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Board hears update: City’s $2.5 million to flow through SURA after new urban renewal plan; advisory committee question raised
Summary
Board staff told the Housing Strategies Corporation that the City of Syracuse intends to route $2,500,000 from its FY24‑25 operating budget through the Syracuse Urban Renewal Agency by having SURA adopt a second urban renewal plan mirroring the city's housing strategy.
Board staff updated the Housing Strategies Corporation on the mechanism and timeline to receive $2,500,000 from the City of Syracuse’s fiscal year 2024‑25 operating budget, and reported that legal counsel recommended routing the funds through the Syracuse Urban Renewal Agency (SURA) by adopting a second urban renewal plan.
Michelle, a Housing Strategies Corporation staff member, said city and corporation counsel recommended the SURA path as the most effective way to move municipal funds in compliance with state provisions that govern allowable uses of municipal dollars. "The recommendation was that we pursue working with the Syracuse Urban Renewal Agency ... to adopt a second urban renewal plan that basically mirrors the housing strategy," Michelle said.
Staff reported SURA had approved a draft plan and an agreement with the Housing Strategies Corporation at its prior board meeting, and that the plan was scheduled for review by the city planning commission before coming to the city council for affirmation, following the charter procedures for urban renewal plan adoption.
Michelle said SURA would act as a pass-through for the funds and that the Housing Strategies Corporation would manage the mechanics of distributing dollars to homeowners once contracts are executed. "SURA will enter into agreement with the Housing Strategies Corporation to carry out the new urban renewal plan on their behalf," she said.
Commissioner of Finance Mike Anzaur confirmed that SURA staff salaries and positions are reflected in the city budget and explained how SURA-related positions appear in budget lines and department purchases. "They flow through that [department purchases] line as opposed to salaries and wages," Anzaur said, describing how fully loaded SURA staffing costs will be presented in the city's 2026 budget.
Board members asked whether a contract and transfer could be completed before the end of the fiscal year in June; staff said the additional plan adoption steps were intended to allow the transfer this year and to avoid repeating the process in future years.
Separately, staff reported recent legal advice about the corporation’s resident advisory committee. Legal counsel — including outside counsel Jean Everett — advised that committee members are likely subject to conflict-of-interest rules, meaning residents who sit on the advisory committee generally could not apply for funds for properties in early-implementation neighborhoods while they serve on the committee. Michelle said the guidance prompted a pause in appointments while staff confirms the implications and clarifies eligibility with counsel.
The board discussed the tradeoffs of the legal advice, noting that the advisory committee’s value could be limited if members cannot have a direct stake in the programs they advise on. Michelle said staff will continue to consult with city attorneys and outside counsel and will follow up with the council about appointment timelines and eligibility rules.
No vote was taken on the funding mechanism during the meeting; staff said a subsequent council affirmation and contract execution remain to be completed before funds are transferred.
