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01/19/1999NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER January 19, 1999 Present: Howard Groth Chair William Turner, Sr. Vice-Chair Rev. William Graham Board Member Milly Joplin Board Member Mayme W. Hodges Board Member Warren Hunt Board Member Absent: Mary Myhill Board Member Peggy M. Cutkomp Board Member Joyce L. Smith Board Member Also Present: Michael Holmes Housing & Urban Dev. Assistant Director Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Center. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #1 - Approval of November 17, 1998, Minutes Member Hodges moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of November 17, 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 In response to a question, Housing & Urban Development Assistant Director Michael Holmes said NAHAB’s (Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Advisory Board) meeting schedule is advertised in the newspaper at the beginning of each year. Normally, meetings are held at City Hall on the third Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. Meetings also are held throughout the community, including Martin Luther King Center, Jasmine Court, and Ross Norton. Fliers regarding meetings are distributed throughout neighborhoods where the meetings are held. Member Joplin moved that NAHAB meetings be advertised before every meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Discussion ensued regarding how to advertise meetings. Member Joplin amended her motion and recommended NAHAB meetings be advertised in the St. Petersburg Times, local beach magazines, the Tampa Tribune, Weekly Challenger, on Channel 15, and via handouts distributed throughout the community prior to every meeting. The seconder agreed with the amendment. Upon the vote being taken, the amended motion carried unanimously. Three residents spoke citing: 1) the community had requested notification of meetings last year; 2) obtaining information regarding today’s meeting was difficult; 3) board members should notify their neighbors regarding meetings; 4) increased notice of NAHAB meetings should be distributed in the community before each meeting; 5) an appreciation of CNHS’ efforts in the community and a request for information on the disposition of the $300,000 CNHS did not spend; 6) concern regarding negative comments about CNHS at the last NAHAB meeting; 7) a request for a NAHAB mailing list; 8) support for the efforts and quality of CNHS work; and 9) board members should help CNHS to overcome poor ratings. ITEM 3 - Agency Presentations Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. Isay Gulley, CNHS (Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc.) expressed concern regarding comments made about CNHS at the last NAHAB meeting. She read a letter from Donald Dvornik, CNHS board president, questioning the TAC’s (Technical Review Committee) poor rating of CNHS and indicating pride in CNHS’ efforts to meet established goals. Ms. Gulley said since 1978 CNHS has served the community well. She said CNHS’ mission and objectives differ from other agencies. She requested information regarding the basis for TAC ratings, and other information that could help CNHS. She felt CNHS has never “harmed” the community and no other agency has reinvested and leveraged federal dollars more effectively than CNHS. She requested NAHAB be fair, exact, not embarrass CNHS which is trying to improve life for low to moderate income people, and to not play CNHS against the community for which they have worked so hard. Ms. Gulley reviewed CNHS’ development of goals, how they relate to CNHS’ mission, etc. She questioned if all agencies were asked the same questions and requested a list of all funded agencies and a presentation schedule. James Steele said he has worked for CNHS for 4 ½ months. He expressed concern regarding comments at the last NAHAB meeting, noting CNHS has made significant progress in spite of difficulties faced by the agency. He suggested communication between partners needs improvement. He said NAHAB must understand CNHS’ circumstances before they can understand CNHS’ presentation. The agency requested to reschedule the presentation so that CNHS can explain more clearly their operation and processes involved in accomplishing their goals. He suggested the City and CNHS develop a more creative relationship and requested information regarding the disposition of the $300,000 CNHS did not spend. NAHAB members referred to CNHS’ concerns that all agencies applying to NAHAB for funding receive fair treatment stating none of the board’s laughter during the last meeting was directed toward CNHS. It was remarked although the TAC had rated CNHS poorly, NAHAB still granted them funds. NAHAB and CNHS share the same goal to build houses for low income people in the North Greenwood area. It was stated CNHS has never met their own quotas. It was suggested the board be supplied more specific reports regarding quotas and agency goals. In response to a remark, it was explained this year’s subgrantee monitoring questions have been modified only slightly since last year. In response to a question, Mr. Holmes explained the role of NAHAB members. It was suggested board members listen to the tape of the last meeting. ITEM 4 - Subgrantee Monitoring Reports Member Joplin reviewed a request from the Serenity Club and recommended the City grant the agency additional funds needed to construct handicapped accessible restrooms. While the original request was for $29,500, only one bidder responded with a bid of $34,500. Mr. Holmes said the City felt the bid was too high, rejected it, and will re-advertise for new bids. ITEM 5 - Old Business Mr. Holmes requested board input regarding a letter to the Commission regarding the lack of child day care in North and South Greenwood. Member Hodges moved to delete the second sentence of the last paragraph in the second letter under consideration and to submit it to the Commission. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM 6 - New Business It was requested board members be notified well in advance of the meeting if an agency is invited to make a presentation that is not on the regular schedule. ITEM 7 - Announcements - None. ITEM 8 - Next Regular Meeting The next regular meeting is scheduled for February 16, 1999, at 7:00 p.m. at Ross Norton Park. ITEM 9 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.