HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998 06-03 HHSCMINUTES OF THE
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING
City Conference Center
1001 N. Idaho Road, Apache Junction, AZ
June 3, 1998 - 1:00 P.M.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
ED BARKER, CHAIRPERSON
CAROL CRANMER, VICE CHAIRPERSON
JENNIE BENNETT
RUTH WATERS
1.Call to Order/Attendance.
STAFF PRESENT:
KATHLEEN CONNELLY, CITY CLERK
OTHERS PRESENT
COUNCILMEMBER URICH,COUNCIL
LIAISON
Chairperson Barker called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.City Clerk Kathleen
Connelly called the roll and advised there was a quorum present.Commissioner
Huerta was absent due to her daughter's surgery that day.
2.Approval of minutes of May 7, 1997, May 14, 1997, and May 13, 1998.
Commissioner Bennett moved to approve the minutes of May 7, 1997, May 14, 1997,
and May 13, 1998.Vice Chairperson Cranmer seconded the motion and the motion
was approved unanimously.
3.Status report on applications for city human services funding.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly commented everyone had been contacted and had agreed
to be here.
4.Interview of applicants for city human services funding for FY 1998-99.
The Boys and Girls Club was the first applicant interviewed.Commissioner Bennett
asked if the participants were listed every time they came in.Brett Stilson responded
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING
JUNE 3,1998
PAGE 1 OF 14
that the number listed next to the participant denotes the number of times they have
come into the club per month.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly commented she noticed
some of the documentation for identification had not been listed on the quarterly
reports, though it had been there earlier.Brett Stilson thought he might have left that
column out.He would include them in the next report.Vice Chairperson Cranmer
asked if they were only taking students with identification.Brett Stilson stated no, as
that is only one form of identification; they are allowed to use anything that indicates
their address, except utility bills.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly commented utility bills
are acceptable, but not property tax bills or things like that.Brett Stilson stated they
ask for something with a permanent address on it.They have some kids that have
three different addresses in two months.Commissioner Bennett stated that is because
sometimes they are living with dad and sometimes with mom.Chairperson Barker
asked if the $12,000 in funds requested was earmarked for any specific program or
if it would be spread all over.Brett Stilson stated it would be spread over all of the
programs.He added the board of directors had solicited a lot of equipment and
materials so most of their expense comes from the direct service staff that are working
with the kids.The interaction with the adults makes a difference in the kids' lives.
Therefore, part of his salary and those of the 3 games room supervisors would be paid
for via the health and human services commission funding.He added the United Way
will not let them use funds for any of the administrative staff but they can use the
funds for direct services.The whole focus of the program is the interaction with the
kids.Vice Chairperson Cranmer stated his point was very well taken, but the city can
only pay for the direct services.She asked what kinds of programs they could use the
money for.An unidentified male stated they would use the money for the summer
camp program, which amounts to $5,000 over the 8 -week program; twenty-five kids
would be enrolled.He commented they have a maximum number of 50 kids that can
be served at one time, and the club has reached that maximum.He stated there is a
difference in a kid receiving an hour's worth of therapy and 6-7 hours worth of adult
interaction.For some, the adults there are their only positive role models.Vice
Chairperson Cranmer asked how they fund the salaries.Brett Stilson stated it is not
broken out specifically for salaries.He commented they are to merge with the Boys
& Girls Club of the East Valley sometime next year.Vice Chairperson Cranmer asked
if they would get additional funding from them.Brett Stilson stated they would and
he would talk about that when additional funding comes up.They will be adding more
staff in the next coming year.Councilmember Urich asked how much of the $12,000
would be going to the East Valley Club.Brett Stilson stated none of it would be going
there.All city funds go to kids in the city.All the fundraisers held in the city have
resulted with those funds remaining here.Once they become part of East Valley Club,
they will get an additional percentage of that,making it a benefit to join the club.
