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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-01-16 PSCC Meeting Minutes Minutes of PSCC Meeting Tuesday, November 1, 2016 Page 1 of 9 DESCHUTES COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATING COUNCIL MINUTES OF MEETING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 Deschutes Services Building, 1300 NW Wall, Bend, OR __________________________________ Present were Commissioner Tammy Baney; Judge Alta Brady; Tom Anderson, County Administrator; Ken Hales, Community Corrections; Sheriff Shane Nelson; George Conway, Health Department; Dave Cook, citizen member; Barb Cook, City of Bend; Jacques DeKalb, defense attorney; Denney Kelley, Black Butte Ranch Police Chief; Dave Tarbet, Redmond Police Chief; Keith Witcosky, Redmond City Manager; Ben Gregory, Bend Police Department; and four other citizens. __________________________________ 1. Call to Order & Introductions Chair Baney opened the meeting at 3:30 and the attendees introduced themselves. Dr. George Conway, the new Health Director, was introduced, and comments were made regarding his incredible experience and background. 2. August 2016 Minutes Motions were made to approve and second the minutes; they were approved unanimously. 3. Public Comment Citizen Marilyn Burwell noted that the group has not met for two months and should meet more often to address the many issues that need attention. These include available housing and the criminal justice system. Minutes of PSCC Meeting Tuesday, November 1, 2016 Page 2 of 9 She asked if the Justice Reinvestment Program funds can be used for post-incarceration housing. She wanted to know what Deschutes County did with these funds in the past in relation to housing. She asked if pursuing grants for this kind of housing is a goal. She pointed out that homeless encampments are often destroyed without offering the residents any options. She knows they cannot take on helping the entire population, but wanted to know how many could be housed and helped through use of these funds. 4. Homeless in Deschutes County Chair Baney, who is part of the Homeless Leadership Council, discussed current area initiatives. She introduced Cody Standiford, the co-chair. Chair Baney explained that this has been a crisis situation for some time, but they are getting into a tough time of the year. Mr. Standiford said that he is a liaison for COVO (Central Oregon Veterans’ Outreach) also. They try to encourage people to come to their meetings, which take place the first Friday of each month at the library. These are open to the public and they encourage participation. They will be moving the meetings around next year, throughout the tri-county area. Any entity or person who deals with people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless should be involved. They are making good strides. A critical partner in this is those in public safety. They are conducting the point in time homeless count in January, which is nationwide. They count sheltered and non-sheltered individuals, but this count is not entirely accurate because it doesn’t include those in motels, campgrounds and more. It needs to be more inclusive and this count needs to happen annually. In any case, it isn’t an absolute number of those in need, because not everyone wants to be counted. Some are worried about enforcement activities. However, this count is critical. Minutes of PSCC Meeting Tuesday, November 1, 2016 Page 3 of 9 Everyone wants to support the laws of the State. Due process is a fundamental right and important. He advocates for an end to homelessness, but this has to be done as a community. Bureaucrats thrive on numbers. To get funding through HUD COC grants, they have to take part in a national, competitive effort. They got about $750,000 here, which his not insignificant for the three counties. Much of this goes to NeighborImpact and HousingWorks. They added two new programs: Cascade Youth and Family for runaways, and COVO to serve veterans. This helps to add inventory to what they can already bring to bear. The inventory of housing is very short here, but they need to help people not to fall into homelessness, or if they do, to rapidly rehouse them. To get funding, they need an accurate statistical representation of the local need. If it does not exist in a database, for federal purposes, it does not count. The challenge is the local group only has a handful of people and groups using HMIS. They need more buy-in on this program. As they work on this, the other big piece is the third week in January point in time. They have to go into the community and find as many people as they can who are homeless at that time. They are lacking