IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee

Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency 108 East Green Street Ithaca, New York 14850 (607) 274-6565 AGENDA IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC) 8:30 am, Friday, May 12, 2017 Third Floor Conference Room City Hall, 108 E. Green St., Ithaca, NY 14850 I. Call to Order II. Additions/Deletions to Agenda III. Public Comment IV Review of Minutes – April 7, 2017 1. Election of Officers -- resolution 2. Citizen Participation Plan (draft) -- resolution VI. Other Business 1. Review of underwriting and subsidy layering for Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins/Cortland Counties’ Morris Avenue Homes project 2. IURA Grant Summary 3. Staff Report 4. Next meeting date: June 9, 2017 VII. Motion to Adjourn If you have a disability and require accommodations in order to fully participate, please contact the IURA at 274-6559 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.  Approved: X/X/17 Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency 108 E. Green St. Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 274-6565 DRAFT MEETING MINUTES ITHACA URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY (IURA) Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC) 8:30 AM, Friday, April 7, 2017 Third Floor Conference Room, City Hall, Ithaca, NY Present: Karl Graham, Chair; Tracy Farrell; Vice‐Chair; Fernando de Aragón; Teresa Halpert Staff: Nels Bohn; Charles Pyott Excused: Paulette Manos Guests: None I. Call to Order Chair Graham called the meeting to order at 8:31 a.m. II. Public Comment None. III. Review of Minutes – March 10, 2017 & March 17, 2017 Moved by Farrell, seconded by Halpert. Unanimously approved as written. Carried Unanimously 3‐0. (De Aragón arrived at 8:35 a.m.) IV. 2017 HUD Entitlement Grant Program 1. Review of 2017 IURA Funding Applications ― Discussion Bohn explained that he generated the Working Draft of 2017 Action Plan chart, reflecting prior Committee discussions and subsequent communications with some of the applicants.  Working Draft of 2017 Action Plan 2017 HUD Entitlement Program, City of Ithaca, NY Bohn explained that line‐item 7 of the Working Draft of 2017 Action Plan table, “Mandatory CHDO Reserve,” was included to comply with HUD’s new grant year‐based accounting system, which requires the IURA to track all funding allocations on a grant‐year basis. The IURA used to allocate its Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) set‐aside funds over three years, which is no longer permitted. As a result, $49,208 now needs to be eliminated from consideration for other funding applications. Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) is the only current CHDO. It has been developing a project, which may be eligible for future funding. The IURA has 24 months to commit the funds, with 5 years to expend them. HUD has emphasized that the time limits are firm. 2 The Committee reviewed the Working Draft of 2017 Action Plan table. De Aragón disclosed he is an Ithaca Carshare board member. His employer, the Ithaca‐ Tompkins County Transportation Council, also works regularly with TCAT. In addition, he is co‐chair of the Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County, which is donating funds to the Food Entrepreneurship program. Bohn indicated he solicited feedback from Lakeview Health Services on whether it would prefer to receive: a $50,000 grant or 30‐year loan; a $100,000 low‐interest loan with a balloon payment due at the end of the loan term; or a $150,000 low‐interest amortizing loan for the Lakeview Ithaca project. They indicated they would prefer the first option. Farrell expressed enthusiasm for preserving funding for the INHS Mini‐Repair Program, since it goes to support owner‐occupied housing, which many other housing projects do not necessarily do. Halpert agreed. De Aragón indicated he would propose partial funding