City of Lawrence, Kansas
July 14, 2015 Minutes (Lawrence City Commission Room)
Members present: Michael Brouwer (Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Re-Entry Program), Brad Cook (Bert Nash Homeless Outreach Team), Laurie Hooker (LDCHA), Trent McKinley (LPD), Teri Smith (DGCO Emergency Management), Cary Strong (Lawrence Business Community)
Members absent: Lt. Matt McCluer (Salvation Army), Becky Peters (Family Promise)
Staff present: Danelle Dresslar, Brad Karr
Public present: Anna Van Schoelandt (Willow Domestic Violence Center), James Dunn (Landlords of Lawrence), Eric Sader (LDCHA), Nickie Daneke (Catholic Charities)
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The meeting was called to order at 8:33 a.m. by Chair Cook.
ITEM NO. 1 Introductions
The members of the HIAC and public introduced themselves. Dresslar welcomed Smith to the CDAC.
ITEM NO. 2 Approval of Agenda and the April 14, 2015 Minutes
Dresslar amended the Agenda to include: Receive Bert Nash 1st Quarter 2015 Performance Report.
Motion by Strong to approve the April 14, 2015 meeting minutes of the HIAC; Seconded by McKinley.
The motion passed 6-0.
ITEM NO. 3 Discussion of HIAC Meeting Time
Dresslar explained that a formal request from a citizen was received to change the meeting time of the HIAC. Hooker asked if the request indicated why a change in time was needed. Dresslar said the citizen felt more people from the community would be able to attend an evening meeting. Strong said he understood the reason for the request, but the difficulty of scheduling a time that a meeting room is available in the evening might not achieve that goal. Cook asked if other City boards met in the day or evening. Dresslar said most probably meet in the evening, which contributes to the problem of finding an available time slot for the City Commission room. Dresslar also explained that the CDAC is different from other boards because of its agency driven components. It is largely composed of agency members and usually deals with just agency reports and issues. Strong said the CDAC understands that in special public interest situations, such as when the LCS was moving, having additional meeting times would be beneficial. Cook and Hooker both indicated that evening meetings on a regular basis would be difficult for their schedules. Dresslar also indicated that agencies would not want to pay overtime for its employees to attend an evening meeting. McKinley commented that public complaints have been received about the bus service not running after other evening board meetings. Smith indicated that evening meeting times are also difficult for board members to attend due to other work obligations, such as County board meetings. Brouwer asked if any other requests or comments about the meeting time have been received. Dresslar said only one formal request from a citizen has been received.
Motion by Brouwer to maintain the same meeting time on the same quarterly basis, with the option to hold additional meetings if the CDAC feels an issue requires more public input; Seconded by Smith.
The motion passed 6-0.
ITEM NO. 4 Housing Vision Reports
A. Non-Housing – 2015 Point-in-Time Count
Dresslar stated that the 2015 Point-in-Time Count analysis has been completed. 296 individuals were identified as homeless; the increase in homelessness shown by the data could be attributed to a more accurate count over previous years. Cook commented that the survey seemed to go smoother this year than in previous years.
B. Emergency Shelter/Temporary Housing – Willow Domestic Violence Center update
Anna Van Schoelandt discussed other supportive services outside of the shelter, offered by Willow. They would like to help individuals before any crisis by offering support groups and utilizing services offered by community partners. They are also widening their support groups to serve men and other special populations. Increasing community education is also a main goal, including going into schools to discuss domestic violence and human trafficking. The Willow shelter has been very active, including 66 unique adult intakes between April to June of 2015, which is double or triple the intakes of an average quarter.
C. Transitional Housing/Supportive Services – HCHV Safe Haven – Stacy Downey, VA
Dresslar explained that Stacy Downey was unable to attend the meeting today and has rescheduled her presentation for the next HIAC meeting.
Hooker gave an update on transitional housing at the LDCHA. TBRA was awarded $174,804 in 2015 HOME funds from the City of Lawrence compared to $200,304 in 2014. The 2014 grant provided vouchers for around 25 families; the decrease in funding in 2015 could lead to fewer families receiving vouchers.
D. Permanent Supportive Housing – Project Able
There was no report.
E. Permanent Housing – Catholic Charities Rapid-Rehousing
Nickie Daneke discussed the Emergency Solutions Grant; the grant year started July 1, 2015, but they are still waiting on the funding to be received. The majority of the ESG goes to rapid rehousing of individuals in permanent housing provided by private landlords. Over 300 individuals have been housed over the last 18 months using these grant funds. Cook asked if a waiting list was being kept until the ESG funds are received. Daneke said if it keeps the individual motivated to find housing, she will assist them in other areas including food, clothing and bus passes until the funds are received and housing assistance can be provided.
ITEM NO. 5 Receive Bert Nash 1st Quarter 2015 Performance Report
The report was received and will be forwarded to the City Commission.
ITEM NO. 6 Calendar/Miscellaneous
Cook wanted to make the HIAC aware of current discussions of the City Budget and how cuts would impact social service agencies in the community, and recent discussions in the media about the financial situation of the LCS.
Strong indicated that he brought copies of the Change of Heart newsletter which contains an article about CJ Brune if anyone wanted one.
The next meeting of the HIAC will be October 13, 2015.
ITEM NO. 7 Public Comment
James Dunn reminded the HIAC about the Affordable Housing Trust Conference on Friday July 17, 2015. Dresslar stated this conference is hosted by Tenants to Homeowners, Inc. to discuss the need for a City of Lawrence affordable housing trust program, and includes presentations by two housing trust experts.
Eric Sader informed the HIAC that the LDCHA has VASH vouchers available with no waiting list if anyone knows of any homeless veterans.
ITEM NO. 8 Adjourn
Motion by Cook to adjourn the July 14, 2015 meeting of the HIAC; Seconded by Strong.
The motion passed 6-0. Meeting was adjourned at 9:07 a.m.
Attendance Record
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Members |
03/14 |
06/14 |
09/14 |
12/14 |
01/ 15# |
04/ 15 |
07/ 15 |
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Michael Brouwer |
+ |
E |
+ |
+ |
+ |
U |
+ |
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Brad Cook |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
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Matt McCluer |
U |
U |
+ |
+ |
+ |
U |
U |
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Trent McKinley |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
U |
+ |
+ |
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Cary Strong |
U |
U |
+ |
+ |
U |
+ |
+ |
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Laurie Hooker |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
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Becky Peters |
+ |
E |
+ |
+ |
U |
+ |
E |
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JoAnne Bair |
E |
E |
E |
U |
U |
U^ |
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Margaret Murphy |
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*E |
E^ |
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Teri Smith |
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+* |
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X - Meeting Cancelled Due to Inclement Weather
E - Excused Absence
U - Unexcused Absence
() – Last meeting in term.
* - First meeting in term.
^ - Last Meeting
# - Meeting not official – no quorum