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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-IURA-2022-03-24108 E. Green St. Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 274-6565 MINUTES ITHACA URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY 8:30 A.M., Thursday, March 24, 2022 Members: Chris Proulx, Chair; Tracy Farrell; Karl Graham, Vice-Chair; Laura Lewis, Acting Mayor; Rob Gearhart, Common Council Liaison; Lisa Nicholas, Acting Director of Planning & Development Excused: Eric Rosario Staff: Nels Bohn; Anisa Mendizabal; Charles Pyott Guests: Steve Williams, Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC) I. Call to Order Chair Proulx called the meeting to order at 8:32 A.M. II. Agenda Additions/Deletions None. III. Public Comment (3-min. max. per person) Mendizabal read the following 3/21/22 Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga Counties letter to the IURA Board from Sue Chaffee, Immigrant Services Program (ISP) Director, and Renee Spear, Executive Director: We are contacting you about the recent email we received from Anisa Mendizabal letting us know that it has been your recommendation to scale the request we made for funding through the IURA to $28,282. First, we'd like to thank you for the on-going support we have received from the IURA over the years. IURA funding is essential to the well-being of our program, and it has been fundamental in helping us serve the immigrant community for many years. We realize you have a limited pool of funds, but we would like to ask for this decrease of $1800 to be reconsidered. As you know, we are a small program serving clients with very unique needs. This past year, we were contracted to serve 100 beneficiaries. However, we exceeded that amount and served 123. Every year that we have received funding we have either met or exceeded the number that we are contracted for. While $1800 might not be a significant amount to some programs, it will negatively affect us, and might result in reduction of staff hours. We have a dedicated staff and want to ensure you that we are good stewards of the IURA funds and are respectfully asking that this decision to scale back our ask of $30,000 be reconsidered. III. Review of Meeting Minutes: March 3, 2022 Graham moved, seconded by Lewis, to approve the meeting minutes, with no modifications. Carried Unanimously: 4-0 IV. 2022 HUD Entitlement Grant Action Plan Mendizabal explained she contacted all the applicants whose funding requests were scaled down by the Committees, while confirming revised numbers of projected beneficiaries. The only person she did not succeed in speaking to was Ana Ortiz from No Más Lágrimas (Latino Multicultural Center) due to a family emergency. As referred to earlier in the meeting, the Immigrant Services Program (ISP) believed its scaled- down award would disproportionately impact it, compared to other scaled-down programs. Approved: 4/28/22 A. Economic Development Committee (EDC) Recommendation — Discussion Proulx briefly reported on the Committee’s discussion and recommendations. The three long-standing job- training/placement programs operated by Historic Ithaca, Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC), and Finger Lakes ReUse (FLRU) are well-known to the Committee. The Committee recommended full funding for “Green Job Opportunities Through Reuse Training” (FLRU) and “Work Preserve Job Training: Job Placements” (Historic Ithaca), and partial funding ($50,000.00) for GIAC’s Hospitality Employment Training Program (HETP) with sufficient funds to carry the program through the Program Year. The Committee also agreed to allocate a modest $50,000.00 to the Economic Development Loan Fund (ED-LF). Farrell asked if GIAC was informed of its scaled-down award. Mendizabal replied, yes. McBean-Clairborne indicated she understood and accepted the decision. B. Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC) Recommendation — Discussion Graham walked through each of the Committee’s funding recommendations. Proulx asked about the implication of the scaled-down $92,140.40 award (from a $200,000.00 request) for Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services’ (INHS) Sears Street Development Project. Graham responded, while the Committee unanimously and historically supports production of new affordable housing, after examining the project’s proposed schedule with construction not due to be completed until June 2024, the Committee believed INHS could re-apply to the IURA for 2023 HUD Entitlement Program funding. The Committee also believed INHS is probably best situated to find additional funding, compared to other applicants. Mendizabal added INHS confirmed it would use the scaled-down funding to construct 2 housing units and plan on re-applying in 2023. INHS is also hopeful it will secure funding from a new State homeownership funding program. Disclosing that she serves on Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit’s (TCAT) Board of Directors, Lewis