two
recording has started.
>> All right. Hello. Good evening. It's a
human services commission. Uh it is
March 18, 2026. Uh 6:34.
We'll note that down. Uh we will be
going down the list here. Good evening.
Uh call to order. We're going to go
around and do introductions
and we'll start with the left because
the heart goes with the left. A
>> my name's
>> Hello.
>> Go ahead.
>> Uh uh hardo, chair to the human services
commission.
>> Manny Brown, vice chair, human services.
>> Is that all you're going to say?
>> That's it.
>> Well, I I mean I could say Okay. So, I
will say uh we've been uh with the human
service for some time. I would say about
four to five years. uh it's been a great
opportunity to with the human services
not only with the grant but also getting
involved with the community. So that's
been a pleasure been involved for living
here for about 20ome years and so kind
of seeing full circle and how we can
kind of uh help and assist provide the
best way we can especially during these
times it is our voice is very critical
especially uh for our community members.
>> Sorry Manny that's a hard to follow.
You got you.
>> Okay. Yeah. I'm Annie Brown. Um,
commissioner, vice chair. Um, been
helping out for about eight years, six
years, something like that. And it's
been u great time working with me and uh
I'm glad that it is this group that is
in this time of what's happening around
is the world.
Um, I'm JD Ramirez. I've been with the
Human Services Commission for about a
year. Um, and it is a really unique
group of people to be with and
collaborate with. So,
>> does your nickname go?
>> Yes. Yes. Yes. No, like we have like a
really unique opportunity to do what we
do here. So, yes. Okay. Okay.
>> Thank you for making me clarify.
>> I'm Trisha Blure. Um,
I think I came on to the commission
after you, right? Well, anyways, I can't
remember how long. I've been on it for a
while. I think I came on during co
>> Yeah, that's when I came on. 2021 at
least.
>> Yes. Okay. And prior to that, I was on
the arts commission. Um, I've lived in
the Isiqua area for 40-ish years. and my
I raised my kids here who um are adults
now and um luckily were launched
successfully
and which I know is difficult now for
parents now and um I agree with
everything that Haimey said. So ditto
ditto ditto and um I look forward to our
next granting period.
>> I am Meline Fish. Uh, I've lived in
Isqua now for more than 30 years. I
married a local boy and I've been on the
commission for a couple years now. I
don't I don't remember the exact
>> I don't know. Anyway, yeah, this is
we're really getting into the meat of
what we do here soon.
>> Um, and I'm looking forward to it.
>> I'm Danielle Jalbert and um, soon to be
a commissioner. Um, I've lived in Isqua
for almost four years. I'm an eastside
girl. I've been all over the east side.
I have to say Isip is the best.
Um, I'm very um involved in service,
especially in with my community. Um, I
think it um enriches everyone around
you, including yourself. Um, and so I
was looking for something um more
involved and more active and more
meaningful to myself. Um, and that's why
I reached out to this um, commission and
um, I feel so validated in that because
it's already such a great experience.
Thank you so much for having me today.
>> And commissioners, I just want to shout
out, it's not typical we invite um, our
um, recommended commissioners before
their appointment which starts
technically in May. But due to kind of
the we are going into the thick of
granting season and there's some very
important information in the next couple
months and with my pending leave um we
wanted to invite the new commissioners
to kind of get them up to speed as
quickly as possible. So really
appreciate your extra extra time to come
and join and learn today. So thank you
so much.
>> I'll ditto everything you said. Hi Ray
Mann commissioner. I've uh been on same
time as Jay but approaching a year. I
can't believe I
>> prior to this I was in the human service
or the equity board for four years. It
was a pleasure to be there from
inception and uh yeah dit to everything
you said. This is an exciting time. I'm
looking forward to learning and
understanding
>> um sensitive to all the needs of the
community all those wonderful
organizations. It's going to be hard
from what I hear but in on you to guide
the way for me as a new
>> Yeah.
Thank you, commissioners. Um Hannah
Roberts here, a senior human services
coordinator, staff liaison um for human
services commission. I've been with the
city for 20 well started in 2021. So
that we're at five years actually on
April 15th will be my anniversary there.
Um but I am a local. I grew up in
Isiqua. My folks still live in Miramont.
I drop my kiddos off there and so a lot
of great ties um to this amazing
community and it's just such a honor to
serve Isiqua in this way. Definitely
love love our city here. Um and yeah, uh
as you all know, I am anticipating twins
any minute. Um so April 24th, yeah, I
know I'm going to last. Don't worry.
April 24th is technically my last day.
I'm going to be enjoying 6 months off.
Uh bonding with the the new girls that
are coming and just expanding family. Um
so they will um I'll be back November
2nd is the plan. So in the meantime, you
are in good hands with our human
services manager. I'll let her introduce
herself.
>> Yes, I'm Brenda Parker, human services
manager and I have been with the city
only two years and just in the manager
role for the last year. So I've been
living in Isiqua for those two years.
Also came from the east side of the
state and have lived all over the
Nebraska, Oregon, Washington,
everywhere. So I'm happy to be here. I
love seeing what you do. You're very
dedicated and faithful to this work and
it's just really nice to see. So I'm a
little bit nervous with Hannah leaving.
I wasn't anticipating taking on this
this part of the work, but we're I mean
she you you all know her very well. you
know, how prepared and planned
everything is. So, I'm I'm definitely
she's handing it off. Um,
very I don't know how to say that. I
mean, you're just everything transition
>> very good transition. So, and I know
that Haime and Manny are gonna help me
out. So, I'm looking forward to it. And
we say I I'm hoping she'll be here also
next month, but
>> I think I'll be waddling. Okay. And
maybe you can help me sit up a little
bit. That's awesome.
>> Maybe we'll wait.
I'm pretty pretty waddly right now.
>> Well, thank you so much. We don't
typically do these kind of introductions
in the beginning, but it's so nice to
hear some of your backgrounds and um
stories and history in Isiqua. Lots of
years here. Um and again, welcome
Daniel. Thank you so much for joining
us. Um we have one other commissioner
who will be joining us um probably not
till May. He might join us a little bit
later, but his name is Micah. So, um, we
anticipate additional commissioners to
to kind of join. So, we may have to do
this again, but thank you all.
Okay, we're going to call the word.
>> Um, I do see just for um, uh, folks
absent here, uh, Murray Edwards, Huma,
and then, uh, Preston.
>> Okay. Yes. So, um, Mari has an excuse
absent. Huma is working on logging in so
she's just running late.
>> So we we have qu so we are good to
continue.
>> Perfect.
>> All right. Our next item here is uh
public comment from uh the community or
inside our human services.
>> Yeah. So we have two um folks here. One
person um in person. We have um another
organization online. Hi Mariana. Um and
so we will um invite the circle um to be
able to provide a a public comment. Um
Alicia, however you would like to
Christie can start just because I need
>> Perfect.
>> Christie, is this an okay time for you
to join us?
>> Yes. Yes. Can you hear me? Okay.
>> Yes.
>> Okay. So, um I'm Christy Schuman. I am
the development manager at the Circle.
So, I work with Alicia. Um quick
background. Um, I've worked at the
circle for about two years. Um, but I've
volunteered in the Isoka school district
for about 13 years and at the Isuka Food
and Clothing Bank for 10 years. Um, so
I'm very familiar with the ISO
community. Um, in my role I help with
grant writing and reporting. So, um, I
know a lot of our numbers. Um, Alicia
will discuss a little bit more what we
do. Um but wanted to share that in 2025
um we served 803 unduplicated residents
in Isiqua and by far that is the highest
um city that we serve. um we have the
most impact in the city of Isiqua and um
the things that people mostly come to us
for are really basic needs um housing
support, trying to find access to um
rental assistance um and advocacy and
legal trying to find assistance with
immigration um passports, know your
rights workshops, and um we also assist
with um power of attorney forms for
people. Um so those are really the
biggest needs in Isiqua. Um, Alisia, do
you want to jump in?
>> Yes. Yes. So, I um
>> um
so I'm here and Chris is here with me
just because first of all, I want to say
thank you for your support for rapid
response. I cannot explain how much that
has helped our community. Um it's not
our organization, but really the
community. that funding went directly to
the circle to the community around
a rapid response is something that you
know we didn't plan that we were going
to need. So we didn't we didn't have it
in our budget and we've been you know uh
looking for funding everywhere to try to
support that effort that now uh it's
it's a a new need in our community. Um
in January 12 ICE was ice agents were in
in they the same 12 people um were still
working with all those families and what
I would like for you to know is that and
before coming here I was with one of
those families at their house and that's
why my energy is really low right now
because it takes so long um to be able
to support them um just to see what
they're going to I already went twice to
the detention center in Tacoma to visit
this the person who is attending this
family that I just went to see. Um and
I'm going to go back on Monday because
he has another court date and I'm going
to make sure that he doesn't feel alone.
