CDBG Program Advisory Committee

CITY OF HENDERSON CDBG PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, December 14, 2022 I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Gary Thompson called the Community Development Block Grant Program Advisory Committee meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. at 240 South Water Street, Henderson, Nevada 89015, in the Council Chambers Conference Room. II. CONFIRMATION OF POSTING AND ROLL CALL Heather Virtuoso, Engagement and Programs Specialist, confirmed the Community Development Block Grant Program Advisory Committee meeting had been noticed in compliance with the Nevada Open Meeting Law. PRESENT: Chair Gary Thompson David Paull Gustavo Ramos Gina Venglass ABSENT: Brian Maddox (excused) Mary Marriot (excused) STAFF: Heather Virtuoso, Engagement and Programs Specialist Zachary Redman, Assistant City Attorney III Senta Robinson, Community Development Grant Specialist Michelle Reese, Deputy City Clerk Claudia Young, Housing and Grants Coordinator III. PUBLIC COMMENT Claudia Young, Housing and Grants Coordinator, provided a flyer, which was added to the agenda as additional backup after the meeting, and announced the 2023 Homeless Count is scheduled to be held on January 26, 2023. She stated they are still recruiting volunteers to participate in the count. Don Miller, representing HopeLink of Southern Nevada, stated they are a hub for Henderson volunteers and offered assistance to anyone needing help signing up. CDBG Program Advisory Committee Meeting Page 2 of 5 Wednesday, December 14, 2022 - Minutes IV. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA (Motion) Member Gustavo Ramos introduced a motion to accept the agenda, as presented. The roll call vote favoring passage was: Those voting aye: Chair Gary Thompson, David Paull, Gustavo Ramos, and Gina Venglass. Those voting nay: None. Those absent: None. Those abstaining: None. Chair Thompson declared the motion carried. V. NEW BUSINESS 1 MINUTES CDBG PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE OCTOBER 12, 2022 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES DEPARTMENT CDBG Program Advisory Committee Meeting minutes of October 12, 2022. (Motion) Member Gustavo Ramos introduced a motion to adopt the CDBG Program Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of October 12, 2022, as presented. The roll call vote favoring passage was: Those voting aye: Chair Gary Thompson, Gustavo Ramos, and Gina Venglass. Those voting nay: None. Those absent: None. Those abstaining: David Paull. Chair Thompson declared the motion carried. 2 2023 CDBG APPLICATIONS AND SCORING AND PROPOSED FUNDING DISTRIBUTION COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES DEPARTMENT Staff will provide 2023 CDBG applications preliminary scoring and ranking for Committee discussion and final funding recommendations. Senta Robinson, Community Development Grant Specialist, presented a summary of this item with a PowerPoint presentation. She reviewed the scoring process and described each applicant’s services, funding request, and the score they received from City staff. CDBG Program Advisory Committee Meeting Page 3 of 5 Wednesday, December 14, 2022 - Minutes Ms. Robinson then presented the three funding options proposed by staff including: (1) 100% funding for top two applicants with the third highest scoring applicant getting the remainder; (2) 75% funding for the top four applicants; or (3) 80% funding for the top scoring applicant in each category of Homeless/Housing, Education, and Other Public Services. The floor was then opened for Committee members to ask questions of the applicants in attendance. Responding to a question from Member David Paull regarding whether they had secured a location for services, Camellia Williams, representing Iron Sharpens Iron, stated they are still looking for a location in Henderson; however, they do have a location in Las Vegas. Member Gina Venglass asked the top scoring applicants what the impact of reducing funding to 75% would be. Don Miller, representing HopeLink of Southern Nevada, responded that they would either try to find supplemental funding or reduce the position supported by the funding from full-time to part-time. Beth Flory, representing S.A.F.E. House, noted other sources of funding that they could potentially use to supplement positions if they received only 75% funding. Responding to a question from Member Gustavo Ramos regarding the income of participating families, Paula Farrell, representing Nevada Blind Children’s