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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-IURANI-2018-07-13Ith aca Urban Renew a l Agency   108 East Green Street Ithaca, New York 14850 (607) 274-6565         MINUTES  IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC)  8:30 am, Friday, July 13, 2018  Third Floor Conference Room  City Hall, 108 E. Green St., Ithaca, NY 14850      Present: Karl Graham, Chair; Tracy Farrell, Vice Chair; Teresa Halpert; Fernando de Aragón  Excused: Paulette Manos  Staff: Anisa Mendizabal  Guests: Nick Helmholdt, Principal Planner/Tourism Program Director at Tompkins County        I. Call to Order  Chair Graham called the meeting to order at 8:38 am.      II. Changes/Additions to Agenda  Chair Graham added “Discussion on Member Leaves of Absence” as an item in Other Business.      III. Public Comment  None.      IV. Review of Minutes – June 8, 2018  Farrell moved, Halpert seconded.  Approved as written. Carried 4‐0.      V. New Business  1. Discussion with Nick Helmholdt, Principal Planner/Tourism Program Director, Tompkins  County      Helmhold gave a brief history of the Tompkins County Tourism Program. In 1986, the County  initiated the Hotel Room Occupancy Tax of 2%. Proceeds from the tax were originally used for  destination marketing.  A big change came in 1999‐2001, when the tax shifted to 5%; the  marginal amount was to be used for “product development”—community celebrations, arts  etc. Grant programs emerged at that time. Currently, the program has 17 different programs,  all spelled out in annual report. The largest is convention and visitors’ bureau—marketing for  tourism to our area. Discovery Trail, marketing grants program, Market the Arts with  Community Arts Partnership are other well‐known programs.  The Tourism Program thinks of  its two big pieces as tourism and product development.  Adopted: 9/14/18  De Aragón arrived at 8:47. The product development piece includes: Beautification (countywide), signage, public art program, Community Arts Partnership, Workforce Development—Workforce Tompkins (funded for past 6 years). Mendizabal explained that there is an existing relationship between Workforce and GIAC. Former Deputy Director of Community Development Sue Kittel and Director Nels Bohn met with TC Workforce Development Board (formerly known as the “Workforce Investment Board” or WIB) Executive Director Julia Mattick when the idea for HETP was being developed. Ms. Mattick continues to work closely with HETP. Graham asked whether the funding to HETP could be more robust, since it was specifically developed for Ithaca’s hospitality industry. Farrell added that with the number of hotels growning, HETP is an important part of providing well-trained people. Helmholdt explained that the Workforce Development Board directs funding to HETP through the funding it receives from the Tourism Program. The current amount allocated to the Workforce Development Board is $31,363. 00. Every year Julia Mattick prepares a request for funds; she could change it. The County Legislature has final say on funding allocations. The Stragegic Tourism Planning Board is an 18 member board appointed by the Tompkins County Legislature. It is primarily responsible for advising the County on uses and distribution of room tax funding. The most recent Strategic Tourism Plan was completed in 2012. Halpert asked if the amount of taxes collected is on an upward trend. Helmholdt responded, yes, but also seeing, as of early 2018, signs that the tax base is stabilizing—this includes new properties and voluntary payment agreement with AirBnB. Farrell wondered if the industry has spoken about difficulties of getting trained, able workers. Helmholdt responded he has not; this is the first he is hearing of it. Helmholdt stated that an intercept survey will be conducted (last time done was 2009) throughout the County. HETP could apply for “project” (short term) grants—the tourism project grant program. Typically, this pot of funding supports events. Another potential source of funding for HETP could be Strategic Tourism Initiative Grant (the Workforce Development Board applied to this program for AD2 education). HETP would need to send letter of interest, and committee would then decide whether to invite to apply. There’s a capital grant, too. There was some interest in knowing if this type of funding could be utilized in some way at the Immaculate Conception site. Helmholdt departed at 9:12 am. The Committee continued its discussion of the City’s hospitality industry. Is the industry talking about turnover problems and training issues? Halpert said her sense is from talking to a local hotel manager is that employees can’t afford to live nearby, so hotels have trouble covering overnight shifts. Graham pointed out that this would be good employer for HETP. 2. Discuss & Recommend – Allocation(s) of additional HUD Entitlement Funding, 2018 Action Plan The Committee reviewed materials provided by Nagiane Lacka-Arriaza, HETP Program Coordinator. Graham pointed out that they have garnered support