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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - April 4, 2017 SSLODI CITY COUNCIL SHIRTSLEEVE SESSION CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017 A. Roll Call by City Clerk An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held Tuesday, April 4, 2017, commencing at 7:00 a.m. Present: Council Member Chandler, Council Member Johnson, Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, and Mayor Kuehne Absent: Council Member Mounce Also Present: City Manager Schwabauer, City Attorney Magdich, and City Clerk Ferraiolo NOTE: Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi arrived at 7:01 a.m. B. Topic(s) B-1 Receive Report from Lodi House on Current Operations (CM) City Manager Schwabauer explained that Lodi House was funded with Community Development Block Grant funds for the initial house and has done a remarkable job fundraising and expanding its services and programs. He further disclosed that he previously served on the Lodi House Board for 10 years. Shelby Young, Director of Lodi House, presented a video tour of Lodi House, as well as its apartment and enrichment center, and provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding current operations at Lodi House. Specific topics of discussion included establishment of Lodi House, current Board of Directors, mission, stability, training, accountability, renewal, transitional apartments, thrift store, needs, and thrift store plumbing issues. In response to Council Member Johnson, Ms. Young stated Lodi House has five rooms with multiple beds and can accommodate five women and their children. She explained that Lodi House is a small program, but staff provides each individual a significant amount of attention to detail in getting to know them and helping them problem solve to improve their situations. Jenna Santoyo, licensed clinical social worker with Lodi House for the last two years, explained the process of meeting, evaluating, assessing, and treating the women in the Lodi House program. She stated therapy is not mandatory in the program, but it is highly encouraged because it improves emotional stability, which further increases their chance of success in living a fulfilling life. Ms. Santoyo reported that Lodi House completed 108 hours of therapy last year for residents and graduates of Lodi House, all of whom had a history of personal or family member trauma relating to domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health, incarceration, or poverty, which causes stress, depression, anxiety, and trust issues. She stated she works with clients by talking about their feelings, teaching them how to handle emotions, applying breathing techniques to decrease anxiety, and using guided imagery to connect all of the piece and heal their emotional wounds. Ms. Santoyo shared a story about an 11 -year old client she worked with who made significant changes in his life in response to his therapy sessions. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, Ms. Santoyo stated she learned about breathing techniques in graduate school as the best way to help those with anxiety and depression because it increases oxygen flow in the body to relax the central nervous system. In response to Council Member Johnson, Shereen Hays with Lodi House stated there were only a couple incidents in the past involving irate spouses or relatives of clients at the women's shelter 1 and they were all minor. Jessica Hernandez, 2006 graduate of the Lodi House program, shared her story with Council about how she arrived at Lodi House and the assistance the program provided to her. Because of the toxic environment at home, Ms. Hernandez and her son entered Lodi House, and she learned from the structured environment, received counseling, worked extra jobs, and learned to save money. In three months, she moved into the transitional housing facility and continued to save money, took classes at the Lodi House enrichment center, worked on improving her credit score, and 15 months later purchased her own home. She attributed her success to Lodi House and its staff and programs and thanked them for helping her get on the correct path in life. David Payne, Chair of the Lodi House Board of Directors, provided a report on the plumbing issues at the Lodi House Thrift Store. The original property was two parcels that were merged together and purchased as one property by Lodi House in 2014. The plumbing in the retail portion of the facility failed three to four months ago; the Public Works Department assisted and determined the City's line to be in good condition; and Lodi House started a long-term solution with plumbers to repair the problem. The plumbing on the donation center portion of the building also experienced a problem a year ago that is still in need of repair, leaving staff unable to clean donated items in the commercial sink. To date, Lodi House has spent close to $1,000 in repairs with no success. Mr. Payne requested Council consider allowing the City to aid in repairing the plumbing problem on the lateral line, to install a cleanout to see where the problem lies, and to help unplug the line if that is the issue. He stated the donation center cannot operate properly until the plumbing is repaired. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, Mr. Payne stated he was uncertain how much it would cost to repair the problem; Lodi House already spent $1,000 in repairs; and the plumbing issue in the retail portion in the front was roughly $12,000 for the clean out and pipe bursting. He added that the issue in the back would likely be less because, if the line needs to be replaced, it would be across a landscaped area and not a paved one like the front of the building. Mr. Payne stated that, if the line needs to be replaced, Lodi House would need to negotiate with the nearby property owner and any assistance from the City would be appreciated. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, Public Works Director Charlie Swimley stated City policy is to be consistent with all customers on these types of requests; Public Works checked the infrastructure on the street side of the property; and the City cannot go onto the nearby private property for various reasons. He stated that the property next to Lodi House is owned by an individual from the Bay Area who has not been consistently cooperative and that staff typically recommends the individual contact the property owner in question to form a relationship and negotiate access to the lines. Mr. Swimley stated there may be only a small portion of damaged line, which may be the reason the plumber's repairs were unsuccessful. If it is determined there is a problem, the City would install a clean out from the property line to the main in the alley, but policy states that a clean out will not be done until the private property owner determines there is a problem. The portions of the line that were televised with a camera have yet to indicate a City problem; however, he stated there could be a problem deeper into the line. In response to Mayor Kuehne, Mr. Swimley stated staff could televise the line further if Council so directed. In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Swimley stated that he made an offer to Ms. Young to contact the Bay Area property owner because sometimes the City carries more weight than a neighboring property owner and he can explain the situation in greater detail. Although he has not heard back, he stated the offer still stands, adding this could also benefit the Bay Area property owner by receiving something in return for dedicating an easement or granting a right of access. Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi and Mayor Kuehne expressed support for the City aiding Lodi House with this situation in whatever way it can. Ms. Young stated she called the property owner who seems willing to help and approved access to the property, despite his inconsistent responses in the past. 2 In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, Ms. Young stated the Lodi House annual budget is $450,000 and, aside from Thrift Store revenue, funding comes from its Christmas card fundraiser, private grants, large donations from individuals, United Way, community support, and the former fundraising event, Festa Bella Donna. She stated roughly 70 to 90 clients are served at Lodi House each year, most of whom learn about the program on Google or through the Lodi Salvation Army and the Women's Center. Ms. Young explained that Lodi House was modeled after McHenry House in Tracy with the exception that Lodi House is only for women and children, not men, and has a specialized program to empower and strengthen women. In response to Council Member Chandler, Ms. Young expressed her observations on the homelessness situation, stating that the community should be educated on the true needs of the homeless, instead of temporary fixes like giving clothing, toys, and material items. It should be based on building relationships to ascertain the root of the issue, which takes a tremendous amount of time, energy, and money. Mayor Kuehne invited Ms. Young and anyone from the Lodi House Board to participate in the Homeless Solutions Committee because of their knowledge, insight, and understanding of the homeless. He further thanked Lodi House for reaching out to the community and providing this valuable service, adding that the number of people it helps should not be discounted. Mr. Schwabauer stated the recent homeless population count in Lodi was 88, which is very likely underestimated, but Lodi House assisted a greater number of people in Lodi than that, which is significant and should be applauded. C. Comments by Public on Non -Agenda Items None. D. Adiournment No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 8:01 a.m. ATTEST: Jennifer M. Ferraiolo City Clerk 3 TM CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION AGENDA TITLE: MEETING DATE: PREPARED BY: AGENDA ITEM Receive Report from Lodi House on Current Operations April 4, 2017 City Manager RECOMMENDED ACTION: BACKGROUND INFORMATION: FISCAL IMPACT: Not applicable. FUNDING AVAILABLE: Receive report from Lodi House on current operations. Lodi House's new Director, Shelby Young, requested an opportunity to update the Council on Lodi House's current operations and programs. Staff worked with Ms. Young to set aside this morning for that presentation. No Council action is requested at this time. Not applicable. ity Manager L0DI HOUSE HOPE FOR WOMEN & CHILDREN Lodi House Current Board of Directors David Payne- Chair Christi Weybret - Vice Chair David Griffin - Secretary Sandy Musgrave - Treasurer Claire Forsythe Richard Mahoney Mandy Whatley LODI HOUSE MISSION To create a secure structured environment for homeless women and children. Provide stability, training, accountability and renewal by offering resources and support to assist them in developing healthy lifestyles that will lead to permanent employment and independence. STABILITY • Structured program • Safe, private room • Scheduled meal times • Daily routines • Rules • Chores • Clear expectations Lodi House Graduate TRAINING • Situational assessment • Reflective evaluations • Job searching • Goal setting • Problem solving • Identify needed resources& support • Professional resume • Mock interview • Budget & saving plan • Transition plan (housing) WORKSH OPS Banking Parenting Computer skills • Employability Lodi House Enrichment Center ACCOUNTABILITY • Weekly case management • Drug & alcohol testing • 24-hour staff • Curfew & house rules • Relationship building • Budget &savings • Unified staff • Graduate services & support Shereen Hayswith Lodi House graduates RENEWAL • A new beginning • Encouraging and supportive staff • Freeclothing, household itemsfor new start • Member of the Lodi Housefamily • Section 8 Housing • Free therapy for residents and their children Lodi House Kid Jenna Santoyo Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Lodi House Therapist Lodi House Transitional Apartments • Three apartments • $300-$400 monthly rent • 12 -months to improve living/work situation • Monthly savings required • Accountability & rules • Monthly case management & walkthroughs Lodi House Transitional Apartments& Enrichment Center 356 East Walnut Street Purchased in 2011 Jessica Hernandez Lodi H ouse Graduate 2006 LnUilin�5 . • rift Store Support. - St- , 421+ Established store in 2010 221 W. Lodi Avenue & 238 S. Pleasant Avenue Purchased 2014 FACTS • Over $60,000 in improvements. • 25% of budget • $2,000+ in sales tax a month • 5 employees • 65 volunteers • 575 hours donated a month • Benefits all Lodi House clients & graduates. LODI HOUSE NEEDS • Community Development Block Grant 2018 • Build relationshipswith rental property owners • Establish partnershipswith local businesses • Community support and funding • Volunteers Lodi House Thrift Store Plumbing Issues Resolved