AHAC Minutes 02/21/2012February 21, 2012
MINUTES OF THE COLLIER COUNTY
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING
February 21, 2012
Naples, Florida
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BY ............
LET IT BE REMEMBERED that the Collier County Affordable Housing Advisory
Committee, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 3:00 PM in
REGULAR SESSION in Administrative Building "F," 3rd Floor, of the Government
Complex, Naples, Florida, with the following Members present:
Fiala V)
Hiller — �`—' --
Henning
Coyle
Coletta _ C.
CHAIRMAN: Stephen Hruby
Vice Chair: Cormac Giblin
John Cowan
Christian Davis
Patricia Fortune
Clyde Quinby
Bradley Schiffer
Stuart Warshauer
Excused: Michael Diamond
Christine Jones
(Vacancy)
(Vacancy — Alternate)
ALSO PRESENT: Kim Grant, Interim Director — Housing, Human & Veteran Services
Frank ( "Buddy ") Ramsey, Operations Analyst
Misc. Cones: Priscilla Doria, SHIP Loan Processor — Staff Liaison
Date: %° \q \ %'2__
Item #: \Ls T.2'A % 1
Copies to:
February 21, 2012
1. CALL TO ORDER — CHAIRMAN:
Chairman Hruby called the meeting to order at 3:01 PM.
2. ROLL CALL:
Roll Call was taken and a quorum was established. Eight voting members were present.
3. AGENDA AND MINUTES — CHAIRMAN:
a. Approval of Agenda
Christian Davis moved to approve the Agenda as submitted. Second by John Cowan.
Carried unanimously, 8 — 0.
b. Approval of AHAC Minutes —January 9, 2012
Bradley Schiffer moved to approve the Minutes as submitted. Second by Christian
Davis. Carried unanimously, 7— 0.
(Note: Stuart Warshauer could not vote because he attended the January 9`h meeting
in an "ex- officio" capacity.)
4. INFORMATION ITEMS:
A. Single Family Rentals — Federal Reserve Report, January 2012
Frank Ramsey provided a copy of the Report entitled "The U.S. Housing Market: Current
Conditions and Policy Considerations. " (Policy recommendation paper)
It was noted Staff will provide copies of various reports that may be of interest to the
Committee as such become available.
B. Review — AHAC Open Positions
Frank Ramsey stated there are two vacancies and both positions have been advertised.
Categories: Member who represents Employers, and the Alternate position.
• One member must reside in Immokalee.
• Suggested allowing the Alternate Position to remain open (greater
flexibility).
• Travel expenses for the member residing in Immokalee will be reimbursed.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT:
(Speakers will be heard after the topic has been discussed.)
6. DISCUSSION ITEMS /PRESENTATIONS: STAFF
A. 2012 Interlocal Agreement Renewal — Review of Subcommittee Findings
Background:
• June, 2000: Board of County Commissioners and the City of Marco Island
entered into an Agreement concerning affordable housing
o Collier County was allowed to use population data from the City of Marco
Island in its application for entitlement status from HUD
February 21, 2012
• County's affordable housing services and Staff became available to the
residents of Marco Island
• Established a compensation schedule for payments from City to the County
Agreement Term: 3 -years
• Maybe cancelled by April 1st during any renewal year
• Changes /modification must be made prior to April 1st during a renewal year
Suggested Modifications (recommended by Subcommittee):
• "Housekeeping:"
o Staff was identified as Housing, Human, and Veterans' Services (previously
known as "Housing and Urban Improvement" Staff)
• Reporting Schedule:
o Changed from monthly to annual
• Compensation paid by City:
o Changed to "10 percent of building permit fees collected"
• Previously: 10% of building permit fees collected or $50,000
whichever was greater
• Payment of $50,000 had become a financial burden for the City of
Marco Island due to economic downturn
o Policy will be responsive to current market trends
• Modifications will be presented to Managers for Collier County and City of
Marco Island for review and consideration
Chairman Hruby noted representatives from the City of Marco Island participated in
discussions at the Subcommittee meeting and requested identification of "value added,"
i.e., programs that were targeted to benefit the City of Marco Island.
