HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Block Grant Commission - Minutes - 09/14/2017CDBG Commission Meeting
9/14/17
Present: Amy Dondale, Holly Carroll, Anita Basham, Margaret Long, Sara Maranowicz, Serena Robb,
Steve Backsen, Taylor Dunn
6:10 pm: Called to order by Taylor Dunn
Taylor Dunn stated that the commission needed to discuss a letter provided by Crossroads Safehouse in
response to a request made during deliberations that they report on their financial plans for the remainder
of 2017—specifically, how they were going to raise funds needed to cover operating expenses.
Margaret Long stated she has significant concerns about the shelter, as she’d heard they’d recently
turned away a client for one night despite that client having nowhere else to stay. This was shared with
Margaret by another agency in town, and Margaret said she feels the shelter operates like a closed
system in that they don’t partner extensively with other local agencies. Long stated she questions how
prepared Crossroads is in general when they’re having to turn away an unprepared client.
Amy Dondale asked a clarifying question about what the role of the commission around matters of
agency performance. “How far do we take this?” she asked. “I feel like we’re going deeper than our
responsibility.”
Taylor Dunn answered that Crossroads Safehouse did fulfill what the commission had asked them to do
and that anything beyond that is “micro-managing.”
Steve Backsen stated that the commission doesn’t know the results, but that the goals outlined in the
letter demonstrate the fact they were making an attempt to raise funds.
Sara Maranowicz asked if the commission could get clarity from staff on their role regarding agency
monitoring.
Steve Backsen stated that in the past, the commission relied on Sharon to put forward any “red flags” that
indicated it was time for the commission to pay attention to a specific issue being raised.
Taylor Dunn said he would reach out to Adam before he meets with agencies this fall for clarity and the
commission agreed on this next step.
Amy Dondale said it would also be good to evaluate the Competitive Process structure, and that she’d
heard from past presenters the City of Fort Collins’ process is the most stressful, as agencies don’t often
know what staff and the commission are looking for.
Taylor Dunn adjourned meeting at 7:06 pm.