HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-0515 Study Session PACKET I
CITY OF
~~,SHLAND
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
AGENDA
Monday, May 15, 2017
Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way
5: 30 p.m. Study Session
1. Public Input (15 minutes maximum)
2. Look Ahead review
3. Affordable Housing Trust Fund Menu of Activities
4. Presentation regarding home fire sprinklers
5. Discussion regarding winter and emergency shelters (request of Mayor Stromberg)
Incompliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this
meeting, please contact the City Administrator`s office at (541) 488-6002 (TTYphone number 1-800-735-
2900). Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to
ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title 1).
COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE BROADCAST LIVE ON CHANNEL 9. STARTING APRIL 15, 2014,
CHARTER CABLE WILL BROADCAST MEETINGS ON CHANNEL 180 OR 1 S 1.
VISIT THE CITY OF ASHLAND'S WEB SITE AT WWW.ASHLAND.OR.US
Ci of Ashland Council Meetin Look Ahead
9 *****THIS IS A DRAFT AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE*****
1•i. ~ cc ss cc
~ 9/5 9118 9119
a !9 ! 1 Police, Fire, IT, Electric, AFN Finance Bev Adams Bdgt
2 Communit Develo ment, Public Works Finance Bev Adams Bdgt
615 ~ ~ ~ 615 Stud Session in S sk au R om m H nk SS 3 Discussion of CEAP commission ro osal Admin Ada a s
Discussion of holistic review of all city commissions/committees Admin John Karns David 4 SS
Lohman Bill Molnar
6J6 Re ular Council Meetin 616 5 Annual Presentation b the Band Board Admin Diana Shi let PRES
s U date to mana ement resolution HR Tina Gra CoNs
7 Trasnfer of the You Have 0 tions ro ram Police Ti he O'Meara CONS
Approval of a Fixed Base Operator Lease for the Ashland Municipal PW Mike Faught g CONS Air ort
Award of a Professional Services Contract in excess of $75,000 for PW Mike Faught g CONS
Final Desi n of Pum Stations
Public Hearing regarding 2017-2019 Budget approving: Finance Mark Welch Resolution making appropriations
PH 1o Resolution stating the city qualifies for subventions E R SO
Resolution regarding receiving state funding
Resolution lev in taxes 11 Electric rates Electric Mark Holden UNFIN
6119 -Stud Session in Siski ou Room 6~1~
rk H I n Continued discussion of 10x20 Ordinance options Electric Ma ode 12 SS
Admin Adam Hanks Discussion of AFN Governance Committee recommendation re: new Admin Legal IT David Lohman
13 AFN Commission Mark Holden ss
Rich Rosenthal
612o Re ular Council Meetin sl2o 14 A royal of a su lemental bud et Finance Mark Welch coNS
Public hearin and a royal of a resolution u datin misc. fees Finance Bev Adams PH 15 g pp p g
RES 16 Road Diet u date PW Mike Fau ht NEw
17 Recommendation re ardin E. Nevada Street Bride PW Mike Fau ht NEW
Page 1 of 3 5/10!2 5/10/2017
Cit of Ashland Council Meetin Look Ahead Y 9
*****THIS IS A DRAFT AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE*****
~ . ~ „ , cc ss cc 915 9118 9119
713 - ~ssion
714 Re ular Council Meetin -Canceled due to Holida 714 71 7
1 nSSkt o 7117 Stud Session ~ ~ ou R om min John Karns
Discussion of options for increasing effectiveness of study sessions Ad 18 SS re uest of Councilor Slatter
Discussion re ardin proposal to add video arraignments from the jail Admin John Stromberg 9 g
19 and have a second arrai nment da Ti he O'Meara ss g Y g David Lohman
7118 Re ular Council Meetin 7118
20 Annual Presentation b the Forest Lands Commission Fire David She herd PRES •
7131 7131 Stud Session ~nS~s~~ ouRoo~ ss 21 Discussion of downtown arkin strate PW Mike Fau ht
811 Re ular Council Meetin 811
22 Theater Corridor artists resentation Admin Ann Seltzer PRES
2s Potential acce tance of downtown arkin strate PW Mike Fau ht UNPIN • _ 8114 $114. Stud Session ~n S~ska ou Room
8115 Re ular Council Meetin 8115
24 Annual Presentation b the Conservation Commission Admin Adam Hanks PRES 914 ;
914 Stud. Session - Ca~ic~led due to Labor Da Holida • 915 9/5 Re ular Council Meetin 1
25 Selection of Theater Corridor art Admin Ann Seltzer NEw f tQ/1 R
91' 9118: ,Stud SeSS~on in Siski ou Room
