[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6153230,"mediaKeyId","5493908-f8eb2c9c1e2c34ef7adfb3ae30f9aee9","parentId",5493908,"title","IURA reviews CDBG/HOME spend-down risks; three projects flagged for delay","audioSeconds",295,"startMs",2106000,"endMs",2401000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5493908-f8eb2c9c1e2c34ef7adfb3ae30f9aee9&start=2106&end=2401","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5493908-f8eb2c9c1e2c34ef7adfb3ae30f9aee9/thumbnail_2106000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6153230/New-York/IURA-reviews-CDBGHOME-spend-down-risks-three-projects-flagged-for-delay","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6153230-17891d1e72b363d94115499813e00e6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770418643&Signature=XuwzgA~RVJumKPEr2myb31afBL0G~OoS0yNfkrGDjk3gyWIjsgsZbAWWFKvXS9QfdQ4BpOHDqsUXac2gwO86bjNkBgK3jPFR1mrzCUbldPF6kWb3uSGM7zxdWEG7NGbYC9yq3Urfy5Sd0Ai7AA-UUXgfX5JrEu3d5EFOslzdvHwtXLsWgKAQJaFd-mMQrhp0AJwX~BTrlhy7i6uI~I-uYu-kXJR9MUn~wLwJBUB2uZDbRFdgBiT7Cy-WmH5~eUjay67mbKeAWO0OPbGvGHdac198theUsZ~cWPpIkyWW~0qzAvHyffNO~YQDo30nGrjwVqq7AVKDZxwSkh5HWbOIyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ithaca City","date","2025-07-26T03:23:09Z","article","Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency staff told the Governance Committee they received a HUD notice that the agency did not meet CDBG spend-down expectations and warned that continued under-spending could reduce future grants. The committee discussed a proposed workout plan and identified three projects that are responsible for the lag.

Nels summarized the HUD rule described to the committee: a jurisdiction cannot have more than 1.5 times its most recent grant outstanding in unexpended CDBG funds; failing to meet that standard can prompt a reduction in future grants. \"If you have access to that money and you haven't spent it, then they're counting that against you,\" Nels said.

Staff identified three projects slowing CDBG expenditure: the Cecil Malone sidewalk project (under contract but scheduled for late-season construction), the INHS homeowner rehab program (delayed during and after the pandemic by contractor shortages and a three-quote requirement for some grants), and the IURA economic development (ED) loan fund (about $270,000 sitting available for loans). Nels said the homeowner rehab program currently is constrained by the program's practice of requiring three bids in some contexts and by contractor capacity; he noted the agency has authority to allow two quotes for its funds where permitted and is working with INHS to explore flexibility.

Staff recommended a midyear review to check spend-down progress earlier in the funding cycle, and to identify potential backup projects that could be reprogrammed and billed promptly if existing projects do not meet timelines. \"The workout plan is suggesting, besides looking at those projects and possibly reprogramming some funds, to do a midyear analysis ... If not, we should do some reprogramming. And to do that, we need to identify some backup projects,\" Nels said.

Committee members asked for more detailed project tables and for staff to track monthly target spend-downs; staff said the committee will receive a grants summary that identifies spending by year and a monthly target (about $75,000 per month on CDBG) to meet the HUD standard. The committee also discussed constraints on eligible uses—CDBG eligibility rules require that reprogrammed activities meet program rules and that the funds be expended by the HUD deadlines.

Separately in staff reports, Nels said the IURA finalized a sale of 309 College Avenue to an LLC controlled by Nick Robertson and Charlie O'Connor for $5,525,000; he said the sale proceeds will help defray the new East Hill Fire Station construction costs. The committee also heard that the Community Housing Development Fund awarded funding to multiple projects, including an INHS project on the 200 block of West State Street proposing 59 senior affordable units and a ground-floor childcare center; Nels said that fund was supplemented by over $2.6 million in developer contributions in lieu of on-site affordable housing.

The committee asked staff to provide a printed table of grants-by-year and pledged to revisit reprogramming options if spend-down targets are not met.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","07-25-2025 IURA Governance Committee","oneSentenceSummary","IURA staff reported a HUD notice over slow CDBG spend-down and identified three projects slowing expenditures—the Cecil Malone sidewalk, INHS homeowner rehab program, and the agency's economic development loan fund—while proposing a midyear workout plan and potential reprogramming of funds.","taxTitle","Ithaca City, Tompkins County, New York","taxId",52738,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6153235,"IURA authorizes chair to seek reimbursable work with city as HOME funding faces cuts",599,265000,864000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5493908-f8eb2c9c1e2c34ef7adfb3ae30f9aee9&start=265&end=864","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5493908-f8eb2c9c1e2c34ef7adfb3ae30f9aee9/thumbnail_265000.jpg","/articles/6153235/New-York/IURA-authorizes-chair-to-seek-reimbursable-work-with-city-as-HOME-funding-faces-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6153235-025256146b3fc70e6fc1e78551776096/orig.mp4?Expires=1770418643&Signature=JWJY~kJGKr3gS0gcpOxKdN1G6m30JnP2M9gIfK-YH9eod-KXaGmCU8i5kvKqemmahdgFXzIVVzjRFTO7SyKnSYNnhwoAoaLH0n42s8MIr9OeJW3dRoBB52Rxq9F6EGBShynMhsdJDdHheoqNAien~zwT8cOTvqefsV6O~o-kxC4UIGHknSGElio6latchX1jGuUtSCkyujvG~wU6Vw17E6cLOwGo5unFzDHFzLH1ScZ4gnqOH4cb4aeSA1IF-KfrCEkLFULIe3pEcQ-KRhRmZvLB7~VIdvg6pJL8XwR-jHMWLvD5A0KWZUEuYJBamau6NO~B6sURAAj2XvN-wb4k4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) Governance Committee voted 3-0 to authorize the agency chair to enter into agreements with the City of Ithaca to provide IURA staff assistance on city projects that align with the agency’s mission, the committee heard. The action responds to projected reductions in HOME program funding and flat Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) revenues.

Donna Fleming moved the resolution and George McGonigal seconded it. \"The resolution is that we authorize the chair, to enter into agreements with the city to provide IURA staff assistance on city projects that align with the IURA mission statement,\" Fleming said prior to the discussion. The motion passed unanimously.

Nels, speaking for staff, summarized the agency's fiscal issue: the IURA historically used a portion of CDBG (20%) and HOME (10%) awards to cover planning and administrative operating expenses for roughly 3.6 full-time-equivalent positions. He told the committee those federal funds have been effectively flat for years while agency personnel costs have risen, pushing the agency toward an operating deficit. \"We're diverging in terms of our revenues, our level, our expenses are going up, is the core problem,\" Nels said.

Nels said the agency holds about $450,000 in discretionary reserves built over 25 years that are eligible for administrative costs but that drawing those reserves down is not a sustainable long-term plan. He recommended seeking reimbursable arrangements with the city for services the IURA already provides in some cases, and said a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or an agreement with the city's planning division could be explored. \"So the idea is to authorize me and, the chair to enter into agreements with the city, and actually, you know, seek them out essentially opportunities for where we can seek to be reimbursed for services we're providing on projects that have a lot of commonality,\" Nels said.

Committee members pressed staff on scope and control. McGonigal asked whether the IURA can refuse city requests; Nels said the agency retains control over staff deployment and could require that requests be routed to the full agency for approval if they become substantial. \"The agency can decide how the staff is deployed,\" he said. \"It should be a full decision of the full IRA, of course.\" The transcript also records discussion about overlap with a vacant economic development director position and the potential to redefine the agency’s role in economic development while seeking reimbursable services.

Nels noted possible revenue from large property sales or major urban-renewal projects but cautioned those are irregular. He also described examples of staff time that has not been reimbursed, including work on homeless encampment protocol and support for identifying sites for a potential public safety building, which draws on staff time without a clear billing mechanism. The committee directed staff to pursue discussions with the mayor, city manager, and planning director about reimbursable collaboration opportunities and to include options that could involve the town and county.

