HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-20-10 City Administration Committee Meeting AgendaCITY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Monday, December 20, 2010
7.00 PM
COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS
AGENDA
PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN DATE DUE TO CHRISTMAS'.
1. Chairperson Greeting & Opening Statement
2. Announcements
3. Agenda Review and Amendments
4. Approval of Minutes
5. Statements from the Public
6. Employee Comments
7. Common Council Response
8. Workforce Diversity Committee
9. Safety Committee
10. Chamberlain's Office
10.1 Request for Refund of Penalty on Payment of Taxes -Resolution
11. IURA
11.1 Housing Fund, 2009 Funding Round — Convert Approved Loan Assistance to Grant
Assistance for the Women's Community Building Redevelopment Project - Resolution
11.2 Housing Fund, 2009 Funding Round, Authorize County /City /IURA Fiscal Agency
Agreement - Resolution
11.3 Housing Fund, 2010 Funding Round — Authorize Disbursement of $70,000 Pursuant to
an Executed MOU - Resolution
12. Attorney's Office
12.1 Request to Amend Personnel Roster Resolution
13. Common Council
13.1 A Property Tax Cap Must Include Mandate Relief — Resolution
13.2 Reallocation of City Clerk's Position — Resolution
14. Human Resources
14.1 Director's Report
15. Finance /Controller's Office
15.1 Controller's Report
16. Reports
16.1 Mayor's Report
16.2 Sub - Committee Updates
16.3 Council Members' Announcements
16.4 Next Month's Meeting: January 26, 2010
10. Chamberlain's Office
.1 Request for Refund of Penalty on Payment of (Taxes
WHEREAS, the final date to pay 2009 -2010 Ithaca City School taxes and 2010 City of Ithaca
first and second installment taxes without additional substantial penalty was September 30, 2010,
and
WHEREAS, the owners of 507 -09 Cliff Street, 323 Hillview Place and 335 Spencer Road
missed the final due date because of a death in the family. and
WHEREAS, the owners of the referenced properties paid the taxes with the additional 1%
penalty of $45.33 and an additional 15% penalty of $748.05 for a total additional penalty of
$793.38 on October 4`h, and
WHEREAS, they have requested a refund of the additional paid penalty, and
WHEREAS, these circumstances do not fit within the allowed guidelines for the waiver of
penalty on taxes as passed by Common Council; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, The request for waiver of penalty is denied.
J:1DRedsicker1AGE✓NDASICity Admin Comm12010112 -20 CA Agendai.doe 12120/10
CITY OF ITHACA
108 East Green Street Ithaca, New York 14850 -5690
OFFICE OF T IE Ci IA,MBER1.AIN
Tclephctne: 60- '- i -6S8f1 Fax: 60-1,272 -"3 - +8
To: City Administration Committee
From: Debra A. Parsons, City Chamberlain
Date: November 16, 2010
Re: Request for Refund of Penalty
I received the attached request for refund of penalty from David and Barbara Lower. The
Lowers' paid the 2009 Ithaca City School District taxes on October 4, as detailed in the
attached Ietter. On October 1, a 15% penalty was assessed according to City Charter.
The circumstances described in the Lowers' request do not fit the criteria for waiver of
penalty according to guidelines established by a previous Common Council. They are
requesting, that Common Council consider the request.
Whereas, the final date to pay 2009 -2010 Ithaca City School taxes and 2010 City
of Ithaca 1St and 2nd installment taxes without additional substantial penalty was
September 30, 2010, and
Whereas, the owners of 507 -09 Cliff Street, 323 Hillview Place and 335 Spencer
Road missed the final due date because of death in the family, and
Whereas, the owners of the referenced properties paid the taxes with the
additional I% penalty of $45.33 and an additional 15% penalty of $748.05 for a
total additional penalty of $793.38 on October 4th, and
Whereas, they have requested a refund of the additional paid penalty, and
Whereas, these circumstances do not fit within the allowed guidelines for the
waiver of penalty on taxes as passed by Common Council, now therefore be it
Resolved, the request for waiver of penalty is denied.
