Wednesday, July 31, 2019 1942 Fremont Blvd., Seaside, CA 9 ......Page 1 of 29. Leadership Council...

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Leadership Council Meeting Wednesday, July 31, 2019

1942 Fremont Blvd., Seaside, CA 9:00AM-10:30AM

Leadership Council Co-Chairs: Luis Alejo (Monterey County Board Supervisor) Members Present & Affiliations: Mike LeBarre (Mayor of King City), Joseph Gunter (Mayor of Salinas), Maria Orozco (Mayor of Gonzales), Ian Oglesby (Mayor of Seaside), Kirk Mann (Housing Authority), Cheryl Camany (Salinas City Elementary School District), Elsa Jimenez (Monterey County Health Dept.), Tracey Belton (San Benito Health & Human Services), Glorietta Rowland (Monterey County Dept. of Social Services), Robin McCrae (Community Human Services), Dave Pacheco (Seaside Councilmember), Kurt Schake (Veterans Transition Center), Rafael Hernandez (Monterey Bay Economic Partnership), Gloria De La Rosa (Salinas Councilmember), Michael Lisman (Monterey County Health Dept.). Staff: Elliott C. Robinson, Issraa al-Mukhtar and Roxanne V. Wilson (Coalition of Homeless Services Providers) Guests: Jill Allen (Dorothy’s Place), Barbara Mitchell (Interim, Inc.), Betsey Wilson (MidPen Housing Corporation), Anna Foglia (Sun Street Centers), Pamela Weston (Access California), Major Steve Bradley (Salvation Army), Vanessa Gonzalez (Sen. Caballero’s Office), Denise Vienne (MCDSS/MCCAP), Erica Parker (Assembleymember Mark Stone’s Office), Wes White (Salinas/Monterey County Homeless Union), Georgina Alvarez (CCCIL), CJ Valenzuela (City of Salinas), Anastacia Wyatt (County of Monterey), Mary Eileen Kiniry (Gathering for Women), Dread McCall (Salinas/Monterey County Homeless Union), Betty Davis (Public). I. Welcome, Introductions, and Announcements: The meeting began at 9:11 pm and around the table introductions were

made.

II. Additions/Modifications to the Agenda:

• None

III. Public Comment: The public is encouraged to attend Leadership Council meetings to observe council activities. Members of the public are asked to sign in so that the record reflects their presence. Public comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker.

IV. Consent Agenda:

a) May 29, 2019 LC Meeting Minutes

Motion made by Orozco to approve May 2019 meeting minutes. Second by Oglesby. No abstentions. Motion carries unanimously.

V. Coalition of Homeless Services Providers – Organizational Updates: Allen reports that the Coalition is moving along with several tasks simultaneously and maintaining all deadlines. Upon Katherine Theoni’s resignation, tasks were broken down and Allen states that the Coalition is happy to have Robinson as the Interim Executive Officer. Selections committee to find a permanent Executive Officer has been selected with permanent EO slated to start in September. Recruitment for a temporary HEAP Compliance Contract Coordinator is also underway with many resumes received and interviews scheduled to take place next week. HEAP personnel and contract agreements timelines have been created. Tony Gardner was contracted to help with original contract language and legal review is being contracted by attorney Dave Loredo. HomeBase will provide support for HEAP tasks and CoC grant application. Allen informs the group of a new funding stream called the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP) and directs them to this month’s Coalition Board meeting minutes for more information. Allen emphasizes the

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successful work on the NOFA not only by Coalition staff but also of the contracted help and directs any questions regarding the NOFA to go to the Coalition staff. Robinson expresses relief in seeing the Coalition Executive Committee’s dedication to HEAP process and making sure that things continued to move forward despite so many changes occurring at once. Robinson communicates that he has been impressed with the work and dedication of the Coalition staff upon his arrival and that he is very pleased to be a part of the Coalition staff. Robinson offers his support to the Leadership Council and jurisdictions moving forward. Alejo thanks Robinson for stepping into the role of Interim Executive Officer, states that a lot has happened since the last meeting and hopes to provide this body with an update and reassure that everything is on task. Alejo notes feeling worried upon the many changes that took place at the Coalition in regards to HEAP projects as 50% of funds for projects like the Salinas shelter but be expended by January 1, 2020. Alejo states that having the support of Robinson, Executive Committee and the rest of the Coalition team has provided reassurance that HEAP projects will be completed in compliance with timelines. Questions/Comments/Discussion:

