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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations and Community Services Board Minutes 07.28.26 City of Lansing Human Relations & Community Services Advisory Board Meeting Summary Attendance: Ron Embry, Chair; Shunkea Brown; Sean Gehle; Glenn Lopez, Melissa Horste; Dr. Versey Williams and Dr. Thomas Woods Staff: Interim Director Delvata Moses, Kim Coleman, Amy Crank, and Renee Morgan Freeman Others: Keith Goodwin, OCA The meeting was called to order by Chair Ron Embry at 5:33 p.m. Chair Embry acknowledged newly appointed HRCS Advisory Board member, Shunkea Brown. Ms. Brown shared that she was born and raised in Lansing and felt that the HRCS Advisory Board would be a great opportunity to give back to the City. She is employed by the State of Michigan and conducts grant funding and analysis. 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 S. Gehle. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes S. Gehle moved to approve the minutes of May 26, 2026. Seconded by S. Brown. Motion carried. Public Comment None. Communications None Interim Director’s Report Interim Director Moses reported that a potential HRCS Advisory Board member is being vetted and has gone before the City Council Operations Committee. She then asked Kim Coleman, HRCS Transitional Housing and Homelessness Strategy Consultant, to provide an update of the NOVA Lansing Housing Initiative. Date of Meeting: Tuesday, July 28, 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 072826– P a g e | 2 NOVA Update K. Coleman reported that she is working tirelessly behind the scenes and shared the following: • Funding was approved last August, and a second approval was completed in May by the City Council. • The Pods remain in a climate-controlled environment. • A contract has been established with Freund for engineering and design work. • In June, an RFP for a construction manager was distributed. There were no responses promoting the RFP to be reopened until July 30th. However, Clark Construction expressed an interest with a meeting taking place today to discuss how they may be able to swiftly move the project forward. • The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) was contracted as the managing agency and has been actively involved in the process prior to the contract being fully executed. DRMM has 115 years of experience in homelessness and transitional housing. DRMM will manage security and training as well as contribute to the kitchen. It was noted that to receive HUD funding, there must be a full- scale kitchen. • The NOVA operating budget for the first year is $952,000. 1.3 million has been set aside for the construction project and additional funds for contingencies. • Meetings have been held with the site agencies and others for feedback etc. Parking and safety were major concerns. • Everyone was directed to the PowerPoint document, which focused on the architectural and engineering concept. • A Resident Advisory Board will be established for oversight and support. • A. Crank is working on a dashboard for utilization during the entry process, which the goal is to have up and running prior to NOVA’s opening. IT and HMIS are also looking in the dashboard concept. • A Good Neighbor Agreement is being drafted. • Several other alternatives may be considered for the NOVA Resource Center. Discussion ensued with concerns related to NOVA such as: • What is the recourse if a construction manager is not secured? • What steps are required for obtaining approval of a campground permit from the State? • What is the anticipated opening date? • Would it be appropriate for advisory board members to approach friends in the legislature for fund development? K. Coleman indicated that Clark has consented to start on the project under contract until a Sole Source was implemented and finalized. Once State approvals are secured, the project could move toward an official opening date. Yes, it is appropriate for advisory board members to contact members of the legislature. A community update meeting is being planned for Thursday, August 18th, 6 p.m. at Foster Community Center. For the record, M. Horste, S. Gehle and G. Lopez confirmed they have reviewed the Ethics Training for Boards and Committees video. D. Moses asked if anyone would like to join a NOVA workgroup. R. Freeman stated that HRCS will host the Lugnuts game on Thursday, August 20th. The meeting was adjourned at 6:47 p.m.