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10/19/1999NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER October 19, 1999 Present: Rev. William Graham Chair Warren Hunt Vice Chair Howard Groth Board Member Mayme W. Hodges Board Member William Turner, Sr. Board Member Stephen Jefferies Board Member Joyce L. Smith Board Member Absent: Milly Joplin Board Member Peggy M. Cutkomp Board Member Also Present: Michael Holmes Housing Manager Nina Bandoni Assistant Director of Housing Brenda Moses 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 2 – Introduction of NAHAB Board Members Members introduced themselves and their area of representation. Assistant Director of Housing Nina Bandoni said she joined the City in June 1999. ITEM 3 – Approval of June 21, 1999, Minutes Member Hunt moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 21, 1999, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM 4 – Citizens to be Heard Jerry Spilatro, CSF (Community Service Foundation) Executive Director, said he has written grant applications for St. Petersburg, Largo, Pinellas County, etc., and complimented NAHAB (Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Advisory Board) members for their active participation in decisions related to subrecipient funding. He thanked members for their efforts and noted NAHAB meetings in the community promote agency fundraising efforts and inform residents regarding programs offering assistance and opportunities. ITEM 5 – Agency Presentations – None. ITEM 6 – Subgrantee Monitoring Reports Discussion There were no subgrantee reports, as the first month of the fiscal year had not yet concluded. Ms. Bandoni said the City will use a formal audit to monitor all subrecipients who receive over $50,000 in grant funding. Subgrantee audits will monitor performance, record maintenance, and internal controls. Results will be provided to the Board and subrecipients. NAHAB will continue to receive monthly reports on subrecipient expenditures and will visit agency locations. ITEM 7 – FY 1999-2000 Consolidated Plan Discussion Mr. Holmes said in FY (fiscal year) 1999/00, the City will receive $1.005 million in CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds, $463,000 in HOME funds, and $733,000 from SHIP (State Housing Incentive Partnership). Use of CDBG funds will be: 1) $93,725 - City housing programs; 2) $150,700 - public services programs; 3) $270,525 - public facilities; 4) $275,000 - community/economic development; 5) $14,000 - Home Buyers Education and Counseling; and 6) $201,000 - program support activities. It is anticipated the $75,000 allocated to Career Options will be reallocated to an existing program. In response to a question, Mr. Holmes said the City has reached the 15% cap for public services. A subrecipient housing pool has been established to rehabilitate housing, down payment assistance, and new home construction. It is anticipated some HOME funds will be used to renovate City-owned Fulton Apartments. In response to a question, Mr. Holmes said no changes to Consolidated Plan programs have been made. Mr. Spilatro expressed concern that he had heard that organizations, other than agencies listed on Mr. Holmes’ report, can apply for funds from the housing pool. Ms. Bandoni said an RFP (Request for Proposal) might be offered to developers of affordable housing. Mr. Spilatro felt the proposal is unfair to those who had submitted to the application process and had been selected to be a part of the pool. Members of the NAHAB stated that implementation of such programs without bringing the information before them undermines their authority. Ms. Bandoni said it is unlikely that funds will be depleted before non-profit agencies have an opportunity to participate. Staff will carefully monitor the funds. It also was noted that previously, program participants had tied up funds without using them. The Housing Pool and the Developer RFP programs were created to ensure funds would be expended in a timely manner. Mr. Spilatro expressed concern about the fairness of implementing the Developer RFP program this year. Staff will consider Mr. Spilatro’s comments before the program is implemented. It was remarked that the City should not change rules mid-year. Ms. Bandoni said the administration had directed staff to include affordable housing developers in the process. She suggested the housing pool may encourage agencies to be more responsive and better utilize program funds. NAHAB will review the program prior to implementation. ITEM 8 – Presentation of the Brownfields Environmental Justice Work Plan Mr. Holmes referred to the Brownfields Environmental Justice Work Plan. Previously, NAHAB had declined responsibility for Brownfields programs, but had requested updates on Brownfields activities. The BAB (Brownfields Advisory Board) discussed the environmental justice plan prior to its submission to the Commission. In response to a question, Mr. Holmes said the BAB meets bi-monthly at the Martin Luther King Center and throughout the community. Information regarding the BAB meeting schedule was requested. ITEM 9 – Subrecipient Ranking System Discussion Discussion ensued regarding the subrecipient ranking system. It was suggested the NAHAB meet with the TRC (Technical Review Committee) to discuss ranking issues. Agencies able to provide more detailed information receive higher TRC rankings based solely on the application. NAHAB is more familiar with each agency. Mr. Holmes said NAHAB can redesign the ranking system. Currently, TRC and NAHAB scores count equally. Consensus was to schedule a special NAHAB meeting at 10:00 a.m. on November 10, 1999, to discuss the ranking system. Information was requested regarding how funding levels are determined. ITEM 10 – FY 1999-2000 NAHAB Meeting Schedule Discussion Consensus was to continue meeting on the third Tuesday of every month at 10:00 a.m., to hold meetings in the community at various times, and to recess during the summer. An updated list of board members’ terms was requested. ITEM 11 – Old Business GENERAL DISCUSISON ON NAHAB –VISION OF BOARD’S FUTURE Concern was expressed the City does not present proposals and programs for NAHAB review and input prior to implementation. Ms. Bandoni referred to constraints associated with State and Federal programs that affect NAHAB. She suggested the NAHAB review the affordable housing survey. Staff anticipates many opportunities to seek NAHAB’s counsel and assistance. In response to a question, Ms. Bandoni said ideas for various programs originate from in-house brainstorming sessions, administrative directives, and community comments. It was remarked that residents will not attend community meetings unless there is an issue affecting the whole community. NAHAB meetings greatly affect subrecipients. It was requested that staff encourage subrecipients to attend NAHAB meetings. Staff is working to improve community involvement. Board members are welcome to visit the Housing office. ITEM 12 – New Business – None. ITEM 13 – Announcements/Board Comments Mr. Holmes announced the North Greenwood Community Health Center’s annual fundraising dinner will be held October 22, 1999, at Clearwater Country Club. ITEM 14 – Next Regular Meeting The next regular meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on November 16, 1999, at City Hall. Consensus was to cancel the December 1999 meeting. ITEM 15 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 11:13 a.m.