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03/18/1997 (2) , """'. ,.,,', " :~. ..-- ~" ,.........-_.'r--.:.r~..".. '.,..".' " "", .:', ",' ~ . ~"" , ' .' .' .." j : , '~ ,:" . . ,.' . " " .... . I ' ~ . " . , " ,'. ',' .", <I'., , . ~ ..' '. '.1' ,..... '" . .....' ~ \ >' t . ,. I .,. , , ,.. . " " .. >" l" . NAHAB.. Neighborhood & Affordable Ho'using Advisory Board MINUTES Date . ~(J f 3 I q . .' , , '. " ".'. \. ..' , -. , . , '. ~ t , ~ 1 ! .' < ~ \, :.,,-, "'.' ',,' , . '. ..' '.' .. ~ ";" . ", . .' .,' ':".,.':.,. ,I . " :',.' " ' . ,', -.' , ,. ii. . . '1' -\. \ ,I. .... ',' '. , i.:.I. M' ' " , ......'~r'....h.u._~ . ..~ L...............-- ---.......... '"..--- -. , _ ',' ./: , l:":, < :,.', ...'.... :." .,', ,:I'~'<.:~:~4" ._.....~.~...:_.._...:..uj:.~.:..,.' ;.;, '.,.".:.,.,',1...,. ,,1''',. . " .', '. ;.' . " ,_ ,..'\ " ',. . . , '..' . ',~ H . ,~. i " /""'" .' NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER March 18, 1 997 Present: Mayme W. Hodges Howard Groth Rev. William Graham Milly Joplin Bertha Kelley Shirley Moran Mary Myhili William Turner, Sr. Warren Hunt Alan J. Ferri Patricia O. Sullivan Chair Vice~Chair Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Economic Development Director Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. at Ross Norton Park. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #2 - Approval of Minutes Member Groth moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 18, ,~~::> 1997, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 - Agency Presentations a} CRT (Community Response Team) Polic:e Lt. Jeff Kronschnabl reviewed the CRT's history and introduced team members. The CRT has been recognized for its proactive techniques, such as doorpto-door campaigns, and its success in bringing residences into compliance or freeing space for in-fill housing. The CRT's attention to individual property owners has resulted in an average compliance rate of 88%. Last year, only 9% of cases required legal action for compliance. Lt. Kronschnabl reported a recent exterior condition survey done on Clearwater beach indicates properties in poor condition often are surrounded by deteriorating properties. Similar surveys identify' areas where resources can prevent a domino effect of . deterioration. According to the survey, 1.8% of beach properties are in "poor" condition. A similar survey indicates 5.25% of North Greenwood properties are in npoorn condition. He said the two areas should have similar rates, noting a CRT goal is to improve North Greenwood's conditions to beach levels. Staff is walking the entire City, handing out citizen guides to code enforcement. ~ mnah0397.doc 1 03/18/97 . "" ~~.. .', ~..... .\o.~ .. c' V \~" . ," .~... h,~ 'l ( ~ ~:..~. ~ ~..~~4t1J~',"':; ,:~,~il....A:'tj.~,4Lu.!~~J. j ~:- " "., :.; ~ . .', .1.1".' '\'",-:.:._"': ,,' ..,.'.. ":, ",> \. . .:.,..' . '.... ..' ..., " " >.' " '.~ ::: :::",,'.. .\,. ',.' '. :..:", ':,...'~:,.. :", ....,.':~. '. ':;':,,:"',~, ',~,,',' ::':,":~ .,:"...' "., dO ".,., ., . t \ -. lil ' t u '\\' . " ;. " ~ \ ",,'.,' . ., I' ,..,' " .. I, ~.' ~ . I '\\" " ,. " ,'," , .... . :', ,,'\."'/<",:':" ~ ,~.,.'..r .u....';_.~.~.J..:..~:...:,,~~;..',,~; .....:..' ':'1" I '.' ~ ", ',', .,'., "", ..., ',,: .'~'.". : ,', ',I" ,".> '...,.; j'" . t: ,~ I') Lt. Kronschnabl said future compliance depends on teaching youth community ownership is important. Meetings at neighborhood recreation centers provide youth the opportunity to express their concerns and discuss their problems with adults and for their issues to be addressed in a timely manner. A home maintenance training program also is planned in conjunction with City departments and community businesses. One-hour seminars on small maintenance repairs such as plumbing are planned. The Board of Realtors has joined in efforts to help maintain the community's integrity. In response to a question, Lt. Kronschnabl said he had spoken with the County regarding enclave properties which are out of compliance. The City responds to complaints within 48 hours while the County can take up to 4 weeks. The City has proposed taking over enforcement of signage, water violations, etc., in County enclaves within the eity. In response to a question, Mr. Ferri said the CRT had not spent all appropriated funds due to an empty position that recently was filled. Fewer funds are committed to South Greenwood as a larger percentage of low income citizens resides in North Greenwood. The importance of landscaping to a neighborhood's appearance was noted. :) In response to a question, Building Construction Inspector Freddie Hinson said the City does not have a program to aid non-residential owners of substandard properties and