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Home My WebLink AboutMN-IURA-2020-12-21Approved: 1/28/21 108 E. Green St. Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 274-6565 MINUTES ITHACA URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY 8:30 A.M., Monday, December 21, 2020 Members: Mayor Svante Myrick, Chair; Tracy Farrell; Karl Graham, Vice‐Chair; Eric Rosario; Chris Proulx; Laura Lewis, Common Council Liaison Excused: None Staff: Nels Bohn; Anisa Mendizabal; Charles Pyott Guests: Nia Nunn, Southside Community Center (SCC) I. Call to Order Chair Myrick called the meeting to order at 8:35 A.M. II. Agenda Additions/Deletions None. III. Public Comments None. IV. Review of Draft Meeting Minutes: November 23, 2020 Farrell moved, seconded by Rosario, to approve the meeting minutes, with no modifications. Carried Unanimously: 5‐0 V. Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles (RIBs) Update ― Southside Community Center, Inc. (SCC) Nunn reported SCC has every intention of re‐opening the RIBs program; and the SCC Board has been working closely with five core RIBs stakeholders (Grace Johnston, Hector Chang, Tara Escudero, Matt Ward, Mason Wilson) in an effort to reimagine the program. Nunn has also remained in touch with former RIBs volunteer, Greg Rothman. All the stakeholders respect Southside Community Center (SCC) and its Board and are dedicated to identifying the best direction for the program. It is important that RIBs is perceived as a place where everyone feels a sense of belonging and ownership, with a particular focus on reaching out to youth. Discussions have taken place about the need to hire a program manager, who would ensure the relationship between RIBs and SCC remains robust, in addition to overseeing staff. SCC also envisions expanding the program, working closely with other local organizations. IURA Minutes December 21, 2020 Page 2 of 8 Proulx asked what funding model Nunn envisions for RIBs. Nunn replied Tara Escudero has been working with RIBs for a considerable time and has some innovative fundraising ideas. Bohn asked if the current RIBs space remains a good fit for the program. Nunn replied the stakeholders have brainstormed means of connecting other spaces to the RIBs space and/or organizing special events. VI. Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC) A. Contract Modification #2: CDBG‐CV Project #1/2019 Project #19, Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Graham reported the original ERAP contract allowed rental assistance payments for up to three consecutive months. INHS has requested that period be extended for up to six consecutive months. Graham moved, seconded by Farrell: 2019 CDBG‐CV: EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE ‐ Contract Modification #2 WHEREAS, on April 23, 2020, the IURA recommended, and on May 6, 2020, the City authorized, an allocation of $190,000 from the CDBG‐CV funding source to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) activity to be implemented by Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (INHS), and WHEREAS, the INHS contract states that rental assistance may be paid to landlords of qualified applicants for up to three consecutive months, and WHEREAS, on August 20, 2020 (effective August 7, 2020), HUD published the “Notice of Program Rules, Waivers, and Alternative Requirements Under the CARES Act for Community Development Block Grant Program Coronavirus Response Grants, Fiscal Year 2019 and 2020 Community Development Block Grants, and for Other Formula Programs” which stated the following: “Coronavirus has had a massive impact on families’ ability to work for pay, make rent or mortgage payments, access or pay for food, clothing, and basic utilities, and access many other essential items and services. To help individuals and families address these challenges, HUD is waiving section 105(a)(8) of the HCD [Housing and Community Development] Act and 24 CFR 570.207(b)(4)1 only to the extent necessary to establish the following alternative requirement: CDBG–CV funds may be used to provide emergency payments for individuals or families impacted by coronavirus for items such as food, clothing, housing (emergency rental assistance or mortgage assistance) or utilities for up to six consecutive months”, and WHEREAS, INHS has requested this regulatory modification be included into its contract in order to offer up to six months of emergency rental assistance to qualified applicants, and 1 These sections within the regulations cited pertain to eligible and ineligible uses. IURA Minutes December 21, 2020 Page 3 of 8 WHEREAS, the IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee members were polled and recommended the following action; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby approves Contract Modification #2 to the funding agreement with INHS for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program to allow for up to six consecutive months of emergency rental assistance to be provided to qualified applicants, and be it further RESOLVED, that the IURA Chair is authorized to execute a contract amendment to implement this resolution. Carried Unanimously: 5‐0 B. Time Extension for 2019 HUD Entitlement Grant Activities Graham explained many 2019 HUD Entitlement Program grantees have experienced delays or other difficulties in one or more aspects of their program operations as a result of the COVID‐19 crisis, so this resolution would extended the deadline for all 2019 activities from 12/31/20 to 6/30/21. Graham moved, seconded by Farrell: 2019 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FUNDED ACTIVITIES ― Contract Extension WHEREAS, the adopted 2019 HUD Entitlement Annual Action Plan for the City of Ithaca funded sixteen activities to be carried out by local partners, and WHEREAS, effective March 1, 2020, the coronavirus pandemic was proclaimed a National Emergency by executive order, and WHEREAS, as with business activity across the nation, IURA funded partners were required to shelter‐in‐place, pause or limit operations for safety reasons, and experienced all manner of operational disruptions both temporary and ongoing, and WHEREAS, pandemic‐related operational disruptions have presented