"An Equal Opportunity Employer commitment to Nvorkforce diversification." co
DAVID AND BARBARA LOWER
546 Hayts Rd
Ithaca NY 14850
607- 227 -9217
October 5, 2010
City Chamberlain
108 East Green St
Ithaca NY 14850
Dear Sir/Madam,
This is in regards to our school taxes, 2009 -2010 years_
They were do on 09- 30-10, On 09 -28 -10 we had a death in our family, our niece,
We did not make it on 09 -30 -10 to pay the taxes on these property's
323 Hillview place Ithaca NY Tax neap # 92. -8-0 Penalty was $305.15
507 - 09 Cliff st Tax Map # 42. -3 -12 Penalty was $228.85
335 Spencer Rd Tax Map # 121-3 -2 Penalty was $259.38
On 10-04 -1.0 we paid them. We were still charged the 15% dud 1% Penalty's. We could not pay them any
sooner because of the weekend. Because of our circumstances we thought they would understand and not
charge us, It was a honest mistake and it was not that far from the I' of Oct. We are asking for a little
compassion in this matter and would like the penalties returned total of $793.38.
Thank you so much for your time in this matter..
Sincerely
D vid and Barbara Lower
�� G>rir�P
11. IURA
.l Housing Fund, 2009 Funding Round — Convert Approved Loan Assistance to Grant
Assistance for the Women's Community Building Redevelopment Project
WHEREAS,. on November ?2, 2010, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (INNS)
requested reallocation of $75,000 in Housing Fund assistance awarded for the Women's
Community Building Redevelopment project (Project) be reallocated from the Housing
Affordability Program to the Community Housing Trust Program, thereby converting loan
assistance to grant assistance, and
WHEREAS, the Housing Fund contains two separate funding programs to assist in the creation
of affordable housing units, the Housing Affordability Program and the Community Housing
Trust Program,. and
WHEREAS. the Housing Affordability Program provides loans for predevelopment costs of
affordable housing projects and the Community Housing Trust Program provides grants for
newly constructed or rehabilitated homes that will remain permanently affordable for future
generations of buyers, and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Common Council resolution of June 2, 2010, the City authorized its
contribution to the Housing Fund be used for the following uses:
I . $30,000 for predevelopment loan assistance through the Housing Affordability Program
to Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Assistance, Inc. for the Women's Community Building
located at 100 W. Seneca Street, and
2. $70,000 for predevelopment loan assistance through the Housing Affordability Program
to Tompkins Community Action, Inc. for the Magnolia House project located at 308 -320
N. Meadow Street, and
WHEREAS, $30,000 of the $75,000 assistance awarded to the INHS Project derived from City
of Ithaca funds, and
WHEREAS, a Housing Fund Program Oversight Committee (POC) has been established to
govern the Housing Fund made up of representatives from each fonder, and includes Maria
Coles, J.R. Clairborne and Doug Dylla from the City, but that final funding decisions regarding
expenditure of City funds shall be approved by the Common Council, and
WHEREAS, the POC reviewed this request at their November 30, 2010 meeting and
unanimously approved INHS's request, noting that the project will include a binding regulatory
agreement requiring the housing to be affordable for a minimum of 50 years, and
WHEREAS,. the Women's Community Building project has already undergone environmental
review through the site plan review process whereby the City of Ithaca Planning & Development
Board determined that this project will result in no significant impact on the environment and
issued a negative declaration for the project on February 9, 2010; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Common Council for the City of Ithaca endorses the Housing Fund
Program Oversight Committee's recommendation and hereby modifies its approval per its June
E\DRedsicker\AGENDASICiiy Admin Comm12010/12 -20 CA Agenda.doc 12/20/10
RESOLVED, That the Common Council for the City of Ithaca endorses the Housing Fund
Program Oversight Committee's recommendation and hereby modifies its approval per its .Tune
2.2010 resolution to authorize use of up to $30,000 of City funds contributed to the Housing
Fund as grant assistance through the Community Housing Trust Program for the Women's
Community Building redevelopment project located at 100 W. Seneca Street.
J- 0Redsieker\AGENDAS\City Admin Comm12010/12 -20 CA Agenda.doc 12120/10
elgh6olW dw
CHARTERED MEMBER
November 22, 2010
Housing Fund Program Oversight Committee
CIO Jean Lecesse, Planner
Tompkins County Department of Planning
121 East Court St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
RE: Women's Community Building Redevelopment
Dear Housing Fund Program Oversight Committee:
117-117,
l� .:
Ithaca Neighborhood
HOUSING SERVICES
This letter is to provide the Committee with an update on the Women's Community Building Redevelopment (the
"project ") and request that the $75,000 in Housing Affordability Funds committed in March be reallocated as
Housing Trust Funds. By reallocating_ these funds the Committee will improve the project's chances of being
awarded state and federal financing. Outlined below is an update on the project, the benefits of this reallocation,
the reasons the project meets the Housing Trust guidelines and a request that this change be considered prior to
New York State's 2011 financing round in February, 2011.
In August, INNS and its not- for - profit partner PathStone Development Corporation were notified that our
application to the NYS Division of Homes and Community renewal (HCR) for Federal, & State Low Income
Housing Tax Credits and State Housing Trust Funds was denied. Subsequently, INHS and PathStone met with
HCR staff to discuss the project and its chances of success in the 2011 funding round. At this meeting, HCR staff
identified four key elements that made the project a strong candidate for funding.
• It provides affordable housing in the downtown core - near services, employment and public
transportation.
• It fulfills a community redevelopment need by taking an underutilized space and creating a new multi-
million dollar urban building.
• It has significant local support through the City's rezoning of the site, granting final site plan approval and
contributing 5200,000 in HOME funds.
• It exceeds the State's Green Building Criteria.
It is proposed by a strong development team.
HCR staff provided us with guidance on where we could improve our score to make the project more competitive:
1. Reduce the overall cost of the project,
2. Increase the financial commitment of local stakeholders and specifically find a local source for the
land and building acquisition.
INNS and PathStone have made improvement on both fronts. We have initiated a series of meetings between our
Construction Manager (CM) and architect to find ways of redesigning and refining the scope of work to reduce
cost. A change in the basement design for example could save several hundred thousand dollars.
.%,. 115 West Clinton Street • Ithaca, New York 14850 • 607 - 277 -45001 . 607- 277 -4536 fax
www.ithacaNHS.org
To address the second challenge INiIS and PathStone have made significant progress.
• The federal Home Loan Hank through Tompkins Trust Company awarded the project $550,000.
• PathStone has committed $300,000 in NeighborWorks funds.
• INHS has been working with the City of Ithaca to bring $500,000 of HODAG funds controlled by the City
into the project as a very low interest loan.
• IN7IS has agreed to commit up to $350,000 of its own funds to the project.
If we can add the Housing Fund Program's $75,000 to this list, INNS and PathStone will have raised -$2,075,000 in
additional resources. Currently the Housing Fund's commitment is a loan that must be repaid at the time of
construction closing. While this helps-to pay for costs prior to construction it is not the kind of long term financial
support that the State will recognize. Moving this loan from a short term to a long term commitment shows the
State that INHS and PathStone have broad financial support for the project. Very few developers will have
financing from both a County and City source.
If reallocated as Dousing Trust Funds, INKS and PathStone would use these funds toward acquisition of the land.
The $75,000 from the Trust plus the $800,000 in HODAG funds and a portion of the PathStone contribution will
pay for the acquisition.
In addition to improving our chances of leveraging over $12 million in outside funding, the Housing Trust Funds
will help improve the project's bottom line. While we continue to look for construction cost savings we are not
willing to compromise the quality or integrity of the building. INHS has been a leader in building green affordable
housing and the Women's Community Building will be no exception.
The project meets the requirements of the Housing Trust - it will be affordable housing for a minimum of 50 years.
This affordability is a requirement of the tax credit financing and will be made legally binding through a regulatory
agreement signed by M-IS and PathStone.
We understand this is an important decision for the Committee. The State's application deadline is February 9,
2011. In order to meet this deadline, we will need a written commitment from the Oversight Committee no later
than January 31, 2011. Prior to that deadline INHS and PathStone will have preliminary financial commitments
from all of the sources of financing with the exception of the State funds. If you have questions regarding this
request we would be happy to provide additional information or meet with the Committee.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Paul Mazrareila
Executive Director
List of Attachments
1.
Updated Project Summary
2.
Evidence of Site control
3.
Updated Budget
4.
Plans and specifications
5.
