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11/18/1997 NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER November 18, 1997 Present: Howard Groth Vice-Chair Rev. William Graham Board Member Milly Joplin Board Member Bertha Kelley Board Member Mayme W. Hodges Board Member Shirley Moran Board Member William Turner, Sr. Board Member Warren Hunt Board Member Alan J. Ferri Housing & Urban Development Director Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter Absent: Mary Myhill Chair The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #2 - Approval of the Minutes Member Graham moved to approve the minutes of the regular meetings of October 21, 1997, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 - Agency Presentations a) Community Response Team Police Lieutenant Jeff Kronschnabl said this fiscal year the CRT (Community Response Team) is on target to spend all allocated Consolidated Plan funds. Regarding goals, he said the CRT has exceeded expectations. Problem properties in the North and South Greenwood neighborhoods have been reduced from 800 to less than 300. The CRT is using alternative methods to address violations on the remaining properties. There has been an outstanding response to the new youth awareness program which encourages younger neighborhood residents to become active members of the community and accept responsibility for maintaining the quality of life. Another program teaching home maintenance skills is planned. The CRT recognizes the need for area economic development. Lt. Kronschnabl said property owners who refuse to repair code violations are scheduled for a hearing before the MCEB (Municipal Code Enforcement Board) which can fine the property owner, attach a lien to the property, and eventually, refer it for foreclosure. He noted the importance of maintaining a balance and not being too harsh. A large number of housing violations currently are before the MCEB. CRT staff is inspecting every property in the North and South Greenwood neighborhoods. New software will improve department efficiency. Next fiscal year, the CRT may be funded fully by the City and no longer require grant funding. He thanked the NAHAB (Neighborhood & Affordable Housing Advisory Board) members for their support. In response to a question, Lt. Kronschnabl said all allocated funds were not spent last year while positions remained unfilled. He expected no funds will remain at the end of this fiscal year. In response to a question, he said staff ask permission before entering a dwelling. Some discoveries have included exposed electrical plumbing, falling ceilings, gaping holes in walls, etc. Concern was expressed the City not act like a “Big Brother” and intrude on people’s rights. Lt. Kronschnabl said current code establishes minimum health and safety standards. The CRT does not enforce anything unimportant to the welfare of the residents or environment. Small problems tend to spread throughout the neighborhood. Based on observation, it was noted CRT staff have developed relationships with community members and are viewed as advisors, not regulators. Lt. Kronschnabl invited all NAHAB members to ride with CRT staff. He indicated some tenants have expressed fear if they complain to their landlord, they will be subject to eviction or rental increases. He indicated CRT staff refer property owners to low interest construction loans. b) Paint Your Heart Out Lt. Kronschnabl reported the age requirement for Paint Your Heart Out participants has been eliminated. Income limits, as established by HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Renewal), remain in place. Family members are encouraged to take responsibility for the house’s condition and assist in painting. Single parent families now qualify to participate. He noted a need for additional resources for the project. The major focus will be on North and South Greenwood. This year Wood Valley is being added. Paint Your Heart Out is scheduled for March 7, 1998, with a rain date of March 15, 1998. c) Community Services Foundation Jerry Spilatro, CSF (Community Services Foundation) Executive Director) said his organization reviews fair housing concerns and has purchased a site for 6 affordable rental units. All funding for the fair housing program was used. CSF exceeded by 5% their goal of 25 cases per month of residents who needed assistant with fair housing issues. CSF also met its goals to assist low income families. Mr. Spilatro reported CSF has provided 1,000 Pinellas County residents with financial assistance for utility bills. Approximately 1/3 of them live in Clearwater. In response to a question, he indicated minor expenses listed in CSF’s report cover such items as title updates, etc. He anticipated this fiscal year CSF will help more than 300 Clearwater residents with problems related to fair housing issues. Additional help will be provided regarding landlord eviction issues. He reported CSF raises more than half of their expenses through rental properties. CSF also has trained residents in mortgage and budgeting classes. A new one-year post purchase class is designed to help clients address problems after closing. CSF plans to develop a property were delayed until the mortgage and liens were addressed. CSF has applied for proper zoning and developed a site plan. The development will include a neighborhood family center with a police substation. In response to a question, Mr. Spilatro said CSF already had used up all funds allocated to help residents with utility payments. The agency receives between 30 and 40 requests a week for this type of assistance. That program is funded by Pinellas County, Pinellas Opportunity Council, and Salvation Army. ITEM #4 - Member Subgrantee Monitoring Reports a) Site Visit Questions Clearwater Department of Housing and Urban Development Director Alan Ferri reviewed suggested NAHAB member subgrantee monitoring visit questions: 1) How did you develop your goals for this program year?; 2) How do they relate to your agency’s mission?; 3) What problems are you encountering that affect your program?; 4) Are you meeting your goals this year?; 5) If not, why not?; 6) Do you believe you will be able to spend all the Consolidated Plan funds allocated to your agency for this fiscal year?; 7) What technical assistance would help you with your program; and 8) Who are your program partners? It was felt these questions would provide guidance for members who are welcome to also address other concerns. It was suggested members question how the agency developed their goals and to identify their program partners. Mr. Ferri suggested all site visits will have some continuity if all members at least ask these questions. It was recommended question #3 be rephrased to elicit a more positive response. Mr. Ferri noted only one board member has reported on site visits. All board members must complete their site visits by February when the notice of funding available will be released. He said contacting agencies after that date may violate the Sunshine Law. In response to a question, he noted most programs are ongoing and were funded previously by the Consolidated Plan. ITEM #5 - Subgrantee Reports The subgrantee reports were distributed and will be agendaed for discussion at the December 16, 1997, meeting. ITEM #6 - Old Business - None. ITEM #7 - New Business a) Evaluation Form Changes - to be discussed at December meeting. ITEM #8 - Announcements a) Next Scheduled Regular Meeting The next meeting is scheduled on December 16, 1997. No meeting is scheduled for January 1998. The February 1998 meeting will be held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center at 7:00 p.m. The March 1998 meeting will be scheduled at Ross Norton Park in the evening. ITEM #9 - Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 10:38 a.m.