Standing Committee on Homelessness Notes
February 15, 2024
Deputy Mayor Melendez called the meeting to order at 8:32 am Members present:
Deputy Mayor Katie Melendez, Chair
Mayor John Franklin, Vice Chair
Staff Present:
Imelda Huerta, Assistant City Manager (left at 10:05 am) Beverly Roxas, Assistant City Attorney
Fred Tracey, Communications Officer
Jonathan Lung, Homeless Services Program Manager
Kathy Valdez, City Clerk (joined at 10:05am)
Pledge of Allegiance
Vice Chair Franklin led the pledge of allegiance
Oral Communication
Paul Webster spoke about the objective of the committee, the importance of data, who Vista needs to consider, what will committee do with Vista Monday, and how will Vista lead the region
D1. Committee Makeup
Paul Webster provided recommendations on what is wanted from participants Committee members discussed community committee structures, having staff involved with discussions. Members will let staff know topics that should be brought forward.
Action – Deputy Mayor and Mayor to remain as only committee members; Deputy Mayor to act as Chair. S taff will remain as non-members and can work with outside organizations for updates (Vote: 2-0).
Direction to staff:
Directed Assistant City Attorney to come back with information regarding the different community committee structures
• What is legally possible for all points of engagement • Who votes
• How do individuals obtain membership
• How response is delegated
Look at strategy of strategic plan
Recommending staff involved keep attending
Future meeting: Meeting w/Safe Parking Operator; offsite meetings
Standing Committee on Homelessness Notes
February 15, 2024
D2. Meeting Schedule
Paul Webster commented on the meeting schedule
Action – 3rd Thursdays of the month at 8:30 a.m. (Vote: 2-0)
D3. Update from Homeless Services Staff
Homeless Services Program Manager, Jonathan Lung, provided an update on the standing committee on homelessness and discussed proposed no trespassing signs to businesses, in addition to the no trespass authorization letter.
Paul Webster commented on HMIS access and its correlation to HUD and HIPPA; commented on City contracts/service providers and recommended they provide performance data and the importance for transparency.
Standing Committee members and staff discussed the following:
o Would like more updates on the activities from the homelessness working group o Subsidized housing and the process regarding prioritization and audits Homelessness Services Program Manager, Jonathan Lung provided responses regarding housing placement through the Coordinated Entry System (CES)and it being outside the purview of the internal working group and the City; staff is aware of the issues
o Members and staff discussed how affordable housing units are offered to community (publicly funded or subsidized)
o Discussed activities to promote home sharing which may include roommate matching services similar to “speed dating”
Jonathan Lung informed the members that the City and Townspeople submitted a cooperative application to RTFH for a roommate matching program- are optimistic, have had two follow-up interviews, a third is scheduled at the end of the month o Standing Committee is not intended to replace internal working group o Desire to attend internal working group meetings; if both members attend it will trigger Brown Act requirement for the meeting to be open to the public o Also want to attend provider meeting. Can participate in portion that does not involve case conferencing
o Believe City Council members and City staff should have access to individual case files; need to do whatever is necessary to meet requirements to have access to HMIS o Frustration with RTFH, services and funding allocations not being provided in Vista, should look at establishing local continuum of care
o Jonathan Lung identified a concern with CES permanent supportive housing placements: if a resident refuses placement in another area of the county they are moved to the bottom of the list rather than maintaining their place on the list until an opening is available locally
Standing Committee on Homelessness Notes
February 15, 2024
Direction to Staff:
Always include “Homelessness” (general) as the last agenda item Schedule an update on the Continuum of Care to include: how they work with the city, their policies, how they administer housing and other resources Bring back glossary of terms/definitions at next meeting City Attorney’s office to report back on the status of “Walter’s” case Look at subsidizing the no trespass signs and having staff go door to door to businesses; include: the martial arts studio and the alley by Crozier’s Flowers in downtown area Bring back more information and updates regarding RTFH/HMIS Have RTFH staff/management attend a future meeting to provide information and engage in discussion
Assistant City Attorney to bring back diagram of new law passed in SD County Ensure grand opening of Navigation Center is on all City Councilmembers calendars; update the internal working group notes to reflect the correct date of the grand opening (March 1 at 3:30 pm)
Agendize a City Council Closed Session item regarding potential supportive housing
Deputy Mayor Melendez adjourned the meeting at 10:53 am.