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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/13/2016 Study Session35 YAKiMA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION December 13, 2016 City Hall -- Council Chambers 10 a.m. -- MINUTES 1. Roll Call Council: Mayor Kathy Coffey, presiding, Assistant Mayor Carmen Mend8z, Council Members Maureen Adkison, Holly Cousens, Avina Gutierrez, Dulce Gutierrez and Bill Lover Staff: City Manager Moore and Acting City Clerk Stephens 2. Recommendation from Neighborhood & Community Building for phased implementation of the Ten Point Plan for Unsheltered Individuals Mayor Coffey noted this meeting is held on the recommendation of the Council NoiQhborhDod&CornnnunitvBUi|dingConnrnh1eeUNCBC\forphasadinlp|ementodonoftho Ten Point Plan for unsheltered individuals. Council Member D. Gutierrez reported this item was discussed by the NCBC and resulted in the following recommendations: if the plan is approved by Council, it will be phased in, and a location for the camp will be determined. The NCBC's site recommendation is Fire Station 95 on East Nob Hill Blvd with the first phase including parts 1, 2 and 3, the second phase including parts 4, 8, 9 and the third phase including parts 5, 6 and 7. Council Member Adkison shared her concerns about another homeless encampment. She noted there would be considerable costs, even if only enacting parts 1, 2 and 3 and asked about a funding source. Council Member D. Gutierrez said the funding is something that would have to be agreed on by Council and she expects costs for parts 1-3 to be approximately $30,000. Audience Participation: Annette RodriguezHomeless Services Director of Yakima Neighborhood Health Services (YNHS) and member of the Homeless Network of Yakima County, commented that many of the services mentioned in the Ten Point Plan are already occurring and she hopes to avoid duplication of seivices. She reported the following services already provided: Triumph Treatment and the Union Gospel Mission provide hygiene centers; YNHS is working with area churches for storage options for personal belongings; YNHS has a homeless certification process for truly unsheltered individuals to receive their mail at the Depot, with 50-75 individuals receiving mail at the Depot. She noted providing PO Boxes is costly due to frequent replacement of lost keys; YNHS has a job match program and assists individuals with obtaining ID and social security cards, which can cost $24-54, depending on if it is a renewal or new ID. Greg Stewart, President and General Manager of the Central Washington State Fair, spoke against the Fire Station location and said it would have financial and public safety impacts on the area. He also noted President Obama's homeless expert, Barbara Poppe, has concluded that encampments are not a solution. Roger Wilson, property owner in Yakima, stated he was not in favor of camps and suggested the homefess be allowed to disburse throughout the Gity and any complaints can be dealt with one at a time. He said that any camp needs to come with a program in place. Leroy Golightly, City resident, spoke against programs to help the homeless. Don Hinman spoke on behalf of YNHS and in favor of the current YNHS housing programs. Terry Morton, owner of four commercial lots adjacent to the Fire Station, stated he moved his business from North First due to problems with the homeless and has worked hard to clean up the properties. He spoke against implementing a homeless camp at Fire Station 95. Bob McLaughlin, City resident representing the Justice Housing Yakima group, spoke in favor of building a tiny village. Ellie Lambert, City resident, spoke as an advocate for the homeless and stressed the importance of placing an encampment near services. Jeremy Rodriguez, President of the International Association of Firefighters, noted they have some concerns including security and a lack of sidewalks in the area. Mayor Coffey reopened Council discussion and noted that letters of opposition from Esther Huey and Cheryl Berg have been received regarding the Fire Station site, Council Member O. Gutierrez discussed some of the challenges and limitations involved in finding a location. Council Member Cousens said this plan will allow the City to be proactive. Council Member A. Gutierrez stressed the Fire Station location is not meant to be permanent and that continued discussion is revealing more options. City Manager Moore reported on several actions that have taken place since the closure of the previous location. Three churches are providing shelter and no one registered has been turned away. Those with pets and other challenges have been provided motel vouchers, and YVCOG is setting aside another $130,000 this winter for motel vouchers. Between shelters and motel vouchers, individuals who want to be indoors are indoors. The City is storing belongs at Public Works and the Office of Neighborhood Development Services has employed several people though the YNHS employment pj9Ct. Mr. Moore provided an update on the legislature possibly taking actions to create six tiny home villages throughout the State, and he understands the Justice PjectinYakirnoisunderconSidorationfnr potential funding should this be approved. Mayor Coffey noted time should be scheduled to visit the Pierce County tiny housing project. Council Member D. Gutierrez stated she would like Council to make a decision on a revenue source, encampment Iocation and an opening date for the encampment. Council Member Cousens asked for another list of possible locations. Discussion ensued on location options and how to move the pject forward. MOTION: A. Gutierrez moved and Cousens seconded to take this conversation back to the NCBC to form a committee. The motion carried by unanimous vote. Ms. Rodriguez of YNHS noted the Homeless Network will be meeting Thursday at 9 a.m. and 1 1 coalition. Office of Neighborhood Development Manager Matthews offered his services as the point person with other service providers. Mayor Coffey suggested the scope of work for the NCBC could be narrowed to the following: 1) identify those actions on the Ten Point Plan that are being done by service providers; 2) forward a site specific recommendation; 3) identify and recommend a funding source; and 4) recommend a service provider to partner with. Council Member D. Gutierrez suggested the December 15th NCBC agenda be modified to include the committee approach to the Plan, and that the meeting be rescheduled to accommodate the public and service providers. MOTION: D. Gutierrez moved and Mendez seconded to move the NCBC meeting to Friday, December 16 at 4:00 p.m. The motion carried by unanimous vote. 3. Adjournment MOTION: Adkison moved and Coffey seconded to adjourn to the next Council Business meeting today, December 13, 2016, at 2 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 11:49 a.m. CERTIFICATION READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY ATTEST: COUNCIL MEMBER D A\TE COUNCIL MEMBER DATE 37