Frank Ramsey suggested addressing the issue separately to not limit the Interlocal
Agreement to specific types of programs.
• Between 2001 and 2009, the amount of Grants awarded to the City of Marco
Island totaled $897,567.
o Utilized for two sidewalk improvement projects and three drainage
projects
• The entitlement paid out was slightly higher than the amount collected from the
City of Marco Island
o Source of funding: from HUD under CDBG
• Funds paid to the County by the City of Marco Island were used to:
• Offset start-up expenses for the Collier County Housing Development
Corporation ( "HDC "),
• Contributed ( "match ") to a tenant -based rental assistance program,
• Paid permit fees for the installation of 36 FEMA trailers for IHOPE.
• Funds have not been targeted as program - specific to Marco Island
Brad Schiffer asked if a comment could be inserted stating that funds would be targeted
to benefit the employees of businesses on Marco Island to ensure the money was used in
the best interest of Marco Island.
February 21, 2012
Vice Chairman Giblin noted the funds did not necessarily have to be spent entirely on
Marco Island since a number of projects, i.e., HDC start-up and tenant -based rental
assistance, were benefiting the County at large and would indirectly benefit Marco Island.
He cited an example of hotel employees who worked on Marco Island but lived elsewhere
in the County. The tenant -based rental assistance program allowed individuals to live
closely enough to Marco Island to work there.
Buddy Ramsey noted the Subcommittee had discussed various incentives for the
residents and/or businesses on Marco Island such as transportation assistance or rental
assistance. He stated if the Committee decided to include such language in the proposed
modifications, he would revise the document to be reviewed at the March meeting or the
Committee could authorize the Chairman to approve the changes on behalf of the AHAC.
Brad Schiffer concurred, noting the proposed changes should be reviewed by the County
and City Managers as quickly as possible.
Chairman Hruby stated two strategies were discussed during the Subcommittee
meeting:
1. Developing transportation and/or rental assistance voucher programs to directly
benefit employees working on Marco Island
2. Allowing the City of Marco Island to solicit RFPs ( "Request for Proposals ") for
whatever was determined to be necessary, as long as the programs targeted to an
affordable housing purpose. The County would oversee the programs to ensure
the appropriate goals were met. This approach was more flexible
Vice Chairman Giblin noted an advantage for Staff was that the funding sources were
not accompanied by volumes of "red tape." The program developed were "outside the
box" (such as Start-up assistance) and allowed programs to get going more quickly. He
stated he did not want the flexibility or creativity of these programs to be stifled.
Chairman Hruby stated the Marco Island City Manager inquired about the "value
added" component.
Buddy Ramsey suggested the incorporating the following language:
"The City of Marco Island may, on an annual basis, submit a request to
the County for an appropriation of funds paid through this Agreement to
benefit affordable housing- related activities of importance to the City. "
He concurred that the lack of red tape presents an opportunity for more innovative and
unique circumstances to be funded.
Vice Chairman Giblin noted during the height of the market frenzy, the amount paid by
the City of Marco Island to the County was approximately $100,000 but in the current
market, it is estimated to be closer to $20,000.
Buddy Ramsey stated the highest amount paid was during Fiscal Year 2003and was over
$100,000.
Brad Schiffer suggested: "The Department will utilize the funds to benefit affordable
housing - related activities in the City of Marco Island. "
Vice Chairman Giblin disagreed, stating utilizing the funds for an apartment complex in
Golden Gate City, such as "Heron Cove," could benefit the City of Marco Island because
there was a high probability that residents worked on Marco Island.
February 21, 2012
Christian Davis concurred, stating he worked on Marco Island for the past four years
and the majority of individuals he spoke with who worked on Marco Island resided in
Heron Cove and the surrounding area as well as the southern portion of Golden Gate
City.
