Title
Review and Approve Minutes of February 22, 2018
Body
DRAFT MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
SOCIAL SERVICES HUMANG RELATIONS BOARD
THURSDAY, FEBRURY 22, 2018
1. CALL TO ORDER: 7:06 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Present: Hyman (Chair), Chilcott (Vice Chair), Hastings, Jenks, Medina, Sorensen, and Youngblood
.
Absent: None
Season for Non-Violence Reading
2. MINUTES:
The Board approved the January 25, 2018 minutes 6-0, with Chair Hyman abstaining because she was not present for the meeting.
3. NEW BUSINESS:
3-A Approve the City of Alameda’s Transportation Program Plan for Seniors and People with Disabilities for Fiscal Year 2018/2019.
Victoria Williams, Paratransit Coordinator with the City’s Mastick Senior Center, made a power point presentation (see attached).
Vice Chair Chilcott asked where are Alameda Shuttle stop signs and if there are stops on Bay Farm.
Ms. Williams answered the shuttle stops are at the Alameda Free Public Library, Mastick Senior Center, the Alameda Hospital, Kaiser, the theatre, the corner of Trader Joe’s, and several neighborhoods and skilled nursing facilities. On Bay Farm, the shuttle stops at the Lodge, and the library.
Board member Medina inquired what percent of residents are seniors. She commented that this is a generous and wonderful program. She mentioned that she would like to share the information with grandparents of AUSD students.
Ms. Williams responded that she did not know the percent statistics of seniors.
Board member Jenks asked if the Medical Return Trip Improvement Program (MRTIP) funding will be enough.
Ms. Williams responded that they have historically budgeted fairly conservatively and thinks that they will be okay.
Board member Hastings questioned why there was an increase in rides between 2009 to 2017, and then a dip.
Gail Payne, the City’s Senior Transportation Coordinator, said that in 2009 there were not very many restrictions on the program. Users could go anywhere in the Bay Area. It was quite expensive per user for these longer trips. It was best, in fiduciary responsibility, to restrict the trips to Alameda County.
Board member Hastings also asked about the eligibility for the taxi program.
Ms. Williams answered that users need to be Alameda residents. The Premium Program is open for anyone over 70 years old.
Board member Youngblood inquired what is the connection between MRTIP and East Bay Paratransit? For example, taking Paratransit to a doctor’s appointment and relying on MRTIP to return home.
Ms. Williams said that people usually take Paratransit to return home. However, Paratransit will help get the word out that this is an option for Alameda residents.
Chair Hyman commended Ms. Williams for advancing the program.
The Board unanimously recommended the City of Alameda’s Transportation Program Plan for Seniors and People with Disabilities for Fiscal Year 2018-19.
3-B Review and Recommend City Council Approval of City Policies and Procedures for Aiding the City of Alameda’s Homeless Population. Presentation by Danielle Thoe, Housing and Community Development Analyst, Alameda Housing Authority
Debbie Potter, Director of the City’s Community Development Department, introduced Danielle Thoe, a Housing and Community Development Analyst with the Alameda Housing Authority, and Sherice Youngblood, of the SSHRB Homeless Action Workgroup, who made a presentation (see attached).
Vice Chair Chilcott asked for clarification of what sheltered and unsheltered means.
Ms. Youngblood stated that sheltered refers to people living in emergency shelters and transitional housing facilities, where unsheltered includes people living in motor vehicles.
Board member Sorensen asked if the 2017 count changed after Jean Sweeney Open Space Park was cleared of the homeless encampments.
Ms. Youngblood said that the people who were living at Jean Sweeney Park were counted and have disbursed to multiple places within the last couple of months. Ms. Youngblood believes that most are still not housed, but we would need to check with Operation Dignity to get more information about where these people currently are. Operation Dignity case managers work with many of them.
Chair Hyman requested that copies of the presentation be sent electronically to the Board members.
Board member Sorensen asked if the parking meters for homelessness take credit cards.
Ms. Thoe believes that the donation meters do take credit cards.
Vice Chair Chilcott wondered how much revenue might be anticipated from the meters.
Ms. Thoe does not have data from other cities, but can look into it. She commented that the upfront investment to install the meters is very little. In Los Angeles, local businesses can sponsor a meter for $3,500.
Board member Jenks commented that the homeless outreach team a great idea. He then asked about local funding for the Midway Shelter. At this point in time, there is no space for adult males. Would expansion of the Midway Shelter include adult males? Would there be preference for males with families?
Board member Youngblood replied that there are shelters outside of Alameda for adult males and families. We would need to talk with Buildings for the Future about how operationally this would work. For example, how would you separate the men from women with their families? Also, would you have single units? She is not quite sure they can do it at Midway. Ms. Thoe added that there are two issues. First the current Midway Shelter needs capital improvements. Second, it ultimately needs to be replace. The City has provided CDBG funds for capital improvements to the existing facility. There is the importance of replacing the existing 25 beds, as well as the known need for additional beds.
Board member Sorensen inquired, what is the status of the warming center?
Board member Youngblood responded that the faith-based communities are looking into a plan for next year because we are so far into the winter season. Ms. Potter added that when the City originally reached out to the faith-based communities, it was an amazing response. However, we have hit some snags. Space must be available every night of the week during the winter season, because you do not know when the warming shelter needs to be open. Most of the congregations have programs using their facilities during the evenings. We are hoping to keep the momentum going to have something in place by November.
Board member Hastings suggested adding a footnote to the slides referencing data source and date.
Public Speaker: Doug Biggs, Executive Director of the Alameda Point Collaborative. He said he was very proud of the report. First, it sets policies for the City. One of the major policies or guiding principles, which is really worth stating, is that homeless population deserves the same dignity as everyone else. Second, the timing is perfect to get homeless funding. One of the challenges Alameda has is with the Coordinated Entry System (CES), which serves highest-need individuals. When the City did the count, a number of people identified are recent or working homeless, living in their cars. They really want to stay in Alameda. They may have lost their house due to the rental crisis or have children in the local schools. Unfortunately, they are not the highest priority group to be served by CES. Mr. Biggs stressed need to fund programs targeted to the local population.
The Board unanimously recommended that the City Council approve the City Policies and Procedures for Aiding the City of Alameda’s Homeless Population.
3.C Review Matrix of SSHRB Draft 2018 Work Plan.
Board Chair Hyman walked the Board through the planned activities for the rest of the year.
4. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
• Flyer for League of Women Voters of Alameda, “Meet Your Public Official” event, Thursday, April 5, 2018, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge.
Mr. Fonstein will email a reminder to the SSHRB as the date gets closer.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS-BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF
5-A Workgroup Progress Reports
• Human Relations Workgroup-Chilcott / Sorensen / Medina
Vice Chair Chilcott reported that the In the Mix event is scheduled for Saturday, April 28. There is a planning meeting next week at Island High School, as a possible location. Board member suggested contacting the Boys & Girls Club for possible teen speakers.
• Assessment and Awareness Workgroup-Hastings / Jenks
Board member Hastings said that they are hard at work on the analysis of the Community Needs Survey.
• Homeless Action Plan Workgroup-Youngblood / Hyman
Board member Youngblood thanked Danielle Thoe and Doug Biggs for their work on the homelessness report.
5-B Staff Communications
Mr. Fonstein reported that the City is in the final stages of hiring a new Community Development Analyst.
6. ADJOURNMENT: 8:32 p.m.