HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Services And Housing Funding Board - Minutes - 04/26/2023
Human Services & Housing Funding Board
SPECIAL MEETING
April 26, 2023 at 4:00 PM
222 Laporte Ave, Fort Collins – Colorado River Room
Additional viewing option via Zoom
4 /2 6 /2023 – MINUTES Page 1
1. CALL TO ORDER
• At 4:09 PM the meeting was called to order by Josh Johnson.
2. ROLL CALL
• Board Members Present
o Josh Johnson, Chair
o Olga Duvall, Vice Chair
o Christine Koepnick
o Erma Woodfin
o Michaela Ruppert
o Mike Kulisheck
o Mike Nielsen
o Pat Hastings
• Staff Members Present
o Adam Molzer, Staff Liaison, Social Sustainability – City of Fort Collins
o Javier Echeverría Díaz, Sustainability Service Area – City of Fort Collins
o Beth Rosen, Social Sustainability – City of Fort Collins
o Amanda McGimpsey, Social Sustainability – City of Fort Collins
• Community Members in Attendance
o Nathan Shaw, Vindeket Foods
o Dustin Barrington, L’Arche Fort Collins
o Jane Barber, Disabled Resource Services
o Sharlene Johnson, Food Bank for Larimer County (online)
o Katie Dockery, Exceptional Kids (online)
o Kelli Pryor, United Way of Weld County (online)
o Emma
Due to the duration and extent of the human services preliminary grant review, the summary of the
meeting reflected in the minutes below may not include all details of the HSHF Board’s discussion. For
further information, details and insight, and video recording, resources are available by contacting the HSHF
Board staff liaison.
3. AGENDA REVIEW
Adam Molzer reviewed the agenda. The Board accepted the agenda without modification.
4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Guests from the public introduced themselves. No additional public comments.
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5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 5, 2023 Regular Meeting
Olga Duvall moved to approve the April 5, 2023 meeting minutes as presented. Erma Woodfin seconded.
Josh Johnson abstained due to absence at the April 5 meeting. Approved 7-0.
6. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
None.
7. STAFF REPORTS
None.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
9. NEW BUSINESS
a. Deliberations to Formulate Funding Recommendations – Human Services
Adam Molzer provided a review of the goals of deliberation and the methods used to evaluate each
Board member’s scorecard. Javier Echeverría Díaz provided the Board members with a brief overview of
the data analysis process, explaining that each Board member’s scorecard was reviewed for accuracy
and deviations. In his evaluation, Javier noted that all members’ scores were well-balanced throughout
the applications from high to low scores. No adjustments were necessary.
Deliberations protocol has Board members begin at the top of the ranking list, with each proposal open
to further discussion. Funding recommendations will be made with a first and second motion, and
friendly amendments are permitted.
Adam Molzer noted that funding recommendations will go before Council in June and the grant cycle
will begin October 2023. Adam presented the Board with the available funding amount ($907,977) and
provided an overview of the ranking spreadsheet.
HS-18: Homeward Alliance – Family Services Programs
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $35,000. Seconded by Pat Hastings. Approved 7-0-1. Christine
Koepnick abstained.
HS-34: The Family Center/La Familia – Family Support Services
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $42,700. Seconded by Mike Nielsen. Approved 8-0.
HS-19: Homeward Alliance – Murphy Center
Motion by Pat Hastings to fund at $32,000. Seconded by Michaela Ruppert. Approved 7-0-1. Christine
Koepnick abstained.
HS-5: CASA of Larimer County – Family Connections at Harmony House
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $36,000. Seconded by Olga Duvall. Approved 8-0.
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HS-4: CASA of Larimer County – Court Appointed Special Advocates
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $35,000. Seconded by Erma Woodfin. Approved 8-0.
Adam Molzer provided an update of funds: remaining balance is ~$727,000.
HS-40: United Way of Weld County – Coordinated Assessment and Housing Placement System
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $21,000. Seconded by Josh Johnson. Approved 8-0.
HS-3: Boys & Girls Club of Larimer County – Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County
Motion by Pat Hastings to fund at $31,000. Seconded by Michaela Ruppert. Approved 8-0.
HS-8: ChildSafe Colorado – Child Abuse Treatment Program
Motion by Erma Woodfin to fund at $40,000. Seconded by Mike Nielsen. Approved 8-0.
HS-31: Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center – Childcare Scholarships for Low-Income
Families
Motion by Mike Kulisheck to fund at $54,000. Seconded by Josh Johnson. Approved 8-0.
HS-24: Neighbor to Neighbor – N2N Rent Assistance Coordination
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $42,000. Seconded by Michaela Ruppert. Approved 8-0.
HS-27: Respite Care – Childcare Scholarships for Low-Income Families
Motion by Mike Kulisheck to fund at $25,500. Seconded by Olga Duvall. Approved 8-0.
HS-26: Project Self-Sufficiency – Project Self-Sufficiency
Motion by Erma Woodfin to fund at $21,000. Seconded by Michaela Ruppert. Approved 8-0.