Yeah. That we're still communicating to
him that he's part of our community. He
a couple of a couple of months ago and
just January 12, he was January 11 and
he was walking into our community. He
was part of our community. These kids
are still on on a school district and
their family need food and they need
support and I'm working with um his wife
trying to make sure that we have a plan
for her and her kids. We have done power
attorneys. Uh we are working with a
lawyer to try to um get all the help
that he needs. Um and the family you
know at the beginning obviously they
were really scared so we were walking
kids to school. We were uh giving them
food. Now we have a system where we send
food every week in addition to the food
that they receive from the food junk. We
have another, you know, another um two
bags of food that they need the items
that they don't get in the food bank
because now it's only one adult in the
house, you know, instead of two adults
paying for the rent and paying for
everything. And she has three kids, two
of them who are really and the oldest
one as well, but the high schooler and
the middle schooler and um are really um
struggling really struggling. So, we're
working with the district about, you
know, ways to support them. Um, I I've
had Ben in the ER three times with a
high schooler because he gets panic
attacks and his birthday is tomorrow.
So, I was talking to him this afternoon
and I'm getting a cake and getting them
things for him for tomorrow. But this is
the kind of work that we do because I'm
your neighbor. You know, I'm I've been
in Isqua for a long time. I'm I'm
started the circle because I knew that
we needed this in Isiqua Hyper local as
a table helping neighbors. We have now a
team of people who are all neighbors of
Isiqua all in our schools all part of
our community that speak many different
languages and that we are helping each
other. And my hope is that this stays
for many generations in our community
and you know I'm working really hard.
We're working really hard. Christie is
working really hard as well to make sure
that the circle stays here for many
years to come. And I just wanted to say
that really we could have not done what
we have done with rapid respond and with
the families that were supporting it
without those funds that we received
from you. So thank you.
>> Thank you Lisa.
>> Thank you.
>> Oh absolutely.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. If you have any question you
always can contact me. I know Christie
has to go to to drop off for something.
>> Christie, thank you so much for your
patience and joining us online. It was
lovely seeing you.
>> Okay, thank you very much.
>> All right, take care.
>> Lisa, you are more than welcome to head
on up whenever. You're also more than
welcome to stay.
>> Okay, I'm going to say
>> that's very nice of you.
All right, and then I also want to um
acknowledge Huma. Um Huma is one of our
commissioners. She's joining us online.
Hi, Humea. Good to see you.
Hi.
Perfect. We're still in public comment.
So, we have Mariana um from Central
Cultural Mexico. Um would love to hear
from you.
>> Thank you so much. Um can you hear me
well?
>> Yes.
>> Okay, great. Fantastic. Thank you so
much for the opportunity to be here and
and and be able to present ourselves and
introduce ourselves and and in in
essence I'll try to go as as fast as I
can because I know you have business to
discuss but really I'm the new executive
director at Central Cultural Mexico. We
are located downtown Redmond and we
serve the Latino Hispanic community
across three counties. So, King County
um appears in Snowomish and um I'm so in
awe with all the the work that that
Alicia just me Alicia just mentioned at
the circle. I joined the organization a
little bit. It's going to be a year. So
uh but I will pull the new card until
the year and so this it's important to
me to you know just introduce ourselves
and tell you a little bit about what we
do in case you are familiar with what we
do or not but central is a nonprofit
organization that serves the Latino
community across this three three
counties and I would describe the work
that we do in four major pillars. their
first pillar around community. So it was
creating a sense of belonging,
connecting communities, not just the
Latino and Hispanic communities, but
also communities, immigrant communities
and the communities surrounding our um
you know non non-Englishspeaking.
And we do this through events. So we do
uh we celebrate our heritage like
Independence Day, Day of the Dead. Um
single Mario is actually one of our
largest events. It happens downtown
Redmond. We welcome between 10 to 15,000
people on that day and unofficially kind
of opens the the summer. We do art
recept uh uh art exhibition uh art
exhibitions, workshops and a lot of
things that create community. So that's
our first pillar. Our second pillar is
our programs and I won't mention all the
programs that we do but we do have seven
different areas in which each program
falls all the programs fall rather. Arts
and culture is the first one. Second is
basic needs. So think uh rent
assistance, down payment uh down payment
assistance, PMI elimination and you know
flexible spending uh for our communities
which is really really important. Third
one is education. We do English classes,
financial coaching, Spanish classes
recently we've opened in that kind of
education.
Fourth is health. Uh we have programs
like uh Zumba, yoga, kickboxing. We also
have done campaigns in collaboration
with department of health and you may
have may or may not have seen uh our ads
in the buses promoting health within our
communities both English and Spanish. Uh
we also provide support for small
businesses. Uh we have we do cohorts and
you know different preparing them from
ideiation all the way to the
registration of opening a business.
Uh another area is we put climate change
or envir environmental sustainability.
For example, we partner with cities uh
that as they envision their their their
their environmental sustainability
plans, we help them gather community
input, for example, through workshops or
through uh focus groups which can then
really feed into a city strategic plan.
And then lastly, digital equity and
inclusion. I think that's important.
we're heading towards the AI era and
oftentimes our communities are left
behind with uh with this kind of
technology and not being able to
leverage that for example for a business
could really hurt or you know we're
missing opportunities. So all of our
programs intersect with each other. So
support for small businesses for example
with digital equity etc. But that's the
second pillar is our programs. Our third
pillar is our work with youth and that's
really important in our premises. We do
have a maker space, a space with lots of
machines, printers, 3D printing,
anything that you can think of, machines
that I personally don't know how to use,
but thankfully my staff do. Uh
everything is free, so youth can come.
We target it to uh high school students,
but we also welcome college students.
And it's a place for of you know,
initiative rather imagination and
creation to us. Uh working with youth is
really important. youth. I wouldn't I
would dare to say maybe it's a strong
word to say that they're a
disenfranchised community. It's a strong
word, but they're often left out of
important decision-making processes.
Like, for example, a city, they're often
the last ones to ask or to be, you know,
their their views to be included. And we
think that's really important for us.
It's so important that we do have youth
representation in our board to say, you
know, we walk the walk and talk the
talk. So, that that space is really
important for us. And we see it as a
pillar because we do we do important
work around that. And then the last one
is advocacy. So uh as any nonprofit
organization right like we are on the
ground we understand the needs the the
the the fears the gaps in within our
communities but that's not enough. we
need to uplift their voices, talk to
elected officials, government officials,
entities like yourselves to so just so
you know what we're doing and it open
that feedback of communication from what
we're hearing in our communities to um
also connect with resources. often times
uh cities, government agencies have
really great resources available to
communities but our communities don't
know right don't know about this and
it's important to put that in open that
access to information create translate
the information and by translating I
don't mean just to Spanish but also
simplifying the the message putting it
in a language that it resonates with
people and most often that also means
putting you know speaking spang English
and in simplifying information that
could be complex like say affordable
housing making it simplify simplify the
language and make it in a way that it's
accessible to people. So that's it high
level what we do a lot of the things
that we do really is expansion to the
great work that the circle is doing cir
the circle is an amazing or nonprofit
organization that I'm getting to know so
as new executive director where you know
I'm introducing myself and getting to
know everybody but to me really this is
about expansion we are living in really
really difficult times Alicia Alicia I
keep calling her Alicia I apologize
Alicia mentioned how you know it's it's
it's difficult increase you know the
fear in our communities is
the way in which we need to serve our
communities has changed. There's a lot
of fear yet resources are decreasing. So
for me it's just you know it's expanding
and really is collaboration and it's
letting you know what we do as an
expansion of the work the great work
that's already happening in your
community. So really just wanted to
introduce myself telling you about you
know the work that we do and and look
forward to you know collaborating and
and we're here right like our services
are free anybody who work through our
through our doors get services so we
don't you know say you know our programs
really are it serve everybody and so our
is u your city is at the top 12 u number
of cities that we serve so I felt it was
important for me to either reintroduce
myself you probably know about us but if
you didn't just to let you know what
we're doing again as an expansion of the
work that is already happening and
important to you know as as we're
serving similar communities the circle
and I for example to to have you know
the same message if there's something
that you want to communicate see us as
an expansion um of the work that perhaps
you're doing and likewise whatever is
happening to us you know we can share
just so that the services the services
are reached to the communities that need
to that need to know about it. So,
that's all. Thank you so much. I'm happy
to answer any questions, but I
definitely look forward to meeting you
at some point in person and uh and thank
you so much for all the hard work that
you do because I know being a volunteer
is also something that, you know, takes
time and effort and and we appreciate
your your service. So, thank you so
much.
