Citizen Advisory Committee

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING December 2, 2013 – 6:00 P.M. City Council Chambers Chairman Jeffery Norgrove called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Members Present: Judith Foley, Charles Jefferson, Jeffrey Norgrove, Paul Palmeri, Joanne Paraventi, Grace Pedrie, and Janet Widrig. Members Absent: None Also in Attendance: Teresa Jarzab, HUD Program Coordinator Approval of Agenda Moved by Foley, supported by Jefferson, to approve the agenda as presented. Ayes: All Nays: None Approval of Minutes Moved by Widrig, supported by Foley, to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 21, 2013. Ayes: All Nays: None New Business A video presentation of the promotion for the public hearing was shown. 40th Year of the CDBG Program Teresa Jarzab, HUD Program Coordinator, made the following requests for funding on behalf of the City: Administration: $100,000 for the preparation of application for the CDBG program. The funds would be used to cover all costs for supporting management, oversight, and coordination of the CDBG program. Cost would include legal services, auditing services, publishing, postage, supplies, training, and wages. Code Enforcement: $20,000 to continue code enforcement in deteriorating areas. The requested funding will be utilized to provide code enforcement efforts in eligible CDBG areas of the City including section 2, 4, 17, 30, 32, 34, 35, and 36. Minor Home Repair: $15,000 to provide assistance to income eligible seniors, handicapped, and owner occupants of mobile homes. The members of the targeted population have an extremely limited income and have a difficult time making repairs to their homes. The program will help to provide safe and descent housing. Applicants are limited to $500 per year (depending on the availability of funding) for eligible repairs. Expected to service about 30-50 residents Mr. Jefferson questioned the Code Enforcement program. Ms. Jarzab explained the procedures. Mr. Norgrove questioned the Administration funding. Ms. Jarzab explained the prior funding sources, and discontinued program funding. Diane Winterstein requested $35,000 to fund the City’s Special Recreation program. The program was developed because of the lack of activities offered by private or public agencies to people with disabilities. General discussion ensued. The cities website address was given if someone wanted to make donations. The number of residents served, and costs of programs were discussed Kyle Langlois, Parks & Recreation Manager, requested $620,000 for improvements to Beaver Creek Park and Hampton Park. Phase one of Beaver Creek has almost been completed, we would like to complete the project with phase two. Hampton Park improvements include new basketball, tennis courts and rehabilitate the play structure. General discussion ensued. Mr. Langlois explained that the improvements were needed to rehabilitate the play structure that is deteriorated. Disc golf and Dog parks have been identified, but these two parks are not including these amenities. Jason Groth representing the Sterling Heights Public Library requested $6,000 to purchase large print and audio books for the Homebound Delivery Program. He explained that the Friends of the Library have helped but funds are still needed. General discussion ensued. Mr. Groth explained that the funding is used to reach our senior housing, and homebound seniors. Jessica Winalis, on behalf of April Fidler representing MCREST, requested $6,500 to support the MCREST shelter program. The program provides homeless men, women, and children with up to 90 days of shelter and supportive services. Support services are also provided as clients exit the shelter. Currently 10 Sterling Heights churches participate in the program. Participants are not removed for substance abuse. MCREST must work with them to establish as treatment program. Ms. Fidler further explained that need for shelter has increased over the prior year. General discussion ensued: Ms. Winalis explained how the homeless are received at the shelters, and referred to them. Brigitte Fawaz-Anouti representing ACCESS. Funding request of $66,000 for a full time case manager at the Sterling Heights office on Fourteen Mile Rd. ACCESS provides services to low income immigrate and refugees, including: health care, job placement, housing, and social services. General discussion ensued: Ms Fawaz-Anouti gave an over view on job placement, and the program focuses on self-sustainment. Amy Prantzalos representing the Basket Project. Funding request of $3,000 for gift baskets to children during the holidays and all year long. Items include, socks, underwear, pajamas and clothing. General discussion ensued. Ms. Prantzalos explained that everything is done by donation, they use donations to gift or purchase items that are needed for the children. 100% of the money is used to purchase items for the baskets. The schools, and social workers recommend families. Dorie Vazquez-Nolan representing Care House requested $5,000 to offset costs incurred to service nine Sterling Heights residents. The facility, located in downtown Mr. Clemens, serves children involved in sexual abuse. The center coordinates the investigation in order to reduce trauma by having a multi-disciplinary team which includes detectives, service workers, nurses, forensic interviewer, crisis counseling up to six sessions, parent support, children’s activity groups, and referral to long term support. Chuck O’Brien and Veroncia Daffin representing the Macomb Homeless Coalition requested $3,000 to fund the Continuum of Care (CoC) Coordinator position. The CoC Coordinator is responsible for submitting grant applications that result in $1.6 million in funding for homeless programs throughout Macomb County. General discussion ensued. Funding is received from Warren, Clinton Township, Roseville, St. Clair Shores, and Macomb County . Kathy Goodrich representing the Macomb County Warming Center requested $8,950 to provide shelter and bus tickets to the homeless many of which suffer from substance abuse and should not be housed with families. Ms. Goodrich further explained that two Sterling Heights churches have partnered with the Macomb County Warming Center to provide shelter. General discussion ensued. Ms. Goodrich stated that they have seen a 15% increase so far for this season, they are averaging 70 residents per night. Ken Lampar representing the Macomb Literacy Partners requesting $6,000 in funding to provide one on one tutoring, ESL and basic literacy tutoring. MLC has been providing services since 1984. Literacy and ESL services are provided free to Macomb County Residents. General discussion ensued. Mr. Lampar gave an overview of the Community Conversation Group program that has succeeded in Macomb County and they would like to expand to Sterling Heights. Barb Felczak representing Macomb Community College Single Parent Program Project Specialist at Macomb Community College requested $30,000 for the Single Parent/Displaced Homemaker Program at Macomb Community College. She also expressed her gratitude to the C.A.C. for their continued support for the Single Parent/Displaced Homemaker Program. General discussion ensued. Ms. Felczak stated that she currently has six Sterling Heights Residents enrolled utilizing CDBG funding. Tim Stockard representing WW Community Connections/Hope Center in Macomb requested $10,000 for the Client Choice Food Pantry. The request is based on a calculation of three meals for every dollar resulting in 30,000 meals. The program assists any eligible Macomb County resident. Clients are allowed to visit the pantry once per month max 6 times per year. The level of food is based on the number of people living in the home (130 lbs of food per family maximum). New this year they have 16-service agencies onsite, with the Pathway to Independence program helping people to move to independence from assistance. The Hope Center also receives “restore” items for donations and resells them as a fundraising tool. Jennifer Fisher representing Wigs 4 Kids requesting funding of $800 to provide one wig for a child or teen that is a Sterling Heights resident. No child is turned away, but with this funding they can provide one resident. Wigs 4 Kids holds an Annual Gala each September, and accepts volunteers and hair donations. With no additional speakers, Mr. Norgrove closed the public hearing. Old Business Board Members Report Mr. Jefferson requested that SHTV post on the TV and website any shelter locations and hours Citizen Participation None Adjournment Move to adjourn by Pedrie supported by Foley Ayes: All Nays: None Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Joanne Paraventi, Recording Secretary TJ