12/09/2014 NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
December 9, 2014
Present: Chair Linda Kemp, Vice Chair Michael Potts, Board Member Peggy M. Cutkomp,
Board Member Vicki Adelson, Board Member Vacant Seat
Absent: Board Member Kristin Dailey, Board Member Lisa Hughes,
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 9:24 a.m. at City Hall.
3 —Approval of Minutes
3.1. Approve the minutes of the Sept 9, 2014 Neighborhood and Affordable Housing
Advisory Board meeting as submitted in written summation
Member Potts moved to approve Item 3.1. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
4 - Citizens to be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda: None.
5— Bright Community Trust Update
Housing Manager Michael Holmes said BCT (Bright Communities Trust) was scheduled to
address the Board today. The nonprofit uses land trusts to facilitate affordable housing in the
County. The City provided $295,000 to BCT for its plan to acquire, renovate, and sell 3 houses
in Clearwater to buyers with 80% AMI (Area Medium Income).
Mr. Holmes said due to an uptick in the market, BCT could only acquire 2 houses. On
December 5, 2014, BCT purchased the first one, a single-family house at 2034 N. Keene Road.
Costs to purchase, rehabilitate, and sell the house are $157,571. BCT will retain the land.
Without the land, the house will be affordable and cannot sell for more than $136,000. Financing
for the sale will go through the City, which could provide a new owner up to $14,000 for a down
payment. It is hoped a buyer will be in the house within 6 months and that the house will remain
affordable. In the future, the new owner will have to sell the house to another low income buyer.
6 — FY 2014 State of Florida SAIL Program
Florida's SAIL (State Apartment Incentive Loan) program stimulates production of affordable
multifamily rental housing through low-interest first, second, or subordinate mortgage loans to
developers who build or rehabilitate rental properties. SAILs generally are limited to 25% or less
of total development costs and must be used in conjunction with bonds and housing credits.
Mr. Holmes said documentary stamp taxes fund SAIL and SHIP (State Housing Initiatives
Partnership) programs. A SAIL was awarded to Peter Leach's $14 million, 76-unit Garden Trail
Apartments project that will serve families. Mr. Leach has submitted the site plans and is
working with the State for bond funding credits. He owns the project site at Garden Avenue and
Eldridge Street in the North Greenwood Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area. The City
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committed $75,000 to make the project competitive; the source of these funds will be HOME,
SHIP, or earmarked through the Pinellas County Trust Fund. Construction should begin in
March 2015. After completion, the State will monitor the complex to verify that 20% of units are
set aside for very-low-income households.
Board Members spoke in support of the project and were glad the process had worked.
Member Adelson moved to recommend approval of the City's $75,000 commitment to the
Garden Trail Apartments project. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
7 - FY 2014 Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program
Exhibit: FY 2014 Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program 2014-12-16
Exhibit: FY 2014 Low Income Housing Tax Credit Rankings 2014-12-16
Exhibit: FY 2014 Low Income Housing Tax Credit Map 2014-12-16
Exhibit: FY 2014 Low Income Housing Tax Credit Funding Recommendation
Mr. Holmes reviewed the staff report. Staff recommended that the City approve a commitment
to the Reserve at Woodlawn's LIHTC (Low-Income Housing Tax Credit) project by setting aside
$75,000 from General Fund Reserves. The project will provide rental housing for seniors.
Economic Development& Housing Director Geri Campos Lopez said committing housing funds
to the program could tie up the money for years; it needs to remain accessible for other housing
opportunities. If the application is approved, available housing funds will be used.
Member Cutkomp moved to recommend approval of a $75,000 commitment from City General
Reserves for the Reserve at Woodlawn's LIHTC project. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
8 - FY 2013-2014 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report
EXHIBIT: FY 2013/14 CAPER 2014-12-16
EXHIBIT: FY 2013/14 CAPER PowerPoint 2014-12-16
Mr. Holmes reviewed the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER).
Member Adelson moved to recommend approval of the CAPER. The motion was duly seconded
and carried unanimously.
9 —Old/New Business
ULI (Urban Land Institute) 2014 Advisory Services Panel Report
Ms. Lopez said the ULI (Urban Land Institute) 2014 Advisory Services Panel Report noted
development opportunities in the Old Bay District and recommended positioning Clearwater as
a boating destination by connecting Seminole Boat Ramp, Downtown Boat Slips, and
Clearwater Beach Marina. Report strategies included improving downtown's housing stock and
targeting East Gateway for improvements.
Former Countryside Executive Golf Course
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In response to a question, Ms. Lopez said remediation work was underway at the former golf
course. Redevelopment of the site must comply with medium density residential zoning
requirements. She did not anticipate construction would begin soon.
Prospect Lake Property
Ms. Lopez said financing had closed for the Prospect Lake property; demo and grading permits
were issued. Board members will be sent invitations to the January groundbreaking for the 257 -
unit market -rate apartment project.
Support was expressed for the project as it will attract high- earning young professionals.
It was suggested that property on Missouri Avenue south of the Crum complex would be an
ideal location for City Hall. Upgrades to a 1925 home south of the Airpark were complimented.
10 — Next Meeting - January 13, 2015 @ 9:00
11 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 10:12 a.m.
Chair, Neighborhood & Affordab
Housing Advisory Board
Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2014 -12 -09 3