HS-2: Alianza NORCO – Bilingual Navigation Services Program
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $17,000. Seconded by Erma Woodfin. Approved 8-0.
HS-33: The Crawford Childhood Advocacy Center – Fighting Child Sexual Abuse & Maltreatment
Motion by Michaela Ruppert to fund at $17,000. Seconded by Christine Koepnick. Approved 8-0.
HS-35: The Matthews House – Youth and Family Center
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $30,000. Seconded by Michaela Ruppert. Approved 8-0.
HS-17: Food Bank for Larimer County – Fort Collins Kids Cafe
Motion by Pat Hastings to fund at $22,000. Seconded by Josh Johnson. Approved 8-0.
HS-43: Volunteers of America – Home Delivered Meals Program
Motion by Mike Kulisheck to fund at $24,000. Seconded by Olga Duvall. Approved 8-0.
HS-23: Meals on Wheels for Fort Collins – Meal Delivery Program
Motion by Mike Nielsen to fund at $31,000. Seconded by Mike Kulisheck. Approved 8-0.
HS-39: United Way of Larimer County – Larimer Child Care Fund
Motion by Erma Woodfin to fund at $20,000. Seconded by Christine Koepnick. Friendly amendment by
Pat Hastings to fund at $23,000. Accepted by Erma Woodfin and Christine Koepnick. Approved 8-0.
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HS-37: The Salvation Army – Rent and Utilities Assistance
Motion by Mike Kulisheck to fund at $19,000. Seconded by Erma Woodfin. Approved 8-0.
Adam Molzer provided an update of funds: remaining balance is ~$309,777.
HS-7: Children’s Speech and Reading Center – Childhood Communication
Motion by Pat Hastings to fund at $16,000. Seconded by Michaela Ruppert. Approved 8-0.
HS-10: Disabled Resource Services – Disability Services for Independence
Motion by Michaela Ruppert to fund at $25,000. Seconded by Olga Duvall. Approved 8-0.
HS-41: Vindeket Foods – Vindeket Market
Motion by Pat Hastings to fund at $18,000. Seconded by Michaela Ruppert. Friendly amendment by
Mike Kulisheck to fund at $19,500. Accepted by Pat Hastings and Michaela Ruppert. Approved 8-0.
Discussion: The Board expressed their appreciation for the ways in which this organization addresses
both hunger and food waste.
HS-29: Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center – Sexual Assault Victim Services
Motion by Erma Woodfin to fund at $26,000. Seconded by Mike Kulisheck. Approved 8-0.
HS-1: A Little Help – A Little Help for Older Adults in Fort Collins
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $24,000. Seconded by Mike Nielsen. Approved 8-0.
Adam Molzer provided an update of funds: remaining balance is ~$199,000.
Adam Molzer called for a short break at 5:24 PM and the meeting resumed at 5:51 PM.
HS-15: Family Housing Network – Sherwood House - Bridge Housing
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $15,000. Seconded by Pat Hastings. Approved 8-0.
HS-9: Crossroads Safehouse – Bringing Justice Home
Motion by Erma Woodfin to fund at $15,000. Seconded by Olga Duvall. Approved 8-0.
HS-12: Elderhaus Adult Day Program – Direct Care for Residents Living with Disabilities
Motion by Mike Kulisheck to fund at $30,000. Seconded by Josh Johnson. Approved 8-0.
HS-21: Larimer County Partners
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $15,000. Seconded by Michaela Ruppert. Approved 8-0.
HS-22: McBackpack – McBackpack Program
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $15,000. Seconded by Olga Duvall. Friendly amendment by Erma
Woodfin to fund at $17,000 was declined. The motion fails 4-4. Opposed by Michaela Ruppert, Pat
Hastings, Mike Kulisheck, and Erma Woodfin.
Adam Molzer provided an update that if McBackpack were funded at $15,000, the remaining balance
would be ~$112,500.
Motion by Mike Kulisheck to fund at $18,000. Seconded by Erma Woodfin. Friendly amendment by
Mike Nielsen to fund at $16,500 was declined. The motion fails 3-5. Opposed by Josh Johnson, Olga
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Duvall, Christine Koepnick, Pat Hastings, and Mike Nielsen.
Motion by Pat Hastings to fund at $16,700. Seconded by Erma Woodfin. Approved 8-0.
Discussion: The Board discussed the important role of this program in the community since it provides
children who may depend on school meals on the weekdays with food for the weekends. Some Board
members felt it was unfair to fund this project higher than the median when higher-ranked projects
received a lower percentage of funds.
HS-6: Catholic Charities – Senior Services Samaritan House Fort Collins
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $32,000. Seconded by Michaela Ruppert. Approved 8-0.
Adam Molzer reminded the Board that 12 programs remained to be discussed and provided an update
of funds: remaining balance is ~$75,577.
HS-25: Plan de Salud del Valle – Primary Health Care Services in Fort Collins
Motion by Pat Hastings to fund at $0. Seconded by Josh Johnson. Approved 7-1. Opposed by Erma
Woodfin.
