06/10/2008
NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
June 10, 2008
Present: Donald F. Brackett Chair
Kip Corriveau Vice-Chair
Peggy M. Cutkomp Board Member
Laurel Braswell Board Member
Lisa Hughes Board Member
Josephine Carbone Board Member
Vacant Seat Board Member
Also Present: Geri Campos Lopez Economic Development & Housing Director
Michael Holmes Housing Manager
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
3 – Approval of Minutes – May 13, 2008
Consensus was to continue Item 3 to July 8, 2008.
4 – FY 2008/09 Proposed Consolidated Action Plan
Housing Manager Michael Holmes reviewed the FY (Fiscal Year) 2008/09 proposed
Consolidated Action Plan. Volunteers of America was not included as the agency did not
submit a definitive plan regarding its proposed elderly job-training program. The Kimberly Home
did not request funding. Money ran out before Grace House could be funded. Fair housing
efforts include help with rental evictions, education seminars related to reverse mortgage
scams, etc. Of its $500,000 request, HEP (Homeless Emergency Project) was awarded
$100,000 for an office facility. The agency continues its fundraising efforts.
Mr. Holmes said the City had not determined its $135,000 project. CNHS (Clearwater
Neighborhood Housing Services) qualified for the housing pool, which receives the majority of
grant funds. Pool funds are available on a first come, first serve basis.
Regarding member concerns that handicap parking spaces in the Directions for Mental
Health parking lot are deficient, Mr. Holmes said the agency had reported it is working on the
issue. The City will not release funds to the agency until the problem is corrected.
Mr. Holmes discussed the City’s funding formula, which allocates 60% of requests to the
two top-ranked agencies. Regarding CSF’s (Community Services Foundation) statement that
60% funding is inadequate, Mr. Holmes said that agency is funded from a limited administration
pool, which had to be reduced. The City is not guaranteed it will receive grant funds nor has it
ever promised to provide future funding.
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Mr. Holmes reviewed updates to the spreadsheet. The public comment period ends July
13, 2008. The process is on track to submit the City's Consolidated Action Plan to HUD
(Housing & Urban Development) Department by August 13, 2008.
5 -State of Florida SHIP Proqram Affordable Housinq Advisory Committee
Economic Development & Housing Director Geri Campos Lopez distributed SHIP (State
Housing Initiatives Partnership) rules, which require NAHAB (Neighborhood & Affordable
Housing Authority Board) to be re-established. Additional meetings, probably at night, will be
necessary to meet new board responsibilities. A facilitator will help the board develop its report
to the City Council.
Consensus was that Tuesday evenings were preferred.
6 - New/Old Business
Verizon/Country Club Town Homes
Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas - Demolition
HOPE SRO - Development Project
Blue Chip Bar Acquisition Project
Staff reviewed the projects. Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas has razed the structures.
Closings for the Verizon/Country Club Town Homes and Blue Chip Bar properties should be
completed by the end of the month.
Items not on the Aqenda
It was requested that agenda packets be distributed prior to the evening before the
meeting.
7 - Next Meetinq - Julv 8. 2008
8 - Adiourn
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
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Housing Adyisory Board
Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2008-06-10
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