Carbondale’s town trustees circled up for a special meeting Tuesday, Dec. 5, with a sole action item on the agenda: Venezuelan Refugee Response. That same morning, Carbondale made National Public Radio’s Morning Edition report on the crisis, which was filed by Aspen Public Radio.
Town Manager Lauren Gister explained that according to Voces Unidas de las Montañas, the organization currently assisting with the response, the culturally sensitive nomenclature when referring to the group of mostly Venezuelan refugees is “newcomers” or “new arrivals.” Officially, however, when applying for legal or financial assistance, the newcomers are referred to as refugees.
Rob Stein, a former tenured superintendent of Roaring Fork School District, has been working with the Town to solve the immediate humanitarian crisis. Stein summarized his responsibilities as threefold: helping to secure shelter through March for about 100 people, fostering a more regional approach and helping achieve legal working status for those who qualify.
Currently, about 60 people are still staying at the Third Street Center per night, which is the only public facility that has provided space thus far. Some individuals continue to sleep outside or in their cars. Stein summarized some of the challenges when it comes to housing people at the current site, such as 1950s-era plumbing with no showers and inadequate kitchen space.
He outlined “unconditional improvements” that need to be applied for immediate response including, but not limited to: designating two to three full-time staff members, adding security at potential shelter sites, improving access of kitchen space and separating males and females in shelters.
Alternative scenarios
Stein presented three alternatives to consider for emergency response. First, finding a single large space that can meet the sheltering needs. However, he added that all known potential sites have already been eliminated, making it a moot option.
Secondly, Stein brought up the concept of a “mancamp,” which is an emergency response model that brings in module units to a single site. He noted that it would likely be too expensive as a short-term solution.
The final proposed scenario is to have several smaller sites house people overnight. According to Stein, a number of potential sites have been identified, with capacities ranging from 10 to 40 people. Whether it be churches, nonprofits or Town sites, the expectation is to house people at night, so the spaces could operate their typical programming during the day.
Trustee feedback
Of the alternatives, the board agreed that the distributed site model is the way to go. The Town will take on insurance coverage for facilities offering shelter.
There was also discussion about bringing back the COVID Task Force model. Stein added that he already reached out to the former leaders of the Task Force to solicit guidance and perhaps help form a “steering group” dedicated to the response. The team is hoping to get some guidance from the American Red Cross as well.
Mayor Ben Bohmfalk acknowledged that a difficult, though necessary part will be capping Carbondale’s intake at 100 people. He went on to say that that is why it’s important to collaborate regionally, as well as at the state and federal level to find other places where new arrivals can be absorbed.
Gister noted that at least a few of the new arrivals have already left Carbondale for living opportunities elsewhere, or returned to Denver. For now, she said, the focus is to get a system in place to keep people from freezing to death. Thinking ahead, she stated, “The minute we get something set up, we’re going to have to start thinking about, ‘What happens in March?’”
The following day, Gister was to meet with all of the municipal managers within Garfield County, as well as the Garfield County manager to discuss potential for a county-wide response. The details of that meeting were not available ahead of press time.
DOLA funding
Gister has been in touch with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) about tapping into emergency funding through the state. If approved, the funds are considered reimbursement funds, so the Town would initially take on the cost then apply for reimbursements through DOLA.
At first, it was Gister’s understanding that, according to state statute, the Town would have to declare a state of emergency to qualify for DOLA funding. However, DOLA staff suggested that the trustees vote on a resolution establishing that the Town does not have the capacity to feasibly manage the situation.
The resolution grants Gister the authority to make judgment calls going forward, such as hiring or contracting support agencies, “with the board of trustees’ goals in mind.” Secondly, “The mayor and/or the town manager is authorized to sign an application requesting emergency grant funding from DOLA …” and thirdly, it authorizes Gister to seek emergency funding elsewhere.
The resolution supported an initial letter, signed by the mayor, to be sent to DOLA requesting emergency reimbursement funding. The letter requests $223,880 to address housing assistance, refugee response services (such as language services, food, medical care, etcetera), transportation and travel (between shelters or for relocation opportunities) and for local government staffing.
Resolution 14 was unanimously adopted, with Trustee Colin Laird recusing himself, authorizing Mayor Bohmfalk to sign the letter to DOLA.
Bohmfalk asked Stein how soon the distributed site model might come online. Stein responded that every potential site has its own internal decision making structures that need to be met before finalizing a commitment. He stated that next week would be optimistic. The Town is considering space it might be able to offer, including the trustee meeting room at Town Hall.
The Town opened a post office box for the newcomers, and plans to create an email address as a point of communication related to the response. They will also designate a Town website page where information regarding this crisis can be found, including how to help. The Sopris Sun will follow up next week with further details.
To view the meeting in its entirety, Resolution 14 and the letter to DOLA, visit www.bit.ly/CarbondaleResponse