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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-IURACDC-1979-11-15 I a /CDA SPECIAL MEETING NOVEMBER 15, 1979 Council Chambers PRESENT: Mayor E.J. Conley, Chairman IURA/CDA Ray Bordoni, Mayor Elect Clarence Reed, IURA/CDA Kathe Evans, IURA/CDA staff Victor Bagnardi, Architect David Sprague, Senior Center representative Bev Stone, Senior Center representative Press As this Special Meeting was called to discuss the Senior Center, it was decided to postpone the agenda items until the regular meeting scheduled for Monday, November 19. Mayor Conley opened the meeting at 5:15 and summed UD the City's concerns for the downtown housing stock. He said there was no problem with the IURA/CDA's passing a resolution to grant the Senior Center funds to fix the roof but said he would like to explore alternatives for locating the center to a different site. Bev Stone said the center was not tied down to their present location and praised Kathe Evans for the time she has devoted to the Senior Center and their concerns. Bagnardi said he had spoken to the Building Commissioner as to the fea- sibility of expansion on Geneva Street. He was told that though he was not out of code, he would need a variance in order to carry out the expansion plans. Conley said there was no problem in putting money into the existing building and said he understood that the seniors want to own the building they use. Stone said that there is money available for building use but not for rental. She said she has looked into, among other sites, the possibilities of the Gangle building; the Cen-tral School and the Social Services building. Evans said that there was a need for more elderly construction and suggested that a combination of office space and housing under Section 8 be built. Stone added that Section 202 funds would also be available. Section 202 is a direct loan program set up to assist private non profit organizations develop housing for the elderly and handicapped. She said that two of the ground floors could be used as offices with living accomodations above. The Senior Citizens building fund amounted to only $20,000 so that federal funds would be necessary for such a project. Conley asked if that money could be used towards a larger building and Stone said it could not be used for rent. IURA/CDA Special Meeting November 15, 1979 Page 2 Conley said that though the scattered site plan was an asset for low income family housing needs, he thought that concentration of housing and services was better for Senior Citizens. He asked if land could be assem- bled in the Central.Business District whether this project could be dove- tailed into Section 8. Evans suggested eight stories of Section 8 taxable Senior Citizen apartments over Section 202 not for profit offices. Conley said perhaps payments in lieu of taxes could be worked out and said he would prefer Section 8 because it leaves the land taxable. Bev Stone asked if a feasibility study was in order. She also asked how the city would feel about moving the building to an empty lot in the city and Conley said that moving a house cost nearly as much as construction. Conley asked if there was anyone to do the feasibility study and Stone said that Vic Bagnardi was in charge of it for the time being. Bagnardi suggested demolishing both buildings (the present Center and the house on the adjoining lot) and begini ring from scratch to combine housing and activities. He said a new 3 story structure could be built but noted the lots were narrow. Evans asked what the Zoning Code would allow for the site and Bagnardi said that McGraw House was also higher than code allowed. Conley said the area was basically residential and that it would be better to relocate the entire operation in that proximity and to renovate McGraw House into family units. He said that West State Street would be good because of its closeness to the Health facility He stressed the City's conceni to preserve existing buildings in the community. Evans said a house was demolished every year and often the new space was used for parking. Consequently a large investment is being made to keep the neighborhood as a homeowner community. She said that numerous Human Services have appeared before Co._uirunity Advisory Council meetings to ask for space to relocate their services into downtown housing but have been turned down. Reed asked what the impact would be on senior citizens if the facility was moved a block or so away and Stone said she didn't know. She said that transportation was a problem and Bagnardi added that many elderly citizens do not want to cross the streets. Conley asked what the plans were for expansion of the Reconstruction Home. IURA/CDA Special Meeting November 15, 1979 Page 3 Stone said two extended wings would be added. She has already approached them to ask if the seniors could be incorporated into their plans but the construction would not be completed until 3 or 4 years from now. She said that the Senior Center needed more space now. Bordoni asked how many people were in McGraw House and how many were in Titus Towers. Conley said there were approximately 136 to 150 in McGraw and 180 to 200 in Titus Towers. Stone said there had been some consideration given to the possibility of having 2 locations