HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-07-23 HHSCMINUTES OF THE
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING
City Conference Room
1001 N.Idaho Road,Apache JUnction,AZ
July 23,2003 -5:00 P.M.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
ED BARKER
JOYCE PAYNE
DAVID ROMERO
1.Call to Order/Attendance.
STAFF PRESENT:
KATHY CONNELLY,CITY CLERK
JAN MASON,DEPUTY CITY CLERK
Vice Chairperson Barker called the meeting to order at 5:25 p.m.Deputy
City Clerk Jan Mason called the roll and advised there was a quorum
present.
2.Discussion on FY 2003-04 funding applications and procedure for
reviewing applications.
City Clerk Kathy Connelly began by explaining that the commissioners'
packets contained an updated board and commission member list,City Code
Article 2-11 that outlines duties and responsibilities of the Health and
Human Services Commission and Ordinance Number 659,which explains the
procedure for reviewing applications.She said she sends out notices to
human service agencies annually who have asked to be notified of the
city's funding process.The agencies,in turn,send the information
required in the ordinance in order to apply for funding.She added that
she included a summary memorandum explaining she sent out reminder
letters to eighteen •agencies on December 9,2002 and the agencies had
until January 31,2003 to return their requests.She has received seven
requests.She also included an outline of the seven agencies and gave
some background on them.
City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated that Apache Junction Reach Out Food
Bank is requesting funding to provide food for needy city residents and
they are requesting $15,000.They have had numerous previous contracts
with the city and they are very good to work with.They are up to date
on all their information and their reports have been filed on time.
City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated that they easily exceed the amount the
commission gives them.
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City Clerk Kathy Connelly said The Arizona Bridge to Independent Living
is asking for $24.324.Their proposal is for modifications for low-to
moderate -income city residents with disabilities who own or rent houses,
apartments,or mobile homes.City Clerk Kathy Connelly said that $9,925
of the $24,324 request is to be put towards administrative costs.She
said usually the -commission does not fund the administrative costs,they
fund program costs and expect the agency to fund administrative costs
from other funding sources.She said that means that nearly 41% of
their funding request is for administrative costs instead of direct
services.She had contacted City Attorney Joel Stern regarding their
request to modify rental properties.Mr.Stern's opinion was that this
funding would be considered a gift because public funds would be used to
improve rental properties,and therefore would be a violation of the
state constitution.Vice Chairperson Ed Barker asked if this was a new
agency and if they had ever applied before.City Clerk Kathy Connelly
said they have been involved in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
funding in the past.She said they have been on her list of agencies,
but had never applied.She added that rental properties are not
permissible and perhaps the agency did not know this.
City Clerk Kathy Connelly said Catholic Community of St.George is
requesting $20.000.St.George's had been a funded applicant in the
past but due to extenuating circumstances themoney had to be returned.
Commissioner Payne asked what she meant by taking money back from them.
City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated that required documents were not
submitted,other documents had erasures and whiteout used on them,and
because public funds were involved the commission felt it would be
better to get the money back.She said the money.was then awarded to
another agency for human services funding.Vice Chairperson Barker
stated that he was on the commission at the time this happened and they
never felt there was any "monkey business", going on,the commission just
felt the agency was practicing poor 'bookkeeping.City Clerk Kathy
Connelly stated that St.George's.iOnterested :lpfbad box distribution
and the commission will need to advise them the' need to coordinate with
the Food Bank so duplication does not hapOen::-..She.added they are also
interested in funding areas of toiletries,utility payments,rent and
mortgage assistance and this is.d big gap in the community that needs to
be addressed.City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated she had a question
regarding why city residents would need shower vouchers.She added that
in regards to rent and mortgage assistance the contract would have to
include the stipulation that the check be cut to the mortgage holder or
landlord and i f i t is a rental property,the landlord must be licensed
with the city and paying rental tax.
