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01/18/2000NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER January 18, 2000 Present: Rev. William Graham Chair Mayme W. Hodges Board Member Howard Groth Board Member Stephen Jefferies Board Member Milly Joplin Board Member William Turner, Sr. Board Member Peggy M. Cutkomp Board Member – arrived 10:15 a.m. Absent: Warren Hunt Board Member Joyce L. Smith Board Member Also Present: Nina Bandoni Assistant Housing Director Michael Holmes Housing Manager Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.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 2 – Introduction of NAHAB Board Members ITEM 3 – Approval of October 19, November 10, and November 16, 1999, Meeting Minutes Member Groth moved to approve the minutes of October 19, 1999, November 10, 1999, and November 16, 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, Executive Director of CSF (Community Service Foundation), said the open house and ribbon cutting for the Foundation Village neighborhood family center and the south Clearwater patrol station was successful. Approximately 70 people attended. ITEM 5 – Agency Presentations Pinellas WORKS Donald Rutledge, Youth Services Coordinator for Pinellas County Lockheed Martin Pinellas WORKS, said Career Options is no longer involved in job training. Lockheed Martin IMS is the current provider for job training education assessment, placement, and services for Pinellas County. One-stop centers in St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, and Clearwater provide services by several agencies. Pinellas WORKS, a collaboration of agencies, will provide different services for Pinellas County citizens. Mr. Rutledge said this year he will manage youth and young adult programs for ages 14 and up. He said the St. Petersburg Summer Program differs from the Federal program, which is mandated to provide year round youth and young adult programs. Last year, 80% of applicants in the job-training program were placed in work programs. This year, funding is minimal but goals are unchanged. The City has reduced some dollars from this year’s youth program. The program seeks funds from grants and business owner assistance. Pinellas Opportunity Council Joan Lanier of Pinellas Opportunity Council reviewed the program, which provides heavy household cleaning and lawn maintenance services for senior citizens who cannot perform these tasks nor afford help. While calls from Protective Services require an agency response within 72 hours, all other clients are served according to priority. Clearwater residents receive faster responses due to the City’s contribution. Demand exceeds available services due to limited funding and the nature of work. Volunteers are difficult to attract. The majority of clients are referred by other agencies. The program has requested assistance from local businesses. Ms. Lanier said her staff of 14 speaks with clients, conducts site visits, supervises new staff, ensures quality services is being provided, handled complaints and required paperwork, schedules workloads, and performs preventative maintenance on vehicles. She said the majority of clients are referrals from other agencies, however some clients personally call for assistance. Attempts are being made to obtain assistance from local businesses. ITEM 6 – City of Clearwater Social Services Grant Program Presentation City of Clearwater Human Relations Department Staff Assistant Kathy Baird distributed a handout summarizing the expenditures and goals of various agencies requesting funding for FY (fiscal year) 2000 and reviewed the program’s background. Traditionally, the City’s General Fund has provided $65,000 to the Social Services Grant Program, a local program not tied to Federal or State dollars. In 1993, the Commission made the program competitive and available to all agencies serving Clearwater. Applications are sent to agencies throughout the County and approximately 30 are returned. Program advocates have requested increased funding. It appears most agencies funded by the program provide childcare. Staff has streamlined the program and simplified the application process by requiring one application for all social services grants. Agency feedback is being gathered. Funded agencies are required to submit a report on the effectiveness of their program and expended funds. An agency representative discouraged use of the St. Petersburg and Pinellas County Social Action format, as their applications are more labor intensive. Another agency representative requested the City review the community’s changing needs as large organizations always seem to be awarded funds. It was felt that NAHAB (Neighborhood & Housing Advisory Board) should understand the community’s needs and welcome feedback. Ms. Baird said agencies receiving NAHAB approved funds are not discouraged from applying to the Social Services Grant Program. The program’s original purpose was to serve smaller grassroots organizations. ITEM 7 – Subrecipient Ranking System Discussion Housing Manager Michael Holmes said NAHAB recently agreed upon a new ranking system to determine agency funding. Five questions will constitute 70% of the overall score. It was noted each question needs to be assigned a value. Discussion ensued. It was remarked that some questions are more important. It is important that each agency has the capacity and ability to use approved funding. Unused funds are returned to the City. Member Joplin moved to accept the five questions and assign a 14% weight to each question. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Concern was expressed that 70% of the total score will be based on five questions. It was remarked that applications will be summarized. ITEM 8 – FY 1999-00 Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Advisory Board Meeting Schedule It was reported that the September, October, and November 2000 meetings will be at 10:00 a.m. It was requested that Girls, Inc., Boys and Girls Club, and CSF be invited to speak on April 18, 2000. Partners in Self-Sufficiency and Family Resources had requested an invitation to the meeting. Staff will coordinate speakers. Concern was expressed that subgrantee reports should include progress reports and yearly accomplishments, and not report on an agency’s organization or basic information. Ms. Bandoni said staff has created a report format with that information. Staff suggested NAHAB members submit concerns prior to the next meeting. It was requested that staff reports be dated. Only social service category agencies must submit monthly reports. She said one agency has utilized the housing pool. Other agencies are expending funds from the prior year. Staff is developing pool policies and procedures. A workshop is planned. ITEM 9 – Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Advisory Board Term Limit Discussion Ms. Bandoni reviewed term limits. The Legal Department is reviewing Member Groth’s status, as he does not currently provide low-income housing. ITEM 10 – Old Business It was remarked that the City will not permit for-profit businesses to compete with not-for-profit businesses this year. It was felt the NAHAB should discuss this issue further. Ms. Bandoni expressed concern that only three NAHAB members had completed the surveys. All subrecipients had returned the surveys. She said she has established many contacts throughout the industry, which can be valuable to NAHAB. ITEM 11 – New Business Mr. Holmes recommended the NAHAB establish rules regarding presentations by the public, agencies, and the NAHAB. It was felt that agencies should not engage in discussions at NAHAB meetings. It was stated anyone wishing to speak must first obtain permission from the Chair. Others felt that NAHAB should listen to everyone who takes the time to attend meetings as NAHAB serves all citizens. ITEM 12 – Announcements/Board Comments Beth Gillam of the Mustard Seed said she also represents the Pinellas County Coalition for the Homeless. She announced Pinellas County’s Community Development Department is holding a public forum on January 20, 2000 at the Supervisor of Elections Service Center. The forum will address community needs for housing, homelessness, and services. The County will use forum information to develop a five-year consolidated plan. She anticipated the City’s Housing Office also will use some information for the City’s five-year plan. ITEM 13 – Next Meeting Date is February 15, 2000 ITEM 14 - Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 11:38 a.m.