Their whole purpose is to expand their services.He described the problems occurring
with latchkey kids.Vice Chairperson Cranmer stated she would like to be his contact
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING
JUNE 3,1998
PAGE 2 OF 14
person at the school district.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated he should not rely
on getting any funding from the Community Development Block Grant funds, as the
housing going in is going to boost that up even more.Chairperson Barker asked when
the summer camp would take place.Brett Stilson stated it is June 8 to July 31.It
was determined this year's camp could not be funded as the money would not be
available before then.Brett Stilson stated the funds could be used for the camp next
year, but he is leaning towards using it for the direct services for the kids.Chairperson
Barker asked if they had memberships.Brett Stilson stated they have 344
memberships.They charge a $10 annual fee,and about 75 kids have paid the
membership fee, while another 40 have earned it through doing jobs around the club.
It used to be free so they have not pushed the fee.Chairperson Barker commented
it appears only a handful attend almost every day and the others come in scattered.
Brett Stilson stated that was a fair statement, but it also depends on what quarter they
look at.They get an influx during the summer, and the families are very transient in
the area.He stated they will never go down in memberships as long as they are linked
with the school.Last May they had 122 enrolled, this May they have 344 enrolled.
They can only expand in membership.Councilmember Urich asked how he intended
to break the $12,000 down per program.Brett Stilson stated that 80-90% of the
money would be used towards the interaction between the adults and the kids.Vice
Chairperson Cranmer asked how the $2,500 from last year's funding was spent.Brett
Stilson stated it was spend on direct services, not on administration.They need to
look at the impact the program has on the community, taking children that have
problems and turning them into productive members of the community.Commissioner
Bennett commented she believed that is how it should be; it should not matter how
the money is spent as long as it is spent to work with the children.Brett Stilson
commented he had applied for other grants but he has not been able to get any as he
is not a professional grant writer.That is one thing he believes the East Valley
membership will help him attain.Commissioner Bennett commented on the car repair
program they had begun, and questioned how they were going to keep those kids
interested who were in that program.Brett Stilson stated that program is the race
against drugs and gangs program, and it is actually a race car that is sponsored by
them - the kids go to the track and see a totally different environment with a lot of
flash, yet there are still families involved.They learn about all the different kinds of
cars and races.In addition to getting to see a different environment, it will provide
them with job training in vehicle repair.Councilmember Urich asked if they allowed
girls in that program.Brett Stilson stated it is open to them.Chairperson Barker
commented they would have to adhere to certain guidelines by ordinance as far as
accountability is concerned.Brett Stilson commented he understood.Vice
Chairperson Cranmer commented she appreciated his enthusiasm.She had talked to
some of the kids and found that they looked forward to going there after school.
Commissioner Bennett talked about volunteering some of her time to the club.City
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING
JUNE 3,1998
PAGE 3 OF 14
Clerk Kathleen Connelly added the city appreciated his bringing some of the kids to the
Town Hall, as they rarely get people below the age of 25 at the Town Hall.Brett
Stilson commented they had enjoyed it as they were able to see the whole process;
if they get involved they could become future community leaders.
The next applicant was the Apache Junction Little League.Dee,the treasurer,
represented the Little League.Chairperson Barker stated they were asking for $1,500
to cover the registration fees for participants who could not afford to pay.Chairperson
Barker asked if they turned any kids away.Dee stated they do not turn anyone away.
Chairperson Barker asked if she would agree to having documented records ensuring
that the city funds spent would pay the registration fees of children residing within the
city limits.Dee said she would, but she could not provide proof that the family did not
have the money.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated the city would not require that
information;it is acceptable if they say so.Chairperson Barker explained that the
ordinance would not allow money to be spent on people residing outside the city.Dee
commented that she had 70 kids needing funding and that would amount to $3,000.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly explained the quarterly report that she would have to fill
out.Dee asked if the information would be confidential.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated it is not confidential, as anything connected with public funds has to be public
record.However, no one has ever asked for any information on the reports.Vice
Chairperson Cranmer remarked that they do get this information from all the other
agencies who receive funds.Chairperson Barker asked Dee if she was aware the the
city provides them with free utilities and field maintenance.Dee commented she was
unaware of that,but she knew the city provided the lights for the ball games.
