North Port CHAT Meeting Summary
July 10, 2013, 4:30pm
Present: Vanessa Carusone, Tom Davie, Maureen Coble, Janis Russell, Deb Robinson, Pascale D. Edouard, Philip A. Lieberman, Richard Johnson, Karen DeSimone, Jeanette Robinson, Linda Yates, Ellen McLaughlin, Brie Southall, Jasmen Rogers Welcome and Introductions: Everyone was welcomed and introductions were provided. Special presentation: Sarasota County Area Transportation (SCAT) Transit Planner Philip Lieberman and Supervisor Richard Johnson asked for the groups input in the proposed service expansions within North Port. The following points were made: Route 9 will no longer be a direct ride to Suncoast Workforce in Venice. It will require a transfer at the Venice Wal-Mart and a second trip fee. The group expressed its concerns over this change. Brie & Janis suggest some type of voucher from Suncoast Workforce so that people going there could transfer for free (both ways). Expansion changes will be performance based. For example, SCAT is introducing mid-day & Saturday schedules for the Express bus. SCAT will reassess ridership in December. Service may be expanded to SMH and Panacea, off Toledo Blade. SCAT has been asked to place a route on Cranberry and looked for input on these choices. The group opined that Cranberry would provide more ridership versus the Toledo Blade area. Discussed was the difference in operating cost for SCAT Plus services and the regular line, with SCAT Plus costing much more. It has come to SCATs attention that people have been using The Shoppes of North Ports lot to Park and Ride. The property owner has said that this will no longer be allowed. The group discussed alternatives to allow the service to continue. One suggestion was to move the stop to the Dallas White park area, near YMCA. Further discussion is required. Phil Lieberman and Richard Johnson have agreed to return to CHATs September meeting for a more extensive discussion on proposed changes and needs for the city. Lieberman said that this would be the very last opportunity for suggested changes. Mr. Lieberman mentioned that SCAT received another grant for a proposed expansion of Park & Ride service.
Special Presentation: YMCAs Program Director, Ellen McLaughlin presented information for School House Link and spoke to the group about childrens homelessness in North Port and Sarasota County. Ellen explained the definition for homeless, as it pertains to their program. Homeless is individuals who lack a fixed, regular, adequate nighttime residence. Chief Vespia clarified that there are two definitions. Law enforcement defines homeless as those living on the street or in
the woods, where the program believes that children doubled up in a home can be considered unstable and therefore homeless. A large packet of statistical information was handed out. Notable facts include that approximately 906 children were homeless and enrolled in the Sarasota County school system, and of these approximately 200 are from North Port. A large amount of students left the North Port area due to the economy. About 77 children are on their own/without parental supervision. After two years, if a child is at the same residence, they are no longer considered homeless. Some things the program offers are enrollment assistance, transportation assistance, free lunch, school supplies, uniforms, tutoring and much more. Janis Russell, with the North Port Library, mentioned that anyone enrolled with School House Link is eligible for a library card. Janis explained that this can help on many levels such as Internet access via computer use. Mayor Linda Yates said that she was frustrated that the Commission and the public did not accept the definition of homeless as presented. The Mayor expressed her disappointment in the Countys CBG funds not being directed toward the homelessness situation. Slight discussion took place over the current funding allocated by state and federal funds. Clarified were the various initiatives and how the upcoming workgroups are an enhancement of the past projects. Suncoast partnership to end homelessness will be holding a meeting at Sarasotas Sudakoff center August 14th 9am. The group was asked to participate and promote a South county workgroup meeting being held July 16th 10am. The meeting will be located at The Center of Hope of South County (1216 E. Venice Avenue.) Discussion will focus on a single resource center located somewhere within the South County area. Further information can be obtained by emailing Ellen at emclaughlin@the sarasotay.org.
Other business: Janis Russell asked for the group to attend the next interagency meeting being held at the Family Social Services building, July 17th at noon. The topic will be new laws that pertain to foreclosures and what programs exist to help. Tom Davie gave a brief update on DFYIs activities and the summit to stop the legalization of marijuana. More information can be found at unmaskingmarijuana.org.
Future CHAT Meetings August 14th- 4:30pm - North Port Police Dept. - Juvenile Justice Resources September 11th- 4:30pm- North Port Police Dept. - SCAT improvements within the City of North Port. *We need to invite all we can to receive as much public input as can be. **We also need to be sure that this date will be ok as its a holiday. We may have to push the meeting up by a week, or back. This can be discussed at the August meeting.
