05/18/1999NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITYOF CLEARWATER
May 18, 1999
Present: Howard Groth Chair
William Turner, Sr. Vice-Chair
Milly Joplin Board Member
Warren Hunt Board Member
Peggy M. Cutkomp Board Member
Steven Jeffries Board Member (arrived 10:14 a.m.)
Absent: Rev. William Graham Board Member
Mayme W. Hodges Board Member
Joyce L. Smith Board Member
Also Present: Michael Holmes Housing Manager
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM 2 – Introduction of NAHAB Board Members
Members introduced themselves and their area of representation.
ITEM 3 – Approval of April 20, 1999, Minutes
Member Cutkomp moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 20, 1999, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
ITEM 4 – Citizens to be Heard
One resident presented information regarding the Brownfields Advisory Board and Environmental Justice committee meetings on May 24, and May 27, 1999, at the Martin Luther King Center.
She encouraged board attendance. She complained the City Commission had not responded to the need for improved communication to the community regarding the NAHAB (Neighborhood and
Affordable Housing Advisory Board) and Brownfields boards. She recommended advertising meetings in the St. Petersburg Times and televising them on C-View TV. She felt residents need
more information regarding available funds.
ITEM 5 – Agency Presentations
Housing Manager Michael Holmes said presentations will be scheduled upon completion of the application process.
Partners for Self-Sufficiency
Sylvia Costello, Partners for Self-Sufficiency, reviewed agency programs. She said partnerships are important for social service programs to assist low-income homeowners
successfully. She said meaningful jobs that pay decent wages are important to clients. The agency works with homeowners after the purchase to retain their homes. In response to a
question, Ms. Costello said her agency and partnership agencies take credit for helping residents purchase homes. Since 1996, in conjunction with other agencies, Partners for Self-Sufficiency
has helped 18 families purchase homes.
Community Service Foundation
CSF (Community Service Foundation) Director Jerry Spilatro said in the last month, with the assistance of Partners for Self-Sufficiency, the bond program, and Tampa Bay Community Development
Corporation, CSF has placed one family in a home. He said his agency also takes credit for placing that family.
Mr. Spilatro reviewed the construction of apartments at the Woodlawn/Greenwood intersection. The project is 30% complete. It is anticipated the Family Center, Police Substation, and
apartments will be completed by September 21, 1999. It was requested that staff assist CSF with obtaining permits quickly.
ITEM 6 – Subgrantee Monitoring Reports – None.
ITEM 7 – Old Business
Informing the Public of NAHAB Meetings/C-View
The Chair said he had discussed increased exposure for NAHAB meetings with the City Manager. He said C-View had televised a cooking program 39 times in April, including during the
time NAHAB had met. The May schedule indicates a cooking program will be aired 47 times. He hoped C-View will begin televising NAHAB meetings soon.
ITEM 8 – New Business
Consolidated Plan Schedule
Mr. Holmes reviewed the Consolidated Plan schedule: 1) May 11, 1999 - technical assistance meeting; 2) May 25, 1999 – funding application requests due; 3) May 27, 1999 – site visits;
4) June 1, 1999 – public presentation of applicant requests; 5) June 8, 1999 - NAHAB evaluation of applications; 6) June 14, 1999 - NAHAB and TRC (Technical Review Committee) rankings
publicized in the newspaper, beginning public comment period; 7) July 14, 1999 – public comment period ends; 8) July 15, 1999 - proposed Consolidated Action Plan presented to City Commission
for review and approval; 9) August 3, 1999 – Consolidated Plan forwarded to HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development); and 10) October 1, 1999 – funding effective date.
Election of NAHAB Chair and Vice Chair
Discussion ensued regarding election of Reverend Graham as the NAHAB Chair. Member Graham has indicated his willingness to become Chair if elected, with the reservation he cannot participate
actively for a short time due to health reasons.
Member Joplin moved to elect Reverend Graham as Chair. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Member Joplin moved to elect Member Hunt as Vice-Chair. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Mr. Holmes noted the Vice-Chair will assume the Chairmanship during Reverend Graham’s absence. The Vice-Chair also will become Chair upon completion of the Chair’s tenure.
ITEM 9 – Announcements/Board Comments
Mr. Holmes introduced board member Steven Jeffries who represents the banking industry.
Mr. Holmes stated the groundbreaking for the apartment complex at the site of the Sunshine Mall will occur in early June.
ITEM 10 – Next Regular Meeting
The next regular NAHAB meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 15, 1999, at City Hall.
Agency presentations are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 1, 1999, at the Main Library’s Adler Room.
NAHAB agency evaluations are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 8, 1999
ITEM 11 – Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:34 a.m.