HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PEDC-2023-05-17Approved at the
October 18, 2023 PEDC Meeting
City of Ithaca
Planning and Economic Development Committee Meeting
May 17, 2023
Minutes
Committee Members Attending: Rob Gearhart, Chair; Alderpersons
Cynthia Brock, Phoebe Brown, and
Ducson Nguyen, Tiffany Kumar
Committee Members Absent: None
Other Elected Officials Attending: Alderperson Jorge DeFendini
Staff Attending: Lisa Nicholas, Director, Planning
and Development Department;
Jeanne Grace, City Forester; Nels
Bohn, Director, IURA; Anisa
Mendizabal, IURA; Bryan
McCracken, Planning and
Development;
Others Attending: Laura Mattos, Visum Chief
Operating Officer, and Julia Bucher
1) Call to Order/Agenda Review
Chair Gearhart read the emergency evacuation procedures and then
called the meeting to order at 6:04p.m. There were no changes to the
agenda.
2) Public Comment/Written Comments
Katie Sims, 104 Lake Avenue – Opposes the creation of a city policy
that criminalizes homelessness and encourages the creation of home
for the unhoused, unsanctioned encampments.
Sophie Israelson, 429 N. Geneva Street, housing crisis
Miles Weatherington, Ward 2, 327 W. Court Street -- Opposes the
creation of an unsanctioned encampment policy that criminalizes
homelessness and encourages council to create a policy that creates
housing for the unhoused.
Angel Devivo, Ward 2, 110 N. Geneva Street -- Opposes the creation
of the unsanctioned encampment policy that criminalizes
homelessness.
Leo Brissco, (sp?) 114 Monroe Street – The city needs to address
homelessness
Natalya Cowilich, 812 N Cayuga, Leader of two outreach teams, one
rural and in the city. Attended the meeting to relay her experiences
Approved at the
October 18, 2023 PEDC Meeting
working with the unhoused populations to Common Council and
encourage to changes to the Unsanctioned Encampment Policy that
address the needs of the unhoused. The solution to homelessness is
more affordable housing.
Teres Alt, 206 Eddy St – Spoke in opposition to the Unsanctioned
Encampments Policy and shared fears about the police forces
residents to relocate out of the Jungle
Susan Holland, ED of Historic Ithaca, 212 Center Street – Spoke in
favor of the City partnering with the Developer of the Breeze
apartment to commission an existing conditions survey.
Jean Michel Matore, (sp?) 308 University Avenue, #6 – Spoke in
opposition to the Unsanctioned Encampment Policy and requested the
end of the camping ban.
Katrina, 333 Center Street -- Spoke in opposition to the Unsanctioned
Encampment Policy, noting that is was cruel and inhumane.
Jason Villarreal (sp?), 142 Program Horse Drive – Spoke in
opposition of the Unsanctioned Encampment, noting that the policy
dehumanizes the unhoused population
Jane Glaubman -- Spoke in opposition to the Unsanctioned
Encampments Policy, in remembrance of Jordan Neally, and in fear of
society moving toward Fascism.
Ian Schlon, 120 Irving Place – Spoke in opposition to the
Unsanctioned Encampment Policy, specifically stating that the policy
is about property and not people
Maya Soto -- Spoke in opposition to the Unsanctioned Encampments
Policy
Nathan Sitaraman -- Spoke in opposition to the Unsanctioned
Encampments Policy.
Response to public speakers:
Alderperson Phoebe Brown thanked everyone for coming out to speak on
the Unsanctioned Encampments Policy but asked where the speakers were
during the Reimagining Public Safety discussions. Brown also expressed
her interest in examining the Smokestack topic more closely and
developing a strategy for its treatment that addresses all perspectives.
Alderperson Cynthia Brock thanked the members of the public for attending
the meeting to speak about homelessness and explained the limitations of
the elected officials and City government. The Unsanctioned
Encampments Policy is the City’s initial attempt to address a need in the
community and the start of a conversation with the community partners to
get the target population the services they need.
Alderperson Jorge DeFendini thanked the members of the public for
attending and addressed their concerns regarding police enforcement of
the City existing camping prohibition policy.
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October 18, 2023 PEDC Meeting
3) Special Order of Business
a) Public Hearing – 2023 HUD Entitlement Action Plan
Alderperson Tiffany motioned to open public hearing, seconded by
Alderperson Ducson. Carried 5-0.
Teresa Alt, Eddy Street – Spoke in opposition to funding the
Habitat for Humanity project due to the organization’s recent
eviction proceedings.
Natalya Cowilich -- Spoke in support of funding for the dry shelter
but encouraged the exploration of options for individuals that are
still using it.
b) Public Hearing – Amendment to HUD Citizen Participation Plan
Alderperson Brock motioned to open the public hearing; seconded
by Alderperson Brown. Carried 5-0.
No one from the public was present to speak.
Alderperson Brock motioned to close the public hearing; seconded
by Alderperson Ducson. Carried 5-0.
4) Announcements, Updates, Reports
a) Plus One ADU Funding
Delia Yarrow presented information on the Plus One ADU Funding
program, noting that funding will be used to upgrade apartment units
that need repair that are owned by low to moderate income
individuals. The intention of the program is to meet a need in the
community that has not been addressed through other funding
opportunities.
