Lake City Christian Church to host 'Safe Parking' program for homeless living in cars

Lake City Christian Church is planning to host Seattle's "Safe Parking" program, a pilot program that allows homeless people living in their cars a place to park for the night. The plan would allow for homeless campers to park and sleep in the church's parking lot at night.

The church is hosting a meeting to discuss the plans with community members on Tuesday (April 23rd) at 7 p.m., and you are invited to attend.

Safe Parking's goal is to get people living in their cars off the street and give them a safe and dependable place to park. Many times people living in their cars play a cat and mouse game with parking enforcement officers as they move their vehicles around to avoid citations. Many streets where groups of homeless car campers would gather have been signed to prevent them from gathering there.

The program is a pilot between the churches, social service agencies and the City of Seattle.

Lake City Christian Pastor Mary Olney-Loyd said details of the plan still need to be ironed out, such as the hours campers would be allowed on the property and what date the program would start. She said that campers would likely not be allowed in the building during hours that the preschool was open there.

Rev. Olney-Olyd also said the plan is for participants to be screened and to work with social service agencies to find housing while living in their cars.

You can read more about the program in this December 2012 story in the Seattle Times.

What: Safe Parking community meeting

When: Tuesday, April 23, 7 p.m.

Where: Lake City Christian Church, 1933 NE 125th Street, Seattle WA, 98125

Who: Community members to discuss "Safe Parking" program coming to Lake City For more information about the meeting call 206-363-1438 or e-mail: office@lakecitychristianchurch.org  

Meeting Tuesday night about proposed sidewalk on NE 130th Street

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Seattle's Department of Transportation will be presenting plans for a new sidewalk in our neighborhood at a meeting tomorrow night (Tuesday, December 4th) at 6:30 PM in the Olympic Hills Elementary School lunch room. The meeting is open to the public.

The new sidewalk segments are proposed for the south side of NE 130th Street from 25th Avenue NE to 28th Avenue NE. The plan is for the sidewalks to include curbs, planter strips, street trees, and public art.

The development plans will be available for residents' comments and we can also provide SDOT with additional feedback regarding the safety of school routes.

There will be snacks at the meeting and it is expected to be approximately 1 hour long.

The sidewalk is expected to be completed next summer.

Brainstorming: Lake City Community Center re-imagined

One idea suggested at the meeting was to add security lighting and make the Albert Davis Park courtyard the front entrance of the Lake City Community Center. Better, more modern signage on the building was also suggested.

Wednesday night, and again on Thursday, residents of our community gathered to talk about the future of the Lake City Community Center.

Operation of the facility is shifting from Lake City LLC, which has operated the aging building for nearly 50 years. The newly renamed North Seattle Chamber of Commerce is taking over operation after the Chamber's Request For Proposal to operate the center was approved by the Seattle Parks Department. They take over in 2013.

During the meetings people brought with them ideas for the future of the facility. They suggested new programming, emphasis on already successful programming, building updates and modifications and more efficient communication with the community about events hosted there.

Below is the list of suggestions from the meeting brainstorm session. Some of these programs are already available but many in attendance did not know about them. Some are also expensive, which was acknowledged. But many are simple and would just require effort and community involvement. At this point nothing is off the table as the North Seattle Chamber makes plans for the future of the center.

If you were unable to attend one of the brainstorming sessions please add your own suggestions in the comments below, on our Facebook page or email them to douglasparkcooperative@gmail.com and we will make sure those comments are included in the Community Center discussion.