>> Thank you, Mariana. Appreciate your
public comment. You are um welcome to
step away or of course you you are
welcome more than welcome to stay. No
problem either way. So, thank you so
much for your time.
That's it. A couple.
>> Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you, man. And I only have one
more.
>> One more.
>> One more.
>> Well, hello.
>> Well, hello.
>> There's Commissioner Manny Brown here.
This is
Women's Month.
>> Oh,
>> appreciation of women's. Last year I
spoke about National Women's Month,
which is this month, March, and I
concentrated on the origins of women's
movement.
Now, I'm going to bring it home a little
closer to home. Let's recognize the
women that are close to us that are part
of our daily lives. Women, whether they
are mothers, wives, sisters, siblings,
coaches, teachers, counselors, board
members, stay-at-home moms, or staff are
the background
of Isiziqua and a major part of what
makes Isqua such an amazing place it is
today. First of all, ladies, thank you
for putting up with us men. It sure was
the easy task. Thank you for teaching
our sons to respect women.
Thank you for teaching our daughters
that they are strong and resilient and
they have a say in what happens to their
bodies.
I've always believed that the union of
women is the most powerful force in the
world.
So the women here in this room and for
those who are in our lives and for the
sound of my voice, if you not heard it
recently or enough, I would like to say
thank you.
And as your Oscars that you have earned,
I please ask you to stand and be
recognized.
staff.
>> Well, thank you ladies.
>> You got a seat.
>> This may be one of my last human service
commission meetings when my term is
expiring.
>> Wow.
>> It has been a pleasure working with each
one of you.
I will be gifting the human service
commission of women a small plant.
Woohoo. Wow.
A
>> and I hope that you will plant these in
your pot or your garden and whatever you
so that whenever you look at it, you
will realize that you are amazing.
Each and every one of you. If you're not
here, please go out and purchase the
plant and say to yourselves, I am
amazing. This is for me. All right? Not
me, but you. So, let me close with a
quote and paraphrase it. It's the only
time evil wins is when good people do
nothing. And ladies, women of Isakqua,
you are good people. Thank you so much.
>> A thanks.
>> Thank you.
>> I really appreciate it.
>> Thank you, Nanny. I know you'll be very
mad.
Oh my god.
>> I remember when
>> I think you brought us roses last time
very much. Can I be honest? I didn't
know it was women's month. So, thank you
for for liking it.
>> Go ahead.
>> Going to put it someplace that the deer
can't get it.
>> Now, Manny, you can reup.
You are so I want to do the
>> car.
>> Beautiful. Thank you so much.
>> Thank you.
>> I can't I'm not even aware of the
timeline. Have you already got all the
applications for
>> No.
>> Oh, no. No. They're open currently.
>> So, yeah. So, we can be anticipating
some public comments between now and
probably.
>> Thank you, ladies.
>> Thank you, Manny. That was
>> commissioners.
>> Oh, commissioners. I apologize. Um it's
Yeah. No, it's uh closed. Interviews
have been conducted and um
recommendations have been sent off. Yes.
Yep. So, recommendations um are sent to
mayor in March. It goes to council in
April for final vote and approval and
appointments start technically in May.
So, that's the timeline. So,
applications usually open the February
of every year.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. Thank you, Manny. Really
appreciate you
>> or may not. Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> All right. Well, well, thank you, Manny.
That was very uh touching terms of the
educational side, but also the the
message behind that. Yeah.
>> So, thank you.
>> You're welcome.
>> Um, we will move on here. We do have uh
approval of minutes from January 21st.
>> I move that we approve the minutes as
submitted. That we approve, sorry,
>> as submitted.
>> Second that. I'll second.
>> JD seconds that. Okay.
>> All right. We do have uh going to move
forward to our agenda items uh for the
rest of the night. Uh we do have uh
human services commission equity
training workshop followup. There was uh
some rescheduling communication going
out. Um can I touch base on that Hannah?
>> Yeah, Commissioner. Thank you so much
for your flexibility um on having to
cancel. Who knew we would have snow in
what is it? March.
>> Um I will be honest, it was a really
tough call. We worked with other city
staff. We really we've been working very
hard to have this in-person workshop.
We've been very intentional uh with our
contract organization and um it was a
shame to kind of and tough to make that
tough call. We just felt safety first.
Um yeah, and and we knew also there's a
lot of power outages, so even virtually
it would be tough and it wouldn't be the
same experience that we've been really
working hard to get. Um so we have
rescheduled it for May 12th. Um we were
very limited with our uh community rises
is our organization we're working with.
They're very busy um organization have a
lot of work on their calendar. So we're
very limited on what our options were.
So I do apologize for kind of the
inconvenience of a late night. It's a
Tuesday. So May 12th is a Tuesday. We
are starting um at
>> it's 5 to 8:00 p.m.
>> 5 to 8:00 p.m. 5 to 5:30 is mingle time.
So we'll have some food um some time to
you know hang out with our
commissioners, meet other commissioners,
and then training will start at 5:30 and
go until 8. Um the workshop the way that
it's intended to be is um you all
receive the homework. Um so if you
haven't done it, that's okay. You've got
time now. Um, but really the the
intention of that homework is to be able
to just for us to everyone's different
on their equity journey, their
understanding. And so we wanting to set
in a foundation of here's some good
information um that you can start um to
read, to listen to, to understand
um and really with some follow-up
questions that will help you start
thinking kind of in terms of how how to
have an equity lens in this application
process. Um and then the idea is once
we're there, there'll be kind of a a
training um by our our contract
organization and then we'll do breakout
sessions so we can have some more
intentional conversations. You'll be
mixed with other cities um so you can
kind of have some good gain from
different perspectives um dive deeper
into the the content. And then the idea
too um that I think it's most valuable
is the followup. So that's what this
agenda item was intended for is kind of
have hey what did we learn what do we
take away um and how do we implement it
here in isqua. Um so we are pushing that
out to May. So this will be the agenda
topic for May. So just kind of wanted to
give you a little more details of what
that will look like. Any questions?
>> Is that still going to be at the Redmond
Library?
>> Um Redmond um uh
>> city hall.
>> City Hall. Thank you. City Hall. Yes.
which is actually next to the library.
Yes.
>> U and they've got really nice facility.
So plenty of space.
More details to come but um yeah
appreciate if you all can attend and it
will be in person. No virtual options
and then um I will not be there for that
one. Um so just if you're not able to
attend just um inform Brenda and it's
not a problem.
>> Okay. Yeah. And I'll say to that, I
attended the the previous one in in
Redmond and I think that the the the
understanding was that they were trying
to be virtual and in person. It was just
not
>> not working out specifically for the
topics that were being discussed.
>> And so that was a discussion. How do we
get it more, you know, in touch, you
know, because this work really is
dealing with the heart. And so I think
May 12, Tuesday at 5 to 8:00 PM is what
I got. and
>> and they did a nice job of providing a
packet of pre-work just I thought they
it seemed a little bit more intentional
this time
>> very intentional we've uh city staff
from different um cities east side
cities have been very involved with the
planning so it's very tailored to the
feedback we received from last cycle um
so I am really sad I'm going to miss it
because this one was gonna it's g it
should be really good so encourage you
all to try to intend and get the most
out of
I think I think it's good to see and
observe how other cities are doing their
equity work, right? We have our
strategic plan in place
>> and then kind of how does that tailor in
with equity within that plan. So, it's
kind of a good way to see where other
folks and it's a good way to mingle to
understand where other folks are dealing
with their human services. So, that's a
quick plug. Um,
>> yeah.
So Hannah, does other cities have a
strategic plans?
>> A lot of them do. Some of them like um
City Mammish, I don't think they have a
specific human services strategic plan,
but like City of Belleview, they do
every two years a community needs
assessment and they have a strategic
plan. Redmond has one. So
>> they don't have a mission statement
though if I remember right.
>> Yeah.
>> Which I thought was really I just I
found that interesting.
>> Yeah. Yeah, that is interesting. So
yeah, I like how we do it in this. Let's
just say I like how we do it.
>> Yeah, I'm sure you can help them out.
>> Definitely come back.
>> Yeah.
>> Um, our next topic is the 202027 2028
human service rent background and
process. Uh, Anna.
>> Yes. Okay, commissioners. So, I have the
table for the rest of the evening to
really dive deeper into kind of this
commission um grant review process. I
will tell you that I don't typically
start this conversation until maybe
April or May, but due to the
circumstances,
um I thought let's just jump right into
it. So again, Danielle, thanks for
jumping in early so you can kind of be
on track with what's going um and again
the intention the intention is for um
commissioners, especially new
commissioners in this process to
understand what are we doing, how do we
do it, and um we'll go in more details
um this um presentation and even next um
month's meeting. So let me just share my
screen here and get my PowerPoint up.
