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Home My WebLink AboutMN-IURANI-2018-10-12 108 East Green Street Ithaca, New York 14850 (607) 274-6565 MINUTES IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC) 8:30 am, Friday, October 12, 2018 Common Council Chambers, Third Floor 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 (leave of absence) Staff: Anisa Mendizabal Guests: None I. Call to Order Chair Graham called the meeting to order at 8:44 a.m. II. Changes/Additions to Agenda None. III. Public Comment None. IV. Review of Minutes – Minutes for September 14, 2018 Farrell moved, Halpert seconded. Carried 4‐0. V. New Business A. Action Item: Resolution – Amendment to 2016 Action Plan Project #5 (202 Hancock Townhomes) to Increase HOME Funding by $2,600 to Cover Bond Gap The Committee reviewed and discussed the memorandum prepared by Director of Community Development Nels Bohn. 2018 AcƟon Plan ― Program Amendment #3: Increase HOME Funding to 202 Hancock St. Townhouses (#5/2016 HOME) WHEREAS, the City‐adopted 2018 Action Plan anticipated $261,000 in HOME funding; and WHEREAS, the City received an actual FY2018 HOME award of $368,803; and WHEREAS, unanticipated HOME funds were allocated by resolution to the Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) Reserve activity for a yet to be identified activity to be undertaken by a CHDO; and WHEREAS, the IURA utilized a mix of HOME and Neighborhood Housing Initiative (NHI) Bond proceeds to fund Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) for the 202 Hancock St. Townhouses project (#5/2016 HOME), a CHDO set aside activity, to construct seven for‐sale townhomes as follows: $314,125 HOME $215,875 NHI Bond $530,000 Total And; WHEREAS, due to the time frame to construct and sell townhouses and the City’s preference to incrementally pay down the outstanding bonds, the NHI account has incurred unanticipated bond issuance costs of $2,568.64 and is projected to incur an additional $1,075 in 2019, resulting in a $3,643.64 shortfall in the NHI Bond account; and WHEREAS, the IURA financing plan to meet the $530,000 funding request for the 202 Hancock Townhouses project was to allocate the available NHI Bond balance to the project and have HOME funds fill the remaining funding gap; and WHEREAS, the actual amount of HOME funding needed for the project is $317,768.64, $3,643.64 more than originally allocated; and WHEREAS, unallocated 2018 HOME funds in the CHDO reserve category are available to fill this funding gap; and WHEREAS, the HUD Citizen Participation Plan does not require a Public Hearing or Common Council approval for minor amendments to the Action Plan, such as allocation or re‐programming of under $25,000; and WHEREAS, at its October 12, 2018 meeting, the IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee considered this matter and recommends the following; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby adopts Program Amendment #3 to the FY2018 HUD Action Plan for HOME funding as follows: Project Name Sponsor Funding Change Final Funding 202 Hancock Townhouses (#5/2016 HOME) Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (INHS) Increase: $3,643.64 $317,768.64 2018 CHDO Reserve Activity (HOME) TBD Decrease: $3,643.64 $95,730.84 And be it further; RESOLVED, that the IURA Chairperson is authorized to execute any necessary amendment to the funding agreement for the 202 Hancock St. Townhouses project. Moved by De Aragón, seconded by Farrell. Carried 4‐0. B. Discussion: Small Cities Funding Mendizabal reported that the Planning and Economic Development Committee (PEDC) of Common Council approved the resolution forwarded by the IURA Board for Aurora Street Sidewalks ($386,000) and Cherry Street road extension ($175,000). The Committee discussed the Green Street Garage redevelopment, as all proposals include affordable housing, and all the proposals are quite varied from each other. De Aragón noted that the decision shouldn’t be rushed. Fundamental questions need to be answered. C. Discussion: 2018 Consolidated Plan/Action Plan 1. Goals The Committee reviewed the current Con Plan’s goals. De Aragón noted that the “Increase Physical and Economic Mobility” goal should be separated into two goals (physical mobility and economic mobility). 2. Corridors Focus: Mendizabal noted that the City as a whole could be a considered an “area of opportunity” by Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH) standards because there are no Racially and Ethnically Concentrated Areas of Poverty (RE/CAPS) according to HUD‐provided data. Yet, within the City there may be corridors where residents would benefit from CDBG investment. Are there places that could benefit from growing businesses or public facilities? The West End, lower West Hill and W. State Street were noted as possible places. Farrell expressed that W. State Street could see benefit from the planned Salvation Army affordable housing project, which aims to include supportive services for people in recovery; what would be needed to address the employment needs of people in recovery? Halpert observed that Southern Tier AIDS Project (STAP) would likely have interest in the now‐vacant City Health Club site for a one‐stop service center. Farther along W. State Street, Press Bay Court will be coming online and with it, small business. Graham observed that gentrification will continue to happen as land values continue to increase, and asked the Committee to consider what IURA might be able to do, whether through Economic Development objectives or in other ways, to prevent displacement. (AFH Goal #4 aims to prevent displacement.) Halpert suggested a discussion with community members about rent burden. Graham stated that there will be a change to Individual Development Accounts (IDAs): One thousand dollars in equity can generate $15,000 to use for down payment on a home. However, most low‐to‐ moderate income people with IDAs end up outside of the City due to price and the quality of the City’s housing stock. People are afraid to buy houses that need work. Is there a way to address this? Is there a way to convert modest rentals into homeowner housing? Mendizabal wondered if home improvement or skill building workshop for prospective LMI homebuyers could be a viable strategy. On the topic of transportation, De Aragón was asked whether there was an Ithaca CarShare location on West Hill. He replied that it was tried in the past but was not well‐utilized at that time. Sites that are underutilized are generally moved, with the goal of breaking even. He noted the City has been very cooperative about finding spots for CarShare to try. 3. Emerging Issues a. Addressing homelessness Mendizabal reported that Fire Chief Tom Parsons has convened a working group to propose ways to address unsafe structures utilized by people experiencing homelessness in Southwest Park. Recent fires in the area have brought to light the lack of access for emergency vehicles. Outreach teams estimate about 40 individuals living in widely scattered self‐made structures in the area. The topic has reignited discussions about an uptick in homelessness. Mendizabal noted that the current Con Plan listed addition of at least 25 overnight/emergency shelter/transitional housing beds as High Priority, along with permanent affordable housing objectives [no proposals came forward for funding]. She noted addressing homelessness would seem to remain as a Top Priority for the coming Con Plan. b. Housing Affordability Mendizabal reported that in community consultations one of the most common themes is, “Will new housing be affordable to me?” Individuals interpret “affordability” differently; the upper levels of HUD’s income bands (i.e. 80% AMI) are quite out‐of‐reach for many working people. c. Fair Housing i. The upcoming Con Plan will incorporate the AFH. ii. Source of Income Protection was one of the most‐talked about issues in AFH consultations. This type of legislature is being considered at the County level. IURA Staff have been involved in research and discussions. (AFH Goal #1) iii. Enforcement is a critical component of fair housing promotion. The County’s Office of Human Rights, which might have been a likely entity to do so, is in transition. VI. Other Business A. IURA Grant Summary Staff will conduct outreach to slow‐moving projects. B. Staff Report Mendizabal reported on Action Items: Committee questions about CCE Food Entrepreneurship Project: 1. Total number of catering gigs: Twenty‐three since October 2017. 2. Gross revenue: $10,416 3. Net revenue: $6,264 4. Business Licenses? Yes, 8 teams have all acquired appropriate business licenses and permits. 5. How does public find out about Food Entrepreneurs in order to hire for catering? CCE is paying a website designer to create a page advertising FEP graduates, which will be linked to ccetompkins.org. CCE also provides some support to FEP grads that wish to have their own websites (self‐publishing packages like Wix). CCE will continue to promote the FEP grads to its network. C. Next Meeting: November 9, 2018 VII. Motion to Adjourn Meeting adjourned by consensus.