1527 4th Street

Santa Monica, CA

Monday, March 14, 2005

7:00 P.M.

The special Social Services Commission Meeting was held at the above named place and time.

MINUTES

1. Call to Order: The Monday, March 14, 2005 special Social Services Commission Meeting was called to order by Commissioner Blumenberg at 7:01 pm.

2. Roll Call

Present: Commissioner Blumenberg

Commissioner Barish

Commissioner Crimmins

Commissioner Gunn

Commissioner Huizar

Commissioner Lee

Commissioner Perliter

Commissioner Sampson

Absent: Commissioner Bravo

Also Present: Stacy Rowe, HSD Administrator

Setareh Yavari, City Liaison

Julia Brown, M.S.W. Intern

3. City of Santa Monica 2005-2010 Consolidated Plan: Stacy Rowe, Human Services Administrator, presented the Commission with information about the Consolidated Plan process and the City residents who can be served by the CDBG and HOME funds for which the Consolidated Plan is prepared. The Commission had the opportunity to ask questions and to suggest priorities and strategies to assist low and moderate income Santa Monica residents over the next 5 years.

Motion by Commissioner Lee, seconded by Commissioner Gunn, to support the Consolidated Plan community input meeting on March 29, 2005. The motion carried by voice vote.

Motion by Commissioner Perliter, seconded by Commissioner Gunn, to move item 7B to precede item 4. The motion carried by voice vote.

4. Presentation by Julie Lansing, Santa Monica Housing Authority, and Kristina Eppler, St. Joseph Center, on the Family Self-Sufficiency Program: Ms. Lansing and Ms. Eppler spoke to the Commission about the successful Family Self Sufficiency Program operated by the Santa Monica Housing Authority with St. Joseph Center and to request that the Commission sponsor the recipient of the Family Commitment Award at the April 13, 2005 graduation and awards ceremony.

Motion by Commissioner Lee, seconded by Commissioner Barish, to contribute $200 to the Family Commitment Award. The motion passed with Commissioners Barish, Blumenberg, Huizar, Lee and Sampson voting for the motion, Commissioner Gunn voting against, and Commissioners Perliter and Crimmins abstaining.

5. Public Input: A member of the public, Pro Se, reported that he had spoken to Tod Lipka, Executive Director of Step Up on Second, about the possibility of relocating their proposed new facility, but Mr. Lipka responded that the location was non-negotiable. Additionally, Mr. Lipka refused Pro Se’s request to inspect the existing food preparation facility at Step Up on Second.

A member of the public, Marilyn Korade Wilson of the Commission for the Senior Community, spoke of her Commission’s desire to increase interaction between the Commissions and invited the Commissioners to a Commission for the Senior Community meeting.

A member of the public, Susan Fraser, noted that she felt SAMOSHEL is a very important part of the continuum of care.

6. Committee Reports:

A. Older Youth Issues and Needs: Commissioner Gunn reported the committee was planning a series of ‘prevention-wellness’ focused meetings with the business community, and requested $1000 be set aside for these meetings. Following the April 9, 2005 Community Workshop on Gang Violence, the committee hopes to meet with City Manager Susan McCarthy in order to plan the meetings. They will develop a detailed budget at that time. Staff advised the committee to notify her in writing of their intent to contact the City Manager’s Office to ensure proper protocol is followed. Additionally, Commissioner Gunn reported that there will be a Mental Health Awareness Month activity on the Santa Monica Pier, and will learn more about the ways the Commission could support this event.

B. Violence (Interpersonal/Community): Commissioner Crimmins reported that the committee is working with the Older Youth committee to plan the meetings with the business community, but would advise maintaining separate committees.

C. New Approaches to Addressing Homelessness: The committee had no new information to report.

7. Old Business

A. Social Services Commission Work Plan and Budget: Motion by Commissioner Lee, seconded by Commissioner Huizar, to spend the remaining 2004-2005 funds in the following manner: $300 to a new youth services guide, $250 to support child care and translation at the March 29, 2005 Consolidated Plan community input meeting, and $900 to the Older Youth and Violence committees’ meetings with the business community.

B. City staff update on the future operation of SAMOSHEL: Stacy Rowe, Human Services Administrator, handed out a copy of the letter that went out to City funded agencies and members of the Westside Hunger and Shelter Coalition. The Commission will continue to receive updates as the agencies respond with their vision of how SAMOSHEL should look in the future.

9. Staff Updates/Announcements: Staff noted two upcoming items on the March 22, 2005 Council agenda. One is the second reading and adoption of an ordinance adding Section 4.08.285 to the Municipal Code to allow the establishment of rules for use of public restrooms; the other is a staff report on homelessness updating council on plans for the sobering center, the chronic homelessness pilot project and possible ordinance and policy changes that would dovetail with those initiatives.

Commissioner Crimmins noted the absence of Council representation. A discussion on this matter will be on the April 25, 2005 agenda.

Commissioner Blumenberg reminded the Commission of the following key dates:

Board and Commission Dinner, March 28, 2005

Consolidated Plan community input meeting, March 29, 2005

Community Workshop on Gang Violence, April 9, 2005

10. Adjournment: Motion by Commissioner Gunn, seconded by Commissioner Perliter to adjourn the special Social Services Commission meeting at 9:02 p.m. The motion carried by voice vote.