HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-IURANI-2017-04-07Approved: 5/12/17
108 E. Green St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-6565
MEETING MINUTES
ITHACA URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY (IURA)
Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC)
8:30 AM, Friday, April 7, 2017
Third Floor Conference Room, City Hall, Ithaca, NY
Present: Karl Graham, Chair; Tracy Farrell; Vice‐Chair; Fernando de Aragón; Teresa Halpert
Staff: Nels Bohn; Charles Pyott
Excused: Paulette Manos
Guests: None
I. Call to Order
Chair Graham called the meeting to order at 8:31 a.m.
II. Public Comment
None.
III. Review of Minutes – March 10, 2017 & March 17, 2017
Moved by Farrell, seconded by Halpert. Unanimously approved as written. Carried
Unanimously 3‐0.
(De Aragón arrived at 8:35 a.m.)
IV. 2017 HUD Entitlement Grant Program
1. Review of 2017 IURA Funding Applications ― Discussion
Bohn explained that he generated the Working Draft of 2017 Action Plan chart, reflecting
prior Committee discussions and subsequent communications with some of the applicants.
Ithaca
Urban
Renewal
Agency
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Working Draft of 2017 Action Plan
2017 HUD Entitlement Program, City of Ithaca, NY
Bohn explained that line‐item 7 of the Working Draft of 2017 Action Plan table, “Mandatory
CHDO Reserve,” was included to comply with HUD’s new grant year‐based accounting system,
which requires the IURA to track all funding allocations on a grant‐year basis. The IURA used
to allocate its Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) set‐aside funds over
three years, which is no longer permitted. As a result, $49,208 now needs to be eliminated
from consideration for other funding applications. Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services
(INHS) is the only current CHDO. It has been developing a project, which may be eligible for
future funding. The IURA has 24 months to commit the funds, with 5 years to expend them.
HUD has emphasized that the time limits are firm.
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The Committee reviewed the Working Draft of 2017 Action Plan table.
De Aragón disclosed he is an Ithaca Carshare board member. His employer, the Ithaca‐
Tompkins County Transportation Council, also works regularly with TCAT. In addition, he is
co‐chair of the Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County, which is donating funds to the
Food Entrepreneurship program.
Bohn indicated he solicited feedback from Lakeview Health Services on whether it would
prefer to receive: a $50,000 grant or 30‐year loan; a $100,000 low‐interest loan with a balloon
payment due at the end of the loan term; or a $150,000 low‐interest amortizing loan for the
Lakeview Ithaca project. They indicated they would prefer the first option.
Farrell expressed enthusiasm for preserving funding for the INHS Mini‐Repair Program, since it
goes to support owner‐occupied housing, which many other housing projects do not
necessarily do. Halpert agreed.
De Aragón indicated he would propose partial funding for the Mini‐Repair Program.
Bohn noted he contacted Tompkins Community Action regarding its Chartwell House
application to ask which portions of the project they would prioritize. They replied they
would prioritize the HVAC, exterior stairs, bathrooms, and kitchen in that order.
Farrell indicated she would prefer to see more funding for the INHS Homeowner Rehab
Program.
Bohn responded that the model INHS employs for the program involves blocks of $25,000 in
funding per property.
Halpert noted she would like see if INHS would be willing to enroll Homeowner Rehab
properties in its Community Housing Trust.
Bohn indicated Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins/Cortland Counties verified its proposed 402
S. Cayuga Street project’s budget is accurate.
Pyott indicated it does not appear The Learning Web could operate its 6‐unit Housing
Scholarship Program for less than what it proposed.
De Aragón noted he would support fully funding the Housing Scholarship Program.
Farrell indicated she supports fully funding Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga Counties’
Security Deposit Assistance Program.
Farrell wondered where the modest reduction in the funding allocation for Greater Ithaca
Activities Center’s (GIAC) Hospitality Employment Training Program (HETP) would come from.
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Bohn responded it is difficult to accurately track that particular program’s budget, compared
to other programs, since it pays its staff through the City of Ithaca’s payroll and there is a
considerable delay in receiving their vouchers. Since the IURA’s 2016‐2017 funding allocation
supported the program for a little longer than 12 months, the program could conceivably
operate with slightly less funding; however, the program depends on fixed staffing costs,
which would be difficult for it to change, so the IURA should probably commit to fully funding
the staffing portion of the program. He added it is conceivable the Park Foundation could
make up any modest reduction in IURA funding.
Graham suggested perhaps reducing IURA funding for the program by another $10,000, if that
appears feasible.
Bohn reported he asked Finger Lakes ReUse if it would be interested in receiving a $100,000
low‐interest loan from the IURA for its Ithaca ReUse Center Expansion project. It indicated it
does not believe its projected cash flow will be sufficient to support loan repayment on an
amortizing loan, so it would be satisfied with a $50,000 deferred and forgivable loan.
