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Council creates Harry T. Moore social services ad hoc committee, sets application process
Summary
Titusville will form a seven-member ad hoc committee to analyze gaps and community needs for social services; council approved an application process with a Nov. 15 deadline, a proposed 5:30 p.m. start time for meetings and flexibility to extend the committee's term.
Titusville City Council on Sept. 23 authorized creation of an ad hoc committee to assess social service needs tied to the Harry T. Moore Community Center and broader north Titusville needs.
Neighborhood Services Director Terry Franklin presented staffing recommendations and said the temporary committee would assist staff in identifying gaps in local and countywide social services. Franklin asked the council to set an application deadline of Nov. 15 so appointments can be made and work can begin quickly.
Council modified staff's proposed approach in several ways: members agreed applications should be solicited publicly and council would select the final appointees rather than each councilor unilaterally naming a member. The council also directed staff to schedule meetings after normal work hours and set a suggested start time of 5:30 p.m. to improve participation by working residents. The initial term was set as six months but the council left open the option to extend the committee.
Public commenters including Lynn Golden and Susan Pender urged the council to prioritize neighborhood representation and to restore services previously offered at the center, such as pantry assistance, job search resources, voter registration and help obtaining birth certificates. Tony Shiflow asked council to avoid scheduling meetings at 3 p.m., saying that time would be an obstacle to working residents.
Council also required staff to revise the application form to avoid asking applicants to list all services they have received in detail; staff said they will change that field to a simple yes/no indicator and add a question on availability/times so the committee schedule can maximize participation.
The motion to create the ad hoc committee, accept the application timeline and the procedural changes passed unanimously.
Why it matters: advocates and councilors said restoring a functioning social services hub and better coordinating nonprofit services in north Titusville could improve access to food, benefits navigation and workforce services for residents who rely on in-person assistance.
