HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-23-2015 Minutes 02.23.2015
HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
MINUTES
February 23, 2015
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Human Services Committee Meeting was called to order at 4:00 pm on Monday, February 23,
2015 at 25 West Main Street, Auburn, WA.
Committee Members present: Jason Berry, Barbara Derda, Bette Van Gasken, Chuck Booth, JoAnne Walters, Lela
Brugger, Maryelyn Scholz
Staff present: Director of Administration Michael Hursh, Community Services Assistant Emily J.
Pearson, Veterans & Human Services Coordinator Erica Sullivan and Veterans Outreach
Services AmeriCorps Member Erika Klyce
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Member Barbara Derda motioned to accept the January 26, 2015 minutes;
Member Chuck Booth seconded the motion. All Committee Members were in
favor of adopting the minutes as submitted.
The January 26, 2015 minutes were approved.
III. AGENDA
Miscellaneous
Michael Hursh introduced Erika Klyce to the group. Miss Klyce is the City’s Veterans
Outreach Services AmeriCorps Member.
Director Hursh thanked the group for their presence and noted that for the first time
since he’d been heading the committee it was at full capacity. Mr. Hursh said that he
and Mayor Backus were scheduled to have coffee with Governor Inslee the following
day. Their discussion would include liquor revenue taxes, streamline sales tax (SST)
mitigation, the Highway 167 Coalition and a much-needed passage of a transportation
package.
The group continued their discussion on forming task forces. A homelessness
roundtable would be an asset as so many groups and initiatives are Seattle-centric. A
day hygiene center has been a focus in South King County lately; we’d prefer to not
have a single spot, but scattered sites so one city doesn’t have to take the burden.
Member Brugger asked why the Committee to End Homelessness’s (CEH) 10-year
plan had failed. Director Hursh responded that the recession took a huge toll on many
non-profits and they’re still recovering. Lela said it’s cheaper to house the homeless
than to pay for the eventual care of them in hospitals. Although there is a facility at
Harborview, with the lack of a detox center in the south end all emergency rooms in the
valley are being burdened with similar issues.
Member Maryelyn Scholz remarked that she’d read the homeless rate in King County
was up 20% during this year’s One Night Count. As stated in the past, Mr. Hursh said
he’d like to do another count in July as well to see what difference the climate change
makes.
.
City of Auburn Veterans and Human Services Presentation
Veterans Outreach Services AmeriCorps Member Erika Klyce addressed the group and
spoke about her position with the City of Auburn. Miss Klyce passed out the new Veterans
Services brochures while explaining the focus of the Veterans & Human Services Division.
They strive to increase accessibility to resources for veterans and their families; in King
County alone there are approximately 117,000 veterans. Erika said that in the next two
years there are many soldiers transitioning out of JBLM and an estimated 45% of the
10,000 soldiers plan to stay in the area.
The City held a Holiday Mail for Heroes event wherein 1,118 holiday cards created by city
employees, residents and other citizens were donated to the Red Cross.
Erika produces a quarterly e-newsletter that highlights veteran-friendly organizations,
classes and employment, among other issues. There are plans to create a website in the
future as well.
On-site visits
JoAnne Walters & Barbara Derda said they’d toured a Mobile Medical bus and were
impressed. Chair Jason Berry asked the group how many visits they wanted to tackle within
the next three years; one per month would take care of all 36 agencies. The entire group
has interest in visiting Orion Skills Center as they’re a newly-funded agency.
Jason Berry noted that some agencies may want to present to the group at one of our
monthly meetings rather than hosting the Committee at their offices.
Emily Pearson will send the group a copy of the 2015-2016 funded agencies/programs, and
then they can decide on their individual preferences and compile a priority list of visits.
IV. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next Human Services Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 23, 2015.
V. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
APPROVED THE _____ day of ________________, 2015
_______________________________ __________________________
Jason Berry, Human Services Committee Chair Michael Hursh, Director of Administration