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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 HRCS Meeting Minutes H.R.C.S. Advisory Board Meeting Minutes Foster Community Center January 22, 2019 Members present: Dr. Joan Jackson Johnson, Ryan Earl, Ron Embry, Chad Guerrant, Julie Rowe. Guest: Eric Eichenberg I. Welcome The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. II. Approval of Agenda The agenda was approved with no additions. III. Approval of minutes from last meeting The July meeting minutes will be sent via email to the Board for review. IV. Public Comment & Communications None presented at this meeting. V. Petitions/ Complaints There was one complaint referred to the civil rights committee. VI. Lansing Police Department Liaison's Report Mr. Eichenberg (temporary replacement due to Mr. Green in training)presented information as follows: • Violent crimes are down • Trend of repeat victims and juveniles • Homeless encampment behind Holy Cross and tents were red-tagged • Winter break-ins of businesses and larceny due to unlocked vehicles and cars left running due to weather related warm-up; hot spot is on the corner of Butler St and W. Lenawee St; LPD media blitz going out on weather and vehicles • Lansing is ranked#32 for bedbugs and LPD has purchased a vacuum that grinds bedbugs; information will be forwarded to the Board • Opiod epidemic still high; strength of drugs are getting stronger • Narcan is a great asset; increased usage with multiple doses on each victim VII. Chairperson's Report None presented at this meeting VIII. Director's Report Dr. Jackson Johnson discussed as follows: • Quorum was discussed for bi-monthly support to meetings • Board members are needed for media help • Housing problem for sex-offenders • VOA has a national lawsuit with loss of the Dental clinic; now Holy Cross • Holy Cross is bringing funds into the area; more treatment is available • Board members are needed for closing remarks of various programs • MLK event at City hall was a success • Anti-Bullying message going out • Possible wet house discussed; has higher success rate • Ranked 2nd using hotels for homelessness • Per the Health department, bedbugs are only a nuisance and not a health risk • One Church One family applications coming for new housing • Government shut-down is a semi-crisis • Discussed the possibility of a mini pantry at Meijer providing 3-4 weeks of food thru gift card; other stores discussed include Aldi and Val-u-land; also provide a list of what items can be purchased; Invitation from Board only • Donations from two local churches for $5000 each and utility bills IX. Committee Report • A Survey Monkey questionnaire will be sent to the Board regarding participation in Connect 4 Kids and One Church One Family committee X. Old/Existing business • Mobile Food Pantry-last month was a success with juice, gift cards and personal needs given out; upcoming Mobile Food Pantry information also given • Citizen compliant process • Discussed meeting at other agencies; First visit to Holy Cross agency XI. New business • Meetings for Connect 4 Kids and One Church One family will be held via conference call moving forward-conference line information to be sent out • New programs in HRCS department include Rent Smart and Tenant Cleaning program • Diagnosis Poverty program-upcoming • 2017 Annual Homeless report given; In 2017, 5087 were homeless, 49%were single mothers with children XII. Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at Human Relations and Community Services, Conference Room (41h Floor), 124 W. Michigan Ave. Lansing, MI 48933 at 5:30 p.m. XIII. Meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Angie Qawwee H.R.C.S. Advisory Board Meeting Minutes Foster Community Center September 24, 2019 —5:30 p.m. Members present: Mark Eagle; Richard Embry; Chad Guerrant, Dr. Joan Jackson Johnson (by phone); Chair Julie Rowe and Renee Morgan Freeman (HRCS Staff) I. Welcome The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. by Chair Julie Rowe II. Approval of Agenda Due to there not being a quorum, Approval of the Agenda was tabled. III. Approval of minutes from last meeting No quorum was present. Will go forth with approval the January, May and September 2019 minutes at the next meeting. IV. Public Comment & Communications None presented at this meeting. V. Petitions/Complaints None. VI. Lansing Police Department Liaison's Report Chair Rowe asked if Chief Green could appoint a LPD representative to the board. Dr. Johnson will follow-up with Chief Green in this regard. VII. Chairperson's Report Chair Rowe thanked Dr. Johnson for the great work she is doing. Rowe requested a listing of board members so that she could reach out to everyone directly to convey the challenges the Board is facing with having a quorum. She asked if the board was permitted to conduct busy by conference calls or video meetings. VIII. Director's Report (Dr. Johnson) An invitation was extended to board members to reserve tickets for the NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner. Tickets were requested by Mark Eagle (2); Ron Embry (2); Chad Guerrant(2); Julie Rowe (1) but will let us know if 2 are needed, Dr. Johnson(2). Dr. Johnson asked R. Freeman to purchase an additional table. A brief overview of the services provided by The Davies Project, which is a HRCS grantee. Board members were invited to attend their October 181h, 8:00 a.m. Breakfast at the Country Club of Lansing and its Office Ribbon Cutting at 1:00 p.m. to be held at 230 Bingham, Suite 100, Lansing. 