Chairperson Barker asked her if the board of directors had stabilized.Dee stated the
board was not stable.Chairperson Barker asked her if it looked good for the future.
Dee commented there is a lot of dissension on the board at this time but there will be
new people on the board next year.She believes the nucleus of the board will stay
with extras added.She changed her opinion to say the board is stable, but there is
dissension.There was a discussion on how the board was chosen.
Communtiy Action Human Resources Agency was the next applicant.Mary Lou
Rosales was there to represent the agency.Chairperson Barker commented they are
asking for $22,000.Mary Lou Rosales commented they have been receiving funds
from them since they started and she has challenged other communities to do the
same.Chairperson Barker asked what they were going to do with the additional
money.Mary Lou Rosales stated they found out that two pages were missing from
their request.Those pages were an overview of what they are asking for and she
supplied them to the commission at that time.She commented there is a great need
for emergency home repair.They received the money late last year and they may have
$2,000 left over at this time.They do not start working on the money until they
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING
JUNE 3,1998
PAGE 4 OF 14
receive it.Vice Chairperson Cranmer asked if they could have used more money.
Mary Lou Rosales commented they probably could not have used more money, as they
received additional funding from the tobacco tax.When they receive a request from
someone in Apache Junction, they consider them for all the funding they can receive.
Councilmember Urich commented the council receives a lot of letters complimenting
them on their work.Vice Chairperson Cranmer asked why they are asking for an
increase.Mary Lou Rosales stated they would like to have a part-time person here;
they have a request in to the state to match the funds to make the position full-time.
Chairperson Barker asked if this was for the person already on staff.Mary Lou Rosales
stated it would be for a new position.It was estimated that they would see
approximately 200 families this year.They want to be able to coordinate with other
agencies to be able to help these families get the most that they can.Chairperson
Barker asked if they could do home repair to meet with ADA requirements.Mary Lou
Rosales stated they could, they have been trying to find a contractor or a carpenter to
start a business in the area.Councilmember Urich suggested contacting a service
organization.They had considered a non -licensed contractor but there could be
insurance problems there.Mary Lou Rosales asked them to call her if they had any
additional questions.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly asked if they have any ADA
accessible projects now that they are holding off on.Mary Lou Rosales stated they
are having problems with the ramps.
Mesa Senior Services was the next applicant to be interviewed.Dan Taylor
represented Mesa Senior Services.Chairperson Barker stated they were requesting
funding for $22,000.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated it appeared someone went
back to the old style of bookkeeping for the last quarter.There had been no problems
before this.A new employee had done the report and was unaware of what was
needed.Vice Chairperson Cranmer commented there was no resident of Apache
Junction on the board.She asked if they have an advisor from the city.Dan Taylor
stated Sylvia Stevens is on the board of directors and she lives in Apache Junction.
It was learned that Sylvia Stevens lives in Maricopa County on Signal Butte.Dan
Taylor stated they put her on the board to represent this area; she is very active in the
aging field.He added they have one member from each senior center that is on an
advisory committee that advises the board of directors, they also have one vote with
the board.Chairperson Barker commented they are not making this a stipulation that
someone from the city be on the board, they are just encouraging him to actively
recruit more people from Apache Junction.Commissioner Bennett asked how the city
was to identify with them when they are called Mesa Senior Services.Dan Taylor
stated the board believes they can supply service anywhere with this name and they
have put all the senior centers on their letterhead and any other correspondence
leaving the office.Commissioner Bennett asked how frequently they would be doing
home delivery meals.Dan Taylor stated it would be 4-5 days a week, but it may
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING
JUNE 3, 1998
PAGE 5 OF 14
change in the future.They may do 5 days of delivery and have frozen meals for the
weekend, if they can get the funding in the future.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly asked
if meals would be cooked at the multi -generational facility in Mesa after it is built.Dan
Taylor stated the meals will be cooked there, on a limited basis to begin with, but
gradually increasing until all the meals are cooked there.The travel time will be only
10 minutes from that facility.They are attempting to provide other services for the
community by getting other grants.They have received a grant from the National
Meals on Wheels that is just for Apache Junction specifically.Through the funding
they have been able to double the number of meals that they have served in Apache
Junction since two years ago.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly commented she always
hears how wonderful the place is from people who have been there.Dan Taylor
commented it is a combination of the meals and the friendly atmosphere that makes
it work.They have instituted a student of the month to come over and have lunch and
do other intergenerational things with the seniors.In addition, they have two student
volunteers.
The next applicant was Reach Out Food Bank.John Snethen represented Reach Out
Food Bank.Chairperson Barker commented they were requesting $15,000.
Chairperson Barker stated they need to designate a contact person.City Clerk
Kathleen Connelly added she needed to be able to contact someone about the records
as they are running into the same problems again.She is still getting non -city
addresses, blank lines or strange forms of identification.However, the level of service
is above what the city funds.The problems with the records need to be corrected in
case they are audited.Commissioner Bennett stated the interviewers need to check
the map when interviewing the parties.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly added she had
provided a listing of mobile home parks that were not in the city limits yet they keep
showing up on the city records.John Snethen commented it is hard to train
volunteers to look at the map.Chairperson Barker stated the city is aware that they
serve far more than they receive funds for; they are just concerned that a possible
audit could throw a monkey wrench into the funding.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
suggested he line those out in any future reports so that they are excluded.John
Snethen agreed to that.Commissioner Bennett commented she believed this was one
of the most wonderful programs for the city.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly added she
is amazed at what is accomplished with the limited hours they are open.John
Snethen stated they are open limited hours due to the limited food available, and they
are able to give it all away because they are all volunteers and no one takes a salary.
He commented they need a different van as they have spent over $2,000 on repairs
this year.Chairperson Barker stated they are asking for $3,000 more than last year
and it is for an increase in the amount of food to be given away,which is
understandable in a growing community.Chairperson Barker asked for an estimate on
how many food boxes they would give out this December.John Snethen stated he
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING
JUNE 3,1998
PAGE 6 OF 14
could not do that.They are supposed to be for emergency assistance, but they have
people coming in every two weeks complaining that they have no food; they have to
give them food.Chairperson Barker asked if there had been a steady increase over the
last 3 or 4 years.John Snethen stated there has been an increase.City Clerk
Kathleen Connelly stated the Welfare Reform Act is starting to hit people pretty hard.
Chairperson Barker commented it appears that 26.8% of the budget is from the city.
John Snethen added the woman taking care of their records is a volunteer and she
does a wonderful job on that.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly asked if they had ever
contacted WalMart concerning additional funding.John Snethen stated he would talk
to the district manager.He stated the parks have activity directors who collect food
and bring it in, where they count the food and sign it into the book.Commissioner
Waters asked if the churches were participating.John Snethen stated all the churches
participate.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly asked if he believes he will see more people
coming in once Project Help moves in.John Snethen believes that they will.
The next applicant was St.George Catholic Community,represented by Garnette
Noble.Chairperson Barker commented there needs to be an improvement on
verification of residency.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated they need to provide the
kind of identification that was provided.She had also found some non -city addresses
included.This resulted in less city money being used as these had not been taken out.
Garnette Noble thought that her total was still considerably higher than the $2,500
allotted them.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated she would have to go back and
check, as the only information she was given was involving that up to the quarterly
amount.Chairperson Barker asked if an audit had been provided.City Clerk Kathleen
Connelly stated they have not received one and they are missing a detailed
expenditure,which needed to be submitted with the application in January.She
commented she had received a handwritten report, but she could not make any sense
out of it.All reports have to be either typed or on a word processor.Vice Chairperson
Cranmer commented it needs to say how much was spent in each area,such as
utilities, rent and medications.Garnette Noble stated she had a sheet with her that
might answer all of their questions.Chairperson Barker asked how long it would take
her to prepare a report.Garnette Noble stated she did not know as she handles
everything herself.Chairperson Barker asked City Clerk Kathleen Connelly if she could
accept the report if it were done by October 1.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated
it would have to be done earlier if they planned on funding them this year; she would
need it no later than July 1.Garnette Noble stated she could get it by then.
