Council Social Services and Community Development Committee

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Social Services & Community Development Committee met on May 28, 2013, at 11:00 AM under the presiding officer Ford. The committee addressed five agenda items during the meeting, including approval of the committee summary, informational presentations on the Domestic Violence Prevention Board and Small Area Plan background, a discussion of the Housing Authority tenant relocation process, and a review of committee referral items. The committee took three votes and heard five public comments during the session. One item—the Housing Authority Tenant Relocation Process—was deferred for further consideration at a future meeting.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on May 28, 2013:

• Ford
• Akers
• Ellinger
• Kay
• Lawless
• Stinnett
• Scutchfield
• Myers
• Beard
• Lane

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

The committee took three votes during this meeting, all of which passed by voice vote.

Approval of Committee Summary

The committee approved the summary from the April 30, 2013 meeting. Beard moved for approval and Scutchfield seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote with no abstentions 0:00.

Housing Authority Tenant Relocation Process

Ford moved to remove the Housing Authority tenant relocation process from committee consideration, with Scutchfield seconding the motion. This motion passed by voice vote with no abstentions 1:48:13.

Adjournment

The committee voted to adjourn the meeting by voice vote with no abstentions 1:49:51.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed three grant funding items:

Rental Assistance Demonstration Program The Lexington Housing Authority received a $20 million grant to fund the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program at Pimlico Apartments.

Violence Against Women Act Enforcement Grant The Domestic Violence Prevention Board received $200,000 per year in grant funding for an arrest and enforcement grant under the Violence Against Women Act.

Safe Havens Grant The Domestic Violence Prevention Board received a Safe Havens grant to establish a supervised visitation center. The specific funding amount was not specified in the meeting materials.

Public Comment

Council members posed questions on two primary topics during the meeting.

Domestic Violence Prevention Board

Council Member Stinnett 26:04 asked about the impact of increased arrests related to domestic violence prevention efforts. Specifically, she inquired whether the number of calls for service has decreased and questioned what prevention efforts are being pursued beyond enforcement measures.

Housing Authority Tenant Relocation

Multiple council members raised concerns about the Housing Authority's tenant relocation plan, focusing on different aspects of the proposal.

Council Member Beard 49:43 asked how children are being handled during the relocation process, with particular attention to school transitions and whether there are safeguards against potential system manipulation.

Council Member Kay 54:34 inquired about the fiscal impact of using tax credits, specifically whether their use would affect the availability of funds for other affordable housing projects in Lexington.

Council Member Akers 1:00:15 raised similar concerns about tax credit allocation and its potential to reduce resources available for other affordable housing efforts. Additionally, Akers asked which entity will manage the property following the relocation.

Council Member Myers 1:03:14 focused on service continuity, asking about the self-sufficiency plan and case management services, and whether these services will continue to be provided under the new model.

Contested Items

Housing Authority Tenant Relocation Process

Community residents raised concerns about the Housing Authority's tenant relocation process. Specific issues included difficulties with school transitions for children and the broader impact on families undergoing relocation. In response, the Housing Authority offered flexibility in the relocation program, including providing residents with the option of a Housing Choice Voucher and assistance with moving costs.

Self-Sufficiency Plan and Case Management

A split vote occurred regarding the new self-sufficiency plan and case management model. The point of contention centered on whether the proposed model would maintain adequate case management and self-sufficiency support services. Concerns were raised about the implications of the Housing Authority's loss of a dedicated social services department and how this would affect the level of support available to residents under the new structure.

Approval of the Committee Summary

The committee considered approval of the summary from the April 30, 2013 meeting. 0:00

Council Member Beard moved to approve the summary, with Council Member Scutchfield providing the second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Outcome: The April 30, 2013 committee summary was approved.

Domestic Violence Prevention Board Overview

Terry Farragher, Director of the Domestic Violence Prevention Board, presented an overview of the board's mission, activities, and impact 1:07.

Key Accomplishments

Farragher highlighted a 70% increase in domestic violence arrests, which she attributed to training funded by a federal grant. This increase reflects enhanced law enforcement response to domestic violence incidents.

Prevention Programs

The board operates several prevention initiatives:

• Green Dot: A prevention program aimed at reducing domestic violence
• Safe Havens supervised visitation center: A facility providing supervised visitation services for families affected by domestic violence

Board Functions

Beyond direct programming, the board serves broader coordination and information functions:

• Acts as a clearinghouse for domestic violence information
• Coordinates services across multiple agencies to ensure comprehensive response to domestic violence issues

Outcome

This agenda item was informational in nature, with no formal action or debate recorded. Mills also participated as a key speaker during the presentation.

Housing Authority Tenant Relocation Process

31:51

Austin Sims, Executive Director of the Lexington Housing Authority, presented on the relocation of tenants from Pimlico Apartments under the RAD (Rental Assistance Demonstration) program.

Presentation Overview

Sims outlined a relocation plan that would offer tenants at Pimlico Apartments a choice between two options: - Relocation to another public housing site - Receipt of a Housing Choice Voucher

Committee Discussion

The committee raised several concerns during the discussion: - The use of tax credits in the relocation process - The scarcity of available vouchers and implications for meeting tenant needs - Long-term effects of the relocation on the community

Mills participated in the discussion alongside Sims regarding these issues.

Outcome

The item was deferred and subsequently removed from committee consideration.

Small Area Plan Background

Chris King of the Division of Planning presented an overview of recent small area planning efforts during this agenda item. The presentation focused on two key initiatives: the Central Sector plan and the East End plan.

King emphasized a significant shift in planning priorities from greenfield development toward infill and redevelopment strategies. This represents an important change in how the jurisdiction approaches growth and land use.

A central theme of the discussion was the need for implementation funding to support these small area plans. King highlighted that planning efforts require adequate financial resources to move from the planning phase into actual implementation of the identified strategies and projects.

The committee discussion, which included Duncan among other participants, underscored the importance of ongoing support and coordination among multiple stakeholders. Specifically, the discussion emphasized the need for continued collaboration between the City Council, the Planning Commission, and community stakeholders to ensure successful execution of the small area plans.

The outcome of this agenda item was informational in nature, with no formal action taken. The presentation served to update the committee on the status and direction of small area planning efforts and to establish the foundation for continued dialogue about implementation needs and coordination mechanisms.

1:28:15

Committee Referral Items

1:47:41

The committee discussed a shift in funding strategy from supporting agencies to funding programs based on need. This discussion centered on restructuring how resources are allocated within the organization.

Key Participants

Council Members Kay and Myers led the discussion on this agenda item.

Main Points

Council Members Kay and Myers emphasized the importance of transitioning toward a system that prioritizes program effectiveness and innovation over institutional funding. This approach would focus resources on programs that demonstrate measurable results and meet identified community needs rather than distributing funds based on organizational structure or historical precedent.

Outcome

The discussion was informational in nature, with no formal action taken during this agenda item.