Approved 3/20/06
HUMAN SERVICES
March 6, 2006
Minutes
Members Present: Mark Grebner, Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Curtis Hertel, Lisa Dedden, Andy Schor, Mike Severino and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino
Members Absent: None
Others Present: John Neilsen, James Richard, Dr. Saltman, Julielyn Gibbons and Othelia Washington-Pryor
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Grebner at 7:01 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the February 27, 2006 Minutes
The Minutes were approved as amended.
Additions to the Agenda
3. Substitute Resolution
Limited Public Comment: None
2. Community Mental Health – Resolution Authorizing a Contract with the Community Mental Health Board of Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties and the Lansing School District Ingham County Helping Kids Achieve Program
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH THE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH BOARD OF CLINTON, EATON AND INGHAM COUNTIES AND THE LANSING SCHOOL DISTRICT INGHAM COUNTY HELPING KIDS ACHIEVE PROGRAM. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. Board of Commissioners Interviews
a. Ingham Regional Medical Center Board
Chairperson Grebner stated the appointment process for the Ingham Regional Medical Center (IRMC) Board is difficult. He then stated if the Commissioners do not object to waiving the formal process, the Committee will follow the same procedure as it has in the past.
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO WAIVE THE FORMAL APPOINTMENT PROCEDURE AND TO ENDORSE INGHAM REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER’S RECOMMENDATION TO APPOINT DR. JAMES E. RICHARD, D.O. TO THE INGHAM REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER’S BOARD. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
b. Board of Health
Comm. Dedden asked for clarification regarding the term end date for George Rowan. The appointment sheet has the date listed as 12/31/04. Mr. Neilsen stated he would verify the date.
The Committee interviewed the following applicants for a position on the Board of Health:
Dr. Barry Saltman
Julielyn Gibbons
Othelia Washington-Pryor
The Committee did not make a recommendation at this time.
3. Commissioner Grebner – Substitute Resolution to Submit to the Electorate a Special Millage Question for a Countywide Transportation System Primarily for the Disabled and Elderly
Mr. Neilsen stated the Substitute Resolution substitutes the term “state equalized assessed valuation” and “taxable value” with “state taxable valuation.” A March 6, 2006 memorandum from Marty Mecher, CATA, was attached to the Substitute Resolution.
Chairperson Grebner explained the Resolution would authorize a millage question be placed on the August 8, 2006 ballot. The .08 mill would run concurrent with the currently authorized millage (.40 of one mill) through 2010. If the millage is approved and levied in full, it would raise an estimated additional $562,335 for the transportation system in the first calendar year of the levy based on state taxable valuation.
Chairperson Grebner further explained that CATA does not deny service to a person with proper notification of the need for transportation. As transportation funds decrease, CATA may have to cut back some services. The ADA rates cannot exceed two times the line haul fare. This millage would provide additional funding for elderly and disabled persons’ transportation services. If the millage question fails, the current millage would continue through 2010.
Chairperson Celentino asked what Marty Mecher was referring to regarding “other alternatives” in his memorandum. Mr. Neilsen stated he asked CATA about the other alternatives. CATA is conducting a fare analysis and a review of the federal and state funding shares. It is also reviewing the issue of cutting back some services.
Comm. Hertel stated he would not oppose the new millage question. He then expressed his concern that he has heard many ideas for millage questions within the community. Comm. Hertel recommended the Committee think about an overall strategy, not just a separate millage. Chairperson Grebner stated he was not aware of any other CATA millage questions to be placed on the August ballot. If his proposed millage question is placed on the November 2006 ballot, it may be up against more substantial ballot items.
Comm. Dedden stated she would like to see CATA explore other alternatives because people in highly populated areas are paying a premium for line haul services. Chairperson Grebner explained the subsidy is larger for Spec Tran services. Comm. Dedden stated providing ADA services is more of a community issue. If CATA needs to cut back a service, it should consider reducing the rural services.
Comm. Severino stated the fares do not cover the cost of providing the services. Comm. Hertel suggested this issue be discussed during the upcoming Board Leadership meeting. He also informed the Committee he would not be in attendance during the first week of April 2006. Chairperson Grebner stated he would place this item on this Committee’s April 17 meeting agenda.
b. Board of Health – Continued
The Committee held a general discussion regarding the Board of Health appointment. They will consider making a recommendation at this Committee’s next meeting.
Announcements: None
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff