BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES JUNE 17, 2026
I. Organizational Matters
1. L. Daily called the meeting to order at 4:19 p.m.
2. Attendance: L. Daily, (Chair), A. Church, R. Monteverde, A. Niles, D. Walker-Duncan, C. Carter. Others Present: J. Welles (Executive Director), E. Talbott (Project Director), D. Leonor (Admin. Manager), J. Sidd (Legal Counsel, Hancock Estabrook, LLP) D. Weisz (Legal Counsel) Absent: A. Schrijver, J. Werner
3. Review & Approval of May 2026 Minutes: A. Church made motion to approve May 2026 Minutes. C. Carter seconded the motion. All members approved with hand raises, none opposed.
4. Review of May 2026 Financial Reports: The Board reviewed the May 2026 Financial Report. Payment disbursements from the Lank Bank Initiative fund are expected to arrive within the next few weeks. Land Bank Initiative funding was recently renewed in the state budget, with applications expected to be released at a later date. Expenses increased slightly this month in comparison to previous months as there has been more property cleanup. Although property cleanup expenses have risen, there is a landscaping contract with Powell’s Pickup to stabilize costs. A. Church made a motion to approve May 2026 Financial Reports. D. Walker-Duncan seconded the motion. All members approved with hand raises, none opposed.
5. Board composition: The Board discussed the composition of the Land Bank’s Board of Directors, including required positions and challenges since quorum isn’t always met. Formation documents have been reviewed with J. Sidd from our Legal Counsel, and it has been confirmed that any changes must go through City Council. The Board will begin discussions of any potential changes and once proposals have been developed, they will be submitted to go on the agenda of City Council.
II. Property Related Matters
1) Legacy City Access Program
A) Round II: 140 Chambers, 128 Dubois, 11 S. Miller, 238 First: The second round of funding is in process. With the Legacy City program funding combined with a CPC loan there is a $1.6 million funding gap. Since the State budget passed with renewed Land Bank Initiative funding, J Welles got informal approval of using the next available round of funding to fill the gap. The only issue is that it limits our availability of funding for other uses since they only award $2 million per round. Staff will continue to seek other sources of funding to reduce the amount of LBI funding needed for one project. A new legal corporation has to be set up similar to the previous Newburgh Legacy HDFC, which was a joint venture between NCLB and Carlos Arturo Contracting as the contractor/developer with a 60/40% interest per entity. It is necessary to create a new HDFC since the prior HDFC was set up for the development and sale of different properties.
B) Variances were approved by the ZBA last month for minor setbacks and parking for 128 dubois, 11 S. Miller and 140 Chambers and construction plans are almost complete for all 4 properties.
C) A. Church makes motion to create a new HDFC called Newburgh Legacy II HDFC for a joint development between the Newburgh Community Land Bank and Carlos Arturo Contracting for the development of 140 chambers, 128 dubois, 11 S Miller and 238 First St. R. Monteverde seconded the motion. All members approve with hand raises, none opposed.
2) Restore NY project: 72-76-78 Lander update
A) Structural stabilization update – Work continues to progress at 72 and 78 Lander. 78 Lander has some structural issues that are being addressed at front facade and storefront. JPO Engineering PLLC conducted site visits to evaluate the building and provided several stabilization options for consideration. Walkthroughs have been done at 76 Lander with Carlos Arturo Contracting, Inc. to discuss the next steps for stabilization. The building has experienced significant fire damage, has no roof, and has been filled with debris for many years, making stabilization and cleanup the next phase of the project.
B) Site Plan Review – The Planning Board Meeting was attended on June 16, 2026, and positive feedback was received from the engineering and planning department. The Conservation Advisory Council meeting has been scheduled for July 6, 2026 for Special Use Permit reviews of 76, 78, and 80 Lander Street.
3) Purchaser updates
a. 34 Lander – A stop-work order had previously been issued by the Building Inspector after work was conducted on the weekend but has since been lifted, allowing work to continue. The purchaser appears to have obtained a building permit for a single-family home, which differs from the original application that proposed a multi-family development. No application to the Architectural Review Commission was made either. It was noted that communication from the purchaser has been minimal despite multiple attempts to contact them.
b. 38 Lander – Homeowner has communicated previously that they continue to experience funding issues. In the most recent update, no significant progress or changes were reported. The Board discussed potential options to present to the homeowner to facilitate project completion and move the project forward, including returning the property to the land bank without litigation, or selling the property to a third party approved by the land bank and receiving proceeds from the sale, equal to the original sale price and the cost of verified repairs. The Board also discussed providing the owner with 30 days to respond with their preferred option. A similar proposal will be offered to the owner of 34 Lander.
c. 146 South – J. Welles reported that an affidavit prepared by the Land Bank’s legal counsel was signed in preparation for a settlement conference in the Judge’s Chambers, with a date to be determined.
4) Property Acquisition:
a. 88 Gidney and 236 Powell (Resolution) - A resolution approving the acquisition of both properties for a total purchase price of $175,000 was presented. A. Church made a motion to approve resolution to approve Resolution 03-2026. A. Niles seconded the motion. All members approved with hand raises, none opposed.
5) Property Sales
a) vacant lots – The Board discussed the sale of vacant lots to generate sales revenue. It was noted that there have been inquiries for 302 Grand St, and a Request for Purchase Applications would be drafted to begin accepting applications.
III. Next Meeting: July 15, 2026 at 4pm