HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995 08-22 HHSCMINUTES OF THE
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING
Administration Building Conference Room
1001 N.Idaho Road,Apache Junction,AZ
August 22,1995,6:35 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
CARMEN HUERTA,CHAIRPERSON
ED BARKER
CAROL URICH
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
JENNIE BENNETT
JAMES BANCROFT
STAFF PRESENT:
KATHLEEN CONNELLY,CITY CLERK
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Carmen Huerta.The roll was taken
by City Clerk Kathleen Connelly.A quorum was present.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly said that she was unable to reach Jennie Bennett,
and James Bancroft has pneumonia.
Chairperson Carmen Huerta said that they have received a notice from the East
Valley Catholic Social Services that they will not be providing services to the
Senior Center and were informed that the Pinal and Gila Council for Senior
Citizens Program was going to be providing the services.They have been
requested to come and tell us what they will be doing,so that we can decide
whether to approve the allocated funds for the Senior Center.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly said that,since the Catholic Social Services
provided the one month's services,that they did execute a one -month contract for
$1,083.00 which is 1/12th of the $13,000.00 which was approved for the Senior
Meals Program.That leaves a balance of $11,917.00.
Karen Conrad,the new Senior Center Coordinator,provided information regarding
her background.She also explained the basis of the transfer of providers and
about the agency and what they have been doing in the past.Olivia Guerrero gave
further details about their functions as a regional agency.This year,Catholic
Social Services,which has been their provider,came in with a bid which they
could not accept,due to not having sufficient funds,and due to their concerns
for the fund's high administrative and personnel costs.Their budget covers
congregate meals,home meals and transportation.They have sent out RFP's,but
the responses received were incomplete.As time has gone by,new officers have
been installed and they are not sure where funds for operation will be obtained.
They have asked the DES for a waiver for an emergency contract and are seeking
stability in funding,so that the senior citizens are not alarmed by the changes
being made.
MEETING OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
August 22,1995
Page 2 of 2
Olivia Guerrero explained their plans for major fund-raisers,as government
cutbacks in funding are expected.She expressed concern that the Apache Junction
Senior Center has the largest number of the elderly in their upper years of any
Senior Center in Pinal County.Since the "older"elderly usually require more
services,there will be an increasing financial need as the years go by.
Therefore,fund-raisers will be needed to help provide these fast increasing
services.Education and information on prevention were also mentioned as
important projects being planned to help control costs.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly discussed with the Commission the requirements and
methods to establish residency in Apache Junction to receive these services.She
has prepared a form which will be used for this information.This form is being
prepared for use by all of the organizations.It is for City Clerk Kathleen
Connelly's use only to monitor the funding.
Commissioner Barker asked i f they can operate at $1100 per month.Olivia
Guerrero said that this amount didn't include administration fees.None is
charged to the budget.She projects that all of their funds will be used,and
more.Funding timelines and alternatives were discussed.
Chairperson Huerta asked for any comments against funding.It was agreed that
the City is fortunate to have such an organization here.Residency requirements,
record keeping and compliance questions were discussed and i t was agreed that
they can be smoothed out.
Commissioner Barker moved to recommend that the City Council direct funding for
the Senior Center which was originally earmarked for East Valley Catholic Social
Services to the Pinal-Gila Council for Senior Citizens for the remainder of the
Fisdal Year 1995-96 for the provision of services at the Apache Junction Senior
Center,with the same stipulations and requirements as were required of East
Valley Catholic Social Services.Seconded by Commissioner Urich.Passed
unanimously.
Chairperson Huerta asked for future agenda items or meeting dates.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly mentioned the "We Go Where You Go"project.The
head of this project is asking to be put on the Commission Agenda.It was agreed
to meet with her as she had asked.Tuesday,August 29,6:30 p.m.was chosen for
the meeting.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
ATTEST:
Kithled4 Connelly,City glerk
Carmen Huerta,Chairman
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