The Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency on Wednesday approved administrative and programmatic items advanced by committee reports, including vendor contracts, a year-long extension for a homeowner-rehab program and a change to public hearing procedures.

The governance committee recommended a contract renewal for Harrison Studio to continue underwriting assistance to the agency; staff reported the firm’s rate at $185 per hour for partner work and a slightly lower rate for underwriting. The agency also approved two part‑time legal consulting contracts: one with Mariette Geldingheis (rate increase noted) and one with Sharon Solomis (rate unchanged). The board voted to adopt those contract renewals as presented by the governance committee.

The Neighborhood Investment Committee recommended a one‑year extension for a homeowner‑rehab program administered by INHS (Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services) because the nonprofit reported difficulty completing bids and meeting original timelines. Staff said INHS had completed three projects, had two more out to bid and requested extra time to finish work; the committee recommended extending the contract to Dec. 31, 2025.

Committee members also recommended adjusting the public‑hearing presentation format to an eight‑minute presentation followed by a guaranteed four‑minute question-and-answer period. The committee said collecting questions in advance and sharing them with applicants would make hearings more efficient and allow better‑informed presentations.

In other administrative updates, staff reported loan and lease repayment status (one loan two months late) and progress on a shared‑kitchen project that had secured private fundraising and Appalachian Regional Commission funding for equipment.