9119 Re ular Council Meetin
26 Annual resentation b the Air ort Commission PW Mike Fau ht
27 Resolution creatin the herita e tree list Com Dev Bill Molnar
PRES
79/19 CONS
Page 2 of 3 511012(
Cit of Ashland Council Meetin Look Ahead Y 9
*****THIS IS A DRAFT AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE*****
Commission Presentation Dates - 2017
Februar 21-Trans ortation Commission March 21 -Tree Commission
A ril 18 -Historic Commission
Ma 16 -Wildfire Miti ation Commission
June 6 -Band Board Jul 18 -Forest Lands Commission
August 15 -Conservation Commission
Se tember 19 -Air ort Commission
October 17 -Public Arts Commission November 21 - Housin and Human Services Commission
December 5 - Plannin Commission
• ~
Discussion of otential solutions to deer roblems re uest of Councilor Seffin er
Discussion re ardin the seismic code U date on internal controls olic
Senior issues re uest of Ma or Stromber
Report on Eugene homeless and shelter infrastructure, including car camping (request of Mayor Stromberg)
Continued discussion/a royal of Lithia Wa /Pioneer St. beautification ro~ect Waterline Road LID disillusion
Polic re ardin civic donations
A royal of a street mural ermit
Role of Council liaisions
Page 3 of 3 5/1 C
5/10/2017
Council Stud Session
Title: Affordable Housing Trust Fund Menu of Activities
Item Type: Update
Requested by Council? Yes
From: Linda Reid Housing Program Specialist
reidl@ashland.or.us
Discussion Questions:
The Housing & Human Services Commission has been evaluating the Affordable Housing Trust
Fund (AHTF) over the last two years to identify a permanent funding source for the fund. The
Commission presented some potential funding sources to the Council at a study session in Aril
of 2016. At that meeting the Council requested that the commission focus on what types of
activities the AHTF funding could be used for and tasked the commission with developing a plan
that included needs, uses, priorities, and cost amounts. To that end the commission formed a
subcommittee to work on putting together a "menu" of funding options and potential activities
for council consideration. That document is provided as an attachment.
Resource Requirements:
In FY 201.7-19 proposed budget there is presently $166,000 identified for AHTF use. In the
event the council identifies additional funding in support of the AHTF, this new amount would
constitute a new appropriation for the AHTF and require a corresponding funding source.
Staff resources for award and distribution of the AHTF would be accommodated by the
Community Development Department's existing staff.
Su~~ested Next Steps:
N/A
Policies, Plans and Goals Supported:
2. Promote effective citizen communication and engagement.
2.1 Engage community in conversation about core services, desired service levels and
funding mechanisms.
5. Seek opportunities to enable all citizens to meet basic needs.
5.2 Support and promote, through policy, programs that make the City affordable to live
in.
5.2. a. Pursue affordable housing opportunities, especially workforce housing. Identify
specific incentives for developers to build more affordable housing.
5.3 Leverage partnerships with non-profit and private entities to build social equity
programming.
6. Develop supports to enable citizens to age in Ashland
Pagelof3 CITY OF
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6.1 Support and augment existing programs.
7. Keep Ashland afamily-friendly community.
7.1 Support educational and enrichment programs in the community.
7.3 Support land-use plans and policies that encourage family-friendly neighborhoods.
Background and Additional Information:
In September of 2008 the City Council adopted an ordinance establishing an Affordable Housing
Trust Fund and a resolution that provided a limited amount of funding to the AHTF from 1985
CDBG home rehabilitation loan repayments. In 2012 the City dedicated $125,000 from the sale
of the Chitwood property to the AHTF. Currently the AHTF has a balance of $166,350 with no
further revenue source beyond the remaining $65,000 in outstanding rehabilitation loan
repayments identified to continue to provide funding.
