Amended 3/1/04
HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
February 23, 2004
Members Present: Curtis Hertel, Lisa Dedden, Andy Schor, Mike Severino, John Nevin and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino
Members Absent: Tina Weatherwax-Grant
Others Present: John Neilsen, Bruce Bragg, Sharon Blowers, Jim Wilson and Bob Glandon
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Hertel at 7:06 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the January 26 and February 2, 2004 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. DEDDEN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NEVIN, TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 26 MINUTES AS AMENDED AND THE FEBRUARY 2 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Weatherwax-Grant
Additions to the Agenda
Limited Public Comment: None
MOVED BY COMM. NEVIN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
3b. Health Department - Resolution to Accept Donated Funds and to Authorize the Purchase of a Colposcope
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Weatherwax-Grant
MOVED BY COMM. NEVIN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Weatherwax-Grant
Ms. Blowers distributed information to the Committee which described some of CATA's services. She then reviewed this information.
Board Chairperson Celentino stated CATA provides great services, especially for home-bound individuals.
Comm. Dedden related concerns she has received from a few of her constituents regarding CATA's services. Ms. Blowers explained that the Redi-Ride services which are available in Meridian and Delhi Townships only travel within each Township. Redi-Ride buses do not travel outside the Township. Therefore, the adult rate for this service is $1.00.
Residents pay $2.00 for Spec-Tran services because this service provides rides for persons with disabilities who cannot use a fixed route service. This is a curb-to-curb service. Spec-Tran will deliver a customer to any destination within CATA's service area. Also, this is a higher-quality service than the Redi-Ride services.
Comm. Dedden stated she has heard of a few situations when people had to wait a long period of time for the Spec-Tran bus. Ms. Blower explained that residents must schedule Spec-Tran services one day prior to its need. Spec-Tran provides 1,000 to 1,200 trips per day. There are and will be times when buses reach their destinations late due to unforeseen circumstances. Residents may call CATA if their ride is ten minutes late to receive an update.
Comm. Dedden stated this information will be very helpful to her when speaking with her constituents. She then asked about CATA's funding. Mr. Neilsen explained the funding is based on a specific calculation of millage rates and federal funding.
In response to Comm. Nevin, Ms. Blowers stated CATA receives approximately $5 million per year in ride fees. However, CATA costs, which are very high, come from that amount. Comm. Schor asked about CATA's process when a driver calls in sick. Ms. Blowers explained that CATA has an "extra" board which lists available drivers who can fill in for sick calls. She also explained that ride fares account for approximately nine percent of CATA's budget. This rate is determined every few years based on specific factors.
Chairperson Hertel commended Ms. Blowers for her great information this evening. It was appreciated by this Committee.
Mr. Wilson informed the Committee that the EPA will inform the Health Department in April if the County is a non-conforming community. However, the numbers do indicate non-attainment. A power-point presentation was used to illustrate this information to the Committee.
Ground level pollutants are especially harmful to people with upper-respiratory illnesses and also to people who are outside a majority of the summer months playing sports or working. Motor vehicles produce 75% of the air pollutants. Mr. Wilson stated this is a local issue.
The EPA has adopted new health-based standards. Based on the new standards, the County is in non-conformance. Attainment must be reached by 2009. Mr. Wilson reviewed actions which can be taken by this County in an effort to reach long-term attainment. Some of these actions include education, car pooling, bus transit and reduced lawn mower usage.
In response to Board Chairperson Celentino, Mr. Wilson explained the State will assist the community in its efforts to reach long-term attainment. Once a plan is developed, that plan will be presented to this Committee.
Comm. Schor stated there are some major issues to be tackled. He would like to see the plan once it has been developed. Comm. Schor then asked about any penalties the County would receive due to non-attainment. Mr. Bragg stated that, to his knowledge, the County will not be fined due to non-attainment.
(Comm. Dedden left the meeting to attend the Animal Control Advisory Committee meeting at this time.)
Comm. Severino asked if this non-conformance is based solely on the new standards. Mr. Wilson stated the new standards are only partially responsible for this situation. Pollution levels have been increasing slowly over the past several years.
Comm. Nevin suggested that a meeting be held with various municipalities to discuss this very important issue. He stated he would be interested in attending these discussions. Chairperson Hertel stated the Health Department should be given some time to research this matter further prior to convening a meeting with key players. Mr. Bragg suggested the DEQ and the EPA be included in the discussions.
Chairperson Hertel stated the County should issue a press release in April, shortly after the final determination of our non-compliance. The press release will indicate the County will work with key players to address the issues. Labor and business representatives should also be included in the discussions. Chairperson Hertel stated this Committee will look forward to hearing from the Health Department in April.
Comm. Schor informed the Committee that additional funding is available for the network centers because the funds are no longer needed for the NYPPP. A meeting has been held to discuss options for Southeast and Southwest centers. It has been suggested the Senior Center on Miller Road could house a southeast network center. The County will work with the City of Lansing in an effort to obtain additional funding for the Southside center. Comm. Schor stated Comm. Dedden has worked hard on this issue.
The County could contract with the City to monitor the new centers. The County would be kept informed regarding this arrangement.
Board Chairperson Celentino expressed his concern that he was not notified of the above-mentioned meeting. Due to the configuration of his district, he should be included in the discussions. Mr. Bragg stated he was not sure why Chairperson Celentino was not notified. Chairperson Hertel indicated that Board Chairperson Celentino should be informed of any further meetings.
Chairperson Hertel stated that, unless there is a serious disagreement at the committee level, a resolution approving a contract with the City of Lansing would not need to be submitted for approval by the full Board.
Announcements: None
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff