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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-09-04 HHSCMINUTES OF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION City Clerk Conference Center 300 E. Superstition Blvd., Apache Junction, AZ September 4, 2008 - 3:30 P.M. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: ROBERT EVANS, CHAIRPERSON JODENE WEETER ANDREW WHITENECK STAFF PRESENT: KATHLEEN CONNELLY, CITY CLERK JAN MASON, DEPUTY CITY CLERK 1.Call to Order/Roll Call. Chairperson Evans called the meeting to order at 3:46 p.m. Deputy City Clerk Jan Mason called the roll and advised there was a quorum present. Chairperson Evans commented he was not sure if he should be allowed to vote on the minutes. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated she had asked the city attorney and he had said this is just an administrative function.Whether he was at the meeting or not or on the commission or not, he is still entitled to vote. 2.Approval of minutes of October 23, 2007; February 22, 2008; March 20, 2008 and August 7, 2008. Chairperson Evans called for a motion. Commissioner Weeter MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 23, 2007; FEBRUARY 22, 2008; MARCH 20, 2008 AND AUGUST 7, 2008 BE APPROVED. Commissioner Whiteneck SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 PAGE 1 OF 19 3.Status report on applications for city human services funding. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated nothing has changed since last time. 4.Interview of selected applicants for city human services funding for FY 2008-09. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated no one called to say they would not be able to make their interviews. The first applicant was Apache Junction Reach Out Food Bank represented by Bill Dow, president of the food bank.They service Apache Junction and northwest Pinal County. Chairperson Evans commented the checklist showed everything was in order for last year's activities. Mr. Bill Dow stated the food bank is in its 25th year of operation and they provide emergency food service to the community, with products coming from grants, individuals, and grocery stores in the area.They are affiliated with St. Mary's Food Bank and Service this area as they have no one out here to service the area.They are also affiliated with United Food Bank for government issued products.They service between 18,000 to 20,000 people per year with volunteers. Chairperson Evans stated they do good work and it has been a pleasure to support them in the past. Commissioner Weeter stated she has taken food over to the bank and has interfaced with the volunteers.They have been very businesslike but are also glad to get the food. Commissioner Whiteneck asked how they disburse their food. Mr. Bill Dow stated they service clients on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons from 2 to 4 p.m.They are located in the county complex.The city and the county obtained funds together to build the building for that purpose.They share it with Food Plus.They can only serve a family once every 60 days.They need picture identification and proof of residency.They have to declare their income as they go by HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 PAGE 2 OF 19 income level.The requirements are based on those required by different entities, including the city.They do a lot of monthly basis.They are open 6 days a week to take in food.A family will leave with about a 5 day supply of food.They supply them with information on other agencies that will supply food if they need more help. Chairperson Evans stated he assumed demand is up. Mr. Bill Dow stated he thought it was, too.Last year was a record year and they are currently running at that level for the same period of time. Chairperson Evans asked if last year was higher than the year before. Mr. Bill Dow stated it was.They have seen the numbers higher this summer than last summer, and usually they start seeing more people in October, November and December. Chairperson Evans stated he thinks a lot of people who normally leave for the summer could not afford to leave this year. Mr. Bill Dow stated he believes the ending number will be higher than last year when they get through the last four months. Chairperson Evans commented he noticed they had to dip into reserves last year.He asked what would account for that. Mr. Bill Dow stated last year they did not get as much in the way of donations from the food drives.They had to buy more and spend some of the money in reserve.This year the donations are up a little bit, more than they have been. Chairperson Evans asked if he thought they would have to go into the reserves again. Mr. Bill Dow stated he believes they will be able to put some money back into the reserve this year.Two anonymous individuals gave some large donations and they will be putting those donations back into the reserve. Chairperson Evans asked how much a large donation is. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 PAGE 3 OF 19 Mr. Bill Dow stated one individual gave $8,000 and another couple gave them $2,000.Food City should be commended as they allow them to buy bulk food there at their cost.They also do not charge for transportation.They are good folks who support the community. Chairperson Evans closed the interview and called for the next applicant. Commissioner Weeter commented to Commissioner Whiteneck that for his information she has only done one more meeting than him. They are both kind of flying by the seat of their pants.They have been short people evidently. Commissioner Whiteneck stated he had been to the city council meetings and they did not have a lot of really good, quality people to choose from, so he thought he would step in and try to help. The next applicant was Community Action Human Resources Agency, represented by Lucy Rangel, Housing Program Coordinator. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated Heather, one of our grants people, talked to her too late to amend the agenda in order for her to talk the commission, so she has given them a letter in support of Community Action Human Resources Agency.It explains the other interactions the city has with grants and other activities. Ms. Lucy Rangel read the letter of support and asked who it was from. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated it was from Heather Patel. She wanted to come in and speak but it was too late to amend the agenda without getting into open meeting law trouble so she put it in writing. Ms. Lucy Rangel stated they have been doing the housing program for over 25 years.They have 8 funding sources for emergency home repair and handicap accessibility.The Apache Junction monies go toward the seniors in the city for minor plumbing, handicap accessibilities, cooler repair, heater repair, air conditioning repair and they leverage the money when there is not enough funding with another source.This is the only HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 PAGE 4 OF 19 municipality that offers assistance for its residents.The funds get leveraged with Salt River Project dollars, emergency home repair dollars or weatherization dollars.The leveraged repairs are generally $2,600 and up.She asked if they could use $100 per family for program support because of the high cost of fuel to help offset the costs for this funding source. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly asked if they are talking about administrative costs. Ms. Lucy Rangel stated she believes it is. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated that is not something this funding is supposed to be used for.She has talked to Mary Lou about it in the past.The funds can only be used for direct support. Chairperson Evans commented they also would not be able to consider it because it is not listed in the application. Commissioner Weeter asked how many families they serve in a year. Ms. Lucy Rangel stated they usually assist 9 to 10 families with the Apache Junction funding source.When they consider all the funding sources, it is anywhere from 75 to 100 families, depending on special projects in the county. Chairperson Evans asked if they have an average cost per family. Ms. Lucy Rangel stated every job is different.She would say the average is $2,600 to $3,500 when the funds are leveraged. Chairperson Evans asked if she meant the leveraged money was being used as match money. Ms. Lucy Rangel stated it is not necessarily match money.She could have a family in Apache Junction that needed $3,500 for a new air conditioner.She would only have $3,500 to work with if she only had Apache Junction funds.If it cost $4,300, she could not do it.She leverages the Apache Junction monies to get the unit.It depends on the funding sources the families qualify for and their demographics, their age, number of children, gas or electric company and so on. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 PAGE 5 OF 19 Commissioner Weeter asked if there are any businesses that donate parts or painting and stuff. Ms. Lucy Rangel stated there are two wonderful contractors that they work with here.They do cooling and heating and a lot of pro bono work.They go above and beyond, donating time, resources and air conditioning and heating units. Chairperson Evans asked their names. Ms. Lucy Rangel stated it is A&A Cooling and Heating.If she comes across a family that she has no money to work with and they are in a world of hurt, she knows that Al and Robin will do whatever it takes to make sure there is some type of cooling and hearing in that house.Top Choice Contracting also works in Apache Junction and does excellent work and all around repair, with a lot of it pro bono for those people who would otherwise not be served. Commissioner Whiteneck stated it sounds like they do good work. Ms. Lucy Rangel stated it is a fantastic program.She had a lot of construction experience before they put her in the program and it has been the best learning experience for her, both in funding and the people she meets, including advocating to get the funds.She walks into a home and sees the conditions people are living in and they cry when they walk out after the repairs are done.Some of these people have not even had water, whereas others have had no heating or cooling.She is thankful their agency is there, along with all the other agencies that assist with funding for these repairs.It makes a big difference. There was no applicant available at this time so other agenda items were discussed until one was available. 3.Status report on applications for city human services funding.(Continued from earlier in meeting.) City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated everyone that had applied is up to date and she had no problems with recordkeeping with any of them this year.It was a lot easier. 7.Election of chairperson and vice chairperson. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 PAGE 6 OF 19 Chairperson Evans stated he was willing to continue on as chair. Commissioner Whiteneck NOMINATED ROBERT EVANS AS CHAIRPERSON. Commissioner Weeter SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Chairperson Evans asked if either of them would like to serve as vice chairperson. Commissioner Weeter stated she would not mind doing it. Commissioner Whiteneck NOMINATED JODENE WEETER FOR VICE CHAIRPERSON. Chairperson Evans SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated she had put on.the agenda the possibility of their considering the funding today or they can do it at a later meeting.She stated she was going to call the Boys and Girls Club because they are always here. 6.Discussion on schedule for presenting recommendations to the city council. Chairperson Evans stated there is an assumption they may do their recommendations today.They will eventually need to go to the council. Deputy City Clerk Jan Mason stated the recommendation will come before the council in October now as the city clerk has to be in court.She cannot get everything ready by tomorrow. Commissioner Whiteneck asked if the city clerk presents the recommendations. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 PAGE 7 OF 19 Deputy City Clerk Jan Mason stated generally one member of the commission comes to the work session to present the recommendations.Others on the commission are welcome to attend to show that they are in agreement with the recommendation.The city clerk gets the contracts ready based on the recommendations and then presents them to the council for approval either the next evening at the regular meeting or two weeks later at the next regular meeting.The commission does not have to be there but they are welcome to come for the approval of the contracts. Usually the council accepts what the commission recommends. There has only been one time that they have changed some things because they added money at the last minute. Chairperson Evans asked when the council meeting would be in October. Deputy City Clerk Jan Mason stated October 6 would be the work session and Kathy should be able to tell them whether she thinks the contracts can be ready for approval on October 7 or if they will have to wait to October 21.She believed they would probably try for the October 7 date as the agencies have been waiting for so long. Chairperson Evans commented he thinks it is good for the commission to present the recommendation.He would like the council and staff to keep in mind that the commission would like to contribute in other ways if there is more for them to do. Deputy City Clerk Jan Mason stated when there are other projects for the commission to work on, they have been asked to do so, as in the new Pinal County Health and Human Services Complex.In the past there were some grants coming through and Roger Hacker had requested the assistance of this commission in making a recommendation.Those opportunities are not there now, but as they come up, the commission will be called for their assistance. Chairperson Evans stated there is a new substance abuse coalition developing in Apache Junction. Deputy City Clerk Jan Mason stated she had not heard about that. She suggested the city clerk may know more about it. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 PAGE 8 OF 19 Chairperson Evans stated they are meeting tomorrow.He added the original substance abuse coalitions were called meth coalitions. 4.Interview of selected applicants for city human services funding for FY 2008-09.(Continued) The next applicant was the Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley -Apache Junction Branch, represented by Judy Borey and Anna DeLuna.Ms. Judy Borey distributed informational materials to the commission on the things they do at the club. Ms. Judy Borey read a statement about the after school programs, day camp, and the Project Learn program.The 3 strategies to effective learning used are a commitment to learning, constructive use of time, and skill development.She stated the programs under Project Learn include Power Hour, Tutoring Technology, Junior Achievement, National Prevention, Smart Move, Passport to Manhood, Smart Girls, Keystone and Torch Club, and Math Smart, plus numerous other programs available.Attendance is taken and participants are assessed in order to gain the skills needed to make them successful, working in partnership with parents, teachers and members.Free memberships are provided for children in the Child Protective Services program, foster kids, children in Community Action Against Family Abuse, and children from military families. Scholarships are available to qualified families in the financial scale.They serve 80 to 85 members a day.They need additional staff.She invited them in for a tour of the facility.They added some programs after summer camp through Central Arizona College and the museum. Ms. Anna DeLuna commented on the daily activities at the club, from when they check in for attendance to when they leave.They provide a healthy snack, the Power Hour, tutoring if needed, different programs such as Smart Girls for girls and Passport to Manhood for the boys, Triple Play and Healthy Habits, computer programs, movie making, the Strut, and the Day for Kids, a national day for kids by the boys and girls club.They have an all day camp coming up in October at the center with different themes.They do a family night on the third Thursday of each month where the kids serve the family. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly asked if they are doing the Phestival on Phelps this year. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 PAGE 9 OF 19 Ms. Judy Borey stated they are.They do supportive things in the community, including Ben Johnson Days.They try to have the kids do some part of the set up as part of the Keystone or Torch Club group.They do service projects.They also help with the marathon and the car show. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly asked if they are involved with the bulldog show. Ms. Judy Borey stated they are not.They have not heard of it. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated they are having a 3 -day dog show with just bulldogs. Chairperson Evans commented that they are asking for additional funds for staffing.They serve the kids from Apache Junction, East Mesa, and Queen Creek. Ms. Judy Borey stated that is the area that they serve. Chairperson Evans commented the funds have to be targeted to the residents of Apache Junction.He asked if there is a way to earmark the funds as such. Ms. Judy Borey stated in the report that they send in, there is a list of kids' names that reside within the boundaries of Apache Junction. Chairperson Evans stated they have a capital fundraising campaign going on for a new building.He wanted to be reassured that these funds would not be comingled with those funds. Ms. Judy Borey stated they cannot be.Capital funding is in a separate pot of money.They are not allowed to dip into that at all.The program money is in a separate fund.They still have to try to raise their budget which is $301,000 this year.They already have money designated for the capital campaign that are anonymous gifts, but they still have a long way to go. The next applicant was Community Alliance Against Family Abuse, represented by Courtney Langer, executive director, and Ed Contreras, director of finance. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 PAGE 10 OF 19 Ms. Courtney Langer stated they help to prevent domestic abuse and work with people who have been affected by it.They have an office in Apache Junction and a shelter in the city that is in an undisclosed location.It houses 16 women and children at one time and has staff in it 7 days a week.They approach services through a four -pronged approach:intervention, community cooperation, perpetrator accountability and prevention. Intervention has a toll free 24 hour crisis line, free counseling, support groups, shelter services, case management and domestic abuse education.The city funding assists with the free counseling.The community cooperation piece has over 150 community partners that actively work with them to address domestic violence in the community.The perpetrator accountability is secured through funding with the court in Apache Junction.City funding also assists with the prevention program with the young parents program at the high school.The $12,000 the city funded last year was used for 319 one-on-one empowerment sessions in the young parents program.They held more than that.They are having success stories from the programs.A woman who had been going to weekly empowerment programs for 4 years finally left an abusive marriage.The police department assisted her and she moved to Michigan to be with her family.- Save the Family transitional housing has 800 people apply each year and they only have 75 spots.Three of them are given to their clients and that is attributed to what they are doing through case management and the empowerment sessions.They are requesting additional funding to continue the program. Chairperson Evans stated the city appreciates having them in the city.It is hard to raise funds for these programs. Commissioner Weeter asked if they use volunteers for their programs. Ms. Courtney Langer stated they use volunteers.She is trying to revitalize the volunteer program and put in place some new strategies to do that.She has 20 active volunteers right now. Mr. Ed Contreras stated they take care of the children during the group sessions.The children are taken to another portion of the premises in the safe houses.The volunteers are screened very well before they are allowed to perform that service. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 PAGE 11 OF 19 Commissioner Weeter asked how often they meet with their board. Ms. Courtney Langer stated they meet once a month. Chairperson Evans closed the interview. There was general discussion on Chairperson Evans having to recuse himself when Superstition Mountain Mental Health was interviewed.They would no longer have a quorum.He could also not vote on any recommendation for them.It was suggested a written statement on what he thinks the distribution should be could be submitted. The next applicant to be interviewed was East Valley Senior Services represented by Dan Taylor, executive director, and Terry Kaufman, Apache Junction Senior Center manager. Mr. Dan Taylor stated their original request was for three areas: congregate meals, home -delivered meals, and transportation.They have received additional funding for the transportation from another grant.The congregate meals and home -delivered meals have had a huge growth since moving into the new facility.The last fiscal year they hit almost 25,000 congregate meals and almost 22,000 in home -delivered meals to the community.Fuel costs and food costs hit them hard.They do not have anyone on the waiting list and have not denied anyone meals at this time.Both programs were in deficit last year.They did not stop anything because they feel they are committed to it.The home -delivered meals are critical to those peoples' wellbeing. Ms. Terry Kaufman stated they have started a dental program at the center.It is with A.T. Still University.Students come out to the center, do the screening, a dentist comes out and the students then do the work on the patients.It is on a sliding scale fee for the participants.They started at 2 days a month but the demand has made them increase it to 4 days a month. They will be celebrating Grandparents Day on September 14 with a movie and a meal.They will have an end of the summer picnic at Canyon Lake.They have a various support groups and depression screening.They will have memory fitness on November 17.They will have an arts and crafts bazaar. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 PAGE 12 OF 19 Mr. Dan Taylor stated they have been working with A.T. Still University for the past year; they bring in students of various disciplines that are offered.The dental is one of the greatest demands they have, especially on a lowered fee basis.They are also working with them with their physical therapy department; within 8 weeks the patients showed remarkable improvement with that personal touch.He feels the senior center is doing some great things for the community and it is the focal point for adults as they age. Commissioner Weeter asked if there is an income limit for the dental program. Ms. Terry Kaufman stated there is not.It is a sliding scale of fees.If they have the money, they will charge closer to the full price.All they are asking for at this time is what it costs to transport the students out and the floss. They got a grant to get the equipment. Mr. Dan Taylor stated the initial screening is free so they can find out what exactly is needed and what the costs will be on the front end. Commissioner Weeter stated she is retired and living on a fixed income.The average retiree living on a fixed income cannot afford dental work in Arizona. Ms. Terry Kaufman stated it is a very large issue for the people who come to the senior center. Mr. Dan Taylor stated it is very convenient. They transport a lot of people to the senior center from their homes and some get there on their own.It is an easy access point to where they can also do other things. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly asked if they bring in an x-ray machine. Ms. Terry Kaufman stated she is not sure about that, but they brought in a lot of equipment that took them a half hour to unload. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 PAGE 13 OF 19 Mr. Dan Taylor stated they got a $100,000 grant for equipment which the senior center supported.It is portable equipment that they can drop in there and then fold up and leave. Commissioner Weeter stated they bring in a bus where they can bring it all in and they set up the equipment.She asked about the flu shots. Ms. Terry Kaufman stated that is open to the public and they do take different insurances. Commissioner Whiteneck asked if they have seasonal fluctuations wherein they have more people in the winter. Mr. Dan Taylor stated they do.The biggest impact is in volunteers.They have a lot more volunteers in the winter.If Terry needs volunteers in winter, they are there.In the summer they are challenged.They have to work hard to get enough volunteers. Ms. Terry Kaufman stated she made it through the summer with a lot of high school students that came in and needed service learning hours.The only problem is they are not allowed to drive and deliver home -delivered meals, so they were hurting for volunteers on that end. Mr. Dan Taylor stated they like to use younger people. Summer really lends itself.They are in a multi -generational building so they like the interaction.Most of their participants enjoy it, too.They like the interaction.It is win -win for everyone. Chairperson Evans commented they are providing great leadership on the intergenerational issue. Mr. Dan Taylor stated he believes it is a critical issue, and that all ages should be able to work together and share together. Chairperson Evans asked if there is more pressure on the congregate meals or the home -delivered meals. Mr. Dan Taylor stated they had a huge amount of growth on the congregate meals when they first moved because it is a much HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 PAGE 14 OF 19 larger facility.It leveled off some this year but is still almost double what it was when they were in the library.Home- delivered meals will continue to grow.People want to live in their homes independently and that costs the most because they have to have the vehicles to deliver and that adds to the cost. They deliver about 80 meals a day.He believes the congregate meals will continue to grow, but in the long run, he would hazard to guess that in 3 years they will be serving more home- delivered meals than congregate meals.It continues to jump a little bit each year. Chairperson Evans asked if they had more pressure this summer than in normal summers. Mr. Dan Taylor stated it was about the same.The biggest challenge was the cost, as the cost of food jumped and he was not about to reduce the quality.They do not do the minimum; they do more than the minimum as this is for many people that receive the meal and it is their main meal of the day.They want to make sure it is sufficient for that purpose.If the people come on site, they will now have a choice of two meals with one being a chef's special.The home -delivered meals do not.People can sign up to come one month in advance. Commissioner Weeter stated she goes over there to exercise and she has noticed many of them come over early to socialize.They are offering something that is very healthy. Ms. Terry Kaufman stated they have several participants that get their between 8 and 8:30 and they wait in the hallway until the room is ready and then go have coffee.Some of them have family members that are working full or part-time.They are there until after noon and some are there until 4 p.m.It is a safe place for them to be where no one is going to yell at them for sitting there watching people. Chairperson Evans closed the interview.There was general discussion on not having a quorum and if the board should hear this presentation at this time.It was determined that Chairperson Evans should recuse himself, leaving the board without a quorum.The remaining board members would hear the presentation and no action would be taken on the funding recommendations at this time. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 PAGE 15 OF 19 The next applicant was Superstition Mountain Mental Health Center, represented by Margie Walter.Chairperson Evans recused himself. Ms. Margie Walter thanked the board for the funding for last year.It was allocated for them to use it where needed for certain programs instead of setting predetermined amounts for those programs.Accordingly, they did $9,300 in rents, $1,200 in utilities and $1,500 in doctor co -pays.Their current request is based on the same needs that they have had.The state has flex funds where they are able to spend dollars on AHCCCS clients.The city funding can be used for other residents of the city.They are very careful that only city residents receive the funding.The client has to present a need, such as an eviction notice or utility notices of the water or electricity being turned off, or for doctor visits.They do a sliding fee scale for doctor visits.They only charge 25% for the lower income.The money does not get handed directly to the client. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly asked if they had been asked for assistance with foreclosures. Ms. Margie Walter stated not that she was aware of.She asked if they had any questions on her agency.They have been in partnership with the city for over 20 years. Commissioner Weeter asked what AHCCCS was. Ms. Margie Walter stated it is the state insurance for many low income residents.It is Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. It is for the indigent population.They are state dollars coming in and the federal dollars match them.State dollars are in the crisis services and things like that.A couple of years ago they had $40,000 in that fund, last year it was cut to $25,000, and they have not gotten their figures for this year. Commissioner Whiteneck asked if most of the people they service are from Pinal County. Ms. Margie Walter stated they used to have a clinic on Sossaman in Maricopa County, but it got to be too much having to deal with recordkeeping with two different counties.They do a HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 PAGE 16 OF 19 single case agreement with them once in a while.They have an agreement with Gila County for inpatient services.Other than that, everything they do is within Pinal County. Commissioner Weeter asked how many doctors they have on their staff. Ms. Margie Walter stated they have 3 doctors, 3 psychiatrists and 3 nurse practitioners. Commissioner Weeter asked how many they counsel. Ms. Margie Walter stated they probably have 150 clinical staff, but that includes the technicians, the inpatient staff and those that help out in the residential.Full time counselors probably number about 25, including those with offices in Oracle, San Manuel and Superior.They service about 4,000 clients a year. 8.Selection of future meeting dates. There was general discussion for a future meeting date as the commission did not have a quorum for the recommendations.They decided to check with Commissioner Clabuesch first to see when she would be available and then call the other members to set the date of the next meeting.It was suggested Chairperson Evans put his recommendations in writing for all the agencies except Superstition Mountain Mental Health since he could not be in attendance during the vote for the recommendation of funding. Chairperson Evans stated not many people want to get involved with the poor folks and with moms involved in domestic violence there is still a lot of victim blaming going on.He would be supportive to increasing those that we can. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated their request is limited to the number of cases they can handle.She is not sure increasing their request will assist them.They ca.n only handle a certain number of cases with the staff they have. Chairperson Evans commented he is feeling sorry for the food bank because they went backwards and he feels they may be going backward again with this economy.The senior center transportation program has been handled so they can take that request for funding out and allocate some of that money HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 PAGE 17 OF 19 elsewhere.He believes the upward pressure is going to be on the delivery of meals. Commissioner Whiteneck stated at this time of year a lot of their clients should be snowbirds and they have the money to travel seasonally.If they have that money to travel seasonally, it makes him wonder if they are really servicing everyone that is in need or is it more of a convenience for them. Chairperson Evans stated he cannot answer that specifically other than this area is a low income community for the senior population. Commissioner Weeter commented congress keeps stealing out of the social security funds and cutting down on what they are giving in medicare. Chairperson Evans commented the Apache Junction demographics are pretty compelling about the seniors. Commissioner Whiteneck commented he imagined there are a lot of people that fall into that category. Deputy City Clerk Jan Mason stated they also mention that the socialization helps the seniors. Commissioner Whiteneck stated that definitely keeps them right. He just thinks there is a priority to give the community the things that it really needs, like the food bank that services the needy is a higher priority than the boys and girls club. The senior center is okay, but Community Action Against Family Abuse and Community Agency Human Resources Agency are need -based things.He cannot imagine suffering in Apache Junction without air conditioning, and he has seen people abused and battered in relationships. Chairperson Evans stated he does not have any further opinions at this time and he will write a recommendation for all except the organization he is involved with.He will submit them to the board.He will recuse himself from the conversation for the ultimate recommendation. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 PAGE 18 OF 19 City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated he will also need to recuse himself from the vote. Commissioner Weeter commented people there are a lot of people of low income and older that need mental health services. Commissioner Whiteneck agreed.It is something he considers that they need, not like the boys and girls club which he considers to have ample funding.It is more of a performance program in his perspective than a need. Chairperson Evans stated the Apache Junction branch has done a real good job and he does not want to compromise the process at all.He would prefer to err on the side of caution.He asked that they get hold of Sue to find out when they can match up for a meeting. 5.Adjournment. Chair rson Evans adjourned the meeting at 5:29 p.m. Robert Evans Chairperson Kathleen Connelly City Clerk HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 PAGE 19 OF 19