• Ordinance 2966 was approved by the Council on October 7, 2008. The ordinance
established the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and defined the general purpose of the
AHTF as:
A. The purpose of the City of Ashland's Affordable Housing Trust Fund is to support the
creation or preservation of housing that is affordable to people with incomes that do not
exceed 120% of the Area Median Income, as defined by the Department of Housing and
Urban Development for the Medford-Ashland Metropolitan Service Area. (120% Area
Median Income by Household Size: 1Person-$44,800, 2person-$51,240, 3 person-
$57,600, 4person-$68,160)
B. AHTF funds will support activities that create, preserve or acquire housing within the
Ashland Urban Growth Boundary. AHTF funds may also be used for permanent or
transitional housing for homeless families and individuals, and for the modernization,
rehabilitation and repair of public housing.
C. The AHTF is not intended to be the sole source of funding for affordable housing and
any activity or protect eligible for support from the AHTF is expected to develop
additional sources of funds.
• The Council also adopted Resolution 2008-34 which established the policies and
procedures for how AHTF funds would be used and awarded, and Resolution 2008-33
which dedicated the repayments from a 1985 Housing Rehabilitation program funded
with Community Development Block Grant Funds to the support of the AHTF.
The AHTF was created to address several barriers to the development of affordable rental and
ownership housing in Ashland and to offer a more flexible funding source serving a larger
population than traditional affordable housing funding sources such as Tax Credit financing,
CDBG or HOME funding. The AHTF is available to a variety of applicants from for profit
entities, and private employers to non-profit housing providers. The uses of the AHTF are broad
and include activities not otherwise eligible for funding under traditional affordable housing
financing mechanisms including; predevelopment costs such as engineering and architectural
costs, environmental clearance costs, bridge loans, land banking, and such direct benefit
Page2of3 ~,ITY OF
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activities as down payment assistance, emergency housing vouchers and homeowner education.
In all AHTF awards the City Council acts as the final award making body.
The menu of potential activities and projects provides examples of the types of activities that the
City could provide Affordable Housing Trust Fund funding for through the issuance of a Request
for Proposals (RFP). The City does not develop, own, or manage affordable housing directly,
and as such leverages partnerships with non-profit and private entities to propose and complete
projects that address Ashland's housing needs. Applicants for AHTF funding may, or may not,
propose uses for a funding award that specifically align with the example "menu" of potential
activities attached to this memo. However, in developing the RFP the City could identify key
priorities, and evaluate proposals in consideration of how they address the priority uses
described.
In order to allocate the AHTF the City would undertake the following:
• Develop key funding priorities based on the amount of funds available.
• Prepare an RFP that highlights those funding priorities for Council approval and
issuance.
• Advertise funding availability through the RFP process.
• Schedule award selection hearings before the Housing and Human Services Commission
and the City Council.
• Approve final award and allocations.
Attachments:
Ashland Housing Trust Fund Menu
Accessory Residential Unit Development Grants -Pilot Program
Additional Links:
Ordinance 2966
Resolution 2008-33
Resolution 2008-34
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Housing Trust Fund Menu
The Housing and Human Services commission is committed to exploring and proposing solutions to alleviate
the issues confronting Ashland residents in the face of the current housing crisis. The Housing and Human
Services Commission is excited about the current opportunity to leverage limited and valuable community
resources with federal, state, and private resources to offer incentives to for-profit and non-profit entities to
encourage the provision of needed resources to the community. The commission is offering this menu of
activities to the Council as an example of how the City can proactively support the mandates of the statewide
housing goal of providing a mix of housing types commensurate with the income levels of the residents of
Ashland. Although the table below provides examples of the types of activities that can be undertaken with
AHTF funding, this list is certainly not exclusive or exhaustive.
