Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-IURA-2021-10-28Approved: 12/16/21 108 E. Green St. Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 274-6565 MINUTES ITHACA URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY 8:30 A.M., Thursday, October 28, 2021 Members: Mayor Svante Myrick, Chair; Karl Graham; Chris Proulx; Eric Rosario; Tracy Farrell, Vice- Chair; Laura Lewis, Common Council Liaison Excused: None. Staff: Nels Bohn; Anisa Mendizabal; Charles Pyott; Lisa Nicholas, City Acting Director of Planning and Development Guests: Kathryn Chesebrough, Whitham Planning, Design, & Landscape Architecture, PLLC David Stern, Ithaca Farmers Market (IFM) Yifei Yan, Whitham Planning, Design, & Landscape Architecture, PLLC Jan Norman, Ithaca Farmers Market (IFM) I. Call to Order Chair Myrick called the meeting to order at 8:34 A.M. II. Agenda Additions/Deletions Bohn proposed adding a new item under Other Business for a proposed resolution regarding contract extensions for several HUD Entitlement Program projects approaching their original deadlines. No objections were raised. III. Public Comments None. IV. Review of Meeting Minutes: August 26, 2021 Proulx moved, seconded by Graham, to approve the meeting minutes, with no modifications. Carried Unanimously: 5-0 V. Special Topics A. Ithaca Farmers Market Redesign Chesebrough explained the Ithaca Farmers Market (IFM) commissioned a new two-story building to replace the existing pavilion. The new pavilion will host weekly farmers markets, community events, public gatherings, and other IFM functions. It includes both outdoor and indoor market areas to allow operations year-round. The existing pavilion will be demolished, with certain elements preserved for potential re-use for the new building. Site redesign, including the parking lot and waterfront park, is occurring concurrently under a separate contract. IURA Minutes October 28, 2021 Page 2 of 13 Chesebrough then walked through a slide presentation of the project. IURA Minutes October 28, 2021 Page 3 of 13 Chesebrough and Yan discussed the following highlights of the project: • Since the Waterfront has been changing as a result of updated zoning regulations and Arnot Realty Corporation’s planned development of the former NYS Department of Transportation property, there will be many more people walking and living close to IFM. The project will include increased bus, bicycle, pedestrian, and other transit access. • The ground-level will include several gathering areas: one located within the winterized portion; another smaller seating area on the northwest, and a third area to the east of the main entry. • The project will be phased as follows: o 2021: Site Plan Review o 2022: Construction of Parking Area Improvements o 2023: Construction of Waterfront Improvements o 2024-2025: Construction of New Building/Pavilion • The new parking area would preserve some existing greenery and trees, with the addition of more plantings. There would be two covered bike structures at the corner of the main building. Proulx asked if the pier is something IFM owns/maintains and if there are plans to perform maintenance on it. He asked if IFM is considering upgrading the kayaking area; and, since IFM currently tends to close the Waterfront Trail during events, if IFM would consider keeping the trail open in the future. Chesebrough replied that since there will be more seating in the new building, she does not think the trail would need to be closed; but even if it were, there would be a bypass on the pedestrian promenade people could use. The designers have not yet given consideration to any kayak area upgrades, but they know it is an important part of waterfront access. Norman added that IFM does own the pier and has maintained it over the last 20 years. Farrell asked how many parking spaces exist now and how many are proposed. Chesebrough replied the total number of proposed parking spaces is 349, compared to the existing 338 spaces. The parking area will also be much more functional and navigable, with multiple access points. Farrell asked if the parking area would be asphalt. Chesebrough replied, yes (although they are looking into the option of including some permeable pavers depending on the nature of the soil). Farrell asked how wide the tree lawns would be between the IFM parking area and the water treatment plant property. Chesebrough replied they would be a minimum of eight feet, which is a general standard for trees. Proulx asked, since current bike parking capacity does not meet demand, if more spaces are planned in the new covered parking areas. Chesebrough replied, yes. Farrell asked how wide the promenade would be. Chesebrough replied, 30 feet. IURA Minutes October 28, 2021 Page 4 of 13 Farrell observed there is currently considerable overflow parking and she asked