HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2016-09-28COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Special Meeting 6:00 p.m. September 28, 2016
PRESENT:
Mayor Myrick
Alderpersons (10) Brock, McGonigal, Murtagh, Nguyen, Gearhart Fleming, Kerslick, Smith,
Mohlenhoff, Martell
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
City Controller – Thayer
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Myrick led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American
Flag.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
1.1 A Public Hearing to Consider a Restore NY4 Grant Application for 109 North Corn
Street and 413-415 West Seneca Street Properties
Resolution to Open the Public Hearing:
By Alderperson Kerslick: Seconded by Alderperson Martell
RESOLVED, That the Public Hearing to consider a Restore NY4 Grant Application for 109
North Corn Street and 413-415 West Seneca Street Properties be declared open.
Carried Unanimously
No one appeared to address Common Council.
Resolution to Close the Public Hearing:
By Alderperson Martell: Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick
RESOLVED, That the Public Hearing to consider a Restore NY4 Grant Application for 109
North Corn Street and 413-415 West Seneca Street Properties be declared closed.
Carried Unanimously
1.2 Common Council Authorization to Restore NY4 Funding Application – Resolution
By Alderperson Murtagh: Seconded by Alderperson McGonigal
WHEREAS, the 2015-16 New York State budget enacted the Restore New York’s
Communities Initiative (“Restore NY4”) to revitalize urban areas and stabilize neighborhoods
and authorized the Empire State Development Corporation (“ESDC”) to implement the $50
million program; and
WHEREAS, on June 20, 2016 ESDC issued a request for proposals to provide municipalities
with financial assistance for revitalization of commercial and residential properties; and
September 28, 2016
2
WHEREAS, the goals of the Restore NY program are to (1) revitalize urban centers, (2) induce
commercial investment, and (3) improve the local housing stock; and
WHEREAS, Restore NY4 funding is available only for projects involving the demolition,
deconstruction, rehabilitation and/or reconstruction of vacant, abandoned, condemned or
surplus properties; and
WHEREAS, cities with populations under 40,000 are eligible to submit one project, which may
contain multiple properties, not to exceed a request for $500,000 in funding; and
WHEREAS, only projects identified in an Intent To Apply form that was due by July 13, 2016
are eligible for possible Restore NY4 funding; and
WHEREAS, on June 30, 2016 the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) issued a call for
proposals and received 9 property proposals; and
WHERAS, the IURA Economic Development Committee (EDC) reviewed proposals against
Restore NY4 scoring criteria and for community benefit and recommended the following two
competing candidate projects be submitted on the mandatory Intent To Apply form:
• State Street Historic Buildings Rehabilitation - rehabilitation of properties located at 129
E. State Street, 121 W. State Street and 310 W. State Street
• Seneca/Corn Street Buildings Rehabilitation – rehabilitation of properties located at 109
N. Corn Street and 413-15 W. Seneca Street, and;
WHEREAS, on July 21st, 2016, ESDC determined that each of the two candidate projects
were eligible for Restore NY4; and
WHEREAS, IURA requested detailed project information from each sponsor by August 31,
2016; and
WHEREAS, on September 13, 2016, the IURA Economic Development Committee
recommended selection of the following Restore NY4 application to maximize community
benefit and competiveness for funding:
• Seneca/Corn Street Buildings Rehabilitation project, and;
WHEREAS, the Restore NY4 funding application is due by October 3, 2016; and
WHEREAS, applications must include a municipal resolution in support of the application,
proof that a public hearing was held on proposed application, and a site control affidavit for
projects located on non-municipally owned property; and
WHEREAS, the property owners have agreed to provide the full 10% required local match
contribution, so no City match funds are required; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Common Council hereby endorses submission of an
application for the Seneca/Corn Street Buildings Rehabilitation project for up to $500,000 in
grant funding from the Restore NY4 program; and, be it further
September 28, 2016
3
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Common Council hereby finds the proposed project is
consistent with the City comprehensive plan and Urban Renewal Plan; that the proposed
financing is appropriate for the specific project; that the project facilitates effective and efficient
use of the existing and future public resources so as to promote both economic development
and preservation of community resources; and the project develops and enhances
infrastructure and/or facilities in a manner that will attract, create, and sustain employment
opportunities where applicable; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor, upon advice from the City Attorney, is hereby authorized to take
all actions necessary to submit a Restore NY4 application in accordance with this resolution,
including, but not limited to, certification of the application; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor is authorized to modify the proposal to address any unforeseen
feasibility issues that arise that would impact competitiveness of the application; and
RESOLVED, That, if awarded, the Mayor, upon advise from the City Attorney, is hereby
authorized to execute an agreement with ESDC, and any other documents necessary to
receive the Restore NY grant, as well as agreements with individual property owners to
implement the project; and, be it further
RESOLVED, the IURA is hereby authorized to administer and implement the City’s Restore
NY4 grant award.
Carried Unanimously
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Svante L. Myrick
City Clerk Mayor