but the cost of double staffing made this difficult. She added that satelite sites, manned by volunteers were being set up in communities such as Groton and Lansing. In the city, she said, one central headquarters was more convenient and less costly. Bagnardi said he had originally planned to remove the front of the present building and stretch a new addition across to the proposed building next door. Evans said she hoped the center would consider the characterisitics of the neighborhood and noted that facades were important to the street scape. Reed summed up the problem by saying that the Senior Center needs more space but that the City and the TURA wants to preserve neighborhoods. He asked what solutions could be offered. Conley said that nothing could be added to the present site without demolishing the building next door and Reed asked what the condition of that house was. Sprague said it was sound but needed paint. He also added that parking facilities must be considered. Conley said he thought the best idea was to look for land- to make into a combination housing/parking/services unit. A center of this sort on W. State Street would attract different business that could change the character of the district for the better. He said that with the various federal grants available, funds could be found to do this. He said he recognized the shortage of elderly housing in Ithaca and noted that many seniors are forced to move into the city because of energy concerns. He said this meeting had provided an exchange of views and has opened up new possibilities for consideration. Sprague said they needed to know about the TUBA resolution to mend the roof as the bids are good for only 30 days due to inflation. IPA/CD5 Special Meeting November 15, 1979 Page 4 Conley said the reolution would come up at the regular IURA/CDA meeting on November 15. Meeting adjourned at 6:00 Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Natalie de Combray Katherine Evans Iovernrer a9 , L979 : . ^07; cERS A SF_,N1,..; 1 : a Cerer 2 . ..ziaministration Pro:Dosal frOrn INHS Program Income - TCTC Account t 01-201-113333 Closing of Accounts Personnel Manual - Clarification of Procedure re : Establishment of Salary Guidelines Di rccio n or. Travel Allowance for '-"="C C, MINUTES ILT.A/CDA November 19, 1979 5:00 P.M. Council Chambers PRESENT: Kathe Evans, CD Staff H. M. Van Cort, Planning Dept. Director Tick Bottge, planning Dept. Clarence Reed, IURA/CDA Anne Jones, IURA/CDA Stuart Stein, TURA/CDA James Dennis, IURA/CDA Art Pearce, INHS Press In the absence of Mayor Conley, Chairman, Anne Jones opened the meeting at 5:10. Minutes Approval Stein MOVED and Reed SECONDED to approve the Minutes of the October 29, 19 79 meeting. Stein noted that on page 5, paragraph 4 , the market consulting firm's name should be corrected to read: Hamer, Siler, George. MOTION PASSF.7) to approve the Minutes with the above correction. iNHS Proposal Pearce referred to the draft proposal passed out to Agency members and stated that policy for the re-use of the loan fund had never been clearly articulated. This draft proposal, if accepted, would clarify the uses of monies returned to the INHS Revolving Loan Fund. Evans said that the City Attorney had not vet seen the draft. Reed said that the concept of using the money returned from loans to low and moderate income families for personnel purposes disturbed him. He said that many organizations begin this procedure to preserve themselves and said that the NHS could continue to staff itself withoug money for loans. He said he would prefer a direct housing costs use of money returned. Van Cort said that the NHS program involved more than High Risk Loans and included staff advice, contractor consulting, etc. He said these services were a very important part of the program. Reed said H.U.D. could halt funds and huge sums could be re-paid to NHS to fund tea. a1 assistance when the money market is tight and loans are important. Jones suggested that item 1 of the draft (new and/or increased loans and grants to facilitate the repair, or purchase and repair, of homes). be the primary purpose to which the money is put. She said that items 2 through 7 were dependent upon havinb- those monies for loans. She added that when funds were not available, the program should be re-evaluated. IJRV CDA November 19 , 1979 Page 2 Reed said he like Jones idea but said that still left the process nebulous. He suggested apercentage of the money returned be used for administration costs and mentioned 10% as an example,. The lion's share of the money, he said, should return to the loan fund. Van Cort asked how, if there was no administration, the loans would be administered and Reed said that the funds could be returned to the City. Van Cort said that the INHS is a non-profit organization and cannot be run as a city program. Reed asked how the loan interest could be protected and Van Cort said that it cannot. The program itself and the high risk loan fund are part of a totality, he said. If controls are too restrictive, it would possibly result in funds sitting in the bank for lack of administration. Stein said that in addition to Reed's comment, he was concerned with who owns the money. He noted that once the money got to INHS it was out of City hands. He said he had brought this subject up on numerous occasions and that it still emerges as an important consideration. He noted that "reporting" means nothing as there is no control if one does not approve what was reported. Why, he asked, was money paid out of one account and paid back into another account. Pearce answered that this was because CD money is not allowed to earn interest. Once loaned out and returned as program income it can be in- vested. The two accounts, he said, act simultaneously. In answer to the question of who was in conLivl of the money, he said that reporting on items 2 through 6 would make the actions of the INHS open to public scrutiny and suggested that this would wield some leverage. He said that as the proposed document could be valid indefinitely, it was important that both groups (the City and the INHS) have a claim to see that the money was used for low to moderate income families. He said he had given much thought to the draft and that the document places faith in INHS and its successor agency(s) , Dennis asked what percentage on INHS funds went into personnel wages at the present and Van Cort said that 50o did. He added that this includes direct services such as House R cycling, the Mini-Repair program, etc. and did not only go into administration, Pearce said that the ancillary services are meant to revitalize the neigh- borhood and that the INHS Board is always reminded that it is not there to only make loans. Reed repeated that he would like to find a way of limiting personnel expenditures. - IU AJ CDA November 19, 1979 Page 3 Stein said that the proposal was not the only problem but that there was need for an entirely new proposal. He suggested designating a special committee involving the City Attorney to see to this. Pearce said there was no particular time limit on resolving the issue as the loan interest to. date had not been used for administration. Evans said that HUD wants cunumunities to develop a policy regarding program income and said an Ad-Hoc Committee to discuss this was a good idea. She said that IURA members would be called for a meeting during the first week of December to continue talks on this matter. Ithaca Center Van Cort addressed the project status of the Ithaca Center and referred to a memo sent to Agency members on November 8 containing a summation of each potential developer's present position, alternatives available, and a recommendation to hire technical assistance before deciding on one or another of the developers. He read a telegram received this day from Fisher-Schechter developers and said that all other developers had also contacted him asking to return with further information on their respective projects. He said that he had told all of them not to go to any further expense until they hear more from the IURA/CDA. He stressed that unless the Agency relies on expert help, they will be open to repeating the same problem of previous experiences which resulted in lack of leases and project failure. Van Cort added that there was risk of delays if they contract with a consultant corporation but said that he was not convinced that the overall schedule would be delayed, Van Cort said that money could be available from the Coni munity Development Small Cities program line earmarked for the We't State Street market study ($30,000) , and from the C.D. 5th Year Entitlement Administration line which will be reprogrammed -in January, 1980. He said that the contract could be signed using the West State Street line funds by breaking the contract into several contracts for different services. Dennis asked if the Agency decided to engage the American City Corporation, if one of the developers would be then designated and Van Cort said that he had asked each developer how they felt and got the following replies: Stan Goldberg said he would stay with the project if they designed something buildable. He added that their participation might be helpful and would not rule out his participation. Fisher Schechter said they had enough expertize to do their own market consulting but said that they too would still be available. Van Cort had not yet contacted Thomas Associates. IURA/CDA November 19, 1979 Page 4 Van Cort added that the Planning Department has begun to investigate means for funding the remainder of the money to pay for the survey and that he was in the process of applying for an .;DA 304 grant. He said that EDA was generally slow in replying but that State approval could be received within a month of the application submission. Acting vice-chairman Dennis asked for opinions of the Agency on the suggested alternatives and Stein said that another alternative would be to accept the potential developer's offers to return with more information. However, after discussion, it was decided not to take that route and Stein asked if the pro- posed consultants could be contracted to identify the steps they would take and if they could include a price breakdown for each of the steps. Van Cort said he would get the figures. Bottge stressed that the American City Corporation would not preclude designation of potential developers that have submitted proposals to date, Reed said that it sounded like a lot of money to spend on a survey that would lock us into something irrevocahle. He suggested that big developers were no above