this data input, and an accurate count is critical. In 2015 they tried to do a full count, but this was on the heels of an enforcement action with media coverage, which made it challenging to convince people to talk to anyone. These are legitimate concerns. Even with that, 2,000 people were counted. About 40% of these are children. Many are families, and 5% are veterans. Some people choose to live this way, but most do not, especially those with children. Some of these people had infants. Since 2008, the face of homelessness has changed significantly. Normal people lost their jobs and their homes. Also, there is high rent here in comparison to income. Even those with jobs often can’t afford to pay rent. On average, people need to earn $16 per hour to afford a 2- bedroom apartment. Rents continue to go up, so more people are impacted. Some have to leave the area, but others try to stay. It does not take much to make a difference between having a home and being homeless. Minutes of PSCC Meeting Tuesday, November 1, 2016 Page 4 of 9 The Homeless Coalition can try to help these people. Some are frequent fliers, some end up in jail, but most are just trying to get by. The point in time count is critical to show the need. These people are not all middle-aged males with substance abuse problems. Where PSCC can come into play is that the line troops and EMT’s know where these people are living. This can help with the count. He is available to give presentations to groups. He hopes they can avoid any big shifts in movement before January. He realizes that some of the encampments have to go, but he hopes this is avoidable for a while. The time during the count is key, and perhaps some agencies can help fill the gaps. They want to get out there as far and wide as possible. He has talked with some officers, and volunteers are asked to go into environments that might not be totally safe. Perhaps some plainclothes officers could participate, not as part of an enforcement action, but for protection of others. The other difference this time is asking people to go out at night. Some homeless are not seen in locations in the daytime, but sleep there at night. This raises the risk factor. Homelessness is a life-threatening condition. They lose folks in the camps every year, and some of this is preventable. If they do this at night, they will see more people and get a much better representation for the count. There are some unpleasant realities, but he feels it is worth the extra risk. He asked agencies to partner on this. No one agency or group can shoulder all the work. It is up to the community, and everyone wants this to be the best possible place for everyone. George Conway asked if there are enough people available to conduct the count. Mr. Standiford replied that they are putting together the main efforts next week. They need team leaders for each county. Communities need to tell them where the homeless need to be counted. The duties are simple: to fill out a brief survey and to stay safe. He hopes to be able to recruit enough people to handle this. Minutes of PSCC Meeting Tuesday, November 1, 2016 Page 5 of 9 Chair Baney asked if Behavioral Health can be on standby for assistance, if desired. Mr. Conway replied they can have a presence if needed. A lot of their clients are homeless. However, they need to be careful with confidentiality issues. Mr. Standiford noted that one area involves a street team, inside the cities; they need people for motels, outside the cities, shelters and door counts (family food kitchens, COVO, Bethlehem Inn, Behavioral Health), if people will identify themselves as homeless. Mr. Conway asked if they track the demographics without using a name. Mr. Standiford said they have a unique identifier to keep from duplicating anyone. They ask why someone is homeless. The number one reason last time was the cost of rentals. They try to get veteran’s status, gender, age range, general area, and so on, to get a broad sense of the population. They hope to solidify this count for the week of January 23 through 27, on a weekday basis. They can do multiple days because of all the territory they need to cover. They need to ramp up public awareness before then. If anyone encounters homeless people, they should be made aware what is going on. It needs to be non-threatening. It should ultimately help some of them. Roger Olson asked if they should inquire about their needs. Mr. Standiford replied that he has not seen the form yet, but in 2015 they did a count and some people talked about specific needs. They can do this as service providers. This is a great tool for the community to find out what the needs are and identify gaps in service. It’s not a magic