• Provide rotating art display space
• Weekday, a.m. tot play time with toys
• Expand dance facility reputation, install mirrors on west interior wall, ballet bar
• Install gas insert in fireplace and use as a gathering space for story time, gathering space
• Request City of Seattle assistance with a remodel of the facility
• Remove uninviting bars on windows
• Maintain an advisory council of community members
• Remove 'smoke eaters' hanging from ceiling
• Digital reader-board to advertise events on 125th Street
• Post events on an online calendar that people can subscribe to (Google calendar)
• Construct a modular, portable and removable stage for performances
• Honor Lake City Lions contribution to our community
• Continue and expand flea market and coordinate with neighborhood garage sales
• Look into a Microsoft-sponsored game room for kids, teens
• Community classes offered such as SAT prep, ESL, etc.
• Host game nights
• Create space for Lake City visioning project, ideas
• Use Albert Davis Park courtyard entrance as front entrance of building
• Security lighting, safety enhancements
• Create a community chorus
• More international and inclusive programming for our diverse community
• Integration with Farmers Market and possible use of commercial kitchen
• Host gardening events and team up with Seattle Tilth
• Provide church meeting space
• Explore income options such as memberships, sponsorship
• Inter-generational programs that bring seniors and kids together
• Make building sustainable
• Host a mini home show
• Form corporate sponsors
• Host community concerts
• Audio-visual equipment for rent
• Cooking classes
• Poetry slams, hip-hop performances
• Upgrade rooms so businesses will rent them
• Tax assistance program
• Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Campfire programming at Center
• Tai-Chi, Kung Fu classes
• Continue and enhance movie nights
• Community kiosk
• Integrate more with nearby senior housing
• Add a sidewalk on 28th Avenue
• Keep center affordable
• Maintain large space
• City provided part-time staff
• Improved signage
• Paint and graphics on the interior and exterior
• More natural lighting
• Safety bollards in parking area
• Team up with organizations to produce teen dances
• Install a disco ball 

Again, if you were unable to attend one of the sessions please add your own suggestions in the comments below, on our Facebook page or email them to douglasparkcooperative@gmail.com and we will make sure those comments are included in the Community Center discussion.

For regular updates please follow Douglas Park Cooperative on Facebook by going here.

Highlights from Reclaiming Lake City Parks Meeting

Those attending Monday's meeting shared common concerns with Lake City parks: negative experiences, perceptions of drugs, inebriation,crime, feeling like the neighborhood is in crisis mode - which leads to planning around nuisance behaviors rather than planning for positive events.  Residents are driving outside of Lake City for community space, rather than staying here.  Much of the discussion was specific to Virgil Flaim Park, however, many of the safety and action items can be applied to other area parks & playgrounds.

SAFETY

According to city attorney liaison, Jana Jorgason, there were only nine 911calls from  Virgil Flaim Park in the last year.  Meeting participants immediately disagreed based on their own experiences making calls. Action items from the discussion include:

Call911 for any suspicious or criminal behavior. When you do:

• Ask for the event number & record it. (Incident numbers are only created if an officer responds and writes a report, but event numbers are recorded when a call is received.)
• Don’t be disappointed if officers don’t respond immediately; all calls are logged and that information is used to deploy future resources.
• Give the exact address of the park.  (Issues with inaccuracies in the number of logged 911 calls may be related to differing addresses being given.)

Virgil Flaim Park  2750 NE 125th St

Albert Davis Park  12526 27th Ave. NE

• Alcohol is not allowed in Seattle public parks - so any drinking can be called in.
• Meeting participants asked for a copy of the questions 911 operators ask  - this will make it easier for residents to anticipate & answer questions when calling.
• Do not be discouraged by laissez-faire police response. In fact, if you are treated discourteously, contact a supervisor.

Establish a community Block Watch in properties surrounding parks. (Seattle Neighborhood Group can help with this.)

CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) for Virgil Flaim Park

Changes to property can help address problems. For Virgil Flaim, this requires coordination with Lake City Prof.Center and Dept. of Parks &Rec.  Lorig Properties, which operates the Lake City Prof. Center noted their budget is currently on hold as they negotiate the sale of the property with Seattle Public Schools (read more about the history & ownership of the property here). Suggested changes:

• Cut back laurel hedge to improve sight lines and remove hiding areas.
• Thin trees on NE corner
• Improve lighting
• Adding a kiosk to promote park activities
• Temporarily removing BBQ’s to see if it alters behaviors

POSITIVE PROGRAMMING

Activating parks helps push out problem behaviors by providing positive opportunities. Partnerships with Lake City Community Center or Meadowbrook Community Center were suggested.  SmallSparks grants for up to $1,000 are also available to help with this, and community volunteer hours count as matching funds at a rate of $20/hr per person.

