional one‐year terms without undertaking a new competitive selection process, and WHEREAS, a proposed 2018 contract would constitute the third one‐year extension of the base independent consultant contract, and WHEREAS, Sulimowicz submitted a proposal on January 24, 2018 to continue providing legal services to the IURA at a maximum billing rate of $175 per hour, a 0% increase from the current contract rate, and WHEREAS, the IURA staff is highly satisfied with the quality of legal services provided by Sulimowicz, and WHEREAS, the 2018 IURA budget recommended a total authorized contract amount of approximately $4,000 for legal services; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that IURA Chair is hereby authorized, upon review of IURA legal counsel, to execute a contract extension for independent contractor legal services with Sharon M. Sulimowicz, Attorney‐at‐Law, at a maximum hourly rate of $175 per hour with the total amount not to exceed $4,000, and be it further RESOLVED, that the source of such funds for legal services shall be derived from a variety of funding sources, including, but not limited to, CDBG and HOME funds, and expenses shall be billed to the appropriate source of funds for which the services were performed. Carried Unanimously 4‐0 2. Community Development Services Moved by Rosario, seconded by Farrell: 2018 Procurement of Independent Consultant Services: H. Sicherman & Co., Inc. WHEREAS, the contract for independent professional consulting services with H. Sicherman & Co., Inc. (“Sicherman”) expired on February 28, 2018, and WHEREAS, in accordance with IURA procurement policy and regulations contained in 24 CFR §85.36, the IURA selected Sicherman through a Request for Proposals (RFP) selection process in 2015 to provide technical assistance for development, administration and implementation of the IURA community development program, including loan underwriting, and IURA Minutes February 22, 2018 Page 7 of 9 WHEREAS, whereas per applicable procurement regulations, a contractor selected through an initial competitive selection process may be renewed for up to three additional one‐year terms without undertaking a new competitive selection process, and WHEREAS, a proposed 2018 contract would constitute the third one‐year extension of the base independent consultant contract, and WHEREAS, Sicherman submitted a proposal on January 25, 2018 to continue providing community development consulting services to the IURA at a maximum billing rate of $181 per hour, a 3.4 % increase from the current contract rate, and WHEREAS, loan underwriting services of Ms. Elizabeth Kraus of Sicherman are offered at a rate of $145 per hour, a 4.1% change from the 2016 rate of $139 per hour that remained unchanged in 2017, and WHEREAS, the IURA staff is highly satisfied with the quality of services provided by Sicherman, and WHEREAS, the 2018 IURA budget recommended a total authorized contract amount of $10,000 for community development consulting services; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that IURA Chair is hereby authorized, upon review of IURA legal counsel, to execute a contract extension for independent contractor community development services with H. Sicherman & Co., Inc. at a maximum hourly rate of $181 per hour with the total amount not to exceed $10,000, and be it further RESOLVED, that the source of such funds for legal services shall be derived from a variety of funding sources, including, but not limited to, CDBG and HOME funds, and expenses shall be billed to the appropriate source of funds for which the services were performed. Carried Unanimously 4‐0 C. Committee Chairperson Report Rosario announced that the Committee was joined by new member and former City of Ithaca Mayor John Gutenberger. VI. Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC) Report A. 402 S. Cayuga Street Project Update Graham reported that Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins & Cortland Counties withdrew from the project for financial and operational reasons. INHS subsequently expressed interest in it and discussed the project with the Committee. INHS determined that a full build on the site would be too expensive, but they have been consulting with Cayuga Country Homes, which believes four attached modular townhomes could be placed on the site. INHS is going to obtain a more detailed proposal. IURA Minutes February 22, 2018 Page 8 of 9 B. Committee Chairperson Report Graham reported that the Committee reviewed data on affordable housing, including a report on employer‐assisted housing and a study on labor market engagement and proximity to work, which was broken down by income and race. African Americans and Native Americans are more likely to be employed than other racial/ethnic groups in the City ―and the most criƟcal issues for them are transportation and affordable housing close to their jobs. Graham reported that Finger Lakes ReUse withdrew its request for funds for the Ithaca ReUse Center Expansion project, since it would have required compliance with the Davis‐Bacon Act, and presented too much of a financial burden. VII. Other New/Old Business A. Review of IURA Financials: January 2018 Bohn explained that all projects listed in the Grants Summary are generally progressing well. The two City of Ithaca public facility projects (Wading Pool Renovation Project and Spencer Road Sidewalks Project) represent large amounts of unexpended money, but they are both scheduled to be completed by July 1st, 2018. B. Meeting Schedule for Development of 2018 Action Plan IURA Board members reviewed the schedule. C. Annual Confidential Evaluation of IURA Board Performance IURA Board members completed their evaluations. D. IURA Chairperson Report None. D. Common Council Liaison Report Lewis reported that the Planning and Economic Development Committee approved an amendment to the 2017 HUD Action Plan to provide $90,960 in supplemental loan assistance to Tompkins Community Action, Inc. for relocation costs associated with the new Harriet Giannelis Child Care Center. E. Staff Report Bohn noted deadline for the Green Street Garage Redevelopment RFP is tomorrow. Two groups have been contacting him with questions. Bohn reported that the IURA’s 2017 annual financial audit was recently completed and it appears no significant issues were raised. IURA Minutes February 22, 2018 Page 9 of 9 VIII. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:15 A.M. — END — Minutes prepared by C. Pyott, edited by N. Bohn.