CITY OF DANBURY
 Danbury Housing Partnership
 155 Deer Hill Avenue
 Danbury , Connecticut 06810

Minutes of the September 6, 2007 Meeting

Attendance: Barrows, Lemme, Lima, Nolan, Payton, Scalzo, Schierloh, Shepperd,

Sistrunk, Valeri, Zaborowski

Absent: Coelho, Elpern, McLachlan, Pitts, Yamin

(vacancy due to resignation of A. Budnik)

The meeting of the Danbury Housing Partnership was held in Danbury City Hall, conference room #3C on September 6, 2007. Chairman M. Nolan called the meeting to order at 3:05pm. Happy Birthday to Chairperson E. Lima of the Public Relations and Marketing Committee. Minutes of August 2, 2007 were reviewed by all participants of the Partnership. C. Barrows made a request that the remarks made by her regarding Mt. Pleasant Arms Senior Housing Project be removed from the minutes of August 2nd. Chairman Nolan instructed staff to reflect this change in the revised minutes. Motion to accept the minutes, with changes, were made by W. Shepperd, seconded by G. Lemme, passed unanimously.

Following the agenda, there were no public comments made at this time. Chairman Nolan reported that on August 23rd, a meeting with CHFA was held at City Hall with Mr. Nolan, Ms. Sistrunk, Ms. Barrows and Attorney Dom Chieffalo in attendance. The meeting provided valuable information for the City of Danbury. A request for a survey of community needs was proposed with possible funding by DECD. A grant could be utilized for a market survey, appraisals, architect drawings, etc. The Mayor will be requesting an application to initiate the process.

Suggestions were made that the Partnership should try and emphasize the need for:

  1. Veteran housing
  2. Senior housing
  3. Family housing

Ms. Sistrunk indicated that the State has expressed interest and possible funding opportunities in housing projects that should be investigated more closely by the Partnership. The City of Danbury needs to complete a needs assessment to fully understand what the citizens of Danbury actually need. Ms. Barrows indicated that a survey should be initiated and inquired as to what usage the old police station would be used for after the new station is completed. This type of request for a citywide Needs Assessment for the Partnership, may need to be placed on the agenda for Common Council approval. In the meantime, members of the Partnership should investigate any companies who can assist and possible develop a survey for the community. Chairman Nolan reported that the Mayor has not responded to his list of possible candidates to be added to the Partnership. Mr. Nolan will follow-up on this request for additional members.

Committee reports were made:

  1. Mr. Scalzo reported on the Housing and Community Development Committee’s meeting that took place at 2:00pm. today. The committee reviewed the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness and found that several projects assigned to this committee, should actually be placed before other committee’s such as Finance and Social Services. Staff will supply a list to the Chairman regarding the committee’s request for changes. The committee will be having guest speakers at the next scheduled meeting and will have more to report in October.

  1. Ms. Denise Valeri is vice-chair with Rev. Wanda Payton and Judge Yamin serving as temporary co-chairs of the Social and Supportive Services Committee. Report was made involving the Continuum of Care and Project Homeless Connect which is scheduled for December 5th in Danbury at the Elks Lodge located at 346 Main Street. The first project connect was held in San Francisco several years ago and was well received and provided a much needed event for the thousands of homeless individuals in California. The purpose of Project Homeless Connect is similar to one stop shopping. Individuals can come into the Elks Lodge and receive such services as dentist, doctor, counseling, ID’s, food, clothing, etc. Volunteers are needed, and the Housing Partnership’s input and assistance could be provided on this one day.

  1. Ms. Lima reported that the Public Relations and Education Committee has met this afternoon, but will be changing their meeting dates to Friday’s. The Homeless Connect project/event needs our maximum support, which in turn can be used as a marketing tool to promote the Partnership. The website for the Housing Partnership is the last week of October. The 2nd week of November, a press conference is tentatively scheduled to launch the Housing Partnership website. A monthly column will be allocated to report on the various projects/accomplishments/action plans that the Partnership, as a whole, will be initiating/completing.

Ms. Lima would like to have a group photo of the Partnership members and perhaps an organizational chart to inform the general public. The committee also agrees that the mission statement should be provided on the website. Comcast can be used to schedule messages from the Chairman and agenda notices involving the monthly meetings of the Partnership. A logo for the website is being developed with the assistance from Melissa and Wade from data processing. Wayne will help to edit the website for the Partnership. The committee is also recommending that a student from Western Connecticut State University volunteer or have appointed someone like Ms. Marge Steinberg from the social work department to assist this committee. Students can be enlisted to help with Homeless Connect day also. Discussion was presented utilizing Comcast cable networks, video taping of meetings, photo date, etc.

Mr. Shepperd and Mr. Lemme left the meeting at approximately 3:30pm.

  1. The Financial Resources and Fundraising Committee met and established officers and a meeting schedule. Mr. McLachlan was placed as Chairman, Ms. Sistrunk as Vice-Chair, and Mr. Schierloh as Secretary. The Committee reviewed the recommendations to the 10 year plan and will have more to report at the next scheduled Housing Partnership meeting.

Continuing with the agenda, Chairman Nolan reported on the Project Homeless Connect scheduled date for Danbury being December 5th at the Elks Lodge. This is Danbury’s first attempt of this 3rd national event. The Continuum of Care will be chairing this event to bring together all services, programs and resources on this one day to assist people in need in our community. A motion to have the Danbury Housing Partnership adopt and support participation in Project Homeless Connect was made by C. Sistrunk seconded by Rev. Payton, passed unanimously. .

Next on the agenda, is the need for the Housing Partnership to adopt a mission statement. Chairman Nolan distributed 4 versions/mission statements to the membership. The Partnership needs to select a mission statement that will become our operation statement. Ms. Sistrunk had looked into other Partnerships and incorporated 4 mission statements that are before the membership.

Chairman Nolan stated that mission statement number 1 uses the words “affordable housing” which would suggest that the Partnership only deals or targets low income housing. Mr. Nolan would like the Partnership to consider mission statement #4.

David Deschenes offered a proposal that the mission statement incorporates both statements 2 and 4. The following statement was suggested by the members as the Partnership mission statement:

Establish a public/private partnership to achieve quality housing for elderly, low income, disable and work force families of Danbury, Connecticut through housing alternatives and to raise the economic, educational and social levels of the residents of the City of Danbury.

A motion to accept the mission statement was made by Ms. Lima, seconded by Ms. Barrows, passed unanimously.

Chairman Nolan will contact the Mayor’s office to inquire about appointing more members to the Housing Partnership. Ms. Sistrunk reported on Dream Homes and the participation and the financial contributions of the surrounding communities. The program director is developing goals and looking into such projects as housing availability, attorney assistance, emergency housing/shelter participation, etc. There will be more information provided at the next Partnership meeting.

Ms. Lima left the meeting at 4:05pm. The Housing Partnership should contact program director Reverend Leopold and her staff of Dream Homes to see if this membership can assist this much needed project for the City of Danbury. More information can be supplied at the next monthly Partnership meeting.

There was no further business to discuss. A motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Sistrunk, seconded by Reverend Payton, passed unanimously.