for the Mini‐Repair Program. Bohn noted he contacted Tompkins Community Action regarding its Chartwell House application to ask which portions of the project they would prioritize. They replied they would prioritize the HVAC, exterior stairs, bathrooms, and kitchen in that order. Farrell indicated she would prefer to see more funding for the INHS Homeowner Rehab Program. Bohn responded that the model INHS employs for the program involves blocks of $25,000 in funding per property. Halpert noted she would like see if INHS would be willing to enroll Homeowner Rehab properties in its Community Housing Trust. Bohn indicated Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins/Cortland Counties verified its proposed 402 S. Cayuga Street project’s budget is accurate. Pyott indicated it does not appear The Learning Web could operate its 6‐unit Housing Scholarship Program for less than what it proposed. De Aragón noted he would support fully funding the Housing Scholarship Program. Farrell indicated she supports fully funding Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga Counties’ Security Deposit Assistance Program. Farrell wondered where the modest reduction in the funding allocation for Greater Ithaca Activities Center’s (GIAC) Hospitality Employment Training Program (HETP) would come from. 3 Bohn responded it is difficult to accurately track that particular program’s budget, compared to other programs, since it pays its staff through the City of Ithaca’s payroll and there is a considerable delay in receiving their vouchers. Since the IURA’s 2016‐2017 funding allocation supported the program for a little longer than 12 months, the program could conceivably operate with slightly less funding; however, the program depends on fixed staffing costs, which would be difficult for it to change, so the IURA should probably commit to fully funding the staffing portion of the program. He added it is conceivable the Park Foundation could make up any modest reduction in IURA funding. Graham suggested perhaps reducing IURA funding for the program by another $10,000, if that appears feasible. Bohn reported he asked Finger Lakes ReUse if it would be interested in receiving a $100,000 low‐interest loan from the IURA for its Ithaca ReUse Center Expansion project. It indicated it does not believe its projected cash flow will be sufficient to support loan repayment on an amortizing loan, so it would be satisfied with a $50,000 deferred and forgivable loan. Bohn noted Tompkins Community Action indicated it could commit to generating more jobs than originally proposed, from 3 to 8, for the Harriet Gianellis Child Care Center project. He offered the organization IURA funding in the form of a low‐interest loan, which they are still considering. Bohn noted he included full funding in the draft Action Plan chart for the “Work Preserve Job Training: Job Placements” program. Farrell and Graham both agreed with funding that amount. Farrell expressed concern that Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County’s (CCE) Food Entrepreneurship Program seems to include such high staff and administrative costs (for already‐funded, existing positions in the organization). She also wondered if program participants should contribute to the cost of the program, once they begin earning some income. De Aragón responded he does not believe the amount of income involved would justify that. Bohn noted if the IURA funds the Food Entrepreneurship Program this year, the program would most likely need ongoing funding in future years, unless it somehow obtains another funding source. De Aragón responded that CCE should have to satisfactorily demonstrate the program’s efficacy to be able to continue receiving IURA funding. Graham noted he would support fully funding the program, since it is creating jobs for low‐ income people. Halpert also expressed strong support for funding the program. 