01-23-1995 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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draft IVIINXJTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION ON DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTERS HELD ON JANUARY 6, 1995 to deal with this matter. Lindquist commented that we should be looking at t^s m context of the general community, not just within Orono’s city boundaries. Mabusth agreed, and noted that the applicants acknowledge that, and have presented their application as being of benefit to the general Lake Minnetonk^ area. Mabusth noted that in her contacts with the Westonka and Orono school district personnel regarding this issue, they did not recognize city boundanes in dealing with the problem. Schroeder suggested that it is somewhat difficult for Orono s Planning Commission to look at the area-wide issue, although that is what is needed. Mabusth presented a map of the Lake area noting the Navarre location in relation to the area to be served. Not only the service area but the population served would be greatly increased by a shelter at this location, as compared to Westonka Intervention’s current service area which is general^ the northwesterly quadrant of Lake Minnetonka. Mabusth questioned whether the use of ^e shelter was limited to, or gave priority to. residents of the defined service area. Webber sug^^ested that the shelter would exist to serv'e its local community, but there certainly are informal agreements between shelters that encourage referrals to other shelters when one is full. Webber no"ted that the outreach and educational efforts, however, generally are confined to the service area. Turning to the funding issue, Schroeder asked how is the project funded, how much does it cost, where is the money going to come from. Webber advised that Westonka was approved for a $210,000 grant from the Minnesota Housing Authority. Schroeder asked whether Minnesota Housing Authority is the entity that funds most shelters. Webber replied no they haven’t traditionally funded shelters, and that is not necessanly part ot their mission. For various reasons, the MHA Board chose to fund a shelter in tlus rather t^ some other use. Webber noted that shelters in this area have traditionally been funded by the Department of Corrections, both from their State allocation and Federal monies. ApparenUy the current available funds are spoken for, but if the Legislature allocates more money to the Department of Corrections, there may be competitive requests for use of that additional allocation. She noted that shelters generally rely on their per diem as reviewed by th Department of Human Services. Mabusth confirmed that the per diem is funding administered by Department of HumM Seiwices over which the Department of Corrections does budgetary review. Hessberg noted W«to^ Webber noted that Westonka Intervention would have to foUow a similar track as other non profit organizations preparing a plan for fund raising from all of the potential sources. She a so has suggested that over time Westonka Intervention develop a political strategy to convmce County Commissioners to allocate funding. 8