HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-12 Homelessness Steering_MIN
Draft Minutes
September 12, 2012
Ad-Hoc Homelessness Steering Committee
Ashland Library
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Attendance
Ayars, Parker, Saldana, Hopkins-Powell, Lewis, Rohde, Morris (Council liaison), Reid (Staff)
Absent
O’Bryon, Sohl
Agenda Item #1: Call to Order
Parker called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.
Agenda Item #2: Approval of Minutes
Hopkins-Powell/Ayars moved to approve the minutes with corrections. Voice Vote-Motion
passed unanimously.
Agenda Item #3: Sub-Committee Reports
a.) Winter Shelter: Hopkins-Powell reported that the Episcopal Church is moving the
possibility of hosting a regular monthly shelter night through the process. It is
dependent upon volunteers from the community since there are not enough volunteers
in the church. Barbi Breneiser, one of the organizers of the Sunday night shelter at
the Presbyterian Church, will be speaking to the group to provide details about the
existing shelter program. Parker asked if Hopkins-Powell could find out if Barbi can
come and speak to the HSC. Audience member Hackston suggested that Options for
Homeless Residents of Ashland (OHRA) come to the HSC in the near future to talk
about their efforts toward developing more shelter options. Saldana reported that she
spoke with the new CERT coordinator, Terri Eubanks, who stated that CERT would
be willing to put out the call through their contact list for volunteers for emergency
shelter nights. Ayars asked if the HSC would be requesting anything from the City
regarding shelter options. Saldana offered to talk with Parks about what would be
needed to utilize one of their buildings for an emergency cold weather shelter.
b.) Adult Day-Use Center: Parker gave an update on Councilor Slattery’s efforts to
find a non-profit provider for the day center. As part of this effort Slattery asked the
HSC members to go over the list of services to be offered at the Day-Use Center
originally compiled by Ayars and Lewis and see if there is anything that needs to be
added. It was decided that whether or not the day use center should serve a mixed
population of youth and adults would have to be investigated further before the HSC
could make a recommendation.
c.) Donation Box Update: Lewis reported that the Chamber has a new design and is in
the process of finding someone to complete the fabrication of the new boxes. Lewis
estimated that the boxes could be back up within a month. Hopkins-Powell wanted to
remind everyone that they can still donate to St. Vincent without the boxes.
Donations can be made directly to the St. Vincent account at People’s bank and
through the Chamber website at:
http://www.ashlandchamber.com/Page.asp?NavID=1103 .
d.) Youth Day Center Update: Parker reported that there was some confusion with the
vetting process for the Youth Center proposal from Community Works. Having the
article come out in the newspaper prior to having it come before the Parks
Commission and Council caused some problems. It was determined that the role of
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the HSC is to vet such proposals. The question is where do we go from here? A
meeting has been arranged between the Mayor, Parker, the City administrator and
Community Works Staff. Corrianne Mathews, Street Outreach worker for
Community Works, stated that she is compiling a report on the youth response to the
Day Center. Mathews reported that she has 10 youth who attend the weekly meal in
the park regularly. Sometimes as many 25 youth attend the meals. Lewis stated that
his main concern about the proposal was that there was a separation between the
youth who attend the Lithia Springs School and the Street youth. Parker told him that
she was assured that there would be.
Agenda Item #4: Outreach to the Faith Community:
Parker Asked the Committee when they would like to hold the next outreach meeting for the
Faith Community. Hopkins-Powell spoke about the Open Table Training taking Place the week
ndth
of October 2 through the 7. Hopkins-Powell said that there is a lot of interest in the faith
community for this program and felt that there might be a better turnout for the HSC outreach
meeting if it were held after the training. Lewis suggested that the HSC consider the second
meeting in October since the first meeting will be taken up by the discussion on the City council
study session. It was decided that a new invitation letter will be drafted and approved at the next
nd
regular HSC meeting inviting members of the Faith based Community to the October 22
meeting. Then sent out to the mailing list compiled previously. Hopkins-Powell suggested that
the main topics covered at the meeting should be: winter shelter, additional volunteers or space
for a winter shelter, Follow up to the Dignity Village visit, and the Day Center.
Other Reports/Announcements
This weekend is the Mission of Mercy Dental Clinic at Central High in Medford
th
Jackson County Homeless Task Force Meeting: Tuesday Sept. 18 10:30-12:00 Community
Center in Ashland
Dignity Village meetings next week
nd
Open Table Model training October 2-7th
Public Comments – Several
Adjourn-6:00
Next meeting: September 24, 2012 4:00-6:00 P.M.
Community Development Building, Siskiyou Room
Respectfully Submitted by Linda Reid, Housing Program Specialist
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