BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES July 17, 2024
A. Organizational Matters
I. L. Daily called the meeting to order at 4:12p
II. Attendance: L. Daily (Chair), A. Church (Vice-Chair), A. Niles (Secretary) C. Carter, J. Werner, Andrew Schrijver (1stmeeting). Others Present: J. Welles (Executive Director) E. Talbott (Project Director) , J. Sidd (Legal Counsel), Absent: D. Duncan, S. Sargent, T. Venning,
III. Review & Approval of June 2024 Minutes. No comments or changes proposed to minutes.
J. Werner made motion to accept minutes as is. A. Church seconded. All members approved via ayes with hands raised, none opposed.
IV. Review of June 2024 Financial Reports review and approval: J. Welles reported that the June 2024 financials are in draft form with the fiscal year closing out June 30. To be approved after YE reconciliation. No additional income in June. Next property sale expected in fall.
Approval of May 2024 Financial Reports. C. Carter made motion. A. Niles seconded. All members approved with ayes, and hand raises. None opposed.
V. Fund Raising update: J. Werner suggested that a cocktail party at the Cornwall Yacht Club for a small fundraising/friendraising event for the organization.
VII. Audit update. J. Welles reported that the auditor is engaged and waiting for Accountant to reconcile books and close-out the fiscal year.
VIII. Quorum check in for Aug 21 meeting.
B. Property Related Matters
I. New development/in progress:
1. Legacy Cities:
a) Construction update - Legacy Cities program update. Final sprinkler inspections to be scheduled for 59/63 Lander St. Projects @ 97% completion. Certificate of Occupancy application to convert 2-family to 3-family to be submitted City building department within week. Rough plumbing complete @ 39 S Miller St. Next is firestopping, insulation & sheetrock (50% completion). At 136 Lander St, rough electric and plumbing is complete. HVAC line sets have to be installed (57% completion)
b) Purchasers update: 59 Lander St – purchaser A. Abbott is working through process to obtain updated mortgage approval and grants for down payment assistance. Purchaser Malachy Labrie-Cleary. 63 Lander St has provided an updated mortgage approval letter on June 18.
2. Land Bank Initiative – update on projects:
A. 44 S Miller St - Working on stabilization agreement with general contractor. At last update, plan is to split up contract into three components: scaffold leases, abatement services and stabilization activities. We recently received new scaffold proposals for the entire project including enhanced sidewalk shed to provide overhead protection for pedestrians.
B. 143 Washington St – We have committed $300,000 in LBI Phase 2 funds to fill the gap in construction financing project. The property, that will be acquired at closing, is being sold for $60,000.
3. Acquisitions –
a) Restore NY 72-76-78 Lander - subrecipient agreement and site development agreement are being drafted by Corporation Counsel. and hopefully presented to the City Council in July/August
b) 238 First St – acquired end of May. Next steps are to engage structural engineer to assess condition of exterior building and fence off street frontage. Plans, permitting and agreement for installing temporary fencing have been obtained. Awaiting scheduling.
II. Sales/NCLB Development Projects:
A. 143 Washington St – BJH has to resubmit to Building Department. Architect indicated that land use approvals had not expired. Developer is working with CPC on the construction lending phase. BJH indicated finance closing for Fall 2024. Planning to apply for Clean Energy Initiative (CEI) funding, pending NYS HCR’s release of a term sheet. Applicant may need to return to ARC & PB to renew approvals.
1. 104 Washington St – Upon award of the ESD Momentum grant, the applicant will now have to return to the land use boards for revisions and approvals, including Architectural Review Commission. A. Church anticipates that Mistral will have approvals in place by Fall 2024. This property was already transferred to Mistral/104 Washington LLC in Dec 2021.
2. 10 Chambers – L. Daily contacted Assemblyman J. Jacobs to request help. NYSDEC said that the City of Newburgh. needed to contact the contractor who completed the clean-up. In this case, NYSDEC self-performed the remediation but cannot easily verify that information. A. Schrijver recommended contacting PVE Consultants to help obtain the easement and necessary clearance documents. This firms works in the brownfield clean-up program and regularly engages with DEC.
3. 146 South – reverter action: Partner of firm representing the land bank responded to J. Welles recently, indicating that a motion for a default judgement was filed against the owner.
C. Other:
I. J. Werner commented that street trees were noticeably absent from the downtown neighborhoods and inquired about groups that work in this area. Board members commented that the Conservation Advisory Committee performs plantings and will provide trees to building owners.
D. Meeting adjourned at 5:16p. Motion made by A. Church. All approved with ayes. Annual meeting to follow.
E. Next Meeting: August 21, 2024, at 4p