• Ice cream socials
• Kite-making at community center with kite-flying at park
• Health & fitness programming
• Outdoor movies
• Weekly neighborhood sporting events, such as volleyball, kickball, or badminton
• Music series
• Family potlucks
• Crafts

RESOURCE CONTACTS:

Katie Gray, Department of Parks & Recreation, North Manager, 206-684-4561

Katie.gray@seattle.gov

Peggy Pullen, Department of Parks & Recreation, Maintenance

Peggy.pullen@seattle.gov

Thomas Whittemore, Department of Neighborhoods, North District Coordinator, 206-684-4096

thomas.whittemore@seattle.gov

Kelly McKinney, Seattle Neighborhood Group, 206-323-9666

www.sngi.org

Seattle Police Department (SPD) representative was not able to attend.

Several follow-up questions will be addressed to SPD & we will report back the answers.

People participate in the meeting at the Lake City branch of the Public Library

Meeting summary courtesy Families for Lake City. If you don't follow them you should, they are a fantastic neighborhood source of information. You can find them on Facebook here.

Thursday Lake City Community Council meeting to focus on Pierre Properties redevelopment

The Lake City Community Council will be meeting Thursday, April 12th from 6:30 p.m. to 8 at the Seattle Mennonite Church, 3120 NE 125th Street, in the Community Meeting Room.

During the meeting Marty Curry of the University of Washington will lead a "Mental Mapping of Lake City" in preparation for the May 19th public workshop on design planning for the Pierre properties. The event will look for input from meeting attendees on the redevelopment and future of our community.

The agenda is:

• 6:30 - Reports & Updates

• 7:00 - "Mental Mapping of Lake City" - lead by Marty Curry, University of Washington Preparation for May 19 Public Workshop, Design Planning for Pierre Properties

• 7:30 - Break

• 7:40 - 8:00 - Opportunity to chat with the UW Interns, and Business Meeting

Lake City Community Council meeting to be held Thursday, March 22

The Lake City Community Council will hold its regular meeting on Thursday, March 22 at the Lake City Mennonite Church, 3120 NE 125th Street. Please attend if you can as these organizations are the ones that help chart the course of our neighborhood.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. and is scheduled to run until 8:30. Parking is available in the back of the building via the entrance on 33rd Avenue NE.

The agenda for Thursday's meeting:

• 7:00 p.m. - Welcome and Introductions

• 7:10 p.m. - Presentation – Paul Hanson, SMR Architects. Who is CPC and what are they building on 33rd Ave NE?

• 7:40 p.m. - Presentation – Marty Curry, University of Washington, Pierre Properties Redevelopment. What Do You Value in Lake City & What Would You Change?

• Break

• 8:10 p.m. Business, Reports & Planning

• 8:30 p.m. Adjourn

Douglas Park Meeting - Thursday, March 15th

Douglas Park Cooperative will be meeting at KaffeeKlatsch next Thursday, March 15th at 7:00 pm. Our guest speaker will be Deputy Mayor Darryl Smith. He will be speaking on the topic of liquor control and specifically about a new policy that the Mayor's office has been working on to either replace or augment the current Alcohol Impact Area concept.

If there is time after this discussion, Darryl may be able to answer more in depth questions about the future of the Old 39.

At the previous Douglas Park Cooperative meeting, the full meeting was a discussion about how to deal with Chronic Public Inebriety and the negative effects it is having on our neighborhood. We resolved to pursue an Alcohol Impact Area for Lake City to try to curb the sales of specific brands of alcoholic beverages that are preferred by people suffering from Chronic Public Inebriety.

