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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 05/28/2013 - OPERATION OF THE MARY ALICE MURPHY CENTER OF HOPEDATE: May 28, 2013 STAFF: Joe Frank Pre-taped staff presentation: None WORK SESSION ITEM FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION Operation of the Mary Alice Murphy Center of Hope. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The United Way of Larimer County is requesting City funding in the amount of $45,000 for the operation of the Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center of Hope, from January to July, 2013 (six months). Other funding partners include United Way ($58,000), Bohemian Foundation ($45,000) and Serve6.8 ($35,000). The Murphy Center, located at 242 Conifer Street, is the one-stop center in Fort Collins for homeless and near homeless persons. The operation of the Center is an important component in the community’s network of housing and complimentary services so that homelessness is rare, short-lived and non-recurring in Fort Collins. This item was added to the May 28 work session to brief Council before its June 4 consideration of funding for the Mary Alice Murphy Center of Hope. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center of Hope (“Murphy Center”) The Murphy Center, located at 242 Conifer Street, is the one-stop center in Fort Collins for homeless and near homeless persons. Approximately 23 agencies provide services at the Center; the Center also provides showers, breakfast, phones/computers, washers/dryers, clothing, day shelter services, and more. Services available at the Center include employment resources, housing assistance, financial counseling, transportation assistance, mental health and substance abuse counseling, and more. The Murphy Center is currently owned by the United Way of Larimer County (UW) and operated by Touchstone Health Partners of Fort Collins. During the past four years, the Murphy Center has been a major player in the local homeless service delivery system and will play an even more critical role as the region moves toward a new and improved housing model. Notable achievements of the Center include: • Total number of visits: 110,782. • Now averaging 156 visitors per day, up from 80 at the end of the 1st year. • Now have 23 different agencies that provide services out of the Center. • Total number of showers taken: 12,841. • Total number of loads of laundry done: 4,649. • Total number of unduplicated people provided services by a Resource Specialist: 10,148. • 37% of the people served are part of a family with children. May 28, 2013 Page 2 • In 2012, 77% of the people that meet with a Resource Specialist report being literally homeless, a 57% increase from 2011. • Received mail through the center: more than 800 people. • Utilized lockers at the center: more than 250 people. • Provided voicemail boxes: more than 150 people. • 429 people have been assisted in getting Food Stamps • 106 people have been assisted in getting Aide to the Needy. • 253 people have been assisted in getting Medicaid. • 879 people have received mental health and/or substance abuse services. • 1,312 households have received emergency rent assistance. • 2,507 households have received utility assistance. The approximate $2.5 million cost of construction of the Center was funded through a collaboration of private foundations, private resources, and the cities of Fort Collins and Loveland. ,Since 2004, the City has contributed approximately $90,000 in CDBG and General Fund dollars to build the facility, and as such, has a legal and financial interest. In addition, the City has funded several of the agencies that occupy the Center. As equity partners on the land (along with the City of Loveland), City staff has met with United Way and Serve 6.8 officials. The City’s goal, moving forward, is a smooth transition on executing new legal documents, and ensuring that parameters for property use tied to federal funding are clear. Staff is also interested in ensuring that the Murphy Center has a critical role to play in the future in the continuum of care for the homeless and near homeless. Ownership and Operations of the Center The Murphy Center opened in March, 2009. At that time, the United Way committed to owning/funding/operating the Center for 3 years. United Way’s intent was to find another agency to own and operate the Center. United Way has had serious but unsuccessful discussions with several potential agencies about taking over the facility and has seriously considered closing or curtailing services at the Center. Last November, a small group of interested stakeholders met to discuss the future of the Murphy Center. The group consisted of Gordan Thibedeau (United Way), Randy Ratliff (CEO Touchstone Health Partners), Cheryl Zimlich (Bohemian Foundation), Julie Brewen (FCHA), Bryce Hach (Homeward 2020), and Joe Frank (Social Sustainability Department). Last January, the group met with Mark Orphan, Pastor of the Timberline Church Missions and Outreach program, and Mike Walker, Timberline Church Local Outreach Director about potentially taking ownership and operation of the Center. Serve 6.8 is the “community service” arm of the Timberline Church. “Serve 6.8” is in reference to two passages in the Bible (Micah and Isaiah). Serve 6.8's stated mission is “people serving our community to demonstrate God’s love in tangible ways to people in Northern Colorado with no strings attached.” Serve 6.8 has said “We partner with many local organizations to promote their mission, provide volunteers, and offer assistance.” Serve 6.8 has been involved in a variety of “ministries” and partnerships in the community, some involving the homeless. Serve 6.8 was heavily involved in the High Park Fire recovery efforts. Serve 6.8 has 501(c)3 status. May 28, 2013 Page 3 Serve 6.8 submitted a