The resolution authorizes the chair to negotiate agreements; it does not obligate the agency to accept any particular terms or to begin work without IURA approval of assignments that may require billing. The vote was 3-0 in favor.","The Governance Committee voted 3-0 to authorize the chair to negotiate agreements with the City of Ithaca to provide reimbursable IURA staff services, a measure prompted by projected losses or reductions in HOME funding and flat CDBG support.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6153240,"Ithaca URA governance committee approves annual contract for independent minute taking",186,38000,224000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5493908-f8eb2c9c1e2c34ef7adfb3ae30f9aee9&start=38&end=224","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5493908-f8eb2c9c1e2c34ef7adfb3ae30f9aee9/thumbnail_38000.jpg","/articles/6153240/New-York/Ithaca-URA-governance-committee-approves-annual-contract-for-independent-minute-taking","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6153240-5c6f2b4f016ed0157ef9dafdab4c8382/orig.mp4?Expires=1770418643&Signature=I0YtIn9Gf7misrjA0-QSLWX~I3DJmd-yHJB~xW5kUXVzKVKlAN~MhXoAOpbDIWa1bf6~SgY48gHYGpmxpfHD8cGnhfMxM7QFWfanHyD4JylyFhLz7TSri3thbRjv64HYTZtacbecniyKp5cKPsGpsv3Rq1wKW9yHST9fwKnCIN~FuzGYhP5ADWrPk1Aky05T2rBfMeWJA4dOOT9n3XHeuHw7wHSa2FFdAh2jTpdo6eM9YzoNtWs3-fh9FDJTvbDaXuF1blyVfjSoQgnwoHJphumHgQZXigWkZhohUdBXHD~dMJIpvRqAzZpGiWhBHPJeuUDDRZKCqw5pllXQ6Ji9mQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) Governance Committee on an unnamed meeting date voted 3-0 to extend and annualize its independent minute-taking contract, approving a $1,500 stopgap extension and directing staff to move the service to a standard 12-month contract cycle.

Committee co-vice chair Donna Fleming opened the item and moved approval of the change. \"Next item is a new item of business regarding independent contracting services for minute taking,\" Fleming said before asking staff to explain the recommendation. The motion was seconded by Ellen McCallister and passed unanimously.

Nels, an IURA staff member who explained the item for the record, said the agency trialed an independent contractor through a temporary employment agency in 2023 after internal staff capacity limited in-house minute production. He told the committee the contractor has been paid $35 per hour and that the IURA originally used a one-time $5,000 contract. \"So that's the nutshell here is to, 1, do a $1,500 extension, and secondly, move this contract to an annual 12 month kind of contract rather than just a, you know, $5,000 until you spend it down,\" Nels said.

Nels said the contractor prepares minutes from the online stream, which the agency has found efficient, and that annualizing contracts would align minute-taking with the agency's other independent-contractor practices and make budgeting simpler. Fleming and McCallister both supported the change; McCallister said she \"like[s] the consistency of that with the other independent contractors,\" and noted that paying a contractor frees IURA staff to focus on higher-priority work.

The committee recorded the vote as 3-0 in favor. The approved action funds the service through the agency's next budget cycle and directs staff to convert minute-taking to a recurring 12-month contract to be reviewed with other independent-contract services in January.

The committee did not adopt additional changes to the scope of services in the motion and did not set a competitive-bidding requirement; Nels said the annual review would allow the agency to pursue more outreach or competition if desired.","The Governance Committee voted 3-0 to extend and annualize independent minute-taking services, approving a $1,500 extension and moving the arrangement to a standard 12-month contract to align with other independent contractors.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

IURA reviews CDBG/HOME spend-down risks; three projects flagged for delay

IURA authorizes chair to seek reimbursable work with city as HOME funding faces cuts

Ithaca URA governance committee approves annual contract for independent minute taking