HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-27-2015 MinutesCITY OF
'AUBURN ��i� HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
l„J MINUTES
WASH I NGTON July 27, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
The Human Services Committee Meeting was called to order at 4:05 pm on Monday, July 27, 2015 at
25 West Main Street, Auburn, WA.
Committee Members present: Barbara Derda, Bette Van Gasken, Jason Berry, JoAnne Walters, Lela Brugger and
Maryelyn Scholz
Staff present: Community Services Assistant Emily Pearson, Veterans & Human Services Coordinator
Erica Azcueta and Emergency Management AmeriCorps Member Ashley Krepsky
Staff Members not present: Director of Administration Michael Hursh
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Member JoAnne Walters moved to accept the June 22, 2015 minutes; Member
Bette Van Gasken seconded the motion. All Committee Members were in favor of
adopting the minutes as submitted.
The June 22, 2015 minutes were approved.
AGENDA
• Miscellaneous
Member Lela Brugger had recently spoken to Glen Martin, Carpentry Program Director at Green
River College. A student in the program has been crafting small houses for homeless
individuals. Ms. Brugger asked if the Committee had heard of the project and whether they had
any suggestions for locations if such a project ever came to fruition in Auburn. Member
Maryelyn Scholz asked about the progress of the Mayor's Task Force on Homelessness and
stated that she wants to be part of it. Ms. Scholz expressed that the City shouldn't necessarily
be the spearhead behind homeless programs but shouldn't block them either. Some local tent
cities have their own governing bodies but she feels there should be a collaboration —
partnerships between churches, local service providers, the City, etc. Member Lela Brugger also
reiterated her wish for involvement and noted the lack of a location in which housing could be
placed.
Member Barbara Derda spoke about the Meals on Wheels program. She delivers to many
veterans near the I Street NE /Valley Cities area and asked about the progress of the Phoenix
Rising construction. Ms. Derda suggested that we have a representative from Valley Cities
attend a committee meeting in the near future to talk about the project. Scheduled to open soon,
it is supported housing to help young adults ages 18 -25 transition from homelessness to
independent living.
• Emergency Management /Emergency Preparedness Presentation
Emily Pearson introduced Ashley Krepsky, City of Auburn Emergency Management
AmeriCorps volunteer. As part of their AmeriCorps service, members deliver 60 -90 minute
presentations on disaster preparedness to citizens. They educate them on the dangers of
and preparing for lahars (volcanic mud flows), floods, erosion, earthquakes, fires,
IV.
hazardous materials contact, etc. They suggest three key points: make a plan, build a kit,
and be informed. Ashley explained the Community Emergency Response Training (CERT)
course. The class is offered to the public and consists of 24 hours of training, typically over
a 6 -week period. At the end of the course participants will go through a mock disaster drill to
exercise the skills they gained throughout the class. Member Barb Derda went through the
class a few years back and said it was very beneficial to her. Other duties performed by
Emergency Preparedness AmeriCorps include testing citizens' smoke alarms and carbon
monoxide detectors, search & rescue training, assisting with neighborhood block watches,
and first aid & CPR training. Ashley encouraged the Committee to sign up for Auburn Alert,
which is a free service through the City of Auburn. Registered phone numbers receive
automated updates for things like 9 -1 -1 outages, road closures, power outages, Amber
alerts, etc.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next Human Services Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 24, 2015.
V. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
APPROVED THE day of 12015
Jason Berry, Human Services Committee Chair Michael Hursh, Director of Administration