BCC Minutes 03/02/2010 W (Foreclosure Task Force)
March 2, 2010
MINUTES OF THE COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS FORECLOSURE TASK FORCE
WORKSHOP
Naples, Florida, March 2,20 I 0
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that Collier County Board of County
Commissioners/Foreclosure Task Force in and for the County of Collier,
having conducted business herein, met on this date at 9:00 AM in a
WORKSHOP SESSION in the Administrative Building "F" 3rd floor of the
Collier County Government Complex, Naples, Florida with the following
members present:
Chairman: Fred Coyle
Frank Halas
Tom Henning
Donna Fiala
James Coletta
ALSO PRESENT: Leo Ochs, County Manager
Sue Filson, BCC Executive Manager
Jeff Klatzkow, County Attorney
COLLIER COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
and
Foreclosure Task Force Workshop
AGENDA
March 2, 2010
9:00 AM
Fred Coyle, BCC Chairman, District 4
Frank Halas, BCC Vice-Chairman Commissioner, District 2
Tom Henning, Commissioner, District 3
Jim Coletta, Commissioner, District 5
Donna Fiala, Commissioner, District 1
NOTICE: ALL PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS
MUST REGISTER PRIOR TO SPEAKING. SPEAKERS MUST REGISTER
WITH THE COUNTY MANAGER PRIOR TO THE PRESENTATION OF
THE AGENDA ITEM TO BE ADDRESSED. ALL REGISTERED
SPEAKERS WILL RECEIVE UP TO THREE (3) MINUTES UNLESS THE
TIME IS ADJUSTED BY THE CHAIRMAN.
COLLIER COUNTY ORDINANCE NO. 2003-53, AS AMENDED BY
ORDINANCE 2004-05 AND 2007-24, REQUIRES THAT ALL LOBBYISTS
SHALL, BEFORE ENGAGING IN ANY LOBBYING ACTIVITIES
(INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ADDRESSING THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS), REGISTER WITH THE CLERK TO THE
BOARD AT THE BOARD MINUTES AND RECORDS DEPARTMENT.
IF YOU ARE A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WHO NEEDS ANY
ACCOMMODATION IN ORDER TO P ARTICIP A TE IN THIS
PROCEEDING, YOU ARE ENTITLED, AT NO COST TO YOU, TO THE
PROVISION OF CERTAIN ASSISTANCE. PLEASE CONTACT THE
COLLIER COUNTY FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
Page 1
March 2, 2010
LOCATED AT 3301 EAST TAMIAMI TRAIL, NAPLES, FLORIDA, 34112,
(239) 252-8380; ASSISTED LISTENING DEVICES FOR THE HEARING
IMPAIRED ARE A V AILABLE IN THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS'
OFFICE.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Introduction - Jeff Ahren - Chairman, Collier County Foreclosure
Task Force
3. Overview of Foreclosures in Collier County - Jeff Ahren, Chairman,
Collier County Foreclosure Task Force
4. Foreclosure Task Force's Response - Diane B. Flagg - Director, Code
Enforcement
5. Recommendations - Kathleen Passidomo, Co-Chair, Collier County
Foreclosure Task Force
6. Question and Answer Period
7. Adjourn
Inquiries concerning changes to the Board's agenda should be made to the
County Manager's Office at 252-8383.
Page 2
March 2, 2010
March 2, 2010
1. Pledge of Allegiance
Chairman Coyle called the Workshop to order at 9:00 a.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
2. Introduction - Jeff Ahren - Chairman, Collier County Foreclosure Task Force
Foreclosure Task Force Members present were:
Kathleen Passidomo, Jeff Ahren, Diane Flagg, Bob Murray and Pat Neale
A Slideshow on the document entitled "Collier County Board of County
Commissioners Foreclosure Workshop, March 2,2010" was presented. An overview
of the Workshop was provided with the following highlighted:
. The motto of the Task Force is "We're all in this Together."
. The Task Force likened the Foreclosure crisis that exploded in the County
to a "Hurricane Event" as it came with little advance notice, caused great
human and social costs and required a total community response to
address the crisis.
. The response was divided into 3 Sections:
· Assessment of DamagelConditions on the Ground - Foreclosure
Activity, Economic Conditions and related effects.
· Deployment of First Responders - Response by Agencies
. Emergency Management - Managing the Reeovery-
Recommendations.
3. Overview of Foreclosures in Collier County - Jeff Ahren, Chairman, Collier
County Foreclosure Task Force
An overview of the foreclosure activity, current employment and economic
conditions were provided including statistics in the areas of foreclosure activity;
employment trends by sector; historic housing value and sale data; retail, industrial
and office property value and vacancy rate data.
In conclusion it was noted the Task Force dispelled the myth that "Foreclosures
pertained mainly to flippers" and determined foreclosures affected all demographic
groups, all geographic areas and lead to substantial job losses and reductions of
incomes for individuals and businesses.
4. Foreclosure Task Force's Response - Diane B. Flagg - Director, Code
Enforcement
Diane Flagg provided an overview on the development of the Task Force noting in
addition to the appointed members, numerous Agencies are involved in response to
the crisis. These include Collier County Bar Assoc., Legal Aid Service, Collier
County Sheriffs Dept. and the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, etc. The goals
of the first response were to:
· Prevent foreclosure through education and intervention.