Oh,
sorry. Looks like I accidentally exit
out of it.
Okay,
you are a go.
Um, and then commissioners feel free to
if you have any questions, you are more
than welcome to interrupt me.
Ask anything we have. Let me put it in
present mode.
Okay, perfect. All right, so we're first
going to start off just kind of the high
level, the background, and kind of what
the general process is.
Um, and then kind of what the next steps
and timeline will look like. So that's
what this presentation's about.
So, human services commission um was not
ignited until 20 uh
2007.
And um really the role and the intention
of this commission is to review the
application and make funding
recommendations that will go to our
mayor for final approval and then city
council. And city council actually
doesn't usually look too much detail
into our recommendation. it gets
embedded into our general budget. I will
say that's a little bit different from
other cities. Some cities uh they go
they do their own presentation. Um but
this is um a little bit different. We go
to our mayor and then our city council.
Um you can see the graph is kind of a
helpful visual to see how the dollars
have increased. Um so starting in um
2021 we did a uh basically we got um
council approval to do a formula
increase that looks at our per capita
our population growth with the intention
of let's have something in place that we
can ultimately increase our funding
every year. Um but that is using kind of
that shows the need kind of as our city
is growing. Um and so that has been uh
put into place. Um and so this next
cycle we'll talk about what we're
anticipating to do um for Isiqua, but
you can see um the increase over the
years.
So these human services grants, it's
every 2 years. It is a
>> Oh yeah,
>> the formula that you were just referring
to, is that included in here or
>> I did not I did not put it in here. it
will be in future um reports that you'll
receive that you'll see kind of the
actual like percentage. We're still
working with our fin our finance team
helps us gather those fund numbers and
percentages and things like that. That's
not our expertise. Okay.
>> Um so once we get that um from our
finance team, you'll see it in future
presentations.
>> Yeah.
So um human services again this is every
two years. So, commissioners who joined
us last year, you came on on like the
nice easy breezy year where we got to
learn about a lot of our organizations
that were funding and um kind of gain
that knowledge. Um now this is go time.
This is uh the year where organizations
are applications are open for over a
month and then it's uh commission's job
to uh review all the applications and uh
make those funding decisions. Um, and
like I mentioned before, um, it is you
have the recommendation and council
typically will say you're the experts.
We're going to rely on you. We're going
to trust you and we're going to approve
moving forward is kind of our typical
pattern we've seen.
So the human services, you'll see this
um logo share one app. You'll get a
little bit familiar with it. This is um
what's unique actually we are a
collaborative of 17 cities so
norththeast and south cities where
basically we've designed this um process
for nonprofits to say one application
and applying to like five or up to 17
cities. Um we were the first actually
collaborative in the nation um to come
together for human services grants.
Yeah, I know. There's a whole article
about it and everything. I wasn't here
when it happened, but um but it's very
um and really we all we all kind of take
a similar approach in the sense of
looking at our different goal areas.
Again, the equity lens really is helpful
with that equity training. Um we uh will
always look at kind of what our local
isqua needs are because right we're
funding isqua residents. Um but we also
can kind of consider the regional needs
and the regional approach as well. Um
the share one app will go in more detail
but that is our online portal where
organizations submit their applications
their invoices. You will have access to
this as well um with reviewing the
applications. Um and then we also use
this for our um contracting process.
So, our funding process um kind of the
the cycle that we go through is we
really start with our community needs.
And so, this community needs uh we
conducted a a big assessment that led us
to our strategic plan. Um so, we at this
cycle at this time, we are using those
same community needs that we measured in
2021 2022. Um however, we are also kind
of considering kind of the current
different community needs that we've
heard in the last year. I'm sure you all
can recall when our our nonprofits came
in, we heard um how need has gone up and
funding has decreased and we've kind of
learned that uh for me kind of some
changes that we've anticipated this year
is um some of the federal funding
changes. We've um the federal policies
um around immigration and that need has
changed I think from our last community
needs assessment in 2021. there's a very
big emphasis on behavioral health. Um,
and I would say right now we are um,
really struggling with basic needs. Um,
and so still behavioral health is one of
our top priorities. It's still a need
our community, but we want to keep in
mind, you know, what's the need in 2027
and 28. So we are using a little bit
dated information from our community
needs assessment. Um but excuse me there
really wasn't significant changes enough
for us to conduct a community needs
assessment for a recent it will be it
will be a future plan in the next year
or two.
From those community needs though we
move to what our funding priorities are
which will go in more details. Um but we
basically we're taking what what is our
nonprofit saying, what are our um
members of our community saying that
they need and that um human services
funding can help support those gaps. We
then go through the grant applications.
So you'll see there's lots of
applications numbers from last year. We
had 95 applications with $2.1 million in
request with only $612,000
to um be able to provide out. So, we'll
see what numbers look like. I anticipate
it to be going many more applications
and a much higher request, but we'll
see. We'll have that information for you
all next uh month.
Then the next step is the grant review
process which we'll be diving in more
details of what that will look like but
that's where your job and your work
really takes place. Um we'll go to the
from there we'll provide funding
recommendations who are we funding and
how much we want to fund them and then
we take it to our city council for final
approval which is usually around October
November time.
Here's kind of another way to look at it
from our timeline. Um, so Q1 is which is
right now we're going through we're
basically doing the preparation for the
review process. Q2 is when we're
actually doing the review and
recommendations. Um, you get in in the
thick of it. Um Q4, like I mentioned,
excuse me, is when we'll get the
adoption from our budget. And then we
start the contracts um January 1st of
2027. Um, and that's when we'll be
working on contracting agreements and
negotiating with our nonprofits. And
then um and then we just do follow-up.
So then from there we kind of monitor
their work and do on-site visits as
staff and um we'll spend time getting to
know our organizations we're funding
that following year.
So your role um in this um and the
process that we have um you are assigned
the way that we do it um I don't know
about you but reading 95 applications
sounds like a lot of time. you are all
volunteers and have lives. So we have in
the past and then we will plan to
continue to do is do subcommittees. So
we're going to divide it by different
categories. So we are not meeting quorum
and we are having offline conversations
and meetings um that will discuss kind
of the review of these applications. So
what happens is we'll receive let's say
a 100 applications. We go through and we
categorize them based off of our
priority areas and then that your group
assignment will review usually around 30
or so 30 plus applications. Still a lot,
still timely uh but a little more
manageable than 90.
Um your job in reviewing it is to use
our strategic um tools that we have. Um
so you'll we'll go more details of the
tools that we'll provide you. Um, we
have a strategic plan. Basically, that's
what we are making funding decisions
based off of. Um, you will have a review
card tool that we're going to go in more
details over. Um, you're going to have
each other um to kind of discuss and
bounce off ideas. And, um, you'll have
also staff um, being able to help guide
and provide input if you have any
questions.
And then you are the ones who provide
those recommendations.
So, our review approach, I think very
importantly, um, is applying an equity
lens. You're going to hear that a lot,
and we're going to dive in more detail
like what that actually means. Um, but I
think what you'll learn from the
training that we're going to be getting
in May is that the reality is we all
have biases, unconscious or conscious.
Um and uh we need to make sure that we
are making decisions that will benefit
um really the the community that human
services are intended to need um and and
to serve. Uh which is um you'll see in
our strategic plan um people who uh have
been historically underrepresented
um people um who have disabilities,
mental health, unhoused um lowincome
seniors, youth. Um, so that's laid out
and and guided in our strategic plan.
Um, so I'm excited again for that
training because I think it really helps
set the tone of how to look at these
applications
where you're not focusing necessarily on
the grammar or the budget, but on the
actual service and the needs that
they're meeting.
Another approach that we have is we
really want to make sure we are making
meaningful investments. Um, which means
we um we want to make sure that we are
the organizations that we're funding and
the amount we're funding them actually
making an impact. Um, in the past we've
done what you'll hear us talk about
peanut butter spread. So, everybody gets
a little bit of money cuz we don't like
to say no and I get that approach. Um,
but really it's a lot of work for these
organizations to invoice, to track, to
have outcomes. Um, so we want to make
sure that we are providing a good dollar
amount for the organizations that will
specifically impact our Isiqua
residents.
Um, we will use our review card um to
guide us. We'll use our strategic plan
to guide us. We'll have small groups um
to have really the nittyritty
conversations and then we'll have larger
groups where you'll present in a you
know commission like this that's being
recorded where you can have larger
deliberations with the with the group.
