City Commission Workshop
Regular MeetingDeltona, FL · February 10, 2020
Minutes
City of Deltona
2345 Providence Blvd.
Deltona, FL 32725
Minutes
City Commission Workshop
Monday, February 10, 2020 5:30 PM 2nd Floor Conference Room
1. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Mayor Herzberg.
2. ROLL CALL – CITY CLERK:
Present: 7 - Commissioner Avila-Vazquez
Commissioner Bradford
Commissioner King
Commissioner McFall
Commissioner Nabicht
Vice Mayor Ramos
Mayor Herzberg
3. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG:
Mayor Herzberg led everyone in the pledge to the flag.
4. BUSINESS:
A. Discussion regarding the TNR program - Interim City Manager Dr. Cooper,
City Manager’s Office (386) 878-8852.
Interim City Manager Dr. Cooper spoke about the TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) program
where a lot of the enforcement action was taken out of the process and how he would like to
give the framework to the Commission to allow investigations and enforcement back into
the program. He looked at both sides of the issue and how the program can be transformed
allowing the area managed volunteers to help or to partner with Code Enforcement Officers
to start addressing some of the issues the City is having and that there is a misconception
that the City or the volunteers create the colonies, but it is the cats that create the colonies
going where they want to go.
Commissioner McFall asked how many cat colonies the City is aware of under the TNR
program and is there anything in place for the colonies that are not under the program, but
are being fed on a regular basis and Dr. Cooper replied at last count there is a list of about
79 different addresses in the City.
The Commission and staff discussed residents who are not a part of the TNR program
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feeding the cats, the feeding ban, Enforcement Services obtaining the authority to deal with
the problems, cat count variables, reproduction, what happens to released feral cats,
resident complaints, what other cities do with feral cats, how the TNR program started in
Deltona, the effectiveness of the program, collateral damage, raccoons and coyotes, colony
expansion, the City’s obligation to its citizens, retooling the program, the need for
enforcement action, what to do with new born kittens, responsibilities, accountability and
guidelines of the TNR caregivers, and mapping the locations of the colonies.
Mayor Herzberg stated that Animal Control and TNR volunteers need to do a presentation
on the program to the Commission, give updates, a map showing the colony locations, who
the caregivers are, a complete explanation of how the program works and what needs to be
done to improve it. She talked about the problems in Deltona, people moving and leaving
their animals behind, what the TNR program is supposed to do, euthanizing kittens,
addressing complaints, neighbor feuds, and volunteers not taking care of their
responsibilities.
Dr. Cooper stated he is looking for direction on some type of enforcement action for those
residents who feel inundated with cats and those who ignore the feeding ban.
The Commission and staff discussed issuing citations because of the unauthorized feeding
of the cats, citing owners of problem cats, veterinarian requirements, the need for foster
caretakers, and over burdening staff.
Commissioner Avila-Vazquez asked Dr. Cooper what he is looking for from the
Commission and Dr. Cooper replied direction to enforce and actions Animal Control can
take to resolve complaints from residents.
The Commission and staff discussed the difference between management and
enforcement, obtaining feedback from the community, enforceable actions, modifying the
TNR program, fines, educating the Commission on how the TNR program works, hiring
additional officers, reducing the number of colonies, setting public expectations, the cost to
spay/neuter cats and the microchipping or tipping of cats.
Mayor Herzberg stated that the rules should state "tip or chip" and Dr. Cooper replied okay.
He also stated the direction he is asking for is if this is okay to move forward with and
Mayor Herzberg replied yes and Commissioner Nabicht stated with some form of
measurement.
B. Discussion on homeless statistics and prioritizing social service funding
for the program year 2020-2021 Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) - Ron A. Paradise, Director,
Planning and Development Services (386) 878-8610.
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Strategic Goal: Social Services
Planning and Development Services Director Ron Paradise stated during the Workshop on
the 27th the Commission directed staff to obtain statistics to determine the scope of
homelessness within Deltona. The intent was to prioritize the expenditure of public services
and staff defined homelessness types as chronic, episodic, transitional and hidden. Several
sources were consulted for this information. Staff suggested that homelessness matters are
a significant matter to warrant special funding or treatment with regard to CDBG
(Community Development Block Grant) funding and he suggested that 70% of CDBG
funding be earmarked for homelessness services, 20% earmarked for child and eldercare
programs and 10% for other.
