Rockwood Weed and Seed
Steering Committee
Minutes 04/24/02
Attending: Kathy Minden, Polly Burton, Lorena Campbell, Patti Swanson, Paulette Keller, Heather Schraeder, Rebecca Teasdale, Tory Mitchell, Dennis Donin, Claudia King, John Pettis, Maura White, Malcolm Boswell, Beth Faulhaber, Gloria Wiggins, Carla Piluso, Eric Trice, Robyn Gregory, Diane Peterson
Minutes: Minutes approved with corrections.
Announcements:
∙ Sharron Kelley passed around the Rockwood Weed and Seed member and contact list for revisions and review.
∙ Kathy Minden announced that the Rockwood Ministers met on April 23rd to discuss the progress on the Run for Rockwood Relay that will take place in Gresham (date to be announced).
∙ Invitation extended by Shelley Parini: Rockwood Business Organization Meeting on May 9th at the Gresham City Hall Spring Water Room at 9:00am.
∙ Rebecca Teasdale announced the Rockwood Library “Dia de los Ninos” on Saturday
April 27th.
∙ Invitation from Serena Cruz to join the Latino Youth Gang Task Force. Serena is also looking for financial support, staffing and a home for the task force. The focus of the Latino Youth Gang Task Force is prevention and intervention.
∙ Diane Peterson announced the Project Safe Neighborhoods that will extend from Hillsboro to Gresham.
∙ Kathy Minden announced the Change for Rockwood campaign begins next week until the end of May to help raise funds for play equipment at Vance Park. PGE is providing the lighting, Rockwood Water will install a fountain and the National Guard is assembling the park.
Formation of Executive Committee:
Sharron distributed the existing list with the addition of Carla Piluso, Bob Robinson (contributing $8,000 to our budget) and Don King replacing Jeff Beiswenger. Need a member form the Neighborhood Revitalization Committee to replace Hope Cervantes/Flores. The motion to add Carla Piluso, Bob Robinson and Don King was passed. Patti Swanson suggested that the coordinator’s employer should be a part of the Executive Committee.
Gresham Police Department Budget-Carla Piluso
Carla distributed the draft for the year one law enforcement budget totaling $61,000. $87,000 is designated for “weeding”, so the remaining $26,000 will be picked up in other aspects of the plan attributable to the “weeding” process, for example, Community Policing, etc. Carla’s budget enhances existing programs and provides a foundation to build upon. Overtime dollars will be focused on peak months. The radar trailer was removed from the Year one budget, because its purpose is premature in the first year, however it will likely have a role as the project progresses. Malcolm Boswell suggested a graffiti wall for the Law Enforcement Budget, to add a positive effect on gang related activities. However, Carla recommended a graffiti wall as a possibility in the third to fifth year of the project.
Coordinator Salary and Benefit Package:
PAL Center Coordinator Budget Proposal:
Maura White distributed the PAL Center Coordinator Budget Proposal. She highlighted a few items from the budget: housing costs are at market value, phone line is actual as are fringe laptop to allow for mobility. Mileage will be compensated, but the coordinator’s own vehicle is essential. Karen Cusick of the Employment Department will pick up all of the printing costs, eliminating $1,000 out of the coordinator’s costs. The only benefit option available to the coordinator is the Kaiser-simple plan. Consider adding a cell phone and liability insurance in the budget.
Eastwind Center Coordinator Budget Proposal:
Patti Swanson distributed the Eastwind Center Coordinator Budget Proposal. The goal is not to house the coordinator at Eastwind, because that is not where the need is, but to house the coordinator in Rockwood. Costs are based on Eastwind facility costs. Eastwind is willing to support administration cost for year one, but would need to negotiate annually. The Eastwind Center strongly supports PAL as the employer of the coordinator and has submitted a plan for backup and comparison. The recommendation by the Steering Committee to the Executive Committee is to select PAL as the employer of the Coordinator for year one. Office space and supplies included.
Safe Haven Budget:
Maura distributed the PAL Youth Center Safe Haven Budget. Pal would be the hub Safe Haven with expansion of services, like, community volunteers, etc. Based on 25 hrs/wk and operated by PAL staff. Also, allow for expanded hours on Friday and Saturday nights using volunteers, family nights, etc. PAL has no charge for the background checks and screening of volunteers or employees. Maura also passed out a handout on “Kids House” a volunteer program that promotes family style eating, storytelling, etc. that could be implemented in the Safe Haven. Field trips could be from places other than PAL. Coordinator could help identify churches to align with the Safe Haven. In year one, Rockwood Weed and Seed will promote PAL as a Safe Haven and in years two and three have networks all over to support children with education and recreation. PAL was accepted as the Rockwood Weed and Seed Safe Haven and their budget was approved.