if that would change. Chesebrough replied the project will emphasize multi-modal transportation to alleviate that pressure. Graham asked about the purpose of the NYSEG easement. Chesebrough replied it is a standard easement for large overhead powerlines. Proulx asked about the project budget and fundraising efforts. Stern replied IFM is working on a NYS Department of State grant for the parking lot, in addition to its other fundraising activities. A new “Friends of the Ithaca Farmers Market” offshoot is being employed for fundraising. Rosario asked if a dedicated drop-off spot for Uber and Lyft is being considered to ease pressure on parking capacity, adding he would also prefer to see more biking spaces. He wondered if the improvement in circulation would be likely to attract more traffic. He asked what is planned for the named donation pavers laid out on the south end; and he suggested IFM broaden and diversify its outreach to the community. Myrick and Farrell agreed with Rosario’s comments. Chesebrough responded the number of parking spaces has been in flux and may end up being closer to 338. There have been active discussions about Uber and Lyft drop-off spaces; and there will also at least 10 EV charging spaces on the site. There is no plan to move or remove the named donation pavers. The issue of improved circulation attracting more traffic is complex and remains to be determined. She understands and has taken note of the suggestion to broaden and diversify outreach to the community. B. Organizational Meeting — 2022 HUD Action Plan Mendizabal walked through the details of the 2022 HUD Entitlement Program Action Plan application and review process. Lewis asked how many new organizations applied in 2021. Mendizabal replied the 2021 application process also included six CDBG-CV applications, which included 2-3 new organizations, but she would estimate approximately 6 organizations in total. (continued on next page) IURA Minutes October 28, 2021 Page 5 of 13 IURA Minutes October 28, 2021 Page 6 of 13 VI. Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC) A. Project Modification: Ithaca Farmers Market (IFM) On-Line Subsidy Graham explained IFM requested modifications to the program discount from 40% to 60% for SNAP customers. The Committee approved the request. Graham moved, seconded by Farrell: Project Modification #1 — Ithaca Farmers Market Online Market Discounts Project #20 (2019 CDBG-CV3 Project #30) WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca’s 2021 CDBG-CV Allocation Plan awarded $19,068.00 to “Online Market Discounts for SNAP/LMI Customers” sponsored by Ithaca Farmers Market (IFM), and WHEREAS, the project was designed to prepare for, prevent, or respond to the global coronavirus pandemic, and WHEREAS, IFM seeks to expediently deploy CDBG-CV resources as the summer market season is ending and COVID Delta variant cases are on the rise in Tompkins County, and WHEREAS, IFM has requested modifications to enable it to meet emergency needs , now, therefore be it WHEREAS, the Neighborhood Investment Committee reviewed IFM-proposed modifications at their October meeting and recommend the following; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the IURA approves the following no-cost modifications to the Ithaca Farmers Market Online Market Discount for LMI/SNAP Eligible Customers project: ● Revise the project start date to January 2022 rather than Summer 2021, ● Raise the discount from 40% to 60% for SNAP recipients making online purchases from the Ithaca Farmers Market in January through May 2022, ● Should funds remain, continue SNAP discounts at in-person market, starting in June 2022, possibly targeting a specific market day, ● Redesignate funds from supplies to staffing to ensure appropriate levels of outreach, and RESOLVED, that the IURA Chair, subject to review by IURA legal counsel, is authorized to execute a funding agreement to implement this resolution. Carried Unanimously: 5-0 B. Time Extensions for Multiple CDBG-CV & 2019 Projects Graham explained a number of projects need extensions to their contractual deadlines, for various reasons, most of them related to COVID-19-connected delays. IURA Minutes October 28, 2021 Page 7 of 13 Bohn noted the Salvation Army is not on the list, since it needs to return to the Committee to discuss its program. The Salvation Army does have a lead on one potential homeowner. Graham moved, seconded by Farrell: Contract Modifications — Time Extensions for Multiple CDBG-CV & 2019 Projects WHEREAS, in 2020, the IURA entered into nine CDBG-CV funding agreements with subrecipients to implement projects designed to prepare for, prevent, or respond to the global coronavirus pandemic, and WHEREAS, several agreements expire on October 28th and all the funding agreements will expire prior to December 31, 