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04/18/2000 NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER April 18, 2000 Present: Rev. William Graham Chair William Turner, Sr. Vice-Chair – arrived 7:19 p.m. Howard Groth Board Member Milly Joplin Board Member Steven Jefferies Board Member Mayme W. Hodges Board Member Warren Hunt Board Member Joyce L. Smith Board Member Absent: Peggy M. Cutkomp 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 7:10 p.m. at Jasmine Courts. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM 3 – APPROVAL OF FEBURARY 15, 2000 AND MARCH 21, 2000 MINUTES Member Jefferies requested that his name be added to the February 15, 2000, meeting minutes. Member Hodges moved to approve the minutes of the regular meetings of February 15, 2000, as corrected, and March 21, 2000, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM 4 - DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES OF THE NAHAB BOARD Assistant Housing Director Nina Bandoni said State and Federal programs that fund housing and development activities require funded jurisdictions to seek community input when formulating goals and objectives. NAHAB (Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Board) was created to meet this requirement. She reviewed board duties, responsibilities, and activities as an advisory board to the Commission. Each member represents a specific profession or community. The NAHAB is not a part of Housing Division operations, but members are welcome to contact staff regarding relevant matters. The City makes all final decisions related to project funding, allocations, and budget adjustments. It was remarked that board members had not received updates of NAHAB duties in 1995. Ms. Bandoni said board duties are outlined in a 1995 ordinance, which supersedes the 1993 ordinance. It was noted NAHAB members had received copies of the ordinance’s first page only. Consensus was to discuss this issue at the next meeting. ITEM 5 – ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIR FOR 2000/2001 YEAR Member Joplin moved to nominate Member Jefferies as Vice-Chair and Member Hunt for Chair. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM 6 – AGENCY REPORTS SECOND QUARTER RESULTS Ms. Bandoni reviewed second quarter agency reports, including program progress, a summary of FY (fiscal year) 2000 programs, and expenditures through January 2000. Beth Eschenfelder of the Mustard Seed said staff’s report of Mustard Seed activities is inaccurate. ITEM 7 – FINALIZING THE SCORING PROCEDURES FOR APPLICATIONS Ms. Bandoni said City administration had expressed concern regarding the subjectivity of the five questions adopted by the NAHAB to be used when scoring sub-recipient applications. The administration has decided to approve use of the questions this year, but NAHAB and TRC (Technical Review Committee) scores will be weighed equally, rather than the 70:30 split proposed. It was stated a TRC representative had agreed to the 70:30 split. Ms. Bandoni reported that representative subsequently had telephoned indicating that is not the case now that the questions have been changed. In response to a question, Ms. Bandoni said after considering input from NAHAB and TRC, the administration had directed her to readopt the original weights. It was felt the administration had ignored NAHAB’s decision to place more weight on their scores. It was stated NAHAB members are familiar with individual agencies, meet with and visit their organizations, while TRC scores are based only on technical information in the application. It was remarked that NAHAB had spent three meetings reviewing the scoring process. Ms. Bandoni said the issue should be how to best allocate $150,000 available for public services when $700,000 has been requested. The Mayor had requested NAHAB review an “all or nothing” allocation process. She said staff had attempted to explain related issues to NAHAB members. The new scoring system does not address the “all or nothing” funding method. Concern was expressed that NAHAB was expected to rubber stamp issues as they are presented. It was felt the City decides issues without considering NAHAB recommendations. It was felt NAHAB can defend its scoring system. In response to a question, Ms. Bandoni said although the ordinance does not require TRC input, the City’s citizen participation plan does. Housing Manager Michael Holmes said the TRC was established in 1992 to eliminate political implications related to staff participation in the allocation process. Ms. Bandoni said staff is responsible for ensuring funds are allocated properly and NAHAB is responsible for monitoring the process. It was suggested as NAHAB has 9 members and the TRC has 6, individual TRC scores carry more weight than those of NAHAB members. It was suggested the board meet with the Commission regarding this issue. Ms. Bandoni will invite Kathy Mitchell of the TRC to a future meeting to discuss scoring issues. ITEM 8 – SCORING OF APPLICATIONS NAHAB members submitted their scoring sheets to staff. Ms. Bandoni said she expects a letter from Greg Rose, of the Salvation Army, removing his application from consideration regarding the Fulton Apartments. One member said she had not rated the Charity Works application and wanted to know why it was in the package. Ms. Bandoni said staff had reviewed the Charity Works’ application and could not connect the service to the benefit of low-income individuals. The organization procures products such as office supplies, bunk beds, etc. and provides them to non-profit agencies at deeply discounted prices. However, she had received a decision from HUD that it may be eligible so it was added. ITEM 9 – OLD BUSINESS SHIP Plan Ms. Bandoni reviewed strategies included in the 3-year SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) Program and income eligibility limits. SHIP funds are used for local housing assistance, including down payment and closing cost assistance for the construction and purchase of existing units, demolition with reconstruction, owner-occupied rehabilitation, acquisition with rehabilitation, emergency repairs, disabled retrofits, and multi-family housing. Concern was expressed regarding the high-density of affordable housing. Ms. Bandoni said some small pockets of land are in the North and South Greenwood neighborhoods. Some sub-recipients have successfully constructed 4- and 6- unit projects, which required higher density levels. Member Groth moved to approve the SHIP plan as presented. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. HOUSING POOL Ms. Bandoni reviewed the new housing pool program for unspent funds previously allocated to agencies. The City has consulted with Pinellas County and St. Petersburg to create a uniform program. Staff estimates funds remaining from 1999 and 2000 total $500,000 or more. To access the housing pool, a subrecipient must submit an application and be designated as a participant. Once NAHAB and the TRC have reviewed the applications, subrecipients will be designated for one year. Subrecipients must reapply each year. Participants are not limited to territories. A subrecipient only can access the pool if a deal is in place. A representative from Wells Fargo Home Mortgage opposed the limitation on closing costs. Ms. Bandoni said many banks, participating in affordable housing programs adhere to the limits. Member Jefferies moved to approve the housing pool plan as presented. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. TELEVISED NAHAB MEETINGS Ms. Bandoni reported she had contacted Public Communications Director Jackii Molsick, who had indicated a 1997/98 survey reflected that Commission meetings were the most frequently watched programs. Annual studies also are conducted. To reduce costs, the City stopped televising advisory board meetings, such as NAHAB, due to low levels of interest. C-View does not have the staff or resources to air to all advisory meetings in Commission chambers. Concern was expressed that NAHAB’s motion had directed Ms. Bandoni to contact the Mayor regarding this issue. She said she had contacted Ms. Molsick first to determine if any solutions could be found. It was felt while a lack of personnel for taping and editing chores exist, staff should be able to handle the broadcast itself. In response to a comment, Ms. Bandoni said the City advertises meetings in the St. Petersburg Times once a year and lists meetings on the monthly calendar posted at City Hall. Staff also informs subrecipients of monthly meetings. The budget is insufficient to advertise monthly in the newspaper. It was requested staff discuss this issue with the Mayor. ITEM 10 – NEW BUSINESS Ms. Bandoni said the City plans to renovate and sell or continue operating the City-owned Fulton apartments in North Greenwood. CHA (Clearwater Housing Authority) has leased and managed the complex for approximately 25 years. The Police Chief has expressed an interest in modifying the apartments for use as transitional housing. After rehabilitation, CHA would continue to manage the property. The CHIP program, Salvation Army, and possibly Religious Services would direct clients who have completed homeless programs to these living quarters. Staff is reviewing alternatives while informing NAHAB of the project’s status. In response to a question, Ms. Bandoni said CHA applies as much of rents as possible to maintain the apartments but they require rehabilitation due to their age. ITEM 11 – ANNOUNCEMENTS AND BOARD COMMENTS – None. ITEM 12 – NEXT REGULAR MEETING MAY 16, 2000 The next NAHAB meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on May 16, 2000, at the Ross Norton Center. ITEM 13 – CITIZENS TO BE HEARD George Herald of the Boys and Girls Club stated he was present. Ms. Bandoni requested the public hearing be closed to allow the NAHAB to review agenda item #8. The meeting recessed from 8:55 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ITEM 14 – ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.