Chairperson Barker stated they would need an audit by October 1, and Garnette Noble
stated that would be no problem.Chairperson Barker advised her that if the criteria
was not met, the funding would go to another agency.Garnette Noble added all of
her wages and the office expenses are paid for by St. George's Catholic Church; it
comes out of a separate account.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly asked if they were
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING
JUNE 3,1998
PAGE 7 OF 14
getting a lot of people coming over from the Salvation Army.Garnette Noble stated
they were, they tend to come in spurts.She feels that since the spring she is working
better with other agencies to combine their efforts to give the residents the best help
they can.
The final applicant was Superstition Mountain Mental Health Center.Vice Chairperson
Cranmer left the meeting due to a conflict of interest.Chairperson Barker stated they
were asking for $33,000.He commented it appeared their documentation had
improved, but there are occasional lapses.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly added their
service level exceeds the level of funding.Chairperson Barker commented they did not
expend the total amount under information and referral services.Marge stated it was
an oversight.Chairperson Barker asked what the money would be for.Michael
Munion stated it would be for an increase in emergency services.They have seen an
increase in calls with more people coming into the area.There is a higher percentage
of nonregistered clients.They are to the point where they would like to add more
staff.Michael Munion stated they are doing more in the area of psychiatric services
and crisis services.They are getting patients who were previously seen in Maricopa
County, and they are now showing up in the outlying cities and towns.Chairperson
Barker asked about the totals in the categories.Marge stated those are the totals
expended in each of those categories for the quarterly reports.There was general
discussion on the amount of funding received and the expenditures made during the
year and the previous year.Chairperson Barker asked if the increased expenditures
meant their clients were increasing.Marge stated that was correct.Chairperson
Barker asked if the increase is because of more services being offered, more people are
being served or if the services are more expensive or any combination of them.Marge
stated it would be a combination of them.There are more programs going on, they
are offering more services, but at the same time the population is growing and there
is greater demand for the services.Chairperson Barker asked if there was a marked
increase in the types of services provided between the last two years.Michael Munion
briefed the commission on how individual treatments will differ, depending on what
the problem is.They do not have a breakdown on the total calls at this time, but
Marge stated she would be happy to break it down on the next quarterly report.
There was general discussion over what members of the commission would be
available for the consideration of recommendations if the meeting continued.
Commissioners Huerta and Waters would not be available.Chairperson Barker asked
Commissioner Waters to write down her recommendations for funding before she had
to leave.Chairperson Barker called for a short break at 3:20 p.m.
Chairperson Barker reconvened the meeting at 3:30 p.m.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING
JUNE 3, 1998
PAGE 8 OF 14
5.Consideration of recommendations for city human services funding for FY 1998-
99.
Chairperson Barker asked for any comments on the request for $1,500 by the Little
League.Vice Chairperson Cranmer thought they should try to fund them.Chairperson
Barker noted the city already funds the Little League insofar as the lights that cost
$60,000.This does not include the cost of electricity for the concession stand, the
water and the parks and recreation employees that take care of the field daily or the
use of the telephone.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly added the water bill runs $15,000
a month, but she does not know what the breakdown is.Vice Chairperson Cranmer
asked if the commission could fund them for those services.Chairperson Barker
stated they would only be paying the city back; he recommended they not be funded
as the city is already spending approximately $300 daily during the season on them.
Vice Chairperson Cranmer commented he had made a very good point and she
changed her mind.Chairperson Barker added Ron Kill has done a marvelous job raising
funds for the organization, and he believes the city is already doing more than their fair
share.He added no child will be turned away from the league if this is denied; it will
encourage them to find another way to get funding.The other commission members
agreed.
Chairperson Barker went on to Apache Junction Reach Out Food Bank.They asked
for $15,000 this year, they were given $12,000 last year.He stated Commissioner
Waters recommended giving them $10,000 in funding.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated Commissioner Waters had told her that she prefers to fund services that are
youth -oriented.Commissioner Bennett stated this would be for children, and Vice
Chairperson Cranmer stated they more than used up what they were given last year.
