HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009.03.05 CC Minutes - Food ShelfMINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING - HUGO FOOD SHELF
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2009 — 7:30 PM
Present: Miron, Haas, Klein, Petryk, Weidt
Absent: None
Also Present: City Administrator Mike Ericson and Community Development Director Bryan Bear
Mayor Miron explained the purpose of the meeting. The City Council's role is to protect
the health, safety and welfare of the residents. The food shelf is important to the health
and welfare of many families in Hugo. It is important that the operation of the food shelf
continue. Confidence has been lost is the food shelf following an article that was printed
in the Citizen newspaper. The purpose of the meeting is to allow for community
discussion on the issue and develop next steps to restore confidence in the food shelf.
Pastor Michael Sparby presented the history of the food shelf and described how the food
shelf operates. Pastor Sparby shared several charts explaining the history of food shelf
donations of cash and food and the number of families served by the food shelf. After the
tornado, donations as well as families served increased. Pastor Sparby emphasized that
all donations to the food shelf are spent on the food shelf.
Kris Emerson and Margo Geving presented a series of power point slides explaining
concerns that volunteers have raised with the operation of the food shelf. They explained
that rent that is paid by the food shelf for use of the Global Gallery space is actually a
subsidy of expenses incurred by Global Gallery. There is not enough transparency in
how purchases are made using food shelf donations. Concerns were raised about
bookkeeping practices, the organizational structure of the non-profit food shelf, and how
funds are co -mingled with funds from Hosanna Harbors to support Global Gallery and
the Hosanna Lutheran Church. The need for the food shelf is greater than ever with
increasing numbers of families being served.
Debbie Petersen presented options for restructuring the food shelf. She explained the
basics about how a non-profit is established, how a business plan with a budget is
created, how rules are established, and how state and federal tax filing requirements
should be met. She recommended changes to the governing structure of the food shelf
and changes with would lead to better accountability of the funds being collected and
spent. She also commented on the need for improved facilities for the food shelf.
Mayor Miron opened the meeting for public comment. Twelve people provided
comments about the food shelf. The majority of the speakers discussed their participation
in the food shelf as either volunteers or donors. Many of them expressed reservations
about the direction of the food shelf, and felt that the operation of the food shelf must be
improved.
City Council Special Meeting - Food Shelf
March 5, 2009
Page 2 of 2
Council discussed the next steps. The City will assist the food shelf in finding a better
location for the food shelf. The City will facilitate the process to re-establish confidence
in the food shelf, including facilitation of meetings, providing staff support, and
coordination of services. The City will assist to formalize the governance and
accountability standards surrounding the operation of the food shelf. City Administrator
Mike Ericson confirmed with the Council that the City has no intention to be involved in
the operation of the food shelf. Council directed staff to schedule a meeting at City Hall
to begin discussion of a reorganized food shelf, including those residents who signed in
as having interest in the leadership of the food shelf.
Haas made motion, seconded by Petryk to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 pm.
All aye. Motion carried
Respectfully Submitted,
Bryan Bear,
Community Development Director