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Common Council adopts HUD entitlement action plan; one member recuses
Summary
The Ithaca Common Council voted to adopt the city’s HUD entitlement action plan, covering CDBG and HOME funds of just over $1 million and a list of recommended projects; one council member recused because a potential grantee is affiliated with their office.
The Ithaca Common Council on May 14 adopted the city’s HUD entitlement action plan, a package of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) totaling “just over a million dollars,” and the attached list of recommended projects.
The plan matters because HUD entitlement funds pay for local housing and community development projects that otherwise might not receive city support. The adopted action plan lists funded projects and includes directions for how the city will adjust allocations if HUD awards more or less than expected; staff told council the city received more funding than the draft resolution assumed.
Deputy City Manager Tom explained the HUD-required process: two public hearings, a 30-day public posting of the draft plan, and other citizen-participation steps. Anissa, the city staff member who managed the entitlement process, told council the application closed Jan. 31 and that staff planned to submit the adopted plan to HUD before June 15. She said the plan recommends funding for 17 projects and that five additional applicants (numbered on the matrix as 18, 19, 20, 201 and 202) did not receive awards.
Council members asked about timing and federal delays. Anissa said HUD notifications have been slower this year because of the delayed federal budget and noted the city’s program year begins Aug. 1; she said staff are preparing contingency plans in case federal funds are late. Alderperson Perez said the city should plan for contingencies; Anissa noted the city historically receives funds by the program-year start but did not guarantee timing this year.
Alderperson Win moved the resolution and Alderperson Shapiro seconded it. Alderperson Matos recused because the Southside Community Center is listed as a potential recipient; Matos said the recusal was for that reason. The motion carried, with council recording eight affirmative votes and Matos recused.
The plan does not itself appropriate additional local funding; it identifies how HUD CDBG and HOME dollars will be allocated if HUD completes its award notifications. Staff said they will post the adopted plan for the required public review period and submit it to HUD as required by federal deadlines.
The council’s action completes the local step in the entitlement process; HUD must still finalize allocations. If HUD’s award changes, the resolution instructs staff how to adjust grant distributions and return to council as needed.
Authorities referenced in the meeting included HUD program rules, the citizen participation plan tied to HUD regulations, and the federal CDBG and HOME program authorities. Council materials and staff email exchanges, referenced during the discussion, contain more detail on scoring and the applicant matrix.