Funding Potential ActivitieslProjects
Level
Housing Ownership (targeting Rental (targeting 80% Transitional/Permanent
Type 80-120% AMIX) AMI or below) Supportive/Emergency Shelter
(tar etin 50% AMI or below)
SOK Down Payment Assistance Homeless prevention Transitional Housing
to 2-5 Households (Could (rent assistance, HousinglTiny RehablEmergenc
be combined with foreclosure prevention, Homes 1-2 tiny y RepairslADA-
IndividualDevelopment emergency housing homes Aging in Place
Account program to vouchers) 1-50 (construction only) 2-5 households.
provide leverage-IDA's 2-4 on trailers)
target 80%AMI) (**home
price 200K or less.
100K band banking with ARU Program assisting
leverage and existing with SDC's, permits or
funds or multi-year construction costs,
allocation could provide promotes more
Single lot or small lot for neighborhood
multi-family development integrationlinfill. 10-13
1-3 unit potential, land units at approx. $7,500
costs only. per unit.
200K orkforce Housing, Small Or any combination of Or any combination
ottages (500-1000 Sq. ft., the proceeding of the proceeding
SK-125K in construction activities. activities.
ost only per unit. 3 units
ith leverage.
300K Or any combination of the Multi-family Partnerships with Or any
proceeding activities. affordable Rental veterans' combination of
project development, programs to build the proceeding
with an estimated l OX 80120 activities.
leverage in State, market/affordable
Federal, or mixed
Foundation funds, developments
could provide Or any
between 12-1 S, could combination of
I
include land the proceeding
acquisition. activities.
Or any combination
of the proceeding
activities.
*Area Median Income as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
**Assumes sale to household earning 100% AMI for a family of four.
Income Limits by Family Size: $lyear
*For the Medford-Ashland Statistical Area as determined by the Department of Housing and Urban
Development
May 2016 -May 2017
Income Level Number of Persons in Family
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8+
Extremely Low Income (30%) 11880 16020 20160 26650 28800 30950* 33050* 35200*
Lowlncome(50%,) 18700 21350 24000 28440 28800 30950 33050 35200
Income at 60% of Median 22440 25620 28800 34080 34560 37140 39660 42240
Moderate Income (80%) 29900 34150 38400 42650 46100 49500 52900 56300
Median Income (100%) 37400 42700 48000 56880 57600 61900 66100 70400
Income at 120% of Median 44800 51240 57600 68160 69120 74280 79320 84480
Income at 130% of Median 48620 55510 62400 73944 74880 80470 85930 91520
i
CITY OF
ASHLAND
Accessory Residential Unit (ARU) Development Grants -Pilot Project
Overview
Allocate $75,000 from the City's Housing Trust Fund for small grant awards to create needed
rental housing by offsetting City development fees.
Maximum Grant Award - X7500
Proposals meeting pilot program criteria are eligible for a maximum of $7500 to be used the
payment of City development fees (i.e, land use and building permit fees, system development
charges (SDC's), utility metering, etc.).
Eligibility Criteria
✓ ~'rimary Residency Requirement
Eligible properties contain the primary residence of the property owner.
✓ Maximum Unit Size
Accessory residential units shall not exceed 500 square feet in size.
✓ Sale Restriction
A property sold within three years after approval of an accessory residential unit is
required to repay the total grant award, including interest of 5% per annum.
0 b j ectives
✓ Create Needed Rental Housing
The program offers homeowners an incentive to construct rental housing.
✓ Target Moderately-Priced Rents
The program encourages development of moderately priced rental housing by limiting
the unit size to 500 square feet.
✓ Protect Neighborhood Character
Since the 1990's, numerous accessory residential units have been approved and
successfully integrated into existing neighborhoods with considerations for scale and
design.
✓ Offer Priority Permit Processing
Under this pilot program, permit processing for accessory residential units will receive
priority from City departments.
I
Council Stud Session
Title: Presentation Regarding Home Fire Sprinklers -Progress
Towards an Ordinance
Item Type: Presentation
Requested by Council? No
From: Margueritte Hickman Division ChieflFire Marshal
Margueritte.hickman@ashland.or.us
Discussion Questions:
How would the installation of home fire sprinklers in new homes...
• improve the safety of our community?
• reduce risk for our residents and structures?
• reduce risk of firefighter injury?
• reduce the environmental impact of a structure fire?
How can our elected officials help promote home fire sprinklers both in our community and to
their peers around the state?
When would be the right time to explore a local adoption of a home fire sprinkler ordinance?
