09-27-2023 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 when comparing the services they provide in the three counties, the other two counties provide substantial funding to do this work. She stated that they have then made the decision to approach the cities because they have not had success with Ramsey County. Kwapick thanked the organization for the work it does, noting that he works at the University of Minnesota and the Aurora Center has been connected to Tubman. He referenced the family law services, asking who the organization works with for legal representation as that can be daunting. Ms. Dickinson commented that they have a pool of about 200 volunteer attorneys, with about 100 of them taking cases on a regular basis. Ms. Barnhill commented that there are some legal services available through Tubman but there is a higher need which causes them to go outside for volunteers as well. Mayor Fischer commented that in prior years the organization has been able to serve the communities without additional funding and asked what has changed that is driving this request. Ms. Dickinson explained that three years ago, the small amount they were receiving from Ramsey County went away so they cut a half-time person working in the Ramsey County program. She noted that they have since relied on interns to assist with those duties. She commented that 60 percent of their funding comes through the State from the Office of Justice, noting that funding has remained flat for the past six years and will continue to remain flat for at least the next two years, while costs continue to rise. She stated that two years ago the decision was made to cut a full-time person from the Ramsey County program. She noted that they have been unable to provide the same services with one less full-time person and therefore had to reduce services to focus on intimate partner services, whereas they previously offered assistance in all domestic violence cases. She stated that has been difficult, as the City Attorney then has to provide the victim's rights and it is not their role to provide advocacy to victims. She was unsure what the next few years would bring as they know the main funding will remain flat. She stated that they will continue to have conversations to identify what will be needed to sustain the program, and what will happen if that goal cannot be reached. Mayor Fischer thanked the women for the services that the organization provides, noting that it is much needed work, and they appreciated the dedication to people in this community and other communities. He commented that as they mentioned in their discussion, the preliminary budget has been set but some of those numbers may fluctuate and they will have this issue in the front of their mind as funds may become available. CONSENT AGENDA T. Miller introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOL UTION NO. 2 023-9-102 — APPR O VING THE CONSENT A GENDA WHICH CONTAINS THE FOLLO WING: • Approval of the Vouchers • Approve Partial Payment Request No. 4 to MN Paving & Materials for Twin Lake Boulevard Improvement Project The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by D. Miller. Ayes (5). Nays (0). Resolution declared adopted. 11