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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. Approved at the 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.