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City of Lansing HRCS Advisory Board Meeting Summary
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
x z G Foster Community Center —Room 211
Andy Schor, Mayor 200 N. Foster, Lansing, MI 48912
Attendance: Paul Dripchak, Ron Embry, Frank Lee, Jody Washington, and Versey Williams
Staff: Kimberly A. Coleman, Renee Morgan Freeman, and Willard Walker.
Guest: Mary Bowen, OCA
Absent: Charla Burnett
The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. by Chair Ron Embry.
Secretary J. Washington conducted Roll Call. A quorum of five members was established.
V. Williams moved to approve the agenda as presented. Seconded by J. Washingon. Motion passed
unanimously.
J. Washington moved to forego the reading of the July 26, 2022 Meeting Summary,which was advanced.
Seconded by P. Dripchak. Motion passed unaminously.
There was no public comment.
Director Coleman reported that HRCS met with the business community to discuss the prevalence of
homeless persons on Michigan Avenue around the City Rescue Mission(CRM) and the bus stop located in
front of the Capital City Market. They are seeking a place to charge their electronics during the times the
CRM is closed. The CRM will review their policies and procedures to see if there is any action they can take
to reduce the presence of persons in the area. They will also monitored more frequently. The business
community is willing to contribute towards a resolution as they are extremely concerned with visitors and
patrons of Capital City Market being approached by homeless persons.
HRCS has planned a number of events: 4th Annual Coat Drive (September 12th to October 31St), Hunger and
Homeless Awareness Community Connect(November 16th). This event was held last year at the Don
Johnson Fieldhouse. Unfortunately, it was not well received by those who it was designed for. This year
HRCS is considering the CATA Bus Station and the former YMCA to be within the downtown vicinity.
HRCS will host Adopt-A-Family for Christmas. There was discussion. J. Washington and V. Williams will
coordinate an Adopt-A-Nursing Home for Seniors as their holiday outreach.
Director Coleman provided information about the upcoming grant process timelines. The goal is to work
towards a December 31St date for agencies to submit their grant applications. This would allow HRCS
Advisory Board members to receive materials earlier with more time to score prior to the March due date to
the Mayor. The Virtual Community Forum is scheduled for November 17th. Notifications of the forum will
be to current and past agencies, inquiries and a posting to our website. Agency training is anticipated between
November and December. The advisory board has to make a decision with regard to how they wish to score.
Grant applications will be divided among contract managers for review and internal scoring. HRCS is
currently in the process of vetting three software organizations (Wizehive, S1ideRoom and Laserfiche)to
develop a streamlined and electronic process with a dashboard portal to replace manual reporting. Wizehive
is the preferred choice, which is the most costly but is more expansive in its offerings. Working with a
software organization will make the grant process more professional and easier. HRCS is hoping to have a
dry run in October with implementation following. If this is not feasible, the process will be implemented for
the next grant process cycle.
There was no communications report.
Chair Embry reported that potential advisory board members are being vetted and sought the consensus of the
board to delay committee assignments until there is a full board. It is hoped that the vetting process will be
completed by September or October. This proposal was acceptable to the board.
F. Lee reported that he and Chairperson Embry met with Rev. Dr. Parker to gather information and receive
details as it related to the correspondence stating concerns about the roadblocks and hurdles encounted with
the sale of Lansing Housing Commission property. Rev. Parker directed them to Derrick Knox to receive
additional insight. A meeting with Mr. Knox has been scheduled for Friday, August 29th. Mr. Lee indicated
that they are trying to work on this matter as metholdical as they can. J. Washington mentioned that she and
others have also met with Rep. Slokin in this regard. Director Coleman mentioned that HUD is also
involved.
Due to the absence of of C. Burnett, the agenda item of HRCS Grants was tabled until the next meeting.
V. Williams moved that the meeting be adjourned. C. Burnett seconded it. The meeting was adjourned at 6:14
p.m.
Final/082922/rmf/kac