HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-IURA-2021-04-15Approved: 4/22/21
108 E. Green St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-6565
MINUTES
ITHACA URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY
8:30 A.M., Thursday, April 15, 2021
Members: Mayor Svante Myrick, Chair; Karl Graham; Chris Proulx; Eric Rosario; Laura Lewis, Common
Council Liaison; Tracy Farrell, Vice‐Chair
Excused: None.
Staff: Nels Bohn; Anisa Mendizabal; Charles Pyott
Guests: Natalya Cowilich, Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca (F&CS), Downtown Community
Outreach Department
I. Call to Order
Chair Myrick called the meeting to order at 8:33 A.M.
II. Agenda Additions/Deletions
None.
III. Public Comments
COWILICH spoke in support of funding the proposed CDBG‐CV Sanitation Station project, in light of the
heightened recent incidence of public defecation and urination in the city. The sanitation station
would be a definite public health benefit that would be accessible to the public, especially the local
homeless population and other vulnerable groups. Should it be funded, she offered to assist the
project in any way the IURA deems necessary. Although F&CS is not in a position to serve as the
project sponsor, she could definitely check the facility periodically during her working hours.
IV. Review of Meeting Minutes: April 1, 2021
Farrell moved, seconded by Rosario, to approve the meeting minutes, with no modifications.
Carried Unanimously: 5‐0
V. HUD Entitlement Grant Program ― 2021 AcƟon Plan
A. Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC) RecommendaƟon ― Discussion
Graham reported that the Committee reviewed the Economic Development Committee’s (EDC)
recommendations and conducted its own extensive review of all the funding applications, resulting in the
draft Action Plan chart inserted below.
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Graham walked through each of the Committee’s funding recommendations.
― HOUSING APPLICATIONS ―
110 Auburn St. Homeownership Project
Graham noted the original $30,000 request from Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) was
reduced, at INHS’ request, to $24,999, since HUD regulations require grant awards above $25,000 to
comply with an extraordinary standard of lead abatement. INHS stressed that it is committed to
remediation of any lead‐based paint hazards associated with the project. The rehabilitated home will be
required to pass lead clearance testing, in accordance with HUD regulations and INHS own policy. INHS
also asked that any award be entirely derived from HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)
funds. The Committee recommended full funding of the request at: $24,999. As a whole, Committee
sought to fund projects that support the most vulnerable and under‐served populations. It is highly
supportive of single‐family affordable homebuyer projects, like this one, as well as long‐standing projects
like the Housing Scholarship Program, Security Deposit Assistance Program, and the Minor Repair
Program. The Committee did scale some funding awards down to some extent, due to a lack of funds.
Homeowner Rehab Program
The Committee scaled the funding award down slightly to $100,020.80, from the $125,000 request.
Minor Repair Program
The Committee fully funded the program at $33,475.
State Street Apartments
The Committee ultimately chose not to fund the project, given the limited funds available and the
importance of other projects, even though it is certainly a worthy project supporting low‐to‐moderate
income (LMI) renters.
Farrell added another consideration was that the project sponsors did not get receive the anticipated
funding for the supportive housing component to serve special needs residents. The project sponsors also
need to secure other funding for the project, including Low‐Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC).
511 S. Plain St. For‐Sale Duplex
The Committee strongly supported the project, but scaled it down to $60,000, from the $80,000 request.
Housing Scholarship Program
The Committee fully funded the program at $75,600.
Security Deposit Assistance for Vulnerable Households & Security Deposit Assistance Delivery
The Committee fully funded both components of the program at $74,000 and $2,500 for program delivery.
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― ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS ―
ReUse Job Training for Career Pathways
The Committee funded the program at $90,000, from the $106,937.02 request, primarily to fund the
stipends.
Work Preserve Job Training: Job Placements
The Committee fully funded the program at $67,500.
