2018-04-11 Cold Weather Shelter debriefCold Weather Shelter ‘Debrief’
April 11, 2018
1:09 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Rob Hill, Tamara Hayes, Doug Carey, Steve Walton,
Matt Patana, Josh Gering, Claudia Grimes, Robert Grimes, Chief Carl Nielsen
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Claudia Grimes and Robert Grimes said the cold weather
shelter totaled 1,965 bed nights (one person, one night, one
bed) for the season. They said it was open a total of 86 days.
Tamara Hayes noted there was very minimal negative impact
on the fair overall. She said it was a good experience. She said
a couple of shower heads had to be replaced.
Centralia City Manager Rob Hill said Centralia was elated about
the results of having the homeless stay at the fairgrounds.
Chief Carl Nielsen said law enforcement saw very few
problems.
Rob Hill asked how transportation worked.
Josh Gering of Hub City Mission and Bethel Church said each
person who stayed was given a bus ticket in the morning. He
said some people arrived early for their stay because buses
stop running at 6 p.m.
Robert Grimes commended the efforts of the volunteer coordinator. He and Josh noted that they
needed more volunteers.
Commissioner Fund noted that a member of the BOCC staff, Rachel Hunt, volunteered regularly. The
Grimeses and Josh commended her efforts.
Robert said he appreciated the police presence.
Josh thanked the Grimeses for their swift, even-handed action regarding upholding the rules.
The Grimeses and Josh said they ran out of room in the men’s shelter a couple of times.
Tamara asked that the Grimeses coordinate the removal of the Dumpsters. She praised the use of the
barricades.
Tamara said she needs the final number of days to
TO-DO LIST / RECAP
Bethel: Take lead on Dumpsters.
Josh: Find an alternative to the
mobile units to bring down
costs.
Josh: Reach out to other entities
to gauge support regarding
using the fairgrounds again in
2018-19.
All: Meet again in September to
discuss 2018-19 season.
Josh said the total cost was $23,000 (plus two outstanding bills for PacMobile and fair utilities). He said
the cost surpassed the charges associated with the shelter having its own site. He said he is hoping to
secure a $5,000 grant. He also noted that the Grimeses plan to retire.
The group discussed donations provided by Dry Box, Country Fresh laundry, Pac Mobile, the Fort Lewis
Thrift Store, the tribe and the military.
Josh said he would be interested in using the fairgrounds site again in 2018-19.
Robert suggested the state should use the wet shelter as a model.
Matt Patana floated the idea of a work program for those using the shelter. He said many people would
view it as intrinsically rewarding.
Commissioner Jackson thanked the group for its efforts.
Commissioner Jackson left at 1:46 p.m.
The group discussed plans for the future, including reaching out to other entities to gauge support of
holding the cold weather shelter at the fairgrounds again in 2018-19.
Tamara suggested meeting again in September to discuss plans for 2018-19.
Tamara discussed an alternative fairgrounds site for the future.
Rob Hill discussed the possibility of securing a slightly larger building for the men.
Meeting ended at 2:04 p.m.