Bunnell, FL - The Sheltering Tree Board is asking for a meeting with Bunnell Mayor, Catherine Robinson. Board Vice-Chair Martin Collins said a letter requesting a meeting with the Mayor was hand-delivered on July 18. He said what they'd like to know is what regulations and/or paperwork they needed to comply with in order to keep offering weekly assistance to the working poor and the homeless. He said they are still waiting for a response.
Collins said they discontinued the weekly service three weeks ago deliberately in hopes the city would let them know what they needed to do to be in compliance with what they wanted. At a meeting earlier this week, the Board decided that they would fill out the business tax application and request that the Fire Commissioner check out the office and the clothing room to make sure they are in code compliance. The Board Chair will also contact the Mayor by phone to follow-up on the letter requesting a meeting.
Another thing that's being changed is the day of the week that services will be offered. Service day has been on Wednesday but the Board is changing the day to Tuesday. Collins said they also agreed to change protocol so that people aren't waiting outside the building. Those seeking help will be encouraged not to hang around outside the building after they've completed their business.
Collins said they will ask the city to put them on a three to six-month probationary period in order for the city to see how few people actually come in. He said that Board members will carefully manage the number of people seen in response to the sensitivity of city residents.
As for the cold weather shelter, Collins said they will wait, likely until after they see how the probationary period if allowed, will work out. As for the weekly program, Collins said at least 50 percent of the people helped live in Bunnell. He said the people they help are mostly just trying to be functional members of society but may need a little help when a crisis, as simple as having a flat tire, comes up.