bullet, but a place to start. People are asked how long they have been homeless, and how many episodes of homelessness they have experienced. They hope to find out who is chronically homeless, which means 365 continuous days or twelve months over three years. It is somewhat like following migratory patterns. What works in one area might not work in another. Minutes of PSCC Meeting Tuesday, November 1, 2016 Page 6 of 9 Inside the City of Bend, there are chronically 200 homeless people on any given day. They are working on a plan to address this. Everyone needs to be involved. If the work is federally funded, the criteria are very tight. They would like to build on the KIDS Center model, getting everyone to buy in. Chief Kelley asked if the U.S. Forest Service is involved. Mr. Standiford said that they are a little, but shy away from this. Mostly they are involved in enforcement action. There is not much engagement from the federal side. He would like to use some intelligence gathering capabilities, such as viewing camps from the air. He is open to creative solutions. Mr. Conway asked if they coordinate this work with the V.A. Mr. Standiford replied that they have a homeless services division devoted to this. However, homeless are not just veterans so HUD is the driver. Portland has more V.A. employees doing street outreach, but there are not enough people here; just three, and they have to work on HUD vouchers and other things. They are more office-centric. Most of the work is volunteer driven. Jacques DeKalb asked how many veterans are in the camps. Mr. Standiford indicated that veterans make up about 5% of the homeless in 2015. The largest number is children under the age of 18, at 40%. There are in excess of 2,000 homeless in the tri-county area, but he thinks this number is low. A vacancy rate of less than ½ percent equates to four or five places to rent at any given time. This is a huge barrier, and less qualified tenants don’t stand a chance. When someone falls out of housing, they don’t have much of a chance of getting it again. This is a national problem. Chair Baney said that unless we know who we are dealing with and where they are, the effort won’t work. This needs to be a strategic strike. There are models out there that are working, and ways to address it differently than it is being done now. Minutes of PSCC Meeting Tuesday, November 1, 2016 Page 7 of 9 Mr. Standiford added that some of the ideas they are using here come from Portland, such as having designated places to camp to avoid other problems. The response from the community is critical, but someone needs to be responsible to help mitigate the risk, and this becomes a big issue for an organization. Some people are falling through the cracks. It is easier and more efficient to handle service delivery if you have the locations. The idea is to get people out of homelessness. There is a strong will to make this happen, but it needs to be a coordinated effort. What is done here successfully can be duplicated in other areas as well. Roger Olson said he started to attend the meetings and appreciates what they are trying to do. Chair Baney noted that this is the right thing to do, but is also necessary to do this because of the huge cost of homelessness to society. This affects the Courts, Health, Behavioral Health, the jail and law enforcement. The problem needs to be addressed more aggressively. 5. Status of Crisis Respite Center Sheriff Nelson gave an overview on the Crisis Respite Center (Sober Station). This effort has been paused in order to get some help form the legislature regarding liability issues. He is working with Representative Buehler and lobbyists to include some immunity language that will satisfy the State. They will continue this work with the partners once this piece is in place. Keith Witcosky asked for details. Sheriff Nelson replied that this is a consensual facility, so they can’t hold anyone there against their will. The idea is that if someone checks in and out, whether there is liability when they leave. It might take a few months to work this out. The County owns the property; it is on the Sheriff’s Office campus because some resources can be readily provided there, such as health and mental health services and others. Minutes of PSCC Meeting Tuesday, November 1, 2016 Page 8 of 9 Ms. Burwell asked if there are statistics collected on the jail population regarding how many were homeless. Sheriff Nelson replied that many people won’t give their address. He has some ideas on this, but it wouldn’t be totally accurate. Marilyn: statistics collected on jail, how many homeless? Shane: many people won’t say address. Some idea about it but sometimes it is not accurate. Chair Baney added that some might have been living with friends, or don’t know what being homeless really is. 6. Revision of PSCC Bylaws Ken Hales said there are some proposed changes to the bylaws, due to the elimination of the Commission on Children & Families and a few other things that are out of date. This can be addressed at the next meeting. 