HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-22 Housing & Human Services MIN
Ashland Housing and Human Services Commission
Minutes September 22, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Boettiger called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm in the Siskiyou Room at the Community Development and
Engineering Offices located at 51 Winburn Way, Ashland OR 97520.
Commissioners Present:
Council Liaison
Gina DuQuenneRich Rosenthal
Rich Rohde
SOU Liaison
Joshua Boettiger
Tom GundersonMegan Mercier, absent
Sharon Harris
Staff Present:
Sue Crader
Heidi Parker Linda Reid, Housing Specialist
Michelle Linley
Commissioners Absent:
Carolyn Schwendener, Staff Secretary
Tom Buechele
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Two corrections were made to last . (Council Liaison report - )
Not the Chamber Board
Rohde/Gunderson m/s to approve the minutes of the August 25, 2016 Housing and Human Services Commission
meeting with corrections. Voice Vote: All Ayes, minutes were approved with corrections.
PUBLIC FORUM
No one was present to speak.
The Commissioners welcomed new member Michelle Linley and City Councilor Rich Rosenthal who was subbing
for Pam Marsh.
HOUSING CRISIS FORUM NEXT STEPS UPDATE
Rohde reported the materials that came out of the forum have been summarized and the next step is to prioritize
the direction in which to take. The Committee has recently done an exercise in strategic mapping looking at all the
players in affordable housing in Ashland and the decision makers. Some of the priorities outlined are; funding of the
some of the homeless issues. Reid commented the committee recognizes some organizations are going to want
to put all their energy into priorities locally while other organizations are needing to serve in a larger more regional
effort. If anyone is interested in attending the meetings they are held every Wednesday at 1:30 pm at the Pony
Espresso café located in the Washington Federal Building on Lithia Way.
CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION REPORT
Reid gave an overview of what the CAPER report is. This is a document required from the U.S. Department of
Housing and Ur
like to fund. The CAPER reports the accomplishments generated by the activities funded in program year 2015 and
how those activities allow the City of make progress in meeting the outcomes and goals identified in the 2015-2019
Consolidated Plan. Reid brought attention to the fact that the City actually funded four projects in the 2015 year
grant cycle; The Maslow Project, St. Vincent DePaul, Ashland Supportive Housing and Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat for Humanity was not able to expend their funding as they did not find enough home owners to participate
in their program. The money was given back to the City. That money can be re-awarded mid-stream but would
need to go through award process again.
The Commissioners discussed the CAPER making some grammatical changes.
Harris/DuQuenne m/s to approve the CAPER with changes. Voice Vote: All Ayes, motion passed unanimously.
LIAISON REPORTS DISCUSSION
Porta Potty Sub-committee update Harris spoke with Parks Director Michael Black regarding the placing of a
porta potty on the Bear Creek Greenway/Bike path. The sub-committee is interested in placing a porta potty in the
downtown area somewhere around Ace Hardware/Food Co-op area. They would also like to see one at the south
end of town by Shop-n-Kart. Mr. Black has no problem with locating one on the bike path and offered to meet with
someone from the sub-committee to discuss the best possible place to put it. The HHS commission agreed they
still need to get approval from the Council as well as a funding source. Harris and DuQuenne will arrange a time
to meet with Mr. Black and do a site visit.
Joint H&HS & Planning Commission meeting At a prior H&HS meeting it was suggested to have a joint meeting
with the Planning Commission at one of their study sessions. There are a lot of land use pieces to some of the
priorities that this group has, stated Reid. It was decided to meet with the Planning Commission at their October
25, 2016 Study Session at 7:00 pm at the Council Chambers. Reid will type up a brief summary of the Planning
land use activities this group has been working on and email it to the Commissioners. It was also decided it is still
necessary to have the regular H&HS Commission meeting in October.
Council Rosenthal reported that the resolution for the winter shelter is on the City Council agenda for their
Tuesday October 18, 2016 meeting. The emergency shelter was a discussion item at their Study Session and
Council directed staff to look into the concept of contracting with an outside organization to help with the program.
This coming Sunday from 3:00 to 5:00pm is the second climate and energy action plan public open house at SOU
Stevenson Union. Potential strategies will be outlined on how to reduce our carbon footprint.
Staff Parker and Reid attended the Homeless Task Force meeting on Tuesday in which local law enforcement
spoke to the group regarding the homeless populations. Medford, Central Point and Ashland were represented.
Each community pointed out they see very differara
acknowledged that Ashland has a larger population of transients who do not necessarily want services or jobs; they
are living here as a choice. Central Point police Chief Allison pointed out the population in Central Point is very
different. It tends to be transitional families who are going from housing to homelessness for one reason or another.
They see a large number of families sleeping in their cars and often experience issues of domestic violence.
Medford Chief Sparacino emphasized they primarily see peoples with mental illness and/or drug addiction and
homeless veterans.
Parker conveyed that she disagreed with Chief description of the homeless in Ashland. As a volunteer
if you go to the homeless shelter in the winter you will find people with mental illness as well as some who have
been abused, stated Parker. None of those people in the shelter are opposed to having shelter. Parker commented
that mischaracterization of who the homeless are makes it difficult to have compassion for people who are choosing
homelessness rather than people who are there for other reasons; bad choices through no fault of their own, poverty
or abuse. Everyone agreed they all need to work together.
Reid announced that Assistance Chief Warren Hensman is putting together a mental health training for the
Community. It is currently scheduled for October 19, 2016 at the Presbyterian Church. The date may change.
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 METTING AGENDA ITEMS
Quorum Check Everyone should be present
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS
Next Housing Commission Meeting 4:30-6:30 PM; October 27, 2016 in the Siskiyou Room at the Community
Development & Engineering Department located at 51 Winburn Way.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Carolyn Schwendener