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: September 18, 2013 PLACE OF MEETING: Oak Room, 3rd floor East, City Hall MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Kristin Simonsen AT 6:35 pm THOSE PRESENT: HSAC Members: Staff : Vicki Barnes Sue Richter Craig Cheney Housing and Human Services Christina Crockett David Rogers Kristin Simonsen, Chair TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: • Call to Order: Kristin Simonsen called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm • There were no petitions • Approval of Minutes: The minutes of July 18, 2013 were approved as presented. OLD BUSINESS: • Miller House - Suggestions for the use of the Miller House have been presented to City Council. With regards to the use of the house/land Council expressed the following concerns: need a clear statement on who the beneficiaries are, in creating this facility what is the long term financial responsibility and who is responsible for this, what is the City’s financial responsibility if the funds are not available from state or federal sources, who is the population this will serve, more data is needed, what would the size of the building be, and how will parking be addressed. One Council member asked if there was any commercial viability for the property. • HSAC suggested a “Needs Assessment” be done by a professional organization. It was suggested that the words “affordable housing” not be used in any survey. Staff will look for copies of past Needs Assessments for the commission to review. Craig Cheney will also look for some data the schools presented on homeless children in the schools.  Page 2 of 2 • South Washington Street Area plan – comments are needed by September 27 to Nancy. Kristin will prepare comments for the commission to submit. NEW BUSINESS: • Mobile Food Service Study Group – The study group requested public comments on their suggestions for mobile food units in the City. Comments on this are due to Nancy by October 8, 2013. The comments and guidelines will be submitted to Council. The commission was interested in the guidelines that have been established in Arlington and the District. They also had concern regarding the fingerprinting requirement. Staff will get these items to the commission. STAFF REPORT: • Northern Virginia Senior Olympics were held with about 700 participants, which included 27 from the City. • A lottery was held for the 7 ADU rental units at Northgate apartments. Staff is still not sure when Northgate will open. • Two Town Hall meetings will be held regarding the sale of the City’s water system, Saturday, September 28th and Wednesday, October 8th. • The lease for the pumping station will cover everything but the Homeless Shelter. At this time the Shelter will remain in place for the future. • The Falls Church Housing Corporation has a new Executive Director, Jaymar Joseph. • There are new microphones in Council Chambers/Court room with a new assisted listening system tied in. • A homicide occurred at the Eden Center which was likely gang related and not a random shooting. MEETING ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm. The next meeting will be Thursday, October 17th. Dave Rogers will not be able to make this meeting. SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: Sue Richter 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).