Resource Requirements:
There is no direct cost to the City for the installation of home fire sprinklers. Additionally, the
installation of fire sprinklers (both in homes and businesses) could potentially limit the need for
additional firefighters in the future. As in, smaller or extinguished fires do not require as many
responders to deal with the situation. In essence, working towards having fire sprinklers inmost
structures could be a way to manage the size of the City's fire department.
Su~~ested Next Steps:
Continue to educate our city staff, the citizens of Ashland and members of the development and
real estate communities regarding the benefits of home fire sprinklers.
Ashland needs to showcase the local efforts that have been made to reduce the cost barriers and
assist other communities to do the same thing.
When considering the right time to move forward with the adoption of a home fire sprinkler
ordinance in new construction, we need to be mindful of possible concerns and opposition which
can come with proposed requirements of any new technology.
Policies, Plans and Goals Supported:
Council Goal 29 -Promote conservation as a long-term strategy to protect the environment and
public utility needs. House fires where home fire sprinklers activate experience reduced
Pagelof2 C[TY OF
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greenhouse gas emission, reduced water usage and fewer persistent pollutants in the water
runoff than from fire suppression efforts.
Council Goal 26 -Improve public communications and community partnerships regarding
public safety policies and best practices.
Council Goal 27 -Reduce the risk of fire in the city and environs. Home fire sprinklers reduce
the potential of a house fire spreading to the vegetation and other homes.
hops: //home f it°esprinkle~•, of°g/fire-sprinklers-aj•e- r.
Council Goa128 -Provide Police, Fire and other first responders with facilities and equipment
that ensures their and the public's safety. The NFPA reports that firefighter injuries in home fires
are reduced by approximately 65% when sprinklers are installed. http:/,/~~~tiv~v.nfpa.org/news-
and-research/pi~blicationsin pa~jotrrnal,~?016/home- ire-.sprinkler-edition/eattcres%'the- i~•e-
service-ar~~l e
Background and Additional Information:
Two years ago the council approved the application for a FEMA Fire Prevention & Safety Grant
to fund a Fire Sprinkler Demonstration Trailer and a Residential Fire Sprinkler Campaign in
cooperation with Medford Fire-Rescue. We were successful and received the grant in August of
201 S. Since then, efforts have been made to educate our community and create better
opportunities for installing home fire sprinklers. Some of the things that have been accomplished
include:
• Water department reduced the monthly charge for the 1"meter upgrade when required for
home fire sprinklers.
• Building Department has recognized the allowance of a "passive purge" installation which
negates the need for a backflow device, therefore reducing an annual service charge.
• No additional SDC charges related to upsized meters in homes.
• Public Service Announcements have been airing on all three networks.
• Advertisement was placed in the home show brochure.
• Fire sprinkler trailer has been constructed and used in three demonstrations.
• Class has been provided at no cost for the development community on the technical
requirements of NFPA 13D.
• Survey of homes in Ashland with fire sprinklers has been completed.
• The retrofit of two adult foster care homes (one in Medford and one in Ashland) is nearly
complete.
Attachments:
To gain more information about home fire sprinklers, the following two websites have great
information:
Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition - httpsa/hometiresprinkler.orgl
Fire Sprinkler Initiative - httpalw~w.firesprinklerinitiative.orQl
Page 2 of 2 C I? Y ~ F
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Council Stud Session
Title: Discussion Regarding Winter and Emergency Shelters
Item Type: Discussion
Requested by Council? Yes -Mayor Stromberg
From: John Karns Interim City Administrator
John.karns@ashland.or.us
Discussion Questions:
Mayor Stromberg requested that the winter and emergency shelter at Pioneer Hall be discussed
during a Council study session. Some discussion questions maybe:
• What is the efficacy of using Pioneer Hall as a winter and emergency shelter?
• Is there a better location for a winter and emergency shelter that would serve shelter
guests better?
• How should the challenge of identifying volunteers to staff the shelters be addressed?
• How should the damage to Pioneer Hall caused by the facility being used as a shelter be
addressed?
• How should the behavioral issues of the shelter guests be addressed?
• Does the City want to renew the emergency shelter contract with OHRA?