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JULY 23,2003
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City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated that Community Action Human Resources
Agency (CAHRA)is requesting $10.000 for repair and replacement of major
appliances,such as air conditioners,cooling,etc.,and installation of
devices to improve accessibility of individuals with disabilities.She
said their contract specifically states they are limited to owner-
occupied homes and excludes rentals.She said they are located in
Coolidge,but they service the Apache Junction area..She added they
have been funding CAHRA for at least ten years.She also said she often
gets cards from those that have benefited from the CAHRA program
thanking the commissioners and city council.
City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated that East Valley Habitat for Humanity
is a new applicant and they are requesting $20,000 to be used to
purchase property to build a home for a low-income family.She said
that after speaking with them,unless they receive the $20.000,they
would be unable to build the house.She added that a couple of
questions that may need to be asked are whether they can finish the
project within the fiscal year if they are approved for funding,do they
already have the property or will they have to locate property.
City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated that Mesa Senior Services has been
under contract with the city for at least ten years and is requesting
$22,000 to continue the programs at the Apache Junction Senior Center.
This would include congregate meals,home delivered meals,and
transportation services.She added that the people they service are not
just seniors:they include individuals that may have had surgery or may
have an injury and are unable to get out.She has had absolutely no
problem with them,everything is timely and in order.
City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated that S6pOrWtion Mountain Mental
Health Center,whom the city has funded formany years,is requesting a
two-part program.They are requesting -$25.:000 for emergency services
and $4,000 for their information and referral program.They have filed
their reports on time and she has had no' problems with them.
City Clerk Kathy Connelly stated the funding requests are slightly
exceeding $140,000.However,the final budget provides only $80,000 to
work with.Commissioner Payne asked if all the funds were city funds.
City Clerk Kathy Connelly said they were all from the General Fund.She
advised the commissioners to read through the reports and see in what
other areas the agencies are receiving funding and donations.
Commissioner Payne asked if they could use the funding for salaries.
City Clerk Kathy Connelly said the commission has traditionally
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JULY 23,2003
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specified funding for prograths,not-administrative:costs such as
salaries.Commissioner Payne asked how that.600lies to Community Action
Human Resources Agency (CAHRA).City.C10k.Kathy Connelly stated that
the requests that are sent to her from'CAHRA reflect the cost of the
replacement part and the costA:if the labor,and-that is what they get
reimbursed for,not their own administrative costs.Commissioner Payne
asked if CAHRA sent out bids.City Clerk Kathy Connelly said they do
for contractors for general services because they do not know ahead of
time what types of specific services they will need.
3.Status report on FY 2002-03 funding recipients.
City Clerk Kathy Connelly said that the Boys and Girls Club of the East
Valley is usually an applicant.They missed the deadline this year,and
because i t is a law they were unable to apply.She added that it was
not a problem with the local branch but with the administrative offices
in Tempe that they did not meet the deadline.
Vice Chairperson Barker said the Reach Out Food Bank receives most of
their funding from private donations so they are very dependent on the
funding they receive from the commission.Commissioner Romero asked i f
the Food Bank receives any donations or funding from St.Mary's Food
Bank.Vice Chairperson Barker said they did not:they are two
completely different organizations.He added the Food Bank is able to
buy food at reduced prices from St.Mary's but that is all.
Commissioner Barker stated the decision is going to be difficult this
year because there is over $140,000 in funding requests and only $80,000
available.He added that many organizations such as the Reach Out Food
Bank and the Senior Center cannot do without the funding and support of
the commission.He said Superstition Mountain Mental Health has a large
budget and receives funding from the state and matching funds.
4.Selection of future meeting dates.
Commissioner Romero moved they meet on Wednesday,July 30,2003,at 5:30
p.m.to discuss applications and interview choices.Commissioner Payne
seconded the motion.The vote was unanimous.The motion carried.
5.Commission requests for future agenda items.
There were no requests for future agenda items.
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6.Adjournment.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:48 p.m.
Ed Barker Kathleen Connelly
Vice Chairperson City Clerk
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