2021, without time extensions, and WHEREAS, as of September 30, 2021, 84% of the $532,804 of 2020 IURA funding directed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic was disbursed as shown below: TOTAL TOTAL HUD ENTITLEMENT ACTIVITIES SPONSOR BUDGET UNEXPENDED % SPENT 2019 CDBG-CV Activities 10.0 CD-RLF #46: COVID-19 Emergency SBRF AFCU 140,000.00 29,200.00 79% 19.0 Emergency Rental Assistance Program INHS 190,000.00 475.00 99.75% 20.0 CDBG-CV Admin IURA 80,324.80 4,274.40 95% 21.0 Laundry & Internet Needs During COVID-19 OAR of Tompkins County 11,000.00 6,429.13 42% 22.0 Ithaca CARES About Re-opening Child Care Child Development Council of Central NY, Inc.10,000.00 3,131.22 69% 23.0 Aid for Immigrants During COVID-19 Catholic Charities 10,879.00 13.08 99.8% 24.0 DICC Child Care Center Re-Opening Assistance DICC 25,600.00 0.00 100% 25.0 COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program The Salvation Army Assistance 20,000.00 20,000.00 0% 26.0 COVID-19 Testing for Vulnerable Populations The REACH Project 20,000.00 2,230.32 89% 27.0 Security Deposits for Safer Housing Catholic Charities 25,000.00 17,351.00 31% Total 532,803.80 83,104.15 84% And WHEREAS, four of the projects are functionally complete, four projects are expending funds in a reasonably timely manner, and one project has yet to expend any funds, and WHEREAS, the Black Girls Alchemists (BGA) Public Art Mural and Security Deposit Assistance for Vulnerable Households projects from the 2019 Action Plan are also facing deadlines to expend funds: 2019 Activities Sponsor Total Budget Total Unexpended % Spent BGA Mural Community Arts Partnership (CAP) $7,500 $1,403.50 81% Security Deposits Catholic Charities of TT $61,500 $7,424.70 88% Now, therefore, be it IURA Minutes October 28, 2021 Page 8 of 13 RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby authorizes the Director of Community Development to grant time extensions for the following funding agreements: CDBG-CV Activities (up to 12 months) • Laundry & Internet Needs During COVID-19, OAR • Ithaca CARES About Re-Opening Child Care, Child Development Council of CNY • COVID-19 Testing for Vulnerable Populations, REACH • Security Deposits for Safer Housing, Catholic Charities of TT PY2019 Action Plan Activities (up to 6 months) • Black Girls Alchemists Public Art Mural, CAP • Security Deposit Assistance for Vulnerable Households, Catholic Charities of TT Carried Unanimously: 5-0 C. Committee Chairperson Report Graham reported that Teresa Halpert resigned from the Committee after 13 years. The Mayor will be reviewing the Committee’s recommendations to see who would be appropriate replace her. VII. Economic Development Committee (EDC) A. Procurement of Appraisal Services: Inlet Island Urban Renewal Project Proulx explained the IURA selected Finger Lakes Development, LLC as the preferred developer for the project. As part of that process, Fair Market Value (FMV) appraisals need to be conducted for the City- owned properties. Proulx moved, seconded by Rosario: 2021 Procurement of Appraisal Services: Inlet Island Urban Renewal Project WHEREAS, on June 24, 2021, the IURA selected Finger Lakes Development, LLC (“FLD”) as a qualified and eligible sponsor (“Preferred Developer”) to undertake an Inlet Island urban renewal project subject to the City of Ithaca Common Council (“Common Council”) authorization to transfer City- owned lands to the IURA via a contingent option agreement, and WHEREAS, on August 4, 2021, the Common Council authorized transfer of certain City-owned lands on Inlet Island to the IURA to prepare a proposed urban renewal project, and WHEREAS, on August 28, 2021, the IURA authorized execution of an ENA with FLD, and WHEREAS, an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (“ENA”) structures negotiations and responsibilities between the IURA and Preferred Developer to develop a proposed Disposition and Development Agreement (“DDA”) to convey real property to the Preferred Developer to undertake a specified development project, and WHEREAS, the ENA requires the IURA to complete appraisals of the 6-parcel urban renewal site, and IURA Minutes October 28, 2021 Page 9 of 13 WHEREAS, appraisal expenses are eligible for reimbursement upon conveyance of the urban renewal project site, and WHEREAS, appraisal expenses are projected not to exceed $9,000, and WHEREAS, the Director of Community Development is soliciting multiple proposals for appraisal services, and WHEREAS, the IURA Economic Development Committee reviewed this matter at their October 2021 meeting and recommended the following action: now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the IURA Chair is hereby authorized, upon review of IURA legal counsel, to execute an independent contractor agreement, or agreements, not to exceed $9,000 to conduct appraisal of the