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DeKalb committee approves $420,000 Frontline contract for warming and cooling centers
Summary
The PECS committee approved a $420,000 substitute contract with Frontline Response to staff, supply meals and transport clients at county warming and cooling centers while administration returns later with broader unhoused-services proposals.
DeKalb County's Planning, Economic Development and Community Services committee on Nov. 1 approved a substitute contract with Frontline Response for up to $420,000 to operate the county's warming and cooling centers and related services.
County staff said the contract covers staffing of seven sites (with one backup location), delivery of hot meals to each center, transportation to and from pickup locations and on-site case management, and that Frontline will supply cots and other operational materials. Administrators said the full, comprehensive plan for unhoused services was intentionally bifurcated so the county could put warming/cooling operations in place ahead of cold weather.
"This contract will provide for staffing from Frontline into not only the facility at Frontline Response, but into county facilities," a county presenter said. "Additionally, preparing and delivering hot meals to each of the warming centers." The committee pressed for a line-item budget and a contract scope of work before the item returns to the business meeting; staff committed to provide those details.
Commissioners emphasized operational concerns raised by residents and staff, including generator noise and testing, site cleanliness, and whether county staff would retain final sign-off for opening a facility each morning. Committee members sought written answers about which county office would enforce restrictions such as generator testing hours and noise limits.
The substitute motion was moved and approved in committee; the committee recorded the motion as passed by voice vote with members saying "Aye." Staff said the contract is intended to be activated immediately if extreme weather requires it and that a fuller set of services (emergency, transitional and supportive housing elements) will be returned to the committee later.
Because the detailed budget and contract language were not included in the substitute presented in committee, staff said they will provide the full contract, detailed line items (operations, staffing, food, transportation, security), and the enforcement plan to commissioners before the item goes to the business meeting.