Foundation, stated they currently do not collect income information from applicants; however, they are researching collecting subsidies from qualified parents. Responding to a question from Chair Gary Thompson, Ms. Flory stated that their services are dedicated primarily to victims of domestic violence but noted the strong correlation between homelessness and domestic violence. Responding to questions from Chair Gary Thompson regarding the income of participants, John Bagwell, representing Giving Life Ministries, stated there are some nearby churches that provide similar services and that most of the clientele his organization serves are local to Henderson. Responding to questions from Member Gina Venglass regarding the need for clients to travel outside of Henderson, Marisa Cervantes, representing The Just One Project, clarified that they do have case managers that can travel to Henderson. CDBG Program Advisory Committee Meeting Page 4 of 5 Wednesday, December 14, 2022 - Minutes Member David Paull asked for more details regarding the tutors for the Varsity Tutors program. Kayla Langley, representing The Boys and Girls Club of Southern Nevada, explained the specialized testing that is provided by Varsity Tutors. Responding to a question by Member Gina Venglass on how they recruit students for tutoring, Ms. Langley clarified that each clubhouse dedicates time during a “power hour” for students to work on academic studies. Committee members then reviewed the potential funding options once again. Member Gustavo Ramos stated he believes the Committee should distribute funding to cover each category. Chair Gary Thompson stated he also felt obligated to cover each category, and noted the Committee often receives requests for three times more funding than what they have available to distribute. A discussion ensued regarding the impact that partial funding would have on the top scoring candidates and how services would be affected. (Motion) Member Gustavo Ramos introduced a motion to move forward with the funding model described by the third option to fund HopeLink of Southern Nevada at $109,120.00; Andson, Inc. at $44,000; S.A.F.E. House at $47,840.00; and Giving Life Ministries at $21,573.00. The roll call vote favoring passage was: Those voting aye: Chair Gary Thompson, David Paull, Gustavo Ramos, and Gina Venglass. Those voting nay: None. Those absent: None. Those abstaining: None. Chair Thompson declared the motion carried. VI. CHAIRMAN\MEMBER COMMENTS Member David Paull thanked the City staff for preparation and review of the applications. He thanked the applicants for applying and stated he wished they had more funding to give. Member Gina Venglass thanked the applicants for trying to make the community better and thanked City staff for their work. Member Gustavo Ramos stated the work of the applicants is very valuable and encouraged applicants to apply next year. Chair Gary Thompson stated he appreciates all the applicants for the work and support of the community with all they do. CDBG Program Advisory Committee Meeting Page 5 of 5 Wednesday, December 14, 2022 - Minutes Chair Gary Thompson thanked Member Gina Venglass for her service to the Committee, as this would be her last meeting. VII. SET NEXT MEETING The next meeting was set for Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT Beth Flory, representing S.A.F.E. House, thanked everyone for their continued support and thanked City staff and the other agencies for their hard work. Maribel Garcia, representing Nevada Blind Children’s Foundation, spoke on the services offered through the foundation. Sonia Anderson, representing Andson, Inc., thanked the Committee for their continued support. Bonita Fahy, representing Goodwill of Southern Nevada, stated she appreciates the City of Henderson and reviewed new training opportunities offered by Goodwill of Southern Nevada. Don Miller, representing HopeLink of Southern Nevada, thanked everyone and stated he is available for assistance coordinating volunteers in Henderson. Marisa Cervantes, representing The Just One Project, stated it was their first time applying for funding and thanked the Committee for the opportunity and the learning experience. Camellia Williams, representing Iron Sharpens Iron Mentoring, thanked the members of the Committee, and stated she will be back to apply again next year. IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to be discussed, Chair Gary Thompson adjourned the meeting at 9:56 a.m. Respectfully Submitted, /s/ Michelle Reese Michelle Reese, Deputy City Clerk