Letter of Support from City of Ithaca
11. IURA
.2 Housing Fund, 2009 Funding Round, Authorize County /City/IURA Fiscal Agency
Agreement
WHEREAS, on April 1, 2009, the Common Council of the City of Ithaca authorized the Mayor
to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Ithaca, Tompkins
County and Cornell University to develop, fund, and administer the Community Housing
Affordability Program and the Community Housing. Trust Program (Collectively known as the
"Housing Fund "), and
WHEREAS, a Housing Fund Program Oversight Committee (POC) has been established to
govern the Housing Fund made up of representatives from each funder, including Maria Coles,
J.R. Clairborne and Doug Dylla from the City, but that final funding decisions regarding
expenditure of City MOU funds shall be approved by the Common Council, and
WHEREAS, on June 2, 2010, the Common Council for the City of Ithaca authorized
disbursement of $100,000 of City Funds for affordable housing projects, and
Whereas, Tompkins County (County) desires to serve as fiscal agent for the Housing fund, and
Whereas, the POC recommends that the County act as a single fiscal agent for the Housing Fund
whereby the County would enter into an agreement with the City and Cornell University to
administer the City's contribution to the Housing Fund, and
WHEREAS, the Housing Trust MOU did not necessarily anticipate the formation of a fiscal
agent for the Housing Fund to create single funding agreements with each recipient, but rather
referenced that "each participating entity would have custody of and manage its individual
contributions ", and "enter into an agreement for disbursement of funds to approved recipients
based upon the template developed by the POC ", and
WHEREAS, a proposed fiscal agency agreement, dated December 12, 2010, has been drafted to
protect City interests but provide for the County to enter into uniform funding agreements with
recipients of Housing Fund assistance, and
WHEREAS, environmental review was previously completed on February 9, 20I0 and June 2,
2010 for use of City funds to be administered through the proposed Fiscal Agency Agreement;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Common Council for the City of Ithaca hereby authorizes the Mayor,
subject to advice of the City Attorney, to enter into an agreement to administer the City's 2009
contribution to the Housing Fund that is substantially in conformance with the attached Fiscal
Agency Agreement to Inzplenient the Housing Fund Program Between the County of Tompkins,
the City o f Ithaca and the Ithaca Urban Reneival Agency, dated. December 12, 2010, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor is further authorized, subject to advice from the City Attorney, to
approve modifications to the proposed agreement recommended by legal counsel for any of the
signatories.
J :0Redsicker\AGENDAS\C.ity Admin Comm12010/12 -20 CA Agendn.doc 12120110
12 /12 /10
Fiscal Agency Agreement to Implement the Housing Fund Program
By and Among
the County of Tompkins, the City of Ithaca and the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency
AGREEMENT, entered into this day of , 2011, made by and
Among the County of Tompkins. a municipal corporation of the State of New York, having
offices at 125 East Court Street. Ithaca, New York, 14850, hereinafter referred to as the
"COUNTY ", the City of Ithaca, a municipal corporation of the State of New York„ having
offices at 108 East Green Street, Ithaca, NY 14850, hereinafter referred to as the "CITY" and the
Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency, an urban renewal agency created pursuant to General Municipal
Law, having offices at 108 East Green Street, Ithaca, NY 14850, hereinafter referred to as the
" IURA ".
W ITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the COUNTY authorized the Memorandum of Understanding ( "MOU ")
among the COUN'T'Y, the CITY, and Cornell University with regard to the Housing Fund, by
Resolution No. 2009 -31, and
WHEREAS, the CITY authorized the MOU by resolution on April 2, 2009, and
WHEREAS, the IURA authorized use of IURA- administered funds to meet CITY
obligations under the MOU on April 23, 2009, and
WHEREAS a MOU among the COUNTY, the CITY, and Cornell University with regard
to the Community Housing Affordability Program and the Community Housing Trust Program of
the Housing Fund was executed on April, 23, 2009, and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the MOU, the participating entities agree to jointly capitalize the
Housing Fund over six years. including $1.2 million from Cornell University and $600,000 each
from the CITY and the COUNTY, and
WHEREAS, the COUNTY desires to serve as fiscal agent for the Housing Fund and enter
into an agreement with the CITY to administer the CITY's contribution to the Housing Fund, and
WHEREAS, the CITY desires to have the COUNTY serve as fiscal agent for the Housing
Fund and enter into an agreement with the COUNTY to accept and administer the City's
housing Fund Fiscal Agency.4greement Page I
contributions to the Housing Fund to disburse funds to projects authorized by the CITY for
assistance, and
WHEREAS, CITY funds pursuant to this agreement are administered by the IURA, and
WHEREAS, the COUNTY, has the capability to serve as fiscal agent and disburse the
Housing Fund appropriately for the CITY,
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises, covenants, and agreements
contained herein, the parties agree as follows:
1. The terin of this contract shall be from
, 2011, until such time as the
Housing Fund loans, which are the subject of the agreement, have been repaid to the Housing
Fund.