• LeBarre thanks Robinson for stepping up as Interim Executive Officer but asks why the decision making processes such as permanent Executive Officer panel selection weren’t brought before the Council first to determine how to proceed. LeBarre asks if the Leadership Council has any authority or if the Coalition is the sole decision maker. LeBarre refers to requests for more authority and control under County elected officials that was stated in the Grand Jury Report. Robinson states that including Dan Baldwin in the selection panel was an attempt at inclusion for the Leadership Council. LeBarre requests a review of the organizational chart at a future meeting to better understand the way that administrative entities are designated, how decisions are made on dollar disbursement and how financial limits for the Executive Officer in an effort to be transparent. Robinson agrees and hopes that clarification of organizational structure can be discussed at the next meeting or the one thereafter.

• Alejo states that given the time constraints of HEAP and Theoni’s resignation, the Coalition had to move quickly, not allowing for inclusion from the Leadership Council. If there wasn’t this emergency situation, Alejo would’ve insisted on inclusion from this group in decision making processes.

• McCrae asks Robinson and Allen if they could name the selection panel participants. Allen states the panel is comprised of Dan Baldwin, Manny Gonzalez, Elliott Robinson, herself, Anna Foglia, Tracey Belton and Laurie Medina. McCrae comments that the relationship between the Coalition and the Leadership Council does need greater definition but does remind everyone that the Coalition is its own entity with its own 501(c)(3) with its own governing board which is responsible for hiring the Executive Officer who, in turn, hires the Coalition staff. In general, the Coalition Executive Officer operates, in general, under the policies and procedures of the Coalition. The special relationship that needs more definition is the policies and procedures surrounding CoC activities and agrees with Mayor LeBarre that an organizational chart and discussion will clarify relationship between the Leadership Council and the Coalition as it is a unique relationship.

• Gunter hopes that process hasn’t been slowed down process for getting funds issued for the County and City of Salinas to build warming shelter as there were some naysayers, some of whom sit on the Coalition Board, that didn’t want to see the shelter built. Gunter hopes to move forward and reports that they are being watched closely by the State.

• Oglesby thanks Robinson for stepping up and emphasizes the need to define relationship between the Leadership Council and Coalition. Oglesby states that the Council is not trying to get in between the responsibilities of the Executive Committee but there is a relationship there and that policies need to be better defined. Allen states that the Leadership Council is the Board of Directors for the CoC. Oglesby states he understands that but has some issues with what’s going on and as a policymaking Board, there need to be times where policies and procedures are reviewed and updated as needed.

• Alejo thanks the Council for their input and states that this topic will be discussed at a meeting in the near future.

VI. Update to Lead Me Home: 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness: Lisman reviews the PowerPoint Presentation and the group is provided the full Lead Me Home Plan Update packet

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Discussion Review:

• Lisman states that this draft is not meant to be the final version of the update as there was a very short timeline and welcomes any suggestions or changes upon comprehensive review of this initial report.

• LeBarre addresses the inclusion of HEAP forums and reports that King City held a faith community forum and asks for that forum to be included. Lisman states that if anything was not included in this update, to provide report and he will be sure to include it in the next version. Lisman also says that it will be up to the Leadership Council to determine how to do another comprehensive update. Additional update could include more community plans, Chinatown encampments and faith based community forums.

• LeBarre refers to the missed deadline for the competitive grants cycle and asks for confirmation that upon approval of this update that we will be able to meet the September deadline for the next competitive grant cycle. Lisman confirms that is correct.

• McCrae asks if there was representation or input for unaccompanied youth or transitional age homeless youth. Lisman responds that the Youth Action Board information from past years was used.

