HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-IURANI-2010-12-09Approved 1-14-11
108 East Green Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
(607) 274-655
MINUTES
Neighborhood Investment Committee
8:30 a.m., December 9, 2010
Present: Tracy Farrell, Teresa Halpert, Susan Cummings, Fernando de Aragón, Caleb Thomas
Other: Doug Dylla, Agency Member
Staff: Sue Kittel, Alice Vargo, Nels Bohn (10:10 a.m.)
Guests: Paul Mazarella, Executive Director, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS), Laura
Lewis, Board President, Herman Sieverding, Board Vice President and Board Member H.
Matthys VanCort
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Farrell at 8:35 a.m.
II Additions to or deletions from the agenda
III. Public comment
IV. Approval of meeting minutes: Minutes were not included in packet
V. New Business
A. CHDO Recertification- Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services - Resolution
After a brief discussion a motion was made by Halpert, seconded by Thomas to adopt the
recertification resolution.
HUD Entitlement Grant Program – 2010 Designation of INHS as a CHDO
Whereas, on June 23, 2005 the IURA designated Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services
(INHS) as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) in accordance with
regulations contained at 24 CFR §92.2, and
Whereas, the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) has been designated by the City of Ithaca
as the Lead Agency to develop, administer and implement the HUD Entitlement grant
program, including funds received through the Home Investment Partnerships (HOME)
program, and
Whereas, grant recipients under the HOME program are termed Participating Jurisdictions
(PJs), and
Ithaca
Urban
Renewal
Agency
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December 9, 2010
Page 2 of 3
Whereas, PJs must reserve not less than 15% of their HOME allocation for investment in
housing to be developed, sponsored, or owned by Community Housing Development
Organizations (CHDOs), and
Whereas, each PJ must identify annually CHDOs that are capable, or can reasonably be
expected to become capable, of carrying out projects to address priority housing needs
identified in the Consolidated Plan, and
Whereas, a CHDO is a specific type of community-based nonprofit organization as defined in
24 CFR §92.2, and
Whereas, a PJ may use HOME funds to provide special assistance to CHDOs, including:
• Project pre-development loans;
• Operating assistance;
• Use of HOME project proceeds;
• Capacity-building assistance; and
Whereas, on December 3, 2010, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (INHS)
submitted materials documenting their continued eligibility as a CHDO and requested
renewal of their designation as a CHDO by the IURA, and
Whereas, at their December 9, 2010 meeting, the Neighborhood Investment Committee of
the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency reviewed the submitted materials and recommends
recertifying INHS as a CHDO, and
Whereas, the IURA has reviewed this matter and determined that INHS meets the criteria for
designation as a CHDO, now, therefore be it
Resolved, that the IURA, acting in its capacity as the Lead Agency for the Participating
Jurisdiction of the City of Ithaca, hereby renews its designation of INHS as a CHDO for a one-
year period.
Carried Unanimously 4-0
B. Other
VI. Old Business
A. Discussion-- 20010 # 3 - 100 W. Seneca Street
Paul Mazarella gave a presentation on the 100 W. Seneca Street project.
A new name was chosen for this project, it will be called Breckenridge Place, after the founder
of the City Federation of Women’s Organizations, who are owners of this building. He began
by explaining that the project is still subject for changes. Feasibility depends on many
elements, some of which are still unknown. There will be an office with two staff people; an
office worker and a maintenance person, staffing the office during the day.
This will be the first new affordable housing built in downtown Ithaca since 1971. These
apartments will be high quality and very affordable for small families and seniors. Ithaca
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December 9, 2010
Page 3 of 3
Neighborhood Housing will own and manage the building. Herman Sieverding stated that the
INHS has been working steadily on this project for three years. This is one of the largest
projects the INHS has undertaken; their goal is to maintain L/M affordable housing.
H. Matthys Van Cort added that no housing project is perfect; there is always redesigning and
changes. There is nothing like this model in downtown Ithaca. Federal money will provide
more funding per unit than the State. State tax credit market is more limited than the Federal
market. The State has a deferral by the year 2012 on many tax credit programs. Higher rent
gets more money, but less tax subsidy benefits. This project will meet an urgent need for this
community, also a real benefit for people with no vehicle.
Cummings asked if a resident would lose their apartment if their income goes up in
subsequent years. Mazzarella stated they will not lose their housing, but INHS may raise their
rent. After 15 years the owner of the building must still recognize the original contract with
low rents. Assessment on this building is estimated at $70,000, but Mazarella feels this figure
is incorrect; he is working with the assessment office on this. INHS will need to submit an
Income & Expense report every year to the assessment office. Cummings raised a concern
about INHS undertaking too many large projects simultaneously, and wanted to know if this
will diminish the smaller community needs and visual eyesores within the community.
Mazarella stated that they will continue to monitor and maintain these projects.
Mazarella went over the “Project Scoring” Summary Sheet for the Low-Income Housing Tax
Credit (LIHTC) Program. He went over each item and gave the new score for each item as
compared to the old score. Mazarella requested letters of support for INHS for successful
projects.
Kittel stated that HODAG money is under purview of the Agency.
de Aragón left the meeting at 10:45.
Suggestions:
INHS will be asking for more funds from Pathstone.
To stipulate in the contract, that there is the possibility of buying a unit.
To keep the IURA updated to any changes
Paul Mazarella will be in attendance the Agency meeting next week on Friday December 17 @
8:30 a.m., you are welcome to attend.
B. Other
VII. Staff Report
A. Other
VIII. Next Meeting Date – January 14, 2011, 8:30 a.m.
IX. Motion to Adjourn - The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 a.m.
J:\Community Development\Admin Files\MINUTES\NIC\2010\12December\December Minutes.doc