HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-IURAED-2012-03-06Approved 4/3/12
Ithaca
Urban
Renewal
Agency
108 E. Green Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
(607) 274-6559
(607) 274-6558 (fax)
MINUTES
ITHACA URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY
Economic Development Committee (EDC)
3:30 PM, Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Common Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, City Hall, Ithaca, NY
Present: Leslie Ackerman, Martha Armstrong, Ayana Richardson, Jennifer Tegan
Absent: Doug Dylla
Staff: Nels Bohn, Philly DeSarno, Charles Pyott
Guests: None.
I. Call to Order
Vice Chairperson Richardson called the meeting to order at 3:38 P.M.
II. Agenda Additions/Deletions – None
III. Public Comments (3‐minute maximum per person) – None
IV. Review of Meeting Minutes
Review of the February 14, 2012 meeting minutes was postponed until the next
meeting.
V. HUD Entitlement Program, Development of Draft FY2012 Action Plan
A. Preliminary Review of Funding Applications Received for Economic Development
Projects
Richardson indicated the purpose of today’s meeting was to take a preliminary look of
the applications that had been submitted and identify any questions for clarification the
committee may like to submit to the applicants.
Bohn indicated that, in many cases, the committee may want to inquire into the
scalability of a given project.
IURA EDC Minutes
March 6, 2012
Page 2 of 5
Next Steps Job Training Program (Kitchen Theatre Company)
Bohn indicated the IURA provided the applicant with $80,000, in 2011. This year, they
are applying for $60,000. He observed that the applicant is supposed to be working
towards making the program self‐sufficient, from a fundraising perspective, after two
years.
Richardson remarked the committee should request an update on the applicant’s
planned fundraising activities associated with the program. Tegan indicated it would
also be helpful to see a report of some kind, documenting some measures of success
(e.g., number of people hired, hours worked, work responsibilities, etc.)
Ithaca Food Works Kitchen Development (Cornell Cooperative Extension)
Bohn indicated there remain a number of questions regarding the feasibility of the
project, in terms of funding, how many beneficiaries would be served, what minimum
level of funding would be required for support some kind of program, etc.
Ackerman remarked it is a wonderful idea for a project. Ackerman noted she would like
to see more details of how the funding would be used, other than for the training and
the resource guide. It appears to be a disproportionately expensive project.
Cinemapolis Digital Conversion (The Seventh Art Corporation of Ithaca, Inc.)
Bohn indicated that CDBG regulations governing assistance to not‐for‐profits differ from
those guiding for‐profit funding. In the past, when the IURA has provided funding for
direct financial assistance, it has been to for‐profits. CDBG funding to not‐for‐profits
generally can only be provided for the acquisition and improvement of real estate, not
equipment. IURA staff are exploring options for configuring the funding in a way that
would be acceptable.
Richardson indicated it would be wonderful to make it happen.
Bohn observed that one item that is unclear from the application is what the “print fee
distribution assistance” comprises.
IURA EDC Minutes
March 6, 2012
Page 3 of 5
Downtown Retail Corridor Support (Cornell Cooperative Extension)
Ackerman observed it is not clear from the application the extent to which the proposal
to consolidate several minority‐owned businesses into a single location has been
developed and what kind of support it has already in fact received from the minority‐
owned businesses it proposed to consolidate
Richardson indicated this would definitely be a project for which it would be helpful to
know how scalable it is.
Ackerman remarked that the applicant, Eldred Harris, has attempted for years to
develop an intensive business incubator and coaching program in the city; and this
application appears to be a further attempt to reach that goal. She added that she is
not entirely convinced the project provides as much value‐added as she would like to
see, at the funding level that is sought. Ackerman would like to see the project assist
more than just six clients. Armstrong added she would like to see some indication that
the proposed clients would be the most viable/effective.
Bohn remarked that the application should probably also include some documentation
of the project’s measures of success.
Armstrong observed that the resumés that were provided do not demonstrate any
specific, discrete skill‐sets, which would be relevant to the work that would be done.
Ackerman remarked that, while Eldred Harris has certainly accumulated a significant
amount of informal coaching experience, it has not been in a full‐time professional
context.
Bohn noted that another question to ask of the applicants is whether the project could
be sustained on a multi‐year basis.
Building Bridges Initiative (Center for Transformative Action/DCI)
Armstrong indicated she would like to see more detail describing the value‐added of the
project and to what extent the applicants’ skill‐sets would in fact be applicable.
Ackerman agreed, noting the project sounds a little “pie in the sky‐”like. More
measurable benefits need to be demonstrated. Tegan agreed.
(Armstrong departed at 4:28 p.m.)
IURA EDC Minutes
March 6, 2012
Page 4 of 5
Work Preserve Job Training Program (Historic Ithaca)
Bohn indicated the applicant received $26,000 in 2011 IURA funding, was awarded
more, but was ultimately funded $25,000. The project has been active for 2 years with
IURA funding.
Ackerman indicated she would like to see more detail describing how many participants
are actually projected to complete the training. The figures provided in the application
are not entirely clear.
Bohn remarked that the proposed project is essentially a generalized entry‐level job
readiness training program (i.e., no ‘hard’ skills would be learned). There is also some
question as to the ultimate long‐term financial sustainability of the project. After three
years, it remains largely reliant on IURA funding.
Ackerman noted the project’s scalability should also be established.
Training in Technology & Construction (Finger Lakes ReUse, Inc.)
Bohn indicated the applicant has come to an agreement in concept to acquire a
property in the city to establish a building materials reuse center (for which it would
likely seek IURA loan assistance); however, this project would be based at their current
Triphammer Road location in Lansing for the technology training. The beneficiaries
would be city residents, although some issues remain to be worked out regarding
transportation to and from the work sites for construction training.
Tegan observed that the project’s long‐term financial and operational sustainability
need to be identified.
Ackerman remarked she does not entirely understand, from the application, how the
funds would be used. The budget included on the first page of the application should be
the project budget, not the budget for the entire organization.
B. Development of Questions to Submit to Project Sponsors
(incorporated above)
IURA EDC Minutes
March 6, 2012
Page 5 of 5
C. Invitation to Selected Sponsors to Meet with Committee at 4/3/12 Meeting
Bohn indicated he would invite the sponsors to the next committee meeting.
VII. Next Meeting Date: 3:30 PM, Tuesday, April 3, 2012
VIII. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 4:50 P.M.
— END —
Minutes prepared by C. Pyott, edited by N. Bohn.