refers them to other agencies. Mr. Ferri said Federal and State resources are geared to fund repairs and upgrades to owner-occupied housing. The City does not have adequate funds to help investors. Many property owners have lost equity due to declining property values in North Greenwood. The City tries to address each case individually but does not want to beat down those without capital. The training classes will include information on renters' rights. Lt. Kronschnabl reported new software, on-line by October, will allow the public to access property information via telephone. Currently staff tracks all information by hand. ITEM #4 - Subgrantee Reports Mr. Ferri said tho report's check list indicates which subgrantees have submitted their reports on-time. Complete reports will be distributed quarterly. The CRT's report was distributed due to their presentation today. In response to a question, Mr. Ferri said staff reminds agencies that points can be deducted from next year's application if they are late submitting reports. ITEM #5 - Old Business a) Brownfield Program Report Mr. Ferri reviewed pending State legislation that would loosen cleanup standards for vacant lots abandoned because of pollution and limit property owners' liability, allowing redevelopment. Subject lots once held gas stations, dry cleaners, and other businesses. While the cleanup will not be a total cleanup, it will be protective of human health and safety. If it passes, NAHAB will be responsible for management advisory committee duties related to this legislation. Mr. Ferri will forward additional information regarding the Brownfield program to NAHAS members. Most of Florida's polluted sites are in low- u mnah0397.doc 2 03/1 8197 :-:':.,<' '_" .,,', '.; \ : .\."", , '1',. .... . <':: <..~,:~., i:,;".~". :,', ::' :" '......,':-:: ('",:': .'.:.: ' \.':.:.....,~ ....:y..... ::"::::::'~'::'.';..:<': . '. ..:::.:'.;j ::;: ~.': '":,, ,": ',l,', ...',',, : ',.' > ,.' , ..'. .... '. ..' .. ~." ~J ., . . ,..., . 1-:: ". '.' , ., ' ":~'I~l '~~'.' . ',' "',:" ,I .I~'I. '\ ":..1 ';,.,' ~'....,\ " :,. ~":, '\ . ."; ,," j, b) Consolidated Plan Presentation to City Commission ,t) income, minority communities. Most Brownfield sites in Clearwater are in North and South Greenwood. If this issue can be resolved, jobs can be created to solve poverty problems. In response to a suggestion, Mr. Ferri said visits to Brownfield sites can be arranged for interested NAHAB (Neighborhood & Affordable Housing Advisory Board) members. In response to a question, Mr. Ferri said local municipalities use a variety of sources to clean-up blight. If extension of the Penny for Pinellas tax is approved, the City has budgeted $ 5-million for environmental remediation of contaminated sites. He noted departments currently are recommending future projects for CIP ICapital Improvement Project) funding. He suggested members voice concerns at this time regarding inadequate lighting, sidewalks, etc. In response to a question, Mr. Ferri said CNHS (Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services) is negotiating to purchase a South Greenwood property and develop low cost condominiums. In response to concerns, he said two retention ponds are planned to address flooding issues on the 6.5 acre site. CNHS plans to ask the City to make right-of- way improvements. Mr. Ferri reviewed the Consolidated Plan, noting vast improvements made in leveraging public money with private funds. Within four years, the number of annual business loans has increased from one to 20 and the ad valorem tax rolls have been increased by $1.9-million. He said a Commissioner had requested staff review the form C:J used to evaluate funding applications. After review by City management, Mr. Ferri will bring the form back to NAHAB for consideration. Upon approval, the RFPs (Requests for Proposal) will be distributed. He noted problems had existed under the system previously used to distribute State and Federal funds. He said Commission members had expressed interest in having more control of the distribution of these funds. In response to a question, Mr. Ferri said an agency's inability to spend all appropriated funds may become less important as funding is cut and programs run out of money. ITEM #6 - New Business a) Consolidated Plan Time Table Mr. Ferri said the time table will be established once the evaluation form is approved. b) Agency Presentation Discussion In response to a suggestion, it was noted summaries of agencies' histories educate the public when meetings are broadcast on C-View TV and new members may not be familiar with every agency. In response to a question, Mr. Ferri said agencies have been advised to limit presentations to between 