All right. So, breaking it down a little
bit more. Um, so scratch the 14th. We
didn't do that. Um, today we're going
over the review process. The 15th. We'll
kind of touch base a little bit on this,
but less detail. Um, but that's where we
should have our numbers for you of how
how many organizations applied, um, and
how many are in the categories and how
much was being requested. Uh, and then
we're also going to go into more detail
next month about how to access these
applications. We'll look at an
application together to get you
orientated of what you're looking at and
what's important.
Um, May 20th, we'll do the equity
training uh, feedback. Um, and then
we'll that's basically between April
15th and May 20th, you will all be
assigned basically a homework assignment
of just look at the applications.
um look at one or two applications.
Basically, I want to know by May 20th,
you know how to access the application,
you know like what you're looking at,
you've read through one, and you know
how to use a review card. And then if
you are, so you're going through one
application process, and if you have
questions, note it down and bring it to
the May 20th meeting. So that's really
the intention of that is just that
check-in. We're not going to have a
meeting in June because you will be
meeting your small groups two maybe
three times. Ideally, I like to have
them an hour and a half meetings. The
first meeting is we are basically making
trying to make a decision, a draft
decision on
who we're funding and who we're not
funding. So, basically, you'll see we
have a red, yellow, and um green system
that we'll use. So, we decide who we
want to fund as a small group. And then
the second meeting is how much we
actually make the dollar amount. And the
third meeting is we can't make
decisions. We need to we need to meet
again. So just plan on June and July. I
know it's always tough around um travel
time, but that is kind of where a lot of
work will get done. July 15th will be
kind of a report out. So some groups
will have a lead basically report on
their kind of general draft
recommendations. Um, and that's the time
to really like poke poke the holes and
figure out like is this the right
decision for us? How did your group come
up with that? Um, so trust your
commissioners, but also feel free to ask
the questions um and and look at that.
And then the hope is come back on the
August and make um a final report out
and and the um action to um take the
recommendations to mayor and counsel.
Any questions about that? I know there's
a lot of breakdowns of it, but
>> have there been any substantial changes
to the review card that we used in the
past? No. Okay.
>> Um,
>> yeah, I have a question. Will we I mean,
there's I'm sure there's going to be
plenty of um repeat applicants, people
that we're funding now.
>> Um,
are you going to be or is Brenda going
to be giving us some kind of I mean,
like, have there been any that haven't
turned in their reports? Mhm.
>> So, will we be getting feedback on any
repeat applicants, good or bad? Um, yes,
we are reporting. Um, so those will be
more reported on subcommittees. Um, and
so like if there's questions, if there's
organizations that we are currently
funding that we have concerns about,
Brenda will inform that subcommittee um
because if they're not meeting
performance um or anything like that, if
they are excelling, we'll also
communicate that in those subcommittees.
>> Okay. So, it'll be at the subcommittee
level. Mhm. Okay.
>> Yeah, fair question. Annie, did you have
something?
>> I just wonder why you put handcuffs up
there.
>> Handcuffs?
>> Oh, it does.
>> Yeah, I wonder. Yeah. Yeah.
>> I'm not Oh, now I see it. Well, that's
Excel for you.
That's too funny.
Okay. So um our next steps is we're
going to just confirm everyone's on
board with like our approach um that we
feel good about doing the subcommittees.
We feel good about kind of you know
basically the idea is larger amounts
fewer fewer organizations. Um that is a
very open discussion here. Um that can
also change as we go through the review
process. Um, we also want to review our
our toolkits that we have, making sure
that if um I did print them out and the
intention for our next presentation or
agenda item is to let's just look at it
a little bit closer, see if we have any
edits to it or concerns with it.
Um, and then yes, like I said, April
15th, you'll get the summary of the
applications we received, and then it's
go time for you to start accessing them
in the portal, making sure there's no
kind of technical issues with that. And
then by May 20th, um, I want you to all
have the opportunity to have reviewed
one or two applications, um, so you know
what you're doing. You can do more
certainly, but the goal is just to make
sure you are well equipped for that.
>> That's that. Any other questions?
>> I would say, Commissioner H, I would say
it is a fun process. So, I know it can
be kind of, you know, a little
intimidating with
>> number and the narratives and and so
forth, but uh from looking at the new
folks and it is
>> when I did it, I I actually would do all
night and thinking that was do all night
and then like, oh, there's subgroups.
>> Oh, so I was like, so, uh I would say
it's just a good opportunity to get to
know the community, get to know the the
the community organiz
um so and also to just an opportunity to
inquire. Mhm.
>> Uh so uh I'm looking forward to it and
looking forward to having these
conversations too, right? How do they
meet? Uh I know with the equity train
we'll be having conversations and
discussions around impact, collective
impacts, less more I know there's always
a a tension around like are they isiqua
resident? Are they regional? And those
are all discussions that we all have
amongst each other. And so, um, it is a
a great opportunity just to get more in
depth. So,
>> there's a great you can go online and
look at how the last it kind of gives
you an overview of the last funding
cycle, the organizations, what they
requested, what they were granted. I
mean, it shows it for the city of Isqua.
So, it doesn't show you what they might
have gotten from other cities, but it
still gives you an idea about the
organizations that we're um trying to
support. I think one of the reports that
Hannah put out, we did show if they were
were uh getting fundings from different
cities, right?
>> Yeah, you can see it on the application
if um because they have to basically
report um for each city they're applying
for, what were they awarded in 2025 and
when are they asking? Um every
commission, different cities are
different timelines. So, our
recommendation might come out
differently. So we won't know like what
Belleview or Redmond are funding them.
But I'll tell you it actually doesn't
really matter because Belle is paying
for Belleview residents. We are paying
for isqua residents.
>> Um there we are paying for the service
and the outputs of the service units. So
when we provide funding to a rental
assistant program, we are saying here's
$30,000 that's going to go to Isiqua
residents. And that's even trickier
because we a lot of our organization
serves Isiqua School District which we
all know has Renton and Samish and
Belleview but unfortunately Isqua City
is for just zip code specific.
>> Um and so they only report on Isiqua. So
>> that really shouldn't sway our decisions
of how much they're getting from other
cities because um we we are contracting
them for Isiqua residents.
Well, thank you for that input. And if
you want to read online applications,
you are more than welcome to. Um, it is
it is welcomed. I'm just saying you are
all volunteers and it's going to be
summertime and I want you to have a good
good life. So,
okay, Haimey.
>> All right. Um,
I see. Is that a duplicate head on the
>> No, it's a little different. I see the
toolkit review.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Oh, another
presentation.
>> Another Sorry, y'all.
>> I mean, still doggy. Okay. So, this
one's a little more discussion
orientated. I need you all a little more
involved on this one. Um, so I really
want to just kind of provide that
introduction I mentioned about what the
review process is and the review
toolkits that we have. And I would love
for us to kind of look a little bit more
at our tool card, which you'll see um
printed in your packet.
uh
uh yes, maybe and nos. So you'll see the
recommendation toolkit. So we'll go
through that in more detail.
Um so here's a little bit more timeline.
Again, this feels like a repeat, but
we've got applications are closing April
6, 4 p.m. sharp. I will tell you and I
tell our organizations if they sit
admitted at 401, it pains me to say we
cannot accept it. We've had to do that
last cycle and it was very painful. Um
so we um are very strict about that. Um
human services staff, this is our time
in the next um month or so to start
preparing and getting ourselves
orientated. April 15th is really kind of
when when it's a go um when you will um
have access to the applications. Um and
then uh you'll review the applications.
We'll have three sub commmittees in June
and July. and then we'll report out the
15th.
So, here are the tools that I'm going to
be giving you. Um, and we'll go in more
details next month so you know exactly
how to access them.
So, you will have um our application.
So, you will have access to the
application. We'll go in more detail of
what they are. the application basically
you'll see agency profile um but you
will also see um basically program
description who are they serving um kind
of what is their equity approach
um and you will see the service units
that they are basically proposing. Hey,
we're asking for $50,000 and this is
what we're proposing um to do and how
many residents we're going to serve. you
will have access to some of their budget
and financial information, um some of
their audits, things like that. Um so
there's a lot of information there.
We'll kind of hone in on what's really
important um to focus in on. You will be
able to access that. Um I will provide
access um so I'm just grabbing my
charger. Um you'll have access with a
PDF file or you will also have access to
that share one. Um so we'll go over that
again how to look at that. The other
thing we also use is our strategic plan.
So our strategic plan again it's um how
how do you say like no to amazing
organizations. Um well we will have a
strategic plan that will help us say
this is a really good organization but
it does not align with our strategic
plan. Um so we we have to say no because
we will have to say no to a lot of
people or organizations rather. Um so
the strategic plan I will say is like a
90page strategic plan. It's very
beautiful. I personally love it and nerd
out on it. But um I'm going to give you
summaries. So whatever subcommittee
you're in charge of I you will have two
pages to read that will help say okay
I'm in behavioral health and physical
health subcommittee. Here's what our
strategic plan just how they describe
it. Here's our outcomes we're looking
for. Here's the gaps. Here's the needs.
And then you can use that two-page to
help guide you review the applications.
Um you will also have um this
application toolkit. So we'll go in more
details about how to use this. Um, but
you're essentially like you have one per
application
um to help decide if we should fund or
not fund an organization.
And then I also have a really fun Excel
spreadsheet um that has all the
information that you need. Nice and
neat. If some of you remember, it's
pretty similar from our last year where
basically it's an Excel spreadsheet of
your subgroups that you're looking at.
So, 30 or so with the organization's
name, program, how much they received
last year or applied for, um, and then a
quick like easy description of their
program and who they serve. So,
basically, we're setting you up so you
can have all the applications in one
file ultimately, like the highle
information. I had a question. Um,
nonprofits are applying or organizations
are applying. Do they apply for like a
specific program or do they apply for
the whole organization? And then if they
have multiple programs, are those like
different? Great question, JD. So, um,
it depends, but typically it so they're
applying by the program. Um, so you may
have an organization that has multiple
programs, but they only it's only really
applicable one of their programs for
Isiqua, so they're only applying for
just Isiqua. Um, you will also see
organizations that have multiple
programs apply. So, for example, Isqua
Food and Clothing Bank. Last year, they
applied for a program called food
services and a program for case
management. So, they were actually in
two separate subcommittee categories,
but they're asking for funding for
different service units. Um, so you'll
see that a few times with some
organizations. Yeah. when they have two
programs like that, do they have to
legally keep those funds separate and
use X amount for one or the other?
>> Yeah. So, we so we don't necessarily
follow the dollars. We they have the
dollars that they need. They can spend
it how they want and need. What we
follow is their quarterly um reports
that say how many residents they served
and how many service units they
completed. So we are a outcome or
outputbased um funding model. So we
basically pay based on um if they are
achieving their contracting goals.
>> Yeah.
>> And it would be output or outcomes for
that program.
>> For that program. Yeah.
Great.
So um
the way that we will do it in your
subgroups is again you'll review your
applications.
You'll assign them a color. Again it
sounds so simple but it is helpful how
simple it is. You basically assign them
a color. Green is saying yes they meet
all the green standards for ISQUA. Um we
should definitely fund them. Yellow is
basically saying, I think they meet some
of the requirements, but I don't really
know enough. I just need I need to talk
this through a little bit more. I I just
I really don't know is what yellow is
kind of meaning. And red is just ah this
is and you're going to have to have a
lot of red and that's the hard part. Um
but red is basically it doesn't align
with our strategic plan or it's a
duplicate or they're not in Isaqua. Um,
and so really I will be honest with you,
the goal is to have that first
subcommittee meeting. Ideally, your half
of your um, applications are read at
that point and you're going to have to
have probably more likely more read than
that. So, just keep that in mind. So in
the meeting um first meeting again um
you kind of go through each one and say
which what commissioners um placed bring
um yellow or red and then um as time
permits you'll have more discussion on
the yellow ones to either move them to
the green or move them to the red.
So once kind of you have that initial
okay this is who I think we want to fund
we'll keep a few in yellow in case we
have more funding or have you know just
more room to play around. Um the next
meeting is you basically now play with
your dollars. So each we have we'll have
a total x amount of dollars around let's
just say $612,000
and then we'll allocate each sub
subcommittee with a certain dollar
amount and that's what you're basically
playing with um and then you can um
figure out how much you want to fund an
organization.
I have encouraged organizations to apply
for what the need is. Um so I am
anticipating dollar amounts to be quite
large. It's not very common we provide
100% of the request. Um, for example,
we've had organizations ask for 100 and
would they get 20,000. We've had
organizations ask for 15,000 and they
get 15,000. So, it really does it really
does vary based off of your
recommendations.
So, um, let's have a quick discussion on
the grant tool card. Um, and then I
would love to hear if there's any
conflicts of interest. Um, so if you are
um on a board or work for a nonprofit
organization
um and or and or volunteer is helpful to
know. Um and then um we don't have to
decide this today, but I will kind of go
over the um kind of your preferred group
category. What I'd really like to do
this year though is is kind of pair new
commissioners with commissioners who've
gone through this cycle before. That
that is my ultimate goal. Um but I also
want to try to meet your preference if
possible.
Um so the grant review card um let's
just pull that up real quick. Um so you
will have an electronic version of this.
You can create one for each organization
that you have or you can kind of
basically use an Excel the Excel
spreadsheet. Um but um the information
here is agency program the focus area
that's kind of the um subcommittee group
that you're in is cultural specific who
do they serve and then down below you'll
see kind of h what how green is
described. This has not changed from our
last cycle. Um, so the first thing that
we're looking determining is
is this program and the services they
are describing is it aligned with our
strategic plan. So is it in one of these
categories? So that would be a green
maybe or a red
in that who are they serving? Is it
listed in our strategic plan? Are they
serving people who have been identified
in our strategic plan? and you'll see
does it align with our strategic
actions. So again, in the summary of
your subcommittee, you'll have all that
information to reference.
And then we're also looking at the
program description. Um is it does it
align with what the needs are? Um is it
unique specifically to Isaquab?
Another big one that I think is um a a
way to helpful to put more people in red
is access. So we all know isqua part of
isqua is really hard one organizations
it's hard to get them out here. So if
they're local that's a big green if
they're not local. They certainly can
have like remote sites or they can you
know do home visits. Um but we really
like to prioritize isqua located
organizations.
Um, we also really care about kind of
what their equity focus is. Who are they
serving? Are they do they have language
access? Um, do their staff represent
kind of the communities that they serve?
Um, another big one is um, program
impact. I think this one is also a way
to help um, put more people in the red.
Um, is basically is this program going
to make really an impact in our
community and meet those needs?
Um, and that's where I think leaning in
some staff input might be helpful
because we work with we have behavioral
health team who works with a lot of
these organizations. We we monitor a lot
of these organizations so we can help
kind of guide that if you're not sure.
And then one that's also really helpful
um is um duplicate programs. So um that
that is how we ultimately eliminate a
lot of great organizations um because we
want to prioritize isqua specific
organizations.
Um yeah,
>> you made a comment earlier this evening
that you anticipated
um our our strategic plan focus areas
are still the same, but you do
anticipate a higher need and basic
needs. And when I look at the
categories, so would you consider basic
a lot of that falling under um the
housing continues?
>> So yeah, basic needs actually can be
usually it's under community resources
like for so food service.
>> Okay.
>> Um but like uh basic needs like rental
assistance for example would be under
housing containers.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. Good. Thanks.
>> Yeah.
I found last time we did this that
beginning we have say 25 green
>> and we had to cut even those that we had
green we had to figure out okay because
you don't know how many going to have
when you start going down the list
>> right so we have to cut some of those
out
>> and we taking in account that
>> it's more effective to give
>> one 10,000 than another than two of
5,000
>> and so we have to end up
>> cutting those So it's uh
>> you have to find that balance between
the peanut butter and the
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. Because you really you want like
for example like last year I I was
really hoping that we would recommend
more rental assistant programs because
that was a big need and if we don't fund
you know those programs we don't have
access to them. So we had to really
spread some of that dollar amount to add
more rental assistant programs to serve
Isiqua. So that there's that balance.
Yeah.
Tough
>> it is. Um those are hard strings when
you're doing this. So
>> yeah. Yeah. Exactly. It's really hard.
Um okay. Well,
as of now, this is what we have, but I
want to give you some time. There's time
um probably between now and our April
meeting. We'll put it back on our agenda
to see if there's any kind of questions.
actually till May um once you start
doing it and after our equity training
that we have if you feel like there's
any like oh I think we need to measure
this I think we need to add this topic
to our our toolkit or this this one's
not really making sense to me let's
bring that back to our May meeting um so
this we'll treat this as our tool
toolkit guide but please you know
commissioners if you have edits or
confusing spots let's uh let's review
All right, commissioners, if you feel
comfortable, would you mind um reporting
any um conflicts of interest? And if you
prefer just to email me, you are more
than welcome to. Um would love to know
if anybody's on board members
for nonprofits specifically. Um,
and so if you're a board member of any
of them, if you are a staff and or if
you are a volunteer,
you already know my
>> Yeah.
>> Oh, hey,
I thought you were asking if we were
part of any other boards that might
present a conflict of interest.
>> Yeah. Are do you are you thinking you
might be on like a nonprofit that might
apply?
