Joint Sioux Falls City Council - Minnehaha County Commission Meeting

MINUTES Joint Sioux Falls City Council - Minnehaha County Commission Meeting Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at 5:00 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104 CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE MEETING ROLL CALL Present: Council Member Pat Starr, Council Member Theresa Stehly, Council Member Janet Brekke, Council Member Christine M. Erickson, Council Member Rick Kiley, Council Member Greg Neitzert, Council Member Marshall Selberg, Council Member Curt Soehl, Mayor Paul TenHaken Absent: None Present: Minnehaha County Commissioner Jeff Barth, Minnehaha County Commissioner Jean Bender, Minnehaha County Commissioner Dean Karsky Absent: Minnehaha County Commissioner Gerald Beninga and Minnehaha County Commissioner Cindy Heiberger APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR AGENDA A motion was made by Council Member Selberg and seconded by Council Member Kiley to approve the Regular Agenda. Roll call vote to approve. 8 Yes: Starr, Stehly, Brekke, Erickson, Kiley, Neitzert, Selberg, Soehl; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. REGULAR AGENDA ITEM(S) 1. Housing Advisory Board Brief and Review of the Augustana Research Institute Study – Marshall Selberg, Suzie Smith, and Chellee Unruh Selberg introduced the topic to the governing bodies by explaining that the Homeless Advisory Board sought to re-evaluate its role and processes in May 2018. The Board determined a study should be commissioned to identify a path forward for the Board. As a result the Council and Commission approved a study to be completed by the Augustana Research Institute. Smith provided a broad overview of the Augustana Research Institute’s report entitled “Community Collaboration to Confront Homelessness.” The overview was provided in order to offer context for the recommendations Unruh would make in her presentation. She explained in detail the objectives of the study and the methodology used. She identified a series of challenges in conducting the study, especially when comparing to other communities, that were derived from often-different methodologies by researchers in studying homelessness. Once a valid and reliable methodology was identified, the research team engaged in a range of interviews, comparisons to other communities, and other research to identify a path forward for the Board. The report makes the following recommendations: 1) Identify and activate local champion(s); 2) Undertake strategic planning to establish a shared vision and set priorities for the next one to three years; 3) Create a structure that supports the type of work the community wants accomplished; 4) Extend collaboration and coordination beyond the board; 5) Prioritize local data collection and reporting; 6) Communicate strategies and raise public awareness; and, 7) Explore available opportunities for technical assistance. Discussion followed about claims that other communities bus the homeless to Sioux Falls and why the winter is used as the time for determining the homeless population. Smith stated she was unaware of any claims of the homeless being bussed to Sioux Falls, but noted the City provides a wide range of services and opportunities that may lead others to come here. She also explained that the federal government mandates the dates in which the homeless count is conducted. Unruh explained the federal definition of affordability and income thresholds for a family of four. Numerous factors cause homelessness and can generally grouped into one of three categories: 1) lack of affordable housing; 2) unemployment, low wages and poverty; and, 3) mental illness, substance abuse and lack of services. Since 2008, there has been a 212% caseload increase in evictions. The city’s growth of 52,000 residents since 2000, has seen a median home value increase of 91% and median rent increase of 50%. Unruh described a proposal that would consolidate the Joint Homeless Advisory Board and the City's Affordable Housing Board into an 11-member “Accessible Housing Advisory Board” whose mission is “to ensure that all residents of the Sioux Falls MSA have access to safe housing that they can afford through the creation of new housing, preservation of existing housing and access to housing support services that stabilize housing." She also explained in detail the Homeless Advisory Board's 2025 Plan to Address Homelessness in Sioux Falls. Housing BHAGs include: establishing a Housing Clinic by 2021; 1,000 new dwelling units; increase in the number of voluntary rental registrations by 25%; and, establish a housing fund with a beginning revenue of $1M, each by 2022. Unruh discussed the each of the above and provided strategies for implementation. She further explained that an agreement would be presented to both governing bodies explaining the how the proposed board would operate. Discussion followed about: the selection process for members; the preservation of affordable housing in the core of the City; assisting tennants faced with evication; mobile homes; and what constitutes a dwelling. It was also noted that the presentation provided  a broad overview of the path forward and many deatils will be worked out over the coming weeks through the agreement process. PUBLIC INPUT Katharine Riffle spoke about resources available to the homeless. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Council Member Kiley and seconded by Council Member Brekke to adjourn at 5:56 p.m. Voice vote to adjourn. 8 Yes: Starr, Stehly, Brekke, Erickson, Kiley, Neitzert, Selberg, Soehl; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. Thomas M. Greco, City Clerk