Commissioner Bennett believes they will be called upon for more food now that Project
Help will be close to them.There was general agreement to fund them for $15,000.
Chairperson Barker also wanted to stipulate that they have an official contact person
designated.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly suggested a designee and a back-up
designee.The commission agreed.
Chairperson Barker stated Commissioner Waters recommended funding the Boys and
Girls Club for $12,000.Vice Chairperson Cranmer commented they were not funded
by the commission last year, though they received money via the council, and they
used that money,have been improving and have been working hard.She is still
concerned about their function and would like to increase their funding but they did
not return any of her phone calls.She questioned whether the commission could pay
for salaries.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly commented there are salaries that go to
direct services,such as the counseling salaries for the psychiatric services.The
commission cannot fund salaries for administration, clerical help or the peripherals
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING
JUNE 3,1998
PAGE 9 OF 14
involved in that.Chairperson Barker added they can pay the salaries of those who deal
with the children directly.Vice Chairperson Cranmer stated she would like to fund
them for $5,000 this year.Commissioner Bennett thought they should have more
than the $2,500 they had last year.Chairperson Barker commented there are 5-10
youths that are there a lot and the rest are just scattered.Vice Chairperson Cranmer
stated that was okay with her as it gives them some place to go.She has heard some
very positive things from the kids.Chairperson Barker stated he would like to consider
giving them $9,000 for the summer camp.Vice Chairperson Cranmer and
Commissioner Bennett agreed.Chairperson Barker continued that he would like to see
the funding designated for that specific program.He would like to fund it after the
fact, and reimburse their treasury once the funding cycle starts.The commissioners
in attendance agreed with this proposal.
Chairperson Barker stated Community Action Human Resources Agency was
requesting $22,000.He asked for the other commissioners input.Commissioner
Bennett commented this is a good program as the people do need their air conditioning
repaired.Vice Chairperson Cranmer stated they will still be doing that, the additional
money is for an additional half staff person.Commissioner Bennett stated she does
not know if she could agree to that.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated that would
be an administrative position.The commission agreed that they could not fund the
position.Chairperson Barker stated he would like to go over some of the other
agencies and come back to this.Vice Chairperson Cranmer stated that they did
specify that the additional funding requested would pay for staff.Chairperson Barker
stated it was a big jump for cooler and home repairs.The commissioners tentatively
decided to give them $12,000 in funding and talk about other agencies.
Chairperson Barker stated the next agency was the Senior Center.Commissioner
Bennett commented they have to be careful with this one.She felt they gave too
much to them last year and not enough to the Boys and Girls Club.Chairperson Barker
stated they requested $22,000 last year and they were given $17,000.He
commented there are a lot of people who are given food that would not be fed as well.
Vice Chairperson Cranmer added it is a federal program and they are being subsidized
in other ways.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated she was not sure if the federal
money went for meals, it might go for salary.Vice Chairperson Cranmer asked where
the federal money comes from in Apache Junction for those who cannot pay.She is
certain they are funded according to how many meals they serve.City Clerk Kathleen
Connelly stated the criteria is either by meal or the number of people who have signed
up.Vice Chairperson Cranmer stated the city is not their only funding source, they
have a considerable funding source.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated they also
receive funding from the Pinal-Gila Council for Senior Citizens.There was general
discussion on how many meals were served in Apache Junction in the past year.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING
JUNE 3, 1998
PAGE 10 OF 14
Approximately 18,000 meals were served, and they were funded $17,000 last year,
making it almost a dollar a meal in funding.Vice Chairperson Cranmer stated they
would fall into the category of being established and not necessarity needing as much
in funding.Chairperson Barker added they are similar to the Little League in that the
city provides them with the building.Vice Chairperson Cranmer asked what the
funding recommendation from Commissioner Waters on this agency was.Chairperson
Barker stated she recommended $17,000.Commissioner Bennett stated a lot of the
seniors are up there for the social atmosphere, but she believes a lot of the people up
there feel that they are entitled to a meal at that low cost.However, they do not pull
back from a gambling deal or spending money on the lottery.She knows people who
go to bingo parlors or other places yet still insist on eating a meal at the Senior Center.
