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10/17/1995 (2) .. , ,>1 .\ .' 'I , , ' , ' , . j '. .tl : '. . .' .'..".":: ";~. 'r::-;.'~;~~.C'::.";l~:':,U::"';t_~> .:...~:.,. r'. '.. ..'....:.'h~.J-.,.~ n'" . > , ' ....... .,' .. ~ ;...~ < .... ",... . ~ +r ~ ., . , " , , . . . ~ NAHAB Neighborhood & Affordable Housing , Advisory Board MINUTES , Date, ) C) J3' " > ~ ~. '. '. , " Chair Vice-Chair Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Economic Development Director Economic Development Assistant Director Board Reporter :~ NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER October 17, 1995 Present: Shirley Moran Mayme W. Hodges Rev. William Graham William Turner, Sr. George Konstantinidis Bertha Kelley Howard Groth Mary Myhill Milly Joplin Alan J. Ferri Michael Holmes Patricia O. Sullivan The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall, To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM # 2 - Aporoval of Minutes l""t(l b f ~ Mem er Groth moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September "~~;'., 1995, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 - Presentation - Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services Isay Gulley, Executive Director of Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services (CNHS), reviewed her organization's history, beginning in 1979 in South Greenwood, She said CNHS takes a holistic approach to build stronger, healthier and empowered neighborhoods. Ms. Gulley displayed pictures and a map of the impact CNHS has made on the North and South Greenwood Avenue neighborhoods through rehabilitation, in-fill housing and economic development, CNHS' services include housing rehabilitation, in-fill housing, technical assistance, economic development, a loan pool and paint rebate. The Community Response Team (CRT) has cooperated by identifying properties requiring attention. Ms. Gulley reported a large volunteer project, "Neighborhood Partnership '95," to address the facade and landscaping needs of 23 houses on Vine Avenue between Maple Street and Palmetto Avenue, is scheduled for November 4, 1995. The public is welcome. Assignments will be distributed at 8:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the upholstery business across from the CRT office at Vine Street and Palmetto Avenue. She estimated the project will be completed in approximately three and a half hours. (,,;,:~ W mnah10.95 1 10/17/95 ~ Jerry Spilatro, Assistant Director of CNHS and Real Estate Loan Officer, reported ',. his organization processed 80 applications last year for low and medium priced housing. Twenty-one new homes were built and 13 properties were rehabilitated. He explained the home ownership program includes credit counseling and budgeting. Local banks already have committed $3-million to the program. He estimated these activities have resulted in the creation of 600 part time jobs. In answer to a question, he said some families on the waitlist are saving down payments while others may be paying down debt or waiting for a perfect lot. Nancy Hansen, CNHS Economic Development Specialist, stated CNHS focuses on the North Greenwood neighborhood and tries to develop businesses that provide residents with gOOds and services that are too expensive or are not currently available. CNHS provides technical assistance to new and current businesses, teaches management skills, helps develop business plans and cash flow analysis and furnishes marketing assistance. She indicated money has been set aside to help small businesses unable to attract financing elsewhere. fit In answer to a question, Ms. Gulley indicated the November 4, 1995, project will paint the outside of houses only. She noted liability concerns regarding painting interiors. Owners will choose their color. Before volunteers arrive, an assessment of each house's needs will be completed and the houses will be prepped. Corporate donations will be used to purchase such things as screens and front doors. Ms. Isay said the project will help reduce blight. If it is successful, she suggested they may be able to organize two projects a year. She praised the cooperation of the sponsors: the City; corporate sponsors; religious groups; and banks. Ms. Gulley noted a critical need for media support of the event. In answer to a question, Ms. Gulley reported contractors who wish to participate in CNHS projects submit plans which are reviewed by a housing committee to be certain the pJans meet code and warrant their price tag. Every plan in the manual has been reviewed by the committee to safeguard against bad products. Ms. Hansen said her department has provided funding for two current businesses on North Greenwood Avenue and a new business on Palmetto. She noted owners of businesses in the North Greenwood Avenue commercial district sit on loan committees. In answer to a question regarding the agency's unmet needs, Ms. Gulley indicated CNHS, like all non-profit agencies, is striving for self~sufficiency. She noted difficulties caused by corporate downsizing and the need for administrative support. She pointed out the small size of some North Greenwood lots is an ongoing issue that impedes development. She noted people await services and CNHS could use additional resources. ITEM #4 - Board Member Monitorina Reoorts Member Konstantinidis reported on October 5, 1995, he visited the Homebuyers' Club of Tampa Bay. The meeting was informative and addressed financial problems, paying debts, budgeting income, etc. He said members shared personal experiences .. !j; '" ~ mnah10.95 2 10/17/95 Member Myhill reported RCS's new facility will open in April 1996. Mr. Ferri stated his staff will coordinate visits to the facility. He noted the Board will visit each applicant site to ask questions and observe problems each agency is addressing. He said the service of NAHAS members is valuable for their observations and decisions. .~ regarding how they solved financial problems. Member Konstantinidis said the club has a I high spirited, optimistic membership. Member Myhill reported her visit to Religious Community Services (RCS) and recommended inviting the agency to make a presentation to NAHAS. She said ReS offers a range of services to low income residents, minorities and the homeless. She expressed concern regarding RCS's unmet administrative needs. Economic Development Director Alan Ferri stated few funds are available in the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to address that need. Member Myhill expressed concern regarding monitoring of the agency. Mr. Ferri reported agencies must adhere to auditing provisions required by their funders. He noted RCS is a collective of six components. One of the ten mandatory elements in the City's evaluation includes a requirement for a clean audit. ITEM #5 - Old Business - None. f:::) ITEM #6 - New Business Mr. Ferri reported meeting with the City Clerk and indicated NAHAS must adopt rules of procedures. He will present a draft based on rules other boards have adopted. Mr. Ferri said the fiscal year (FY) 1994/95 report will be presented at the next meeting. Chair Moran reported 25 houses need to be identified for the "Paint Your Heart Out Clearwater" project scheduled for March 2, 1996. She said qualifying homes are in need of painting and are owned by elderly or disabled residents. Mr. Ferri recommended contacting the Clearwater Housing Authority to identify qualified homes before the November 10, 1995 deadline.. It was noted the CRT has been contacted to help. Chair Moran said the program is city-wide. ITEM #7 - Announcements Chair Moran announced the next NAHAS meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 21, 1995 at 10:00 a.m. Mr. Ferri said he would invite Ruth Greenslade of RCS to make a presentation. o mnah10.95 3 10/17/95 .' " . ... . .... '. ..... . -' ,...... ..,. '. .., .. ". f.,.... .',. . .' . ':::'.:' '.. l' , . " " ".0. I' , ;,>,~'i\:<:~W'~~:;'~'W:1r~:.n:: ~"::':'; :,:",;::'\":':", :-:'~:.,.::~' ::: > :''':..;:'. ').' :~ : . .". ,1 :'; i.)f (~~ . f'\ .. J Chair Moran indicated NAHAS wilt not meet in December 1995 or January 1996 ITEM #8 - Adjournment The meeting a~journed at 10:58 a.m. ~ '. o . "' .: > '" i ~ . l'i;~ \i# mnah10.95 4 10/17/95 ~ : ..-..::......':................'....'.,'..:...::..'.':.'.,..,.:.......',:...". , ' . ..,', ". ',: ....,. '.. ,': ,., '. ,,', '....... ,':" . '. '~,".' .",.,'; .',',' " '; :' '. ' . .,' . . ... . .' r. .. I .' , . I . '., : .\. : .