September Meeting Notes

Agenda:  1) Communication Materials 2) Purpose of the group and these meetings 3) Sign-up sheet for future meeting [locations] 

Present:  Kristin Retherford, Facilitator; Moises Ramos and Bruce Donohue with UGM; Ashley Hamilton with MWVCAA; Paul Logan and Stephen Goins with NWHS; Kim Hanson with United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley; Nicole Utz with Salem Housing Authority; Jim Vu with Salem Main Street Association (for the first 15'); Tom Hoffert with the Salem Area Chamber; Al Tandy with Salem Summit; Neal Kern and Sarah Owens with CANDO; Councilor Cara Kaser.  Not present: anyone from law enforcement.  Media: Troy Brynelson, Salem Reporter

Because Jim had to leave in 15', Kristin asked him his thoughts about the draft "one-pager."  He said it was too wordy, and needs to be pared down.  He wanted a "what to do when" quick user guide that was understandable in 30 seconds.  He agreed to provide written examples of problems experienced by his business that are not covered by the draft guide.  He said SMSA had sent out a survey asking what resources businesses feel they need to address the problems they're experiencing, and he would share the results after the survey closed on 9/13/19.  Sarah was asked to speak to the revisions she had proposed.  She said the main problem was that Salem doesn't have anything close to Clark County's resources.  Ashley agreed, saying she didn't think The ARCHES Project could agree to be "on call" for downtown without knowing how many calls there might be, etc.  Kim observed that a CAHOOTS-type of program would be a useful resource -- if Salem could swing it.  Kristin asked how many calls per week a business might call a provider for help?  No one knew.  Tom  said he only hears about the "high impact" incidents (illegal activity and 911-type calls).  Cara agreed and said the issue was how should businesses respond to nuisance (low-impact) incidents/behavior?  Paul observed that this was where the work group left off, and what we needed to return to, namely addressing how businesses should respond to nuisance (low-impact) incidents/behavior.  He said the work group needs to have that broader conversation and understand just what sort of problems businesses want help dealing with.  Kim and Sara repeated the observation that the police need to part of the conversation, along with MCRT/CORT and LEAD program reps, or at least someone who knows enough about them to contribute.  Nicole and Moises observed that, even with a "one-pager", businesses will need training on engagement strategies.  Cara pointed out that high employee turnover will make training challenging.  Nicole said that businesses need to understand the need to set boundaries, and observed that every new police officer gets a one hour training with SHA.  Moises agreed with Ashley, saying UGM has limited ability to do outreach, although UGM staff do walk around their building and engage with the businesses in their block.  He thinks businesses need to take more responsibility for developing effective responses to difficult situations.  Kristin asked what was reasonable to expect from businesses.  Nicole said without hesitation businesses should treat everyone the same, regardless of whether one thinks they're "homeless."  Paul agreed, but said there needs to be a system to back businesses up.  That's what the group needs to be trying to coordinate.  Kristin said it sounds like the guide should be "on hold" for now, that what's needed are the business "scenarios" and to pull in law enforcement to help work through them.  Paul observed that the guide could still be useful as an introduction, just without the phone numbers.  Cara, saying she was playing "devil's advocate", told the group they shouldn't assume businesses are not being kind.  Tom then took the discussion off on a war stories tangent.  With only a few minutes left, Kristin tried to touch on the other agenda items, but Tom wanted to know how the work group "plays into sit-lie"?  Kristin said she saw it as a separate issue.  Cara echoed that, saying "I see it as a tool."  Tom said he wants the community to get behind it, see sit-lie as a "win."  Stephen said a win would be sufficient resources to address and end homelessness, and that a CAHOOTS-type program would only reduce system waste, not address or end homelessness.  The meeting, having run over the appointed end time, then broke up.