Loading...
11/10/2003NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER November 10, 2003 Present: Laurel Braswell Vice-Chair Joyce L. Smith Board Member Don Brackett Board Member Tracy Reid Board Member Lisa Hughes Board Member John Sabatier Board Member Absent: Peggy M. Cutkomp Chair Also Present: Howie Carroll Assistant Housing Director Michael Holmes Housing Manager Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order and are in summary format. 3 - Approval of Minutes – 09/16/03 Meeting Member Smith moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 16, 2003, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4 - Citizens to be heard Sylvia Costello, Partners in Self-Sufficiency, thanked the board for their support and help in locating new quarters, which have been renovated. An open house is planned for January 2004. 5 - Public Hearing - Approval of FY 2002/3 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) Assistant Housing Director Howie Carroll reported staff is finalizing numbers for the CAPER (Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report) and recommended scheduling a special meeting for NAHAB (Neighborhood & Affordable Housing Advisory Board) to review the report prior to its presentation to the City Commission for approval and submission to HUD. Consensus was to schedule a special meeting for December 2, 2003 at 9:00 a.m. 6 - Discussion Action Plan Application Mr. Carroll requested input on ways to improve the Action Plan and revise the application prior to the upcoming cycle, which begins in February 2004. He said the submission of reports by funded agencies is required by the agreement. In response to a question, Mr. Carroll said HUD had approved the City’s strategy for North and South Greenwood. Next year the revitalization area probably will be expanded to include the Downtown CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) as a strategy area for federal designation. The change will provide additional flexibility for funding and permit additional funding for community-based organizations. Staff will distribute a copy of the Consolidated Plan to board members. In response to a question, Mr. Carroll said staff is open to discussing the makeup of the five-person scoring committee, which will meet in April following a “train the reviewers” session. It was suggested the City hire an outside agency to score the applications. Housing Manager Michael Holmes said it is important that scorers are familiar with City programs and needs. The City Commission had determined a preference that scoring committee members be City residents. Mr. Carroll requested board members to forward suggestions related to the application. Recommendations were made to change the process to fund agencies at 100% of their request and cut off funding to agencies that score below an identified number. Concern was expressed lower rated agencies qualify to receive partial funding. It was suggested strong agencies should receive the amount of funding they need. It was recommended the board discuss this strategy. Concern was expressed poor applicants are awarded funding for little or no work. Mr. Carroll said the City Commission had approved the current methodology as previously, the majority of funding was received by one organization. The current method spreads limited funds to more organizations. Funding for community-based/public service organizations is limited to 15% of total CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds. Discussion ensued regarding a training program for grant writers, with comments the education process is important. Mr. Carroll said the City will host a mini grant-writing workshop prior to the next application process. Sylvia Costello, of Partners in Self-Sufficiency, supported the current methodology and suggested agencies that receive money should mentor other agencies and help them write applications for funding. 7 - New/Old Business Mr. Carroll reported the grand opening for the Fulton Apartments was held last week. CSF (Community Services Foundation), the project’s owner, is doing a great job. Of the 19 units, 15 are occupied. Mr. Carroll announced North Greenwood Apartments has won another award. 8 - Announcements - None. 9 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.