asked if the Committee was amenable to future TCAT funding requests. She is concerned with the need for bus stops and shelters in areas with high concentrations of low-income people who are unlikely to own personal vehicles and are therefore highly reliant on convenient access to TCAT services, especially if affordable housing developers do not have funding to construct these kinds of improvements themselves. Farrell responded the IURA has funded several TCAT projects in the past. TCAT has a good track record and the Committee certainly feels positive about funding its projects. In this case, the Committee considered the timing of the proposed project and the Planning and Development Board’s recent focus on requiring housing projects to install pedestrian amenities, which could include bus stops and shelters. Proulx asked if the City will be employing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for projects like the proposed West End Pedestrian Improvements project. Lewis replied the City’s initial focus for its ARPA funds is primarily on shovel-ready projects. Lewis recalled, when Friends of Stewart Park (FSP) presented its application to the Board, a question was raised whether the County contributed any funding to Stewart Park improvements. Mendizabal replied FSP did state the County provided $50,000 in funding three years ago and, since the County’s principal interest was in winterized bathrooms, FSP applied that funding to the DPW/Wharton Building bathroom. IURA Minutes March 24, 2022 Page 4 of 9 Lewis remarked that Mendizabal said she had been unable to speak with No Más Lágrimas (NML) about its scaled-down award. Mendizabal replied, yes. She added that NML does have funding from the Park Foundation through 2022, although she is not aware of any other funds NML has secured at this time. Proulx asked the Board if there are any further comments, questions, or concerns about the proposed funding allocations. Farrell remarked, in light of Catholic Charities’ letter about the reduced Immigrant Services Program (ISP) award, she would like the Board to consider making up the difference from another project(s). Proulx expressed some discomfort with funding INHS’ Catholic Charities building upgrades, since it is not strictly a public infrastructure project and there are other proposal that would serve a larger number of low- and moderate-income (LMI) people (e.g., “Bus Stops & Shelters” and “West End Pedestrian Improvements” projects). Farrell agreed that is a good point. Graham responded that Catholic Charities does serve the most vulnerable people in the community and the building is quite deteriorated and has needed an upgrade for quite some time. Farrell remarked she feels torn between funding the Catholic Charities building and the sidewalks and bus stops. She wondered if there were some way the Board could balance its funding allocations in a way that would work. After further discussion, the Board agreed to the change the following proposed funding allocations: • Immigrant Services Program (ISP), Catholic Charities: ↑$30,000.00 (from $28,282.00) • GIAC Computer Lab, Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC): ↓$13,450.00 (from $15,168.00) Graham moved, seconded by Farrell: Draft 2022 Action Plan: City of Ithaca HUD Entitlement Program WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca (City) is eligible to receive an annual formula allocation of funds to address community development needs through the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Entitlement program from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) program funding sources, and WHEREAS, the City has contracted with the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) to administer, implement and monitor the City’s HUD Entitlement program in compliance with all applicable regulations, and WHEREAS, on an annual basis an Action Plan must be submitted to HUD to access HUD Entitlement program funding allocated to the City, and WHEREAS, the 2022 Action Plan identifies a specific list of budgeted community development activities to be funded from the 2022 HUD Entitlement program allocation and associated funds administered by the IURA, and IURA Minutes March 24, 2022 Page 5 of 9 WHEREAS, the IURA utilized an open and competitive project selection process for development of the 2022 Action Plan in accordance with the City of Ithaca Citizen Participation Plan, now, therefore, be it WHEREAS, as of March 15, 2022, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) had not officially notified Entitlement Communities of 2022 CDBG or HOME allocations, and WHEREAS, funding available to be allocated through the 2022 Action Plan funding process is anticipated to include the following: $668,000.00 CDBG 2022 allocation $120,000.00 CDBG 2022 projected Program Income $ 601.96 CDBG recaptured/unallocated funds $330,000.00 HOME 2022 allocation $ 13,515.40 HOME recaptured/unallocated funds $1,132,117.36 Total, and WHEREAS, the IURA