Approved 6/4/07
HUMAN SERVICES
May 14, 2007
Minutes
Members Present: Curtis Hertel, Mark Grebner, Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Andy Schor, Tim Soule, Mike Severino and Board Chairperson Marc Thomas
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Jared Cypher, Dr. Sienko, Lisa Chapman, Pat Hepp, Mark Kieselbach, Jim Wilson and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Grebner at 7:01 p.m. in the Conference Room C of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the April 30, 2007 Minutes
The April 30, 2007 minutes were approved as submitted. Absent Comms.: Severino and Grebner
Additions to the Agenda: None
Limited Public Comment: None
1. Presentation – Corporation for Supportive Housing – Lisa Chapman, Michigan Program Director
Ms. Chapman explained the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) is a national non-profit organization which helps communities create permanent housing with services to prevent and end homelessness. CSH’s project related assistance includes predevelopment funding; technical assistance and systems advocacy. Approximately 80,000 people accessed the homeless system this year. Ms. Chapman reviewed CSH’s information which is contained in the agenda material.
(Comm. Severino arrived at 7:06 p.m.)
Ms. Chapman explained the types of supportive housing units include dedicated buildings, rent-subsidized apartments, mixed-income buildings, long-term set asides and single-family homes. Temporary interventions are uncertain lengths of stay, program requirements, isolated and reinforced dependency. Supportive housing provides stability, no time limits, independent living, community involvement and personal responsibility for behavior and rent.
(Comm. Grebner arrived at 7:08 p.m.)
CSH’s three streams of funding are capital, operating subsidies and services funding. Ms. Chapman reviewed the challenges as outlined in the agenda material.
Ms. Chapman stated CSH is looking for additional partners to assist in their efforts. She encouraged the Committee to contact her if there is an interest in becoming a partner.
The Committee held a general discussion regarding this item. Comm. Schor asked if CSH has housing facilities within Ingham County. Ms. Chapman stated there are CSH housing units within the County. Comm. Schor requested information regarding the location of the units.
Comm. Bahar-Cook stated the Michigan NACo has a subcommittee on ending homeless in ten years. She then asked Chairperson Hertel if this Committee could send a letter of support to the Corporation of Supportive Housing. Chairperson Hertel indicated such a letter would be drafted.
2. Health Department
a. Board of Health – Presentation: Proposed Amendment to the Smoking Regulation
Chairperson Hertel explained the purpose of this discussion is to allow the Committee an opportunity to ask questions prior to having a public hearing.
Dr. Sienko distributed additional material regarding this item to the Committee. He then reviewed the major proposed changes which are bolded in the modified version of the Regulation. The proposed changes relate to the control of air contamination by tobacco use in restaurants and bars. The major changes are located in Sections:
1010 - Enforcement, subsections A. Enforcement for Public and Private Worksites and B. Enforcement for Restaurants, Bars and other Food Service Establishments
1012 – Violations and Penalties, subsection G, items 1-5
1016 – Effective Date, subsections B, C, items 1-4
Once the review was completed, the Committee asked questions about the proposed changes. Comm. Bahar-Cook stated there has been much discussion at the State level regarding this same issue. Chairperson Hertel stated the Senate House bill is stuck at this time. The chances of the legislature passing the bill are very slim. He then explained the State’s plan is very different from the County’s plan.
Comm. Severino asked for the legal difference between now and the last time this matter was addressed. Ms. Hepp stated the current County Attorney’s legal opinion is more favorable than the last opinion. Comm. Grebner stated the amended regulation would protect the air in the non-smoking sections of bars and restaurants.
The Committee held a brief conversation regarding the recent County Attorney opinion. Chairperson Thomas stated he has read the opinion and does not believe it is confidential in nature. He then asked if the Committee wants to discuss the two legal opinions at the next meeting.
Comm. Grebner stated this proposal will not restrict smoking in restaurants and bars. The amended regulation will affect the non-smoking areas of bars and restaurants.
Comm. Schor asked for a clarification of the proposed amendments. Dr. Sienko explained the intent of the amendment is to protect the air quality in non-smoking areas of bars and restaurants which have non-smoking areas.
The Committee held a general discussion regarding the proposed violation penalties. Dr. Sienko explained if a restaurant violates the regulation, it would have to submit a corrective action plan to the Health Department.
Chairperson Hertel stated he does support a state-wide ban. He then asked about the cost of enforcing the amended regulation? Mr. Wilson explained the costs for a PE consultant. Dr. Sienko stated he would provide that information to the Committee at a later. Chairperson Hertel stated the cost of implementing the amended plan should be made clear.
Chairperson Hertel asked why the Board of Health established a zero base of smoke that is acceptable in non-smoking sections. Dr. Sienko explained measurement tools to measure smoke in the air are not available at this time. It would be easier to say there won’t be any amount of smoke flowing into non-smoking areas; however, the amount of smoke cannot be measured.
Comm. Bahar-Cook stated the penalty of shutting a restaurant down is too harsh and she will not support such a penalty.
Chairperson Hertel asked the Health Department to bring an amendment to the resolution which deals with child care businesses’ hours of operation. He further stated this Committee will not address this item again until the Health Department has answered the questions of this Committee. The Board of Health is also to amend the regulation to make it more reasonable.
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO RECOMMEND THE RELEASE OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OPINION IN THIS MATTER. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Comm. Schor stated his preference to complete this process in July or August of this year. He also agreed it’s a good idea to have the Board of Health review their proposal before coming back to this Committee. Comm. Schor further stated the Board of Health is the expert in this matter and this Committee appreciates its recommendations.
Chairperson Hertel encouraged the Board of Health to reach out to advocates to determine where they stand on this issue.
b. Resolution to Accept Donated Funds for the Health Department’s Health Care for the Homeless Program (Sparrow Community Health Center)
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT DONATED FUNDS FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S HEALTH CARE FOR THE HOMELESS PROGRAM (SPARROW COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER). MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
c. Information – Property Dispute Settlement
Dr. Sienko explained this matter was settled to avoid going to the Supreme Court. The Environmental Health staff will undergo training to avoid a repeat of this situation.
3. Controller’s Office – Resolution Updating Various Fees for County Services
Chairperson Hertel stated Comm. Holman is concerned about the high point of sale fees. Dr. Sienko stated the increase was made according to the annual fee analysis.
Announcements
Comm. Bahar-Cook informed the Committee that students at Pattengill Middle School who participate in the Art of Leadership program in Lansing have organized an event at the Potter Park Zoo. The event involves a paint-by-number mural that will be installed at the Park. The event will take place on May 30, 2007 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Park.
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff