City Council Oversight Committee Meeting

CITY OF NORMAN, OK CITY COUNCIL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING Municipal Building, Executive Conference Room, 201 West Gray, Norman, OK 73069 Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 1:00 PM MINUTES The City Council Oversight Committee of the City of Norman, Cleveland County, State of Oklahoma, met in Regular Session in the Executive Conference Room on the 8th day of September 2022 at 4:00 p.m. and notice of the agenda of the meeting was posted at the Municipal Building at 201 West Gray and on the City website at least 24 hours prior to the beginning of the meeting. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Lynn called the meeting to order. PRESENT Councilmember Ward 3 Kelly Lynn, (Chair) Councilmember Ward 2 Lauren Schueler Councilmember Ward 4 Helen Grant Councilmember Ward 7 Stephen Holman ABSENT Councilmember Ward 1 Brandi Studley OTHERS PRESENT: Ms. Kathryn Walker, City Attorney Ms. Jane Hudson, Planning & Community Development Director Ms. Lisa Krieg, CDBG / Grants Manager Ms. Brenda Hall, City Clerk Ms. Lisa Webb, Admin Tech III CITY COUNCIL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING - Thursday, September 8, 2022 Page |1 AGENDA ITEMS ITEM 1: DISCUSSION REGARDING A BUS PASS PROGRAM FOR THE HOMELESS City Attorney Kathryn Walker said that she comes to the Oversight Committee for input regarding a bus pass program. Councilmember Holman asked for clarification on what the committee is discussing since the bus system is already free. City Clerk Brenda Hall said would be a relocation program to pay for a bus pass for the homeless to go home or another city where they will find support. City Attorney Walker said she reviewed 16 cities that have this type of program. The destination city is called to confirm support services are available, before a transportation plan is made. Currently there is no program like this being implemented in any Oklahoma community. Chairman Lynn said he would like to see the program use Geo Locate gift cards that will only be active outside of the City of Norman and for a designated area. City Attorney Walker said only recipients that are part of a Continuum of Care program would be eligible for this service. Not just anyone can come to Norman to get a free ride home or another destination. Councilmember Scheuler said she would like more information on how other cities are administering their programs and whether they pay for relocation. We need to get people where they have supportive services through family and other public/private entities. Need to look how the Continuum of Care partners handle intake process and what information is obtained and how will partners participate in program to help set program parameters. Ms. Lisa Krieg, CDBG / Grants Manager, said she cannot answer questions about transportation plans for discharged patrons, but said there is a systematic failure with the discharge systems of Griffith Memorial, Norman Regional Hospital, and area Jails. Chairman Lynn asked if the Continuum of Care provides relocation assistance. Ms. Krieg said responses were received from 12-14 agencies to a recent informal survey regarding abilities and program gaps. Some agencies have a transportation plan, receive funding and use the funds to purchase bus passes through Greyhound or other programs. Ms. Krieg also said some agencies have Emergency Solutions Grants, which include transportation assistance. Chairman Lynn asked if there is an agency that could execute this type of relocation program if funded. Ms. Krieg said some funding sources do allow ticket purchase for relocation, but they require someone at the destination to verify they can stay and commit to help get them stabilized. Chairman Lynn asked if there is an agency currently doing this. Ms. Krieg said Salvation Army, Center for Children and Families, Department of Mental Health, Food and Shelter, Global Community Food and Health, all have this transportation option as part of their programs. Councilman Holman asked if the City could help fund existing programs. Councilman Holman asked about those who do not have people at the desired destination, but have ties to the community. Could the City provide a way to get them back to where they are comfortable being and help them connect with support agencies at the destination. CITY COUNCIL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING - Thursday, September 8, 2022 Page |2 ITEM 1: (continued) DISCUSSION REGARDING BUS PASS PROGRAM FOR THE HOMELESS Chairman Lynn asked how the City can enhance programs already in existence instead of reinventing services. Councilmember Holman said people end up here involuntarily through Griffin Memorial Hospital, Norman Regional Hospital, Cleveland County Jail, and have no exit route for discharged patrons. These entities need to be included in conversations for a coordinated plan and to establish how the City can help them with better release options. Chairman Lynn asked if staff needs anything else, to which staff replied not at this time, they will do more research and bring it back to the committee to review. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:25 p.m. NO QUORUM CITY COUNCIL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING - Thursday, September 8, 2022 Page |3