11/28/2006 - Last MeetingENTERPRISE ZONE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 28, 2006
Present: Isay Gulley Vice-Chair
Bob Fernandez Board Member
P. Brian Schuh Board Member
Kristin Dailey Board Member
Scott Chinchar Board Member
Absent: Bob Kinney Chair
Ralph A. Emmanuelli Board Member
Capt. Anthony Holloway Board Member/Police Department
Rick DeBord Board Member/Community Response Team
Also Present: Leslie Dougall-Sides Assistant City Attorney
Diane Hufford Economic Development Coordinator
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. at City Hall, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
3 – Memory of Rick Rosa
A moment of silence was held in memory of former Board Member Rick Rosa.
4 - Action Items
a) Approval of Minutes – February 28, 2006
Member Fernandez moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 28, 2006, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
b) New Members, Scott Chinchar, Rick DeBord and reappointment of Alex Emmanuelli.
Economic Development Coordinator Diane Hufford introduced new members.
5 - Staff Comments
Ms. Hufford said many projects in the Enterprise Zone Development Area are under construction or in the permitting stage. The Opus project may be the first of these to apply for a
materials credit.
6 – Affordable Housing
Housing Manager Michael Holmes discussed City efforts to help residents purchase and rehabilitate houses and reviewed funding sources. Most City projects benefit low to moderate income
families. The greatest challenge is finding affordable housing for families with annual incomes of $16,000 and below. The draft of the county’s nexus study, which will provide a Countywide
review of needs, will be completed in January 2007.
Mr. Holmes reviewed City programs that help with rehabilitation and closing costs, provide down payment assistance, education, and counseling, and one-time help to avoid eviction.
No current program provides assistance for tax and insurance costs. Staff is working on ways to address higher housing costs.
In response to a question, Member Gulley reported that four of eight new affordable housing units, constructed by CNHS (Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services), have been sold. She
reviewed CNHS efforts to construct more than 260 units in the North and South Greenwood neighborhoods. Warrick Dunn’s Home for the Holidays program is sponsoring a new homeowner this
week with closing cost assistance, furniture, window treatments, food, linens, etc.
Economic Development & Housing Director Geri Campos said funding amounts continue to decrease while construction and land costs rise. The City’s Enterprise Zone was significantly reduced
in size. Staff is looking at incentives and working to combine programs. It was recommended that NAHAB members contact representatives in Tallahassee and the Governor-elect to strongly
advocate for housing initiatives and dedicated funding sources for affordable housing. Mr. Holmes said a Community Land Trust is under consideration. It was suggested that a portion
of development fees be earmarked for affordable housing. Ms. Campos said that increasing funds from the Sadowski Act State and Local Housing Trust Fund tops the City’s legislative agenda.
She said outside letters of support would be helpful.
In response to a question, Ms. Campos reviewed City efforts to clean up the Clearwater Automotive site. Once the clean up is complete, the City will issue a RFP (Request for Proposals)
for mixed-use development, to include work force housing. The CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) owns the site, which is outside the Enterprise Zone.
Ms. Campos provided an update of downtown projects.
7 - Public comment – None.
The next meeting is scheduled for May 8, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. in Room 222 at City Hall .
8 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m.
_______________________________
Chair
Enterprise Zone Development Agency Board
Attest:
___________________________________
Board Reporter