CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, March 20, 2023 Conference Room 303 - Shoreline City Hall
5:45 p.m. 17500 Midvale Avenue North
PRESENT: Mayor Scully, Deputy Mayor Robertson, and Councilmembers Pobee, Ramsdell, and Roberts
ABSENT: Councilmembers McConnell and Mork
STAFF: Bristol Ellington, City Manager
John Norris, Assistant City Manager
Bethany Wolbrecht-Dunn, Community Services Manager
Colleen Kelly, Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Director
GUESTS: Beratta Gomillion, Executive Director, Center for Human Services
Emily Goodright, Shoreline Center Manager, Hopelink
Kelli Graham, Adult Education Manager, Hopelink
William Towey, Executive Director, Lake City Partners Ending Homelessness
At 5:50 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Mayor Scully. All Councilmembers were present except for Councilmember Pobee who joined the meeting at 5:58 p.m. and Councilmembers McConnell and Mork.
Bethany Wolbrecht-Dunn, Community Services Manager, introduced the first speaker Beratta Gomillion, Executive Director, Center for Human Services (CHS). Ms. Gomillion explained CHS’s organizational makeup and services for mental health and substance abuse. When asked what program would benefit the most from expansion, Ms. Gomillion stated home, school and clinic based mental health services could be expanded and it is critical that the program continue to be funded. Ms. Gomillion listed CHS services regarding family support such as after-school and summer programs, parenting classes, and distribution of COVID-19 emergency funds. It was asked what CHS plans to do as COVID-19 funds are winding down and Ms. Gomillion described the CHS funding allocation and explained that CHS works through a holistic approach to address the root causes of why clients seek services in order to send them off in the best position for success. Bethany Wolbrecht-Dunn, Community Services Manager, said funding has been coming from the CARES Act in addition to the Community Development Block Grant. Colleen Kelly, Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Director, highlighted the significance of flexible spending funds to provide focused service but mentioned there will be a gap in funding.
In 2022, CHS served 396 Shoreline residents, hired a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Manager, and reintroduced in-school services in Shoreline. Ms. Gomillion noted that CHS never closed through the pandemic and was enhanced through the implementation of telehealth services which removed many barriers to client care. A Councilmember asked if there are populations that are difficult to reach and Ms. Gomillion answered the homeless community and due to cultural norms, the Korean community can be difficult to reach. She emphasized that keeping up with demand and supplying staff has been a challenge to providing services.
The next presenters were Emily Goodright, Shoreline Center Manager and Kelli Graham, Adult Education Manager, on behalf of Hopelink. Ms. Graham stated that as of 2022, Hopelink served about 50,000 clients but noted the amount is lower than the 64,300 served before the pandemic. She highlighted that many services were redesigned to a virtual format and Hopelink plans to continue to offer virtual and in-person services moving forward. Ms. Graham and Ms. Goodright spoke about their service areas including utility assistance, financial assistance, adult education, employment services, family development, transportation, and an outreach program. Hopelink strives to provide quality trauma-informed care and work with service providers and community members to discuss best practices. Ms. Graham also brought attention to Hopelink’s food assistance program and mentioned the grocery store-style food market is open for service again. Volunteer hours at Hopelink are not what they were before the pandemic but in 2022, volunteers provided over 44,000 service hours. Ms. Graham invited community members to donate their time as volunteers in a variety of needed service positions. It was noted that Hopelink faces funding gaps and staffing issues like other organizations but they are working to do what they can for waitlisted clients and clients who are no longer within the Shoreline service area.
William Towey, Executive Director, Lake City Partners Ending Homelessness (LCP), went over the mission and programs provided by LCP to end homelessness including the management of the Oaks Enhanced Shelter. He said housing and homelessness is a regional problem and LCP practices radical hospitality to increase successful interventions that lead to sustainable living. Mr. Towey mentioned that LCP is in a recontracting year and expressed enthusiasm for renegotiating their operating contract with the support of Council. It was asked if service providers share clients and Mr. Towey confirmed LCP, Hopelink, and CHS likely share clients. He said LCP tracks what other services providers are doing and can refer clients to where supplemental services may be provided but he stated that a referral is not a measure of performance outcome.
At 6:47 p.m., Mayor Scully declared the meeting adjourned.
/s/ Kendyl Hardy, Deputy City Clerk