Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homeless Outreach topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Montclair council approves Set Free Ministry outreach agreement, clarifies service expectations
Summary
The Montclair City Council approved a contract with Set Free Ministry to support homeless outreach after council members clarified that the agreement requires both a minimum of 25 service hours per week and deployment with the city's special enforcement team on at least four days per week; the consent calendar passed with one abstention on a related item.
The Montclair City Council approved a contract with Set Free Ministry that will have the nonprofit join the city's special enforcement outreach on a recurring basis, after staff clarified how the hours and days-of-service requirements work.
City manager Star told the council the two provisions are compatible: Set Free Ministry must "be out with the special enforcement team at least 4 days a week" and, "over the course of the 4 days, they have to provide a minimum of 25 hours of service," giving the outreach team flexibility to allocate hours based on operational need, according to Star.
Mayor Dutre praised the partnership and noted Set Free Ministry's leader, Pastor Rob, brings lived experience and training: "They have done a great job for us here in Montclair...he at one point was also homeless, dealing with substance abuse, and he was able to turn his life around," the mayor said.
Council member Rufe asked for zoning clarification on a separate consent item and to confirm the contract scope; Rufe then moved to approve the consent calendar as presented, and Mayor Pro Tem Johnson seconded. The council approved the consent calendar 5-0. The separate vote on item C3 (the contract) passed with a 4-0 tally and one abstention by Council member Lopez, who said he had a contractual relationship with a competitor referenced in the packet and therefore recused himself.
The contract requires Set Free Ministry to be available for on-demand response when not actively out with the special enforcement team, and Star said code enforcement will continue to provide initial field response when the outreach team is not immediately available. Council members asked whether Set Free Ministry staff are trained; Star said the ministry's regular staff has training in homeless engagement and related areas.
Next steps: The contract was approved as part of the consent calendar and staff will proceed with implementation under the terms discussed. Council did not amend the contract during the meeting.
