07/08/2008NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
July 8, 2008
Present: Donald F. Brackett
Kip Corriveau
Laurel Braswell
Lisa Hughes
Empty Seat
Absent: Peggy M. Cutkomp
Josephine Carbone
Chair
Vice-Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present: Michael Holmes Housing Manager
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 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 and June 8, 2008
Member Corriveau moved to approve the minutes of the regular Neighborhood and
Affordable Housing Advisory Board meeting of May 13, 2008, as recorded and submitted in
written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
Member Corriveau moved to approve the minutes of the regular Neighborhood and
Affordable Housing Advisory Board meeting of June 8, 2008, as recorded and submitted in
written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
4 - FY 2008/09 Proposed Consolidated Action Plan Narrative
Housing Manager Michael Holmes reviewed the FY (Fiscal Year) 2008/09 proposed
Consolidated Action Plan Narrative. The City would utilize its Community Development Block
Grant Program (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) affordable housing program,
and Florida State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds to implement objectives
established in the City's adopted FY 2005-10 Consolidated Plan.
Affordable housing funds, to be administered Citywide, would be targeted at helping low-
to medium-income families become homeowners, maintain their properties, and for housing
education and counseling. The City would provide assistance to the homeless and those with
special needs through the construction of additional facilities and provision of services.
Community development improvements would be focused on the East Gateway Area of the
Community Redevelopment Area.
Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2008-07-08
The overall goal of the Action Plan's community planning and development programs
was to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living
environment and to expand economic opportunities, principally for very-low to moderate-income
persons/households. The primary means towards this end was to extend and strengthen
partnerships among all levels of government and the private sector, including for-profit and non-
profit organizations, in the production and operation of affordable housing. The City continues
to provide funding for Public Service and Public Facility type activities, including self-sufficiency,
elderly home cleaning, emergency shelter operations, elderly services, infant and toddler care,
homeless services, mental health services, etc.
The plan reviewed the allocation of investments, the local housing stock, the housing
cost burden, the homeless, the special needs population, and community development. Also
covered were the City's plan to manage the process, citizen participation, internal structuring,
monitoring efforts, lead-based paint, priorities, housing objectives, fair housing, public housing,
barriers to affordable housing, rental rates vs. wages, and the down payment initiative and
antipoverty strategy.
Mr. Holmes reviewed plan changes. The City transferred $50,000 from the housing pool
to increase funding for foreclosure prevention. While house prices have dropped, the report
was based on FY 2005/06 data, the latest available, and included increased insurance rates.
Member Hughes moved to recommend approval of the FY 2008/09 proposed
Consolidated Action Plan Narrative. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
5 - State of Florida SHIP Proaram
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
AND
Resolution/Ordinance
Mr. Holmes reviewed new SHIP rules, which required the NAHAB (Neighborhood &
Affordable Housing Advisory Board) to be re-established. With 12 members on the board, a
quorum will require seven members to be present at meetings. The board will establish
timetables and schedule meetings to meet the new State mandate to submit a report to the City
Council by December 18, 2008.
5 - New/Old Business
Assistant Economic Development & Housing Director Jim Donnelly introduced himself.
Mr. Holmes reported the City is working with Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas to obtain a
$600,000 mortgage to begin construction of the Stevens Creek project (formerly Homer Villas).
The City acquired, boarded, and fenced the Blue Chip Bar, with a tentative recommendation to
raze and replace it with a positive community attribute. The Verizon/Country Club Town Home
project is on target, but the housing market must stabilize to make numbers work. If City
benchmarks are not met, the land will come back to the City.
Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2008-07-08 2
6 - Next Meetinq - September 9,2008
Adiourn
The meeting adjourned at 9:21 a.m.
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Board Reporter
Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2008-07-08
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Chair, Neighborhood & Affordable
Housing Advisory Board
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