IN ATTENDANCE:
Councilman Steve Kirk, Chairman, City of Henderson
Mayor Oscar Goodman, Vice Chairman, City of Las Vegas
Commissioner Bruce Woodbury, Clark County
Commissioner Erin Kenny, Clark County
Councilwoman Amanda Cyphers, City of Henderson
Councilman Larry Brown, City of Las Vegas
Councilwoman Stephanie Smith, City of North Las Vegas
Councilman Shari Buck, City of North Las Vegas
Councilman Joe Hardy, City of Boulder City
The Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition was called to order by Councilman Steve Kirk, Chairman, at 3:50 p.m., Thursday, November 30, 2000, at the North Las Vegas Maintenance Operations Department Building Conference Room, 2829 Fort Sumter Drive, North Las Vegas, Nevada, 89030.
Note: (Ruth Johnson was unable to participate in the meeting via telephone conference due to equipment failure.)
The Agenda for the October 26, 2000, meeting was duly posted in compliance with the Open Meeting Law.
A motion was made to approve the November 30, 2000, agenda. he motion was approved unanimously.
A motion was made to approve the minutes of the October 26, 2000, meeting. This motion was approved unanimously.
Phil Speight, City of Henderson, informed the Coalition regarding items discussed by the Technical Committee on November 9, 2000. The items received were an update on the Air Quality Transition Management Committee, a report on group homes background paper, sponsorship of bill draft requests, discussion regarding creating a working group to assist in developing a regional solution to hospital overcrowding, and a presentation regarding the formation of a regional homeless coordination task force. Several of these items are included on today's Coalition agenda.
Mayor Goodman announced that he was a guest at the West Care banquet and dinner. Booten Smith, the owner of the Las Vegas Racetrack, was the honoree. Mr. Smith was challenged that evening to show his support to assisting in the regional solution of hospital overcrowding. Mr. Smith pledged $30,000 to provide beds for West Care.
Each member received a draft schedule prior to the meeting, which shows activities beginning November 17, 2000 through March 2001. Mary Kay Peck, City of Henderson, gave an overview of the activities listed on the draft schedule. Ms. Peck informed the members that the Regional Policy Plan outline and format would be presented at their December meeting. Each member also received the SNRPC Plan Element Prioritization List (Exhibit B). The consultants identified each element that they would like to work on in a prioritized manner. Ms. Peck summarized each item stating that the Planning Directors and the Technical Committee also ranked the items for priority. During discussion regarding the air quality item, John Schlegel, Clark County, informed the members that formal notification had been received from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The letter indicated that the State Implementation Plan (SIP) will be rejected unless the previous PM10 SIP is withdrawn; therefore, instead of risking sanctions from the EPA, it was determined that it would be better to withdraw the SIP pending action of the County Commissioners at their meeting next week.
After discussion, a motion was made to accept the element prioritization list. This motion was accepted unanimously.
Each member also received a copy of the legislative update letter (Exhibit C). Ms. Peck stated that the letter, which outlines the activities of the Coalition is designed to keep the legislators and other elected officials informed.
Bonnie Rinaldi, City of Henderson, informed the Coalition that the Air Quality Subcommittee has approved the Air Quality work plan. Each member received a copy of the work plan (Exhibit D) at the meeting. Ms. Rinaldi and Christine Robinson, Clark County Health District, gave a summary of the tasks listed and the timeframe scheduled for each task listed on the work plan. Phil Rosenquist, Clark County, distributed to each Coalition member a letter from the EPA (Exhibit E) announcing that the Carbon Monoxide Air Quality Implementation Plan for the Clark County Non-attainment Area has been approved.
Each member received a copy of the Fair Housing Law, "Group Homes," and Local Land Use background paper (Exhibit F) prior to the meeting. Jon Wardlaw, Clark County, stated that the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 set up criteria that prohibits discrimination in the sale or rental of housing on basis of race, religion, color, national origin, or sex. In 1988 the Act was amended to include people with disabilities and families with children. The major issue is that single family uses for those in these protected classes are preempted from local government regulations. Councilman Brown gave comments regarding a situation the City of Las Vegas previously faced regarding group home clustering for commercial purposes. He advised the entities not to give up too easily when the situation does not follow the intent of the Federal Fair Housing law.
