2014-06-12 Special - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Don Haylock, homeless for past 2 years, request assistance through various services. • Massimo Marin, member of Civic Center Roundtable, urged City Council to sign a Community Benefits Agreement; opined that poverty needs to be addressed to get to root of problem with homelessness. • Igmar Rodas, concerned with police abuse and brutality. • Dwight Smith, spoke of basic survival needs; suggested partnership between City and County to implement SNAP food service. • Robin Cook, remarked that all major destinations provide facilities to homeless; supports use of County Building #16 with County taking the lead. • Madeleine Spencer, reflected on personal training and education in the field of homelessness; opined that system is broken; access to public services important including transitional programs, emergency shelters and multi -purpose centers. • Linda Tang, representing the Kennedy Commission, thanked elected officials for conferring meeting on homelessness; opined that there is a great risk of more becoming homeless; suggested additional affordable housing opportunities near public transportation; urged Mayor pledge to join the End Homelessness by 2015 as proposed by Obama Administration. • Steve McGuigan, noted that in 1990's the City Council approved housing for HIV victims; priority for services placed at the time and now vital to allow homeless to integrate into normal life; public safety concern in designating civic center area as park; strong leadership needed to address and provide dignified solutions to problem. • Pete Katz, need to do a better job at protecting and providing services for veterans; domestic violence is cause for many homeless residents; need organizations to come together rather than work in silos; faith based organizations able to help. • Cindy Avila, presented proposal on behalf of Churches for Community; proposal includes list of services available. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Reyna, thanked staff for scheduling brainstorming session; human rights and dignity issue - need to move forward in that direction; service organizations need to work collaboratively; course of action needed to include input from both male and female, in recognition of each gender's unique needs and challenges; would like to be part of the solution. Councilmember Martinez, noted that creating permanent housing specifically for veterans paramount, need to include in Plan; faith based and non-profit organizations to work collaboratively; strategies that worked in the City of Anaheim to be implemented in Santa Ana; County need to take lead in addressing regional issue; data collection at a regional level important (health and wellness part of Strategic Plan); Police Department implemented HEART Program that has been successful; request City review storage options for homeless. Councilmember Benavides, excited about the energy and commitment to address issue; dignified housing has been created in recent years, but more needed; complex issue; CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 10 JUNE 12, 2014