Human Services Advisory Council

Page 1 of 2 MINUTES Human Services Advisory Council City of Falls Church PURPOSE OF MEETING: To advise City Council on human services delivery to Falls Church citizens. DATE OF MEETING: July 18, 2013 PLACE OF MEETING: Oak Room, 3rd floor East, City Hall MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Kristin Simonsen AT 6:30 pm THOSE PRESENT: HSAC Members: Staff : Vicki Barnes Nancy Vincent Craig Cheney Sue Richter Christina Crockett Housing and Human Services David Rogers Kristin Simonsen, Chair Others: Richard Rose, Lincoln Property Company Michael Rafeedie, Lincoln Property Company TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: • Call to Order: Kristin Simonsen called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm • There were no petitions • Approval of Minutes: The minutes of May 23, 2013 were approved as presented. OLD BUSINESS: • Miller House: Housing and Human Services will present the Miller House Focus Group’s recommendations to Council during the August 5th Work Session. The Group will recommend razing the existing structure to make way for construction of new housing in the City for individuals with intellectual disabilities. NEW BUSINESS: • Rent Relief Program: HSAC approved all seven applications for the Rent Relief program, including applications for four new participants. This is the highest number of participants since 2006, when there were also seven participants. Sue Richter noted that high rents throughout the City limit the number of low-income seniors who can afford to live here. For those that do, Sue works closely with Resident Managers to provide effective outreach and enrollment assistance for this program. • Kensington Project: Members approved a motion to send a letter to Council outlining HSAC comments on the Kensington Project. Christina Crockett offered to draft the letter.  Page 2 of 2 Specifically, HSAC will recommend that the City seek affordable housing solutions during negotiations, which could include an agreement on a low-income set-aside program similar to that with Sunrise Assisted Living, a developer contribution to the Affordable Housing Fund, or a requirement for Affordable Dwelling Units. • Washington Street Area Plan: HSAC discussed the Washington Street Area Plan, on which the Planning Commission is seeking feedback by September 30th. Comments included the following: o The holistic approach to planning for a redeveloped area is good thing o The plan could better define certain important concepts including low-/mid- density o A new daycare facility and a dog park may enrich a younger and higher density community o Who will maintain new landscaping/vegetation, and clear snow and litter? o How will the area meet the needs of residents with special needs or disabilities? Vicki Barnes suggested a walking tour of the area to help envision key elements of the plan. Nancy Vincent will present this idea to the Planning Commission. • August HSAC meeting: HSAC will not hold an August meeting and will reconvene on Wednesday, September 18th. This is consistent with prior years and appropriate given there are issues requiring HSAC’s immediate attention. STAFF REPORT: • Sue Richter presented final FY2013 Community Services Fund (CSF) budget and performance data. All grantees expended 100% of funds except Legal Services of Northern Virginia. Although it didn’t require all grant funds, Legal Services served seven Falls Church households in FY2013. • The Falls Church water utility has begun shutting off water when bills go unpaid. The Human Services budget includes financial assistance for qualifying residents, and notices of late/non-payment include information on the program. So far, staff have assisted with one request for financial assistance. MEETING ADJOURNED AT: 8:05 pm. The next meeting will be Wednesday, September 18th. SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: Kristin Simonsen The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in an alternate format upon request. Call 703-248- 5005 (TTY 711).