4 De Aragón observed that most of the program’s staffing costs go towards the Project Coordinator position, so the IURA could conceivably reduce its funding for the other staffing costs. Bohn responded that $26,500 would cover both the Project Coordinator position and participants’ stipends, but not other staffing or overhead fees. Farrell asked if the Committee would be amenable to that. Graham replied, yes. No objections were raised. Bohn noted that TCAT responded to his request for prioritizing its funding needs for the Urban Bus Stop Signage & Amenities Upgrade project: upgrades to the Salvation Army bus stop on Albany Street, with a real‐time bus route display; bus stops at Hancock Street/Third Street and Chestnut Street/Elm Street; 80 bus stop signs. Since the signs are scalable, Bohn proposed funding them at the $40,000 level. Farrell proposed providing less funding for the signs and reducing the overall funding level a little, since it would be good to free up more CDBG funds for other projects. De Aragón agreed with reducing the funding for the signs. Bohn asked how much funding Committee members would propose for the project. Farrell replied, $25,000. No objections were raised. Bohn indicated the Downtown Ithaca Children’s Center (DICC) conveyed that its HVAC system would be its top priority project component and the roof replacement could be done in two phases, for its Heating & Roofing Replacement project. Graham remarked that given the scarcity of available funds, he would not support funding Daniel Krall’s Conley Park Pavilion project, as deserving as it may be. Farrell agreed. No objections were raised. Halpert indicated she strongly supports funding Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga Counties’ Immigrant Services Program, especially in light of the current political climate. Bohn noted that Finger Lakes ReUse’s ReSET Job Training Program Apprenticeships application specifically targets only the apprenticeship portion of the larger program, so it would most likely result in more job placements than the regular program. He asked if there were any objections to zero funding for the program. No objections were raised. Bohn recalled the Committee had already discussed reducing funding for the Human Services Coalition’s 2‐1‐1/Information & Referral Service. Farrell responded she would support full funding for the program. No objections were raised. No issues were raised with the proposed funding level for the “A Place to Stay: Supportive Services” program (Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga). 5  No issues were raised with the proposed funding level for the “A+ Tui on Assistance ― BJM Elementary School Enrichment Program” program. No issues were raised with the proposed funding level for the “Big Brother Big Sister Northside Community Outreach” program. No issues were raised with the proposed funding level for the “Housing for School Success: Year #2” program. No issues were raised with the proposed funding level for the “Security Deposit Assistance Delivery” program. Bohn noted the “CDBG Program Income” column has $50,000 funds allocated to it, which could be used for any CDBG‐eligible application. De Aragón wondered if there would be any value to keeping those funds in reserve. Bohn replied, yes. The funds could serve as an effective cushion, in case the IURA receives less HUD funding projected. If not, the funds could also be used for future economic development loans. De Aragón agreed that seems like a good approach. V. Other Business 1. IURA Grants Summary Bohn explained that even though Southside Community Center is listed as a “No” under the “on schedule” column heading, IURA staff met with them and they provided the beneficiaries information the IURA had been asking for, so on the March 2017 Grants Summary chart they will be listed as a “Yes.” 2. Staff Report Bohn reported that new IURA Community Development Planner Anisa Mendizabal will begin