2. The COUNTY agrees to serve as fiscal agent for the Housing Fund through County
Resolution 2010 -74.
3. All funding; shall be distributed as recommended by the Housing Fund program
Oversight Committee and approved by the funding entities.
4. The IURA. on behalf of the CITY, agrees to pay the COUNTY one hundred thousand
dollars ($100,000) to be used to support housing projects approved by the CITY for use of
Housing Funds as described more fully in Exhibit A. The IURA shall remit payment to the
COUNTY within 14 days of receipt of a written demand for funds.
5. Any funds provided pursuant to this Agreement that are not disbursed within 270 days
from the date of receipt of funds by the COUNTY shall be returned to the IURA, unless the Mayor
for the City of Ithaca expressly authorizes in writing the retention of such funds by the COUNTY.
b. The COUNTY will be responsible for establishing agreements with each of the
Housing Fund recipients and disbursing the funds in a timely manner, and further agrees to provide
documentation of disbursement of the funds.
7. Should the CITY's contribution to the Housing Fund be used to provide loan assistance
to Housing Fund recipients, use of loan repayments received shall be restricted to projects located
within the CITY and subject to approval by the CITY.
$. The COUNTY shall submit the following reporting information to the IURA:
A. Copies of executed funding agreements with Housing Fund recipients pursuant
to this Agreement within 30 days of execution of such agreements.
B. Proof of disbursement of funds to Housing Fund recipients within 30 days of
such payments.
C. Quarterly report on the accounting of Housing Funds, including income &
Housing Fund Fiscal Agency Agreement Page 2
expenses, the fund balance, and the amount of the fund balance derived from
loan repayments from the use of City funds.
9. This Agreement may be terminated for any reason upon thirty (30) days written notice
by one party to the other parties. Each party shall honor the funding obligations of any agreements
made prior to the date of termination, but shall not enter into new obligations. Upon termination:
A. The COUNTY shall pay the IURA any funds received on behalf of the CITY
but not dispersed or contractually obligated to a Housing Fund recipient.
B. The COUNTY shall pay to the IURA a pro -rata portion of any unobligated
loan repayments received and on -hand from Housing Fund recipients as of the
date of termination. The pro -rata portion of such funds shall equal the total
CITY contributions to the Housing Fund divided by the total amount of
contributions made to the Housing Fund,
C. The COUNTY shall pay to the IURA a pro -rata portion of any future loan
repayments received resulting from funding agreements with Housing Fund
recipients existing as of the date of termination. The pro -rata portion of such
funds shall equal the total CITY contributions to the Housing Fund divided by
the total amount of contributions made to the Housing Fund as of the date of
termination. Such funds shall be paid no less frequently than annually.
10. The CITY and IURA shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend the COUNTY and
its officers, employees, agents and elected officials from and against any and all claims and actions
brought against the COUNTY and its officers, employees, agents and elected officials for injury or
death to any person or persons or damage to property arising out of the negligence of the CITY
and/or the IURA and its employees, subcontractors or agents.
11. The COUNTY shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend the CITY and IURA and
its officers, employees, agents and elected officials from and against any and all claims and actions
brought against the CITY and /or the IURA and its officers, employees, agents and elected officials
for injury or death to any person or persons or damage to property arising out of the negligence of
the COUNTY and its employees, subcontractors or agents.
12. This Agreement may be amended only by written agreement by and among the
COUNTY, CITY, and IURA. This Agreement may be terminated only by written agreement by
each of the parties hereto.
13. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed under the laws of the State of
New Vora.
