HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-27-2015 Minutes 04.27.2015
HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
MINUTES
April 27, 2015
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Human Services Committee Meeting was called to order at 4:10 pm on Monday, April 27, 2015 at
25 West Main Street, Auburn, WA.
Committee Members present: Jason Berry, Bette Van Gasken, JoAnne Walters, Lela Brugger, Maryelyn Scholz
Committee Members not present: Barbara Derda
Staff present: Director of Administration Michael Hursh , Community Services Assistant Emily J.
Pearson and Veterans & Human Services Coordinator Erica Azcueta
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Member Lela Brugger moved to accept the March 23, 2015 minutes; Member
Maryelyn Scholz seconded the motion. All Committee Members were in favor of
adopting the minutes as submitted.
The March 23, 2015 minutes were approved.
III. AGENDA
Festivals/Summer update
Michael Hursh reported on the Auburn Days celebration scheduled for August 14-16. It will
include a parade with the possibility of a car show in conjunction with the Farmers Market.
Beginning next year the City will take over vendors and planning of the event. Organizers will
seek feedback on what works and what doesn’t, with a focus to be reflective of how Auburn has
evolved and what it is now – its current population, ethnic diversity, etc. Chair Jason Berry noted
that 55% of students in the Auburn School District are now students of color.
Jason Berry asked if the City has any relationship to the Emerald Downs 3-on-3 basketball
tournament this summer, there is but Mr. Hursh said the relationship is not a formal one beyond
promotion.
Member Brugger mentioned the downtown Art Walk & Wine Tasting event taking place on
Friday, May 8 along Main Street.
Mr. Hursh spoke to the group about supporting the Latin American Cultural Celebration on
Sunday, September 13. Ivan Rodriguez is the organizer and would like to incorporate a parade
on Main Street. Attendance of 8,000+ is expected; the community- and family-friendly festival
does not allow alcohol. Over 80 bands are expected to try out to perform at the function. This
will be a huge event in the City, and we should start to think about any areas/divisions that have
had issues connecting with the Latino community and use this opportunity to build relationships
with them.
Member JoAnne Walters asked about parking issues and street closures pertaining to large
events. Mr. Hursh expressed a need to coordinate a single application process for organizations
that want to apply to festivals, parades, etc. within the city. City divisions that would best
coordinate would be Police, Permitting, Public Works/Rights-of-Way, Parks, Multimedia/Public
Affairs and Emergency Management.
Homelessness Review
Director Hursh announced that the Mayor is putting together a Task Force on Homelessness.
The community is having these conversations; the City very much recognizes the issues and we
want our stances to be visible. An outside facilitator may be an option to assist in policy
direction. In addition to the typical homeless citizen, there is a large car-homeless population as
well as many oversized families that are living together in inadequately-sized multifamily units,
mobile homes, etc. Typically the Police Department deals with the same individuals on a
frequent basis. They’re often trespassed but don’t really want to leave where they’re staying.
The youth/young adults seem to have the most drug, alcohol and mental health issues.
Many South King County cities (Auburn, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, Tukwila) want to see more
resources for the homeless. Mr. Hursh said the North Auburn/South Kent area near bus lines
would be an ideal location for these resources. Member Brugger reiterated the need to get other
cities’ mayors to form some sort of agreement.
Director Hursh distributed a copy of the draft Committee to End Homelessness policy plan. The
group talked about the importance of criminalizing poor behavior, but not criminalizing the poor.
Committee
After several years on the Committee, Chuck Booth has resigned. Barbra Menendez has
expressed some interest and will be invited to attend the next Human Services Committee
meeting in May.
IV. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next Human Services Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, 2015.
V. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:07 p.m.
APPROVED THE _____ day of ________________, 2015
_______________________________ __________________________
Jason Berry, Human Services Committee Chair Michael Hursh, Director of Administration