work on May 3, 2017. VI. Motion to Adjourn The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 10:22 a.m. Prepared by C. Pyott, edited by N. Bohn. 6 Proposed Resolution IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee May 12, 2017 Selection of 2017 IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee Officers WHEREAS, IURA By-laws provide that the committee membership shall elect its own committee Vice-Chairperson and nominate a candidate for committee Chairperson for consideration by the Agency, and WHEREAS, per the Bylaws, 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 current Committee Chairperson and Vice-Chairpersons are Karl Graham and Tracy Farrell, respectively, now, therefore be it RESOLVED, that __________________ be nominated as Chairperson of the IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee, and be it further RESOLVED, that __________________ be elected as Vice-Chairperson of the IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee. j:\community development\admin files\agendas\nic\2017\05 - may\reso nic elect nic officers - 5-12-17.docx  IURA Grants Summary ON TOTAL April 2017 # SCHEDULE UNEXPENDED HUD ENTITLEMENT ACTIVITIES SPONSOR BUDGET EXPENDED UNEXPENDED % SPENT 2014 HOME Activities 2482 ok 5.0 Housing Scholarship Program Learning Web 58,958.90 58,338.69 620.21 99% 15 2805 complete 2014 HOME unallocated N/A 273,869.00 273,869.00 0.00 100% Total 332,827.90 332,207.69 620.21 99.81% 2015 CDBG Activities 2521 complete 1.0 Hancock Street INHS 250,403.50 250,403.50 0.00 100% 2522 complete 2.0 Mini repair INHS 35,000.00 35,000.00 0.00 100% 2531 complete 6.0 Temporary Ramp Loan Program 10 Finger Lakes Ind. Center 20,000.00 20,000.00 0.00 100% 2532 ok 7.0 Hospitality Employment Training Program11 GIAC 109,372.86 107,743.70 1,629.16 99% 2523 complete 8.0 Work Preserve Job Training Program Historic Ithaca 87,500.00 87,500.00 0.00 100% 2524 ok 9.0 Spencer Road Sidewalks City of Ithaca 100,000.00 0.00 100,000.00 0% 2525 complete 10.0 2-1-1/I&R Service Human Services Coalition 20,000.00 20,000.00 0.00 100% 2526 ok 11.0 Building for the Future Southside Community Center 23,577.00 21,227.76 2,349.24 90% 2527 complete 12.0 Immigrant Services Catholic Charities 16,000.00 16,000.00 0.00 100% 2528 complete 13.0 A+ Tuition Assistance BJM Enrichment Program 17,410.00 17,410.00 0.00 100% 2529 complete 14.0 ReSET Job Training Expansion Finger Lakes ReUse 23,759.00 23,759.00 0.00 100% 2530 complete 15.0 CDBG Grant Administration IURA 134,329.20 134,329.20 0.00 100% Total 837,351.56 733,373.16 103,978.40 88% 2015 HOME Activities 2511 ok 1.0 210 Hancock Street INHS 206,922.50 200,922.50 6,000.00 97% 2512 complete 3.0 Security Deposit Assistance Program (including Inspections) 12 Catholic Charities 74,000.00 74,000.00 0.00 100% 2517 ok 4.0 Housing Scholarship Program Learning Web 24,600.00 0.00 24,600.00 0% 2514 complete 5.0 Housing First 14, 17 TCAction 15,131.00 15,131.00 0.00 100% 2516 complete 16.0 HOME Grant Administration IURA 36,866.10 36,866.10 0.00 100% 2518 complete 18.0 First Time Home Buyers-515 W Clinton18 INHS 15,000.00 15,000.00 0.00 100% 2806 complete Unallocated 2015 HOME 12, 14, 16, 18 N/A 71,115.40 71,115.40 0.00 100% Total 443,635.00 413,035.00 30,600.00 93% 2016 CDBG Activities 2541 ok 3.0 LKNB Homeowner Rehab Love Knows No Bounds 36,334.72 0.00 36,334.72 0% 2542 ok 6.0 Mini repair INHS 30,000.00 7,547.04 22,452.96 25% 2543 ok 8.0 Work Preserve Job Training & Placement 13 Historic Ithaca 67,500.00 10,327.50 57,172.50 15% 2544 ok 9.0 Hospitality Employment Training Program GIAC 100,000.00 46,434.53 53,565.47 46% 2545 ok 11.0 Heating System & Code Corrections DICC 22,489.00 18,699.00 3,790.00 83% 2546 ok 12.0 Advocacy Center Garage Renovation Advocacy Center 10,317.00 0.00 10,317.00 0% 2547 ok 13.0 Wading Pool Renovations GIAC 185,000.00 0.00 185,000.00 0% 2548 ok 1.0a Housing for School Success IURA 11,580.00 6,129.35 5,450.65 53% 