A request was sent to Richard Conlin, who spoke out in support of the AIA concept at the February North District Council meeting, along with a map showing the location of off premises licensees and the requested boundary. He submitted the request to Bob Scales, the lawyer who reviews the requests at the city, to review the idea and report back to Council with an assessment of how to proceed. The boundaries are to be established by City Council Resolution before we can make a request to the Liquor Control Board.

Another component of establishing an AIA is to provide stats. Part of this requires collecting and documenting empties. We have collected nearly 300 empty high alcohol by volume beverages in the last month. This data is used for making a before / after comparison to verify the AIA is working.

Below is the map that was part of the request sent to Richard Conlin on February 8th.

LC Shelter _Meeting Minutes from 12/20/11

Lake City UGM Shelter Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes

12/20/2011

1. Call to order

Terry C. Pallas called to order the regular meeting of the Lake City Shelter Advisory Committee at 4:05pm on 12/20/2011 in the Lake City Community Center Meeting Room.

1. Roll call

The following persons were present: 

• Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission – Terry C. Pallas 
• Lake City Development Council – Joe Simmons
• At Large Business Member – Suzy Smith
• At Large Resident Member – Janet Arkills
• At Large Resident Member – Chuck Dickey

The following persons were absent: 

• Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission – Paul LaRose 
• Lake City Task Force on Homelessness – Melanie Neufeld
• At Large Business Member and Resident – Annie Stocker
• Cedar Park – Elena Earle
• North Council – Cheryl Klinker 
• UGM Shelter guest - (not yet determined)

1. Approval of minutes from last meeting

Joe Simmons motioned to approve minutes, Suzy Smith seconded. Minutes from 12/13/11 were approved.  UGM Representative Terry Pallas requested meeting agenda items be emailed to him to ensure inclusion in each week’s agenda.

1. Community Check-In

Committee Member Suzy Smith reported:

1. Aggressive panhandling in vicinity of Panda Express/FedEx store.  Would like to identify who these young people are, appears to be a new group.  Business owners fear retaliation if they pursue trespassing enforcement.
2. Persistent loitering and drunken behavior in Lake City core, particularly in front of soccer store (Sporthaus Schmetzer). 
3. Group discussed one drunken loiterer in particular (Niko). Would like to return home to Fiji, but does not have proper documentation. Terry asked how UGM can help. Suzy indicated Melanie has been working with him to get papers in order, requested UGM coordinate with Melanie. Terry noted several UGM legal services available to help with ID/passports, including walk-in clinic at downtown UGM facility. David Mace is director of UGM’s legal services.

Committee Member Joe Simmons reported:

1. Less evening loitering near his business. (Has had homeless encamped there in evenings before and isn’t seeing as much now.)  Thanked UGM for providing evening shelter.

Committee Member Chuck Dickey reported: 

1. No new info.
2. Committee Member Suzy Smith asked about overflowing garbage cans on west side of Penos property (behind Papa Murphy’s). Chuck indicated he had cleaned it up before, will call Cleanscapes again to remove garbage.

Committee Member Janet Arkills reported: 

1. Douglas Park Coop appreciated shelter guests helping with garbage pick-up on 12/15/11.
2. Email from neighbor requesting UGM be notified of drunken incident outside home. (Neighbor believed 9:10 pm incident correlated to UGM’s 9:00 curfew.)
3. Suggested UGM put out flier/biweekly newsletter informing neighbors on how to contact UGM when incidents occur.

Discussion ensued regarding city’s involvement. Group consensus that City of Seattle representative should be present at advisory meetings and is responsible for communicating information to neighborhood groups. Committee Member Janet Arkills spoke in person with Mayor McGinn 12/14/11 regarding lack of city representation, sent follow-up email to McGinn, Darryl Smith and Julie Salinas. No response as of 12/28/11. UGM representative Terry Pallas will contact city to follow-up on having a city representative present at meetings.

1. SUGM Statistical Report

• 112 registered guests to date, some transient. 40-50 staying the night.
• Seeing increase in guests: Served between 30-35/ night in the first weeks, this week served up to 45-52/night. 
• Noted differences in Lake City versus downtown, including: more people in cars, more people with personal encampments they revert to for addictive behaviors (which would be swept away downtown) 

Discussion ensued re: where encampments are. UGM representative Alex Buck is person to contact to report encampments: (206) 498-7913.

• Shared quote from female LCS guest: “I just need somewhere to be safe. I was assaulted in my tent last night and need a place to be that is safe.”
• Connected 4 women (2 with children) to Hope Place to date.
• No male residents have registered for recovery programs. Potential of guests choosing recovery discussed. 

1. New Business

1. Discussion ensued re: exit strategy for UGM, future plans. UGM representative Terry Pallas stated UGM has no plans to continue shelter in Lake City area, unless the City of Seattle approached UGM and specifically requested it. Committee Member Suzy Smith noted misrepresentation of numbers and need in the Lake City area. Terry’s hope is that if shelter has positive impact, community would want it to stay.
2. Discussion ensued re: Services at LC shelter comparison to downtown. UGM representative Terry Pallas stated that UGM is serving fewer mentally-ill in the Lake City area than it does in downtown area. Indicated Lake City area requires more UGM time and resources (such as advisory meeting) proportional to number of individuals served.
3. Question re: day activities of guests. Entire south side of FS#39 facility cannot be occupied during day, due to pre-existing use permits. UGM has had to modify programming based on use-permit restrictions.  FS #39 use-permit history discussed. 
4. Lake City Task Force on Homelessness has grant which brings Seattle University’s Nursing School volunteers to Lake City for screening, consultations and referrals for homeless health issues.
5. UGM case managers available, if guests choose to use them. Discussion ensued re: development of relationships with guests, moving to recovery, time constraints, is UGM preparing guests for the close of the shelter.

Discussion ensued re: Mennonite involvement, Lake City Taskforce on Homelessness.

Summary: Terry noted difference between Mennonite’s philosophy of homeless and UGM’s philosophy, asked if community perceives that Mennonite’s acceptance of homeless has brought homeless into Lake City?  General group consensus that yes, that is perception. Terry noted they are trying to provide a resource that didn’t exist before - asked how UGM can help. Committee members responded:

• regardless of numbers, the Mennonites/Lake City Taskforce on Homelessness have concentrated a homeless population into one area. Business core adversely affected by this concentration in same area where businesses are concentrated. 
• business owners support UGM’s philosophy of recovery, but don’t see the numbers/need in Lake City.
• communication is key factor: Mennonites/Lake City Taskforce on Homelessness appear to represent entire Lake City community, but include representatives from outside Lake City as well as paid fulltime homeless advocates. Creates a misperception that larger Lake City community supports Mennonites’ agenda, when agenda is unclear and under-publicized to Lake City community.
• Suggestion that UGM communicate via neighborhood groups like Douglas Park Coop. Communication could include anecdotal info about shelter, who to contact in case of disturbances, shelter needs (socks, etc.) or requests for ways shelter guests could help support the neighborhood.

Committee Member Joe Simmons requested that contact information be included in meeting minutes so community knows who to contact and that UGM is responsive.

Terry Pallas, LCShelter Director - 206-501-6554

Paul LaRose, LCShelter, On-site Manager - 206- 388-7344

LCS Shelter Welcome Center - 206-971-3556

1. Committee Member Chuck Dickey reported garbage pick-up on 12/15/11. Fifteen shelter guests participated. He is planning weekly garbage pick-ups in 2012.

Discussion ensued re: frustration with effects of few on larger community. Line between enabling and supporting.

1. Action Items:

1. (Chuck) Will follow-up on garbage pick-up behind Penos properties and continue planning weekly garbage pick-ups.
2. (Terry) Will follow-up with Paul & Melanie to coordinate possible legal services for Niko re: documentation for traveling.
3. (Terry) Contact City of Seattle re: having a city representative attend advisory meetings

1. Adjournment

Terry C. Pallas adjourned the meeting at 5:15pm. No meeting 12/27/11. Next meeting 1/3/12.

LC Shelter - Meeting Minutes from 12/13/11

Lake City UGM Shelter Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes

12/13/2011

1. Call to order

Terry C. Pallas called to order the regular meeting of the Lake City Shelter Advisory Committee at 4:09pm on 12/13/2011 in the Lake City Community Center Meeting Room.

1. Roll call

The following persons were present: 

• Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission – Terry C. Pallas 
• Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission – Paul LaRose
• Cedar Park – Elena Earle
• Lake City Task Force on Homelessness – Melanie Neufeld 
• At Large Business Member and Resident – Annie Stocker
• At Large Resident Member – Janet Arkills
• At Large Resident Member – Chuck Dickey

The following persons were absent: 

• Lake City Development Council – Joe Simmons
• At Large Business Member – Suzy Smith
• North Council – Cheryl Klinker 
• UGM Shelter guest - (not yet determined)

1. Approval of minutes from last meeting

UGM clarified a specific format they require for reporting minutes. Discussion ensued regarding what should be included in minutes:  Committee members Chuck, Elena and Janet expressed their understanding that meeting is to report problems and work on solutions, Janet requested that minutes specifically record what is discussed in the meeting. UGM representative Terry requested that resident testimonials be included for the purpose of conveying life-changing events; stated UGM will continue to include statistics of services offered. 

Minutes from 12/6/11 were approved.

1. SUGM Statistical Report

• 88 registered guests to date, UGM reports 90% are local. UGM noted it is difficult to determine exact geographical ID, defines “local” as anyone in the area prior to the shelter opening, with input from other homeless in determining this.
• Committee Member Elena questioned these numbers, said she doesn’t see many folks being served at the shelter. UGM reiterated statistics and noted their open door policy so neighbors can come see guests who may not be visible from windows.
• UGM reported 10% of shelter guests are transient with various methods of arrival (word of mouth, etc.). Committee Member Annie shared about a local resident referring a hospital patient to LC shelter from NW Hospital. Committee Member Melanie shared that LC Taskforce on Homeless is also referring people to LC shelter.
• UGM Representative Terry reported 1,003 meals served from Dec. 1 - Dec. 12

(84 meals/day average), 

• UGM Representative Terry reported 364 bed nights from Dec. 1 - Dec. 12: 298 men, 66 women (25 men, 5 women per night average).
• Concern expressed that numbers will affect decision about long-term shelter. UGM responded that they do not have a say in the City of Seattle’s decision-making process regarding long-term development of site.
• UGM Representative Terry shared a quote from LCS staff member: “A male guest that was able to get a job while staying at the Lake City Shelter. He works every day as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. While he stays at the LCS his is saving money to get an apartment. He has been very respectful and appreciative for the services offered.” 
• Committee Member Janet asked how many LCS guests have enrolled in recovery programming. UGM responded that no male residents have registered for recovery programs yet, suggested it is too early to record success of recovery program entrance as it will take time to build needed trust with guests.  UGM indicated several women have been referred to (Hope Place Women and Children’s Shelter), including one with four children.  
• Committee Member Chuck questioned UGM on support policies for guests seeking work or housing. UGM Representative Paul clarified LCS does not provide money for residents seeking housing, but can provide referrals to other resources, including bus tickets for guests to use.

1. Open Issues

1. Status update regarding memorial. NW corner of Bartell’s parking lot. Douglas Park Co-op reports picking up trash and beer cans weekly. Memorial there since August, Committee Member Melanie noted Women in Black program and possibility of implementing sidewalk memorial there. Committee Member Annie has seen patrol cars parked there.