He continued, stating he agreed with Patricia Fortune's suggestion that the best use of
the funds would be as vouchers for transportation or as rental - assistance. He stated when
he managed a business on Marco Island, it had been difficult to find employees. He
noted the majority of the workforce came from Naples and gas was very expensive for
individuals earning only the minimum wage. Bus service was available from Golden
Gate City (ride time: approximately 45 minutes, including transfers).
Brad Schiffer stated the concern expressed by the Marco Island representatives was that
they did not receive an explanation of how the funding was spent, i.e., "We're giving you
[the County] money, and what are we getting back for it? "
Patricia Fortune supported inclusion of the suggested language to maintain communication
since Marco Island would be required to inform the Committee at least once per year of
identified trends or programs determined to be necessary, rather than waiting until the
renewal period.
Mr. Ramsey concurred, stating it was a way to "take the temperature" of the City of Marco
Island on an annual basis to determine issues of importance to the City. He noted one of the
ideas discussed by the Subcommittee was the possibility of funding an express bus service
for Marco Island employees.
Chairman Hruby noted any specifics were included in the Agreement would become
"codified." He suggested including a list of suggested activities as examples of "programs
which we would entertain" in the transmittal letter accompanying the document.
Buddy Ramsey clarified the deadline to modify the Agreement was April 1 st but the
renewal deadline was October 1St. If a provision suggesting how the funds were to be
spent was added to the Agreement, the Subcommittee and the representatives from City
of Marco Island would have until October to iron out the details.
Brad Schiffer suggested adding a notation that the funds "would be utilized in a
justifiable way for the citizens and businesses of Marco Island. "
Buddy Ramsey suggested including language under Item #2(b) of the proposed
Modification Agreement that although the County shall be charged with making all
decisions regarding the use of the funds, it will provide the reasons why the funds and how
the funds were spent.
Chairman Hruby asked the Committee if Mr. Ramsey was to incorporate similar language
into the Agreement.
Brad Schiffer concurred. He again stressed the Modification Agreement should be sent to
the parties as quickly as possible for their review and comments. He suggested keeping the
language as generic as possible.
Chairman Hruby called for a motion.
Bradley Schiffer moved to approve authorizing Frank Ramsey to expand the language
under Item #2(b) of the proposed Modification Agreement, subject to review and
approval by the ASAC Chairman, and to submit it to the Managers of Collier County
February 21, 2012
and the City of Marco Island without further review by the members of the Affordable
Housing Advisory Committee. The language should state the funds are to be used
directly or indirectly for the benefit of Marco Island's citizens and businesses.
Second by Patricia Fortune. Carried unanimously, 8 — 0.
B. Housing Element (Growth Management Plan) — Review of Subcommittee Methodology
Frank Ramsey noted the modifications proposed by the Subcommittee were summarized
on a one -page document and distributed to the Committee.
He provided the following background information:
• The County's Growth Management Plan is undergoing EAR -based Amendments
( "Evaluation and Appraisal Report") — a process that takes place every seven
years
• "Objective 1 "currently sets a goal of a minimum of 1,000 new affordable housing
units to be built each year, but the number is static, not market - driven or
responsive to market changes
After discussion by the Committee, the following are the final suggestions:
• Objective 1 was revised as follows:
"Provide new affordable housing units to meet the current and future
housing needs of legal residents with very -low, low, and moderate
incomes including households with special needs such as rural and
farmworker housing."
•
Policy 1.1:
(No changes)
"By January 2014, establish a method of Indexing the demand for
very -low, low, and moderate housing."
•
Policy 1.2:
(No changes)
"By January 2014, establish a method of Indexing the availability and
costs of very-low, low, and moderate housing."
•
Policy 1.3 was revised as follows:
"By January 2014, based on the Indexes established in Policies 1.1
and 1.2 above, develop methods to predict future shortages."
• (New) Policy 1.4:
"By January 2015, establish the strategies, methods, and tools necessary
to support this Objective."
•
Policy 1.5: (renumbered 1.4)
"Beginning June 2015, provide an annual report to the Board of County
Commissioners on the status of affordable housing within Collier County."