. Formulate and execute a coordinated community response to the growing
number of foreclosed, vacant and lor abandoned homes in Collier County.
2
March 2,2010
. Formulate and execute a coordinated community response to the growing
number of foreclosed, vacant and lor abandoned homes in Collier County.
In an attempt to limit the number of foreclosures, community workshops were held, a
resource-based web site was developed (www.collierFTF.com). multi language
brochures were distributed, all in an attempt to educate individuals facing foreclosure.
A major part of the coordinated community response included the "Blight Prevention
Program" which incorporated public input on vacated homes in disrepair. The
Program utilized public notifications as well as on-site Statr inspections for the
identification of code violations. Many of the code violations identified were on bank
owned properties, whose administrators have been cooperativc with Code
Enforcement in addressing the issues. Also, "Neighborhood cleanups" were held at
no expense to the public with the goal of preventing individuals from dumping debris
on vacant properties as well as cleaning up existing properties.
Marcy Krumbine, Director, Collier County Housing and Human Services
provided an overview of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program which received a
grant of$7,306,755 to acquire foreclosed homes for rehabilitation and resale/rent.
The Agency also provides homebuyer education, Utility Assistance, Short term
mortgage or rental assistance, etc.
5. Recommendations - Kathleen Passidomo, Co-Chair, Collier County Foreclosure
Task Force
The Task force developed 3 recommendations to be considered by the Board of
County Commissioners:
1. Continue to support Collier County Code Enforcement's innovative and
highly effective Blight Prevention Program. The Program was
recognized by the National Association of Counties with a National
Achievement Award in 2009.
2. Continue to support a "customer service" driven philosophy and initiative
developed by County Manager Ochs: innovatively implemented by
Administrator Casalanguida.
3. Proactively encourage and support the diversification of the economy in
Collier County.
. To implement this recommendation, it is recommended the Board of
County Commissioners appoint the "Collier County Economic
Recovery Task Force" with the goal of enhancing optimal recovery
and promote long term stability and economic growth; and ensure the
County remains a premier location to live, work, invest- in and visit.
6. Question and Answer Period
Under Board Discussions the following was noted:
Commissioner Fiala stated the delinquent Homeowner Associations maintenance
fees are the responsibility of the Association, not a County issue. Many banks
3
March 2, 2010
The practice which historically occurred of investors accumulating properties to drive
up real estate costs is not a factor at this time. The current practice is for investors to
acquire properties valued lower than the past, rehabilitate them and lease them at
historically low rental rates.
Commissioner Halas expressed concern the current situation is a bank driven crisis
via improper lending practices by large, national financial institutions leaving an
unfair economic burden on the County taxpayers who are attempting to remedy the
situation.
Chairman Commissioner Coyle requested the Task Force develop any necessary
recommendations (pro or con) for pending Statewide Legislation. These
recommendations may be submitted to the BCC so the Chairman may forward the
information to the areas Legislative Delegation.
He recommended the Naples Area Board of Realtors give consideration to cease
utilizing the statistic of "median sales price" in reporting or area sales data. The
figure may not be an accurate representation of the actual value of properties in the
regIon.
Commissioner Coletta agreed with Commissioner Coyle and in developing any
necessary Legislative recommendations.
Commissioner Henning recognized the effort by all involved in addressing the crisis
and agreed with Chairman Coyle in regard to recommendations on Legislative
initiatives.
Break: 10:55am
Reconvened: 11: 1 Oam
Speakers
Brenda Fioretti, Naples Area Board of Realtors noted the organization supports a
decision to form an Economic Recovery Task Force. She will present the concern to
the Board outlined by Chairman Coyle on the utilization of the "median sales price"
data for reporting area sales data.
Michael Pulchalla, Housing Development Corporation of Southwest Florida
noted individuals should be aware many refinancing or debt relief scams are prevalent
in the marketplace. The Agency continues to provide education to existing or
potential homeowners. There are Federal funds becoming available that will target
those homeowners who are not facing foreclosure, but are "underwater."
Steven Harrison recommended Legislature provide incentives for banks to be
brought into the process as they are directly affected by the crisis and are a key player
in determining any solutions to the problem.
4
March 2, 2010
Steven Harrison recommended Legislature provide incentives for banks to be
brought into the process as they are directly affected by the crisis and arc a key player
in determining any solutions to the problem.
Jacqueline Buyze, Chairman, Collier County Task Force Mediation Committee
noted the State of Florida Supreme Court has studied the foreclosure issue and is
instituting a statewide mediation proccss which will be a key part of the solution to
the problem. She noted their recommendations are available on line and urged
individuals to review them.
Chairman Coyle recognized Diane Flagg's effort in implementing the Programs
which have received national attention.
*****
There being no further business for the good of the County, the Workshop was
adjourned by order of the chair at II :26 A.M.
COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST: "!'
DWIGID""E:BRdGJ(, CLERK
'. . ' ,
. ':1' _.< o. .:.~
, .... .
~tj ~,~_~~ ~J: .
It.. .....,..,: .
These minutes approved)ry"'the Board/Committee on 3 / '2. 3.} '2.0 I 0
as presented ~n or as amended
5