HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-16 Housing & Human Services MIN
Ashland Housing and Human Services Commission
Draft Minutes September 16, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Joshua Boettiger called the meeting to order at 4:35in the Library at the First Methodist Church of Ashland
located at 175 North Main Street, Ashland OR 97520.
Commissioners Present:Council Liaison
Joshua BoettigerPam Marsh
Heidi Parker
SOU Liaison
Connie Saldana
Michael GutmanAndrew Ensslin
Coriann Matthews
Rich RohdeStaff Present:
Gina DuQuenneLinda Reid, Housing Specialist
Commissions Absent:Carolyn Schwendener, Admin
Clerk
Sue Crader
Regina Ayars
Approval of Minutes
Theminutes of the August 28, 2014 Housing and Human Services Commissionmeetingwere approved as
presented.
PUBLIC FORUM
No one was present to speak.
STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE/SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT
Boettiger gave a subcommittee report. As the deadline for the Strategic Plan is fast approachingthe following topics
were discussed to help with the process.
The Commission needs to give more clear recommendations to the City Council.
Suggested thatfewer organizations receive more money
Focus on mental illness, low cost affordable housing, job/life skills, homelessness
Connect in a clear way with Ashland’sCity Council2020 goals
Key interviews with the following stakeholder groupslaw enforcement, businesses,social serviceagencies,
basic needs/homelessproviders, schools, faith communities, environmental agencies, OSF,health care
providers, media/news stations and housing providers.
By doing interviewsit wouldgive the Commissionsome data to work with regarding whatthe greatest community
needs are and how to address them.The following three questions will be asked in the interviews and Reid will email
themout to the Commissioners.
1.What do you see as the greatest community need?
2.Please provide us with a list of your opinions on unmet service needs or gaps in your community.
3.Any additional comments, concerns or suggestions
Saldana/Mathews m/s to modify the questions from the previous survey to be used for interview questions
for KeyInformants. Voice Vote: All ayes motion passed unanimously.
The following is a list of Commissioners and which entitythey will contact for interviews
Environmental –Saldana
Law Enforcement –Gutman
Mental Health/Health Care –Rohde
Business/OSF/Co-Op–DuQuenne
Access/Housing Authority/Property Management companies–Matthews
Faith Community –Boettiger
Schools/SOU/Ashland Public Schools–Parker
Media –Reid
Maslow –Ensslin
Veterans Administration –Ayars
Head Start/Living Opportunities–Crader
The interviews will need to be completed and results sent to Reid no later than October 10, 2014. Reid proposed to
present the Strategic Plan Draft to the City Council at their Study Session on November 17, 2014. Put the Strategic
Plan on next month’s agenda.
CAPER REVIEW AND APPROVAL
Reid explained that the City of Ashland is an entitlement jurisdiction, receiving an annual allocation of Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As a
recipient of CDBG funds, the City is required to prepare a five-year strategic plan that identifieshousing and
community needs, prioritizes these needs, identifies resources to address the needs, and establishes annual goals
and objectives to meet the identified needs. This five year plan is known as the Consolidated Plan.The
Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) addresses the goals identified in the 2010-2014
Consolidated Plan which was approved in April of 2010.
Reid reviewed the CAPER reportwith the Commissioners. This is a valuable report as itcollects a lot of good
information about the things the City is working to accomplish, stated Reid.
Rohde/Mathews m/s to approve the CAPER Report. Voice Vote; AllAyes motion passed unanimously.
STUDENT FAIR HOUSING PRESENTATION LIST AND PAIR-UP
Ensslin is currently working on preparing a list of landlordsto interview regarding Student Fair Housing.Suggested
contacts were; Southern Oregon Renters Association(SORA), Commercial Property Management (CPM), Pacific
Properties, Ashland Property Management, Craig’s list,as well as private individuals. In the City it is required to
register for a business license if you have two or more units. The business license applications would be another
source of names. Ensslin has prepared a questionnaire andhe and Christy Wright will do phone interviews.
It was decided to postpone the Goal Review and Discussion topic on the agenda until a future meeting.
LIAISON REPORTS DISCUSSION
COUNCIL–Marsh conveyedthat a concern was brought to the City Council regarding the issue ofthe behavior of
the people on the street in the downtownarea. Two downtown business owners appeared before the Council to
explain their interactionswith the people hanging around the Black Swan Theater.They also submitted letters from
co-workers sharing their concern about the lack of safety downtown. Marsh stressed that Chief Holderness has
been a very good resource and presence in the downtown area. The Council is putting this topic on an upcoming
Study Session and Marsh invited any Commissioner who is interested to attend.
SOU –Ensslin spentpart of his summer organizing awelcomingevent for new students that involves the downtown
business community. It’s called “SOU Loves Ashland.”Ensslin reached out to over one hundred and twenty local
businesses and asked if they would be interested in participating in the event. The event will involve sending five to
six hundred freshmento Lithia Park for lunch as well as a meet and greet.Ensslin went on to say he has eighty-four
confirmed businesses participating. Students will beencouraged to visit ten to fifteen businesses of their choosing.
The intent is to show students what the downtown has to offer, where to eat, places to shop and where tospend
time. The event will take place Saturday, September 27, 2014 from 11:00 am to 4:00pm.
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS –Saldanaannounced that you can now take the bus (RVTD) from the Medford
transfer station to Grants Pass. The cost is two dollars. They are making five round trips a day.
Parker mentioned that they are gearing up for the winter shelter for homeless again offering four nights a week.
She encouraged anyone who might know of any church or organization who would be willing to host anothernight to
let her know. They will be offering a trainingclass sometime in October.
OCTOBER 23, 2014AGENDA ITEMS
Put goal setting on the October agenda.
Review of the Strategic Plan
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS
November Housing and Human Services Commission regular meeting –To be determineddue to Thanksgiving.
ADJOURNMENT
-The meeting was adjourned at 6:00p.m.followed by a tour of “Uncle Foods” which is a volunteer
run program that prepares meals for the homeless/low income families and individuals.
Respectfullysubmitted by Carolyn Schwendener