• Schake recommends integrating and/or adding youth outreach and harm reduction to priorities section as page 2 does not include them. However, on page 10 these items are listed as core practices. Schake also recommends providing a flowchart, as provided on the cover, rather than a general list for partnerships found on page 17. Lastly, Schake proposes showing integration of partnerships which is discussed but not illustrated. Lisman confirms that actualization of plans needs more comprehensive review.

• Wyatt states that Lisman did a great job leading this effort in such a short time. In preparing this update, the County departments and community providers were mandated to work together to examine how resources are pulled together and utilized effectively. Wyatt states that next update will be more comprehensive and hopes to get the new PIT numbers soon.

• Mitchell notes that the role of transitional housing is denigrated in this document and that this County has an extensive amount of transitional housing programs. Interim, Inc. is the main provider of permanent supportive housing (PSH) for people with mental illnesses and active substance users. Mitchell reports that it’s much easier to move these populations into transitional housing programs rather than PSH programs as intensive services can be offered and there are fewer barriers to housing. Within the population of untreated mentally ill persons, it could be extremely difficult to move through the process of PSH as personal information must be provided. Although PSH programs may benefit intact families and single individuals not experiencing issues, Mitchell emphasizes the importance and need of transitional housing programs for vulnerable populations such as the mentally ill and active substance users. Mitchell informs the group that she has emailed these comments and Lisman confirms that he is in receipt of said email.

• Weston reports that residents of Sherwood Park are not only losing their tents but losing hope as well. Weston has worked with Jimenez and Wyatt to address the displacement and medical needs of Sherwood Park residents. Weston asks to prioritize harm reduction, housing navigation centers and transitional housing programs in the Lead Me Home Plan update.

• Mann requests to update information on page 17 to include 2 locations in Castroville that are completed and currently housing farm laborers.

• Wyatt addresses Mitchell concerns and notes that State and Federal mandates require using Housing First policies. Wyatt tells Mitchell that there was no intention of denigrating transitional housing programs and that by honoring State and Federal requirements will result in more funding opportunities.

• White questions priority 5, efforts to prevent criminalization of homelessness, as there is a large disconnect. When sweeps took place at Sherwood Park, residents were told to move to the sidewalk but were penalized again once they moved. White wants to know how to connect this body with enforcement bodies. White asks that this body support those outside from being criminalized and states that he will be attending a hearing on August 1st that will likely result in a loss due to lack of support. White states that people are dying outside and implores this body to take action instead of focusing solely on conceptualization.

Motion to approve Lead Me Home update made by Gunter. Second by Le Barre. No abstentions. Motion carries unanimously.

VII. Update on No Place Like Home:

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Lisman reports that initially it was understood that an application needed to be submitted to secure $3.9 million funding. However, resolutions from the Board were sent to the State instead resulting in the $3.9 million being secured. Secured funds cannot be used until an application for development and 20 year plan to provide services is attained. Current plan is to make competitive and non-competitive funds available at next release in September. Lisman will be working with Wyatt to create a NOFA to release to the community and to see what responses will be received to develop housing for those with serious mental illness who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. Discussion Review:

• LeBarre asks for confirmation of receipt of $3.9 million. Lisman states that funds are secured at the State and until application with a project is secured, funds will cannot be used. Lisman reports that funds must be used sometime between now and 2021.

VIII. Continuum of Care NOFA Update:

Wilson distributes the following document.

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IN SUPPORT OF CA 506 SALINAS/MONTEREY & SAN BENITO COUNTY COC AS OF JULY 10, 2019

FY 2019 HUD CoC Prog NOFA - Schedule of Events

(subject to change based upon required timelines) July 3rd, 2019 - HUD FY 2019 CoC Program NOFA Released – For complete info, please see:

www.hudexchange.info 2019 NOFA Community Legal Notices/Press Release Announcements/Email listservs – Week of July 7

through July 15, 2019. Coalition of Homeless Services Providers Website Posting. (Monterey County: Monterey County Weekly & San Benito County: Benito Link).

Monday, July 15, 2019-Renewal project to submit most recent agency independent audit, program written grievance procedure and most recent Annual Performance Report PDF to the Coalition at [email protected] and cc: [email protected].

Tuesday, July 23, 2019 – FY 2019 HUD MANDATORY CoC Program NOFA Technical Assistance session for all applicants. The session will be conducted from 10:00-12:00 at 1942 Fremont Blvd, Seaside.