2549 ok 14.0 A Place to Stay Case Management Catholic Charities 17,625.65 4,374.37 13,251.28 25% 2550 ok 8.0a Work Preserve Job Readiness Historic Ithaca 20,000.00 0.00 20,000.00 0% 2551 ok 15.0 Immigrant Services Catholic Charities 30,000.00 15,000.00 15,000.00 50% 2552 complete 16.0 211 Info and Referral HSC 20,000.00 20,000.00 0.00 100% 2553 ok 17.0 CDBG Admin IURA 132,274.20 39,061.07 93,213.13 30% Total 683,120.57 167,572.86 515,547.71 25% 2016 HOME Activities 2755 ok 1.0 Housing for School Success IURA 77,104.40 29,298.42 47,805.98 38% 2756 ok 2.0 Security Deposit Assistance Program (including Inspections)17 Catholic Charities 44,026.00 18,687.00 25,339.00 42% 2757 ok 4.0 304 Hector Street INHS 100,000.00 0.00 100,000.00 0% 2758 ok 5.0 202 Hancock Townhouses 15 INHS 314,125.00 124,909.05 189,215.95 40% 2759 ok 7.0 Morris Ave Homes 16 Habitat for Humanity 75,000.00 0.00 75,000.00 0% 2760 ok 18.0 HOME Admin IURA 32,984.10 15,853.62 17,130.48 48% 2807 ok Unallocated 2016 HOME N/A 1,611.90 0.00 1,611.90 0% Total 644,851.40 188,748.09 456,103.31 29% ok CDBG Spend Down Ratio (must be less than 1.5 by June 1st of each year (60 days prior to program year): 0.934 CDBG Spend Down Ratio = total unexpended CDBG funds/most recent annual CDBG award Total Unexpended HUD Entitlement Funds CDBG Activities 617,896.95 CDBG Program Income Activities 1,629.16 HOME Activities 487,323.52 HOME Program Income Activites 0.00 Total Unexpended HUD Entitlement Funds 1,106,849.63  IURA Draft FY2017 ACTION PLAN HUD Entitlement Program, City of Ithaca, NY last updated: 4/25/17 Funding Total ANTICIPATED FUNDING AVAILABLE # Project Sponsor Request Project CDBG HOME CDBG PI Total Notes Cost $661,371 $328,050 $160,000 $1,149,421 Housing 1 Lakeview Ithaca Lakeview Health Services, Inc. $ 250,000 $ 20,081,186 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 Construct 50 affordable rental housing units, including 25 units for Lakeview consumers, at W. Court St/N. Meadow St. 2 Chartwell House Tompkins Community Action $ 208,270 $ 22,000 $ 14,305 $ 7,695 $ - $ 22,000 Replace HVAC at 12-unit permanent supportive housing facility for homeless men at 322 N. Meadow St. Ithaca Neighborhood Housing 3 2017 Homeowner Rehab Services, Inc. (INHS) $ 150,000 $ 105,000 $ 75,000 $ - $ - $ 75,000 Rehabilitate 3 homes owned by LMI households Habitat for Humanity of 4 402 S. Cayuga Street Tompkins/Cortland Counties, Inc. $ 80,000 $ 270,000 $ 80,000 $ 80,000 Construct 2 owner-occupied homes for purchase by households at 60% AMI 5 Housing Scholarship Program The Learning Web, Inc. $ 65,592 $ 138,292 $ 65,592 $ 65,592 Tenant-based rental assistance for 8 homeless youths receiving supportive services 6 Security Deposit Assistance 2017-18 Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga $ 42,750 $ 50,603 $ 42,750 $ 42,750 Security deposits for 77 low-inocme tenants, incluidng 5 Housing for Success participants 7 Mini-Repair Program INHS $ 35,000 $ 93,736 $ 26,000 $ - $ - $ 26,000 Small emergency repairs for 50 low-inocme serniors and people with disabilitites Mandatory CHDO Reserve CHDO Set-Aside $ 49,208 $ 100,000 $ 49,208 $ 49,208 Capitalize fund for mandatory CHDO reserve setaside activity (equal to 15% of HOME award) HOUSING SUBTOTALS: $ 880,820 $ 20,860,817 $410,550 Economic Development Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Inc. 8 Hospitality Employment Training Program (a CBDO) $ 115,036 $ 173,786 $ 100,000 $ - $ 100,000 Job training resulting in job placement of 14 LMI persons 9 Ithaca ReUse Center Expansion Finger Lakes ReUse, Inc. $ 100,000 $ 10,034,412 $ 50,000 $ - $ 50,000 Site aquisition costs for 6,000 SF expansion of retail area at 214 Elmira Rd. creating 3 FTE jobs 10 Harriet Gianellis Child Care Center Tompkins Community Action $ 84,200 $ 8,250,000 $ - $ 84,200 $ 84,200 Low-interest loan for site acquisition costs for an Early Head Start facility at 661-665 Spencer Rd. creating 8 FTE jobs 11 