Inlet Island urban renewal project site, and be it further RESOLVED, that funding for appraisal services shall derive from non-CDBG funding account for reimbursement upon sale of property. Carried Unanimously: 5-0 B. Committee Chairperson Report Proulx reported the IURA asked for clarification from Common Council on its definition of ground-level activity for the Inlet Island project. The Committee will be meeting with the developer in December to brainstorm further. Once that has been confirmed, the Committee will invite the IURA Board and Committees to the meeting. Proulx reported the Committee held a discussion with Buffalo Street Book (BSB) regarding its most recent funding proposal and how to strengthen its business model, which may require some technical assistance funding from the IURA. VIII. Governance Committee (GC) A. FY2022 IURA Budget Rosario explained the annual IURA budget is required to be submitted by the Authorities Budget Office 60 days prior to the end of the fiscal year. Rosario moved, seconded by Proulx: FY2022 IURA Budget WHEREAS, the IURA desires to annually adopt an administrative budget to guide expenditures and manage financial resources of the IURA, and WHEREAS, New York State law governing public authorities requires submission of a proposed budget 60 days prior to the start of the next fiscal year, and IURA Minutes October 28, 2021 Page 10 of 13 WHEREAS, the IURA budget is due to be submitted to the New York State Authorities Budget Office (ABO) by November 1st of each year, and WHEREAS, the IURA Governance Committee reviewed this matter at their October 8, 2021 meeting and recommended the following; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby adopts the FY2022 IURA Administrative Budget, dated 10/5/21. Carried Unanimously: 5-0 B. Procurement of Minute-Taking Services for Economic Development Committee (EDC) Rosario explained that since the IURA has had so much more work associated with administration and monitoring of a considerable number of HUD Entitlement projects over the past year, including CDBG-CV activities, but a limited amount of Contracts Monitor time for minute-taking, the proposed resolution is intended to alleviate some of that burden. Bohn added it would be a trial process to determine if a satisfactory person can be identified. Rosario moved, seconded by Proulx: Independent Professional Service Contract — Minute-Taking Services WHEREAS, the IURA is administering increased Federal funding allocated to the City in response to the COVID-19 virus pandemic, and WHEREAS, such increased funding increases the workload for the Contracts Monitor who provides primary minute-taking services for the IURA and its Committees in addition to primary sub-recipient monitoring and compliance duties, and WHEREAS, the City of Planning & Development Department seeks to hire a part-time seasonal employee to provide minute-taking services, and WHEREAS, there may be an opportunity for collaboration between the IURA and City on minute- taking services, and WHEREAS, transferring the minute-taking task for Economic Development Committee meetings and possibly another committee would allow the Contracts Monitor to focus more time on contracts monitoring activities, and WHEREAS, the Contracts Monitor would continue to provide minute-taking for IURA meetings, and WHEREAS, as of August 31, 2021, $9,518 of the $10,000 budgeted amount for “other professional services” in the 2021 IURA budget was expended, though $7,355 of this amount was for unplanned engineering services for the Green Street Garage Urban Renewal Project which were fully reimbursed, and IURA Minutes October 28, 2021 Page 11 of 13 WHEREAS, net out-of-pocket expenses expended to date for “other professional services” equals $2,163 as of August 31, 2021, and WHEREAS, the IURA Governance Committee reviewed this matter at their October 8, 2021 meeting and recommended the following; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby authorizes the IURA Chair, subject to review by IURA legal counsel, to enter into an independent services contract for minute-taking services with a contractor recommended by the IURA Director of Community Development in an amount not to exceed $2,500. Carried Unanimously: 5-0 C. Personnel Matter (Executive Session to discuss the medical, financial, credit, or employment history of a particular person) ― EXECUTIVE SESSION ― Proulx moved, seconded by Graham, to open the Executive Session at 10:24 a.m. Carried Unanimously 5-0 Farrell moved, seconded by Graham, to close the Executive Session at 10:36 a.m. Carried Unanimously 5-0 Rosario reported in the Executive Session the IURA unanimously approved awarding the Community Development Planner a one-time merit-based ward of $3,000 in recognition of her outstanding work in securing the Anti-Displacement Learning