Group clarified that memorial itself not the issue - area has ongoing loitering and drunkenness, even before memorial in August. UGM Representative Terry asked what could be done about loitering. Unresolved question about whether loitering needs to be tolerated until relationships are built and UGM staff can influence shift in guest behavior. 

1. Status update for safety patrol. Committee Member Melanie reported that she has safety walk planned for 12/14/11. A few shelter guests will join and possibly a few from LC Taskforce for Homeless’ network. Melanie indicated they will try to continue this on some type of regular basis.

1. Status update for litter clean-up crews. Committee Member Chuck has been coordinating this and indicated 9 LCS guests have signed up to help.

1. Opportunities for LCS guests to participate in community efforts. 

Committee Member Janet reported that Zoe Jenkins, principal of Olympic Hills Elementary, would appreciate assistance with litter pick-up and/or garden work on weekends. Any plans must be scheduled directly with Ms. Jenkins.

1. New Business:

1. Committee Member Chuck reported drunken shelter guest in front of Papa Murphy’s Pizza. Asked how to break up groups loitering and drinking. Group discussed issue of loitering -  

Summary: Issue is about how guests spend their time. Committee Member Janet asked what the expectations of shelter guests are.  UGM Representative Paul responded that shelter guests are to clear cot area in morning, keep facility clean. UGM provides TV black-out times to prevent guests from watching TV all day. TV off from 9:00am-12:00pm and guests encouraged to go outside when weather is sunny.  Paul clarified UGM does not “contain” residents, they are free to come and go unless they exhibit behavior that bars them from shelter; UGM cannot force guests to participate in programs. Continued discussion regarding whether nuisance behavior should be tolerated until there is time to develop relationships with guests to influence shift in their behavior.

Committee Member Melanie noted that some communities deal with this by providing public drinking areas to give homeless an area where they have permission to drink, keeping them inebriated enough to avoid withdrawal behaviors.

1. LC Library staff indicate no new problems since shelter opening. (Heavy computer & library usage was issue for library with past Nickelsville encampment.)
2. Committee member Chuck reported drug use behind Grocery Outlet - younger persons, probably not shelter residents.
3. Committee member Annie reported positive influence of neighborhood groups organizing their own safety/litter walks. Indicated that communicating effectively between groups will help gather and disseminate info.
4. Committee member Elena reported loitering shelter guests. Laundromat owner had to intervene in fight outside Laundromat between two shelter guests. UGM responded that when problems occur, please contact UGM directly with guest names. UGM has discretionary services they can use to help shift guest behavior, such as not giving bus tickets to shelter residents who’ve caused problems in the community.

Several Committee Members responded that finding out guest names is difficult and not their responsibility. UGM Representative Paul stated that names make it easier for him to hold guests accountable. Identifying information, such as description of clothing or shoes would also be helpful.

1. Committee Member Janet reported overzealous UGM canvassing. Her spouse reported being approached by UGM vehicle and offered “a ride somewhere or a free breakfast” 200 yds from home on his way to a commuter bus line.
2. Neighbor reported 3 drunk shelter guests on commuter bus from Univ. Dist. lost on their way back to shelter.  UGM responded they do not turn anyone away, but do evaluate intoxicated guests for the safety of the community, referring them to detox services. If guest refuses referral, they are given blanket and food and refused entry to shelter. 

1. Action Items:

1. (Janet) Will give Paul contact information for Olympic Hills Elementary principal so he can pursue community service opportunities there.
2. (Melanie) Will conduct safety walk 12/14/11 and report back to group.
3. (Chuck & Melanie) Will coordinate garbage pick-up and report back to group.

1. Adjournment

Terry C. Pallas adjourned the meeting at 5:16pm.

LC Shelter - Meeting Minutes from 12/6/11

Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission

Meeting Minutes

12/6/2011

1. Call to order

Terry C. Pallas called to order the regular meeting of the Lake City Shelter Advisory Committee at 2:02p on 12/6/2011 in the Cedar Park Community Meeting Room.