7. Other Business Mr. Hales stated that they heard from the Criminal Justice Commission that they got the federal grant, but only about half. This will not be serving all counties. A coordinator for the Public Safety Coordinating Councils is now off the plate. Mr. DeKalb noted that he attended a conference where this was still being promoted, but it did not include Deschutes County. Ms. Burwell asked if the justice reinvestment grant is being used for housing. Mr. Hales said he could e-mail her more detail. It is applicable only if the person fits the target population of the grant; this includes being a felon on short-term transitional leave or departure. It is dedicated to this purpose to help prevent reoffending. It is basically a reentry program. Chair Baney explained that funding is not the biggest issue. There are mental health dollars available for housing, but there is no housing available. HUD vouchers are not being used. Judge Brady added that people are being approved for vouchers, but can’t find a place to live. Mr. Hales said that the lack of housing inventory has negatively affected everyone. Mr. Conway noted that even a newly-hired professional found this difficult. Chair Baney said that at the next meeting, she wants to discuss the coordinated care organization. They are set up differently here from other counties. Some dollars might be able to help with housing, along with jail services and other things. They need to understand how the dollars flow, and what this means to public safety. Being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~~ Bonnie Baker Recording Secretary Exhibits . Agenda • Sign-in sheets Bylaws of Deschutes County PSCC Minutes of PSCC Meeting Tuesday, November 1, 2016 Page 9 of 9 DESCHUTES COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATING COUNCIL Tuesday, November 1,2016 3 :30 PM, Allen Room Deschutes Services Building, 1300 NW Wall, Bend, OR I Agenda Call to Order & Introductions Chair Commission Tammy Baney II August Minutes Chair Baney Action: Approve minutes III Public Comment Chair Baney IV Homeless in Deschutes County Chair Baney & Homeless Leadership Council Discuss area initiatives V Crises Respite Center· Sheriff Nelson Brief Council on project status VI Bylaws Ken Hales Brief Council on proposed changes Attachment VII Other Business Chair Baney PLEASE SIGN IN PSCC Meeting (Plea$e Print) Tuesday, November 1, 2016 ~ - . ~CJ"-~ ---­ ' VI ' -V-''f A ~AlI11J!J1d v--r­- -i)e&1k~ Cov~¥-~ _ __-+----"'---L'-Q. /{ ~~~S ~jie~)~~ ~ C 2:..-,,-,() ) Q,L(<:,... L .(}t:-.A..~Ie.'T'~L..JT' I' ~-:;p -r~~~1--/ ___ Please erturn to BOCC Secretary. ------------ -- -- PLEASE SIGN IN PSCC Meetmg. Tuesday, November-1, 2016 1-(Please P!!!!t)1 -------7Pk ----~---~-----I Representing _ ---Name -~u, 7(()1/0 --CaixSlt:tl-l.d: t,J _ l-\t~ L<e~\ A\c\ l1Ak~<t®-V ~<:>l \!s< q,. 00tM.,-( - -'~'-~t~~Osne f '\ +Cl.o5.J,~(krrlO...lb~~I~(b\'\ 1,1Art\1 vV\.+,a( ''J~ __~ l ~tXj~ l...J l.soV\ _ _ _ _ ~ - - --II- Please erturn to BOCC Secretary. BYLAWS OF DESCHUTES COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATING COUNCIL Article I. NAME and PRINCIPAL OFFICE The name ofthis group shall be the Deschutes County Public Safety Coordinating Council ("Council") and its principal office shall be Suite 200, Deschutes County Services Building, and 1300 Wall Street, Bend, Oregon 97703. Article II. PURPOSE Section 2.01 The Council shall perform the duties prescribed in ORS 423.560 and ORS 426.565. Section 2.02 The Council shall develop and recommend to the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners a plan or plans for use of state resources to service the local offender population and the use of state and local resources to serve the needs of that part of the local offender population who are at least 15 years of age and less than 18 years of age. Section 2.03 The Council shall develop and recommend to the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners a plan for use of state resources to serve the local youth offender population. Section 2.04 The Council shall coordinate local juvenile justice policy among affected juvenile justice entities. Section 2.05 The Council shall develop and recommend to the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners, a plan to prevent criminal involvement by youth.:....,saHl plan to be developed aild recommeedeel to the Commissioners