BOARD of DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES December 18, 2024

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING  

MINUTES  

December 18, 2024

A. Organizational Matters 

 

I. L. Daily called the meeting to order at 4:11p

II. Attendance: L. Daily, (Chair) A. Church (Vice-Chair), A. Niles (Secretary), C. Carter, D. Duncan , A. Schrijver, J. Werner. Others Present: J. Welles (Executive Director) E. Talbott (Project Director)  J. Sidd (Legal Counsel)  Eileen Clifford (Director, PathStone) Absent: R. Monteverde, S. Sargent, T. Venning (City Manager)     

III. Review & Approval of November 2024 Minutes. J. Werner made motion to approve, A. Church seconded. All members approved with hand raises, none opposed.

IV. Review & Approval of November 2024 Financial Reports review:  J. Welles reviewed balance sheet and profit & loss by month. Property sales for November 2024 are high number at $839,000 (plus the developer’s fee). Doesn’t reflect actual purchase price but the value with all of the grants used to rehabilitate property ($450,000 NYS grant, $100,000 Orange County grant and Land Bank Initiative). Purchase price was $304,000 and buyer received other down payment grants that reduced the overall purchase price. Regular operating expenses for the month were $34,000, typical of other months.  A. Church motioned to approve, J. Werner seconded it. All approved with ayes, none opposed.

V. Quorum check in for January 15 meeting –  J. Werner will be attending from Florida.

B. Property Related Matters 

I. New development/in progress:  

1.     Legacy Cities:

a)   Construction update –  Next phase at 39 S Miller St & 136 Lander St is completion of final inspections and application for certificate of occupancy.

b)  Purchasers update:  59 Lander was sold on November 13.  The closing for 63 Lander was held on December 5. The purchase price was $294,000.  The buyer received grants that reduced the overall purchase price.

c)   J. Welles reported that PathStone received (3) full applications with pre-approvals to purchase 39 S Miller St . Eileen Clifford, Director, PathStone’s Homeownership Program, gave members an overview of the applicants that submitted full applications, and of others that started the process but did not complete it.  The initial deadline of December 1 was extended to December 13 and all applicants were notified of the extension. Ms. Clifford commented that all applicants received notification about the deadline extension. And that applicants were informed that only complete application packages can be considered. Main challenges for applicants after initial interest in homeownership include credit score, income (some too high and low), price of houses, and existing debt burden.  Staff recommended offering D. Lopez and N. Whitton 39 S Miller St based on all scoring criteria being met. 136 Lander St will be offered to P. Harbin, runner up. If Ms. Harbin is not interested, the application will be opened up to all applicants on the list. And those that submit a full application package will be considered.  A Church made the motion, C. Carter seconded it. All approved with ayes, none opposed.

2.     Land Bank Initiative – update on projects:

a)     128 Dubois – Lemle & Wolff from NYC was awarded RFP for framing repairs and will submit the permit application asap.  Execution of contract in process.

b)     44 S Miller St – Engaged Dynamix scaffolding company. Installation starts on December 18. To be completed by December 20. The scaffold will provide access for environmental consultants to sample building materials. 

c)     140 Chambers – Received RFQ responses from two contractors for stabilization services including Carlos Arturo Contracting and Lemle & Wolff. Lemle’s bid was lower at $168,660 but omitted two line items, including #1 & #16. Carlos Arturo Contracting (CAC) had a complete bid at $193,414.32.  A. Church made motion to accept CAC’s bid, J. Werner seconded it. All approved with ayes, none opposed.

d)     Newburgh Ministries – 154 Third St. J. Welles reported that Colin Jervis submitted proposal and budget for property improvements. Includes funds to renovate bathrooms, remove and install new fire escape, install sprinkler and fire alarm system, plumbing improvements in kitchen, new water heater and re-pipping of boiler. The improvements would enable a homeless shelter to operate in existing space. A Church concerned about the Ministries site control of the property. Building was recently listed for sale. Board members expressed support contingent on proof of site control. A. Church made motion, J. Werner seconded. All approved with ayes none opposed.  

3.            Acquisitions –

d)  Property disposition list from City of Newburgh – J. Welles commented that she will be presenting to the City Council on January 23. Presentation will include the annual report and proposal for acquiring city-owned properties (5 structures and 11 lots). There have been discussions about activating lots with programming provided through a partnership with Greater Newburgh Parks Conservancy. Questions may be asked by the Council about the proposed use of some vacant lots for programming. 

II. Sales/NCLB Development Projects: 

1.     143 Washington St approve passthrough funding request– J. Welles reported that BJH provided updated numbers for their budget at 143 Washington.  NYS HCR increased their grant subsidies significantly from $90,000 to $150,000. New LBI Phase 2 request is $288,750. A significant decrease from the previous request.  CPC asked if a mortgage was wanted for enforcement. Working with CPC, BJH received credit committee approval and is anticipating receipt of commitment letter. A Church made a motion to approve pass through funding of $288,750. A. Niles seconded it. All approved with ayes, none opposed. 

2.     104 Washington St – Mistral has land use board approvals but has to return to IDA for PILOT modification.

3.     10 Chambers – no update

4.     146 South – reverter action: Owner responded to motion through legal counsel, and requested a conference with the judge.

5.     Restore NY project – Open Structure provided draft concept design and development plans to determine potential scope. 61 Campbell (city-owned) and 80 Lander (Habitat owned) can be potentially added to the project. Additional lots can provide driveway circulation  (61C) and construction access (80L). Restore NY would need to approve any proposed unit count modifications to the proposal.  CAC to perform cleanouts. After cleanouts are complete, structural engineer will return to take accurate measurements for drawings.

D. Meeting adjourned at 5:26  p. A. Church motioned,  A. Schrijver seconded it. All approved with ayes.

 

E. Next Meeting:  January 15, 2025, at 4p