Council Questions Issues Surrounding Life Hub Project
Duplication Of Services Among Their Concerns
Trending
WHEELING -- Wheeling City Council members want to know just who will be able to stay in the proposed Life Hub homeless shelter in downtown Wheeling, and they also don't want the shelter to duplicate services found elsewhere in the community.
Council convened for a special meeting Tuesday night to learn more about the Life Hub and the involvement of some city officials in the project.
Melissa Adams, homeless liaison for the city of Wheeling, provided an update on the proposed Life Hub -- which is intended to be a 24/7 "low barrier homeless shelter" that would also offer medical respite services to those recuperating from illness.
She described the Life Hub and its board of directors as a nonprofit organization reflecting a partnership between the city and local service agencies.
In late May, the board purchased the former First English Lutheran Church on 16th and Market streets to serve as the future Life Hub facility at a cost of $325,000.
Adams said Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron is president of the Life Hub board. Joyce Wolen, executive director of the Wheeling Housing Authority, serves as vice president; Tammy Miller, deputy executive director, is treasurer; and Michelle Rejonis, marketing and community relations director for the city of Wheeling, is secretary.
Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott and Councilman Jerry Sklavounakis -- both attorneys -- expressed there could be some legal issues with city officials serving on the Life Hub board.
Adams said the work she is doing to establish the Life Hub is done in the evenings outside of her regular day job. The city hasn't provided any funding toward the Life Hub project, according to city officials.
"This hasn't been done before, and it's like who is in charge?" Sklavounakis asked.
Herron said he realizes their concerns, but that he also thinks the Life Hub project is important for the community.
"The only way this can be successful going forward - at least in the initial stages - is if the homeless liaison is involved in setting up and getting things squared away going forward," he continued. "If there is going to be a board to raise money and receive donations, and the homeless liaison is coordinating the effort, then there has to be some city interaction."
Under city charter, Adams is only required to report to the city manager, according to Herron.
"It's confusing," Sklavounakis said. "I'm not saying anything wrong is being done, but it's unchartered territory."
He added he also has concerns the Life Hub may be duplicating services already provided within the community, and he suggested a needs assessment study may be in order "to figure out the gaps."
"I've read the estimated price tag for this Life Hub is $18 million. You don't want another $18 million providing the same exact services," Sklavounakis said.
He asked Adams to define what is a "low-barrier shelter." She explained it often is a place who takes in persons who have no identification or documentation.
"It's a place where we accept people as they are," Adams continued. "But you do not want to provide a toxic environment where people can get hurt."
The issue came up this past winter at the freeze shelter operated in downtown Wheeling, she acknowledged.
"If they (are in a state) where they cannot rest and sleep, we have to ask them to leave," Adams said.
She said people also are concerned about sex offenders being in the shelter, but Adams offered a different perspective.
"If they are in the shelter, we know where they are and they are not being released into the streets," she explained.
Those at the Life Hub who are considered potentially unsafe would actually be separated and placed on another floor, with some areas being locked down, Adams said.
Elliott was not present in the council chamber, but attended the meeting via computer.
He indicated more data and more accountability is needed with regard to the Life Hub project in Wheeling.
"If I have any questions, it's about the legal framework," Elliott said. "I personally would like a third-party legal review just to make sure there are no issues with different fiduciary duties, or if the city charter gets in the way. I want to be extra careful that we don't put Mrs. Adams in a position where she has two competing roles. The lawyer in me has some concern there."