Bellevue Human Services Commission - 10/6/20

Members Present: Timothy Ma, Michelle Kline,  Someireh Amirfaiz,  Anita Jain, Ted Mansfield,  Judith Mercer,  Benjamin Piper, Major John McCracken,  Deputy Mayor Jared Nieuwenhuis 

(Virtual) Meeting Highlights:
The meeting lasted from 6 pm to 7:15 pm.
September 1 and September 15 minutes were approved.
Public comments opened but none were given.

Commission Reports were opened but none were given.

Staff Reports
It was mentioned they have a new intern that will be with them through June 2021 and also that the previous intern got a job with King County.

Public Hearing for CDBG Funding
One person commented.  Sound Generations said they work in partnership with Bellevue to provide minor home repairs to seniors at reasonable prices.  They appreciated the funding support from Bellevue and was hoping to get it again.

Public Hearing  for the General Fund
Twelve people commented.

Man representing Imagine Housing that services East King County thanked the Commission for funding and hoped to get funding again.

Woman representing Bridge of Promise that supports adults with disabilities in Bellevue thanked the Commission for
their support and hoped to get funding again.

Woman representing early learning for Bellevue school district also appreciated the Commission’s funding and asked for their continued support.

Woman representing the India Assoc of Western Washington thanked the Commission for their support and asked for more funding.

Woman representing Sophia Way thanked the Commission for prior funding and asked for more - especially since Sophia Way had to move from a day shelter to an overnight shelter due to Covid.

Woman representing Kindering which amount other things, helps find housing for families (FIT - Families in Transition) with infants/young children asked for continued support.

Woman representing Kindering and the CCPC (Childcare and Preschool Consultation) team asked for continued support.

Woman representing Hopelink thanked the Commission and asked for their continued support.

Man representing New Bethlehem Place supporting homelessness thanked the Commission and asked for their continued support.

Woman representing Solid Ground (provides rental assistance to prevent eviction and provide housing stability) thanked the Commission for their support and asked that it continue.

Man representing the Kin On Health Centre, supporting Asian seniors, asked for continued support.

The public hearing adjourned at 6:50pm.

Community Development Block Grant
The estimated grant funding is $1,033,000.  Congress will vote on Dec 11 but the earliest the Commission will know the approved amount is Feb of 2021.  The Commission does not believe the amount will be reduced as Congress is trying to keep the same amount or increase by 3%.

The CDBG Contingency Plan 
The Contingency Plan described how funds would be allocated if more funding was approved as well as what areas would be reduced if funding was not approved at the expected level.

The Commission voted on both the funding and the contingency plan and both were approved unanimously.

General Fund Budget Plan 
$1,161,002 requested and $1,033,000 budgeted (still to be approved by Congress).

(Did not get all the detail, but some):
- Jewish Family Services  2021 request of $146,834.  2021 Commission Recommendation $146,834.
- City of Bellevue CDBG Admin 2021 request of $56,910. 2021 Comm Rec of $56,910.
- City of Bellevue CDBG Planning 2021 request of $144,058. 2021 Comm Rec of $144,058.
- Seattle Bus Educ HUB 2021 request of $225,000. 2021 Comm Rec of $96,998.
- City of Bellevue Home Repair 2021 request of $500,000.  Comm Rec of $500,000.

Other funding was scrolled through too quickly to capture but Commission members had materials earlier and had reviewed all.  Most if not all of the charities that spoke in the Public Hearing received continued support.

The General Fund budget plan was voted on and approved unanimously.

Old Business - None.

New Business
Announcement that the City is receiving additional CARES act funds.  The purpose of the funds is to help prevent, prepare and respond to the virus and can be used for public services.  $489,623 was allocated in May.  An additional $897,287 will be coming. They will start an RFP process next year to allocate these funds.  Funds need to be spent within six years and 80% of the funds need to be spent within three years (by May 2023).

The next meeting on Oct 20 will consist of two presentations:  One given by the Bellevue Transportation Dept. on transportation alternatives.  The other presentation from the Environmental Stewardship Division on their current plans.

Public Comments
Man representing MCRC (Muslim Community Resource Centre).  He thanked the Commission for their previous funding but asked for more.  He felt the Commission tended to provide funding to more mainstream established non-profits and that they should look more at nonprofits through an equity lens.  Minority organisations all need more funding.