Resource Requirements:
The City pays roughly $400 per month for general liability insurance for using a city facility as a
winter shelter. Money is not specifically budgeted for this purpose in the biennial budget and the
cost is currently absorbed by the Insurance Fund.
On December 20, 2016, the Council approved a contract to OHRA in the amount of $3850 to
staff an emergency shelter on nights that met the criteria for such. The contract provided for up
to five nights of emergency shelter activation.
There are as yet undetermined costs for maintenance and repairs to Pioneer Hall.
Su~~ested Next Steps:
Council should determine where the winter and emergency shelter should be located, what
community organizations should contribute, and how to manage the shelter operations next
season.
Policies, Plans and Goals Supported:
5. Seek opportunities to enable all citizens to meet basic needs
Background and Additional Information:
For the past five years, the City has made Pioneer Hall available for a winter shelter for the
homeless, staffed by volunteers from The Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
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(RVUUF) and Temple Emek Shalom (Temple). In 2016, Mayor Stromberg was contacted by
Bob Morse representing the Ashland First Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC) and
the South Mountain Friends Meeting (SMFM) who requested an additional night of shelter to be
staffed by volunteers from their two churches and on December 20, 2016, Council agreed to the
additional night.
Also on December 20, 2016, Council approved a contract with OHRA to hire staff to coordinate
the running of an emergency shelter on nights when the weather met the emergency shelter
criteria.
Attachments:
• 2016-17 Ashland Winter Shelter Summary from Heidi Parker
• Report on Sunday Night Winter Shelter at Pioneer Hall from Vanessa Houk
• Spreadsheet of issues submitted to Parks and City staff
• Photos related to issues submitted to staff
Additional Links:
December 20, 2016 Minutes
Page2of2 CITY OF
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2016-17 ASHLAND WINTER HOMELESS SHELTER SUMMARY
The 20016-17 Winter Overnight Homeless Shelter season officially ended April 16tH
2017. This was our biggest year yet of providing a legal, warm, safe place for the un-
housed in our community toget amuch-needed night of rest.
This was a massive under-taking! In total, our all-volunteer shelter program provided
112 nights of shelter (8 of those Emergency or Special Shelters) for 35-52 people each
night from mid-November to mid-April, utilizing more than 120 volunteers, with at least 2
volunteers spending each night. An additional 119 volunteers (averaging 3 volunteers/
night) helped prepare and serve food, welcome and sign-in guests, or helped launder
blankets or clean up.
In January of this year we began offering a 5th night of weekly shelter (Sunday-
Thursday) co-sponsored by the South Mountain Friends Meeting (Quakers), and the
Congregational Church, in partnership with the City of Ashland to provide the Pioneer
Hall Sunday Night Shelter location.
Additional shelters were offered at the following locations each week:
• Monday nights at the Presbyterian Church
• Tuesday nights at Pioneer Hall, co-sponsored by Temple Emek Shalom, Unitarian
Universalists, & the City of Ashland
• Wednesday nights at Trinity Episcopal Church
• Thursday nights at Pioneer Hall, sponsored by Temple Emek Shalom, Unitarians &
the City of Ashland.
We could not have done all this without our amazing network of volunteers who
selflessly contributed their time and energy in service to the most needy in our
community. Some volunteers spent the night, while others brought in food or helped
serve, clean up, or simply sat with our guests to quietly listen and share a warm
beverage.
Additionally we would like to express our gratitude to all the sponsoring agencies,
churches, synagogues, and the City of Ashland, including: Trinity Episcopal, Temple
Emek Shalom, the Congregational Church, First Presbyterian Church, Quakers,
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Food Angels, The Ashland Food Bank, City of
Ashland Police, The City of Ashland Parks & Rec. Dept., Jackson Co. Health & Mental
Health for help training our volunteers, and all the community volunteers who donated
food, clothes, or their precious time in the service of other community members.
We are having a Volunteer Appreciation Pot Luck dinner on Wednesday, May 17 at
6:30 p.m. at the Trinity Episcopal Church. All are welcome to attend.