Housing Fund Fiscal Agency Agreement Page 3
Exhibit A
Authorized Use of City Funds Contributed to Housing Fund, Round #1
Pursuant to City of Ithaca Common Council resolutions of June 2, 2010 and January 5, 2011, the
following projects were authorized for assistance from the CITY's contribution to the Housing Fund:
Thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) of CITY funds will be used to assist the Women's Community
Building project, a proposed 50 -unit residential rental building located at 100 W. Seneca Street, Ithaca,
NY and, and seventy thousand dollars ($70,000) of CITY funds will be used to assist the proposed
Magnolia House project, a 14 -unit supportive housing program for homeless women in recovery from
substance abuse located at 304 -320 N. Meadow Street, Ithaca, NY.
Housing Fund Fiscal AgencvAgreenaent Page 5
11. IURA
.3 Housing Fund, 2010 Funding Round — Authorize Disbursement of $70,000 Pursuant to
an Executed MOU
WHEREAS, the Housing Fund Program Oversight Committee (POC) met on November 29,
2010, to review applications for funding submitted in July 2010 and recommended funding for
the following affordable housing projects from the Housing Fund, which is jointly capitalized by
Cornell University, Tompkins County and the City of Ithaca:
Applicant
Program
Project
Dollar
Amount
Recommended
Number
of Units
Location
INHS
Trust
INHS Community
$140.000
7 owner-
City of
Housing Trust: New
(grant)
occupied
Ithaca,
Construction/Substantial
units
scattered
Rehabilitation
sites
Better
Northwoods
Housing
Affordability
Lansing Reserves
$75,000
80 unit
Drive,
for
(loan)
Multi-
Village of
Tompkins
family
Lansing
County
. and
WHEREAS, on April 1, 2009, the Common Council of the City of Ithaca authorized the Mayor
to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Ithaca, Tompkins
County and Cornell University to develop, fund, and administer the Community Housing
Affordability Program and the Community Housing Trust Program (Collectively known as the
"Housing Fund "), and
WHEREAS. on April 1, 2009, the Common Council further found that the most appropriate
locations for new housing units assisted through MOU funds are project sites located within
existing urbanized areas of the County, rather than in new growth nodes or other areas of the
County, and
WHEREAS, the Community Housing Affordability Program assists with pre - development costs
associated with residential, and mixed -use real estate development projects primarily benefiting
low- and moderate - income households. and the Community Housing Trust Program is a program
designed to ensure that newly constructed or rehabilitated homes that are made available to low -
and moderate - ineome households remain affordable to future generations of buyers, and
WHEREAS, City funds committed to the Housing Fund are derived from Gateway Loan
proceeds held by the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency, and
WHEREAS, the POC unanimously recommended the following funding plan to match funding
sources with housing projects recommended for funding:
JADRedsicker\AGENDASUty A.dmin Comm12010112 -20 CA Agenda.doc 12/20/10
Project Name
Fu ding Sources
Total
Cornell
LJniversity
Tompkins
County
City of
Ithaca
INHS Community Housing Trust
— scattered sites
$70,000
$70,000
$140,000
BHFTC -- Lansing Reserves
$75,000
$75,000
Total Round #2 Allocation (20 10)
$75,000
$70,000
$70,000
$215,000
Round #1 Allocation 2009)
$145,000
$100,000
$100,000
$345,000
Total Allocation
$220,000
$170,000
$170,000
$560,000
Funds carried forward - round #3
$180,000
$30,000
$30,000
$240,000
and,
WHEREAS, the POS recommends that the City contribution be earmarked for the INHS
Community Housing Trust project that will involve new construction and/or substantial
rehabilitation to create 7 affordable, owner - occupied housing units located within the City of
Ithaca at 524 -530 Chestnut Street (4 units), 507 Cascadilla Street (1 unit), 305 East Falls Street
(1 unit) and 10 Hawthorne Place (I unit); and
WHEREAS, City of Ithaca funding is proposed to be used to fund construction and/or substantial
rehabilitation of single family and two - family residences, which action qualifies as a Type 1I
action listed at:
• § 176- 5(C)(8): "construction or expansion of a single - family, a two family, or a three family
residence on an approved lot including provision of necessary utility connections as provided
in Subsection C(10)," and
• §176- 5(C)(2): "replacement, rehabilitation or reconstruction of a facility in kind on the same
site, including upgrading buildings to meet building or fire codes,"
therefore, no further environmental review is required for this proposed action, now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the Common Council for the City of Ithaca hereby authorizes expenditure of
up to $70,000, pursuant to the Housing Fund MOU, to assist the INHS Community Housing
Trust: New Construction /Substantial Rehabilitation project as recommended by the Housing
Fund Program Oversight Committee, and be it further,
RESOLVED, That such funds shall be derived from Gateway Loan Proceeds held by the Ithaca
Urban Renewal Agency, and be it further,
RESOLVED, That the Mayor is authorized, subject to advice of the City Attorney, to execute a
fiscal agency agreement with Tompkins County to implement this resolution.