Alderperson Brock questioned the impact of the grant-funded
investments on the assessed values of the properties and how this
valuation changes the long-term affordability of the property.
Yarrow stated that INHS will be working with grant applicants to help
them apply for property tax abatements for the improvements that do
result in an increase in assessed value.
b) Working Group on Unsanctioned Encampments – Update
Director Nicholas reported that the City is still working on the policy,
specifically noting the work on the operationalization of the mobile
shower and restroom facilities. A revised policy should be available for
review by Council soon.
Approved at the
October 18, 2023 PEDC Meeting
c) STR Update – Timeline Update
Director Nicholas reported that City staff will be presenting information
on the cost of implementing the STR legislation and requesting
additional information on policy provisions at the July PEDC meeting.
5) Voting Items (To Council)
a) 2023 HUD Entitlement Action Plan
Draft 2023 Action Plan: City of
Ithaca — HUD Entitlement Program
Moved by Alderperson Brock; seconded by Alderperson Nguyen. Carried 5-0.
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 2023 Action Plan identifies a specific list of budgeted community
development activities to be funded from the 2023 HUD Entitlement Program
allocation and associated funds administered by the IURA, and
WHEREAS, the IURA employed an open and competitive project selection
process for development of the 2023 Action Plan in accordance with the City’s
Citizen Participation Plan, and
WHEREAS, a two-part Public Hearing to review 2023 Annual Action Plan
proposals was held on February 23, 2023 and March 2, 2023, and
WHEREAS, on March 8, 2023, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) released the 2023 CDBG and HOME funding allocations for
the City, and
WHEREAS, available funds to be allocated through the 2023 Action Plan
funding process include the following:
$637,714.00 CDBG 2023 Allocation
$140,000.00 CDBG 2023 Projected Program Income
$ 15,333.20 CDBG Recaptured/Unallocated Funds
$333,264.00 HOME 2023 Allocation
$ 11,124.00 HOME Recaptured/Unallocated Funds
$1,137,435.20 Total, and
WHEREAS, the IURA used an open and competitive project selection process for
Approved at the
October 18, 2023 PEDC Meeting
development of the 2023 Action Plan in accordance with the City of Ithaca’s
Citizen Participation Plan, and
WHEREAS, a Public Hearing on the draft Action Plan was held on May 17, 2023;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Common Council hereby adopts the City’s 2023 HUD
Entitlement Action Plan, including the attached summary table titled “IURA
Recommended Draft 2023 Action Plan, City of Ithaca, NY,” dated March 23,
2023, for allocation of the 2023 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 2023 Action Plan.
Alderperson Nguyen inquired about any advancement in the
establishment of a wet shelter in the community. Anisa Mendizabal
reported that the topic has been extensively discussed with community
partners, but a funding request was not brought forward during this
year’s round of HUD-funded programs proposals.
b) Amendment to HUD Citizen Participation Plan
5th Amendment to HUD Entitlement Citizen Participation Plan:
• HUD Approval for Substantial Amendments
• Anonymous Public Comments
Moved by Alderperson Nguyen; seconded by Alderperson Brock.
Carried 5-0.
WHEREAS, the Citizen Participation Plan (CPP) establishes the City of Ithaca’s
procedures for involving the public in development and implementation of the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Entitlement
Program, and
WHEREAS, the City has contracted with the Ithaca Urban Renewal Ag ency
(IURA) to administer, implement and monitor the City’s HUD Entitlement
program in compliance with all applicable regulations, and
WHEREAS, the IURA considered two issues for clarification in the CPP:
1. HUD approval of substantial amendments to a 1-year Action Plan or 5-year
Consolidated Plan, and
2. Treatment of anonymous comments received, and
WHEREAS, at their February 23, 2023, meeting the IURA recommended
adoption of the proposed 5th Amendment to the CPP; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Common Council for the City of Ithaca hereby adopts the
5th amendment to the City of Ithaca HUD Entitlement Citizen Participation
Plan, dated January 27, 2023, to clarify:
1. that a proposed substantial amendment to a Consolidated Plan or Action
Plan requires approval from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban
Development (HUD), and
2. that anonymous public comments received will be accepted and treated
on a case-by-case basis regarding the specific circumstances involved.
Approved at the
October 18, 2023 PEDC Meeting
6) Voting to Circulate
a) Private Tree Ordinance
Director Nicholas reported that staff felt more input from the public
was needed on the draft Private Tree Ordinance before it is
circulated more widely in the community. Jeanne Grace shared
that staff were developing questionnaires to garner feedback from
the community. Additionally, staff plans to create summary
documents that outline the impacts of the ordinance on different
populations in the community and will distribute these documents
throughout the community to get feedback.
Alderperson Brock questioned how the ordinance would be
enforced and by whom. Jeanne Grace responded that it is all
about education. There will be a civil penalty of $100/each per
inch of diameter of trunk of a common tree and $300/each per
inch of diameter of trunk of a heritage tree. It is unclear whether
enforcement will be handled by the City’s exterior property
maintenance inspector or the City police department.
b) Smokestack – Resolution to Approve Condition Assessment
Alderperson Nguyen; seconded by Alderperson Brown vote to
circulate. Carried 3-2.
7) Review and Approval of Minutes
No minutes were available for approval.
8) Adjournment
Alderperson Brown moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by
Alderperson Brock. The meeting adjourned at 9:58 p.m.