Discussion: Board members noted that City funding would make up only a small portion of this
organization’s total budget and that the funds could have a greater impact on another organization or
program.
HS-36: The Quarter Project – The Quarter Project of Northern Colorado
Motion by Pat Hastings to fund at $15,000. Seconded by Olga Duvall. Approved 6-1-1. Opposed by Mike
Kulisheck. Erma Woodfin abstained.
Discussion: Some Board members felt funds could be better utilized by organizations addressing urgent
needs in the community. Other Board members argued for the long-term investment of this program,
stating the importance of the educational STEM opportunities it provides to children who may not
otherwise have access. The Board also discussed the importance of balancing fund distribution to
support both urgent needs and long-term investments in the community.
HS-28: Rocky Mountain Youth Medical & Nursing Consultants – Health & Wellness Centers
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $15,000. Seconded by Erma Woodfin. There is a 4-4 tie, and the
motion fails. Opposed by Olga Duvall, Michaela Ruppert, Pat Hastings, and Mike Kulisheck.
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $0. Seconded by Mike Kulisheck. Approved 6-2. Opposed by Christine
Koepnick and Erma Woodfin.
Discussion: Some Board members expressed concern that this program serves a smaller number of
clients than others and that funding could go further elsewhere. The Board also noted the importance
of this program since it helps provide healthcare services to children from underserved communities
within the Poudre School District.
HS-42: Volunteers of America – Handyperson Program
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $15,000. Seconded by Josh Johnson. Approved 8-0.
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HS-13: Ensight Skills Center – Low Vision Rehabilitation Care and Support Services
Motion by Michaela Ruppert to fund at $15,000. Seconded by Olga Duvall. Approved 8-0.
HS-14: Exceptional Kids – HighPointe Services
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $15,000. Seconded by Pat Hastings. Approved 5-3. Opposed by
Christine Koepnick, Michaela Ruppert, and Erma Woodfin.
Discussion: Board members noted that City dollars would not be able to fully fund this project, but that
they could be used as a down payment. Adam Molzer explained that the organization would have until
September 2024 to use the funds and if they were not able to, they would have to forfeit the funds,
which would be reallocated into the 2025 grant cycle.
Adam Molzer provided an update of funds: remaining balance is ~$15,577.
HS-32: The Arc of Larimer County – Transition Opportunity Scholarship Fund
Motion by Pat Hastings to fund at $15,000. Seconded by Olga Duvall. The motion fails 2-6. Opposed by
Josh Johnson, Christine Koepnick, Michaela Ruppert, Mike Nielsen, Mike Kulisheck, and Erma Woodfin.
Discussion: Board members in support of this project argued that it would be the first of its kind in
Northern Colorado and offer educational opportunities to individuals who would otherwise not have
access. Board members in opposition noted that it serves the lowest number of clients of all applicants
and that students would be required to secure additional funding elsewhere since the program doesn’t
guarantee full scholarships.
HS-28: Rocky Mountain Youth Medical & Nursing Consultants – Health & Wellness Centers
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $15,000. Seconded by Erma Woodfin. Approved 7-1. Opposed by
Olga Duvall.
HS-32: The Arc of Larimer County – Transition Opportunity Scholarship Fund
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $0. Seconded by Mike Nielsen. Approved 7-1. Opposed by Pat
Hastings.
HS-16: Feeding Our Community Ourselves – Community Meals
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $0. Seconded by Christine Koepnick. Approved 8-0.
HS-38: The Vegetable Connection – Feeding the Families
Motion by Michaela Ruppert to fund at $0. Seconded by Mike Kulisheck. Approved 8-0.
HS-11: Early Childhood Council of Larimer County – Professional Development Scholarships for ECE
Motion by Pat Hastings to fund at $0. Seconded by Mike Nielsen. Approved 8-0.
HS-30: Sproutin Up – Cooking and Lunch Programs
Motion by Josh Johnson to fund at $0. Seconded by Michaela Ruppert. Approved 7-0-1. Olga Duvall
abstained.
HS-20: L’Arche Fort Collins – L’Arche Fort Collins
Motion by Erma Woodfin to fund at $0. Seconded by Christine Koepnick. Approved 8-0.
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Adam Molzer provided an update of funds: remaining balance is $577.
HS-34: The Family Center/La Familia – Family Support Services
Motion by Olga Duvall to fund at $43,277. Seconded by Michaela Ruppert. Approved 8-0.
Slate Proposals:
Motion by Pat Hastings to adopt the recommended funding slate for Human Services true dollars and
percentages as discussed and presented. Seconded by Erma Woodfin. Approved 8-0.
Adam Molzer applauded the Board members for the work achieved in Housing and Human Services
over the last few months and weeks.
10. OTHER BUSINESS
Adam Molzer shared that a 360-review of the grant recommendation process will be presented at the next
regular meeting on May 10, 2023.
11. NEXT MEETING
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 | 5:30 PM | Location: Zoom/Online
13. ADJOURNMENT
Josh Johnson adjourned the meeting at 7:12 PM.
Minutes were finalized and approved by the Human Services & Housing Funding Board on September 13, 2023.