J:IDRedsickerlAGENDASUty Admin Comm\2010/12 -20 CA Agenda.doc 12/20/10
Tompkins County
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING
121 East Court Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
Edward C. Marx, AICP Telephone (607) 274 -5560
Commissioner of Planning Fax (607) 274 -5578
Memorandum
TO: Housing Fund Program Oversight Committee
FROM: Jeanne Leccese, Senior Planner
DATE: November 18, 2010
RE: Formal Recommendations by the Housing Fund Application Review Committee for the funding round
dated Julv 2010
Overview of Applications Received for the July 2010 Funding Round
The Housing Fund received two applications: one from a not -for- profit organization and one from a not- for - profit/for-
profit partnership.
The total amount of funding requested was $215,000: $75,000 for the Affordability Program and $140,000 for the
Trust Program.
There are a total of 87 new housing units being proposed. One project is located in the City of Ithaca and one in the
Village of Lansing.
Application Review Committee Process
The Application Review Committee is made up of the following individuals:
• Robert Abrams — Retired from Cornell Real Estate Program
• Ellen Morris - Knower — Audrey Edelman Fealty USA
• Art Pearce — Retired from M &T Bank
* David Richardson — Cornell Human Resources and Diversity
• Kathy Schlather — Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County
• David Taube — HOLT Architects (on a leave of absence)
• Lynn Truame — Beacon Development Group
July 12, 2010: Members received the two submitted applications via CD /hardcopy and were asked to begin reviewing
the applications prior to the review meeting. Also included was a Preliminary Evaluation Form (based on the NOFA)
to assist members with reviewing the applications.
August 31, 2010: Review Meeting of the Application Review Committee
Project Summaries
Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services -- INHS Community Housing Trust: New Construction/Substantial
Rehabilitation
INHS is requesting $140,000 to assist in the development of seven units of owner - occupied housing that will be sold
to low - income first time homebuyers under the INHS Community Housing Trust program. The Community Housing
Trust program creates high quality, energy- efficient homes that are sold to low- income buyers at very affordable
prices. The funding from this program will be used to provide a development subsidy of $20,000 per unit. This will
help households who would not otherwise have the opportunity to buy a home achieve homeownership at an
affordable and sustainable cost. The fNHS CHT program requires that these homes be resold to other low- income
buyers and limits the resale price in perpetuity, guaranteeing permanent affordability. Six of the seven units will be
LEED- certified new homes. The seventh will be substantially renovated home redeveloped to high standards for
energy - efficiency. These subsidies will be combined with other subsidies from the HOME and NYSERDA programs
and deferred loans from INHS to make the homes affordable to households earning 65 -90% of Area Median Income.
This project consists of the scattered site development of seven homes. All of the sites are in the City of Ithaca and
include: 524 -530 Chestnut Street (4 units); 507 Cascadilla Street (l unit); 305 East Falls Street (I unit); and 10
Hawthorne Place (1 unit). (From the application.)
Better Housing%NRP — Lansing Reserve
Better Housing for Tompkins County is proud to present the proposed development for an eighty unit, affordable
housing multi- family development. This project will be located on Northwoods Drive in Lansing, NY. Each of the 80
units will be affordable. We are requesting $75,000 from the Community Housing Affordability Program to assist
with preliminary development expenses such as architectural or engineering services, or market studies, related to
establishing project feasibility. (From the application.)
Recommendations from the Application Review Committee
• The funding recommendations were moved by Art Pearce and seconded by Bob Abrams. By a unanimous vote of
those present (David Taube was excused) the Application Review Committee makes the following funding
recommendations:
The Application Review Committee recommends a total of $215,000 to be disbursed for the July 2010 funding round.
The remaining $185,000 (with additional $55,000 from previous funding round) will be rolled over to the next funding
round.
