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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-05-20 HHSCMINUTES OF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING City Conference Center 1001 N.Idaho Road,Apache Junction,AZ May 20,2002 -10:00 a.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: JENNIE BENNETT,VICE CHAIRPERSON ED BARKER BARBARA MUETING 1.Call to Order/Attendance. STAFF PRESENT: KATHY CONNELLY,CITY CLERK JAN MASON: DEPUTY CITY CLERK Vice Chairperson Bennett called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. Deputy City Clerk. Jan Mason called the roll .and advised there was a quorum present. 2.Discussion on FY 2002-03 funding applications, and procedure for reviewing applications/Status report on-FY2001-O2 funding recipients. City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated that she believed the Commission had received someAere in the area of $126,000 in requests..She stated that only $84,000 would be available again this year.She explained some background on each applicant. Against Abuse is out of Casa Grande.They have applied intermittently in the past and they are asking for $5,000.Against Abuse has met all the requirements on the checklist.However,the reason for their request is to cover cost of living increases for their employees rather than for specific programs.Commissioner Barker asked if their operation area was Casa -Grande.-City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated that Against Abuse suggested they have some activity in Apache Junction. Commissioner Barker and City Clerk Kathy Connelly both stated they did not recall their presence in the community.Commissioner Barker stated that in the past when Against Abuse had been contacted to take.someone from Apache Junction,Against Abuse would claim they had no room and that they primarily serviced the Casa Grande area.City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated that their application claimed they serviced approximately one hundred clients a year from Apache Junction.Vice Chairperson Bennett believed that those referrals came from Victim HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING MAY 20,2002 PAGE lof 5 Assistance.City Clerk Kathy Connelly read from their application that they needed the funds to cover employee wages,including a six percent increase for childcare workers in Apache Junction.Commissioner Barker stated that he was not aware they had childcare workers in Apache Junction.Vice Chairperson Bennett stated that their reason for funding is against the rules that the commission has set. City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated that Apache Junction Reach Out Food Bank is requesting $15,000.They are up to date on all information and their reports have been filed on time.Vice Chairperson Bennett asked if they have proven that the funds the commission has awarded them haVE been used for Apache Junction.City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated that they easily exceed the amount the commission gives them.Commissioner Barker asked if any monies from other organizations,funded by the commission,that did not provide documentation were transferred to the Food Bank.City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated that had not happened so far this year. City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated she has had no problem with the Boys & Girls Club.They were supposed to provide a line item budget.Deputy City Clerk Jan Mason confirmed they had supplied it and it was included in the packet.They are requesting $35,000 to use in their "Project Learn"program.She said that children up to young adult age are repeat users of the program,so the program is attracting children to the club. Commissioner Barker asked how much had been given to them last year. City Clerk Kathy Connelly thought they had awarded $17,000 to them,but she would have that information available to the commission at the next meeting. City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated that Community Action Human Resources Agency (CAHRA)is requesting $12,000 for replacement of major appliances,such as air conditioners.cooling,etc.She stated she had a problem with them the first quarter;they only had one client listed in the city,and that address turned out not to be in the city.She stated she cautioned them regarding this and requested they check with her if they have any doubt.Otherwise,they have been "kind of"on time;they often have to be reminded to turn in their reports.' • City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated that Mesa Senior Services is. requesting $22,000 to continue the pro-grams at the Apache Junction Senior Center. This would include congregate meals,home delivered meals,and transportation services.She has had absolutely no problem with them.. •She stated that the Senior Center is a packed house even in the summer HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING MAY 20,2002 PAGE 2of 5 months.She believes that the city is benefiting because the programs they are running at the Mesa facility are now being brought to Apache Junction. City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated that Superstition Mountain Mental Health Center is requesting $17.000 for emergency services and a grant for their information and referral program.They have filed their reports on time and she has had no problems with them..,Vice Chairperson Bennett asked what they do in regards to information and referral.City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated every, month there is a meeting of .participants of the human services network with guest speakers and they use that money for mailing notices and notices of other related events. City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated the Volunteer Center is a new request. They are requesting $10,000.She had a hard time understanding what , they want funded.Commissioner Barker asked if they were located in Apache Junction.City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated they are supposed to operate out of the Project Help building.She said i t appears they want money for administrative costs so they can pay someoneto set up the program.The program is to get names of volunteers and then assign them to various tasks.At this point,they do not have the mechanism to do this.It looks as if they are looking for funding to getsomebody.in place to then start the program.She advised the commission to look at the letter and see if they get more out of it.Vice Chairperson Bennett asked if the commission provided start up money.City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated not unless they have a program up and running. City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated the last request was from the Young Marines.She said this was a first time request;they have a program,. and they are looking for very specific things.The funding would be - used for things such as uniforms,trips,and training.She stated i t appears to be a very volunteer organization;they are not a formal .- organization,and they lack a lot of the documentation requested by the commission.She stated itwas worth looking into,but it. is hard to ignore the fact they are such an informal organizatibn,which makes i t difficult to control the funding.Commissioner Barker stated that he has done quite a few stories on the Young Marines,and his concern is that a lot of the kids involved do not live in the city limits.City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated they are a very dedicated group but they seem to be lacking a lot of stuff the commission normally asks for. Vice Chairperson Bennett asked how they could possibly fund an organization like this if fewer participants lived in the city than out. Commissioner Barker asked how much they were requesting.City Clerk HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING MAY 20,2002 PAGE 3of 5 Kathy Connelly stated $7.500.Commissioner Barker stated the money would probably be used for uniforms and would benefit participants outside the city.He went on to say that he felt the best they could possibly do is give them some money and tell them to get matching funds from somewhere else.City Clerk Kathy Connelly went on to say the commission needed to consider that they are missing some of the stuff that is required for consideration.Since they are such an informal organization they do not have audits,and they do not have any accounting ability.Commissioner Barker stated that previous to this time they have never really ever had any money.City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated that the money they have had is what they managed through fundraisers.City Clerk Kathy Connelly said under very tight restrictions the commission could consider a fledgling operation such as this.Commissioner Barker felt this would create more work for City Clerk Kathy Connelly and Deputy City Clerk Jan Mason.Commissioner Barker stated they need to be careful since there are other groups out there that are military based,such as NJROTC at the high school and the Explorer program at the police department. City Clerk Kathy Connelly then asked the commission whom they wanted to interview.Commissioner Barker moved that the commission not even consider Against Abuse.He feels they are a Casa Grande operation,and if they are doing anything in Apache Junction,he has not seen it.He does not see how they can meet the criteria for spending the money on Apache Junction residents.Vice Chairperson Bennett stated that because of the strict confidentiality ,required by this program that she agrees with Commissioner Barker.Commissioner Barker asked City Clerk Kathy Connelly if the commission has ever funded a group that performed the services outside the city for city residents.She replied they had not, the only exception is CAHRA,who is located outside the city,but performs work inside the city limits for city residents.Commissioner Barker moved that representatives from the other seven organizations come in and talk to the commission.City Clerk Kathy Connelly asked i f this included the Young Marines.Commissioner Barker stated yes. Commissioner Mueting seconded the motion.The vOte was unanimous.The motion carried. 3.Selection of future meeting dates/Commission requests for future agenda items. Commissioner Barker suggested they schedule a meeting with the Young Marines and the Volunteer Center of Pinal County only on Thursday afternoon since they are groups the commission has never interviewed HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING MAY 20,2002 PAGE 4of 5 before.He feels the commission has enough information on the other organizations and has interviewed them enough in the past to make a decision.Commissioner Barker moved they meet on Thursday,May 23, 2002,at 1:30 and schedule interviews for 1:45 p.m.and 2:00 p.m.,then discuss funding options and possibly finish up by 3:00 p.m. Commissioner Mueting seconded the motion.The vote was unanimous.The motion carried. Commissioner Barker asked that Deputy Clerk Jan Mason request that the Young Marines send Major Marilyn Cosgrove,if possible,for the interview.If the commission does decide to fund them,she will be the one running i t and responsible for complying. 4.Adjournment Commissioner Barker moved that the meeting be adjourned.Commissioner Mueting seconded the motion.The vote was unanimous.The motion carried.The meeting was adjourned at 11:06 a.m. Jennie—Bennett Kathleen Connelly Vice Chairperson City Clerk HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING MAY 20,2002 PAGE 5 of 5