Hospitality Employment Training Program (HETP)
The Committee funded the program at $100,643.06, from the $110,000 request, primarily for staffing to
ensure the program continues to operate.
Ithaca Is Books
The Committee discussed the project at length. Although it really supports Buffalo Street Books’ mission,
it chose to award it $15,000 from the $35,000 request.
B. Economic Development Committee (EDC) RecommendaƟon ― Discussion
Proulx walked through each of the Committee’s funding recommendations for Economic Development
projects.
ReUse Job Training for Career Pathways
Work Preserve Job Training: Job Placements
Hospitality Employment Training Program (HETP)
Proulx noted the Committee believed the IURA should support applications #7‐#9 as much as possible,
given that those programs serve highly vulnerable and under‐served populations, most at‐risk in the post‐
pandemic economy. The Committee would be willing to endorse NIC’s funding recommendations for
those projects.
Ithaca Is Books
After much discussion, the Committee ultimately decided not to fund the project. Committee members
were not convinced the proposal represents a sustainable Economic Development activity that would
create a permanent Full‐Time Equivalent (FTE) job and a viable new funding stream for Buffalo Street
Books (BSB). The Committee concluded the project should either be fully funded to give the project the
best possible chance of succeeding, or not funded at all. The Committee’s recommendation is not to fund
the project and either allocate the $15,000 that NIC recommended to the underfunded Economic
Development Loan Fund (ED‐LF), or another non‐Economic Development project. The Committee has
been exploring other ways to provide assistance to the bookstore. Professional technical assistance would
be one option (although that is an ineligible use for the Economic Development category) to create a
comprehensive business plan to ensure revenue growth. Another option would be an ED‐LF forgivable or
deferred loan, contingent on meeting a job‐creation goal. Bohn added another possibility for increasing
BSB’s non‐earned revenue would be for it to establish a separate non‐profit subsidiary, to access other
sources of funding.
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Bohn reported IURA staff recently calculated there should in fact be ~$160,000 in loan repayments in
PY2021‐22, not the $90,000 listed in the first draft of the Funding Applications Chart, but those funds
would not be received and available until the end of the year; so the IURA could certainly benefit from the
additional $15,000 for the loan fund.
A. Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC) RecommendaƟon ― Discussion (cont.)
― PUBLIC FACILITIES APPLICATIONS ―
Great Neighbor & Essential Resource
The Committee chose to fund the project at $41,200, from its $63,010 request, based on the priorities
Ithaca Community Gardens (ICG) identified: raised beds, stone dust pathway and ADA surfaces. The
largest item NIC did not fund is the entry gates ($12,000).
Urban Bus Stop Upgrade Project
Graham noted that Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, Inc. (TCAT) actually reduced its funding request
from $19,950 to $17,100. The Committee fully funded it at $19,950, but that should now be reduced to
$17,100, thereby freeing $2,850 in funds to allocate to another project.
New Gym Renovation
Graham noted the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) request of $400,000 is a very large request, but
the Committee did want to at least partially fund the project and allocated $100,000.
Larger Shelter & Expanded PSH
Although the Committee fully supported the project and the highly vulnerable populations it would serve,
it ultimately chose not to fund it, since the project appears to have considerable progress to make before it
would be ready for implementation.
Farrell added the City has been awarded more funding through The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
(ARP), including $1.2M in HOME funds that could be earmarked for the project.
Proulx remarked he will need to leave shortly, but he would support any of the funding options already
discussed.
― PUBLIC SERVICES APPLICATIONS ―
2‐1‐1 Information & Referral
The Committee fully funded the program at $25,000.
Work Preserve Job Training: Job Readiness
The Committee fully funded the program at $20,000.
(Proulx departed at 9:30 a.m.)
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Immigrant Services Program (ISP)
The Committee fully funded the program at $30,000.
A Place to Stay
The Committee fully funded the program at $15,000.