letter of intent to assume ownership and operation of the Murphy Center, and most appear to be comfortable with them. United Way is satisfied that they have the resources and mission to take over and successfully operate the facility. Mark Orphan and Mike Walker will be the primary managers of the Murphy Center. They indicated that the Center will continue to deliver current services and will keep the current professional staff. Serve 6.8 will also be using volunteers. At this time, Serve 6.8 is doing its due diligence, developing a business plan, completing necessary agreements, talking with the cities of Fort Collins and Loveland, etc. The goal is to complete the ownership/operation transition on/around July 1, 2013. Funding Request The United Way is seeking funding partners to continue the operation of the facility. The Center’s monthly operating cost is about $38,600; approximately 85% of that is personnel and 15% is operations. United Way has a federal grant that covers about $8,100 per month; so, the net monthly cost is approximately $30,500; six months of operations costs approximately $183,000. United Way’s proposal is that they provide $58,000, the Bohemian Foundation and the City each provide $45,000 and Serve 6.8 provides $35,000, for the operation of the Murphy Center from January to July 2013 (6 months). According to Gordan Thibedeau, Executive Director of the United Way: “There are two reasons that we are seeking continuation funds to support the operation of the Murphy Center. First, it was our intent to transfer ownership no later than December 31, 2012, which did not happen. Second, we have been unable to secure additional grant funding to support the operation primarily because we play a “pass through” role. We were able to overcome this concern for the first 4 years of funding but foundations have become increasingly interested in having the funds go directly to the service provider.” ,Funding Agreement The major terms of the “funding agreement” are as follows: • The City shall pay United Way the sum of $45,000 upon receipt of the expense report. • That the funds will be used for personnel and non-personnel costs associated with the operation of the Murphy Center. • The funds will be used for expenses between January 1 and June 30, 2013. • United Way shall submit a detailed expense report to the City for our review and approval. • The process and conditions of turning the facility over to Serve 6.8 should be as transparent and inclusive as possible to the critical stakeholders. • The existing functions of the Murphy Center as a one stop center and entry for homeless services must continue; and Serve 6.8, needs to be at the table in the discussions around a new homeless service delivery model, known as continuum of care. • The City shall have a representative on the advisory/leadership board of the new Murphy Center. May 28, 2013 Page 4 Financial Impacts The City’s share will come from the City’s General Fund Reserves. Providing financial assistance to the Murphy Center is a long term investment. Helping people out of homelessness prevents future community costs associated with homelessness. Typically, funding requests for human services are made thru the City’s Spring Competitive Process. The Spring Competitive Process was not a good match for the current Murphy Center situation because the funds do not become available until October 1, 2013. Also, the Competitive Process funds cannot pay for any cost of services, projects or programs expended prior to October 1, 2013. Over the years, the City has also funded several social service programs and activities, outside of the Competitive Process, from General Funds. For example, since 2009, the City has funded: • Homeward 2020 (the original $100,000 was through the exceptions process) and continues to do so with a $25,000 sponsorship each year out of the City Manager’s Office budget (and approved through BFO), for a total of $175,000. • The Murphy Center Capital Campaign in 2009 ($5,000), 2010 ($6,000), and 2011 ($2,000) using contingency funding. • The United Way Temporary Winter Homeless Shelter ($3,000 – operating costs). • The Crossroads Safehouse, in 2010 - $3000 – appraisal report; and, in 2010 - $350,000 for renovation of Crossroads’ new facility from Police Capital Improvement Expansion fees. • The Bender Mobile Home Park relocation assistance – 2012 ($50,000) – BFO. • The City has also provided “sponsorships” through a donation and sponsorship line item in BFO through the City Manager’s Office. For those sponsorships that were unexpected and not funded through BFO, the CMO usually relies on Contingency or Community Opportunities funds to cover. Agencies receiving this funding include United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Crossroads Safehouse, and the Food Bank of Larimer County. Staff Recommendation Staff recommends approval of the funding request and financial agreement because the Murphy Center plays such a critical role in the delivery of services to the homeless and near-homeless in the community, a role that is likely to become more important as a new model (e.g., “continuum of care”) evolves in the North Front Range area. United Way has carried the cost of operating the center for the past four years, a year longer than originally intended. United Way has demonstrated that it needs the financial assistance of the City and the other partners, to pay for part of the costs of six months of operations of the Center. After that time, it appears very likely that Serve 6.8 will take over the ownership and operation of the center. Serve 6.8 has said that they intend to continue the original mission and services of the center. Serve 6.8 also appears to have the capacity, experience and mission to continue the important services the Center now provides, and to work collaboratively toward a new homeless model.