She knows a lot of those seniors could pay the full price for their lunch.She does not
recommend any more than $17,000.Chairperson Barker stated they would tentatively
put that amount down for the Senior Center.
Chairperson Barker commented the next applicant was St. George's; they had asked
for $10,000 and were given $10,000 last year.Commissioner Bennett questioned
whether they justified using that.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated it is hard to say
as no records have been done by a certified public accountant and the city is relying
on their own handwritten records.Vice Chairperson Cranmer asked if they could
stipulate that they must have everything in order for them to receive the funding.
Chairperson Barker wanted to stipulate that the detailed expenditure be in by July 1,
1998, the audit be done by October 1, 1998, and that recordkeeping be correct or the
funding for the second quarter stops and the funds would go to someone else.
Councilmember Urich asked what Commissioner Waters had recommended.
Chairperson Barker commented she had not put them on her list to fund.He would
consider $10,000 with those stipulations.He called for any suggestions on who the
funding should go to if they do not meet the stipulations.Vice Chairperson Cranmer
suggested the Food Bank as they perform the same services.City Clerk Kathleen
Connelly stated it would leave about $7,500 if they did not comply.Chairperson
Barker commented they could stipulate that any unclaimed funds be given to the Food
Bank.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated they could so stipulate or reconvene and
do addendums to contracts; she is afraid they would add to the next year's request
if they received all the extra funding.
Chairperson Barker gave a brief history on the funding Superstition Mountain Mental
Health Center had received over the last ten years.He reminded the commission that
the whole idea of this funding is to help organizations get started, not to fund them
year after year.It is time to start weaning some of these organizations off.They will
still be there,but there are other organizations that could use the start up money.
Chairperson Barker asked how much money would be left if they only recommended
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING
JUNE 3,1998
PAGE 11 OF 14
$15,000 for them.It was determined that $10,500 would be left.
Chairperson Barker commented that tentatively they have $15,000 for the Food Bank,
$9,000 for the Boys & Girls Club,$17,000 for the Senior Center,$10,000 for St.
George's, and $15,000 for Superstition Mountain Mental Health Center.That would
leave $10,500 for Community Action Human Resources Agency.Councilmember
Urich stated that is less than what they had asked for.Chairperson Barker commented
it is double from what they were getting three years ago.Vice Chairperson Cranmer
stated she had a problem with those recommendations.Councilmember Urich stated
she did, too.Vice Chairperson Cranmer believes the Food Bank and Community Action
Human Resources Agency are the two most needy organizations in regards to service
that they have.Councilmember Urich commented Community Action Human
Resources Agency provides a service that cannot be done by any other agency.City
Clerk Kathleen Connelly added their clients do not go to the Senior Center as they may
not have sufficient clothing to attend there; these are the people who are desparate.
They take care of things like broken gas lines.Chairperson Barker recommended
giving them $12,000, which is what they got last year.Vice Chairperson Cranmer
thought that would be reasonable.There was general discussion over where the
additional $1,500 would be taken from.The consensus was to take the additional
money from the Senior Center as they receive free use of the facilities and all utilities
other than possibly the telephone.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated they could
make those recommendations and see if the council would agree with the additional
funding.Chairperson Barker commented his list added up to $76,500.Vice
Chairperson Cranmer agreed, but she suggested going over if possible.Chairperson
Barker agreed with Vice Chairperson Cranmer and suggested a total funding of
$78,000.Vice Chairperson Cranmer commented that would allow them to go back
up to $17,000 for the Senior Center.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly asked if they
wanted her to give them both recommendations.Chairperson Barker stated she could.
Vice Chairperson Cranmer suggested trying to get council to raise the limit by $2,500.
