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07/14/1998 - Special NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD SPECIAL MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER July 14, 1998 Present: Mary Myhill Chair Howard Groth Vice-Chair Rev. William Graham Board Member Milly Joplin Board Member Mayme W. Hodges Board Member William Turner, Sr. Board Member - arrived 10:04 a.m. Warren Hunt Board Member Joyce L. Smith Board Member Peggy M. Cutkomp Board Member Alan J. Ferri Housing & Urban Development Director Michael Holmes Housing & Urban Development Assistant Director Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:00 A.M. at City Hall. ITEM #1 - Proposed Section 108 Projects Housing & Urban Development Director Alan Ferri reviewed rules pertaining to Section 108. A city, that identifies needs which cannot be met by annual CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds, can compete to borrow against future grants. Interest rates for 20-year construction loans are tied to the treasury rate plus a markup. According to Coordinated Child Care, the North Greenwood, South Greenwood, and Wood Valley communities have a shortage of more than 500 day-care slots. Due to welfare program changes, it is anticipated the shortage will increase to 800 slots on October 1, 1998. Non-profit agencies can obtain capital to cover operational costs but have insufficient funds and borrowing capability to acquire new facilities. In North and South Greenwood, approximately 1,200 families receive AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) benefits. Mr. Ferri recommended the government find resources to provide for these children. Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) will provide a 50% match for money borrowed under Section 108. In response to a question, Mr. Ferri said due to State mandated representation regulations, adding NAHAB members to the Brownfields board would have expanded that board’s size to more than 20. In addition to appointing industry representatives to NAHAB as required by the State, the Commission also appointed geographic representatives. Mr. Ferri expressed concern entitlement funding is to be reduced substantially. Under Section 108, the City can address important issues before funds are depleted. It was noted the problem cannot be solved prior to the October welfare deadline. Mr. Ferri said the City is not mandated to solve the problem. While several employers provide child day-care, most do not. Welfare-to-work parents most often are employed in minimum wage jobs with few or no benefits. The Federal government is aware of this problem. In response to a question, Mr. Ferri said JWB (Juvenile Welfare Board) statistics indicate the greatest shortage of slots in Clearwater is in the North and South Greenwood, and Wood Valley neighborhoods. On-site child day-care facilities at the new Wellington Apartments will serve complex residents only. Meeting local day-care needs will require the collaboration of staff, the industry, and non-profit agencies. As banks are responsible for community development lending and investment, it was suggested a partnership be developed with a bank. Mr. Ferri agreed developing a partnership with the private sector is important. The City has generated a public sector match for entitlement funding at a ratio of 1:8. He said community needs for home ownership, rehabilitation, etc., will not decline. In response to a concern, Mr. Ferri indicated Federal funds defray child-care costs for some low-income families. In response to a suggestion, Mr. Ferri said churches had been contacted to fill this need. County child day-care regulations are more stringent than the State’s. Martha Skelton, Executive Director of the Community Pride Child Care Center, said her organization has served North Greenwood for 40 years and South Greenwood since 1985. Most children are members of low-income families headed by single mothers. A child-care facility is required to meet minimum size, parking, and playground requirements. The agency is considering several buildings in Clearwater for renovation. This week, the agency will decide which property to pursue. She estimated a day-care facility that meet the needs of 87 infants and toddlers will cost $1-million, including land. The need for staff will provide local economic development opportunities. She said her organization cannot afford a bank’s required 20% down payment to qualify for a mortgage. Each classroom needs approximately $7,000 worth of equipment. Playground equipment costs are additional. Regulations provide for child safety and quality care. In response to a question, Mr. Ferri said CNHS property must be used for housing. It was recommended the School Board address the educational needs of young children and that lottery money be used for early childhood intervention. It was suggested right-to-life groups be approached to help with this issue. In response to a question, Ms. Skelton said the grant would cover construction and land purchase costs. Other grants for equipment shall be pursued. The agency’s budget can afford operational expenses plus a small mortgage payment. If half of the costs are covered by a Brownfields grant, mortgage payments would be affordable. In response to a question, she said Coordinated Child Care funds children to attend private centers, however, many private centers will not accept their funds. The government reimburses her organization at a rate of $4 - $60 weekly depending on the child’s age and family income. The United Way helps funds some slots. In response to a suggestion, Ms. Skelton indicated SPJC (St. Petersburg Junior College) works with a nearby church to provide child-care for students and educators. John Lowry, Head Start Executive Director, said his organization serves 1,326 children at 15 centers in Pinellas County. Head Start is proposing to construct a facility to serve 160 children. Federal funding for child care is restricted to 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Head Start has extended care hours slightly thanks to fundraising efforts. A pilot program will extend care to 12 hours. Head Start collaborates with Coordinated Child Care to review family eligibility. Mr. Lowry said Head Start could not purchase facilities until 1994. Currently, the agency serves children, age 3 through mandatory school age. Younger children require a higher ratio of care givers. Head Start requires 2 staff members to attend each classroom. Head Start uses church and community facilities as much as possible. Mr. Lowry said Head Start would use the loan to construct a facility that serves 160 children. The agency is challenged to build a facility large enough to meet minimum space requirements. Each classroom must have bathroom facilities, a washing sink, and nearby drinking fountain. Head Start is considering to lease City-owned land near Ross Norton Park for their site. Mr. Ferri noted in the Consolidated Plan, Head Start had been awarded $134,000 in CDBG funds to begin October 1, 1998. When school is out of session, plans are to raze and replace the current facility with modular buildings. In response to a question, Mr. Lowry said Head Start does not anticipate any shortfall in construction funds. He hoped by 2002, all County Head Start facilities will provide 12-hour-a-day child care. The project will serve Clearwater as Head Start places children in facilities as close to their homes as possible. Mr. Ferri said the Section 108 program will be presented to the City Commission. In response to a suggestion, he indicated Coordinated Child Care acts as the County’s child-care “czar.” This county-wide awareness group coordinates child-care services. Providers of early childhood education meet monthly along with representatives of some municipalities. It was recommended the press be made aware of this shortage. The difficulty and expense of caring for children younger than 3 was noted. It was recommended JWB establish a database to help meet the unmet needs of this large group of children. A county-wide referral telephone number for child-care related questions is available. Lois Cormier said this meeting had been advertised in the St. Petersburg Times. She supported the child-care providers’ plans. She said it is important for parents receiving welfare to receive training, noting their critical need for transportation. She said property purchased for housing should not be used for public facilities. She expressed environmental concerns regarding the proposed site near Ross Norton Park. As funding for nearby apartments has been approved, she felt the day-care center, apartments, a planned family center, and police substation will be too much for a small area. She said the Woodlawn Church of God had received a conditional use to operate a day-care center for up to 60 children. She felt the property is not large enough to care for that many children and traffic problems will result. She said an agenda for today’s meeting should have been published and information regarding the public hearing posted. In response to a question, Housing & Urban Development Assistant Director Mike Holmes said the City can borrow up to $5-million from this fund. Staff has recommended borrowing between $1.3- and $1.5-million. The City Commission will hold a hearing on this issue. ITEM #2 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 11:19 a.m.