July 14, 2011
Ad hoc Homelessness Steering Committee
Guanajuato Room, Ashland Public Library
3:00 – 5:00
Attendance
Rohde, Lewis, Hopkins-Powell, Ayars, Parker, Voisin (council liaison), Seltzer (city staff)
Absent
Everson, Saldana, O’Bryon, Slattery (council liaison)
Call to Order
Rhode called the meeting to order at 3:05.
Approval of Minutes
Minutes of the June 27 meeting were approved with corrections.
The committee reviewed the “parking lot” items.
Mobility Hospitality Cart
Voisin indicated La Clinica was interested in securing a mobile unity. There was general discussion about partnering with La Clinica. Voisin will contact La Clinica and let them know about the proposal for a Mobile Hospitality Center.
Hopkins-Powell raised the question “What is the committee’s role” and asked if it is the responsibility of the committee to link providers with proposals.
Jobs
The committee reiterated the next outreach for proposals should be more focused. Suggestions of jobs or housing were put forth. The committee did not vote on the specific issues for the next round until it is clear what is being done with the existing proposals approved to forward to Council.
The committee decided to focus their discussion on the proposals to be forwarded to the Council and set aside the “parking lot” ideas for a future discussion.
Forward to Council proposals
It was noted Listening Post needs to be included in the list of proposals to forward to Council. The committee reviewed each proposal to identify what information is still needed for each and what the proposal is requesting of the City.
Chamber Donation Boxes
Seltzer will contact the Chamber.
Public Toilets
Location of portable toilets
Possible cost of maintaining public toilets open 24/7
It was suggested portable toilets be located at each end of town and specifically noted a location near the bikepath at Valley View Road. It was also suggested the public restrooms on the Calle and near the dog park be open 24/7.
Parker will contact submitter Steve Auerbach for more information.
Standing Homeless Committee
The committee reviewed the “charge” of the committee as outlined in the proposal.
Rohde and Voisin will work together on this proposal
Day Use Center
Identify possible locations, either City property or private property that might be available rent free for the center.
Ayars will research possible locations.
Listening Post
Hopkins-Powell reported that she is working with Lewis and it is possible the Methodist Church could provide space for Listening Post services. At this point they are not asking for City office space but may need to do so in the future.
The committee agreed each person would provide an update of their research at the next committee meeting. That meeting is set for Wednesday, August 3 at 3:00. Seltzer will check with the library for available meeting space.
Report to Council
The committee will report to the City Council on September 20. There was general discussion about what should be included in the report. The committee agreed it should include a summary of all the proposals received so the Council and the community are aware of the number of the proposals.
Seltzer reported she will be available for the August 3 meeting but not available for the August 18 meeting and another staff person will attend.
Next Meeting Dates:
August 3, 3:00-5:00 Location TBD
August 18, 4:00 – 6:00 Ashland Library, Gresham Room