Amended 8/18/08

HUMAN SERVICES

June 16, 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, Janeil Valentine, Dr. Sienko, Randy Bell, Mary Manedorf and Renee Canady

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Schor at 7:02 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

Approval of the June 2, 2008 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. SOULE, SUPPORTED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, TO APPROVE THE JUNE 2 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Additions to the Agenda

2c.       Resolution to Authorize Agreements with the Gift of Life Organ Procurement Organization and Midwest Eye Banks

Limited Public Comment:          None

MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SOULE, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

1.         Ingham County MSU Extension Office

a.         Resolution Authorizing Ingham County MSU Extension 4-H Youth Programs to Enter into a Contract with the Lansing School District to Provide 4-H After-School Programs to Lansing Middle and High School Students

2a.       Health Department - Resolution to Authorize Administrative Support Services Agreements with County Health Plans

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SOULE, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

1b.       Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of Funds Out of the Personnel Cost Category of the 2008 Budget for the Purpose of Funding the Renovation of Modular Work Stations in the MSU Extension Office in the Hilliard Building

Mr. Bell referred to his June 3, 2008 memorandum to this Committee.  The memorandum is included in the agenda material.  Mr. Bell stated he has worked with Ms. Valentine to find a solution to a space configuration problem in his office in the Hilliard Building.  The Office needs a space at the front of the Office for the Office Manager. 

Ms. Valentine recommended that the Office should undertake a design study by using the services of a space designer provided to the County by DBI Business Interiors.  Mr. Bell explained the upgrades could be done in four phases.  His initial plan is to make a CIP request annually for the next four years to fund this project. 

Mr. Bell further stated he is holding a vacant position open in his Office.  The position will remain vacant until he determines the effect of the vacant position.  The cost of this position, including salary and fringe benefits, for 2008 is $46,974.04.  Mr. Bell explained that he is requesting to use up to $46,974.04 to fully fund the upgrades for his Office. 

Chairperson Schor stated he has a concern about using the position funds for this matter.  The funds should be placed in the CIP budget.  We need to consider the overall picture for the County, not just the Health Department. 

Board Chairperson Thomas asked if there is an urgent need to do this project now instead of doing this in the normal budget process.  Ms. Valentine stated the MSU Office is small and crowded.  Comm. Hertel stated the Controller’s Office has reviewed and recommended this request.  He further stated the electrical wires in the MSU Office are exposed.  Comm. Hertel stated he understands Chairperson Schor’s concerns; however, due to the exposed wires and other issues he will support this request. 

Mr. Cypher explained that he reviewed this information and he understands Chairperson Schor’s concerns.  He then stated this is an urgent issue that should be addressed.

MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS OUT OF THE PERSONNEL COST CATEGORY OF THE 2008 BUDGET FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING THE RENOVATION OF MODULAR WORK STATIONS IN THE MSU EXTENSION OFFICE IN THE HILLIARD BUILDING.  MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Schor voting NO.

2.         Health Department

c.         Resolution to Authorize Agreements with the Gift of Life Organ Procurement Organization and Midwest Eye Banks

MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DOUGAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE AGREEMENTS WITH THE GIFT OF LIFE ORGAN PROCUREMENT ORGANIZATION AND MIDWEST EYE BANKS.

Comm. Severino stated this is a good idea.  He then asked about the process to receive a life organ.  Dr. Sienko explained that most people need a few days to determine if they want to donate an organ from their family member.  Most people do not think about this type of situation before it occurs.  Dr. Sienko then explained there is a need to expedite the matter because some tissues need to be transferred very quickly. 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

b.         Informed Item:  Capital Area Food Security Work Group Report for Consultants and Confirmation of Next Step

Ms. Canady explained that she was appointed to a work group to review this matter and to report her findings to this Committee.  The work group consisted of the Greater Lansing Food Bank, Capital Area United Way, ARC and Ingham County. 

Ms. Canady explained the work group was charged with developing a model that consolidates or coordinates the functions of the principal organizations into a more centralized operating entity.  This entity would be recognized as the community’s affiliate member of America’s Second Harvest. 

All the groups conceded that the optimal way to achieve their desired results of feeding the hungry people efficiently was to form a unified system with a single governance structure, staff and focus.  A unified food banking and distribution system could be implemented by 2012.  The necessary changes for this implementation were defined in the material which was distributed to the Committee. 

Ms. Canady stated the work group has recommended two options for organizational structures.  Option 1, Strategic Alliance or Joint Programming – Current organizations meet and agree to coordinate services to the extent possible.  Option 2, Corporate Integration – Create a centralized Lansing area food banking authority in the form of a new non-profit governing board.  Ms. Canady stated Option 2 is strongly recommended.  The consultants believe this to be the best option in the long run. 

Ms. Canady stated each work group member was asked to return to their boards and determine if they want to collaborate or consolidate.  The members will meet again on July 10, 2008 to continue this discussion. 

Comm. Soule asked about the buy-in for the competing organizations.  Ms. Canady stated most organizations seem to be leaning toward the consolidation.  There are some questions about the Red Cross.  Bahar-Cook stated she attended the early work group meetings but do to a possible client/county conflict of interests pulled her self off the committee.  Dr. Canady became the County representative on the governance committee. The organizations, with the exception of the Red Cross, believe its time for a change and they are open to a change.

Comm. Bahar-Cook stated she is in favor of Option 2.  Chairperson Schor stated he also favors Option 2.  He then asked if government and non-profit dollars can be put together.  Ms. Canady explained there would be a subcontract with a new entity.  Chairperson Schor stated he would like to see the details from the work groups when they are available. 

Board Chairperson Thomas asked if improvements will be seen from Option 2.  Ms. Canady stated Option 2 will result in some efficiencies.  The organizations will be able to provide food to more people. 

This discussion continued.  Comm. Soule stated he also supports Option 2.  He also stated he believes it will be difficult to get all the organizations on board with this project.   Chairperson Schor asked if the Committee wants to look further into Option 2.  Comm. Severino stated he is not objected to pursuing Option 2.  He then asked if the smaller food banks will be able to buy into this program.  Ms. Canady explained that the smaller entities will still be able to purchase foods or obtain an allocation from the Mid Michigan Food Bank. 

Chairperson Schor stated Ms. Canady is doing an excellent job on this matter. 

3.         Board Referral – Letter from Ingham County Board of Health Updating the Board on Its Outreach Efforts During 2007

The Board Referral was received and placed on file.

Chairperson Schor informed the Committee that the Board of Health will present changes to their bylaws at an upcoming Committee meeting. 

Announcements:           None

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff