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Commissioners highlight Code Blue planning, Hawk Mountain visitor center needs and local community events
Summary
At the Oct. 2 meeting commissioners discussed Code Blue shelter planning through spring, a proposed ADA-accessible Hawk Mountain visitor center, regional juvenile detention partnerships and a series of community events and recognitions.
Berks County Commissioners used their Oct. 2 meeting to highlight community programs and upcoming events and to update the public on shelter planning for people experiencing homelessness.
Chair Commissioner Christian Leinbach said commissioners and advocates are preparing for Code Blue this winter and that the season "probably will begin sometime in November, go through March or April," noting efforts to secure temporary shelter locations for women, children and men, preferably in separate facilities. Leinbach said planning this year has started later than desired, creating "some challenges around providing accessible space for CodeBlue." The board did not adopt new policy during the meeting; commissioners said the work is currently in the preparation and coordination stage.
Commissioner Dante Santoni, who toured with the Berks Coalition to End Homelessness, said one key takeaway was that "most of the people that are homeless actually have a job," a point he raised to challenge common assumptions about homelessness. The statement was presented as the commissioner—s observation; no supporting data was provided in the meeting transcript.
Commissioners also discussed local cultural and civic activities. Commissioner Michael Rivera congratulated Reading Area Community College—s nursing program on 50 years and its recent pass-rate achievements, described community outreach at a St. Luke—s Leesport facility, and noted several upcoming events including a Run for Shelter 5K and the Guts and Glory event at Jim Dietrich Park. Chair Leinbach reported visiting Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and said the current visitor center is not ADA accessible, prompting discussions with sanctuary leaders and RDA staff about funding options including RCAP and LSA.
Kevin Barnhart, the county—s chief operations officer, reported on a visit by Lackawanna County officials to the regional youth detention center and described a developing four-county partnership (Berks, Dolphin, Lehigh and Lackawanna) that will allocate expenses and bed capacity among partners.
The meeting included several ceremonial recognitions, including presentation of a certificate to Gage Personnel for 40 years in operation and acknowledgment of Lance Corporal Manuel Montes Sanchez—s honor-graduate status at Parris Island.
No public comments were received in person or online during the published comment period. The board concluded its agenda and adjourned.