Review of Budget Proposals:
Dr. Brian Renauer proposed doing a community survey, but he would have to come up with an efficient way to survey Rockwood. One concern of the survey was the diverse population and language of Rockwood and the rate of literacy in first languages. The Latino Network did the latest survey and there is enough data to establish a baseline. Possibly, use a survey later to measure outcome of the program.
Dr. Renauer’s costs are far below standard and he is willing to eliminate indirect costs. Maura suggested using Brian’s plan as the budget item for the grant and then do an RFP at a later date. This helps keep us within federal regulations using a simple process. Use the dollar amount and the evaluation language for the grant. The budget for evaluation was amended at $4,500 and the Steering Committee approved to go out for RFP’s.
Community Courts were designed as a social service for the Community that was being harmed by the crimes. All misdemeanors are arraigned in Community Court with one judge to sit. First time incidents are dismissed.
Robyn shared a “Workplan for Development and Implementation of Community Court in Rockwood” handout. The tasks can be decided by the Executive Community or the Coordinator. Robyn recommends that the tasks are determined by the Coordinator. Bob Robinson and Sharron discussed using $10,000 to hire a consultant to help set up the court. It would take about a year to assemble a Community Court. The idea of youth involved is up to the Executive Committee, although all other Community Courts consist of only adults. Patti pointed out a number of mediation/diversion programs that would piggy back onto the plan. A Youth Peer Review was suggested rather than have a joint youth/adult system. Also, Neighborhood Responsibility Programs were suggested to get the community more involved. Questions: How does Community Court get paid for? How much of misdemeanor crimes are committed by youth?
Robyn recommended coming to observe a Community Court to see if it could be effective in Rockwood and she also suggested hiring a consultant to find out if the community wants a court.
Carla added that an epidemic of low-level crime is very prevalent in Rockwood and that perpetrators usually live with in the community. The Recommendation to the Executive Committee-$10,000 to develop a plan on how to implement a Community Court into Rockwood. Robyn will estimate a budget for developing a work plan. Kathy asked Carla to bring the percentage of low level crimes to the Executive Committee. Recommendation of contacts with business assistance council.
The federal government encourages sending newsletters to the community. Sending 7,000 mailers into the community, which is about one-third of the total households, costs $1,550 for printing and mailing. The newsletters would need to be in a variety of languages which would increase printing costs. Newsletters would be in four different languages including: English, Spanish, Russian and the fourth one to be decided. The total budget is $3,030 and printing alone would cost $1,760. How often should newsletters be sent? Alternative suggestions of distribution were: partnering up with Head Start’s yearly, distribute information through churches, schools, utilize community newspapers, use more culture-specific approaches (example, use the radio for Latino outreach), etc. Develop a public relations plan and budget. Keep $3,030 in the PR Budget.
Sharron contacted Chiquita Rollins and the total cost to distribute domestic violence information in four languages to Rockwood is $9,600. Have Carla, EPH look at it for duplication and effectiveness in the Latino Community. The information is relevant, important and well tested. Agreed to concentrate on cards, but reduce costs.
Sharron spoke with Don King about enhancing Rockwood’s image. Shelley Parini suggested a connection with Gresham Business Association. Enhancing Rockwood storefronts is a high priority for the Neighborhood Revitalization Committee. A budget of $1,500 for supplies could resolve past environmental issues of cleaning up graffiti, because now you cover up graffiti instead of cleaning it up. Labor would rely completely on volunteers. Gresham Police still has a trailer for use. The Steering Committee approved $2,000 to add to the budget.
DUII arrests are exceedingly high in Rockwood with an over representation of the Latino community. Contact Ray Espana to develop materials targeting the Latino community in year one that can be educationally persuasive to change behavior. Bob has a bilingual, bicultural staff person prepared to do this work, beginning with organizing in the apartment complexes. Committee agrees this is a good idea.
Mini-Grant Programs:
Addressing lack of leadership of social capitol. Small dollar grants if there is money. Patti suggested $5,000. Carla suggested getting service clubs or business assistance program. Use some money to make it happen. Get a match: Gresham Breakfast Lions, Sorophimist, Altrusa, etc. Maura would not recommend this in the first year because fiscal compliance is difficult. Have a subcommittee for year two program or fourth quarter.
Next Steps:
Budget Approval May15th from 5pm-7pm, location to be announced.