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partnerships are the key answer. A majority of Council Members would like to hold off until there is data on the citywide budget and the deficit amount. Vice Mayor Aguirre thanked the various organizations that were present and she thanked HHCC for their presentation. She said that at the end of the day it is hard to make promises and so she would like to have the numbers present to be fiscally responsible. Mayor Ira said that he has met with the City's Finance Director and the cuts are deep and devastating and so he wants to hold off on making a decision. He also could sense that a majority of Council would like to see this as part of the citywide budget discussion. Public Comment: Jennifer Warburton spoke about how she has received help through the Salvation Army and how if it was not for those programs, she would not have food to feed herself, her husband and four children. She said she has seen these programs help people who also would not make it without these programs. Carolina Ybarra, representing Bay Area Legal Aid, spoke about domestic violence, and public safety issues that cross all economic and cultural lines. She said they run a clinic that is unnoticed by many and that it is often the only place victims can get restraining orders in one day. They help explain and fill out the necessary forms, explain matters to the judge, and file with courts. Noemi Conterres, a Bay Area Legal Aid client (spoke in Spanish through an English translator - Caroline Ybarra), asked for support for domestic violence victims. She explained how she was a victim of domestic violence and thanked the people in the program who helped her leave a violent and life-threatening situation with her child. Tulin Acikalin, Managing Guardian of the Bay Area Legal Aid, provided statistical information about the importance of their services. They have seen a 25% increase in restraining orders since 2005; a 95% approval rate for the orders they have applied for; and, that 25% of people have a valid need such as being unable to complete paperwork on their own. He said that the funding from the City is only 6% of their total budget, but no matter how small the funds are, they are valuable as they get small pots of money from various sources. Barbara Liedtke, representing HIP Housing, spoke about coordination of interservice housing, how fragile the web of services is, how one dollar can save more than four people. She opined that if the programs are not funded, it will cost a lot to get out. She gave an example of how they help people with house-sharing so that people can help one another to remain housed, possibly move up, and how they can then help next person up. She also opined that the Fair Oaks Community Center is the glue that helps keep people together. Michelle Knapik, representing Peninsula Volunteers, said they are the sole providers of home-delivered meals in South San Mateo County. She said their clients are the most vulnerable with many complications, being home-bound, and sometimes clients have fallen, could not get up and have passed away with contact sometimes limited to the REGULAR CITY COUNCIL JANUARY 25, 2010 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 5 MINUTE BOOK NO. 63 Page No. 016