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01/08/2002NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER January 8, 2002 Present: Stephen Jefferies Chair Peggy Cutkomp Vice Chair Joyce Smith Board Member Rev. William Graham Board Member Warren Hunt Board Member William Turner, Sr. Board Member Laurel Braswell Board Member Also Present: Michael Holmes Housing Manager The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. in the Commission Chambers at City Hall To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #1 - Approval of the Minutes Chair member Stephen Jefferies moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of November 6, 2001 as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 – Citizens to be Heard Mr. Jerry Spilatro of Community Service Foundation stated that two municipalities have changed their down-payment assistance programs to help families, lower income families below 50% of median income, purchase homes; St. Petersburg and Largo. The maximum here is $7,000 and it has been noted that as prices of real estate continue to escalate, it is becoming more difficult for families to purchase a home. He asked that perhaps the City would give some consideration to making adjustments to increase it to $10,000 - $14,000. Ms. Carol Ciokiewicz of Clearwater Homeless Intervention Program mentioned that there was an article in the newspaper regarding Quest Inn closing and this is the only other homeless shelter in the downtown area. She feels that CHIP will feel the impact from this and is working with the Police Department on a major grant to do outreach to the homeless in the downtown corridor. CHIP is not sure how they will make up the 35 beds that Quest provided, however, they are adding 15 beds by going to bunk beds and part of the dormitory. She feels there will be increased police problems in the area. Member Braswell asked what they plan to do with the property. Ms. Ciokiewicz replied that she had heard they were having structural engineers come in to look at the building because it is not in good shape. Depending on that outcome, they will determine later as to what will be done. ITEM #4 – Old Business Michael Holmes advised that the monthly activity reports are not going to start filing in until January because of the delay getting contracts in and getting them signed by all parties involved. There are several agencies that already have been sending information in on time and the reports are noted here. Those who have not, are listed on page 3 of the agenda package. On page 4 is a summary of the expenditures. Mr. Holmes asked the members to note that even though it looks like there has not been a lot of activity up to this date which is pretty much true, the reason is the City’s projects, are not totally included in it yet. However, there are a lot of facility projects that are being worked on now and it takes a long time to get those up and running because of feasibility and construction plans and so forth before we can start spending any funds. Mr. Holmes stated that regarding the housing pool there is going to be a meeting tomorrow, January 9, 2002 with the housing pool providers to go over the program with them and then get them to inform us when they can start proceeding. Chair member Jefferies asked about the monthly activity report regarding the N/A meaning that there is no need for a report, however, Chair Member Jefferies wanted to know if a blank means that nothing has been received, a report is due, but there is none? Mr. Holmes advised that this was correct, however, we are still working with Pinellas County Fair Housing with their contract issues. ITEM #5 – Update on Greenwood Apartments Mr. Holmes advised the members that the City Commission has approved the awarding of the three-year commitment of $350,000 to the Greenwood Apartments for renovation. They have already had the closing and they are set to move forward within the next 6 months. ITEM #6 – Update on Fulton Apartments Mr. Holmes stated that a contract has been signed with the contractor, and the Clearwater City Commission approved the contract and should get started next week. It is vacant and to totally renovate will cost approximately $500,000. Chair member Jefferies asked who the contractor will be and Mr. Holmes advised that he will get that information for him. Member Braswell asked Mr. Holmes the approximate time of completion. Mr. Holmes replied approximately 6 months due to a new code that will be coming out in April. Member Braswell asked what the new code is and Mr. Holmes replied that it will cover construction of the building to withstand hurricane winds up to 130 miles per hour. Mr. Holmes stated that the City moved to take in the four units that were adjacent to Fulton previously owned by Clearwater Housing Authority. There are hopes that they will be able to utilize this building as some type of clubhouse or to make them available for rentals. ITEM #7 – New Business None ITEM #8 – Selection of a new Assistant Director of Housing Mr. Holmes informed the members that a new Assistant Housing Director has been chosen. His name is Howard Carroll and is presently a resident of Tampa, Florida. He has a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Central Florida and a licensed realtor. At the present time, he is the Multi-Family Bond Manager with the State of Florida, Florida Housing Finance Corporation. They do a lot of bonds for multi-family and he has worked there from 2001 to present. Prior to that he was the Assistant Vice President at Bank of America, Community Service Program Coordinator with SHIP Program from 1992 through January, 1999. He will report to work on January 22, 2002. ITEM #9 - Announcements The next NAHAB meeting will be held the 2nd Tuesday in March which is March 12, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. At this meeting we will be welcoming Mr. Howard Carroll, the new Assistant Director of Housing. ITEM #10 – Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:29 a.m.