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108 East Green Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
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Minutes
IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee
September 13, 2013
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 8:40 AM with members Tracy Farrell, Karl Graham and Fernando
de Aragón present. Also in attendance were staff members Sue Kittel and JoAnn Cornish.
II. Public comment
None.
III. Review of Minutes –August 9, 2013
On a motion by de Aragón and second by Graham, the minutes of August 9, 2013 passed
unanimously.
IV. New Business
a) Grant Application- ‘Learning by Doing—Supported Employment’- possible
resolution
Dale Schumacher, executive director of The Learning Web joined the NI Committee to propose an off-
cycle funding application for a supported employment program. The project consists of hiring a
program coordinator who will support 7 local young people, 18-24 years old, in permanent positions
at Cayuga Medical Center. These entry level positions are not currently accessible to these young
people due to lack of experience or job maturity skills. The project coordinator will coach, teach,
model and mediate with the trainees while they build the workplace skills necessary to succeed.
Workforce NY is also participating with financial support for training wages and stipends for qualified
trainees.
The Committee asked questions to assure these were permanent full time positions and to more fully
understand the structure of the project. Schumacher assured the committee that a letter of
commitment from both the hospital and Workforce NY will be provided before the IURA considers
this project for final approval. The Committee also discussed the approval process. In this case, a
public hearing at the Planning and Economic Development Committee and final approval of the
Common Council is required, since it is a change in Action Plan activities of more than $25,000. After
further discussion, the following resolution was moved by de Aragón, seconded by Graham and
passed unanimously.
Project Funding for The Learning Web’s Supported Employment Program (new 2013 Project #22)
Whereas, The Learning Web has requested funding for a supported employment program, and
Ithaca
Urban
Renewal
Agency
Whereas, the Program will use CDBG funds to employ a program coordinator who will support young
people with limited employment experience in jobs at Cayuga Medical Center, and elsewhere, in
order to increase their chances of successfully maintaining permanent, unsubsidized employment,
and
Whereas, the 2013 Action Plan identifies unallocated CDBG funds in the amount of $96,458.00, and
Whereas, the Learning Web has requested $52,776, and
Whereas, this project is classified as an eligible public service activity consistent with the goals of the
City’s Consolidated Plan by providing job placement for under-employed and un-employed young
people who have limited job skills or successful past work experience, and
Whereas, this project can be fully funded at the level requested without exceeding the 15% public
services spending cap, and
Whereas, the Neighborhood Investment Committee reviewed this proposal at their meeting on
September 13, 2013 and recommended the following, now, therefore be it
Resolved, that CDBG funds in the amount of $52,776.00 be awarded to The Learning Web for the
Supported Employment Program as 2013 Project #22, and be it further
Resolved, that these funds be derived from the 2013 Entitlement Grant , and be it further
Resolved, that the IURA has determined that this action does constitute a Substantial Program
Amendment under the adopted Citizen Participation Plan of the City of Ithaca, requiring a public
hearing and approval of Common Council, and be it further
Resolved, that the IURA Chairperson, upon advice of the IURA Attorney, is hereby authorized to
execute all necessary and appropriate documents to implement this resolution once Common Council
approval has been received.
b) Other
None.
V. Old Business
a) Neighborhood Housing Initiative Program—discussion
The Committee reviewed a draft program outline presented by Kittel for the Neighborhood Housing
Initiative. The new strategy proposes bundling the projects into two $300,000 phases with 4 property
redevelopment projects required for each phase. To incentivize redevelopment of structurally unsafe,
condemned properties, sites that are identified by the Building Department as unsound, via a placard
with a red X on it, will count as two parcels and have $150,000 made available for redevelopment.
The Committee discussed the outline and was concerned that program policies should discourage
demolition of houses that could be rebuilt and ensure that the project is used for scattered site
redevelopment. They also wondered how duplexes would be treated under these new guidelines.
Kittel was instructed to further develop this outline as a possible programmatic structure and to
report back at the next NI Committee meeting.
b) Project Updates
Kittel updated the committee on the arduous approval process for the environmental review for the
2013 grant. The review is now complete and Kittel will continue with process for getting accessing the
funds. This only affects projects where there is construction. All of the service type activities can
access funding now. She also reported that representatives from the local chapter of Habitat for
Humanity will be coming to the October meeting to discuss their programs and initiatives.
Kittel also reported that the 2013 projects with no physical impact to the environment were generally
under contract. Significant Elements will be the first to access grant funds as they are nearly out of
2012 money.
INHS has sent an email to withdraw their request to reprogram funds from Stone Quarry Apartments
(2013 #1) to fund new houses at 314 South Plan Street and 216 Second Street. A copy of this email
was presented to the Committee in the meeting packet.
The Common Council authorized the IURA to sell the property at 213-215 Spencer Street and 701 Cliff
Street through a realtor. Staff will engage a realtor to sell Spencer Street first, since the derelict house
on Cliff Street still must be removed. The demolition is waiting for approvals from the NYS Historic
Preservation Office. In addition, the IURA has decided not to take possession of Cliff Street until the
abandoned cars have been removed from the site. The cars would be difficult for the IURA to dispose
of, as the new owner, and so we are leaving that to the City to handle before we accept the property.
VI. Motion to Adjourn
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m.