>> No. No. I was saying nope. I I'm not
anything that so there's not even a
possibility.
>> Do you want me to repeat mine?
>> Uh food bank influence the choice food
bank.
>> Okay. Yeah. Then yeah just influence the
choice is community services
>> actually I guess. And then my other one
is a regional one. So it's that
>> okay. And I see us do volunteer there.
I'm I'm not on the board.
>> Okay.
>> No, I'm on the board. I'm on the board
for ITC and I volunteer at ICS.
>> Okay.
>> Volunteer is a little grayer than the
board. Uh but so implements the choice
would be a conflict for sure.
>> Yeah.
>> Thank you.
>> And I'm sending you an email.
>> Thank you.
>> Where I volunteer. I'm not on any This
is I I'm I'm not on any boards.
>> Yeah. Perfect.
>> Did you say fish?
>> I'm I I'm I'm off of fish.
Congratulations. Yeah. And the reason
why we ask that is let's say you worked
at the food and clothing bank or the
circle or one of our organizations were
on the board. Um you present a a bias,
right? And so we just want to kind of
that's why the sub subcommittees help so
we can kind of help separate anybody. Um
so if you are a part of it we just ask
that u um in the larger groups that you
just unfortunately have to stay silent
in in in those um so there's not any
potential biases that could happen. So
appreciate that. Um and then preferred
review uh group. I feel kind of um bad
asking what your preference are without
even like going in more details about
each one. Um, would you guys like for us
to postpone that for April to kind of
divide and conquer because we'll go in
more details of what that looks like or
do you guys feel like there's one that
stands out to you'd like to share
tonight.
>> Does it depend on the applica
applications that come in and where they
fall out?
>> Yeah. So, um, two years ago or two
cycles ago, we had four subcommittees.
Um last um cycle we had only three
because what we did is we really
highlighted the cultural specific um I
am gonna have to make that decision once
I see those applications. So I'm I'm
leaning towards potentially four
subcommittee groups um because I think
we'll have a decent amount of cultural
specific organizations apply if you have
more applicants. Mhm.
>> Even
>> 40h is 30 is a lot better than 40.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. And so and just quick quick high
level housing continuum will be like um
rental assistant programs um shelters,
homelessness services, transitional
housing programs.
Um community resource is kind of the
catch-all beall. So you'll see like
employment services, food services,
advocacy support. Um
>> so the food bank falls
>> the food bank falls in that one. Um like
senior specific services. Um so it is a
much larger category.
Um physical and behavioral health. So
anything mental health or substance use
related programmings. Physical health is
like um uh
uh medical dental programs. Um there's
not as many um medical programs that do
apply for grants, but there's enough.
So, we've put them in the behavioral
health. We also have placed uh DV
services, so domestic violence services
under physical and behavioral health. Um
I am anticipating more applications in
that category this year. Cultural
specific and language access. This is
where it gets a little tricky because we
really um c um categorize like for
example the circle they they
specifically serve um a a uh cultural
specific they have language access but
then they provide things like basic
needs then they provide behavioral
health.
>> They do rent assistance.
>> They do rental assistance. Um, and then
we had like Central Me uh um me uh
sorry,
>> Central Cultural Mexico. Um you know,
they're a cultural specific organization
and they you saw they did a lot of
different programs. Um and
>> we didn't fund them last year, did we? I
mean,
>> they didn't apply.
>> Okay, that's what I thought. I was like,
oh, I don't recognize.
>> Yes. Yeah, they're a new organization
for us.
>> So, I think what we're going to do So,
so you'll have like you'll have um those
priority areas. Each or program will
have um be categorized as one of those
four. And then you're going to have a
subcategory for each one. So like for
example, housing continuum, you'll have
a housing continuum program, but then
it'll be defined as if it's a shelter or
if it's rental assistance or if it's
transitional housing. So that will kind
of help. Then you can do okay, let me
look at all of our rental assistant
programs. Okay, there's five of them.
who do we want to apply for our rental
assistant programs. So that sub um
subgroup will also help kind of look at
making those decisions and behavioral
and physical health will label them as
medical dental um behavioral health DV
services.
Yeah. So I have a question. I know both
um the circle and the food bank they do
rental assistance.
So
when they apply,
I mean, are we going to ask them to
break out if they're asking for rental
assistance? So, it's up to them what
they applied for us. Um, and we
encourage organizations and, um, we've
had lots of meetings so far with
organizations right now, probably at
least 10 different organizations who ask
us these questions of, hey, how how
should we apply? Um, and so whatever
they apply for is what we're funding.
So, uh, for example,
uh, the food bank didn't apply for
rental assistant,
>> but they've done a lot of rental
assistance. I'm aware of
>> Oh, 100%. They I mean,
>> but if they didn't submit for that
specific program, if they didn't,
>> we're not funding them,
>> then we're not funding it
>> or tracking it, but they but if they
want to apply separate program,
>> they are more than welcome.
>> I see what you're saying.
>> Yeah. So, last year they decided, hey,
we do a lot of case management. Let's
see if we can get funding for that
service. Yeah.
>> And then same for the circle then.
>> Yeah. The circle I think we've
encouraged them to do multiple
applications this cycle.
>> Do we look at their funding request and
um look at that? I don't want to say
compared to but like what percentage of
their overall budget it is that they are
looking for.
It's not measured in our toolkit, but it
is something that I know that
commissioners do look at and and I also
encourage organizations if you're asking
for a significant increase, like have a
good reason why.
>> Let us know like why you're asking for
$100,000 more this year.
>> Um I know another thing we've looked at
is like um board composition. You know,
who are they do they is the
>> group that they support or are trying to
support? Are they represented? I mean,
there's been different things you've
looked at over this.
>> Yeah.
>> You have a question, too. And if they
identify a preferred group tonight, can
they change their mind?
>> Oh, yeah. And we don't have to decide
tonight. I just
>> I said
>> Oh, thank you.
>> I don't want to say it out loud because
then someone else,
>> we all love each other. We're fine. I
love it.
>> How much time do you need? Um, if you
can let us know,
I mean, by April 15th would be ideal.
Um, by the meeting, if you can come kind
of prepared for which one you'd like,
um, that would be and you'll have the
agenda packet with the information so
you can look to see and you can look at
our previous organizations that applied
and what categories they were under. Um,
I will say this might be the year where
you just have to go where you have to
go. um unfortunately because I think
we're half experienced and half not
experienced and my I think more
importantly I'd love to pair an
experienced commissioner with a new
commissioner in this process. So if you
can be understanding of that that would
be I think behoove everybody in this
process.
>> That's a good idea.
>> I agree.
>> But I would love to know where ideally
you would like to go and then try my
best to fit as many of you in that.
So, why don't we just do this? Follow up
with an email if you know. Otherwise,
you can um let us know on April 15th.
Oh, yay. I'm done.
Any other questions? Do we feel a little
more orientated of what's about to
happen?
Okay. Yeah. Good. And um and again, I
think April 15th you'll have an actual
summary of what we're working with and
what we're doing. Um and we will have an
application to kind of walk through um
and we'll show you kind of the portal um
where to access all of that and then um
and it's a go.
Great.
>> Uh thank you Hannah. Uh we're going to
move on to reports
uh in terms of chair and or commissioner
reports.
Um is there any reports from the group?
I have a question, but I don't know if
it's on your reports or later on.
Hit us up. Okay. So, I was um digging
through like the Human Services
Commission websites, and I found a few
links that were like maybe like out of
date or like that are not working.
>> Um and so I started writing an email to
you, but then I was like not sure if
there's like a better way to communicate
that or
>> how that sort of information should be
like shared. And so now I just have a
lot of tabs open with like trying to be
like, okay, how do I communicate all
this to you?
>> Oh my gosh.
>> I don't know.
>> Yeah.
>> Thank you for um doing that and flagging
those. I would love to know. So what we
typically would do is um you can email
it to me.
>> Okay.
>> Um the sooner the better,
you know, you may not catch all of them,
but then what I'll do is I have access
to update our website. So um we just
have not had time to do like that kind
of maintenance. So information like
that, yes, makes me excited.
>> And I was like, "Oh, wait. That doesn't
work." And I was like, "That's
>> I don't know if anyone knows that." But
I was like, "I don't know."
>> Probably not. Probably. So yeah, tell
me. And then in the future, if I'm not
here, you can tell Brenda and then
Brenda will bring it to our
communications team. Okay. And then you
can help with our website and stuff. I
just have special privileges on our
website that I get to do that sometimes.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. Well, thank you. Oops.
