MEETING MINUTES - May 2021
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
MINUTES
May 19, 2021
A. Organizational Matters
I. Call meeting to order – Meeting called to order at 3:05 p.m. by L. Daily
II. II. Attendance – Members: L. Daily, P. Halyeko, D. Potack, A. Niles; R. Monteverde; D. Surace, K. White Others: C. Feldman, J. Welles, A. Filosa, D. Mangaser, E. Talbott, Guests: Michael Meola, Kei Hayashi, Joseph Collins of BJH; Philippe Pierre and Charles Huebner
III. Review & Approval of April 2021 Minutes – Accepted Minutes.
IV. Review & Approval of Financial Report April 2021- Accepted Financial Report.
V. Board retreat/strategic planning process- J. Welles reported that she has received grant funding from Dyson Foundation to help pay for strategic planning.
V. Review & Approval of Budget for 2021: Board agreed to wait for approval next meeting.
B. Property Related Matters
I. New development/2 Family renovations:
1. House to Home update:
27 and 43 Johnston: E. Talbott updated Board: both 27 Johnston St and 43 Johnston have completed sheet rocking; 43 started sanding and painting, new roofs on both.
2. 115 and 150 Lander: J. Welles reported that we received the construction permits May 17, 2021 and released mobilization payments to contractor to begin work.
3. Church of Holy Deliverance: 37 Chambers/Lander St lots update: L. Daily reports that the engineer presented the subdivision plans at the Planning Board this week; they will meet again in June; approval is expected at the June meeting.
4. 151 Liberty/10 Chambers: J. Welles recommends that will hold off further discussion until Ali Church is back next meeting.
II. Sales of NCLB Development Projects:
1. 104 Washington Street update– P. Pierre of Mistral presented and reported that Mistral received site plan approval for the project. Their ARC application was approved last week; site plan was approved at the planning meeting last night. The IDA voted to have deviation from the tax exemption process; interested in their PILOT. Raw material prices have gone up, so they will start value engineering; last week they received SHPO letter per the $500,000 award from the County that requires a SEQR review process per SHPO; Section 106 Review; made recommendations w/regards to the design; not sure how ARC fits into this; SHPO doesn’t like the metal façade; the windows are too reminiscent of industrial buildings; SHPO wants punch outs for each window; this comes from the State; L. Daily suggests speaking w/A. Church and feels that it won’t be a hold up and won’t be too complicated. K. White suggests making a case with SHPO as to why he is making these designs and will make it easier to work with SHPO. D.Potack asks for a timeline for project milestones; P. Pierre states that the date for the public hearing for the PILOT will be in the next quarter; motion to approve the PILOT or to oppose will be between the 1st and 2nd quarters and should be out of all of the approvals by then.
2. 143 Washington Street to BJH update – Michael Meola of BJH Advisors presented a brief presentation of 11 slides; has had site inspection with two local contractors; requested a new contract since they are out of contract; are restoring a 4 -story shell w/potential to building on vacant corner targeting toward Newburgh housing; there are currently six units: 5 studios; one 2- bedroom unit, five (5) rent regulated and 1 free market; studios are at 65% AMI. There will be 500 sq. feet of commercial space; small building on the Federal Street side to be used as offices for Osborne and a pollinator garden. Osborne Association received approval for 5 supportive housing units funded by Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI); Osborne will work w/Newburgh ministries; top floor is designed as a free market 2 bedroom; will have to dig out the basement since it is only 18-24”; anticipates conceptual layout schedule and development phase to be Dec. 30th 2021; site preparation Jan 2022; one year construction; operation; marketing; leasing at 1st Quarter of 2023. Expects to close by end of year. K. Hayashi states that the uses and financing plan has come out of rising construction costs and new construction wasn’t going to work. She states the developer equity is 10-15%; PLP loan, Historic Tax Credit Subsidy is 20% - 30% for projects under 25 million. The Newburgh Assessor confirmed eligibility of 444a abatement on the existing structure. Currently discussing commercial component with the IDA. D. Potack asks for an overall budget and wants to know what the Developer Equity will be. K. Hayashi states that the Developer Equity is about 200k; the total project is 2 million. EESHI – D. Potack asks about marketing the top floor and M. Meola states that he is following the Newburgh market and feels good about the demand for the top floor as a 2 bedroom at 900 sq. ft.
3. RFA’s for 39 S. Miller and 38 Lander St.- The RFAs were extended to June 1st. J. Welles states that we had four open houses and have purchased signs for the two properties; and have had more interest; will present applications at the next meeting.
4. 128 Dubois/140 Chambers St.—J. Welles states we should hold off marketing these properties until next meeting as we may need for building inventory for possible new program in State budget; D. Potack asks for an updated building inventory that the Board can use to see where we are at with each of the buildings. J. Welles will provide.
III. Building Preservation Program/ Other
1. 44 S. Miller demolition plan-update– J. Welles reported that she was told this week that the engineer is prioritizing this project, which has been delayed. K. White: asks at what stage is the plan; J. Welles reports that we have been told by two engineers that it is possible to save the shell; waiting for the second engineer we are in contract with to provide a workplan and then we will have a better sense of cost and timing.
2. D. Mangaser gave an update on AIV and interns; there are two interns: one is staying and ,starting June 1st,will work for six weeks, since she received a fellowship from M.I.T. She is creating base layer maps in ArcGIS Stories. The maps will then be put into our website to show details about the properties and the work we have done to date. D. Mangaser can get together materials for the Annual Board meeting instead of presenting yearly reviews on paper handouts, one can search for a property, see Orange County property data etc. and other information on the properties by searching on the interactive map that she is creating.
3. AIV: D. Mangaser updated the Board about the past weekend’s Amble along the Quassaick Creek with AIV artis Anais Maviel, as well as the upcoming percussionist performance at the Fullerton Mansion happening May 20, at 4:30; 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. She is working with Ace Lehner, an artist who is working on a pinhole camera in one of our buildings; as well as Vernon Byron who is creating an interactive scrim at 115 Lander Street façade.
Other: L. Daily states that the City has created a new bonus/credit plan in their disposition policy to help people who live here in the City; Daily hopes this is successful to get Newburgh residents to buy. R. Monteverde says part of the new disposition policy is to set aside rescue funds; The City Council had a workshop with Kevin Dwarka and Leviticus to move forward with the Housing Policy Framework they have proposed based on their Housing Needs Assessment. It’s now on the City of Newburgh Planning website. K. White states that the Land Bank can play a big role to address this issue. L. Daily states that in terms of home ownership; mortgage and taxes all play a role; the disposition bonus percentages will help move towards more affordable home ownership for current residents.
J. Welles states: No new business to report. Meeting adjourned at 4:17 p.m.
D. Next Board Meeting June 16, 2021, 3:00pm