09/11/2012
NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
September 11, 2012
Present: Peggy M. Cutkomp Chair
Laurel E. Braswell Vice-Chair
Lisa Hughes Board Member
Kip Corriveau Board Member
Michael Potts Board Member
Vacant Seat Board Member
Absent: Linda Kemp Board Member
Also Present: Geri Campos Lopez Economic Development & Housing 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 10, 2012
Member Corriveau moved to approve the minutes of the regular Neighborhood and
Affordable Housing Advisory Board meeting of July 10, 2012, as recorded and submitted in
written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
4 - Norton Apartments Renovation Project
Housing Manager Michael Holmes reviewed progress on the $1.95 million project to
rehabilitate 48 rental units at Norton Apartments on S. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. The City
provided $550,000 in NSP2 (Neighborhood Stabilization Program) funds and has been
requested to provide an additional $304,466. Floor trusses will be repaired and roofs, cabinetry,
kitchen lighting, hot water heaters, and ceiling fans will be replaced.
Economic Development & Housing Director Geri Campos Lopez said staff will determine
per unit rehab costs. The project preserves existing housing stock. These are not public
housing units but serve low- to very low-income residents.
Concern was expressed that mold mitigation likely occurred while units were vacant and
it was recommended that the complex be checked for mold, which sometimes is difficult to
detect and can make people sick.
5 - Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program
Mr. Holmes said the State is releasing applications for the Low Income Housing Tax
Credit Program; applications will be due by January 23, 2013 and final scores will be available
Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2012-09-11 1
on May 23, 2013. Due to dramatic cuts in funding received by the City, Economic Development
cannot provide support for this program; each development requires a minimum $100,000
commitment from the City. Ms. Lopez said development of family housing in Clearwater is
needed and would score well. She said the City would have to commit General Fund dollars to
participate. Program regulations are being drafted.
Member Corriveau moved that NAHAB (Neighborhood & Affordable Housing Advisory
Board) recommends that the City Council commit at least $100,000 from the General Fund to
the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program to encourage submission of affordable family
housing development applications. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
6 - Housing Projects Status Updates
Prospect Tower, Inc.
Sunset Point Apartments – Boley Centers, Inc
Pinellas County Habitat for Humanity, Inc. – Stevens Creek and CHDO Project
Country Club Townhomes
Homeless Emergency Project, Inc. – Veterans Project
Mr. Holmes said the City had closed on its 30-year rehabilitation loan to Prospect Tower
to modify some kitchens and replace elevators, hot water heaters, and air-conditioning. Work
should be completed in 6 months. In response to a recommendation that these types of
projects should be value engineered to make certain the City receives the best value for its
investment, Mr. Holmes reviewed project analysis done by Honeywell.
The City is working with Boley Centers on the Sunset Point Apartment project for
disabled veterans. Mr. Holmes hoped HUD (Housing & Urban Development) Department would
expedite its funding for this project as one-half of the City’s allocation of NSP3 funds must be
spent by March 2013. The project is in the permitting stage.
Ron Spoor, of Habitat for Humanity and Pinellas County Habitat for Humanity and
CHDO (Community Housing Development Organization) said 20 homes have been constructed
at Stevens Creek and discussed future construction plans. The owner of a recently dedicated
home is a former HEP (Homeless Emergency Project) resident. Habitat for Humanity is actively
searching for a location for a new subdivision. He thanked the City for allocating CHIP
(Clearwater Homeless Intervention Project) funds to the CHDO to construct two homes at
Stevens Creek.
Consensus was for NAHAB to tour the Stevens Creek development after the October
meeting.
Mr. Holmes said none of the five completed housing units at the Country Club
Townhomes development has been sold. Barriers include its location close to Drew Street.
The City proposes to use NSP3 grant money to fund construction of an additional 4 units,
beginning in January 2013. An additional 2 units maybe built later with NSP3 funds. When
completed, the community will have 31 units. Ms. Lopez has met with the developer and Real
Estate Broker regarding expanding the marketing effort. She said the development, which has
specific income restrictions, needs more exposure and requested suggestions on marketing
strategies.
Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2012-09-11 2
The HEP Veterans Project is almost complete. Staff will email board members with
information on the open house.
7 —Old/New Business
It was recommended that more field trips be scheduled to provide board members the
opportunity to view affordable housing developments.
Ms. Lopez requested recommendations for the vacant board position for an Employer's
Representative.
8— Next Meeting—October 9, 2012
Presentation on homeless issues
Pinellas County Housing Authority presentation
Review Board Rules and Regulations.
Tour Stevens Creek Open House
Future Meeting —Clearwater Housing Authority Presentation
9 -Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 9:51 a.m. followed by a tour of the Country Club Townhomes
Open House.
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Chair, Off ood &Affordable—
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Neighborhood &Affordable Housing 2012-09-11 3