1. Roll call

The following persons were present: 

• Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission – Terry C. Pallas 
• Lake City Development Council – Joe Simmons
• Cedar Park – Elena Earle
• Lake City Task Force on Homelessness – Melanie Neufeld 
• At Large Business Member – Annie Stocker
• At Large Business Member – Suzie Smith
• At Large Resident Member – Janet Arkills
• At Large Resident Member – Chuck Dickey
• North Council – Cheryl Klinker

1. Approval of minutes from last meeting

Minutes were approved by committee on 12/13/2011.

1. Open issues

1. UGM statistical report and testimonies:
   
• The Lake City Shelter opened on Thanksgiving day, 
• Meals Served Since Opening 958 (87 meals a day average), 
• Bed Nights since opening 250 men, 39 women (23 men, 4 women per night average). 
• Of the 55 registered guests at the LCS, over 90% come from Lake City.
2. Testimonies:
   
• “Rebecca came through the doors crying and asking the staff if this was a safe place that she could get away from her abuser and stay the night.  She had to leave her 10 year old son with relatives just so they could both be safe.  She spent the night and the LCS staff got her in contact with Stacy Cleveland, Director or Hope Place the very next day.” 

1. New business

1. Group discussed concern for individuals using LCS services that were previously outside Lake City area.  Concern that individuals from Tent City are coming to the LCS for services. 
2. Committee members were concerned about concentration of homeless individuals drinking and congregating around memorial of deceased homeless man in front of Pierre Ford.  It was suggested that the memorial was going to be moved.
3. Group discussed need for continued patrols for safety and litter pick-up.  Benefit of foot patrol v. patrol by vehicle was discussed.  Foot patrol leads to better engagement and relational approach to breaking up groups drinking and loitering.  Patrol by car can cover a much greater area and vehicles can be decaled to identify purpose.  All agreed that a vest for foot patrol or vehicle decals were necessary. 
4. An inherent philosophical difference was illuminated:  UGM is focused on developing relationships with its guests. The idea being that these relationships will help individuals choose paths toward recovery. Business owners and residents acknowledged the benefits of positive relationships but expressed a differing opinion that a sole focus on relationships can cross the line into enabling. Suggestions were made for ways shelter residents could contribute to the community with the possibility of receiving some kind of incentive for doing so.
5. Committee discussed possible ways to get homeless using LCS to get engaged in positive use of time by helping support Olympic Hill School with cleaning grounds maintenance or other during non-school hours.  Engagement with Douglass Park Cooperative Monday evening patrol may be beneficial. 
6. Committee member brought up report of local business owner who was trepidations about making deposit at night after the close of business because of loitering of intoxicated individuals.  Local business owner reports that 3 men who were highly intoxicated were standing near the bank deposit making her feel unsafe.

1. Action Items:

1.   (Melanie) Is meeting with church members Friday 12/9/2011 to pinpoint times, dates, and specific persons to provide patrols for the Lake City core.  
2. (Janet) Contact Olympic Hills School to see if there are needs shelter residents could help fulfill there.
3.   (Terry) Coordinate with Paul to institute opportunities for shelter residents to participate in the community, such as garbage pick-ups.
4. (Annie) Will you contact Dave Ross and ask about the possibility of shelter residents joining in the Douglas Park Monday evening walks?
5.   (Chuck) Has already provided garbage pick-up equipment and has other equipment available as needed. Is also willing to coordinate walks through the area - Chuck, what would you need from Terry to make this happen?
6.   (Suzy, Terry, Melanie) Suzy offered vehicles and the possibility of small cash to support patrol/garbage pick-up efforts.  Terry or Melanie will contact her to utilize these resources.

1. Adjournment

Terry C. Pallas adjourned the meeting at 3:08p.
Minutes submitted by:  Janet Arkills and Terry C. Pallas
Minutes approved by:  Minutes approved by Advisory Committee on 12/13