CITY OF DANBURY
Danbury Housing Partnership
155 Deer Hill Avenue
Danbury, Connecticut 06810
Minutes of the August 14, 2008 Meeting
Present: Barrows, Lemme, Nolan, Sangut, Schierloh, Sullivan, Valeri
Absent: Rev. Coelho, Elpern, Lima, McLachlan, Rev. Payton, Rev. Pitts,
Reese, Scalzo, Shepperd, Sullivan, Judge Yamin, Zaborowski
Also Present: Scott LeRoy (Director of Health, Housing & Welfare)
The meeting of the Danbury Housing Partnership was called to order by Chair Mark Nolan at 3:10 PM.
A motion to approve minutes of the July 3, 2008 meeting was made by Paul Schierloh, seconded by Gary Lemme and passed unanimously.
There were no members of the public present wishing to address the Partnership.
Mr. Nolan informed the members that Harrall-Michalowski Associates had agreed to undertake the Senior Housing Feasibility study. The agreement will be made with the Non-Profit Rental Housing Development Corporation which is contributing the $5000.00 fee for the study. As Mr. Nolan is an officer with the corporation, he will recuse himself from any votes taken by the Partnership regarding this matter. In response to an inquiry from Charlotte Barrows, Mr. Nolan indicated that he anticipated that the study would be completed within sixty to ninety days.
Under committee reports, Mr. Schierloh noted that the Public Relations, Education and Marketing Committee had not had any contact from Chair Emanuela Lima for some time and that Wayne Shepperd was acting chair in her absence. In lieu of a meeting this month, Mr. Shepperd and Mr. Schierloh had training and work sessions with Melissa Adams of the City’s IT department regarding the Partnership’s Website. The website is now live and some content has been added. The committee will continue to build the site over the next several months. Members were requested to submit content to be added to the website, which can be accessed at www.danburyhousingpartnership.org or www.danburysroadhome.org.
Ms Barrows reported that the Housing and Community Development Committee met on July 7, 2008 and reviewed a presentation made by Andrew Buzzi proposing affordable housing to be developed on Division Street near the intersection with Wooster. Several issues were raised that would require changes to conform to City requirements. The committee will meet with Mr. Buzzi again once additional information is available.
Denise Valeri reported that the Social and Supportive Services Committee had not met this month but that she had discussed with Mr. Nolan the possibility of re-structuring the committee to avoid duplication with the Continuum of Care. Mr. Nolan invited discussion of this issue, during which the differing legal requirements governing the structure and responsibilities of the Continuum and the committee were reviewed. It was agreed that the current structure of the committee would be retained, that the committee would continue to exercise general oversight/coordination of efforts to implement recommendations in the Ten-Year Plan while concentrating its efforts on those recommendations that are not being undertaken by the Continuum. The committee may change its meeting frequency and schedule to meet its needs.
Mr. Schierloh reported that the Financial Resources and Fundraising Committee met on July 6, 2008. The committee had an extended discussion on fundraising and strategies to best position the Partnership to apply for grants and access funding from private foundations. The use of the new website to secure donations for activities supported by the Partnership was also discussed. The committee stressed the importance of structuring the system to assure potential donors that donations would be tax deductible. Mr. McLachlan will be having follow-up meetings with City Finance Director David St. Hilaire to decide upon policies and procedures.
Ms. Valeri reported on the meeting of Ad Hoc Celebration Breakfast Committee conducted on August 11. Following discussion, the Partnership approved the committee’s recommendations for the site, menu and raffle plans. The event is scheduled for October 2, 2008 at Ethan Allen, with registration at 7:30 and the event from 8:00 – 9:00 am. Danbury First Lady Phyllis Boughton has offered to coordinate the storage and assembly of gift baskets to be raffled. Members will be asked by email to contribute items for the baskets. The proceeds of this event will go to help fund Project Homeless Connect and the Housing For Heroes Fund. The committee recommended three awards to be presented: the Community Partnership Award, the Supportive Services Partnership Award and the Business Partnership Award. Following discussion, it was decided that members would be requested to submit nominations to Mr. Schierloh to be forwarded to the committee. The ad-hoc committee was assigned to select the award winners.
Mr. Nolan reported that the America’s Road Home national fund-raising event built around viewing of the “Where God Left His Shoes” film will not proceed at this time due to problems with the distributors. Ms. Valeri urged that we look into renting the film ourselves or substituting another film so that we could proceed with an event utilizing the Palace Theater. Mr. Nolan will look into this possibility and report back.
Mr. Schierloh provided an update on the Housing For Heroes initiative. The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that the City’s application for per diem funding for five transitional beds at the New Street Shelter had been approved. Members extended congratulations to Scott LeRoy and Caitlin Reese. Paul Valeri of NPDCD, Inc had a positive conference call with the VA regarding the Vet House application involving six transitional and four permanent units. Final grant award announcements are anticipated by October 1. The Veterans Housing Workgroup will now be addressing the permanent housing goals in the Housing For Heroes initiative.
Ms. Sangut reported that preparations are proceeding for the Project Homeless Connect event to be held on December 3, 2008 at the Danbury Elks Lodge from 9AM to 4 PM. It was noted that Mr. LeRoy was applying for an additional $500.00 grant from the Macerich Corporation. The workgroup is also working on a promotional video to create awareness and support for Project Homeless Connect. The workgroup would like to show the video at the Celebration Breakfast and post it on the Partnership website to reach key target audiences of potential supporters and volunteers.
Mr. Sullivan reported that Connecticut’s Stand-Down will take place on September 12, 2008 in Rocky Hill. The need to distribute posters and information on the event to reach veterans was discussed. The event will be posted on the Partnership’s website.
Mr. Nolan invited consideration as to whether the Partnership should have an information booth at the Taste of Danbury. The cost of the booth is $250.00. Mr. Nolan indicated that he would have the Non-Profit Rental Housing Corporation donate the table fee and requested that Mr. Shepperd prepare a one-page handout highlighting major activities and initiatives for use at the event.
Mr. Nolan invited discussion on a request from the Connecticut Institute for Communities, Inc. to collaborate on an effort to increase participation in Head Start of children from families who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless in Head Start. Mr. Schierloh moved that this request be referred to the Social and Supportive Services Committee. Motion was seconded by Ms. Sangut and passed unanimously.
Ms. Sangut updated the Partnership on the latest meeting of the Continuum of Care and requested that Dream Homes be invited to the September meeting to give their presentation on annual data obtained through the HMIS system. Mr. Nolan so directed. Ms. Sangut also reported that the Continuum is working to complete the annual Continuum of Care application to be submitted to HUD.
Mr. Nolan reported that there were no new developments with respect to membership but that he had strongly communicated the need for new members.
Ms. Valeri indicated that the Volunteer Center was looking for donations for their annual backpack program for needy children. Anyone interested in donating should contact the center or Ms. Valeri.
Motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Nolan, seconded by Ms. Barrows and passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 4:30 PM.