04/10/1991 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Responding to a question from Mr. MacDonald regarding the status of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, Greg Rikhoff, Intergovernmental Rela- tions, said that the Community Development Committee (CDC) has discussed the possibility of increasing its existing fund appropriation from $154,050 to $220,000. Mr. Green noted that as evidenced by testimony during the last public hear- ing, the community has communicated the future need for alternative funding mechanisms for social service providers. He offered his support for the request because it provides additional financial security to those social service providers who rely on this fund. Mr. Rutan moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, to instruct the City Manager to include in the first Supplemental Budget an in- crease from Contingency Funds in the Intergovernmental Human Services budget, as discussed. In response to a question from Ms. Bascom, Eve Powers, Coordinator for the Night Shelter Program, indicated that based on need, the night shelter compo- nent of the program would be operated from October 15 to June 15. Responding to a question from Mr. Robinette, Mr. Gleason said that the Con- tingency Fund has $525,000 remaining. Mr. Robinette voiced concern with this request, noting that programs which are on going should not be funded with Contingency Funds. He also said that there are other health and safety issues in our community, such as fire and emergency services, which are a citywide concern and which also deserve imme- diate attention. He pointed out that it should be made clear to the public that funding for the Interfaith Shelter Program program will not be immunized from the Eugene Decisions process. Mr. Boles agreed with Mr. Green on the need for review and modification of the social services funding, which should occur in conjunction with the De- partment of Public Safety Long-Range Plan and the Eugene Decisions process. He offered his support for the request because of the immediate need for funds. Mr. MacDonald noted that he is suggesting that IHSC expand its role in the community to include social service policy issues and to track the perfor- mance of social service programs. In light of the Housing Policy Board's explicit goal to provide permanent, affordable housing, Ms. Bascom asked Mr. Roberts how to justify funding short-term housing requests. In response, Mr. Roberts said that the Housing Policy Board recognizes that it cannot ignore the community's emergency hous- ing needs while waiting for the construction of permanent housing. He also noted that the proposed funding contribution is not out of proportion with the need for short-term housing. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 8:0. MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 10, 1991 Page 2