Mayor Goodman stated that the homeless problem is a very serious ill throughout the entire Valley and one that requires a comprehensive approach. The homeless shelters are presently in the City of Las Vegas' urban core, but the problem affects everyone in the Valley. Mayor Goodman stated that at the end of the presentation, he would make a motion for the formation of a regional task force to define how to deal with the homeless situation in a systematic manner. A video, that depicted the extent of the homeless situation, was shown to the Coalition. The video was filmed at an annual event called "Stand Down for the Homeless" was shot at Cashman Field, and showed more than 1000 homeless men, women, and children. At the event the homeless had an opportunity to have their hair cut, receive clothing, have a meal, and receive a health check, which included a dental check. In addition, they had the opportunity to meet with employers and, if possible, were afforded housing. After the video, Mayor Goodman introduced Bill Arent, Senior Project Officer for the City of Las Vegas Neighborhood Services Department. Mr. Arent stated that before strategies can be determined, it is important to discuss three key issues and agree on the issues. First, even though studies indicate that the homeless population is throughout the Valley, services for the homeless population are located primarily in one area of the Valley. Secondly, from a land use perspective, policy makers should avoid concentrating too many residences in one central area, homeless or otherwise. Third, all entities should maintain an active voice in the preparation of the strategic plan to address the issues. Mr. Arent informed the Coalition that there is a strategic planning process currently established called the Southern Nevada Continuing Care Project. Two maps were shown. One map showed the entire Valley and the other map depicted where the preponderance of homeless services is located.
After discussion, Mayor Goodman made a motion to direct staff to formalize a more expanded committee that would utilize current resources as well as the resources of the SNRPC to address strategic issues on homelessness in the Valley. He proposed that the committee be composed of representatives from each of the local government entities, who are members of the SNRPC, including the Clark County School District, various non-profit agencies, and representatives from the private sector. A three-to-five-year plan should be developed and the committee will report to the Coalition recommendations of how to better provide services and facilities to the homeless. Mayor Goodman asked for volunteers from the SNRPC elected members as to who would be willing to be a part, stating that he would like to represent the City of Las Vegas, however membership would not be limited to just one person from each entity. Councilman Kirk and Councilwoman Cyphers representing the City of Henderson; Commissioner Kenny, representing Clark County; Councilman Hardy, representing Boulder City; and Councilwoman Smith, representing the City of North Las Vegas; all agreed to be a part of this effort.
Councilman Larry Weekly, City of Las Vegas, stated that he appreciated the Coalition placing the homeless issue item on their agenda for discussion. He stated that the issue is concentrated in the area that he represents in the City of Las Vegas. He has conducted numerous meetings with his constituents and the homeless situation is a huge burden on the infrastructure as well as the parks. It is important to understand that this is everybody's problem and we should all feel it our responsibility to look after the men, women, and children who are in need of assistance.
The motion was accepted unanimously.
Each member received a copy of the bill draft request (Exhibit G) from the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC). Mr. Speight informed the members that the recommendation from the Technical Committee is to allow the RTC bill sponsorship from the SNRPC.
A motion was made to accept the recommendation of the Technical Committee. This motion was accepted unanimously.
The next SNRPC Board meeting will be held on December 14, 2000, at 3:30 p.m., at the Clark County School District. The Air Quality Subcommittee will meet immediately following the Board meeting.
No action may be taken upon a matter raised under this item of the agenda until the matter itself has been specifically included on an item upon which action may be taken.
Brian Brooks, Chairman of the Southern Nevada Homeless Coalition (SNHC), thanked Mayor Goodman for inviting him to the meeting. He stated because homelessness is an issue that should include a strategic plan his hope is that the SNHC members are allowed to become active participants in the work that the SNRPC is doing. He stated that as chairman of the SNHC, he is pleased and encouraged that the SNRPC has formed a task force to address the issue on a broader scale. With an ever-changing homeless population, reduction in funding resources and local governments and service providers stretching their dollars to keep up with the current demands made, it is critical that everyone is on the same page when addressing an issue as serious as homelessness. Men, women, and children who are living on the edge of disaster is something that cannot be ignored or given a low priority. A society is judged based on the way they treat their under privileged members, and as a community we cannot afford to allow the plight of these thousands of people to go unnoticed. It can no longer be said that it is the City's, or County problem or a problem for the non-profit organizations to solve, it is something we all must face together. The SNHC stands ready to assist the SNRPC in any way possible. They are ready to lend their expertise, time, and energy to solve the problem.
Brother David Buer, a member of the SNHC, stated that on February 28, 2001, there would be a shortage of beds due to Catholic Charities being closed for construction; therefore, 175 beds will not be available. In the short term, there are people willing to do the job but they are lacking funding.
Steve Mokowski, attendee, stated that the age of the homeless consists of a lot of people who are 50 years old and above; therefore, when planning this should be considered because finding a job is not a reality for the elderly homeless population.
Linda Lera Randle, attendee, stated that if anyone has any influence with the "faith community" that offers interfaith hospitality methods that uses churches and synagogues at night for shelters, this could serve as an immediate resource.
Kathleen Brutan, Chairperson for the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, stated that her organization work primarily with adolescents who live around the University of Nevada (UNLV) area. She suggested that it be recognized that not all of the homeless live in the homeless corridor downtown. Her organization has identified 400 kids who live around the university and commute to and from the airport. She asked that someone from her organization be included on the task force.
Father Lloyd Rupp, St. Timothy's Perish, stated that his perish feed 70 to 100 people each day; however, this is the time of year when people ask what they can do to help during the holidays. He stated that extra canned goods can be donated and volunteers are always needed.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.