Mayor & Commission Meetings

PROSPERITY PACKAGE AD HOC COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Monday, November 16, 2020 1:00pm Committee Members Present: ● Blaine Williams, Manager ● Deborah Lonon, Assistant Manager ● Commissioner Ovita Thornton, ● Hayley Banerjee, HCD Director Committee Chair ● Commissioner Russell Edwards Others: ● Commissioner Mike Hamby ● Terris Thomas, Family Connection Staff: Neighborhood Leaders Discussion  Commissioner Thornton expressed a desire to revisit the existing MOU for the Neighborhood Leaders program to potentially modify the MOU to provide more detail by January 2021.  Manager Williams explained that any modifications would need to be approved by the full Mayor and Commission. Commissioner Thornton clarified that she would like the Prosperity Package Committee to offer a recommendation to the full Mayor and Commission on ideas for modifications.  Commissioner Hamby suggested revisiting the chart presented by Director Banerjee last year outlining outputs and outcomes for the program. He suggested offering some clarity regarding the outputs, outcomes, and the evaluation of the program’s success. Commissioner Hamby also suggested a summary of the past year’s outputs and successes could be provided by the Neighborhood Leaders program.  Commissioner Thornton emphasized that the Mayor and Commission should be aware of the Neighborhood Leaders’ activities and be able to speak about their activities. She also requested that the Neighborhood Leaders provide input on community needs via a survey by January 2021.  Manager Williams requested feedback from the committee to suggest survey questions. Commissioner Thornton suggested the committee, Terris Thomas, and the full Mayor and Commission could give input on survey questions.  Commissioner Thornton requested a summary of suggestions for Neighborhood Leaders to communicate more frequently with their Commissioners.  Commissioner Thornton emphasized the importance of being able to explain the program’s activities to the community. Commissioner Hamby suggested the evaluation of the program should help.  Commissioner Thornton inquired about ACCGov’s oversight over private funds supporting the Neighborhood Leaders program. Manager Williams clarified this is not within the scope of the current MOU. Terris Thomas shared that the program has recently partnered with Habitat for Humanity and Athens Neighborhood Health Center. The program has also received an anonymous private donation of $26,000 that supports supplies delivered to ACC residents.  Director Banerjee clarified that the current Neighborhood Leaders MOU expires on December 31, 2020. Manager Williams suggested that the contract run in cycle with our fiscal year. Changes can be made in February or a new contract can begin in July 2021. Mission Statement  Commissioner Thornton will draft a mission statement and send it to Mayor Girtz for review. Participatory Budgeting  This will be included in the work of the full Mayor and Commission. Manager Williams suggested the Durham model for implementation based on staff’s research.  Commissioner Thornton suggested the Prosperity Package Committee serve as the subcommittee of the Commission that offers recommendations on implementing participatory budgeting. Commissioner Thornton suggested following up on this conversation in February, followed by a work session at a later date.  Grant Specialists  Director Banerjee stated that the Grant Specialist job postings close on November 19, 2020. Commissioner Hamby motioned to adjourn; Commissioner Edwards seconded the motion. Next Steps  The Prosperity Package Committee will provide feedback on suggested modifications to the MOU by January 2021.  Committee members and commissioners will submit suggested survey questions to Manager Williams for input on the Neighborhood Leaders program.  Family Connection and HCD will provide suggested outputs and outcomes for the Neighborhood Leaders program by January 2021.  Terris Thomas/Family Connection will present a summary of suggestions for Neighborhood Leaders to communicate more frequently with their commissioners.  Commissioner Thornton will send a suggested mission statement and charge for the committee to Mayor Girtz for review.  There will be no meeting in December.