doing a small job and Van Cort said he didn't think it would be such a bad idea if a large company like Rouse developed the Center, Jones asked if there were any examples of where American City Corp. (ACC) had been effective and Van Cort said he would look into this. Referring to use of consultants. Stein said he felt the need for some assistance in making this decision and after more discussion the entire Agency agreed. Van Cort said that if the IURA/CDA wanted more material and the exact scope of services offered by the ACC that he would get it for the next meeting. Reed said that Council should be included on the present state of affairs and should hear some of the Agenc_yts concerns. He noted that it would be terrible if the IURA/CDA came to some decision with which Council did not concur. Dennis said that he would report to Council and Van Cort said that the information reauired on ACC would be ready for the January Council meeting. RESOLUTION ON GIAC Evans said that HUD needs to know if the work to be done on a community facility is a capital improvement or a maintenance improvement. Capital investments are eligible for CD funding while maintenance repairs are not. She said that School Superintendent Richard Backer continues to insist that the work is maintenance and referred to a letter from same sent to Mayor Conley on October 18 (attached) . IURA/CDA November 19, 1979 Page 5 Jones asked how the procedures for buying the building were coming and Van Cort said that at a meeting he had with Banner and Backer no interest in selling the building was shown. He said that he will seek an appraisal of the property. Evans said that she has been in touch with Banner already regarding an appraisal and she is to get back with Banner and will proceed with the discussion and bring it to the notice of the School Board. Van Cort said that the IURA should approach the School Board as one policy making agency to another.. Evans said that she is pushing the Engineering Department to get construction contracts on GIAC with 1st Year Small Cities money committed no later than January 31, 1980 and Dennis said that the IURA/CDA would approach the School Board before Christmas. Jones MOVED to resolve that the rehabilitation work on GIAC is capital in nature, Stein SECONDED and MOTION PASSED. Program Income and Personnel Manual items on the Agenda were tabled to the next meeting in order to get to: Direction on Travel Allowance For Job Applicants Van Cort said he thought .it was appropriate to reimburse travel expenses for job applicants on their second visit, He mentioned that one applicant was travelling from Jamestown. Jones so MOV D, Reed SECONDED, and MOTION PASSED. Senior Center Evans said that it was important to vote on the rehabilitation of the Senior Citizens Center roof as the Center had received bids for the work which were good only through today. Reed summed up the meeting,of' the Senior Citizens Center representatives and some of the TURA/CDA-members that took place on November 15 and said that though no final decisions were made it had been a good opportunity to discuss alternatives and state individual views He said that he thought it was one of the first times that the IURA/CDA had intervened on a pro ect at a moment when some change was possible and added that he highly recommended passing the notion. Reed MOVED to approve the contract for the roof repair, Stein SECONDED and MOTION PASSED. Executive Director Appointment Evans recommended hiring Roz Williams as a consultant to C,D. for a six month Period to assist the program with its financial management. She said that HUD has informed her that out of a group of 12 , Ithaca is one of 7 communities on a list of delinquent cities because of lack of program development and drawdown rates. She said that 95% of 1977 funds, 50% of 1978 funds, and 25% of 1979 funds had to be expended by October 1, 1980 and said that Roz would be a tremendous ILRA/CPA November 19, 1979 Page 6 asset as she already know the office and C,D. procedures. Evans said she could be paid out of the S111 Administration line and added that she would be avail- able in late December. Van Cort said that none of the people interviewed for the post of Conununity Development coordinator was able to come before January and Evans noted that when a new person -came, she would be drawn away from her other work to orient the new person. Stein said he saw some problems with the salary negotiations as the circum- stances were unique, Evans suggested she be hired as a consultant and that her salary should be commensurate with what she is making now. Reed stated that the need for her help exists and that this was a good opportunity to get the assistance needed to firm up the program, Van CopL suggested that if the Agency agreed in principle, that it would be appropriate to give two members the responsibility of negotiating a contract with her. Jim Dennis agreed to assume this responsibility. The Agency then went into EXECUTIVE SESSION to discuss action on the proposal made by Van Cort on October 15 to appoint the Director of the Planning Department as the part time Executive Director of the lURA. No action was taken in this session. Meeting adjourned at 7;30, Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Natalie de Corrbrav Kathe Evans