Network (ADLN) grant, in addition to all the other work she has performed for the IURA. (Myrick departed at 10:41 a.m.) Rosario moved, seconded by Proulx: Merit-Based Bonus to IURA Community Development Planner WHEREAS, the Governance Committee discussed correspondence received regarding the high- quality of work performed by the Community Development (CD) Planner, and WHEREAS, a highly positive performance review of the CD Planner was conducted in 2020 that recognized the work of the CD Planner to initiate and coordinated an Enterprise Anti-Displacement Learning Network (ADLN) grant application, and IURA Minutes October 28, 2021 Page 12 of 13 WHEREAS, over the past 12 months, the CD Planner has successfully led the collaborative planning effort to create the $1 million ADLN anti-eviction and housing stability program to be delivered by the Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County, and WHEREAS, in 2021, the CD Planner was also instrumental in securing the $500,000 Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI) grant, and developed an implementation scope of work to expand housing stability, and WHEREAS, the CD Planner continued to successfully complete regular HUD Entitlement Grant work, including two additional rounds of CDBG-CV funding thereby doubling the number of funded projects to manage, all against a backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, and WHEREAS, IURA annual budgets set aside $5,000 for merit-based bonuses or salary adjustments at the Agency’s discretion, and WHEREAS, the Director of Community Development recommends allocation of a bonus to the CD Planner in acknowledgement of work completed to coordinate a network of community stakeholders and funders to design and roll-out an anti-eviction and housing stability program while fulfilling normal job duties, and WHEREAS, the IURA Governance Committee recommended the following action; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby awards a $3,000 one-time bonus to the Community Development Planner in recognition of excellence in performance, including work to organize, develop, and coordinate the $1.5 million anti-eviction and housing stability program, and be it further RESOLVED, that the funds shall derive from the $5,000 merit-based salary/bonus pool established in the adopted 2021 IURA budget. Carried Unanimously: 4-0 D. Committee Chairperson Report Rosario reported the Committee discussed the various issues broached in Bohn’s IURA Fiscal Sustainability Outlook memorandum included in today’s agenda materials and will be developing them further in future meetings. (Rosario departed at 10:52 a.m.) IURA Minutes October 28, 2021 Page 13 of 13 IX. Other Business A. IURA Financials: September 2021 Bohn reported all HUD Entitlement Program grant projects are generally progressing well. The IURA is waiting to access its 2021 HUD Entitlement Program and additional CDBG-CV funds, which has taken HUD additional time to do. Once that occurs, all those projects will be added to the report. Bohn reported a handful of loan repayments remain past due, but those are the result of various extenuating circumstances (e.g., lack of coordination with M&T Bank, billing discrepancies). Bohn reported all leases are current as of today, except Southside Community Center (SCC), although he believes the IURA received a recent payment making it current through the end of October. B. IURA Chairperson Report None. C. Common Council Liaison Report Lewis reported Common Council remains immersed in budget discussion. There will be a Public Hearing on November 3rd. Lewis reported the Reimagining Public Safety Collaborative continues to meet. Lewis reported there will be four cohorts in the Anti-Displacement/Anti-Eviction Defense project, representing a total of 48 households who will receive $300/month. Two cohorts have been identified. The households were selected through the Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County’s (HSC) housing specialist. D. Staff Report Bohn reported the Tompkins County Continuum of Care (CoC) was awarded $1.9M through HUD's Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) to end youth homelessness, employing a wide range of housing programs including rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, and host homes. Mendizabal reported the Uses & Spaces 24/7 Task Force has been meeting to develop recommendations (including allocation of $200,000 in dedicated City funds) to address factors creating community concern in the 300-block of West M.L.K., Jr./State Street and immediate environs, without involuntary displacement of members of the public who use the human services and public health agencies nearby. X. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 11:12 A.M. — END — Minutes prepared by C. Pyott, edited by N. Bohn.