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03/21/2000NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITYOF CLEARWATER March 21, 2000 Present: Rev. William Graham Chair Warren Hunt Vice Chair Howard Groth Board Member Mayme W. Hodges Board Member – arrived 10:04 a.m. Milly Joplin Board Member Joyce L. Smith Board Member Peggy M. Cutkomp Board Member Stephen Jefferies Board Member Absent: William Turner, Sr. Board Member Also Present: Nina Bandoni Assistant Director of Housing 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 Minutes Member Groth moved to continue, until April 18, 2000, approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of February 15, 2000. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #4 – Citizens to be Heard Lois Cormier said as NAHAB’s (Neighborhood & Affordable Housing Advisory Board) decisions affect the annual distribution of CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds that provide community services, the board’s meetings should be broadcast on C-View for resident viewing. Member Groth moved to formally request the Mayor support broadcasting NAHAB meetings on C-View once again. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #5 – Agency Presentations Boys & Girls Club of the Suncoast Boys & Girls Club of the Suncoast Executive Director Rosalie Murray stated this year, the agency serves 50 additional children at its Jasmine Court facility. It has had to terminate a staff member and curtail some services due to the loss of CDBG funding, through the City, in FY (fiscal year) 1999/00. She reported the Jasmine Court club had placed third in a recent educational event hosted by their facility. She appreciated board and City support and welcomed visits to the facility. In response to a suggestion that a Clearwater Housing Authority board member could offer expansion advice, Ms. Murray said the agency is considering a nearby spot for teen programs. Girls, Inc. Girls, Inc. Executive Director Tim Caddell stated the agency has completed a significant reorganization to address recent financial problems. Two Pinellas County centers are closing. He said City support is critical as the agency struggles to continue its operations in Clearwater. He said without City CDBG funding during the past two years, it has been increasingly difficult to meet children’s needs. Mr. Caddell announced his pending resignation. Director of Programs & Operations Alexis Sutherland reviewed agency programs, including one that supports girls dealing with Middle School issues. She noted the need for science projects and other related expenses. ITEM #6 – Consolidated Plan: Process and Schedule Assistant Housing Director Nina Bandoni said staff is compiling information related to the Consolidated Plan, which will outline programs and budget strategies the City intends to implement by FY 2004/05. Staff has discussed proposed process changes with subrecipients and will review their feedback. Citizen participation meetings were held: 1) February 16, 2000 - Housing; 2) March 6, 2000 – Public Housing; 3) March 8, 2000 – Homeless & Special Needs; and 4) March 15, 2000 – Social Services. Economic development issues will be addressed on March 22, 2000. An internal meeting of City departments will review staff observed needs. Statistical data related to citizen participation and input is being gathered. ITEM #7 – SHIP Plan In July 1992, the Florida legislature created the SHIP (State Housing Initiative Partnership) program for the State to share with local governments, revenues collected from the documentary stamp tax on deeds. Local governments determine how to use these funds to meet State affordable housing goals. In each of the next 3 fiscal years, the City will receive $854,299. Program funds must be used to support the construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable housing. The City’s plan provides strategies and projections for each of the 3 years. The plan abides by Ordinance #5410-93, which created a housing assistance trust fund, requiring the Commission to adopt a housing assistance plan, designate administrative responsibility, and create an affordable housing advisory committee. The plan outlines current and future initiatives to improve the City’s housing stock. Community input helped develop the plan. Ms. Bandoni reported in February, the State had requested the City submit a 1 to 3 year plan related to SHIP funds by May 3, 2000. The plan addresses local housing assistance, and outlines strategies and processes. New programs proposed in anticipation of future needs and to address citizen participation concerns, include demolition and new construction, emergency repairs, and disabled retrofits. Consensus was to continue this Item until April. ITEM #8 – Housing Pool Last year, NAHAB approved creation of a housing pool. Staff has worked with four non-profit housing providers to develop a uniform process that identifies acceptable activities, access, and reimbursement procedures. Ms. Bandoni said the application process would require annual submissions and run concurrent with CDBG. NAHAB will approve pool participants. She said money cannot be precommitted until tasks are completed. She reviewed types of projects permitted. Part of the funds will be used for a line of credit for developers to finance projects through the housing pool. Their repayments will be returned to the pool for future use. ITEM #9 – Old Business – None. ITEM #10 – New Business – None. ITEM #11 – Announcements/Board Comments Concern was expressed the board has not received some subgrantee reports and cannot evaluate related activities. It was noted Career Options, a subgrantee awarded $75,000, had not submitted a report in 5 months. Ms. Bandoni said a Career Options representative had informed staff in July 1999, that it could not achieve its mission and requested its removal from consideration. She was unaware of the situation until late Fall. By that time, the RFP (Request for Proposals) process to reassign this award for economic development opportunity services could not be used to fund another organization before September 2000. The funds will roll over and be available in the same category in October 2000. It was felt the board should have been apprised of this issue. Consensus was for staff to communicate all relative changes to the board. Discussion ensued regarding the effects of the department’s reorganization. In response to concerns the meeting packets had not been timely, Ms. Bandoni reviewed staff efforts on behalf of the board. She stated a new staff member is being trained. Concern was expressed the City not return to its previous practice of distributing unused award money without board input or approval. The importance of NAHAB retaining control over grant fund distribution was stated. ITEM #12 – Next Regular Meeting The next regular meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on April 18, 2000, at 2990 Tanglewood Drive South in Jasmine Court. ITEM #13 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:55 a.m.