Chairperson Barker commented her recommendation would mean $79,000, and Vice
Chairperson Cranmer stated it should be at least that amount.City Clerk Kathleen
Connelly commented she believed the city manager would balk if it went over
$78,000.Councilmember Urich commented she could probably squeeze $78,000 out
without too much problem.
Chairperson Barker stated their recommendations were for $15,000 for the Food Bank,
$9,000 for the Boys &Girls Club,$12,000 for the Community Action Human
Resources Agency,$17,000 for the Senior Center,$10,000 for St.George's and
$15,000 for Superstition Mountain Mental Health Center, which totals $78,000.He
checked to see how these recommendations matched up with Commissioner Waters'
recommendations.Commissioner Waters' recommendations were $12,000 for the
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING
JUNE 3,1998
PAGE 12 OF 14
Boys &Girls Club,$17,000 for Community Action Human Resources Agency,
$17,000 for the Senior Center, $10,000 for the Food Bank, and some funding for the
Little League.Vice Chairperson Cranmer moved that the figures be accepted as
stated.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly advised her she could not vote on anything
involving the mental health center.She would have to vote separately.Chairperson
Barker suggested voting on all except the mental health center.He repeated the
recommendaticins of $15,000 for the Food Bank, contingent upon their designating a
designee or contact person for the city clerk, and a back-up contact person so that she
is always able to reach someone there;$9,000 to the Boys &Girls Club with
stipulations that they use it for their summer camp this year; $12,000 for Community
Action Human Resources Agency with stipulations that it cannot be used for
administrative costs; $17,000 for the Senior Center for congregate and home delivered
meals;$10,000 for St.George Catholic Community with stipulations that they
improve their verification of residency, improve their quarterly documentation, and that
their funding be contingent upon the improvement in those areas and upon a detailed
expenditure be provided by July 1,1998, and an audit by October 1, 1998, with all
records being either typed or done on a word processor -if those requirements are not
met, it is recommended that their funding be stopped for the second quarter and given
to the Food Bank.Vice Chairperson Cranmer moved to accept those figures as stated
with the stipulations offered for next year's funding.Commissioner Bennett seconded
the motion.The vote was unanimous.There was general discussion whether a vote
could be taken on the mental health center as with the conflict of interest there would
no longer be a quorum.It was suggested they call Commissioner Waters or
Commissioner Huerta at home to get a quorum.They were able to reach
Commissioner Huerta.Chairperson Barker advised her of the recommendations already
voted on and that her vote was needed on the recommendation of $12,000 for
Superstition Mountain Mental Health Center for emergency services and psychiatric
care and $3,000 for information and referral.He added any funding left over would
revert to the Food Bank.Commissioner Bennett made the motion to accept $15,000
for funding for Superstition Mountain Mental Health Center.Chairperson Barker
seconded the motion.The vote was unanimous as Commissioner Huerta had told
Chairperson Barker she approved of the funding recommended.
6.Discussion on future meetings.
Chairperson Barker commented he did not see the need for any future meetings at this
time.Vice Chairperson Cranmer asked if meetings would be called if any money
needed to be reassigned.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated they would be called if
any meetings would be needed.She asked if they would like something put in the
recommendation that agencies be put on notice that if they had received funding for
a certain number of years that they should consider looking for other sources.The
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING
JUNE 3, 1998
PAGE 13 OF 14
commission agreed.Chairperson Barker requested she compose a letter to the Little
League and explain that because of the tremendous amount of dollars the city already
spends in support of Little League, they did not think it would be appropriate to fund
them further.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly recommended not sending the letter until
after the council had heard the recommendations.The commission agreed.
Councilmember Urich requested a dollar figure on the letter to the Little League.
Chairperson Barker asked if anyone thought a letter should be sent to the Salvation
Army.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly commented she would also send a letter to them
and the shelter services stating they had failed to meet the criteria.
7.Adjournment.
Commissioner Bennett moved for adjournment.Chairperson Barker seconded the
motion.The vote was unanimous.The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
aEct)1A,_
Ed Barker
Chairperson
k--thleen Connelly
City Clerk
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING
JUNE 3, 1998
PAGE 14 OF 14