Meeting Summary
The City Council discussed options for a warming shelter, deciding to negotiate a contract with Food and Shelter for a year-round, low-barrier facility and to evaluate a city-owned building as a potential interim shelter. Additionally, the Council expressed consensus to retain Catherine Walker as the City Attorney, following recent charter amendments.
Key Decisions & Votes
Warming Shelter Contract Negotiation
55:00Council directed staff to negotiate a contract with Food and Shelter to operate a year-round, low-barrier emergency shelter, aiming for a co-ed facility to optimize costs and capacity.
Interim Warming Shelter Evaluation
50:00Council directed staff to evaluate a vacant city-owned building (old library/couch property) for potential use as an interim emergency warming shelter during the upcoming winter season.
City Attorney Retention
1:03:00The Council expressed consensus to retain Catherine Walker as the City Attorney, following the recent charter amendment that makes the City Attorney an employee of the Council.
Financial Matters
Salvation Army Shelter Proposal
Proposal for $440,000 for a year-round, women and children only, 20-person capacity low-barrier shelter.
Food and Shelter Proposal
Proposal for $650,000 for a year-round, men-only (willing to be co-ed), 50-person capacity low-barrier shelter, including insurance and rent.
Previous City-Run Shelter Cost
The city's previous 18-month operation of a warming shelter (Dec 2019 - June 2022) cost approximately $600,000, with $80,000 from the general fund.
Cares Act Funding Availability
Approximately $450,000 in remaining Cares Act funds are available and already appropriated, which can be used towards the shelter program.
State ARPA Grant Application
A $5 million state ARPA grant application has been submitted for permanent shelter development.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- Governor's office signature for charter amendments (approx. 60 days)
- Warming shelter operation by end of October (historical timeline)
- Zoning change process for new shelter location (approx. 90 days)
Watch For
- Negotiation of contract with Food and Shelter
- Evaluation report on city-owned building for interim shelter
- Job descriptions for City Auditor and City Attorney
- Employment agreement for City Attorney
- Recruitment process for City Auditor
- Results of $5 million State ARPA grant application for permanent shelter development
- Cleveland County Continuum of Care partnership for shelter funding
Agenda Summary
Discussion regarding warming shelter options
Staff presented an RFP summary and two proposals from Salvation Army and Food and Shelter for operating a low-barrier emergency shelter. Council discussed costs, capacity, location, and funding, including the potential use of Cares Act funds and a city-owned building as an interim solution.
Discussion regarding the city attorney hiring process
The City Manager sought direction from Council on hiring the City Attorney following recent charter amendments that make the City Attorney an employee of the Council.
Executive Session
Council entered executive session to discuss an undisclosed matter.