Approved 5/5/08
HUMAN SERVICES
April 21, 2008
Minutes
Members Present: Andy Schor, Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Curtis Hertel, Tim Soule, Mike Severino, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Marc Thomas
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Jared Cypher, Randy Marwede, Mary Meirndorf, Wendy Mack and Marcus Cheatham
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Schor at 7:06 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the April 7, 2008 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SOULE, TO APPROVE THE APRIL 7 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Additions to the Agenda
4b. Substitute Resolution
Limited Public Comment: None
1. Interviews – Veterans Affairs Committee
The Committee interviewed Jennifer Smith for a position on the Veterans Affairs Committee.
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DOUGAN, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENT OF JENNIFER SMITH TO THE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. IMPACT System of Care – Resolution in Honor of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day
(Board Chairperson Thomas arrived at 7:11 p.m.)
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION IN HONOR OF NATIONAL CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS DAY. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Health Department – Resolution Authorizing a Contract with the National Association of City and County Health Organizations for Participation in a Demonstration of the Proposed National Accreditation System for Local Public Health
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CITY AND COUNTY HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS FOR PARTCIPATION IN A DEMONSTRATION OF THE PROPOSED NATIONAL ACCREDITATION SYSTEM FOR LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Controller’s Office
a. Discussion – Food Bank at Our Savior Lutheran Church Property
Mr. Cypher stated there is a Food Bank on the Church property. The County purchased this property with Juvenile Justice Millage funds. Mr. Cypher stated the County Attorney informed him that the Millage language is very specific about its uses. If the Food Bank wants to continue to operate on the property, it has to purchase the space for its fair market value. This matter must be resolved by June 30, 2008.
Ms. Meirndorf distributed an information sheet to the Committee. The information contained other Food Pantry sites in Ingham County. She then stated the Food Pantry at Our Savior Lutheran Church serves more families than the other pantries in the Counties. A high percentage of the families are SSI and SSD clients. The Pantry has been at this site since 1987.
Comm. Bahar-Cook asked for the fair market value of the space the Pantry is occupying. Mr. Cypher stated staff would determine that rate. Comm. Bahar-Cook asked if the pantry could operate through the Facility or a service being provided at the Facility. Mr. Cypher stated he would consult with the County Attorney on that matter.
Ms. Meirndorf stated some of the kids at the Church’s school work at the food pantry. The Court routinely sentences youth to work at food pantries. This food pantry serves a high number of developmentally and/or mentally disabled residents.
Comm. Hertel stated staff should look into possibly contracting with the food pantry to continue providing this service to the residents. Comm. Bahar-Cook stated the County should try to make this work. Comm. Severino asked how much space the food pantry requires. Comm. Bahar-Cook stated the pantry uses about 1,400 to 1,600 square feet. Comm. Severino further stated we should be creative to resolve this issue.
Mr. Cypher stated the food pantry also uses the utilities on the site. Comm. Dougan asked about the current arrangement the food pantry has with the Church. Ms. Meirndorf stated the food pantry is operated through the Church. Comm. Dougan asked Ms. Meirndorf what the food pantry would like to do about this issue. Ms. Meirndorf stated the County does not currently pay anything for food pantries in this County. If this food pantry started a rental situation, it may start a chain reaction with other food pantries in the County.
Comm. Hertel stated the County needs to find a short-term and a long-term resolution to this matter. Chairperson Schor stated the County has a unique arrangement with this location that it does not have with any other food pantries in Ingham County. He then stated it is the direction of this Committee to continue the food pantry at this site.
Mr. Cypher stated staff will determine the fair market value for the food pantry’s space.
Ms. Meirndorf thanked the Committee for trying to resolve this matter.
b. 2009 Budget Guidelines: Substitute Resolution Establishing Areas of Priority Emphasis Guiding 2009 Activities and Budget Process
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AREAS OF PRIORITY EMPHASIS GUIDING 2009 ACTIVITIES AND BUDGET PROCESS.
Comm. Hertel thanked staff for their work on the amendments to the original Resolution. He then stated it is very important for the County to reach its ultimate goal of providing access to health care for 100% of uninsured County residents by 2010 as stated in the Substitute Resolution.
Board Chairperson Thomas stated the Committee should have a realistic goal of providing access to health care for 100% of the residents who are interested in the County’s health care services. Comm. Hertel stated providing access to health care is the goal. The goal is not to provide health care to every County resident.
Comm. Severino stated the Under Sheriff is always open to learning about alternative funding mechanisms. He will support the amended language in the Assuring Accessible Health Care section of the Substitute Resolution.
MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Dougan Voting NO.
Announcements: None
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff