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NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
May 9,2006
Present: Lisa Hughes
Donald Brackett
Laurel Braswell
John Sabatier
Peggy M. Cutkomp
Josephine Carbone
Chair
Vice-Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member - arrived 9:03 a.m.
Absent: Doug Booher
Board Member
Also Present: Howie Carroll
Michael Holmes
Brenda Moses
Assistant Director of Housing
Housing Manager
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 - February 14. 2006 & April 11. 2006
Member Brackett moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 14
as corrected: page 2, Item 5, paragraph 3 to read "... the subrecipient application be clarified."
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Member Cutkomp moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 11,
2006, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
4 - Action Item - FY06-07 Consolidated Action Plan - Recommended Allocations
Assistant Director of Housing Howie Carroll reviewed recommended allocations for the
FY (Fiscal Year) 2006/07 Consolidated Action Plan. The City received 34 applications. Based
on TAC (Technical Review Committee) rankings, it was recommended that the top two public
service applicant agencies receive 60% of requested funding, the next two receive 50%, and the
remaining applicant agencies receive 40%, until the Public Service allocation is exhausted.
This year's public services allocation is $145,421,15% of the CDBG (Community
Development Block Grant). The City has earmarked a total of $165,421 for Public Services,
which is an additional $20,000, to include funding for the Willa Carson Health Resource Center,
a community-based development organization operating in a neighborhood revitalization
strategy area. The City wants to fund as many public facilities organizations as possible, and
has applied the same 60:50:40 split this year. Unused funds will be reprogrammed for City-
sponsored projects, such as infrastructure in the gateway, other public facilities, housing rehab,
or other block grant projects. Demolition and relocation projects are listed under "other." Fair
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Housing agency recipients, funded by CDBG administrative funds, will receive 50% of
requested funding.
In the Housing pool, $75,000 or approximately 7% of SHIP (State Housing Initiatives
Partnership) funds, are in the education pool. Once those funds expire, there will be no
additional ones. This year's allocation includes the Foreclosure Prevention Program and Rental
Deposit and Eviction Protection Program. The City will receive no additional State SHIP funds
this year. Statewide, SHIP is funded at $243 million. The $500 million remaining in the State
and Local Housing Trust Fund was not folded into the State's General Revenue Fund this
legislative session. It is possible that the 2007 State Legislature could increase affordable
housing appropriations by appropriating the $500 million, plus whatever other funds are
available. There could be as much as $1 billion available next year for affordable housing.
Funds are available for homeless emergency infill housing. Funds from the HOME program
include dollars for CHDO (Community Housing Development Organization).
Housing Manager Michael Holmes thanked T AC for their efforts. The point spread in
ranking Public Service applicants was very close. Subrecipients do a great job in meeting
application objectives.
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To improve applicant rankings and scores, it was recommended that public facility
project applications: 1) describe agency program and objectives, not just project objectives; 2)
submit a descriptive of what the project supports - the more details regarding program
capabilities, the better; 3) provide specific information regarding agency history; 4) provide
details of financial and administrative capabilities; 5) list agency licenses (include explanation if
agency not licensed); 6) include copies of agency licenses, marketing materials, etc.; and 7)
submit agency staff resumes. Extra points are awarded if staff is bilingual.
Howard Latham thanked NAHAB (Neighborhood & Affordable Housing Advisory Board)
for its efforts.
Member Brackett moved to recommend approval of the FY 2006/07 Consolidated Action
Plan - Recommended Allocations. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Mr. Carroll said the plan's text portion soon will be available for public comment and will
come back to NAHAB and the City Council. Final allocation agreements will be in place by
October 1, 2006.
5 - Affordable Housina Discussion
Council feedback was requested regarding NAHAB's letter regarding affordable housing
issues. Concern was expressed that the City had missed its opportunity to create an affordable
housing trust/pool, or inclusionary zone, and have it funded by luxury beach developments. It
was felt that NAHAB should be proactive on affordable housing issues. It was noted that Florida
recently had adopted a workforce housing bill for public service employees. A member offered
to draft a letter to the City Council outlining NAHAB recommendations regarding affordable
housing.
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Mr. Carroll reported the City, County, and City of St. Petersburg are funding an
affordable housing nexus study that will provide an overview of Clearwater' affordable housing
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inventory and needs, include information necessary to develop a possible inclusionary zoning
ordinance, and, when completed, will be presented to the City Council and NAHAB. Should the
County fund their recently created Housing Trust Fund, the City would be a beneficiary. As the
County is proactive regarding affordable housing issues, many local municipalities are waiting to
review the results of County efforts. A countywide dialog regarding affordable housing issues is
necessary. Restraints in the regulatory process also need to be considered. Many cities are
challenged with affordable housing issues.
In response to a question, Mr. Carroll will report on where homeless individuals go after
leaving shelters. In the last five years, 12,200 rental units in Pinellas County have been lost due
to condominium conversions. The current rental unit occupancy rate of 98% has fueled rent
hikes. In 2005, no rental building construction permits were issued inthe County. Concern was
expressed that some landlords raise rents without improving properties. Investors are
purchasing many affordable housing units. Mr. Carroll said the City strictly enforces the Code
and, if necessary, will place liens on properties that violate Code. City-owned land cannot be
given to nonprofit organizations. The City is working to develop incentives for the construction
of affordable housing. It was remarked that due to the cost of land, construction, architectural
design, etc., builders cannot produce affordable housing units without City subsidies.
Concerns were expressed that high-rise luxury condominiums are replacing marinas and
waterfronts, pedestrians can no longer see the beach, property taxes have increased, when
they should have decreased, and that increases to land and property values affect affordability
for all. Mr. Carroll said affordable housing is a City priority and will continue to be an issue as
Clearwater is built-out. The City has an excellent rehabilitation program to help homeowners
remain in their homes. The City also is considering an Aging in Place Program for seniors.
After its completion in July, staff will share with NAHAB this year's Governor's Affordable
Housing Study Commission report on the preservation of affordable housing. Staff will continue
to research new tools to address affordable housing issues.
6 - New/Old Business
Mr. Holmes said staff hopes to provide to NAHAB at the next meeting, a draft of their
analysis of fair housing impediments, as part of the Consolidated Plan process.
7 -Next Meetina - Julv 9. 2006
The next NAHAB meeting is scheduled for July 11, 2006.
8 - Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:55 a.m.
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ordable Housing
Chair, Neighborhood
Advisory Board
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