11/17/1998 NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 17, 1998
Present: Howard Groth Chair
William Turner, Sr. Vice-Chair
Rev. William Graham Board Member
Milly Joplin Board Member
Mary Myhill Board Member
Mayme W. Hodges Board Member
Warren Hunt Board Member
Peggy M. Cutkomp Board Member
Joyce L. Smith Board Member
Also Present: 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.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #1 - Approval of the Minutes
Attention to recommendations referenced in the July 14, 1998, minutes was made. An update, to be mailed to members, was requested on steps taken to address these issues: 1) page 2,
paragraph 4, “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.” and 2) pages 2 and 3 regarding the consequential shortage of child care facilities for low income families.
It was suggested staff contact the Pinellas County School Board regarding the importance of school board support for early child education. It was recommended board members participate
in this project and actively support these issues. It was noted the Juvenile Welfare Board has a great deal of relevant information on file. It was stated the media must be apprised
of the urgent need for child care. Attracting media attention to the issue is important.
Member Hodges moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of October 20, 1998, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
ITEM #2 - Citizens to be Heard - None.
ITEM #3 - Agency Presentation
It was noted funded agencies had not yet had the opportunity to demonstrate performance or fund usage. At least 3 months are needed to formulate this information. It was suggested
no more than 3 agencies report per meeting with reports limited to 5 minutes each
for repeating agencies. It was suggested presentations include information on performance, a current report on grant spending, and, if applicable, an explanation of shortfalls related
to last year’s goals.
In response to concerns that CNHS (Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services) fails to respond to its board members’ requests for information, it was suggested those boards may have lost
their effectiveness and need to address that issue. Concern was expressed CNHS’ failure to meet goals related to the construction of in-fill housing in North Greenwood harms the neighborhood
and its residents. Copies of relative board minutes was requested. It was requested Habitat for Humanity also address last year’s goals. Housing & Urban Development Assistant Director
Mike Holmes said he will request agencies report on last year’s performance and answer the 8 subgrantee monitoring questions developed by board members. It was suggested as CNHS always
rates well in the rating system used to determine the granting of CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds and consistently fails to meet its goals, the board may need to rethink
the current evaluation system. It was noted the TRC (Technical Review Committee) rates CNHS poorly.
ITEM #4 Subgrantee Monitoring Assignments
Member Cutkomp reviewed the Fair Housing program offered by CSF, Community Services Foundation to address landlord/tenant rights. The agency, which served 347 families last year, receives
only 20% of its operating budget from the City. CSF Executive Director Jerry Spilatro indicated the groundbreaking for the new family services center/police substation is being planned.
Subrecipient monitoring assignments were reviewed.
ITEM #5 Clearwater Brownfields Program Presentation - Continued to January 1999
The board was requested to nominate members for Brownfields committee positions. Mr. Homes said the RFP (Request for Proposals) to develop a plan for North Greenwood redevelopment
will be issued in January. Neighborhood input is invaluable and is being requested. In reference to blighted properties, it was recommended Police Chief Klein be contacted regarding
safety concerns. Mr. Holmes said a North Greenwood meeting is scheduled for November 19, 1998, to discuss facade improvement and other neighborhood improvement suggestions.
ITEM #6 Mid-Year Performance Review Discussion (see Item #3)
ITEM #7 Old Business - None.
ITEM #8 New Business - None.
ITEM #9 Announcements - None.
ITEM #10 Next Regular Meeting
The next regular meeting is scheduled for January 19, 1999, at 7:00 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Center.
ITEM #11 Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m.