1 I P 'l e A November Tuesday date will be proposed for the board to meet at the HRCS Offices to review agencies that apply for grant funding and those that were approved. Board members may recommend agencies they would like to be considered for funding. Board members will be provided with the current HRCS City of Lansing approved budget for July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. Board members are encouraged to attend the HRCS Community Forum where funded agencies and those requesting funds come together to present. The Forum is typically held in March. The City of Lansing budget process commences in annually in November (internally) with March through May budget hearings and adoption of the budget in late May. General Motors strikers will be assistance through the same process as other community persons; i.e. initially applying for a State of Emergency Release though the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for utility and eviction assistance. They may schedule an in-take through HRCS for consideration of supplemental financial assistance. Some GM strikers participated in the September Mobile Food Pantry. Chair Rowe asked if we able to provide a list of available resources to the union leadership. Dr. Johnson reported that HRCS was included in a United Way meeting, which addressed areas of priorities and to coordinate assistance efforts. United Way will provide $40,000 and the City of Lansing approach on a case by case basis. R. Freeman was asked to send the Board the brochure and resource card that was distributed at a recent meeting in the Mayor's office. The Rent Smart program continues to be promoted to eliminate some of the homelessness in the community. With the transition of Angie Qawwee to the Information and Technology Department, HRCS currently has a temporary worker and R. Freeman has taken leadership in making sure the functions of the position is maintained. R. Freeman was asked to submit The Secretary 26 Position posting to the Board. Referrals are welcome. The Board of Police Commission Investigator, which is currently being filled by a contract employee who plans to step down this winter, will be posted externally by the Lansing Police Department. One Church One Family (OCOF) has several units vacant and are under renovation. One home renovation cost has been over$15,000 due to the residents having dogs, which will no longer be permitted. The venting system was cleaned to eliminate the odor. Connect 4 K was a success. Over $100,000 was spent at Sears. However, due to their offering of a 25% discount, the impact to the community was greater. HRCS continues to receive request for services. As fall approaches, the need for coats is greater. Coats were not included in C4K family purchases but HRCS has some within its inventory. HRCS will explore how this need may be addressed. Dr. Johnson mentioned her 21Pa <, e encounter with a parent of six children who has several challenges that HRCS was able to assist. Subsequently, because of her being kicked out of Haven House, some flaunts in the system were discovered. Dr. Johnson has been in contact with MSHDA to discuss how housing services can be improved. C. Guerrant asked if HRCS could expand C4K with hosting two a year. This would be a great ideal but would involve having to raise additional money. Dr. Johnson stated that gift cards are distributed to families later in the year. HRCS could explore the concept of a second event from a financial standpoint. Cuts in the E-SNAP (SNAP-Ed) program may be on the horizon. These cuts, such as food stamps, will greatly effect a large portion of Lansing residents. The informational link highlighting proposed program cuts will be sent to Board members. Board members were asked to attend the upcoming Community Connect at City Hall. A date in November from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. has yet to be selected. Consideration for Community Connect and the Board budget review meeting could be held on the same day. R. Freeman was asked to follow up with Marilyn Plummer regarding the status of HRCS Advisory Board appointments for the two vacant positions. IX. Committee Report None. X. Old/Existing business None. XI. New business None. XII. Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday,November 26, 2019, 5:30 p.m., Foster Community Center, Board Room 211 XIII. Meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m. 31PagYe H.R.C.S. Advisory Board Meeting Minutes Foster Community Center Andy Schur,Mayur November 267 2019 —5:30 p.m. Members present: Chair Julie Rowe; Mark Eagle; Ronald Embry; Abby Frazier; Chad Guerrant; Dr. Joan Jackson Johnson; and Renee Morgan Freeman (HRCS Staff) I. Welcome Chair Rowe called the meeting to order at 5:39 p.m. Attendees provided introductions. II. Approval of Agenda R. Embry moved for approval of the agenda. 