HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-IURANI-2010-08-13Approved September 24, 2010
108 East Green Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
(607) 274-6559
MINUTES
Neighborhood Investment Committee
3rd Floor Conference Room, City Hall
8:30 a.m., August 13, 2010
Present: Tracy Farrell, Susan Cummings, Fernando de Aragón, Teresa Halpert
Staff: Sue Kittel, JoAnn Cornish, Alice Vargo, Rene Funke
Guest: Caleb Thomas
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 8:34 a.m. by Chairperson Farrell.
Kittel introduced the new Contracts Monitor I, Rene Funke.
II Additions to or deletions from the agenda
Cummings requested adding sidewalk updates under VI.B. Other
Halpert requested a RIBS update; this will be added under VII. Staff Report
III. Public comment - None
IV. Approval of meeting minutes:
- March 5, 1010 - On a motion by Cummings, seconded by de Aragón to accept minutes with
corrections.
- April 9, 2010 - These minutes need some additions, and then return next month for approval
with added corrections.
- May 14, 2010 - On a motion by de Aragón, seconded by Cummings to accept minutes with
corrections.
V. New Business
A. Evaluation Worksheet for CDBG/HOME Proposals
• Cummings stated she has concerns over the communication of application information
to other committees. This should diminish with this new evaluation in place.
• de Aragón wanted to remind members that this is a tool for evaluation, and there will
still be room for improvements. This form can help this committee move quicker on
evaluating applications and having documentation on how applications are evaluated.
• There was a discussion on using scoring points for the applications.
Kittel stated that this would be a useful tool for back-up documentation, not only
for the present evaluation, but in the future. This documentation will also make it
easier and more efficient to write acceptance or non-acceptance letters to applicants.
Cornish suggested bringing in a couple of past applications to see how this new
system would work.
Ithaca
Urban
Renewal
Agency
NI Minutes
August 13, 2010
Page 2 of 3
• Kittel went over the evaluation form and explained the basic rationale for the items
listed. There was discussion on changing some of the language, rewording and
changing order. de Aragón stated that the language needs stay open, and that this
form is for this committee to use.
• Kittel added this will be a pilot program for this year.
Kittel with make suggested changes and bring back to this committee next month.
Cornish left the meeting at 9:40 a.m.
B. Vacant and Condemned Buildings and City Policy
Cummings met the Phyllis Radke, the City’s Building Commissioner, to discuss
vacant/condemned properties. Three properties have gone up for taxes sale.
NI committee’s preference is to rehab houses not to destroy them.
Cummings would like to know more details on the tax policy; she will speak with Deb
Parsons and report back to this committee in September. She will try to get a new list
of vacant or condemned properties or properties up for tax auction.
C. Other - None
VI. Old Business
A. Update on progress of various projects
• Update on CHI - An overall assessment of their documentation of projects has left
many concerns about their documenting procedures. Kittel and the IURA Lawyer are
drafting a letter with problematic items that need to be fixed. The plan is to hold back
their funds until all of the items have been fixed. There are still some concerns about
conflict of interest. Neither board member nor partner can act al legal council for CHI.
B. Other
• Sidewalk update -
Cummings wanted to discuss some of her concerns around the issues on how the
sidewalks get fixed. The City sends the homeowner a letter and gives them the option
of fixing a problem sidewalk or having the City fix it for an extra 25% administrative
charge. There also was a discussion on possible ways to help ease this burden for
home owners. Another concern was that sidewalks cannot be patched and repaired,
they have to be destroyed and then install new ones.
Cornish stated that there will be a public hearing on sidewalks next month. She will
bring back updates to this committee in September.
VII. Staff Report
• Announcement of the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report
(CAPER) is available for Public Comment for the Period on September 3rd through
September 23, 2010.
NI Minutes
August 13, 2010
Page 3 of 3
• RIBS Update
Their funds from 2007 have not yet used. Bohn is our contact person for RIBS, he
will be asked to check in with them and report at the September meeting and
possibly invite them in for an update.
Kittel left the meeting at 10:39 a.m.
VIII. Other
IX. Next Meeting Date - September 10, 2010
IX. Motion to Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 10:46 a.m.
J:\Community Development\Admin Files\MINUTES\NIC\2010\8August\August Minutes.doc