The Commission and staff discussed the allocation of CDBG dollars, different types of
need, programs, organizations, resources, requiring organizations to have a strong
presence in Deltona, flex space in Deltona for social services, duplication of services,
federal guidelines for CDBG funds and social services, programs paid for/assisted by the
City’s General Fund, the deadline to advertise CDBG funding, the top three priorities to be
listed in the advertisement, staff taking over the scoring of the applications, and seeing what
applications come in.
After discussion, the Commission concurred the top priorities to be advertised
for CDBG funding will be homelessness services, eldercare, child welfare, and
other types of eligible services.
Mayor Herzberg asked if this helps Healthy Start, the barrier has been that the shelters have
liability issues for pregnant women or families with children, and Healthy Start is not in the
business of providing homelessness services, but they have become a resource and are
often spending money and resources on emergency housing needs and Vice Mayor
Ramos replied that would be a good opportunity for “other”.
Commissioner Bradford stated that the meeting was supposed to adjourn at 7:30 p.m. , but
there are a lot of residents who stayed to speak and she would like to extend the meeting a
little bit to hear from them and Commissioner Avila-Vazquez agreed.
Mayor Herzberg stated there are 14 to 16 people who would like to speak at four minutes
each and Commissioner McFall asked could it be adjusted to three or two minutes. Mayor
Herzberg replied it will have to be two minutes otherwise we will be here for another hour
and according to the agenda public comments is at the end time permitted. Vice Mayor
Ramos replied if you do it now it will happen again.
Mayor Herzberg asked if there was a consensus and Commissioner Nabicht replied he has
some place to go this was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and there was no clear consensus to
extend the meeting.
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5. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Time permitted, public comments shall be limited to items on
the agenda and shall not exceed two minutes. Please be courteous and respectful of
the views of others. Personal attacks on Commission members, City staff or members
of the public are not allowed, and will be ruled out of order by the Mayor.
Mayor Herzberg opened the public comments.
Tobiann Dyke, 2808 W. Huron Dr., Deltona, spoke about homelessness.
Clement V. Koehler, 2501 Shiprock Ct., Deltona, spoke about his concerns with the TNR
program.
Brooke Light, 1031 Matterhorn St., Deltona, spoke about needing volunteers for the TNR
program.
Bob Belt, Concerned Citizens for Animal Welfare (CCFAW), spoke about the TNR
program.
William Rose, 2517 Shiprock Ct, Deltona, spoke about un-neutered cats and damage
caused by cats.
Kerry Hickox, 2275 Kumpula Drive, Deltona, spoke for the TNR program.
Lauren Suits, 2820 Blackburn Ave., Deltona, spoke for the TNR program.
Rachel Riancho, Halifax Humane Society spoke about free cat adoptions.
Mayor Herzberg closed the public comments.
6. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
None.
7. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
________________________________
Elizabeth Keys, Deputy City Clerk
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Agenda
City of Deltona
2345 Providence Blvd.
Deltona, FL 32725
Agenda
City Commission Workshop
Mayor Heidi K. Herzberg
Vice Mayor Victor M. Ramos
Commissioner Maritza Avila-Vazquez
Commissioner Anita Bradford
Commissioner Loren King
Commissioner Robert D. McFall
Commissioner Chris Nabicht
Monday, February 10, 2020 5:30 PM 2nd Floor Conference Room
1. CALL TO ORDER:
2. ROLL CALL – CITY CLERK:
3. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG:
4. BUSINESS:
A. Discussion regarding the TNR program - Interim City Manager Dr. Cooper, City
Manager’s Office (386) 878-8852.
Background: TNR has been in place for approximately 6 years. This is a review of
the program for discussion and guidance.
Attachments: Deltona Memo re; TNR 08.13.18
B. Discussion on homeless statistics and prioritizing social service funding for the
program year 2020-2021 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Notice
of Funding Availability (NOFA) - Ron A. Paradise, Director, Planning and
Development Services (386) 878-8610.
Strategic Goal: Social Services
Background: At the January 27, 2020 workshop, staff was directed to obtain some
statistics on homelessness within the City of Deltona to assist in the
prioritization of the program year 2020-2021 public service funding.
