Title
Resolution to Provide Supplementary Funding for the Warming Center at the Delonis Center ($25,000.00) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
The Robert J. Delonis Center opened its doors to the public on November 17, 2003. This center signaled the completion of the first milestone in our community's choice to confront the issues of poverty and homelessness and to make a real change.
As a community, we have chosen to take a proactive approach to the underlying factors that cause poverty: individual barriers, discrimination, low wages and the lack of affordable housing.
Among the services that have been provided by the Shelter Association is the Warming Center. This center has been open from November through April since the Shelter opened. In order to provide for the Warming Center, The Shelter Association opens the first floor of the Center overnight; this provides life-saving warmth to people in the community who are in need.
The continuing economic downturn has affected our community. The number of individuals seeking food, shelter and medical care from organizations such as Food Gatherers, Packard Clinic and Avalon Housing increases monthly. Funding from the State of Michigan and other sources has been reduced at the same time the need has increased.
The Shelter Association faces an unprecedented deficit in their budget. Ann Arbor has maintained its commitment to the work done at the Shelter during a period when other governmental units have decided to cut funding for human services. This year, the Shelter Association anticipates eliminating or significantly reducing many of their services. This loss of services will have a direct affect on the City of Ann Arbor's budget.
Among those services planned for elimination is the Warming Center. Without the Warming Center, those among us unable to find other emergency shelter will remain out of doors in temperatures that can cause loss of limb or life.
In order for the Warming Center to remain open, the Delonis Center needs funding for a budget of $80,822.00. This funding covers personnel costs and utility costs for providing clean linens for Warming Center clients.
The Shelter Association has been able to raise nearly $56,000.00 from private sources specifically for the Warming Center. The Shelter Association recognizes that any contribution from the City of Ann Arbor is for one-year and does not represent a long-term commitment.
This resolution proposes opening the budget to allow this one-time payment of $25,000.00 to continue the services of the Warming Center through April.
Body
Whereas, The challenging economic climate has had broad-reaching negative impacts on residents and communities, and Ann Arbor has not been immune to these impacts;
Whereas, Evictions, foreclosures, unemployment, and poverty have risen in Ann Arbor;
Whereas, Our local homelessness system of care is experiencing a continuing increase in demand;
Whereas, In addition to the increased numbers of homeless people interfacing with the local sheltering system, there is an increased incidence of homeless encampments in and around Ann Arbor, and the impending winter creates a potentially dangerous situation;
Whereas, The local emergency shelter system maintains a warming center that can provide services and shelter to 50 individual adults;
Whereas, State and federal funding for the Delonis Center has been reduced significantly, and the Shelter Association faces an unprecedented deficit;
Whereas, No alternative emergency shelter is available within Washtenaw County, and the Warming Center serves the citizens of Ann Arbor and the County;
Whereas, Without the Warming Center, the City of Ann Arbor could confront increased calls for service from both the police and emergency medical care (the Fire Department, HVA, and emergency room use); and
Whereas, The Shelter Association has a minimal budget of $80,822.00 to keep the Warming Shelter open through next April, have identified private sources to cover nearly 70% of this budget ($55,822); and are requesting the final 30% ($25,000.00) from the City of Ann Arbor to fund the following services from December 2012 through April, 2012 (FY 2012):
Personnel Expenses
Two Operations Assistants
(per 12 hour shifts, 7days@ $12.57 per hour) $63,353.00
One Case Manager
(20 hours per week @ $15.96 per hour) 9,576.00
Related payroll taxes and benefits at 10% 7,293.00
Utility expenses for laundry @ $20 per week 600.00
Total expense for 30 weeks of operation $80,822.00
RESOLVED, That Council approves a one-time supplementary payment of $25,000.00 to the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County for maintaining the services at the Warming Center;
RESOLVED, That Council appropriate these dollars from the General Fund prior year fund balance;
RESOLVED, That the Council approve an amendment to the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County annual funding contract consistent with this resolution, subject to approval as to substance by the City Administrator, and approval as to form by the City Attorney;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to sign the contract amendment; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator, or his designee, be authorized to take necessary administrative actions and to execute any documents necessary to complete these transactions and to implement this resolution.
Sponsored by: Mayor Hieftje and Councilmembers Briere, Rapundalo and Smith