Recommended Action Plan includes contingencies to accommodate the possibility that actual HUD allocations may differ than the anticipated allocations, specifically: Should the City’s 2022 HOME allocation be greater than anticipated, funding for the following recommended activities will be increased: 1. Project #2: Homeowner Rehabilitation Project, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) 2. Project #6: Sears Street Development Project, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) Should the City’s 2022 HOME allocation be less than anticipated, funding for the following recommended activities will be decreased: 1. Project #2: Homeowner Rehabilitation Project, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) — Deduct up to $24,375.00 2. Project #6: Sears Street Development Project, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) Should the City’s 2022 CDBG allocation be greater than anticipated, funding for the following recommended activities will be increased: 1. Project #13: Bus Stops & Shelters, Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, Inc. (TCAT) — Funding for fully functional component(s); but not less than $10,000.00. 2. Project #19: GIAC Computer Lab, Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Inc. (GIAC) — Full funding for additional computer station (subject to Public Services cap). 3. Economic Development Loan Fund (ED-LF) Should the City’s 2022 CDBG allocation be less than anticipated, funding for the following recommended activities will be decreased: 1. Project #12: Catholic Charities Building, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (INHS) 2. Project #21: Latino Multicultural Center, No Más Lágrimas — $1,400.00 │ Project #19: GIAC Computer Lab, Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Inc. (GIAC) — $1,896.00/station; IURA Minutes March 24, 2022 Page 6 of 9 now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, the IURA hereby adopts the attached summary table titled “IURA Recommended Draft 2022 Action Plan, City of Ithaca, NY,” dated March 24th, 2022, and forwards it to the City of Ithaca Common Council for review, and recommends its approval for allocating the 2022 HUD Entitlement Program award along with associated funds listed above, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Urban Renewal Plan shall be amended to include activities funded in the adopted 2022 Action Plan. Carried Unanimously: 4-0 VI. Other Business A. Committee Chair Reports 1. Economic Development Committee (EDC) Report None. 2. Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC) Report Graham reported the Committee has officially added Steve Williams as a member. B. IURA Financials Review: February 2022 Bohn reported all CDBG and HOME projects are in good standing in terms of expenditures and overall progress, with the exception of a few remaining CDBG-CV projects (e.g., Salvation Army’s homeowner mortgage payment assistance project). All loan payments are current, except the Canopy Hotel, which owes interest-only payments for one month in 2020. Lease payments are in reasonably good standing, with the exception of Southside Community Center (SCC), which often pays its lease in multi-month payments, and Allpro Parking. C. Public Authorities Accountability Law Matters Bohn explained the three following resolutions are being brough before the Board because the IURA’s Public Authorities Accountability Law (PAAL)-mandated Authority Budget Office (ABO) report is due by March 31, 2022. The resolutions will also be brought to the Governance Committee (GC) in April 2022. 1. Reaffirm IURA Mission Statement Farrell moved, seconded by Graham: Reaffirmation of IURA Mission Statement WHEREAS, on March 25, 2011, the IURA adopted the following IURA mission statement: “The Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency secures and manages resources to improve the social, physical, and economic characteristics of the City of Ithaca by expanding access to quality affordable housing, strengthening neighborhoods and the local economy, and supporting other community development activities.” IURA Minutes March 24, 2022 Page 7 of 9 WHEREAS, the Public Authorities Law requires each public benefit corporation to adopt and annually review its mission statement, and WHEREAS, the IURA periodically reviews its mission statement; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby reaffirms the IURA mission statement, dated March 25, 2011. Carried Unanimously: 4-0 2. Reaffirm IURA Investment Guidelines Graham moved, seconded by Farrell: Reaffirm IURA Investment Guidelines WHEREAS, on March 25, 2011, the IURA adopted investment guidelines regarding the investing, monitoring and reporting of funds of the IURA, and WHEREAS, the Public Authorities Law requires each public benefit corporation to adopt and annually review and approve such guidelines, and WHEREAS, the IURA periodically reviews the investment guidelines; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby reaffirms the