after eonsultation ...nth the Ioeal Children and Families Commission. Section 2.06 The Council shall coordinate a local criminal justice policy among affected criminal justice entities. Section 2.07 The Council may make other recommendations to the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners for the betterment of the Deschutes County criminal and juvenile justice systems. Article III. MEMBERS and TERMS of MEMBERSHIP Section 3.01 Council member ship will comply with ORS 423.560. Section 3.02The members shall include: 1) The City of Bend Chief ofPolice; 2) The City of Redmond Chief of Police; 1 3) The Deschutes County Sheriff; 4) The Deschutes County District Attorney; 5) The presiding judge of the 11th Judicial District or a state court judge selected by the presiding judge; 6) A public defender or defense attorney appointed by the presiding judge of the 11 th Judicial District 7) The Court Administrator of the 11 th Judicial District; 8) The Deschutes County Community Corrections Director; 9) The Deschutes County Juvenile Department Director; 10) The Deschutes County Health Services Department Director; 11) A Deschutes County Commissioner selected by the Commissioners; 12) The Deschutes County Administrator or the Deschutes County Administrator's designee; 13) The Director of Deschutes County 911 ; 14) The Director of Deschutes County Childreft & Families Commission; 1~) A City Councilor or Mayor selected by the cities in Deschutes County; 1 ~6) A City Manager or other city representative selected by the cities in Deschutes County; 1Q+) A non-voting Oregon Youth Authority representative selected by the Oregon Youth Authority Director; 11&) A non-voting Oregon State Police representative, selected by the Superintendent of the State Police; 1 ~9) Three citizen member s appointed by the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners one of which shall be a person involved in child abuse detection and intervention. Section 3.03 At the discretion of the Deschutes County Community Justice Department Director the Community Justice Department Director may serve in lieu of the Deschutes County Community Corrections and or the Juvenile Department Director. Section 3.04 Members shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority or until the member no longer holds the public office described. Citizen members shall serve terms of two years. Citizen members may serve more than one tenn. Section 3.05 The Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners may appoint additional citizen members for terms of "up to" two years. Article IV. OFFICERS and DUTIES Section 4.01 The officers shall be a Chair and a Vice-Chair. Officers shall be elected by a majority of members of the Council and shall hold office for terms of three years. Section 4.02 The Chair shall preside at meetings, fonn subcommittees, including the subcommittee required by ORS 423.565(4), and form task forces. The Chair shall, appoint subcommittee and task force members. The Chair shall perform all other 2 duties necessary or incidental to the office. The Vice-Chair shall carry out the responsibilities of the Chair in the absence of the Chair. The Vice-Chair shall fill out the tenn of the Chair if the office becomes vacant. The Chair shall appoint a Vice-Chair to complete the tenn of Vice-Chair if the office becomes vacant. Section 4.03 The Chair shall notify the relevant appointing authority in writing if at any time a member appears unable to serve, a position appears vacant, or upon the expiration of the tenn ofany citizen member if the Chair has not received notice of reappointment. Article V. MEETINGS, VOTING and RECORDING Section 5.01 The Council shall meet no less than once per quarter. Special meetings may be called by the Chair or by 2/3 of the Council members. All proceedings of the Council shal1 be open to the public in accordance with and subject to the provisions of ORS 192.610 to 192.690. Section 5.02 All votes of Council members and minutes of the meetings shal1 be recorded and shall become matters of public record. A quorum for the transaction of official business shall consist ofa majority of the current voting members of the Council. A member must be physical1y present at the meeting to be counted as part ofthe quorum. Article VI. BYLAWS Section 6.01 Except for section 3.03 and any other provision relating to Council membership, the Council may amend these bylaws. Section 6.02 A copy of all proposed amendments to these bylaws shal1 be mailed to each member ofthe Council at least ten days prior to the date at which action is to be taken on the amendment. An affinnative vote by a majority of the Council members shall be necessary to amend these bylaws. 3