February 21, 2012
• Obiective 2 was revised as follows:
"For- profit and not - for - profit providers of affordable- workforce
housing shall assist the County and its municipalities in achieving
a goal of increasing the number of affordable housing units by the
methods contained in Objective 1 and subsequent policies for very -low,
low, and moderate income residents of Collier County."
• Objective 8 was revised as follows:
"Utilize State and Federal grants or other funding sources and, in
collaboration with non - profit housing agencies, seek to provide a
minimum of 50 rehabilitated or new residential units per year for
very -low, low, and moderate income residents. (Families benefiting
from such housing include, but are not limited to, farm workers and
other populations with special housing needs.)
Bradley Schiffer moved to approve and accept the changes to the Growth Management
Plan as discussed by the Committee, subject to review and approval by the AHAC
Chairman, and to submit it to the Planning Commission without further review by the
members of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. Second by Christian Davis.
Motion carried, 7— "Yes " /1— "No." Stuart Warshauer was opposed.
C. AHAC Functions, Powers & Duties — Review of Subcommittee's Findings
(The current governing ordinance is contained in Part 1, Chapter 2, Article 8, Division 9,
of the Collier County Code of Ordinances.)
Frank Ramsey stated the review was the result of a meeting between the AHAC Chair
and Commissioner Tom Henning. The Subcommittee determined the AHAC should
focus on policy review and best practices.
Proposed chatLyes:
• Under Section 2 -972 (2):
• Insert the word "proactively"
• Strike the phrase, "a plan for any linkage and inclusionary zoning
• Add the phrase, "strategy, policy, method, and best practice
Under Section 2 -973:
o Correctly identify department as "Housing, Human and Veteran Services"
o Under (1): Strike the word "To"
o Under (2):
• Strike the word "To"
• Strike the phrase, "Growth Management Plan" and insert the
phrase, "affordable housing activities"
Stuart Warshauer moved to approve the revisions as discussed. Second by John
Cowan. Carried unanimously, 8 — 0.
February 21, 2012
D. Discussion: Monthly Meeting Schedule — Alternative Dates and Times
Chairman Hruby commented in the past months, it has been difficult to achieve
quorum. He requested the Members to email or call the office in advance if they are not
able to attend a meeting.
It was suggested to contact Mr. Ramsey at least one day in advance of a scheduled
meeting. A meeting will be cancelled if a quorum was not available.
Chairman Hruby asked the members if they would like to change the day or the month
or time of the meeting in the future.
Kim Grant noted the BCC Chambers will be available on the first Monday of the month
beginning in April.
Consensus: Meetings will commence at 3:00 PM on the first Monday of the month. If a
meeting is postponed due to a holiday, it will be re- scheduled to the third Monday of that
month.
7. STAFF /COMMITTEE MEMBERS: GENERAL COMMENTS
Bradley Schiffer
o Asked if a value had been determined for the NSP Program
o Noted Staff's response to a recent article in The Naples Daily News regarding
the results of the Clerk of Court's second audit of the NSP Program. He
requested Staff to send copies of the full audit to the Committee. He stated if
the audit was public information, it should be provided to the Committee.
o Kim Grant stated there were two audits of the NSP Program. She stated one
multi - family property owned by the County will be audited separately due to a
property management agreement and escrowed funds. There may be an
additional audit of the eligibility components of the DRI ( "Disaster Relief
Initiative ") Program.
o Buddy Ramsey noted the next Subcommittee meeting has been scheduled for
March 8t` at 2:00 PM in Conference Room 217 of Building "H." Up to five
members of the Committee may attend.
o A presentation of the Sunshine Law will be made by the County Attorney's
office at a future meeting. If a C/D is available, it will be distributed to the
members in lieu of a presentation.
NEXT MEETING: Monday, April 2, 2012 at 3:00 PM
(Note: April 2nd is the first Monday)
There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned
at 4:28 PM by order of the Chairman.
February 21, 2012
COLLIER COUNTY AFFORDABLE
Y COMMITTEE
The foregoing i utes were approved by Board /Committee Chair on
"as submitted "] OR "as amended" [ ®].
2012,