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02/15/2000 NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER February 15, 2000 Present: Rev. William Graham Chair Warren Hunt Vice-Chair Howard Groth Board Member Milly Joplin Board Member William Turner, Sr. Board Member Peggy M. Cutkomp Board Member Joyce L. Smith Board Member Stephen Jefferies Board Member Absent Mayme W. Hodges Board Member Also Present: Nina Bandoni Assistant Housing 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 #3 - Approval of the Minutes Member Groth moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of January 18, 2000, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. It was stated a board member, without official standing, had made the motion to approve the minutes of the meetings of October 19 and November 10, 1999. Member Joplin moved to rescind approval of the minutes of the meetings of October 19 and November 10, 1999. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Jeffries moved to approve the minutes of the meetings of October 19 and November 10, 1999, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #4 - Citizens to be Heard - None. ITEM #5 - Agency Presentations Partners in Self-Sufficiency Partners in Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Sylvia Costello said HUD (U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development) had recognized the program as a national model and had awarded them the 1999 Best Practice Award, for the most creative program for resident services. Ms. Costello reviewed the agency’s four programs and noted client successes, including home ownership. Participants sign contracts committing themselves to self-sufficiency within 5 years. In response to a question, she said the agency is on schedule to meet goals stated in the application. Welfare reform initiatives have increased demand for agency services. The agency provides case management to clients for two years after completion of the program. Family Resources Family Resources representatives reviewed the agency’s history. Family Resources focuses on family relationship crisis involving youth and children. The agency had 592 clients last year and works with youth who are runaways, homeless, from abusive homes, act violently toward parents, have incarcerated guardians, are locked out of their parent’s homes, etc. Architectural drawings for the remodeled kitchen have taken longer to complete than anticipated. A June completion date is still planned. The Haven The Haven’s Director of Domestic Violence Services Linda Amidei said the facility has 20 beds for emergency shelter and provides transitional living, ongoing support, and assistance to clients for up to 2 years. She reviewed recent upgrades to the facility and expansion of the outreach office. Additional space for staff and beds for clients are needed. The agency turned away 290 women last year. The Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence has recommended the basic program be extended from 30 days to 6 weeks to provide clients more time to find employment and a place to live. The Haven will raze the house they recently purchased next door to expand the shelter. The one-story expansion will be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant and meet the needs of domestic violence victims. When the shelter is full, the agency discusses options over the phone. Concern was expressed The Haven had not expended any of the money set aside for maintenance and repair. Ms. Amidei said the funds will be used toward construction of the addition. As the building will traverse the property line, a survey is necessary before bids can be requested. The agency has applied for City and County support and has begun fundraising efforts. ITEM #6 Status of Member Groth, designated housing provider Assistant Housing Director Nina Bandoni reviewed requirements for board membership as established by the State. Member Groth had served as a low-income housing provider until his resignation from the Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services in November 1999. Member Groth is again eligible for board membership since his appointment to the Tampa Bay Community Development Corporation Board of Directors. ITEM #7 Consolidated Plan: Process and Schedule Ms. Bandoni reported the City is required to provide HUD with an outline of programs and budget strategies the City intends to implement during the next 5 years and update the action plan annually. Board member attendance was encouraged at meetings scheduled to review community needs and statistical data. ITEM #8 CAPER Report The CAPER (Consolidated Annual Performance & Evaluation Report), the principal administrative report for HUD, documents City expenditures of CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) and HOME (Housing Opportunity Made Equal) funds. HUD uses the report for financial audits and to monitor the program for compliance. The City’s FY (fiscal year) 1998/99 CAPER addresses: 1) assessment of 3- to 5-year goals and objectives; 2) Fair Housing procedures; 3) affordable housing; 4) continuum of care; 5) leverage of resources; 5) citizen comments; and 6) self-evaluation. Ms. Bandoni reviewed the CAPER Report, which will be presented to the City Commission in March. Board input was requested. ITEM #9 Old Business - None. ITEM #10 New Business - None. ITEM #11 Announcements/Board Comments - None. ITEM #12 Next Regular Meeting The next regular meeting is scheduled for March 21, 2000, at 10:00 a.m. ITEM #13 Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:39 a.m.