Expected Total
Program
Applicant Project
Dollar Amount
Number of
Location
Cost of the
Project Per
Applied
Recommended
Units
Mortgage/Rent
of Units
1NHS Community
7 owner -
$1,460,282/
Housing Trust: New
INHS Trust
$140,000
occupied
City of
$100,863 -
Construction/Substantial
Ithaca
118,695
Rehabilitation
units
(mortgage)
Better
Housingfor Affordability Lansing Reserves
$75,000
80 unit
multi-
Village of
$13,492,427/
Tompkins
fam i ly
Lansing
$403 -980 (rent)
County
The Application Review Committee recommends a total of $215,000 to be disbursed for the July 2010 funding round.
The remaining $185,000 (with additional $55,000 from previous funding round) will be rolled over to the next funding
round.
1.2. Attorney's Office
.1 Request to Amend Personnel Roster
WHEREAS. the current Assistant City Attorney has requested a reduction in the hours she works
for the City of Ithaca and the City Attorney wishes to grant said request, and
WHEREAS, the demands on the City Attorney's office necessitate backfilling for the reduced
number of hours through hiring a temporary, part-time Associate Attorney, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That, effective January 10, 2011 Common Council hereby amends the 2011
Personnel Roster for the City Attorney's Office as follows:
Delete: One (1) Assistant City Attorney (40 hours)
Add: One (1) Assistant City Attorney (20 hours)
Add: One (1) temporary Associate Attorney (20 hours)
and be it further
RESOLVED, That consistent with Civil Service Law, this temporary Associate Attorney
position shall exist no more than twelve (12) months commencing from the date of appointment.
J :1DRedsicker\AC,ENDAS\City Admin Comm12010 /12 -20 CA Agcnda.doc 12/20/10
13. Common Council
.1 A Property Tax Cap Must Include Mandate Relief
WHEREAS, the level of property taxation throughout New York State has reached levels that
are considered too high, and
WHEREAS, New York State is one of the states that imposes a high burden of inefficient
mandates on municipalities, and
WHEREAS, pension payments and health insurance costs, two of the largest components of
every municipal budget over which local officials have little control have and continue to
increase at exorbitant rates, and
WHEREAS, pension costs from the State Retirement System will increase by an average of 40%
in both 2011 and 2012, and
WHEREAS, as a solution to New York's property tax crisis, the Governor of New York and the
New York State Legislature will, in 2011, consider enactment of legislation imposing a cap on
the annual ,growth in property taxes, and
WHEREAS, a property tax cap will only work if it is simultaneously accompanied by a repeal of
current state mandates that require local governments to increase spending and property taxes,
and
WHEREAS, a property tax cap without repeal of costly state mandates will, by definition, lead to
drastic cuts in essential local services and dramatic layoffs of municipal employees, and
WHEREAS, our State government has both consistently reduced State Aid to Municipalities and
has failed to amend the formulas which place municipalities with significant percentages of tax
exempt properties at a considerable disadvantage in how it raises the moneys needed for the
delivery of essential services; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Common Council, requests that the Governor of the State
of New York, the members of the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly reform
regulations for the cost drivers that account for high property taxes in New York State and find
other methods for providing overdue property tax relief to the residents and businesses of New
York State, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Governor Andrew Cuomo, State
Senate Majority Leader John Sampson, State Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos, Assembly
Speaker Sheldon Silver, Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, Senator Tom O' Mara,
Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton, and the New York State Conference of Mayors.
J.Medsicker\AGENDAWity Admin Comm12010 /12 -20 CA Agenda doc 12/20110
13. Human Resources
.2 Reallocation of City Clerk's Position.
WHEREAS, Common Council authorized the creation of a Public Information Division in the
City Clerk's Office in the 2011 City of Ithaca budget, and
WHEREAS, the implementation of the Public Information Division will result in a permanent
and material change in the duties and responsibilities of the City Clerk, and
WHEREAS, the additional duties and responsibilities that are being assumed by the City Clerk
result in a change in the grade allocation of the position as determined by an updated point factor
analysis of the position, and
WHEREAS, funding for this grade reallocation was approved in the 2011 City Clerk's Office
budget, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the position of City Clerk be reallocated from Grade 3 to Grade 4 of the City
of Ithaca Managerial Compensation Plan.
J:\DRedsieker\AGENDAS \City Admin Comm\2010 /12 -20 CA Agenda.doc 12/20/10