barriers to the timely completion of activities contained within the 2019 Annual Action Plan activities, and WHEREAS, HUD has waived its requirement for timely expenditure of CDBG funding for Program Year 2020, now, therefore be it RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby authorizes extensions to all existing 2019 Action Plan funded activities to June 30, 2021, and be it further RESOLVED, that the IURA Director of Community Development is authorized to issue a letter agreement to amend schedules contained in funding contracts with grantees to implement this resolution. Carried Unanimously: 5‐0 IURA Minutes December 21, 2020 Page 4 of 8 C. Report from Committee Chair None. VII. Economic Development Committee (EDC) ― Report from Committee Chair Proulx reported the Committee met to discuss an agenda item for an Inlet Island development concept plan. The core elements of the proposal include the following features: ● 42 units of workforce housing ● ~110 room hotel (Argos Inn) ● 233 parking spaces ● 10,000 sq. ft. of first‐floor retail/classroom space ● 3,000 sq. ft. of marina storage ● 630’ of new waterfront pedestrian space ● New public pier ● ~33,300 sq. ft. of new public park space VIII. 2021 HUD Entitlement Grant: Organizational Meeting ― Report Mendizabal presented the following report. (continued on following page) Approved: 1/28/21 IURA Minutes December 21, 2020 Page 6 of 8 Approved: 1/28/21 Mendizabal noted she has consulted with various interested applicants. Bohn added that IURA staff would like to focus on reducing the number of funded projects to the greatest possible extent, since staff has begun to reach the limit of its administrative, accounting, and contract‐monitoring capacity. IX. Green Street Garage Urban Renewal Project ― Terminate IURA Lease Agreements on Project Site Bohn explained at this point in the two projects’ development the properties must be clear and free of all liens and encumbrances, including removing the leasehold mortgage on the Green Street Garage. Rosario moved, seconded by Graham: Release of Leasehold Mortgage on Project Site: Green Street Garage Mixed‐Use Urban Renewal Project WHEREAS, prior to conveyance of portions of the Green Street garage urban renewal site at 120 E. Green Street to Sponsors pursuant to Disposition and Development Agreements, the property must be clear and free of all liens and encumbrances affecting title, and WHEREAS, M&T Bank holds a leasehold mortgage on the project site as security for their irrevocable letter of credit ensuring repayment of the $19.3 million civic facility revenue bonds issued in 2003 on behalf of Community Development Properties, Ithaca, Inc. (CDPI) to finance the public portions of the Cayuga Green urban renewal project, including the Cayuga Street parking garage, at 235 S. Cayuga Street, and WHEREAS, to provide additional security for payment of the Cayuga Green revenue bonds, the City leased to the IURA the Seneca/Green garages; in turn the IURA subleased the Seneca/Green garages to CDPI, who granted a leasehold mortgage lien and an assignment of rents on the Seneca/Green garages to M&T Bank to induce them to provide an irrevocable letter of credit on the bonds (collectively the Seneca/Green Documents); and WHEREAS, the outstanding principal balance on the bonds will be reduced to $9,385,000 in 2021 and are scheduled to be paid in full in 2030, and WHEREAS, at their meeting of November 17, 2020, CDPI agreed to work with the IURA and City for release of the leasehold mortgage and has further consented to amend Seneca/Green documents to remove any liens or encumbrances on the Green Street Garage premises, and WHEREAS, IURA and CDPI staff are in discussions with M&T on this matter, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby requests M&T Bank to release their leasehold mortgage on the Green Street garage premises to facilitate implementation of the Green Street Garage Mixed‐Use Urban Renewal Project, and be it further RESOLVED, that the IURA Chairperson, subject to review by IURA legal counsel, is authorized to execute any amendments or termination of Seneca/Green documents to release M&T Bank’s leasehold mortgage and assignment of rents on the Green Street Garage premises. Carried Unanimously: 5‐0 IURA Minutes December 21, 2020 Page 8 of 8 X. Other Business A. Review of IURA Financials Report ― November 2020 Bohn reported all HUD Entitlement Program projects are generally progressing well. All borrowers are current, except the Finger Lakes School of Massage. All lease payments are current, as of today. B. Chairperson Report Myrick reported the City Administration Committee will consider supporting a resolution calling for Federal guaranteed income in the form of ongoing direct cash payments during the COVID‐19 pandemic, as proposed by the Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI) Initiative. C. Common Council Liaison Report Lewis reported the Planning & Economic Development Committee (PEDC) voted unanimously to approve the the Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) for the Eastern Section of Green Street Garage Mixed‐Use Urban Renewal Project and the rescindment of the preferred developer status for the Inlet Island Urban Renewal Project. The City also applied for an Anti‐Displacement Learning Network (ADLN) grant which was approved by the funder and the information will be made public shortly. Ithaca would be one of 10 communities in New York State receiving funding to prevent housing displacement and develop safety nets for tenants, through a $300/month housing subsidy. D. Staff Report Bohn remarked the IURA is still working on allocating the City’s remaining $54,269 in CDBG‐CV funding (other than the $240,000 already being granted to the City). Bohn reported that Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) acquired a single‐family home at 110 Auburn Street and wants to rehabilitate it as a for‐sale home. INHS would like to apply for IURA 2021 HUD Entitlement Program funding for the repairs, prior to formal approval of the 2021 Action Plan (expending funds up‐front at its own risk). XI. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:07 A.M. — END — Minutes prepared by C. Pyott, edited by N. Bohn.