Amended 3/6/06
HUMAN SERVICES
February 27, 2006
Minutes
Members Present: Mark Grebner, Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Curtis Hertel, Lisa Dedden, Andy Schor and Mike Severino
Members Absent: None
Others Present: John Neilsen, Jim Wilson, Dean Sienko, Martha Knorek, Joan Jackson Johnson, Pat Patterson, Steve Manchester, Raul Gonzales and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Grebner at 7:03 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the February 6, 2006 Minutes
The Minutes were approved as amended.
Additions to the Agenda
3. Volunteers of America – Update regarding HUD Grant Application
4. Ingham County Medical Care Facility – Legal Counsel Notification
Limited Public Comment: None
1. Community Mental Health Authority Interview
The Committee interviewed Raul Gonzales, Joan Jackson Johnson and Steve Manchester for vacancies on the CMH Authority. Ms. Johnson and Mr. Manchester were requesting reappointments to the Authority.
Comm. Dedden requested this Committee find a creative way to expand the diversity of the Authority.
The Committee will make appointment recommendations at a later date.
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
2. Health Department
a. Resolution to Authorize a Public Health Mutual Aid Agreement with Other Counties/Districts in Emergency Preparedness /Region One
c. Resolution to Authorize an Agreement with th4e Capital Area Community Services to Serve Early Head Start Children Through the JumpStart Program
d. Resolution to Authorize an Agreement with the Michigan Department of Human Services to Provide Support for the JumpStart Early Advantage Program
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Health Department
b. Resolution to Amend Resolution #05-251 and Authorize Staffing Adjustments
Comm. Bahar-Cook asked about the additional funds. Dr. Sienko stated the additional $50,000 would be appropriated from the Michigan Primary Association.
MOVED BY COMM. DEDDEN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AMEND RESOLUTION #05-251 AND AUTHORIZE STAFFING ADJUSTMENTS. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
e. Resolution to Adjust the 2006 Budget and to Accept Funds from the Capital Area United Way
Comm. Schor requested the names of the six neighborhood organizations/centers. Dr. Sienko stated he would provide this Committee with that information tomorrow. Comm. Schor expressed his concern regarding the faith based organization. The organization should provide services as detailed in their contract with the County. Dr. Sienko stated he would email this Committee with the specifics regarding this issue.
Comm. Schor asked when Mr. Ron Whitmore was hired by the Health Department. He heard Mr. Whitmore speaking about his new employment with the Department recently. Dr. Sienko explained Mr. Whitmore’s contract is effective from March 1, 2006 through September 30, 2006. Mr. Whitmore has worked with the Health Department on other programs in the past. Dr. Sienko also stated he would clarify Mr. Whitmore’s arrangement with the Department.
In response to Comm. Schor’s concern, Comm. Dedden explained that Christian Services acts as a clearing house for the community.
MOVED BY COMM. DEDDEN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO ADJUST THE 2006 BUDGET AND TO ACCEPT FUNDS FROM THE CAPITAL AREA UNITED WAY. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
f. Dr. Dean Sienko and Mr. Jim Wilson – Recycling Presentation
Mr. Wilson briefly detailed the history of the rural recycling program. The recycling sites included Williamston, Leslie, the City of Mason and Webberville. Mr. Wilson explained the Williamston site opened in 1995 and collects 200 tons in materials annually. The Leslie site reopened January 2006 and collects 180 tons of materials annually. The City of Mason recycling site is closed at this time. It collected 1,000 tons of materials annually. This was the most heavily used rural site. The Webberville site is closed. Four hundred twenty tons of materials were collected at that site annually.
Dansville and Stockbridge requested removal from the program in 1998 and 1999, respectively. Closure was requested due to trash dumping at the recycling sites. Both sites asked to be allowed back in the recycling program a year after their closures.
The Board of Commissioners determined it would not fund rural recycling programs and stated the municipalities should plan for their own programs. Waste Management continued recycling services from 2000 – 2005 through the Voluntary Program Funding agreement. The rural recycling programs were closed January 2006.
Save Our Area Recycling (SOAR), a Mason group, has met over the past year with a goal of establishing a long-term recycling program for Ingham County residents who do not have curbside recycling services. A solid waste coordinator provides assistance to this group. Delhi Township will open a recycling center this summer at its Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Comm. Severino asked if the Voluntary Program Funding agreement still exists. Mr. Wilson stated that agreement continues.
3. Volunteers of America – Update regarding HUD Grant Application
Mr. Patterson, Volunteers of America, informed the Committee that HUD approved a drastically reduced funding grant. The VOA requested $1,265,211 in funding. HUD has approved a $599,797 grant.
Comm. Schor asked if there is a formal reconsideration period with HUD. Mr. Patterson stated the opinions on that matter vary.
Chairperson Grebner stated staff would need to correct some of the position titles in the draft letter. He then stated he would be happy to introduce a personal resolution at tomorrow night’s Board meeting to urge a review and a reconsideration of HUD’s funding decision for the VOA.
Comm. Dedden asked if other County programs may be jeopardized by requesting a review. Mr. Patterson stated he does not think the funding for the other programs would be at risk. The VOA is proceeding through a formal appeal process. Comm. Severino requested clarification of the County’s request. Mr. Patterson explained the County would request a review and reconsideration of HUD’s grant determination for Volunteers of America.
The Committee discussed this issue further. Mr. Neilsen asked how the New Hope Day Center would be affected by HUD’s funding determination. Mr. Patterson explained the Center would have to close in July 2006 unless additional funding is received.
Chairperson Grebner will introduce a personal Resolution to the Board of Commissioners at its February 28, 2006 meeting. The Resolution will express the Board’s concerns regarding HUD’s decision on the Lansing Continuum of Care’s Supportive Housing Grant request for 2005. The Resolution will also urge the review and reconsideration of the impact this decision will have regarding the local economy and the impact of federal legislation on the County’s ability to provide for the poorest of its citizens.
4. Ingham County Medical Care Facility – Legal Counsel Notification
Mr. Neilsen distributed copies of Ms. O’Shea’s February 24, 2006 memorandum to this Committee. The memorandum informed Mr. Neilsen and this Committee that Cohl, Stoker, Toskey & McGlinchey, P.C. has been selected to represent the Medical Care Facility with all Human Resources, Employment, Labor and Contract issues.
Kitch, Drutchas, Wagner, Valitutti & Sherbrook will represent the Medical Care Facility with long term care regulatory/reimbursement issues.
Announcements: None
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff