Council Study Session

MINUTES OF THE GILBERT TOWN COUNCIL IN SPECIAL MEETING FOR A STUDY SESSION, TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2021, AT 5:15 P.M., ROOM 300, 50 EAST CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, GILBERT, ARIZONA COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Brigette Peterson, Vice Mayor Yung Koprowski, Councilmembers Scott Anderson, Laurin Hendrix, Scott September, Kathy Tilque, and Aimee Yentes COUNCIL ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Town Manager Patrick Banger, Town Clerk Chaveli Herrera, Town Attorney Chris Payne, Volunteer and Community Resources Manager Melanie Dykstra, Intergovernmental Affairs Director Rob Bohr, and Intergovernmental Relations Manager Amy Arguilez CALL TO ORDER OF SPECIAL MEETING Mayor Peterson called the meeting to order at 5:17 p.m. AGENDA ITEM 1. Discussion on Regional Homelessness Community Resources Manager Dykstra introduced Deputy Executive Director Amy St. Peter of Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG). Deputy Executive Director St. Peter provided a presentation on Mobilizing the Regional Response to Homelessness: Action Plan Development. Ms. St. Peter summarized MAG’s efforts to strengthen the regional response to homelessness and learn of the Council’s priorities. She stated the goal of the regional planning was to support each community with a range of options that address those priorities in a sustainable way. She stated the focus was to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness, increase access to homeless assistance programs throughout the region, and strengthen the safety net for all people. She thanked the MAG partners and provided information on regional homelessness data, building infrastructure, outreach, data analysis, regional strategies, and the plans for moving forward and next steps. Councilmember Tilque asked if information and data on evictions was being tracked. Ms. St. Peter stated that the information was being tracked and discussed funding availability and elaborated on related issues and concerns. Councilmember Hendrix discussed his experience with rent assistance programs and issues in tenants receiving the assistance needed due to various challenges and limitations. Ms. St. Peter spoke in understanding of the challenges and discussed the importance of building infrastructure and capacity needed to responsibly deliver the programs and have financial oversight. She elaborated on the process, structure and challenges in moving money. Councilmember Anderson asked if the regional data presented was broken down by communities to which Ms. St. Peter confirmed that the information was available on the MAG website and discussed needs being met. Councilmember Tilque asked about the next steps outlined in the presentation and stated that she wanted to ensure every community had a seat at the table as they moved forward, and everyone had a voice. Ms. St. Peter spoke in agreement and discussed needs and supporting regional action at the local level. Councilmember Yentes asked for clarification on the 2-1-1 hotline discussed in the presentation. Ms. St. Peter clarified that it was a crisis response number. Mayor Peterson discussed bringing Amy St. Peter in to talk about the important issues regarding homelessness and wanted everyone to see the information presented. She discussed the importance of coming together. Community Resource Manager Dykstra provided a presentation on Gilbert’s efforts to address homelessness. She discussed the needs assessment, regional and local funding support for 220- 2021 and outlined current and additional efforts being made. Vice Mayor Koprowski asked how schools played a role in the process. Manager Dykstra stated that each school had a homeless liaison and she discussed the different requirements. Councilmember Anderson asked about the questions included in the study. Manager Dykstra discussed the specific interview questions being asked and trying to understand the different situations and outlined some of the barriers and challenges, giving an example of pets in shelters and the splitting of households. ADJOURN Mayor Peterson adjourned the meeting at 6:12 p.m. ATTEST: ___________________________ ___________________________________ Brigette Peterson, Mayor Chaveli Herrera, MMC, Town Clerk CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Study Session of the Town Council of the Town of Gilbert held on the 15th day of June, 2021. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this __________ day of _______________, 2021. ___________________________________ Chaveli Herrera, MMC, Town Clerk