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Home My WebLink AboutMN-IURANI-2017-05-12Approved: 6/9/17 108 E. Green St. Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 274-6565 MEETING MINUTES ITHACA URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY (IURA) Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC) 8:30 AM, Friday, May 12, 2017 Third Floor Conference Room, City Hall, Ithaca, NY Present: Karl Graham, Chair; Tracy Farrell; Vice‐Chair; Fernando de Aragón; Teresa Halpert; Paulette Manos Staff: Nels Bohn; Anisa Mendizabal Excused: None Guests: None I. Call to Order Chair Graham called the meeting to order at 8:31 a.m. II. Additions/Deletions to Agenda Bohn amended the agenda to indicate the item originally listed as “VI. 1. Review of Underwriting & Subsidy Layering for Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins/Cortland Counties’ Morris Avenue Homes Project” would be an update and discussion, not an action item at this meeting. III. Public Comment None. IV. Review of Minutes ― April 7, 2017 Moved by Farrell, seconded by Halpert. Approved as written. Manos abstained due to her absence at the April 7th meeting. Carried 4‐0. 2 V. New Business 1. Election of Officers Moved by Halpert, seconded by de Aragón: Selection of 2017 IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee Officers WHEREAS, amendments to the IURA By‐laws adopted on September 27, 2008 established procedures for selecting officers of IURA committees, and WHEREAS, the IURA By‐laws provide that the committee membership shall elect its own committee Vice‐Chairperson and nominate a committee Chairperson to the Agency, which shall have authority to appoint each committee Chairperson, and WHEREAS, an Agency member shall fill either the committee Chairperson or committee Vice Chairperson position, and WHEREAS, officers of each committee serve a one‐year term, but continue to hold office until their successor is selected or appointed, and WHEREAS, the IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee is composed of the following members: ● Karl Graham ● Fernando de Aragón ● Tracy Farrell ● Teresa Halpert ● Paulette Manos WHEREAS, at their May 12, 2017 meeting, the IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee nominated Karl Graham to serve as Committee Chairperson and elected Tracy Farrell to serve as Committee Vice‐Chairperson; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby appoints Karl Graham to serve as Chairperson of the IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee. Carried Unanimously 5‐0 2. Citizen Participation Plan ― Assessment of Fair Housing (discussion) Bohn explained that the new HUD Rule to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing (AFFH) requires changes to IURA’s Citizen Participation (CP) Plan. Committee members wanted to know what prompted the new rule, what the new rule seeks to achieve for the community, how the new rule’s requirements were similar or different to activities already undertaken by the IURA, and the anticipated impact on IURA staff resource allocation. 3 The goal of the new rule is to increase opportunity and reduce barriers for housing choices. The Obama Administration recognized that Section 8 housing was becoming increasingly concentrated; Section 8 [Housing Choice Vouchers] was intended to create more choice, but in fact, recipients were facing limited choices in practice. Observable data showed that Section 8 housing was becoming clustered in low‐income census tracts; meaning, fewer choices. This phenomenon was very pronounced in certain communities. The new rule enhances the public participation process. This new process (AFH), is similar to that of the Action Plan. AFH will occur every five years with the AFH due 270 days prior to the beginning of the program year in which the 5‐year Consolidated Plan is due. Bohn explained that, the 2015 Impediments to Fair Housing Report prepared by Karen Baer/Office of Human Rights provides IURA with preliminary data and information from which to proceed with AFH. HUD now mandates (via the new rule) much broader consultation with particular groups (i.e. persons with disabilities and protected classes i.e. race, ethnicity). To meet the public participation requirements, the IURA could consider convening a stakeholder group to oversee the work, guidance the IURA staff, and facilitate outreach to the groups and individuals the rule mandates be consulted and have opportunity to comment. It would make sense to include a NIC Member on this group, should it be formed. Tools: HUD has made public mapping that shows us patterns currently existing ― both the public and IURA can already access this. This data has become possible through recent robust GIS mapping. Bohn distributed examples of such maps and the Committee discussed their use. HUD will also release additional tools to help with the new AFH process. Timeline: The usual timeline for preparation of the AFH would be 9‐11 months. IURA has 3‐6 months to complete this work due to the newness of the rule and previously scheduled projects. Farrell noted the time crunch. The Committee discussed the possibility of engaging a consultant for this project; however, there are no funds specifically available for a contractor. The deadline for submission (unless waiver is granted) is November 2017. The draft must be available no later than October to meet the requirement for 30‐day public comment. Next Steps (to be presented at June 9, 2017 meeting): 1. Draft updates for CP Plan. It was agreed to take a minimal approach to specifying updates to Citizen Participation plan. This approach allows more flexibility (i.e., if newspaper ad is specified then we must publish an ad, even if environment has changed). The IURA can always go forward and do more outreach above and beyond that specified in the CP Plan. We can learn what aspects work best during the first implementation of the amended CP Plan, then strengthen aspects that work well. 2. Define tasks to complete the Assessment of Fair Housing document. 3. Build list of stakeholders to consult; if assembling stakeholder group, describe roles and responsibilities. 4. Create calendar of activities working backward from November. 4 VI. Other Business 1. Discussion of Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins/Cortland Counties’ (“Habitat”) Morris Avenue Homes Project Bohn reported that subsidy layering analysis seeks to ensure that the HOME subsidy is sufficient for financial feasibility of the project, but does not unduly enrich the developer. He noted the goal of underwriting is to ensure the project has addressed all obstacles to project implementation upon receipt of HOME funding. He reported he is awaiting information from Habitat to confirm all necessary funding for the project has been secured. He expects to bring a full analysis of the project to the next Committee meeting. 2. IURA Grants Summary Bohn reported that funding for 2014 projects is fully expended. Of 2015’s unexpended projects, the largest is the Spencer Road sidewalks project, which is currently out to bid. Of 2016’s projects: ● IURA has expended no funding on the Love Knows No Bounds project for improvement to two homes in Floral Estates. There is a 3‐4 month delay on this project due to the Executive Director’s recuperation from injury and the nature scheduling/coordination for this seasonal, volunteer‐driven group. ● The wading pool at Alex Haley requires various approvals by the school board; likely not to begin work prior to fall. ● Housing units at 202 and 210 Hancock Street scheduled for occupancy on September 1, 2017. Bohn will follow up on the status of the Advocacy Center Garage and status of $70,000 in unallocated 2015 HOME funding that was fully expended. The Draft 2017 Action Plan was an agenda item on the Common Council’s Planning & Economic Development Committee on May 10th, 2017, when it was unanimously approved. There was no public comment. It will proceed to the next meeting of Common Council for possible action. 3. Staff Report Bohn reported that the Planning & Economic Development Committee of Common Council will be considering a Draft Resolution to prevent discrimination in housing due to source of income. The City is undertaking extensive work on waterfront zoning. This has impact on IURA properties on Inlet Island and Cherry Street. In general, the direction being taken is to encourage mixed‐use “walkable urbanism.” There is an active debate whether housing should be permitted in the Cherry Street area adjacent to light industrial uses. 5 VII. Motion to Adjourn Halpert motioned for adjournment. Carried unanimously. Adjourned at 9:55 a.m. Minutes prepared by A. Mendizabal, edited by N. Bohn.