Work Preserve Job Training: Job Placements Historic Ihaca, Inc. (a CBDO) $ 67,500 $ 159,856 $ 67,500 $ - $ 67,500 job training resulting in job placement of 6 LMI persons 12 Food Entrepreneurship Program CCE of Tompkins Co. $ 37,037 $ 80,533 $ 36,587 $ - $ 36,587 Develop 8 new food micro-enterprise businesses owned by LMI persons ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUBTOTALS: $ 403,773 $ 18,698,587 $338,287 Public Facilities 13 Urban Bus Stop Signage & Amenities Upgrade TCAT $ 112,772 $ 109,306 $ 25,000 $ - $ 25,000 Upgrade 3 bus stops (Albany@Salvation Army, Chestnut@Elm & Third@Hancock), 1 real time display, 17 bus stop signs Downtown Ithaca Children's Center 14 DICC Heating & Roofing Replacement (DICC) $ 64,800 $ 35,500 $ 35,500 $ - $ 35,500 Complete heating/cooling ($15,800) + phase 1 roof replacement ($19,700) for child care center serving 85 children (>51% LMI) 15 Conley Park Pavilion Daniel Krall $ 22,500 $ - $ - $ - $ - Erect 24' x 30' pavillion in Conley Park near new INHS playground in Adams St. ROW PUBLIC FACILITIES SUBTOTALS: $ 200,072 $ 144,806 $60,500 Public Services 16 Immigrant Services Catholic Charities $ 30,000 $ 78,795 $ 30,000 $ 30,000 Case management for 100 immigrants to access employment, services, legal aid, etc 17 Easy Access Low-Income Carsharing Ithaca Carshare $ 29,043 $ - $ - $ - Provide 50 LMI persons with subsidized carsharing memberships 18 ReSET Job Training Program Apprenticeships Finger Lakes ReUse, Inc. $ 22,410 $ - $ - $ - In-depth, on-the-job training for 12 LMI adults who have completed the entry-level job readiness/training program 19 Work Preserve Job Training: Job Readiness Historic Ithaca, Inc. $ 20,000 see #11 above $ 20,000 $ 20,000 Job readiness training for 20 LMI youth and adults 20 2-1-1/ I&R Service Human Services Coalition (HSC) $ 20,000 $ 236,589 $ 20,000 $ 20,000 Support for 2-1-1 Call Center referrals to 2,400 LMI persons 21 A Place to Stay: Supportive Services Catholic Charities $ 20,000 $ 52,000 $ 15,925 $ 15,925 Case management for 4-bed transitional housing for low-income women 22 A+ Tuition Assistance BJM Enrichment Program $ 17,410 $ - $ - $ - Scholarships for 10 academically vulnerable LMI students at BJM school to attend Academic Plus 23 BB BS Northside Community Outreach Ithaca Youth Bureau (IYB) $ 11,478 $ - $ - $ - Education, recreation, and mentoring to 75 LMI youth, with focus on immigrant and refugee populations 24 Housing for School Success: Year #2 ICSD $ 13,280 $ 13,280 $ 13,280 $ 13,280 Supportive services for 3-5 homeless families receiving Housing Choice Voucher assistance from the Ithaca Housing Authority 25 Security Deposit Assistance Delivery Catholic Charities $ 6,930 $ - $ - $ - Partial coverage of staff time to administer Security Deposit Assistance program (see project #6) PUBLIC SERVICES SUBTOTALS: $ 190,551 $ 380,664 $ 99,205 Note: Total funding for Public Services is capped at $99,205 (15% of CDBG award) Administration & Loan Fund 26 CDBG Administration Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency $ 132,274.20 $ 132,274 $ 132,274 $ 132,274 Planning, administration, monitoring of CDBG program and fair housing 27 HOME Administration IURA $ 32,805.00 $ 32,805 $ 32,805 $ 32,805 Planning, administration, monitoring of HOME program 28 Economic Development Loan Fund IURA $ 75,800 $ 32,805 $ - $75,800 $ 75,800 Capitalize loan fund for business loans resulting in job creation (including underwriting and delivery) ADMINISTRATION & LOAN SUBTOTALS: $ 240,879 $ 197,884 $240,879 Totals: $ 1,959,090 $ 40,480,642 $661,371 $328,050 $160,000 $1,149,421 $1,149,421 Adopted by the IURA: 4/13/17 Acronyms CDBG = Community Development Block Grant; HOME = Home Investment Parnterships Program; CDBG PI = CDBG Program Income LMI = Low & Moderate Income; AMI = Area Median Income; FTE = Full Time Equivalent; CHDO = Community Housing Development Organization CBDO = Community Based Housing Organization