07/11/2023 Neighborhood and Affordable Meeting Minutes July 11, 2023
Housing Advisory Board
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
e
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
9:00 AM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Advisory
Board
Page 1
City of Clearwater
Neighborhood and Affordable Meeting Minutes July 11, 2023
Housing Advisory Board
Roll Call
Present 5 - Chair Kevin Chinault, Vice Chair Robyn Fiel, Board Member Gaby
Camacho, Board Member Carmen Santiago, and Board Member
Linda Byars
Absent 2 - Board Member Camille Hebting, and Board Member Lindsay
Dicus-Harrison
Also Present— Denise Sanderson — Economic Development & Housing Director and
Nicole Sprague — Deputy City Clerk
1. Call To Order
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the May 9, 2023, NAHAB Meeting Minutes.
Member Fiel moved to approve the minutes of the May 9, 2023
Neighborhood Affordable Housing Advisory Board meeting as
submitted in written summation. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
3. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the Agenda
Beth Davis said she hopes future meetings will include updates on past
reports, for example how many rehabilitation loans were approved th
previous month and project statuses. She said it is budget planning time and
it would be nice to know how money is being spent in the current year for
affordable housing initiatives.
Muhammad Abdur-Rahim thanked the Board for representing the citizens of
Clearwater. He said it is important for the Board to hear what residents are
saying and he is looking forward to the Affordable Housing Dashboard to
see where money is being spent on housing.
George Davis urged the Board to address affordable housing with more
energy and have it as the number one priority. He said the city has vacant
property to place affordable housing units on and can create developer
incentives to build affordable housing units. He said there are 120 working
families currently living in their car.
4. New Business Items
4.1 Recommend City Council Approval of the FY 2023/2024 Annual Action Plan.
Economic Development and Housing Director Denise Sanderson reviewed
the Annual Action Plan. The 2023-24 Annual Action Plan is the fourth year
of the five year Consolidated Plan that is required by HUD. She said today's
Page 1
City of Clearwater
Neighborhood and Affordable Meeting Minutes July 11, 2023
Housing Advisory Board
presentation is one of two required public hearings. The Consolidated Plan is
the fund allocation framework and goals are set based on the data collected
at the beginning of the Consolidated Plan process. National objectives need
to be addressed and funds are allocated annually based on the needs and
goals identified in the Consolidated Plan.
In response to questions, Ms. Sanderson said the Annual Action Plan is
posted on the City's website. She said the affordable housing inventory list in
the report refers to City and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)
owned property. Most of the properties have already been donated for
affordable housing. She said there is property on Grant St. that is
surrounded by properties owned by Tampa Bay Neighborhood Housing
Services that will likely be pursued for a multi-family development. The
affordable housing inventory list is under review and updates will be made to
it. The Live Local Act has components that will allow affordable housing in
non-residentially zoned areas. She said an updated report can be provided
to the Board regarding programs and projects that are recommended in the
Consolidated Plan. She said it would be helpful for the Board and the public
to know the status and any issues regarding the programs and projects.
A comment was made that the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
should discuss incentives that could be provided to contractors who are not
willing to take on challenging projects.
One individual asked for comparison information regarding what was spent
last year versus this year. She said one of the agencies did not receive
funds to repair their building facade and asked if the agency could request
funds from another bucket.
Ms. Sanderson said the comparison information is available online. She
said there is a facade improvement grant that is available. There is a CDBG
facade loan to grant program that is available as well. The loan balance
reduces 20% every year for five years until it is fully converted to a grant. If
the entity goes out of business or leaves the community, an amortized
amount is owed.
One individual complimented the Board on requesting regular reports.
One individual thanked the Board for being engaged and said it was an
exciting meeting, the public wants to see an engaged board.
Member Santiago moved to recommend approval of the FY2023/2024
Annual Action Plan dated June 11, 2023. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
Page 1
City of Clearwater
Neighborhood and Affordable
Housing Advisory Board
5. Director's Report
Meeting Minutes July 11, 2023
Ms. Sanderson welcomed Linda Byars to the Board. She said she intended
to provide information on the key provisions of the Live Local Act which went
into effect July 1, 2023 at this meeting. Planning and Development are still
working through how certain provisions involving land use and development
are implemented and she hopes to provide the information at the August
meeting. She said the Board will recommend Council approval to seat the
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) at the August meeting as
well. The AHAC will convene on September 12, 2023 and a representative
from Wade Trim will lead the review of the Local Housing Incentive
Strategies. She said she will bring a recommendation to the Board at the
August meeting for a $1,763,000 loan using HOME funds for the project at
306 S. Washington Ave. The CRA Executive Director will be at the August
meeting to discuss how the CRA, partnered with Economic Development
and the County, will work together to achieve mutual goals related to
housing, community and economic development.
In response to a question, Ms. Sanderson said the affordable housing
dashboard is not live yet. It is near completion and will reflect current year
activity. She said e -comments were turned on for this meeting to help
engage the public.
6. Board Members to be Heard
7. Adjourn
Attest:
AtUfAogz
Board Reporter
City of Clearwater
The meeting adjourned at 9:55 a.m.
Chair
Neighborhood & Affordable Housing Advisory Board
Page 1