from other funding sources, though much of it will be year-to- year. Graham pointed out that while t is the grantees’ responsibility to research funding streams, not necessarily this Committee, but is useful to know more about the funding landscape; Helmholdt’s presentation was informative for that reason. A discussion on proposed projects that were scaled back ensued. Committee members asked how the TCAT Targeted Urban Bus stops project is coming along . When will they know if they can fund the West Hill bus stop that was proposed in its Action Plan application (but not funded)? Committee doesn’t want to decide on that now. The Committee directed Mendizabal to reach out to Matt Yarrow at TCAT. Love Knows No Bounds homeowner rehabilitation project (Neighbor to Neighbor) received additional funding from another funder, and so has reached its stated budgetary goal. Chartwell House, too, appears to have adequate funding to complete its project. GIAC’s HETP requested $10,000 to ensure program goals can be reached. The Committee felt this was a worthy request, given last month’s discussion with Leslyn McBean, GIAC Director. The Committee wondered how Finger Lakes ReUse’s Volunteer Worker Training Program is progressing. Mendizabal hasn’t discussed it with them since last communication about how FL ReUse would adjust their program in response to scaled-back funding. The Committee felt the program’s plan was confusing, and is interested in an update. Farrell voiced she would be in favor if needed in increasing funding to TCAT’s Target Urban Bus Stops (from the scaled amount), if it is needed. Housing for School Success was an IURA-initiated project that was conceived as a three-year pilot project. It’s funding request was scaled back by roughly $7,000. The Committee agreed that it would be worthwhile to increase funding to the original request using the above- anticipated CDBG funds. Similarly, FLIC’s Ramp Loan Program proposal was scaled back by approximately $900.00. The Committee agreed to direct funding to fulfill its original request, as well. See summary chart below for recommendations to IURA. Project Name Sponsor Funding Change Final Funding Hospitality Employment Training Program (HETP) Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC), Inc. Increase: $10,000.00 $110,000.00 Housing for School Success Ithaca City School District (ICSD) Increase: $6,705.00 $27,005.00 Ramp Loan Program Finger Lakes Independence Center (FLIC) Increase: $982.00 $25,000.00 CDBG Administration (20% of award) IURA Increase: $10,414.20 $137,214,20 Unallocated CDBG Funds -held in Economic Development Loan Fund IURA Decrease: $ 17,687.00 $ 34,384 3. Alternate dates for August meeting Mendizabal will be out of town on August’s scheduled meeting date. Alternate dates were discussed. The Committee decided by consensus to cancel the August meeting. VI. Other Business 1. Discussion: Member Leaves of Absence Chair Graham announced there has been a member leave of absence request by Paulette Manos. There has been a medical emergency in her family that needs her attention and she would like to return to the Committee when she is able. Manos estimates 6 months leave would be needed. Graham told Manos the Committee would discuss. Per communication with Nels Bohn, Director of Community Development, IURA’s By-Laws leave such matters up to the Committees. The Mayor has ultimate authority to appoint Committee members. Achieving a quorum is one possible issue with a member on leave, but Graham noted this Committee has had a good track record with attendance. Similarly, a leave could impact voting, as the leave would mean the Committee temporarily has an even number of members. One solution could be to add more members. The question arose as to whether there is a maximum number of members. Given the By-Laws are silent on the matter of leaves, it’s reasonable to assume there are not guidelines about maximum membership . Graham called for an informal poll of upcoming attendance. Halpert will be out of town in December. Farrell noted it may be a shorter leave than anticipated. Graham called for a vote on whether the Committee should grant the leave for a period of 6 months, to be re- examined after 6 months if more time were needed. De Aragón moved, Farrell seconded. Carried 4-0. 2. Miscellaneous Items a. The Committee had a brief discussion of the news of the loss of an operator for the local homeless shelter. The Rescue Mission has announced it will not be continuing to provide services. The Committee asked Mendizabal to find out the status of the IURA loan there, as well as the amount of the monthly rent of the SROs in the building. b. There is a total of four vetted applicants for Green Garage RFP and a lot of community interest. c. Historic Ithaca has been doing area walking tours. Have they considered a tourism grant (or perhaps they already receive one)? 3. IURA Grant Summary (Not discussed) 4. Staff Report (Not discussed) 5. Next meeting date: September 14, 2018 VII. Motion to Adjourn Moved by Farrell, seconded by Halpert. Meeting adjourned.