― CDBG-CV APPLICATIONS ―
Health & Wellness: Smoothies, Food Services, & Yoga
The Committee very much supported the mission of the project, but several items are ineligible for
funding. The Committee felt the stipends for the people working with the program are really important.
The Committee funded the program at $18,001.60 from the $38,000 request, including a modest amount
of funding for supplies (e.g., cups, utensils, gloves, uniforms, masks).
On Call Office Subdivision
The Committee fully funded the project at $5,720.
Online Market Discounts for LMI/SNAP Eligible Customers
After much discussion, the Committee fully funded the Ithaca Farmers Market (IFM) project at $19,068.
Partners in Health
The Committee decided not to fund the project, not based on the merit of the application, but given the
level of available funds it determined the other projects are higher on the priority list.
Farrell added there was also some uncertainty about whether some of the individuals participating in the
program would qualify as low‐to‐moderate income (LMI).
HVAC Upgrade
The Committee strongly supported getting the Friendship Center and homeless shelter back to a more
fully operational status with the installation of the HVAC system, thereby assisting more people. Since St.
John’s Community Services (SJCS) does not own the building, the Committee considered the future of the
building, should it be sold, once the shelter is relocated to another site. It was suggested some kind of
stipulation should be included in the IURA contract requiring the funds to be repaid, if SJCS abandons the
property and it is no longer used to support LMI populations.
Bohn noted the funding award could be structured as a deferred or forgivable loan. The building’s owner,
Community Housing of Ithaca (CHI), is also restricted in terms of how is allowed to dispose of the building.
He believes CHI either needs to sell it to another non‐profit or dedicate the proceeds from the sale to a use
that conforms to its mission.
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Sanitation Station
The Committee supported the project, but only if a project sponsor could be identified. Graham wondered
if $11,000 could be allocated to the project as a placeholder, contingent on finding a sponsor.
Farrell indicated she would prefer not to unnecessarily delay the decision on the project. Either a project
sponsor should be identified relatively quickly, or allocate the funds to another project.
Mendizabal remarked the process for identifying a sponsor has admittedly been very protracted. There is
considerable hesitancy among the potential project sponsors she reached out to regarding various
concerns (e.g., liability, high‐level of required maintenance, safety, oversight). She is not especially
optimistic a sponsor could be identified over the next week. She has tried to convey to potential sponsors
that the project is fairly flexible in terms of the timeline and use of funds.
Myrick indicated the Board should now make a decision on the remaining unallocated CDBG funds:
$15,000 from Buffalo Street Books (BSB) and the $2,850 from the Urban Bus Stop Upgrade Project.
Farrell suggested one option would be to allocate the $17,850 in funding to the Homeowner Rehab
Program.
Mendizabal noted INHS would certainly welcome additional CDBG funds for the Homeowner Rehab
Program, since HOME funds are more restrictive.
Farrell suggested a second option would be to allocate the $17,850 in funding to the 511 S. Plain St. For‐
Sale Duplex project. Rosario, Graham, and Myrick agreed.
Graham recommended adding the $17,850 to the CDBG portion of the Homeowner Rehab Program and
reducing its HOME funding by the same amount, and then adding it to the 511 S. Plain St. For‐Sale Duplex
project, so that project can be funded entirely with HOME funds.
No objections were raised.
For the State Street Apartments project, Bohn recommended providing it with some level of funding using
Housing Development Action Grant (HODAG) funds to demonstrate local community support. It could be
structured as a $100,000 contingent loan, which would be repaid back in 15 or 17 years. Rosario, Graham,
Myrick, and Farrell agreed.
C. IURA‐Recommended Draft 2021 City of Ithaca HUD Action Plan
Rosario moved, seconded by Graham, to approve the draft 2021 HUD Entitlement Program funding
allocations, as illustrated below.
Carried Unanimously: 5‐0
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VI. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 10:11 A.M.
— END —
Minutes prepared by C. Pyott, edited by N. Bohn.