HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council Workshop - Minutes - 04/03/2012 KENT
Kent City Council
Workshop
April 3, 2012
Council Members Present: Albertson, Boyce, Higgins, Perry, Ralph, and
Ranniger.
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Council President Higgins.
Intergovernmental Issues. Michelle Wilmot noted that the special
Legislative session is due to end April 10, and gave an update on the status
of budget negotiations and the liquor excise tax. Council members then
reported on attendance at regional meetings.
Homeless/Resource Center. Parks Director Watling noted that outreach
and scoping have been completed. Jason Johnson and Katherin Johnson of
Parks and Human Services gave the background of the issue, explained the
focus groups, and outlined the findings and recommendations. Kathenn
Johnson summarized that the vast majority of focus group participants
agreed that the downtown retail core is not the appropriate location for a
day center. Watling then said staff recommends that Council refer the
formation of a Homeless Services Task Force to the Human Services
Commission, and inform groups who have expressed interest in using the
building of its decision.
Staff then responded to questions from Council members regarding the
focus groups, options, gaps in service, deliverables, and so forth. Higgins
concluded by saying the consensus is not to use the Resource Center as a
location for a shelter, and to continue working on the issue of homelessness.
The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Brenda Jacober, CIVIC
City Clerk
4/3/2012
Focus Group Findings and
Recommendations
O-
HOMELESSNESS IN KENT
KENT RESOURCE CENTER
APRIL 3RD, 2012
Background
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Council directed staff to conduct a series of focus
groups.
Focus Group Objectives:
�) Determine community perceptions of
homelessness in Kent
2) Obtain community input on future of the Resource
Center
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4/3/2012
Focus Groups
---------------- ------------------------------------------------------------�� --------------------
Staff conducted a series of six focus groups.
• Providers
• School/Parents
• Residents
• Faith Leadership
• Kent Police Department
• Business Owners/Employees
• Survey of Homeless Individuals
Findings
0 ,
• There should be services The Resource Center is not
for the homeless the appropriate location for
homeless services
• The community is not Considerable effort and
aware of the scope of resources have been invested
services currently provided into revitalizing downtown and
• There are service gaps a homeless day center would
g p not enhance those efforts
• The community wants to be The City should view the
a participant in developing building as an asset
solutions to the problems of If the building is used for
the homeless downtown services they should be
directed at improving
academic success
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4/3/2012
" .
1 ) Develop a collaborative
taskforce - include businesses,
providers, residents, schools,
parents, police, the faith
community, and Kent Human
Services staff to develop an
inventory of available services,
gaps and strategies to address
the gaps.
2) Increase community
knowledge about existing
services.
x.:
• Sell the Building — create
revenue for the City
• Lease at Market Rate or provide
event rental services (for activities
such as: multicultural
celebrations, holiday events,
concerts, weddings, and
lectures.)
• Educational Facility — activities
for youth that promote academic
success, reduce gang
involvement, and/or promote
multiculturalism.
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4/3/2012
Summary
• The overarching issue for the community is the impact
this proposed center could have on the downtown core
for businesses, employees, residents and visitors.
• While it was agreed that there is a need for additional
resources to serve the homeless population, and a day
center would be helpful for some of Kent's homeless
individuals, the vast majority of focus group participants
agreed that the downtown retail core is not the
appropriate location.
• The community wants to participate in developing
solutions for service gaps and learn more about the
current range of services.
Next Steps
�� ------------------------------ - ------ - - ---
• Council refers the formation of a Homeless Services
Taskforce back to the Human Services Commission.
• Council informs interested parties of its decision.
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4/3/2012
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THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY
FOR PARTICIPATING AND
PROVIDING INPUT INTO
DISCUSSIONS ABOUT
HOMELESSNESS AND USE OF A
DOWNTOWN FACILITY.
,
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