BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES September 18, 2024
A. Organizational Matters
I. L. Daily called the meeting to order at 4:10p (4:10p K. Lawrence, GNPC presented, see below)
II. Attendance: L. Daily A. Church (Vice-Chair), A. Niles (Secretary), C. Carter, A. Schrijver, J. Werner Others Present: J. Welles (Executive Director) E. Talbott (Project Director) Absent: R. Monteverde, S. Sargent, J. Sidd (Legal Counsel), T. Venning (City Manager)
III. Review & Approval of August 2024 Minutes. A. Church made motion to approve, C. Carter seconded. All members approved with ayes, none opposed.
IV. Review & Approval of August 2024 Financial Reports review: J. Welles reported that August was similar to July. A large disbursement for incurred expenses was received from LBI Phase 2 grant. Expenses have been typical $30,000 per month for all operations. A. Church made a motion to accept financial reports, A. Niles seconded. All members approved with ayes, and hand raises. None opposed.
V. ARCHtober Festival - Lander Street Walking tour: J. Welles reported that on Sunday October 6th, NCLB and RUPCO would lead a coordinated tour of Lander Street to view the impact we have had improving housing in the neighborhood. T-shirts for board members & staff will be printed for event. Also plans to place signs and banners on buildings to highlight our work and encourage donations. RUPCO will also discuss their homeowner repair grant program. The tour will start at 15 Chambers Street and be held on October 6th, 3-5pm. Slim opportunities for fundraising at event, however good opportunity to spread the word about our work and partnerships.
VII. Quorum check in for October 16 meeting – A. Church may have conflict.
B. Property Related Matters
I. New development/in progress:
1. Legacy Cities:
a) Construction update - Legacy Cities program update. 59/63 Lander St. Punch list items complete. Certificate of Occupancy obtained. Few items to be addressed per C/O inspection. 39 S Miller St and 136 Lander St are more than 70% complete. Will start advertising for these properties soon. PathStone to facilitate the intake process, homebuyer education and mortgage readiness.
b) Purchasers update: 59 Lander St – home inspection produced punch list. Safety items to be addressed in next weeks. 63 Lander St – closing package has been sent to NYS HCR (HTFC) for review as required 30 days before closing.
2. Land Bank Initiative – update on projects:
A. 44 S Miller St - performed outreach to additional scaffold companies to obtain additional proposals including from MWBE certified businesses.
B. Third Street – Habitat for Humanity project. Received first invoice for asbestos abatement work at 225 Third St and will submit to LBI Phase 2 for reimbursement.
C. 143 Washington St – J. Welles reported that BJH is continuing to work with CPC on underwriting. Applicants indicated they would contribute more equity into the project No commitment letter provided from CPC yet.
3. Acquisitions –
a) Restore NY 72-76-78 Lander- Site Development Agreement and NYS Restore Subrecipient agreement has been executed. When project is complete, we do not need to return to City Council for close out. Land bank to commence initial investigations and then seek co-developer to complete the project.
b) Property disposition list from City of Newburgh – J. Welles reported that 13-15 properties, mostly lots in our target are have been identified for acquisition from the City for a total of $515,000. A budget modification for Land Bank Phase 2 has been drafted for planning purposes.
II. Sales/NCLB Development Projects:
1. 143 Washington St – BJH is working with CPC to underwrite construction financing.
2. 104 Washington St – Mistral is returning to all boards, ARC, ZBA and PB for modifications to proposed plans.
3. 10 Chambers – Form has to be filed in order to get the environmental easement & clearance process started. On hold until further research.
4. 146 South – reverter action: motion not filed to date.
5. Lander Street Lots – update: Diana Mangaser of Open Structure presented conceptual streetscape renderings based on different proposed building compositions and typologies that can be built on Lander St as of right.
6. Proposed Partnership with Greater Newburgh Parks Conservancy – K. Lawrence, GNPC, gave a presentation and shared a Partnership Proposal for creating community green spaces on (3) separate lots that we may acquire from the City. The greenspaces would be activated and beautified through professional landscape architects, arborists and master gardeners and volunteers supervised by GNPC. Community efforts to engage local residents will be made to cultivate working relationships, build trust and to provide both volunteer and leadership opportunities.
C. Other:
I. Executive Session – none
D. Meeting adjourned at 5:25p. Motion to adjourn All approved with ayes.
E. Next Meeting: October 16, 2024, at 4p