2nd by M. Eagle III. Approval of minutes from last meeting A. Frazier razier moved that the Board accept participation in meetings via conference call. 2nd by R. Embry. Prior meeting minutes were not available for approval. A. Frazier moved for acceptance of the September 241h meeting notes. R. Embry made the following corrections: Members Present: Change Richard to Ronald and under Chairpersons Report: Change busy to business. The meeting notes were accepted with the noted corrections. Chair Rowe asked HRCS to follow-up with the City Attorney Office to inquire about advisory board voting rights and conference calls under the OMA. IV. Public Comment & Communications Communications will be provided under the Director's Report V. Petitions/Complaints None. VI. Lansing Police Department Liaison's Report No Representative. No Report VII. Chairperson's Report Yielded to Director VIII. Director's Report (Dr. Johnson) R. Freeman will schedule a meeting at the office for the Board to review the HRCS budget and agency funding for the next fiscal year. Recommendation of agencies is welcome. Dr. Johnson provided details about some of the agencies receiving special funding, such as the City Rescue Mission. Meters will be bagged for parking convenience. Advisory board members have an open invitation to attend the HRCS Community Forum, which is held in March. The Board will be notified when a date has been established. Reported the closing of Sears. The closing will have an impact on C4K. Ideas and store suggestions would be appreciated. Location is a key factor. HRCS Meeting Minutes November 26, 2019 Page 2 Community Connect was held at City Hall on November 15th. The event was well attended. Agencies provided resources and flu shots and HRCS distributed coats, bus passes and a bagged lunch. Dr. Johnson mentioned that in order to reduce panhandling and for the community to make contributions for the poor, the Mayor's office is receptive to the concept of strategically positioning meters to accept donations. November Mobile Food Pantry was off the chain. There were complaints about receiving gift cards instead of a turkey. Berry Merry Christmas Holiday will be held at Advent House Ministries at 8 a.m. on Christmas day. Over 1500 persons are expected to take advantage of the breakfast and gifts. Personal needs will be stuffed in socks. Dean provides some transportation. However, an alternative has to be established for those who are not able to use Dean Transportation. C. Guerrant will consult with an Uber driver who may be able to assist. Everyone is invited to attend along with family. Gap Feeding will take place at East Lansing Meijer's on December 301h A dollar about is allocated for families to shop and there are restrictions for what they are permitted to purchase. They will also be provided with supplemental food from the Greater Lansing Food Bank. Board member assistance would be appreciated. A calendar of events will be shared with the Board once finalized. HRCS is seeking a person with good writing skills to complete the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) year-end reports. $3,000 has been budgeted. J. Rowe committed. Documents will be sent for her review to get started. IX. Committee Reports None. Dr. Johnson did state that Committees should be established for Connect 4 Kids (C4K) and One Church One Family(OCOF) as these are separated from the Department. Dr. Johnson provided a brief historical overview of OCOF,which oversees nine houses. The Board would be providing general oversight. An OCOF home listing with residents and related information would be gathered for submission to the Board and other affiliates. X. Old/Existin2 Business HRCS Advisory Board Vacancies: Jeffery Bown will go before the City Council General Services Committee on December 2nd for confirmation as a Member-at-Large. The I" and 3rd Ward seats remain vacant. R. Freeman will follow-up to coordinate a lunch meeting for the HRCS Budget Review. Descriptions of service agencies will be advanced for review. XI. New Business Mobile Food Pantry - Saturday, December 21" - Bethlehem Temple Church, 1518 S. Washington A Berry Merry Holiday—Wednesday, December 25th - 8:00 a.m. to noon Advent House Feed Lansing Children—Monday, December 301h - 2:00 p.m. &4:00 p.m., Meijer's—Lake Lansing Road HRCS Meeting Minutes November 26, 2019 Page 3 MLK, Jr. Celebration & Luncheon—HRCS Celebration—Friday, January 17, 2020—Dr. Johnson invited Chair Rowe to take a role. Bishop Earl Boyea is the guest speaker. R. Embry volunteered to render the prayer. MLK, Jr. Commission Luncheon: Monday, January 20, 2020, 11:00 a.m. at the Lansing Center. Offering two tickets per board member. Please let R. Freeman know if interested in tickets. XII. Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 28, 2020, 5:30 p.m., Foster Community Center, Board Room 211 HRCS Advisory Board Meetings 2020 (411 Tuesday—every other month) January 28th, March 24th, May 26th, July 281h, September 22nd,November 24th XIII. Meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. C. Guerrant moved that the meeting be adjourned at 6:20 p.m. 2nd by R. Embry