AHAC Minutes 02/01/2021MINUTES OF THE COLLIER COUNTY
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Februa ry 1, 2021.
8:30 A.M.
Naples, Florida
LET lT BE REMEMBERED that the Collier County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee met on this
date at 8:30 A.M. in a HYBRID WORKING SESSION in the Human Resources Conference Room in Naples,
Florida, with the following Members present:
Present:Mary Waller
John Ha rney
Litha Berger
Justin Emens
Gary Ha ins
Commissioner Rick LoCastro
Excused:Jen nifer Mitchell
Denise Murphy
ZOOM: Steve Hruby
ALSO PRESENT:Kristi Sonntag, Director CHS
Hilary Halford, Sr. Grants Coordinator - CHS
Barbetta Hutchinson, Operations Coordinator - CHS
OTHERS PRESENT: Katina Lin, Clerk's Office; Michael Puchalla, HELP; Jackie Kory
1. CArL To ORDER
Mary Waller called the meeting to order at 8:34 a.m. She read the procedures to be followed and led in
the pledge to the flag.
2, Rotr CALI - CoMMr-rEE MEMBERS AND STAFF
There were 6 active members present when the meeting started, therefore a quorum was
esta blished.
3. APPRoVAL oF AGENDA AND MINUTE
Litha Berger made a motion to approve the agenda which was seconded by Steve Hruby'
The motion passed by a vote of 6-0.
b. A motion was made by Litha Berger to approve the minutes from the meeting on January 4.
2O2L and was seconded byJustin Emens. The motion was passed with a vote of 6-0'
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Packet Pg. 13 Attachment: AHAC Meeting Minutes (signed) - February 1, 2021 (15576 : Affordable Housing Advisory Committee - April 5, 2021)
4. INFoRMATToNAL rrEMs
Commissioner Locastro addressed the group as this was his first meeting. He gave the Broup a
little on his background as an Air Force Colonel. He told the Broup that the importance of
affordable housing was not lost on him and he felt affordable housing was important in all
districts.
b. The Quarterly Apartment Listing was reviewed. lt was noted that in Naples proper, there were
no very low-income rentals. The only very low rentals are in lmmokalee. The majority of low
income are currently not deed restricted. Kristi told the group that for the next meeting she
would provide a list of all deed restricted rental properties in CollierCounty.
Legislative Update - Kristi reviewed the information in the packet and gave a short summary of
what each bill wasln addition, she will make sure that each committee member receives a copy
of each bill. JohnHarneymotionedtodirectstafftopreparecorrespondencetosupport
H8510/5813. Litha seconded the motion and the group approved with a vote of 6-0.
d. Emergency RentalAssistance Program - Kristi told the group about the new program that was
approved by the BCC last week. There is 511.6M to be use for rental assistance for those
80%AMl and below. This program is slightly different than the last program because this time
landlords can apply, and assistance can be provided for water bills as well as electric. The
County will be working with Quest to put the new application on the website and publish flyers
for distribution in all water bills throughout the county beginning in March.
lnitiative#1 Update - The BCC will have their 2nd review atthemeetingon February 9th.
Developers will receive cost savings by changes in the land development code that allow cluster
housing to be an administrative process, less amount of fill needed to build local roads,
alternative drainage infrastructure for local roads and sidewalks and others.
lnitiative Update Flyer - The flyer that will sent out to all developers was reviewed and
discussed. Commissioner LoCastro questioned the roads and drainage items and said he would
like to see a uniform standard county-wide. John Harney said the change is not a lesser
standard, just the standard that was used before the standards were raised. Gary Hains would
like to see the BCC put S5M-10M in the General Fund budget so that developers could bid for
the money just like they do for entitlement grants.
River Pa rk Flyer - The flyer will be mailed out to all residents of River Park by zip code. Thisway,
every resident will know what programs are available and that they know how to apply for
assistance. This is a colloborative initiative with the City of Naples
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h Bembridge zoning has passed the Bcc. Construction will start this summer
5. PuBLrc CoMMENT - NoNE
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6. DISCUSSION ITEMS
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Packet Pg. 14 Attachment: AHAC Meeting Minutes (signed) - February 1, 2021 (15576 : Affordable Housing Advisory Committee - April 5, 2021)
a. The group discussed appointing a new Chair and Vice-Chair for the group. Litha Berger motioned
that Mary Waller become the Chair and Steve Hruby take the Vice-Chair position. GaryHains
seconded, and the group voted 6-0 in favor.
b. The group discussed the meeting time and decided to keep the meetings at 8:3O a.m. They will
revisit this next year.
c. Membership was discussed and Gary said that he may have someone who could join the
committee. Litha Berger motioned not to accept the candidates presented to the committee.
Justin Emens seconded, and the group voted 6-0 in approval. Staffwill contactthe CAOto re-
advertiseforthe open positions. Staffwill bringtheapplicationstothenextmeetinginMarch.
The Committee confirmed the passing of John Cowan and will also seek to fill the seat he
vacated.
d. Manatee Update - Litha Berger met with Commissioner Locastro and gave him copies of old
project files prior to his appointment to the AHAC. Litha asked thattheAHAC re-activate this
project for 60 acres to include affordable housing for veterans and seniors. Steve Hruby
suggested thatwe bringthe original committee backtogetherand refresh the report. Members
of the AHAC requested staff hold a workshop with parks, schools, roads and community
members. Members from the AHAC would include Commissioner Locastro, Steve Hruby, Mary
Waller and Litha Berger. Litha Berger motioned to direct staffto craft an executive summary or
a letter asking the BCC to re-open the discussion of building affordable housing on the Manatee
property. Steve Hrubyseconded, and the committee voted 6-0 in approval. Staffwill bringa
draft letter to the March meeting for review by the members.
7. STAFF AND GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS
LHTF Committee update - Mary gave an update on the trust fund sub-committee and
thanked Hilary Halford for taking Susan Golden's place on the committee. The committee is
moving forward. She should have a report at the next meeting.
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8. ADJOURN
There being no fu rther business for the good of the County, Steve Hruby motioned to adjourn the meeting
at 9:55 a.m.; Gary Hains seconded, and the group agreed with a vote of 6-0.
NExr MEETTNG: THE NExr MEETTNG wrLt- BE HEID MARCH 1,2021AT 8:30 A.M.
Location: Training Room located in Building B, 3303 TamiamiTrail East, Naples, Florida
CotUER CouNw AFFoRDABLE USTNG ADVISORY
CoMMtrrEE
("
MaryWal r, chairm
L\
an
The foregoing Minutes were approved by Committee Chair on
submitted' l_\ OR " os omended' [-].
202t, "os
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Packet Pg. 15 Attachment: AHAC Meeting Minutes (signed) - February 1, 2021 (15576 : Affordable Housing Advisory Committee - April 5, 2021)