Friday, July 26, 2019-New and Renewal projects to submit Supplemental Questionnaire to the Coalition at [email protected] and cc: [email protected].

Wednesday, August 14, 2019 - Deadline for all (New & Renewal) Project Application(s) initial submission

into e-snaps for review by the Coalition. All match and/or leveraging documentation must be included.

August 15 through August 23, 2019 -Coalition application review and communication with Applicants re: necessary revisions. All final applications (with all required electronic attachments) submitted into e-snaps with a PDF to the Coalition.

August 15 through August 23, 2019- New/Renewal Form HUD-2991 Certifications of Consistency with Consolidated Plan(s) Requests prepared and mailed by the Coalition.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019 - Rank/Review Panel and Applicant presentations, 10:00-5:00 (applicant

presentations will be scheduled from 10:30-12:30). The session will be conducted at 1942 Fremont Blvd, Seaside.

Wednesday, September 4, 2019 - Leadership Council to meet to approve Rank and Review Committee

priority recommendations. By Wednesday, September 11, 2019 - all project applicants notified in writing whether their project

applications will be included in the final HUD prioritization listing. September 4 - to September 24, 2019- Coalition continues work on elements of Collaborative Application.

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Discussion Review:

• Wilson states that had any agencies applied for the DV Bonus Project, the Coalition would not have entered into competition. However applying for this Bonus Project will raise overall ARD and will bring more money into the CoC for renewal next year if Tier Two programs and Bonus programs get selected.

• Robinson reports that he is still securing panelists for the Rank and Review process. • Wilson explains that the Coalition has contracted HomeBase to work with Rank and Review approved agency

applications to provide suggestions to make our CoC more competitive. Tier 2 project applications will go into a national competition with points given based on the handout provided below by Wilson.

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• Wilson says that the goal is to have the Collaborative Application to be inclusive to increase chances of selection and

funding. Any member suggestions can be emailed to Wilson ([email protected]) and Robinson ([email protected]).

• Due to tight timelines of grant process, a special Leadership Council meeting will need to take place on Wednesday, September 4th to approve rankings. Alejo states that there will be a discussion on time and location of special meeting at the end of current meeting. Camany states that the Family Resource Center in Salinas is always available for use.

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

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• LeBarre questions how much HomeBase contract will cost to which Wilson responds that it will cost no more than $25,000.00. Wilson clarifies that the ARD is not made available automatically. Robinson states that funds for HomeBase contract are available within HUD CoC Planning Grant.

• McCrae states that typically the Coalition’s Executive Officer would have spent around 3 months putting together the Collaborative Application and that the funds used can come from salary savings in addition to the Technical Assistance Grant. Not spending the $25,000.00 could result in a less competitive application.

• Wilson confirms that the NOFA will be due no later than September 30th but due to HUD website overload during this time, we are aiming to have due date for one week prior (September 23rd).

• Camany refers to efforts made at County level regarding human trafficking and suggests including this into application.

• Wilson confirms to Wyatt the current ARD is the same amount that was renewed last year and that according to Federal law; ARD’s typically are reduced across the board annually. Wilson re-states that only way to increase ARD is to make application more competitive so that bonus projects are accepted.

IX. Status of HEAP Contracts:

Allen reports that in the past, the Coalition has been dependent upon the County for capital and service contracts however this year a consultant has been hired for contract creation. Contract templates have been legally reviewed and first contract meeting with County of Monterey for the regional emergency shelter in Salinas which raised questions and concerns resulting in updated capital improvements contract template with help from the County and City of Salinas. After another round of legal review, the final working copy of the capital improvements contract template has been secured. Legally approved services contract template was secure this morning, prior to start of this meeting with first service contract review with Central Coast Center for Independent Living (CCCIL) taking place at 11 am today which should result in first executed services contract. The County will execute the first capital improvements contract. Remaining 10 contracts are scheduled to be fully executed rather quickly. Allen reports that some organizations still need to provide requested documents such as amended or modified scope of work and amended or modified budget. Once received, all remaining contracts can be executed in rapid succession. Questions/Comments/Discussion:

• Robinson shares that all Board notices have gone out and that State policy allows payment of funds consistent with awards and start- up costs.

