Title
Status Update on the City Commission Strategic Initiative 3.1: Continue Implementation of the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness (B)
This item is a request for the Community Development Committee to receive a brief update on the progress of Strategic Initiative 3.1 as it relates to the City's proposed acquisition of the former Gainesville Correctional Institute (GCI) site and facilitate a discussion among stakeholders about potential future agriculture/horticulture opportunities at the site.
Explanation
Strategic initiatives have been referred to Standing Committees and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), to promote efficient and effective communication streams between elected officials, city staff and Gainesville residents concerning the implementation of the City's Strategic Plan. On October 2, 2008, the City Commission referred each Strategic Initiative included in the FY 09/10 Strategic Plan to City Commission Standing Committees and the CRA to give elected officials the opportunity to receive updates on the progress of each strategic initiative and give policy guidance on the implementation of the strategic plan throughout the year.
Staff from the City of Gainesville, Alachua County, and the Office on Homelessness have been working together to establish a variety of services to benefit members of our community, including needy and homeless individuals, at the former Gainesville Correctional Institute (GCI) site. Due to the size and space available at the site, there has been a great deal of discussion about potential agriculture/horticulture opportunities. The Community Development Committee (CDC) receives updates related to this project, and provides an opportunity to have a coordinated meeting among interested parties and stakeholders to discuss these potential opportunities. City and County staff worked together to invite input from some local agriculture/horticulture experts that may be able to share valuable knowledge and suggestions while the project is still in the early stages of development. Representatives from the Alachua County Nutrition Alliance (ACNA), Florida Organic Growers (FOG), and the UF/IFAS Alachua County Extension Office have agreed to make presentations, and other area experts have agreed to attend and participate in the discussion.
Organizations were informed that the meeting provides an opportunity to provide a general overview of agency/organization services, ideas regarding what can be done at GCI, how services could be used as training or economic opportunities, etc. Each agency will be asked to limit their presentation to 5-10 minutes due to the release of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for a service provider to manage homeless services at the site. Speakers will be advised that they may be disqualified from the RFP if they discuss any specifics involving their participation in the RFP.
Fiscal Note
None
Recommendation
The Community Development Committee: 1) receive a brief update on the progress of Strategic Initiative 3.1; 2) receive presentations from ACNA, FOG, and UF/IFAS representatives on potential future agriculture/horticulture opportunities at the site; and 3) provide direction to staff as appropriate.