06/16/1998 NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
June 16, 1998
Present: Howard Groth Vice-Chair
Mayme W. Hodges Board Member
William Turner, Sr. Board Member
Rev. William Graham Board Member
Alan J. Ferri Housing & Urban Development Director
Michael Holmes Housing & Urban Development Assistant Director
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
Absent: Mary Myhill Chair
Milly Joplin Board Member
Warren Hunt Board Member
Vacant Seat (2) Board Member
The Vice-Chair called the meeting to order at 10:08 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 Hodges moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 21, 1998, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded
and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Citizens to be Heard
Lois Cormier referred to City-owned property on Woodlawn Street purchased in 1997 for new housing. She expressed concern the abutting business uses the property without paying taxes
or rent. She said the property’s state of disrepair is an affront to her South Clearwater neighborhood. Housing & Urban Development Director Alan Ferri said the property owner was
advised the City will remove the barbed wire fence today. The CRT (Community Response Team) will act regarding all code infractions. According to the Charter, the City currently cannot
sell surplus property to a party of choice. Ms. Cormier complained the City has taken 18 months to address this situation. She expressed concern the City’s deed description differs
from the tax rolls. She said the Commission should have been advised of the Charter restrictions when they considered and approved the property’s purchase. Mr. Ferri said the City
purchased the property to improve home ownership opportunities for City residents. Vacant property is scarce. Ms. Cormier felt the property contributes to neighborhood blight. She
stated the CRT had apologized for not responding more quickly. She brought her complaint to NAHAB (Neighborhood & Affordable Housing Advisory Board) in recognition of the board’s powers
in deciding how in-fill funds are spent.
ITEM #4 - Agency Presentation - None.
ITEM #5 Subgrantee Monitoring Assignments - None.
ITEM #6 Old Business
a) Consolidated Plan Awards
In response to a concern, Mr. Ferri indicated some math errors had occurred on the draft copy regarding the tabulation of scores. He will double check their accuracy and forward copies
of the separate scores to the board members. The document is available for public comment. Copies will be sent to absentee members
b) Vacancy due to resignation of Shirley Moran, Provider of Affordable Housing
Mr. Ferri reported this week, the City Commission will appoint new board members to fill all current vacancies.
ITEM #7 New Business
Section 108 Public Hearing
Mr. Ferri requested the board schedule a public meeting for July 14, 1998, at 10:00 a.m., to receive a request from 2 agencies that wish to borrow funds under Section 108. The applicants
plan to construct day care facilities to meet the current shortage estimated at 500 spaces for children of the North and South Greenwood and Wood Valley communities. It was requested
Mr. Ferri forward a short description of the statute and other background information to members prior to the meeting.
Consensus was to schedule a public NAHAB meeting for July 14, 1998, at 10:00 a.m., at the City Commission Chambers.
ITEM #8 Announcements
a) Pending Vacancies - See Item #6b
ITEM #9 Next Regular Meeting
The meeting is scheduled for July 21, 1998, City Commission Chambers at 10:00 a.m.
Mr. Ferri reported a Vice-Chair will be elected at the July 21, 1998, meeting. According to current rules of procedure, the current Vice-Chair will be appointed Chair.
Residents were invited to attend a pancake breakfast at Mt. Olive AME Church on June 20, 1998.
ITEM #10 Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:41 a.m.