HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations and Community Services Board Minutes 06.23.26
City of Lansing Human Relations & Community Services
Advisory Board Meeting Summary
Attendance: Ron Embry, Sean Gehle; Glenn Lopez, Melissa Horste; Dr. Versey Williams and Dr.
Thomas Woods
Staff: Interim Director Delvata Moses, Amy Crank, and Renee Morgan Freeman
Others: Keith Goodwin, OCA
The meeting was called to order by Chair Ron Embry at 5:35 p.m.
Roll Call
A quorum was established with a majority of board members present.
Approval of the Agenda
Dr. Woods moved to approve the agenda. Seconded by M. Horste. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes
Dr. Woods moved to approve the minutes of May 26, 2026. Seconded by M. Horste. Motion carried.
Public Comment
None.
Chair Embry acknowledged Keith Goodwin, and he was asked to introduce himself. Mr. Goodwin is
from the Detroit area, attended Cooley Law School and is a new addition to the Office of the City
Attorney. Members extended a welcome.
Communications
None
Interim Director’s Report
Interim Director Moses announced information on the upcoming Housing Resource Fair, being held on
Wednesday, June 24th at Union Missionary Baptist Church. It is a free event hosted by Ingham County
and HRCS Housing Ombudsman will conduct the Housing and Tenants Rights session with Legal
Services. There will be many resources on hand.
Five of six people from Causeway Bay were transitioned into housing. The sixth person was picked up
by their family. The HRCS Critical Services Team worked diligently and aggressively to achieve this
accomplishment.
Date of Meeting: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Time of Meeting: 5:30 PM
Place of Meeting: Foster Community Center
200 N. Foster, Room 211
Lansing, MI 48912
HRCS Advisory Board Meeting Summary 062326– P a g e | 2
HRCS received three responses to the Street Outreach RFP (Ingham County, Advent House and
Essential Blessings). Scoring was conducted by the contract management critical services teams.
HRCS is working through the review process and the awardee will be announced soon.
Progress is being made on the two HRCS Advisory Board vacancies. R. Embry and M. Horste are
being reappointed. A person is being vetted, and another is going before the City Council Committee
on City Operations.
K. Coleman will attend the HRCS Advisory Board July meeting to provide a robust update on NOVA. A
Nova Housing (Pods) Initiative Community Update press release was issued on June 11. D. Moses
referenced we have contracted with expert consultants who were selected through the city’s Sole
Source process. They are working on engineering site plans and architectural designs. Meetings are
still being held with those involved. HRCS Advisory Board members shared brief comments.
A. Crank provided a Contract Management Team report. The team is writing contracts for the 95
programs to be funded. The process is being conducted earlier, which is attributed to council
approving the budget sooner, there are now four contract team members instead of three and the team
is trying to proactively complete contracts in advance to accommodate the anticipated workload that will
be required for Nova. Grantee training for the FY26_27 awardees will be held in person in September
at the Child and Family Charities. General fund application training for the 27_28 grant cycle will be
held via Zoom in October.
Chair Embry recognized a later arrival and permitted them to share their two-minute public comment.
Mr. Fredrick McLaughlin commented that he would appreciate it if serious action and attention be given
to public and affordable housing. Pricing is too high and there is too much local, state and federal
taxation. Homeowners, banks, insurance companies, developers, contractors, realtors and pensions
are benefiting rather than renters and the poor. Also, the levels of zoning should be addressed.
Chair Embry suggested that Mr. McLaughlin place his concerns in writing and address them to the
Lansing City Council.
Adjournment
It was moved that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was adjourned at 6:08 p.m.
HRCS Advisory Board Members (6/8): Ronald Embry/Chair (2nd Ward), Sean Gehle (MAL), Melissa Horste/Vice Chair
(MAL), Glenn Lopez (1st Ward), Versey Williams (3rd Ward), Thomas Woods (MAL), Vacancy (MAL), Vacancy (4th Ward)
Rmf/DM/Final/072426