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Committee reviews program changes for Historic IthacaWork Preserve; staff seek confirmation of beneficiary counts
Summary
The committee reviewed revised commitment paperwork from Historic Ithaca's new executive director, who adjusted the Work Preserve program to serve up to 15 students annually and narrowed the project's job-placement aim to a job-readiness approach; staff said award conditions require reporting on City of Ithaca residency and low-to-moderate income status.
The Neighborhood Investment Committee reviewed changes submitted by Historic Ithaca for its Work Preserve program after the organization returned commitment paperwork on Dec. 31, staff reported.
Staff said the revised program summary, provided by new executive director Zachary Lifton, increases the stated beneficiary target from 12 to 15 students annually and shifts emphasis from formal job placement to a job-readiness and work-experience model tied to historic-preservation skills. The committee discussed whether that change affects the program's ability to meet required beneficiary counts and residency thresholds.
Committee members asked how the partnership with New Roots and BOCES affects the requirement that the program predominantly serve City of Ithaca youth. Staff said the contract and reporting require confirmation that a majority of participants meet City residency and low-to-moderate-income thresholds and recommended following up with the organization if questions remain.
"They need to serve City of Ithaca, a majority City of Ithaca youth," staff said, noting reports will include family income and residency data. Members also expressed concern that changing partnerships could draw students from outside the city; staff replied that reporting and eligibility requirements are intended to ensure the award benefits local beneficiaries.
Staff and committee members noted the program's job-readiness focus remains valuable for exposing youth to trades and preservation skills even if direct job-placement outcomes are no longer promised. The committee asked staff to confirm that Historic Ithaca can meet its beneficiary commitments with the new partners before the next funding cycle.
What happens next: staff said they would notify awarded organizations of the common counciltop-up approvals and follow up with Historic Ithaca to confirm beneficiary reporting and any impacts of the revised program design.
