Title
Review and Approve Minutes of March 22, 2018
Body
DRAFT MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
SOCIAL SERVICE HUMAN RELATIONS BOARD
THURSDAY, March 22, 2018
1. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Present: Audrey Hyman (Chair), Christine Chilcott (Vice-Chair), Kale Jenks, Jennifer Hastings, Mark Sorensen, Sherice Youngblood
Absent: Claudia Medina
Hyman recited the day’s Season for Nonviolence Reading: “Win-Win” Solutions
Hyman announced that the Season for Nonviolence Speech Contest will be held on Saturday, March 24 at the City Council Chamber.
2. MINUTES
The Board approved the February 22, 2018 minutes 6-0.
3. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Ana Bagtas was introduced. She is the City of Alameda’s new Community Development Analyst.
4. AGENDA ITEMS
Recommendations for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Services Funding Allocation for FY 18-19.
• Lisa Fitts, Management Analyst with the City of Alameda Housing Authority presented an overview of the CDBG public service funding and provided an update on Federal funding status. She announced that all five nonprofits that applied for the CDBG Public Services Funding were recommended for funding awards.
• The Board then heard public comment as follows:
o Sabrina Thomas, Housing/Shelter Program Manager with Building Futures thanked the Board for its support. She discussed the work of Building Futures in the community and for the residents of Alameda. She announced that Building Futures is celebrating its 30th anniversary with an event called Jazz it Up on May 18, 2018.
o James Treggiari, Executive Director of Legal Assistance for Seniors provided an overview of his agency’s programs, history, and purpose. He also talked about their work for Alameda residents. Treggiari thanked the Board for the funding opportunity.
o Sharan Aminy, 211 Program Manager for Eden I&R, talked about the programs and services they provide to the community, including the Coordinated Entry System and tenant education that prevents homelessness. Aminy thanked the Board for its support.
o Karen Larsen, Board Member of the Alameda Food Bank, said that SSHRB’s continued support allows the Alameda Food Bank to bolster its food services and offerings to the community. She is looking forward to the continued partnership with the City of Alameda.
o Erin Scott, Executive Director of the Family Violence Law Center (FVLC), thanked SSHRB for its ongoing support. She described her organization’s legal services for victims of domestic violence, the leading cause of homelessness among women. FVLC is looking at the occurrence of homelessness among women and what may be happening in the community. FVLC is partnering with law enforcement and has an existing protocol with them. The agency is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
o Margie Rocha, Executive Director of ECHO Housing, shared that her organization has a 52-year history in Alameda County and is now in the City of Alameda. Rocha thanked the Board for considering the staff recommendation to fund the requests. She hopes that SSHRB will approve the recommendations and take that recommendation to the Council.
• Chair Hyman sought approval from SSHRB members to approve the staff recommendation to fund the Alameda Food Bank, Building Futures with Women and Children, Eden Council for Hope and Opportunity, Family Violence Law Center, and Legal Assistance for Seniors for FY 2018-19 under the Community Development Block Grant Public Services Funding.
o Youngblood made the motion to approve. Chilcott seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.
5. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA
Workgroup Progress Reports
• Human Relations Workgroup-Chilcott/Sorensen/Medina: Chilcott reported that planning for the “In the Mix” one-day conference, which will offer several breakout sessions, is moving forward. Jenks is also serving on the planning committee. The event will be held at Island High School on April 28 with lunch provided at $5 for individuals and $10 for families. Go to the Alameda Recreation and Parks Department website to register.
• Assessment and Awareness Workgroup-Hastings/Jenks: Jenks reported that they are preparing to present the Community Needs Assessment report to the Council.
• Homeless Action Plan Workgroup-Youngblood/Hyman: Youngblood reported that she, along with Debbie Potter (City of Alameda Community Development Director) and Danielle Thoe (Alameda Housing Authority, Housing and Community Development Analyst) presented the Homelessness Report to the City Council on March 20. They also sought Council’s approval of a resolution to appropriate $88,400 from FY 2017-18 General Fund Operating Budget to implement key operations to support programs and planning for the homeless. Council not only approved this request, they also approved $120,000 in funding for the Mobile Outreach that was going to be requested through the mid-cycle budget process in 2019. Youngblood was encouraged to see a Council so supportive and serious about addressing the housing and homelessness issues in the City.
6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Hyman announced that the Jewish Round Table is hosting the Holocaust Remembrance Day on April 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Books, Inc.
7. ADJOURNMENT: the meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.