• Alejo states that on the County side, preparations have taken place as the shelter project is on a short timeline. • LeBarre asks when to expect that all contracts will be signed once all information is provided. Allen states that by end

of next week all contracts could be fully executed.

X. State Budget – Resources for Housing the Unhoused: Alejo states that upon new State Budget approval, a new round of allocations for CoC’s and Counties with separate funding available to the top 11 big city Mayors. Robinson asks that jurisdictions look at AB101 which was enrolled on July 8th. Robinson notes that the Department of Finance (DOF) administers grants to Cities and Counties to increase supply of transitional housing available to persons previously incarcerated for felony and misdemeanor convictions. This is a continuously appropriated pot of money held by the DOF. It is worth looking at the extent that jurisdictions can develop housing for ex-felons. There are also changes within Planning and Zoning laws that allow for the development of affordable housing within communities. Homeless Housing and Assistance Prevention Program provides 3 pots of money that is distributed as follows:

o $190 million available to CoC’s o $175 million available to Counties o $365 million available to Cities with populations greater than or equal to 300,000

o There are no cities within Monterey County that qualify for this funding stream Robinson has included the following the estimate what the percentage for Monterey County CoC could be although final allocations will be different:

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Recipients can spend these funds on evidence based solutions that address and prevent homelessness among eligible populations including any of the following:

o Rapid Assistance and Rapid Rehousing o Operating subsidies in new and existing affordable and supportive housing units, may include operating reserves o Emergency shelters o Navigation centers o Incentives to landlords including but not limited to security deposits and holding fees o Outreach and coordination which may include access to job programs to assist with vulnerable populations in

accessing permanent housing, promote housing stability and supportive housing o System support for activities necessary to create regional partnerships and maintain homeless services and housing

delivery system particularly for vulnerable populations including families and homeless youth o Delivery of permanent housing and innovative housing solutions such as hotel and motel conversions, prevention

and shelter diversion of permanent housing o New navigation centers and emergency shelters based on demonstrated need

These are the priorities as referenced in the bill and Robinson states that he will follow along to see how things unfold in the coming months. Funds are expected to be released in January 2020 and hopefully there will be a better understanding of how much money will be coming to our Continuum before then.

Questions/Comments/Discussion:

• Alejo asks where the numbers are coming from. Robinson says that he used his knowledge to look at AB 101 and methodology that the funds would be distributed on the Point in Time homelessness. Robinson notes that the CoC has a maximum amount of $40 million and a minimum amount of $500,000 that can be given to each CoC. As such, Robinson reports that he divided up the funding by the PIT counts for each jurisdiction.

• Alejo notes that the Governor’s plan in the original proposal was to give the all CoC’s in Counties much less ($100 million versus the updated figure of $190 million) and that it’s important to note that CoC’s were formed to encourage regional cooperation and a lot of good work has been achieved through the Leadership Council.

• LeBarre asks if a city has a hotel/motel conversion project, what funding stream would need to be applied to. Robinson states that either pot of money could be used and states that the County will have to come up with a policy on how they want to treat the funds. Identifying the property and competitive process would have to take place.

• Hernandez states that a hotel/motel conversion would positively impact farmworker population. Current hotels and motels are being used to house farmworkers in Salinas which has been taking place since September 2019 and has been extended to September 2020.

• Jimenez states that $2.4 million will be made available to the County of Monterey as a Whole Person Care County. These funds would be available for infrastructure and able to be expended through 2025 and hopes to maximize the utilization of

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available funding and hopefully match funds. Jimenez reminds the group that supportive services will need to be provided at these projects for 20 years to be in compliance with the No Place Like Home plan.

Next Steps:

• Next meeting with be held on September 4th at the Veterans Transition Center from 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm.

Meeting adjourned 10:31 am.

Minutes taken and prepared by Issraa al-Mukhtar.

Wednesday, July 31, 2019 1942 Fremont Blvd., Seaside, CA 9 ......Page 1 of 29. Leadership Council...

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