10 and 1 5 minutes. He will use an egg time to enforce the limit. l ,;!;~ ~ mnah0397.doc 3 03/18/97 Chair Hodges said her visit to the POC was interesting although she did not monitor the chore services program funded through City funding. ,~ I It was recommended presentations meet NAHAS established guidelines. Discussion ensued. Suggested guidelines for presentations include: 1) provide specifics related to finances, number of clients served, houses built and rehabed, etc.; 2) review accomplishments; 3) report on alternate plans should requested funding not be approved or renewed; 4) report on matching funds; and 5) provide a succinct summary of agency history, if time permits. It was recommended that members limit questions to issues not addressed in information packets distributed prior to presentations. Concern was expressed that members not monopolize the time with personal questions. Mr. Ferri suggested limiting presentations to 10 minutes and questions to 5 minutes. Additional questions can be directed privately to the agency. He will distribute a draft of guidelines to board members. In response to a question, Mr. Ferri said the tour date has not been scheduled. Staff will hold 2 training sessions to assist agencies prepare their applications. c) Soard Member Term Expiration Members Hodges, Joplin, and Groth indicated their wishes to be reappointed to NAHAS when their terms expire next month. In response to a question, Mr. Ferri said the original board was nominated by the City Commission round robin and areas of representation were not considered. ITEM #7 - Board Member Monitoring Reports (:, POC (Pinellas Opportunity Council) PSS (Partners in Self Sufficiency) Member Moran reported on her visit with PSS Executive Director Sylvia Costello. The program is on target in using their funds from Clearwater. The program serves 76 clients. Most clients work or are enrolled in school. A special escrow account allows clients living in Section 8 housing to save toward a downpayment on housing. Last year, 5 clients became homeowners. Member Moran said the program is having a tremendous impact on the community. A new project will include a center to help clients obtain professional clothing. PSS found the City's reporting form a little confusing. Member Moran said the program works in tandem with welfare reform. CNHS (Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services) Member Moran reported she had visited with CNHS Executive Director Isay Gulley. CNHS indicated it had unspent funds due to "extenuating circumstances." In FY (fiscal year) 1995/96, CNHS' home.ownership program spent $213,378.94 of the $527,400 awarded, their rehab program spent $178,487.24 of the $291,548 awarded, and their economic development program spent $67,541.57 of the $129,904 awarded. This year, u mnah0397.doc 4 03/18/97 , '.... <:- ~'> T ,1 t , .. ' . , ~ CNHS' home-ownership program has spent $80,886 and encumbered $81,000 of the $521,329 awarded, their rehab program has spent $37,887.03 of the $288,089 awarded, , and their economic development program has spent $35,000 on two loans of the $80,000 awarded. Ms. Gulley indicated all funds will be committed by April 1997. In response to a question, Mr. Ferri said agreement has not been reached regarding a sales price for the 6.5 acre property in South Greenwood. In response to a concern, Mr. Ferri said CNHS has Excel software on at least one computer and is capable of providing timely reports. He said the City would not support the CNHS proposal to contract environmental studies privately. When City funds are used to purchase property, City departments handle required studies. The turnaround time for these studies is usually 2 weeks. He will report on a CNHS complaint that a report request submitted in November was not completed until February. It was suggested a draft be developed regarding issues of interest to board members that should be addressed when members make monitoring visits. ITEM #7 - Announcements a) Next Scheduled Regular Meeting The next meeting is scheduled at City Hall on April 1 5, 1997. ~'.. t:~' Lois Cormier expressed concern environmental damage will occur if plans go forward to construct a housing subdivision and day care center for 350 children in a South Greenwood wetlands area. Chair Hodges stated tickets are available for the April 1 8, 1997, NAACP Annual Freedom Fund Banquet at the Harborview Center. Chair Hodges invited signatories for a petition regarding public education. ITEM #9 - Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 11 :57 a.m. tl~~ :Z$?~~ air 1/ / Neighborhood & Affordable ousing Advisory Board o mnah0397.doc 5 03/18/97 ~.._~....-...~~,c . ~.r '. .l.-HL',1.. ',;, \..,' , .