A regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors was held on Wednesday, June 3, 1998 at the Hyatt Regency Miami in Miami, Florida. The meeting was held prior to the Association's 1998 Annual Conference scheduled for June 4-6, 1998.

NCDA President, James Caruso, Planning and Community Development Director for the Nebraska Investment and Finance Authority, called the meeting to order. The following members of the Board and special guests were in attendance:
 

Guests

Staff
John Sasso, NCDA
Chandra Western, NCDA
Vicki Watson, NCDA
Karen Means, NCDA

I. Call to Order - Roll Call: Welcome New Board Members

Mr. Caruso welcomed the group to Miami and welcomed the new board members. He then noted the passing of a long-time NCDA member and friend Paul Poulos and asked for a moment of silence to recognize his great contribution to the Association

He officially opened the Board Meeting and introduced Cardell Cooper, Special Assistant to Secretary Cuomo. Mr. Cooper noted that this was just his second appearance before a National Community Development Organization. He commented on his many years of association with NCDA and the Conference of Mayors and looked forward to a greater association when the time was more appropriate -- after his confirmation as Assistant Secretary of Community Planning and Development. Mr. Cooper noted that his comments would be limited due to his title and capacity. Mr. Cooper introduced the Miami HUD staff, Jose Cintron and Angelo Castillo.

It was announced that Mr. Cooper's schedule would permit him to make comments at the Opening General Session, Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m.
 

II. Approval of Minutes (January 28, 1998, Washington, DC)

Following completion of the roll call, a motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes of the previous Board of Directors meeting held on January 28, 1998 in Washington, DC at the Winter Meeting.
 

III. Organizational Issues

Annual Conference Agenda Review. Mr. Caruso briefly outlined the agenda for the Annual Conference. He highlighted several events including the reception at the Nation's Bank Building, the dinner at Viscaya Museum and the Miami Dade County projects tour.

Financial Report. Para Rosario, NCDA's Secretary-Treasurer and Deputy Housing and Community Development Director for Bridgeport, Connecticut and John Sasso, NCDA's Executive Secretary, gave the financial report (included in the Board packets). It showed that NCDA is currently operating in the black and expects to be in the black at the end of the fiscal year. Mr. Sasso explained about the dues and how it is coming more steadily this year, due to commitment forms that went out to the membership. Chandra Western, NCDA's Acting Director, explained that members who did not pay or commit to pay their dues would lose their membership status and access to NCDAonline. Overall, NCDA is doing very well. Cliff Bright, Executive Director of Housing and CDA for Campbellsville, Kentucky, asked about the deficit for the Winter Meeting and Salaries Line. Mr. Sasso explained that the Audrey Nelson Awards program was held during lunch at the near-by Willard Hotel. This cost was not originally part of the Winter Meeting budget. Also, we only had 109 registrants at the meeting, which normally we get over 125 paying participants. These low numbers severely cut into our revenues. The salaries line was in deficit because the NAHTI contract funds had not been reconciled to included salaries, fringe and indirect. John indicated that with the departure of Dianne Taylor, NCDA's Director and Jim Welfley, NCDA's Legislative Counsel, salaries will end up far short of what was budgeted. There is also a reconciliation that will be completed to deduct salaries out of the NAHTI contract.

Membership Report. Brenda Richard Montgomery, Community Development Director for Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and John Sasso talked about expanding the community development political base and the work the membership committee was doing to investigate and increase the membership of small cities and states. Mr. Sasso stated that his approach would be to garner as much support for community development and housing programs by partnering with small cities and the state community development entities that handle the CDBG and HOME programs. The question was raised about a by-laws change. He also wanted to assure the Board that this possible expansion of membership was not needed because of funds, but to provide additional support as Congress continues to erode funding in HUD programs, particularly within CDBG, through set-asides. The mission and mandate of the Association would remain the same, expansion of members would increase the level of support for that mission. Mr. Caruso called for a motion to look into changing the by-laws. The motion carried.

NCDAonline Access. Ms. Western talked about NCDAonline. She decribed the new features and proposed improvements coming online. The user ID and Passwords that would ensure that only NCDA members would have access to the Washington Report, and other publications that our members receive as part of their dues payment. She also explained about the dues letters and commitment forms that would be due by June 16 or members would lose access to NCDAonline and all other member services the website. The system has worked well. Future expansion efforts include Committee Pages, Meet the NCDA Staff and continued online conference registration and job postings.

CDBG Set-aside Strategy. Ms. Western gave a brief discussion on National CD Week activities, noting that more than 400 communities along with thousands of non-profits across the nation celebrated CD Week. She gave special recognition to the U.S. Conference of Mayors for their efforts in setting up a "war room" to contact their members by telephone for a description of their CD week activities. This was very successful. It was noted that with the assistance and official support from seven national public interest groups, the 1998 CDBG Week Guidebook was an outstanding success. Other groups have requested to participate in the 25^th Anniversary Celebration of the CDBG program and CD Week Guidebook for next year. NCDA's strategy for the CD Week 1999 is to work with the Conference of Mayors, other co-sponsors and seek out financial support from First Union Bank to put together a celebration that includes press kits, hats, T-shirts and a Presidential Proclamation of National Community Development Week.

Nominations and Elections Committee Report. Vicky Covey, Assistant Community Services Director for Amarillo, Texas, gave the report and listed the new officers of the Association; Leona Plaugh, President, Para Rosario, Vice President, and Anthony Covacevich, Secretary-Treasurer. Dr. Huger made a motion to accept the Committee's report. It was seconded by Willie Day, the motion carried.

IV. Polish Economic Development Association - NCDA Success Story

John Sasso and Leona Plaugh discussed their very successful trip to Poland. Most of the discussion focused on how far in the area of community development the Polish (NCDA) had come. Ms. Plaugh was pleasantly overwhelmed with the graciousness and hospitality of her hosts. She concluded that other nations, particularly eastern block nations, could benefit from the Polish experience in community development.

V. International Ad Hoc Committee - Expanding the Polish Model

Leona Plaugh and John Sasso suggested that a committee should be formed to investigate whether other nations, with assistance from the Pols would be interested in forming similar type associations. That committee includes Tom Utter as Committee Chair and Bob Broughton as Vice-Chair.

VI. NCDA Progress Reports

NCDA staff provided and update on the status of HUD appropriations which was contained in the NCDA Staff Activity Report. NCDA staff provided a NAHTI progress report, which was also included in the NCDA Staff Activity Report. (Attached)

NAHTI Training for Regional Meeting. Mr. Sasso informed the group that there is funding available to members who wish to conduct HOME and other community development training through the NAHTI contract. These funds can be used to assist non-active regions become more active and at the same time provide much needed training for community development staff.

Oral History Project. Mr. Sasso discussed his oral history project-- a documentary of personal experiences from many of the community development practitioners who started their careers in the Model Cities program through the CDBG program. He described the project, how much it would cost and how the funds would be expended. Total cost of the project would be approximately $50,000. NCDA would provide $20,000, CDTI would provide $10,000 and the remainder would come from private sources, such as foundations. The Board approved its budget and sources of funding.

VII. Next Meetings

Executive Symposium Winter Meeting Annual Conference
September 10-12, 1998 January 28-30, 1999 June 10-12, 1999
The Inn at Newport Beach J.W. Marriott Hotel Renaissance Hotel
Newport, RI Washington, DC Washington, DC

VIII. New Business - Executive Director Search Committee

At the recommendation of Vice President Leona Plaugh, the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors will appoint a search committee for NCDA Executive Director as John Sasso has submitted his intent to retire by July 1, 2000.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

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