Bohn noted Tompkins Community Action indicated it could commit to generating more jobs
than originally proposed, from 3 to 8, for the Harriet Gianellis Child Care Center project. He
offered the organization IURA funding in the form of a low‐interest loan, which they are still
considering.
Bohn noted he included full funding in the draft Action Plan chart for the “Work Preserve Job
Training: Job Placements” program.
Farrell and Graham both agreed with funding that amount.
Farrell expressed concern that Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County’s (CCE)
Food Entrepreneurship Program seems to include such high staff and administrative costs (for
already‐funded, existing positions in the organization). She also wondered if program
participants should contribute to the cost of the program, once they begin earning some
income. De Aragón responded he does not believe the amount of income involved would
justify that.
Bohn noted if the IURA funds the Food Entrepreneurship Program this year, the program
would most likely need ongoing funding in future years, unless it somehow obtains another
funding source.
De Aragón responded that CCE should have to satisfactorily demonstrate the program’s
efficacy to be able to continue receiving IURA funding.
Graham noted he would support fully funding the program, since it is creating jobs for low‐
income people. Halpert also expressed strong support for funding the program.
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De Aragón observed that most of the program’s staffing costs go towards the Project
Coordinator position, so the IURA could conceivably reduce its funding for the other staffing
costs.
Bohn responded that $26,500 would cover both the Project Coordinator position and
participants’ stipends, but not other staffing or overhead fees.
Farrell asked if the Committee would be amenable to that. Graham replied, yes. No
objections were raised.
Bohn noted that TCAT responded to his request for prioritizing its funding needs for the Urban
Bus Stop Signage & Amenities Upgrade project: upgrades to the Salvation Army bus stop on
Albany Street, with a real‐time bus route display; bus stops at Hancock Street/Third Street and
Chestnut Street/Elm Street; 80 bus stop signs. Since the signs are scalable, Bohn proposed
funding them at the $40,000 level.
Farrell proposed providing less funding for the signs and reducing the overall funding level a
little, since it would be good to free up more CDBG funds for other projects. De Aragón
agreed with reducing the funding for the signs.
Bohn asked how much funding Committee members would propose for the project. Farrell
replied, $25,000. No objections were raised.
Bohn indicated the Downtown Ithaca Children’s Center (DICC) conveyed that its HVAC system
would be its top priority project component and the roof replacement could be done in two
phases, for its Heating & Roofing Replacement project.
Graham remarked that given the scarcity of available funds, he would not support funding
Daniel Krall’s Conley Park Pavilion project, as deserving as it may be. Farrell agreed. No
objections were raised.
Halpert indicated she strongly supports funding Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga
Counties’ Immigrant Services Program, especially in light of the current political climate.
Bohn noted that Finger Lakes ReUse’s ReSET Job Training Program Apprenticeships application
specifically targets only the apprenticeship portion of the larger program, so it would most
likely result in more job placements than the regular program. He asked if there were any
objections to zero funding for the program. No objections were raised.
Bohn recalled the Committee had already discussed reducing funding for the Human Services
Coalition’s 2‐1‐1/Information & Referral Service. Farrell responded she would support full
funding for the program. No objections were raised.
No issues were raised with the proposed funding level for the “A Place to Stay: Supportive
Services” program (Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga).
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No issues were raised with the proposed funding level for the “A+ TuiƟon Assistance ― BJM
Elementary School Enrichment Program” program.
No issues were raised with the proposed funding level for the “Big Brother Big Sister
Northside Community Outreach” program.
No issues were raised with the proposed funding level for the “Housing for School Success:
Year #2” program.
No issues were raised with the proposed funding level for the “Security Deposit Assistance
Delivery” program.
Bohn noted the “CDBG Program Income” column has $50,000 funds allocated to it, which
could be used for any CDBG‐eligible application.
De Aragón wondered if there would be any value to keeping those funds in reserve. Bohn
replied, yes. The funds could serve as an effective cushion, in case the IURA receives less HUD
funding projected. If not, the funds could also be used for future economic development
loans.
De Aragón agreed that seems like a good approach.
V. Other Business
1. IURA Grants Summary
Bohn explained that even though Southside Community Center is listed as a “No” under the
“on schedule” column heading, IURA staff met with them and they provided the beneficiaries
information the IURA had been asking for, so on the March 2017 Grants Summary chart they
will be listed as a “Yes.”
2. Staff Report
Bohn reported that new IURA Community Development Planner Anisa Mendizabal will begin
work on May 3, 2017.
VI. Motion to Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 10:22 a.m.
Prepared by C. Pyott, edited by N. Bohn.