IURA investment guidelines, dated March 25, 2011. Carried Unanimously: 4-0 Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency Investment Guidelines Public Authorities Law (PAL) requires each public benefit corporation to adopt investment guidelines regarding the investing, monitoring and reporting of funds of the corporation and annually review and approve such guidelines (section 2925 of PAL). Investing The primary investment objective for managing funds of the IURA is to preserve capital and comply with all applicable regulations and requirements pertaining to the funds managed. A secondary investment objective is to maximize interest earned on monies managed by the IURA. A tertiary investment objective is to deposit investment funds in qualified financial institutions that meet the financial needs of residents and businesses within the IURA service area. An additional consideration is ease of administration and services offered by depository institutions, such as the availability of internet banking, including on-line documentation of cancelled checks and account balances, and free wire transfers. IURA Minutes March 24, 2022 Page 8 of 9 Because the IURA acts as a pass-through of grant funds from federal agencies to end users, the grant funding source agency may establish special requirements for management of such funds. For instance, the US Department of Housing & Urban Development requires that all bank interest earned on HUD funds be remitted to the US Treasury annually. Agency monies may be invested in obligations of the US Treasury or deposited in federally insured commercial banks, trust companies, or credit unions, preferably institutions located within the City of Ithaca and the urban renewal project boundary area. Agency monies may be deposited in the above-listed institutions in demand accounts and certificates of deposit. Collateral is required for demand deposits and certificates of deposit at a minimum of 100% of all deposits not covered by federal deposit insurance. Obligations that may be pledged as collateral are obligations of the United States and its agencies and obligations of New York State and its municipalities and school districts. Signatories on deposit accounts shall be designated by resolution of the IURA. Only a designated signatory is authorized to establish investment accounts. Two signatures of designated signatories shall be required on all checks issued by the IURA. Monitoring Investment statements shall be reconciled with the general ledger on a monthly basis. The reconciliation shall be reviewed by staff to verify that the investment statements and the IURA balance sheet match on a monthly basis. No less than annually, the Agency shall review its investment guidelines and its investments. Reporting An independent auditor shall review IURA investments on an annual basis as part of the independent audit of financial statements. The IURA shall review the independent audit and address any recommendations, concerns or findings. Carried Unanimously: 4-0 3. Designation of IURA Signatories on Deposit Accounts Graham observed the second and third “Whereas” statements should be switched. No objections were raised. Farrell moved, seconded by Lewis (as amended): Designation of Authorized Signatories on IURA Deposit Accounts WHEREAS, IURA Investment Guidelines specify the IURA shall designate authorized signatories on IURA deposit accounts, and IURA Minutes March 24, 2022 Page 9 of 9 WHEREAS, current persons filling IURA officer and senior management positions are: • IURA Chairperson, Chris Proulx • IURA Vice-Chairperson, Karl Graham • IURA Secretary, Lisa Nicholas • IURA Director of Community Development, Nels Bohn; and WHEREAS, signatures of two authorized signatories are required on all checks issued by the IURA; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby designates the following officers and senior staff management positions ex-officio as authorized signatories on IURA deposit accounts: • IURA Chairperson • IURA Vice-Chairperson • IURA Secretary • IURA Director of Community Development; and be it further RESOLVED, that upon a change in an IURA officer position, the current officer signatory shall continue to serve as a signatory until the officer position is filled and recognized as a signatory with the financial institution holding IURA deposits. Carried Unanimously: 4-0 D. IURA Chairperson Report None. E. Common Council Liaison Report None. F. Staff Report Bohn reported the recently passed $1.5 trillion Congressional Omnibus Budget Bill includes $2M for the new conference center, as well as $800,000 for the GIAC Gym Renovation Project. The South Albany Street Bridge Replacement Project will receive $1M and the City’s micro-grid energy conservation project (which will be integrated with the City’s Waste Water Treatment Plant) was also awarded significant funding. V. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 10:49 A.M. — END — Minutes prepared by C. Pyott, edited by N. Bohn.