Heidi Parker, Winter ShelterVolunteerCoordinator
Phone:541-482-1520 /email: parkershames(~gmail.com
I
Report on Sunday nightwintershelter in Pioneer Hall
Submitted by Vanessa Houk
Dear City Councilors,
We started the Sunday night shelter on January 1 st of this year with a partnership
between two faith based congregations, the UCC church (First Congregational United
Church of Christ) and the Quaker Friends. That gave us a strong pool of volunteers to
draw from and during the shelter season we averaged between 20 to 35 guests per
night who stayed over, as well as another 10-20 who came inside to eat. Aside from the
core group of overnight volunteers, we had approximately 15 more who brought in food
and provided other forms of support as needed. For example, one of the things I saw as
a need was clean, dry socks after stormy weather and a number of times volunteers
stepped forward with donations like that. Trying to get some rest with soggy feet was
not going to happen on my watch.
The first thing I hope you hear is how grateful people were for the opportunity for
shelter. I hope to pass along the deep and sincere gratitude that was often shared with
me.
had a unique outlook since Jason and I also host the community meal on Friday nights
(also held in Pioneer Hall), so I spent time with the homeless community just before
they were losing shelter for theweekend and then again when they were re-sheltered
on Sunday evenings. From that advantage I was able to make some observations that I
would like to share with all of you.
One of the things I saw is that on Friday nights people were jovial and there were few, if
any behavior issues. There is a family like atmosphere that we all create there and it's
known to be a very safe place foreveryone. When I saw people again on Sunday
evening and compared theiremotional and physical state to how they were on Friday, I
observed that they came in on Sundays and seemed to decompensate. Often they were
cranky with one another from lack of sleep and a large percentage of them would bunk
down as soon as possible, too exhausted to eat. While there was a calm atmosphere at
the Sunday shelter, it was not a place where families could be sheltered.
When the homeless community was well rested on Friday evenings, they often seemed
like different people. Let me give you a concrete example of that. There's a young man
who exudes a rough exterior. He's often disheveled looking and if I was wearing my
judgiest pants, I might say that on the outside he looks kind of scary. I've gotten to know
him from the Peace Meal and I've watched his behavior soften considerably over the
past year. On many Fridays I've seen him correct his own behaviors so that he's acting
in a kinder manner. When I saw him on Sundays, he was more likely to be back to
those old behaviors. What I also observed was how the rest of the community has
changed and now works together to address and correct negative behaviors. For
example, if he was quick tempered, aside from having to face me or one of my
volunteers, there would be several houseless people who would speak to him, problem
I
solve and quickly set him straight again. This is still happening when other people are
around him today. It carried over and I am seeing how the community uses what they
observed in the shelters to keep the peace out on the streets.
Besides creating a space for people to rest and stabilize, the shelter program is
providing safe space for our most vulnerable communities. We provide safety by
addressing aggressive behavior and banning violent and predatory offenders. We are
able to influence behavior by providing positive reinforcement and models for better
relationships between guests, volunteers and our community.
The availability of meals at shelters have proven to be critical for managing guests with
diabetes, preventing costly emergency room visits. Alternatively, volunteers at the
shelters has been able to offer support to disabled and injured guests, relying on
emergency services when necessary.
Since the shelter has ended, I've also observed the impact of the lack of shelter has on
the community. The bare bones shelter, held indifferent locations throughout the week
(Pioneer (Sunday) First Presbyterian Church (Monday), Pioneer (Tuesday), Trinity
Episcopalian (Wednesday) and Pioneer (Thursday), provided a sense of stability
beyond basic shelter. I know of several people who found and held down jobs because
they were sheltered this winter. I know of some who used the shelter as a way to
stabilize so they could apply to SOU and know of at least one young man who has a
great shot at rebuilding his life with that continued education. I saw how having a place
where they can check in with other people helped their mental states and for those
exhibiting mental illness, this was particularly true and over the course of the sheltered
nights I could see improvements because they were getting some of their other basic
needs met.
Our winter shelter program provides safety, structure, socialization and improved
decision making skills and that's carried back out on the streets with positive results.
Thank you for your part in making that happen.
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1/31/2017 -Email from Code Compliance to Parks
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Here are a couple of photos where they've been taking mortar and stones out of the new seat wall. I don't
have any photos of the recent landscape damage.
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