The following information and attachments provide a profile regarding
homelessness within the City.
Homelessness comes in different forms. There are certain
characteristics of homelessness which generally include the following:
1) Chronic; 2) Episodic; 3) Transitional; and 4) Hidden. Without going
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into a lot of detail, the definition of these types of homelessness is as
follows: 1) Chronic homeless includes those that remain without a home
for long periods of time. Typically these individuals for a range of
reasons are long term unemployed. 2) Episodic homelessness involves
the homeless that find themselves homeless numerous times of year
and typically do not have steady employment. 3) Transitional homeless
is a common form of homelessness where individuals utilize shelter
space for short periods of time until they transition to more stable
housing. 4) The hidden homeless are those that are not readily seen or
quantified. They typically have little interaction with homeless service
providers. The hidden homeless often live with a network of friends
and/or family. The hidden homeless can become part of another class
of homeless if they fall out of the good graces of their hosts.
In an attempt to quantify the homeless situation for the City of Deltona,
data sets from various organizations were used. A good method of
which to count the chronic and episodic homeless population is through
the Continuum of Care point in time count. The point in time count is
conducted in the winter because the homeless tend to be less mobile
during the winter and sometimes more concentrated (cold shelters,
etc.). Volunteers go out into the community and survey homeless
individuals. The point in time counts for the City of Deltona reveal very
low homeless counts. During the 2019 point in time count, no homeless
were interviewed. While the 2020 point in time counts have not been
released City staff and citizen volunteers did participate in the count. As
part of 2020 count four homeless persons within Deltona were
interviewed.
The number of episodic and transitional homeless associated with the
City is derived from service records from the Neighborhood Center of
West Volusia (NCWV). During the last calendar year, the NCWV
counted 1,800 households from Deltona utilizing homeless services.
270 of the Deltona households served involved senior citizen(s). 103
applicants did receive shelter services. 30 households were served as
part of the new Deltona First Response program. A copy of the NCWV
2019 Deltona Client Report is attached.
The hidden homeless is the largest homeless population within the City
and perhaps the most challenging to count. However, Volusia County
School District information revealed that 396 students enrolled in City
schools are considered homeless. Of the 396 homeless students, 371
are in a “shared housing” situation. For more information see the
attached spreadsheet from the School District.
The above information derived from the point in time counts, the
Neighborhood Center of West Volusia and the Volusia County School
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District is considered to be best available data. There is a possibility
the numbers of homeless are underrepresented by these counts. The
information from the School District confirms there is a sizable hidden
homeless population. In addition, the NCWV data indicates there is
demand for homeless assistance within the City as there has been a
continuous use of NCWV services from Deltona residents.
City staff suggests the City Commission consider homelessness a
priority to be advertised as a part of the program year 2020/2021
CDBG Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). The Commission should
establish a benchmark of 70% of the CDBG public service funding be
earmarked for services which directly address homelessness matters.
There is recognition there may be other traditionally funded public
services that serve the community. More specifically elder and child
care services. Therefore, staff is recommending a guideline of 20% of
the CDBG funding be established for elder and/or child care services.
Finally, there may be a public service project not associated with
homelessness, child care or elder welfare which has a great deal of
merit and meets national objectives. Staff recommends the City reserve
10% of the CDBG public service funding for a special project of merit. If
there is no special project which is applicable for funding then the 10%
can be appropriated for CDBG eligible activities as per Commission
direction.
Attachments: Neighborhood Center Deltona Client Impact Report 2019
Volusia County Schools - Deltona Homeless Estimate 18-19
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Time permitted, public comments shall be limited to items
on the agenda and shall not exceed two minutes. Please be courteous and respectful
of the views of others. Personal attacks on Commission members, City staff or
members of the public are not allowed, and will be ruled out of order by the Mayor.
6. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
7. ADJOURNMENT:
NOTE: If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission
with respect to any matter considered at this meeting or hearing, he/she will need
a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose he/she may need to ensure that
a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony
and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based (F.S. 286.0105).
Individuals with disabilities needing assistance to participate in any of these
proceedings should contact the City Clerk, Joyce Raftery 48 hours in advance of
the meeting date and time at (386) 878-8500.
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