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10/13/2009 NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER October 13, 2009 Present: Kip Corriveau Chair Peggy M. Cutkomp Vice-Chair Laurel E. Braswell Board Member Donald F. Brackett Board Member William R. Griffiths Board Member Linda Kemp Board Member Absent: Lisa Hughes 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. 3 – Approval of Minutes – July 14, 2009 Member Kemp moved to approve the minutes of the regular Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Advisory Board meeting of July 14, 2009, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4 – Affordable Housing Disposition Policy Economic Development & Housing Director Geri Campos Lopez said after the legislature added the "Disposition of Municipal Property for Affordable Housing” to the Florida Statutes, the City Council established the 2008 Affordable Housing Inventory List. Housing staff reviewed the list’s 29 parcels and determined only two are appropriate for affordable housing: 1) 918 Palmetto (leased by Head Start for a playground) and 2) 1454 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue (1.4-acre parcel). The Inventory List will be amended to reflect this assessment. Ms. Lopez said in 2007, residents approved a City Charter amendment allowing the sale, for less than appraisal, or donation of City-owned parcels, ½ acre or less, for work force or affordable housing. The proposed Affordable Housing Disposition Policy would make available, with City Council approval, Inventory List properties to non profits and developers to construct affordable housing. The policy features a RFP (Request for Proposals) process, with restricted covenants requiring properties to retain their affordable status for up to 30 years. Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2009-10-13 1 5 – Presentation - Abilities Inc. of Florida New HUD 811 Housing Application Pat Driscoll, Occupancy Manager for Abilities Inc. of Florida, discussed Abilities’ program that provides housing for physically disabled persons with incomes of 50% or less AMI (Area Medium Income). The agency charges 30% of adjusted gross income for rent and has a landlord/tenant relationship with participants; referrals are made upon request. The program, designed for people to remain in control of their lives, is a nationwide model. Agency condominiums are not in age-restricted complexes. The agency’s five-year waiting list for housing was closed in February. Ms. Driscoll said the agency’s first purchase, in the early nineties, was six condominiums in Morningside. Abilities has applied to HUD (Housing & Urban Development) to fund the purchase of eight additional condominiums in Morningside. She discussed the funding source; competition for limited funds is significant. If awarded, Abilities requests an $86,000 grant from Clearwater to rehabilitate the units to be energy sufficient and for first-floor units to be handicapped accessible. In response to questions, Ms. Driscoll said 90% of program participants receive Social Security benefits. The program is not designed to house children with disabilities. 6 – Housing Loan Modifications – Fulton Apartments, Palmetto Park Apartments, and Country Club Homes Housing Manager Michael Holmes said Fulton Apartments, Palmetto Park Apartments, and the Country Club Homes project have been affected by the poor economy and have requested modifications to their housing loans to extend the deferment of payments an additional five years. Due to vacancies, the apartment complexes are unable to pay their lenders and the City at this time. Construction of the County Club Homes project has been delayed; the firm still plans to move forward once the economy improves. While the City could take ownership of the property if construction does not commence by December 31, 2009, staff continues to support the project to construct affordable housing. Staff feels that these projects are worthwhile and recommended approval of the loan modifications. Stringent requirements at Palmetto Park Apartments limit the number of qualified tenants and competing apartment complexes offer more amenities. CNHS (Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services) has a vested interest in the complex. Jerry Spilatro, of CSF (Community Services Foundation), said Fulton Apartments has always had a vacancy problem, even after rents were reduced. The agency pays property taxes on empty apartments and insurance costs have increased; the complex costs CSF $20,000 a year. Deficiencies include the complex’s location, small apartments, no amenities, and little storage. It was suggested that CSF contact Pinellas County regarding funding available to stabilize families. It was requested that staff provide the board with written explanations for similar requests in the future. Member Braswell moved to recommend approval of housing loan modifications as requested by Fulton Apartments, Palmetto Park Apartments, and the Country Club Homes project. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2009-10-13 2 7 - Old/New Business Citizens to be Heard Ed Quinous, of UNO, said his agency had not heard from the City regarding the status of its applications for Consolidated Action Plan funds. He said his organization is well qualified and had submitted good applications that followed grant guidelines for projects that would have saved the City money. He said the City's grant process is unfair, communicates poorly with applicants, and discriminates against Hispanics. He said his agency was treated poorly and requested that the process be investigated. Ms. Lopez reviewed the City's grant process and timetable; applications are ranked by a Technical Review Committee. City records indicate that grant information was emailed to all applicants, including UNO, and each step was advertised in the St. Petersburg Times. There is significant competition for limited funds. Staff will meet with Mr. Quinous to review the process and paperwork. Staff feels the process is fair and equitable. 8 - Next Meeting - November 10, 2009 9 - Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 9:52 a.m. Neighborhood & Affordable Housing Advisory Board Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2009-10-13 3