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05/12/2009 NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER May 12, 2009 Present: Donald F. Brackett Chair Kip Corriveau Vice-Chair Peggy M. Cutkomp Board Member Laurel E. Braswell Board Member Lisa Hughes Board Member William R. Griffiths Board Member Linda Kemp Board Member Also Present: Geri Campos Lopez Economic Development & Housing Director Jim Donnelly Economic Dev & Housing Assistant Director 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. 2 - NAHAB Ordinance Changes – Michael Holmes Housing Manager Michael Holmes said the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee had completed its work for FY (Fiscal Year) 2008. The City Council adopted an ordinance that reduced the size of the Neighborhood & Affordable Housing Advisory Board. 3 - Introductions 4 - Appoint Chair Member Hughes moved to appoint Kip Corriveau as Chair. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 5 – Appoint Vice Chair Member Hughes moved to appoint Peggy Cutkomp as Vice-Chair. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 6 - Service Award Presentation A plaque was presented to Josephine Carbone in recognition of her years of service to the Neighborhood & Affordable Housing Advisory Board. 7 – Approval of Minutes – March 10, 2009 Member Cutkomp moved to approve the minutes of the regular Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Advisory Board meeting of March 10, 2009, as recorded and submitted in Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2009-05-12 1 written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 8 - FY 2009-2012 LHAP – James Donnelly, Assistant Director Assistant Economic Development & Housing Director Jim Donnelly reported that the City Council had approved the FY 2009-12 LHAP (Local Housing Assistance Plans). The plans, which are posted on the City’s website, continue previous efforts and strategies. This year, the State legislature decreased SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) funding by 85%; the City’s ability to provide down payment and rehabilitation assistance will be significantly reduced. Economic Development & Housing Director Geri Campos Lopez reviewed efforts to lift the cap on the Sadowski Trust Fund. She encouraged citizens to contact the legislature regarding the need for affordable housing and how restrictions on the trust fund affect Florida. Mr. Donnelly said this issue will be revisited during the 2010 legislative session. He reviewed this year’s restoration of some SHIP funding. Member Hughes moved to recommend approval of the FY 2009-12 LHAP. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. It was suggested that decreased housing costs would enhance the City’s ability to provide housing assistance. In response to a question, Mr. Holmes said housing education would continue. 9 - FY 2009/10 Consolidated Action Plan Application Agency Recommendations Mr. Holmes reviewed the process, limits, and public comment requirements for FY 2009/10 Consolidated Action Plan applicant funding. This year’s applications were greatly improved. Since Willa Carson and Homeless Emergency Project were funded with Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy funds, those agency allocations did not count against the Public Services cap. Fair Housing was funded from the Public Services allocation. Technical Review Committee’s FY 2009/10 Consolidated Action Plan applicant funding recommendations total $2,445,432: 1) Public Services: a) Pinellas Opportunity Council - $30,000; b) Willa Carson Health Resource Center - $25,000; c) Family Service Centers - $20,829.20; d) Clearwater Homeless Intervention Project, Inc. - $30,000;d) Pinellas Core Management Services, Inc. (Hispanic Outreach Center) - $16,802.80; e) Homeless Emergency Project - $20,000; and f) Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services - $7,000; 2) Fair Housing: a) Gulf Coast Legal Services - $19,983.60 and b) Community Services Foundation - $10,000; 3) Public Facility and Improvements: a) Religious Community Services Food Bank - $45,710 and b) Homeless Emergency Project - $150,000; 4) Housing Pool - Rehab - $1,473,926.40; 5) General Program Administration - $332,827; 6) Program Delivery: a) Rehab - $140,000; b) Infill - $25,000; and c) Economic Development - $10,000; and 7) Community Development HSO ORG - $88,353.. Mr. Holmes said following public comment, the funding document will be presented in June to NAHAB (Neighborhood & Affordable Housing Advisory Board) for review and in July to the City Council for approval before it is submitted to HUD (Housing & Urban Development). Ms. Lopez said staff is aware of Pinellas Core Management Services, Inc. problems and is Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2009-05-12 2 working with the Legal Department on that issue. While the Hispanic Outreach Center is filing for non-profit status, Pinellas Core Management Services, Inc. had submitted the funding application on their behalf. Based on HUD rules, should Pinellas Core Management Services, Inc. cease to exist, the next highest scoring agency would receive the funds now allocated to the Hispanic Outreach Center. These funds cannot be awarded to a government agency, such as JWB (Juvenile Welfare Board). Jerry Spilatro, of CSF (Community Services Foundation), expressed concern that Fair Housing funds were now limited by the Public Services funding cap. Mr. Holmes said Fair Housing previously was funded under Administration. Mr. Spilatro requested an additional $4,000 for the CSF renters program which otherwise may be cancelled or substantially curtailed at a time when renter problems increase. Member Griffiths moved to recommend approval of the FY 2009/10 Consolidated Action Plan application agency recommendations, as presented. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 10 - Old/New Business Economic Stimulus CDBG-R 2009 Mr. Donnelly announced that the City would receive $251,549 in CDBG-R (Community Development Block Grant-Recovery) funding from the economic stimulus package. A seven- day comment period is required. Ms. Lopez said the award must be tied to jobs and infrastructure and cannot be used for down payment assistance. Staff has not yet determined how the funds will be used. 11 - Citizens to be Heard Jerry Spilatro, of CSF, thanked NAHAB for their efforts and reported this year's HOPE Expo is on June 13, 2009. Jonathan Wade, of Spiritual Change, said his organization was not recommended for funding but will continue to provide job services on a voluntary basis. He requested approximately $60,000 of CDBG-R funds to rehabilitate three housing units for low income residents who were recently released from prison and need housing, and counseling to obtain work. 12 - Next Meeting - June 9, 2009 13 - Adjourn ing adjourned at 9:34 a.m. e ortiood & Affordable Advisory Board Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2009-05-12 3