>> Um I I have um a comment I guess um I
and I don't think I saw anybody. Um
we're and I don't think a lot of people
were aware of it. Mir Mirror Mullet had
just been sworn in and then January 24th
he had basically a town hall meeting at
Gibson Hall
>> regarding ICE and Isiqua. Did anybody I
didn't see any
>> I was I was there at the beginning of it
but then I had to leave.
>> Okay. and it was standing room only
>> and I couldn't be here so
>> right it was standing room only and um I
was just really impressed um that he
pulled that together and I will tell you
that
um there were very few brownskinned
people in the meeting
um it was mostly allies
um because you know particularly if I
was in town and they heard about this
meeting you know they would they would
standing nearby or whatever. So, um but
it was a very interesting meeting and
there were there were, you know, there
were some um international people there
that I um that told us about um places
where people could go to or volunteer um
to help out. But I thought it was a
really good meeting.
>> Yeah.
>> Well, thank you for attending that.
Yeah, I I agree. I was I was very
impressed for one of his first, you
know, items in his term
>> and he he spoke at it and there were
several um council members there
>> and um yeah, it was just standing room
only. I'm sure people tried to get in
and couldn't.
>> Yeah. Yeah.
>> So,
>> thank you for that.
Speaking of council members, um when is
um council
member Michelle sharing
>> celebration or
>> Oh, that's a good question. Do we know?
>> I have not heard of any sort of
celebration.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. So, I was going to provide it in
the staff report, but I'll bring it up
now. Um so, some council updates um for
folks. Um so, we have um unfortunately
council member D. Michelle, she's been a
huge advocate for human services. We
really enjoyed working with her and her
services. Huge shout out to to her. Um
she unfortunately had to set down um due
to some medical concerns and um so we
are hoping the best for her. Um as far
as a like a celebration, I'll have to
look more into that. Um and then we'll
pass that information on to commission
email um to let you all know if there's
if you would like to participate in
that. Um, so with that, that makes some
changes. So, council uh member D.
Michelle, she was president. Um, so now
we have President um uh Mars stepping in
um for that role. And then deputy
council president um Jane.
>> Yes.
>> Um are in those new positions.
>> Who else is deputy?
>> Jane. Um she's uh Jane.
>> Kelly. Kelly. Jane.
>> Yes.
>> I thought Lindsay was gonna step
Lindsay.
>> No.
>> No. what my email told me,
>> right? They had new roles and then and
then Michelle stepped down. So,
>> so there's but now but there is still an
opening.
>> So, there's an opening. Commissioners,
you may have gone on an application or a
you
>> go for it.
>> I may come on.
>> So, um commissioners, I do want to I
don't want to lose you obviously, but um
I do want to encourage uh we always like
uh council members who are allies and
supporters of human services. So, um
please don't hesitate to go through the
application process if you have any
questions. Um we will point you to
people who really know and who will give
you the best support in that process. Um
what's nice about this opportunity is
you don't have to campaign. Um and so
it's basically like a kind of a
rapidfire interview process. It's very
intense. It's very public. Um and u they
eliminate you on the spot. So, you know,
it's so just so you know what you're
stepping into. But we encourage you all
to consider it.
Um, it is a great opportunity.
Uh, if you have any questions though,
please don't hesitate to reach out to
us. Be happy to share more information
about it.
>> Any other reports from the group?
>> No reports. But I do have a question
about the city council process. uh just
because one of my neighbors was
interested in uh city council's spot. Um
do we know how many people go for it or
is there any way of knowing or is it
just like you show up at the rapid fire
interview and that's when you see
everybody or
>> I think there's the initial screening
that happens. So they um invite I think
like last time it was maybe like 13 to
15 um that they invited into that
process. So, I don't know how many
initial applications they actually
received. Uh, but it is I think it's it
can be quite competitive because again
the opportunity is you're not having to
pay for campaigning or that process.
>> Totally. Exactly. Okay. Thank
>> I can add to that a little bit because
they they do publish an agenda packet. I
mean, when it's public, it's really
public. So the the all the people that
are applying come to a a meeting, a
council meeting and so there is an
agenda packet with all the applications.
>> Oh, so
>> yeah, with all the applications in the
agenda packet. I I know because I
observed the last one and um and I did
notice that some people that applied did
not show up for the rapid fire and it's
probably because they went through the
list and saw all the agenda packets and
thought, you know,
>> yeah,
>> I'm not going to put myself through
this. But yeah, so everybody gets, you
know, everybody in the world gets to see
>> the applications if they so desire.
Yeah.
>> Yeah. Yeah. And if you have an
opportunity to reach out, if you're
interested and you have an opportunity
to reach out to a council member, um,
they are very open to those conversation
and I recommend taking that step.
>> I also assume that this rapid filing has
been recorded at some point.
>> Oh yeah, it's live.
>> So you can actually go in and see.
>> It's on YouTube.
>> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Questions.
>> Yeah.
You know, the these are also on YouTube
as well. Okay. So, we'll record it and
we go on to YouTube. YouTube. I will say
I think I'm the only one who sometimes
watches it.
>> Is that when you're having trouble
getting to sleep?
>> No. If I can't remember who um approved
something,
>> anxiety attack.
>> Okay. Um well, are there any
announcements from the group?
Um, sorry, real quick, just uh I can
follow up with some emails, but just
want to share some events that are
coming up you might be interested in
either attending or volunteering at. Um,
so end of April uh 27th through the 29th
um clothing uh community closet, they're
our new organization that we've
presented. They've had two Pickering
Barn events. They are having another
Pickering Barn event. This is a
three-day event, though. Monday will be
donation day. So, if you have any
clothes that you want to donate, they're
uh we're very kind of or they are very
specific about it's not um bring clothes
that you would want to wear yourself,
you know, um and they don't take certain
things. So, there'll be information on
those specifics. Um but I really what
they're doing this this time is a little
bit different donation day and then the
second day is going to be invite only
for food bank and the circle residents
and the garage I believe. So, um, so
they're really kind of trying to get
their specific target audience. And
then, um, the third day is, uh, the
first half is registration day and then,
um, open to the public. So, it's a very
>> like if you have to register for the
time slot to come in.
>> Oh,
>> yeah. Yeah. So, they they have
>> for volunteers.
>> No, for um shop to shop.
>> That's different. That's new.
>> That's right. You worked there.
working out other than
>> it was um there was a lot of lessons
learned last time it because the first
time it was really successful um very
smooth the second time it was word of
mouth got around and we were not
prepared for those numbers um and how
quickly things were going um yeah
>> what was the date on that again
>> April 27th is donation day that's a
Monday Tuesday is the for uh garage and
the circle invite only and then
Wednesday the 29th
um flyers will start uh to be you'll see
it start on our um we're not going to be
advertising that Tuesday um for obvious
reasons. Um but just want you to be
aware of how they're doing it this year.
Um or this this time. So I will not be
in attendance.
>> So they're doing internal advertising to
like sort of
>> Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Um, and then if you want to volunteer,
um, our process is, uh, you have to do a
background check if because it's a city
event. Um, that's our process. Takes up
to 48 hours. Um, but yeah, the more the
marrier.
>> Do you know subordinating like
volunteers?
>> Um, the the um the community clothing
closet folks.
>> Okay. So,
>> they have a website.
>> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Now, are they in our grant? Uh they will
be applying.
>> They didn't apply this last
>> uh they weren't they didn't exist. They
yeah they are like babies nonprofit.
They just six months old
>> and checking applications if you're on
say
human service commission. I assume you
don't have to go through
>> the
process for volunteer.
>> Um technically we need a background
check.
>> I know. It's very
>> um however if you are not interacting so
the difference is if you're not going to
be interacting with the public um which
a lot of the um a lot of the
volunteering I think you came last time
was um you're just sorting through the
clothes you're in the back you don't
need to do a volunteer you can just sign
up for a
you just show up that's fine again we we
will take more the marrier we need a lot
of volunteers for this kind of event
>> and I'm talking to
>> I know it It was lovely seeing you
there.
Um, also want to put it on your radar,
um, um, AAPI for the month of A, so
Asian-American Pacific Islander Heritage
Month is coming up in May. Um, the
circle is, um, doing their event at the
community center. That'll be on a
Sunday.
Gosh, should have had the date, May.
It's like the 10th, I think.
>> And you're going to send us an email.
>> Yep. Yep. because I didn't get it on my
staff report. Um,
I'll get you the date. Oh, sorry. Uh,
17. Oh, I'm still sharing my screen.
Great. It's on the 17th. 17.
>> Uhhuh.
Um, but you'll get you'll start seeing
that advertised and all that good stuff.
Um, okay. That's all my reports.
>> All right. Um, our next meeting will be
April 15th.
Uh, meeting is adjourned.
>> Huma, can you stay on for a second?
>> Stay on.
>> Of course I can.