Courtesy Photo The belongings of a homeless person sits on the side of the road at Culligan Plaza. It is not uncommon now to see people who have no place to sleep finding places outdoors in downtown Alpena where they can get some rest.

ALPENA — The All Saints Center of Charity has declined Alpena County’s offer to use the Merchant’s Building at the Alpena County Fairgrounds as a temporary solution to the homelessness issue in Alpena and surrounding communities.

The center closed in October and the center’s Friendship Room suffered a structure fire in November. They are currently operating out of Trinity Episcopal Church.

County Administrator Jesse Osmer told The News that on Nov. 26 he sent an email to the center notifying them that the Alpena County Board of Commissioners had approved $15,000 from unspent budget items to open the Merchant’s Building and pay for staffing so it can operate as a warming shelter for the unhoused in Alpena County.

According to Osmer, money that the commissioners approved to be used in this way came from the following line items:

— Vehicle maintenance for $3,300

— Professional services for $2,000

— Vet commissions for $3,000

— Contingency for $6,700

In the proposed plan, the county would have withheld $5,000 to pay for utilities.

“We will allocate $10,000 for staffing and retain $5,000 for the utilities that may be used,” Osmer stated in an email to county commissioners. “We can put out a call for toiletries and other items on social media and would anticipate a healthy response; however, we would not be responsible for providing anything other than the space and amount listed.”

Osmer told The News that he met with Christina Kihn, director of the center, on Nov. 26 at approximately 1:30 p.m. at his office to discuss the funding and stipulations that the county would have to approve to give the organization the support through Dec. 31, but also left the door open to extending the offer.

“She said she’d have to take the information to her board and I told her I would send over a draft agreement for their consideration,” Osmer stated.

He added that the agreement from the county was sent to Kihn at 3:55 p.m on Nov. 26.

On Dec. 1, Osmer said Kihn had invited him to attend the center’s board meeting the next day, on Dec. 2. Osmer said that he attended and presented the agreement that the county’s board had approved.

On Thursday, the center officially declined the county’s offer, according to Osmer. He said that he is disappointed that they didn’t take the offer.

Kihn sent a statement to The News via email regarding their decision to decline the county’s offer.

“Recently, we were approached by the county to lead the opening of another overnight shelter,” Kihn stated. “While we share the county’s concern for vulnerable residents, the parish does not have the financial resources to lead or fund this program. Even with partial support offered by the county, the ongoing costs exceed what we can responsibly manage, and there is uncertainty about funding beyond December.”

Osmer told The News that he was beginning discussions with the board to possibly extend the partnership with the center.

Kihn explained in the email that the center “deeply cares about the well-being of our neighbors, especially during the harsh winter months.”

“Last year, we were blessed to provide an overnight warming shelter as part of our commitment to serve those in need,” Kihn added. “Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we were unable to secure the necessary partnerships and funding to sustain this costly ministry, and the shelter closed in October.”

According to Osmer, the center expressed concerns about sustainability and insurance. He said that the county would not be liable if an individual staying at the shelter harmed a center employee. Osmer stated, however, that the county is covered for “normal” claims such in the case if a person falls and harms themself.

The second concern, according to Osmer, was that the center did not want to move individuals to the Merchant’s Building and then have to turn them out again.

“There was a call for help and we offered a building and $10,000,” he added. “I realize it takes more than $10,000. I’m sure they have their reasons.”

Osmer stated that he believes the homelessness concern in the area is “becoming more serious” and that the problem has been increasing the past few years. As part of the agreement with the center, the county would only house people from Alpena County.

“We already have a large need we are already struggling to address,” Osmer said.

The agreement the county drafted for the center also included the following stipulations:

— The possession or use of drugs and/or alcohol would not be permitted on or around the property.

— The center would have had to keep the building “clean and orderly.”

— The center would have been required to immediately report incidents of illegal activity, threats of harm to oneself or others, and/or actions deemed a threat to others.

— The center would report, on a weekly basis, the number of individuals utilizing the building and any noteworthy incidents.

— The center would assist in closing the building for their use and ensure it was left in good condition.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.