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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011.11.02 HHSC MinutesMINUTES OF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION City Clerk Conference Center 300 E. Superstition Blvd., Apache Junction, AZ November 2, 2011 - 3:04 P.M. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: JODENE WEETER, CHAIRPERSON ROBERT MAYO RANDY MULLEN ANDREW WHITENECK STAFF PRESENT: KATHLEEN CONNELLY, CITY CLERK JAN MASON, DEPUTY CITY CLERK COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: CHRISTA RIZZI, VICE CHAIRPERSON 1.Call to Order/Attendance. Chairperson Weeter called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m. Deputy City Clerk Jan Mason called the roll and advised there was a quorum present. 2.Approval of minutes of September 14, 2010; October 5, 2010; October 18, 2010 and October 25, 2011. Commissioner Whiteneck MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES. Commissioner Mullen SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly commented that is for the minutes of September 14, 2010; October 5, 2010; October 28, 2010 and October 25, 2011. 3.Status report on applications for city human services funding. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 1 OF 24 City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated letters were sent to all the applicants.No one called to say they could not make it so she is expecting them all to be here. 4.Interview of selected applicants for city human services funding for FY 2011-12. The first applicant was Apache Junction Reach Out Food Bank represented by Nick Kuzmich, board president, and Liza Kovach, vice president.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly requested everyone introduce themselves. Chairperson Weeter asked if anyone had any specific questions for the food bank. Commissioner Whiteneck asked if the transition had been okay after he took over. Mr. Nick Kuzmich stated they have'made some big strides and had some big challenges.The economy has affected them greatly in a lot of different ways this year.They are a contract agency of St. Mary's.They are supplied food based on the number of families that they provide for throughout the week.The people could come back every 60 days.In June, St. Mary's was given a directive to change that to every 30 days.That became a major impact.They did not increase the food allocation because the government and various organizations did not have enough food. As a result they have improvised.They have a minimum that they provide to the families.Their packaging costs have gone up for boxes, paper bags, plastic bags, and things like that.The volunteers have been stressed.They normally serve food from 2- 4 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.Because of the client increase they sometimes run to 4:30.They pick up food from 8 local grocery stores.It is dated and basically goes out the same day.The nonperishables, which they get through volunteers or from St. Mary's, is provided in boxes based on family size.The other impact is the price of gas.Their truck is not economical when it comes to gas.Expenses have gone up as they run the truck 6 days a week.They pick up at the stores 5 days a week and go to St. Mary's once a week.Distribution has also gone up.The food from volunteers, stores and St. Mary's does not meet the requirements of what needs to be given out.They have to go out and purchase food.They go to the least expensive places.They have deals with Food City.The HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 2 OF 24 biggest challenge has been the last 6 months, and they do not see any better position for the years to come due to the economy.They are trying to do some fundraising with volunteers going to the RV parks and churches for food or finances.Their number one income is individuals.Churches are number two, government grants are number three, and RV parks are number four.They have a retired IBM volunteer who matches funds. There is a women's desert club in Mesa that gives them money. Retired food bank president Bill Dow used to work for APS and they also do some matching.Grant writing is a challenge as they are all volunteers.They have a gentleman who before he retired was a fundraiser for large organizations such as the YMCA who is willing to help us.They are trying to be proactive this year.They had to hire a part-time program operations manager to work on the building, maintain the trucks, schedule the drivers, schedule shifts and maintain equipment.His salary is $12,000.If they had more money they would probably hire more salaried personnel.There are food banks out there that do hire salaried personnel that do nothing but grant writing and are experts at it. Ms. Liza Kovach stated she had some statistics for them. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly asked if Mr. Smithson had resigned from the board. Ms. Liza Kovach stated he had. Mr. Nick Kuzmich stated he resigned as soon as he was elected. Ms. Liza Kovach stated she had graphics showing the food boxes distributed this year and last year, the total number of clients, and the boxes and clients within the city limits of Apache Junction.The residents average 70% to 75% of who they are serving.The residents are sharply trending upward. Commissioner Whiteneck asked if they have sufficient donations. Ms. Liza Kovach stated they do for the moment.If they stay status quo, they will run out of funds by next year.That is why they are doing fundraising with the chaffiber and are getting involved with the local businesses. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 3 OF 24 Chairperson Weeter commented they have been in the local newspapers quite a bit lately. Mr. Nick Kuzmich stated they had a gentleman do a survey for people outside the food bank and internally.There are people out there that do not know the food bank exists.They have been proactive and joined the chamber this year.They are trying to get a lot of news articles out there. Chairperson Weeter asked if the chamber gave them a discount. Ms. Liza Kovach stated they did and they have been very welcoming.Larry is partnering with them on the Festival of the Superstitions.Instead of paying cash, the entries for the car show must bring a turkey or ham for the food bank. Mr. Nick Kuzmich stated they did their first bulk mailing this week.They sent out letters of appeal from their previous donors list.They are considering another bulk mailing with the help of the grant writing gentleman to the Gold Canyon zip code. These are things they have not done before that have been recommended by people and others that are new to the board. Ms. Liza Kovach stated they do not want to reduce the area and they do not want to reduce the food.The options were to be more efficient with the food and to raise money. Mr. Nick Kuzmich stated St. Mary's has reduced its geographical area due to having to go to every 30 days instead of the previous 60 days.Everybody outside that area has to find food somewhere else.They are also going to one package fits all, whether it is for one person or eight people, they get the same content.Apache Junction is still maintaining what it had in the past:a small family, a middle family and a large family. Chairperson Weeter commented she noticed that their utilities are $7,500 a year.She asked if it is still that or has it gone up. Ms. Liza Kovach stated they have paid out about $4,400 year to date on gas and electric. Mr. Nick Kuzmich stated their biggest expense, up until now, is their truck.They had fuel and major repairs including a HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 4 OF 24 transmission, new' tires and general maintenance wherein they spent almost $12,000.Last year the refrigeration unit had to be replaced.They pick up deli and meat that requires a refrigerated truck.The truck fuel is currently $1,500 to $1,600 over budget for the year in September and they still have three more months to go. Chairperson Weeter asked how old the truck is. Mr. Nick Kuzmich stated he does not know.It probably has about 120,000 miles on it.They have discussed going after a grant to replace it and reusing the box.The amount of food they pick up from St. Mary's puts some stress on it because it is not an oversized truck.When they pick up 3 or 4 pallets of food the back end sits low.He thanked them for the previous funds the city had given them.Over two years ago they were getting $18,000 and were cut back to $14,400 the last two years. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated the council only gave a total of $80,000 again this year. Mr. Nick Kuzmich stated that is the same as last year to be spread out among them. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated that is correct, and the year before. Chairperson Weeter stated they have $150,000 in requests, so they will probably be cut a little bit.They may not mean to, but they have to do what they have to do. Mr. Nick Kuzmich stated they want to become self -independent. That is why they are making these moves, but they would appreciate being considered and maintaining what they have been giving them in the past. Commissioner Whiteneck commented the work they do is vital to the community.They do give them the utmost consideration. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly asked what would be better to donate if someone wanted to do so. Mr. Nick Kuzmich stated they get a lot of food but there are certain types of food they need to purchase to meet the minimum HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 5 OF 24 requirements that they give the families.If someone is going to give them a can of something, that is good, but it may not fit the requirements.With money they can always buy what they need. Commissioner Mayo commented he has a gentleman in his park that told him they needed plastic bags for delivering. Mr. Nick Kuzmich stated they use them to deliver food to the families. Ms. Liza Kovach stated they go through a ton of them because they put the food in plastic bags. Mr. Nick Kuzmich stated a lot of people bring in the WalMart bags.They also go through a lot of garbage bags.They get a lot of produce when they go to the stores, and a lot of them use the food bank as a garbage dump.They put it all in boxes. Food bank people go through it in the morning and a lot of stuff that is no good we throw away.They save what they feel is the good.There are a lot of supply things that they go through, and paper bags like the old -type shopping bags.They fill those for families of one or two people.They hit up the stores because they are getting away frot paper bags, but frequently they have to purchase them. Deputy City Clerk Jan Mason commented they had said they were having trouble finding boxes.She asked if that was for the food they were giving out. Mr. Nick Kuzmich stated that is correct.They have three sets of families:the one-two family which is paper bags, the three- four family and the five -six.Those take boxes. Deputy City Clerk Jan Mason commented these are not necessarily boxes they have to purchase.She'asked if it could be any box. Mr. Nick Kuzmich stated they have gone from 150 to 200 boxes a week to 300 boxes a week.They salvage those from wherever they can get them either from donations or from St. Mary's. Deputy City Clerk Jan Mason suggested they talk to the managers at Food City, Walmart, Safeway and all of those.When they do HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 6 OF 24 overnight stocking, they have food that comes in boxes.Talk to them and see if they can save the right sizes that they need. Chairperson Weeter stated they could break them down for them and they could then pick up the ones they need. Mr. Nick Kuzmich stated he has been on some of the truck runs and met with people.They do have a compactor there. Deputy City Clerk Jan Mason stated all he has to do is let them know what size he needs and they can pull them out and put them to the side, if they are willing to help. Mr. Nick Kuzmich commented that is a good idea. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated they need to get them before they go to the compactor. The interview ended and Chairperson Weeter thanked them for coming in. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated she is putting in the contracts this year that they have to either hand deliver or send their quarterly reports by first class mail.Some of them were simply emailing it to the city.It caused a delay and makes it incumbent on her to open the email and file the report for them, instead of them filing it with the city.This way if they deliver it or mail it here, it gets to our date/time stamper and we have a record of it.Liza was doing it for a while for Mountain Health and Wellness and she had to be reminded a couple of times.Now she is having the problem with Community Alliance Against Family Abuse.They just sent it to webmail, which is not even to her.It just sits there for a while.They need to make sure they get it here in person or trust the mail to get it here. Chairperson Weeter asked if she would be talking to all of them about it. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated Community Alliance Against Family Abuse is the only one that is still doing it and they have had a transition.It could be that when the information was given to them they did not pass it on. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 7 OF 24 Chairperson Weeter stated they did it last year, too. The next interview was with the Boys and Girls Club of Apache Junction, represented by Branch Director Laurie Armstrong, Area Registrar Mark Lovell and Accounting Director Swati Webb. Everyone introduced themselves at the request of Chairperson Weeter. Chairperson Weeter asked if they have any well-known graduates from the Boys and Girls Club in the Apache Junction area. Ms. Laurie Armstrong stated she is just a month in and she did not know. Ms. Swati Webb stated she is sure they have.They have had students of the year ever since Judy Borey was here and a couple of them work at the Apache Junction branch.They definitely have alumni that are involved. Chairperson Weeter asked if they have alumni that are donating directly to this program. Ms. Swati Webb stated not that she is aware of unless they do it through Pinal County United Way.They do have some for the East Valley, including herself. Mr. Mark Lovell stated they have two recently that were Youth of the Year.They are both currently attending Mesa Community College and are employed at the Apache Junction branch.They grew up through the club. Chairperson Weeter commented they are doing something right. Ms. Laurie Armstrong gave them an overview of what they are doing.She is making the homework assistance program mandatory for all children ages 5-18.She is trying to have them get their homework completed, help them with their schoolwork and have them work more one on one with the teachers in order to help them to improve their grades.They want to make sure all of these kids make it through high school and graduate.The kids are getting hit hard with homework and many parents do not know how to help them with their homework.They have many kids and men and women working in the area are going to college and they know what is going on in those subject areas.The kids do HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 8 OF 24 not have to stumble so much as they get something like tutoring at the same time.They are doing it on their own but are being guided each step of the way.They then can enjoy their family time at home; it is not a stressful situation.The parents can feed them and have family time with them.The club is trying to keep the kids in a stress -free environment as much as possible. They are getting kids from the teachers at Four Peaks every week, generally adding 2 or 3 kids per week.The teachers work with them closely.They are trying to get into the high school and are contacting the future business leaders to try to get them included in the programs, such as Smart Moves which is a drug and alcohol awareness program and Smart Girls and Passport to Manhood programs for the teens to learn about their changes in hormonal levels, their bodies and the different things they have to go through in life.They graduate from the Keystone Club.They recently went to a regional conference and everyone came home with either an award or they were noticed up on stage. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly commented she said they were having good luck with Four Peaks.She asked about the other schools. Ms. Laurie Armstrong stated they are the first ones they have worked with as they are right next door.They walk the kids over.It is just a matter of getting in.They are trying to do that.Right now they have a basketball program they want to recruit for.Their health and physical education director is going around and contacting all the principals to explain what they are doing. Chairperson Weeter stated it sounds like they are doing a lot of positive stuff. Ms. Laurie Armstrong stated they are trying.They hit the ground running last weekend. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated she is assuming she saw what was submitted to the city; that is what the commission is looking at, not just the dollars but the actual program.Judy came to her about midway through last year and wanted to make adjustments and use the money for other things.That is not permitted.The contract will be written so that they are locked into that for the entire year. Ms. Laurie Armstrong agreed. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 9 OF 24 Commissioner Mayo asked who is doing the tutoring for the children. Ms. Laurie Armstrong stated she has four students that go to local colleges.Each one has a particular class. Chairperson Weeter closed the interview with no more questions and stated she was impressed with their presentation. Ms. Laurie Armstrong thanked her and added they are doing an incentive program right now based on their report cards.They are looking at them so that they can track them for the next round. The next group to be interviewed was Community Alliance Against Family Abuse, represented by Cyndi Carson, social director, and Ed Contreras, director of finance Introductions were made around the room. Commissioner Whiteneck asked her to tell them about the program they had this year. Ms. Cyndi Carson stated they did their support groups through empowerment, legal advocacy and general advocacy.They were able to serve more of the Apache Junction population.They want to continue to enhance their programs. Mr. Ed Contreras stated they asked for $12,000 last year.They spent $11,820.They had to limit requests for each quarter. Some of the quarters were actually quite over the funded amount. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated some of the quarters still had some people outside the city so she had to strike those. Mr. Ed Contreras stated they actually performed about $18,000 in total services last year that were attributable to things they had been partially funded for.They are requesting more money this year to help cover those services.They have more individuals over last year.They had about 5,000 bed nights, women and children, that were served.This year they will probably be under 5,000.This last quarter, and at the end of last quarter, they did have more requests than in the first part of the year.They have had times when more than 16 individuals HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 10 OF 24 were staying at a safe house.That has not happened in quite some time.There have been more requests and more individuals that they have had to turn away.They rotate all the time. Some people call and they want to stay at a specific shelter and they have to keep calling back. Commissioner Whiteneck stated they probably have a shortfall there for accommodations. Mr. Ed Contreras stated if the trend continues they will have to look at additional accommodations.Otherwise, they will not be able to keep people a week. Commissioner Whiteneck commented he had said they had serviced mainly women and children.He asked if they had serviced any men. Mr. Ed Contreras stated they service gentlemen but they do not keep them at the same shelter.They do temporary housing if they have a need.They have a motel they make arrangements with.They can provide counseling and other services to them, or they can refer them to other areas in the district that do provide other services.They are maintained here or close by. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly asked how closely they work with the police department's victims' assistance program.They are going through a transition now. Ms. Cyndi Carson stated they had been working very closely with them.The chief just stated at their board meeting that they are finally getting it going again and doing the training. Prior to that, they were the department's victims' services department.They work very closely with the police department. Commissioner Whiteneck asked what they do for motel accommodations for the women and kids. Mr. Ed Contreras stated they do that when they have funds available.They have some money available from the Phoenix program, but it has been delayed.They are actually running out of time and they are not sure what it happening with it.That is one area where as soon as they getthe money it is gone. They have so many situations where they do not have any space available at the house so they use it for people with short term HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 11 OF 24 needs or when the house is full until they can come in.It also helps over the weekends and there is nobody available to see them until Monday morning. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated it will be in the contract this year that any quarterly reports have to be either hand- delivered or sent by first class mail.She has been getting some electronically and she cannot accept them electronically. Ms. Cyndi Carson stated she was aware of that.She saw that it was done while she was on leave.When she saw it she said uh- oh. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated she got it in on time. Ms. Cyndi Carson stated staff did; they were amazing while she was on leave. Mr. Ed Contreras stated that was while they were in transition and staff had to pick up the ball.They were unaware of some of the intricacies of some of the contracts. Chairperson Weeter thanked them for their nice report and for coming in.She warned them that the commission has the same amount of money as last year and they have more requests.The commission will do the best they can. The next interview was with East Valley Adult Resources, represented by Terry Kaufman, director of the Apache Junction Senior Center, and Dan Taylor, executive director of East Valley Adult Resources.Introductions were made around the room. Ms. Terry Kaufman passed out information on their Active Adult Expo and the meal program at the senior center. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated they had been talking about the energy around the center. Mr. Dan Taylor stated you can feel it when you walk in.It always makes him feel good.Their human services request is for their two meal programs:the congregate meal which is served on site every day and their meals on wheels that are delivered into the community.Those programs are going very well but they cannot always serve the people they want to with meals on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 12 OF 24 wheels.They do not have enough funding to serve everyone that has a need.It challenges them.They want to be able to serve everyone.Funding has been challenging for city, United Way and other funding that they receive.The programs actually ended up in deficit last year.They still served more people than they thought they would.He was unsure how many meals they are currently serving. Ms. Terry Kaufman stated they are probably serving about 2,600 together. Mr. Dan Taylor stated that would be for the two together.On any given day they are probably doing 75 for meals on wheels. Several of those routes are run by volunteers.They have wonderful volunteers that help them out delivering meals. Delivering meals is a hard job.It is not a glamorous job. They have to load all the food in the car, stop the car fifteen times and get out and deliver it.The reward is when you deliver to a person and they smile and thank them so much.They are so appreciative of that meal.In some cases that interaction they have with the deliverer is the only human interaction they will have that day.It is more than here is your nutritious food, it is the human contact that we all need that makes that a much larger experience. Ms. Terry Kaufman stated they have 4 people on the waiting list. She commented they have also been helped by some of the council members.Mrs. Barker has been out on the home -delivered meals this last year. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated that is good to know. Mr. Dan Taylor stated she had a wonderful time.He asked her if she wanted to say something to the group but she declined, adding it was great. Ms. Terry Kaufman stated they had Vice Mayor Eck come out a few times. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated she remembered when he used to do that. Ms. Terry Kaufman stated they hope to.do it again this next year. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 13 OF 24 Mr. Dan Taylor stated you learn so much when you go out on a route with one of our volunteers.You only have to go one time. He had people come back six months to a year later and comment about remembering when they did that and the impact it made on them. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly commented they have now turned a council member into an advocate. ,That is good. Chairperson Weeter commented he mentioned the deficits.She asked how large it was. Mr. Dan Taylor asked her if she meant programmatically or organizationally. Chairperson Weeter asked if they hit the bottom of the pocket. Mr. Dan Taylor commented they have different programs so he was asking where. Chairperson Weeter commented she was asking about the food part. Mr. Dan Taylor stated they had a deficit of $20,000 for the meals on wheels in Apache Junction.It was substantial and not what they want.Anything the commission can do would be most appreciated.Their goal is to serve everybody, but last year it hit where the United Way dropped a little, another group dropped a little, a third group dropped a little and all those little drops make a big difference.They could not make up the difference.They are doing better this year than last year but they are still not where they want to be.They would like to have it where Terry comes in and says they have no one on the waiting list.They know they have to be careful.If they swing the pendulum too far one way, they can jeopardize the whole program. Ms. Terry Kaufman stated since July 1 they are looking at being down 350 meals and that is for four people. Commissioner Mayo asked where they generally get their food. Mr. Dan Taylor stated they use United States Food Service and Shamrock.They are two large food vendors.We provide meals not only in Apache Junction but also for two sites in Mesa. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 14 OF 24 They are preparing about 1,200 meals a day.About 200 on average come out to Apache Junction.They are primarily prepared in Apache Junction.Some are prepared at the East Mesa site depending on the entrée.If it is something that has to be cooked for a long time, they bring it over here and slice it up. For the most part, vegetables, salads and desserts are prepared here in Apache Junction. Commissioner Whiteneck stated they basically get the food from wholesale food vendors. Mr. Dan Taylor stated that is correct.Sometimes they get things from the food bank.All the meals have to be nutritionally balanced and it is hard to get that much from the food bank of any one thing.They use the food bank for smaller- type functions or meetings.That works out pretty well.They use more than one vendor because there is competition there. They do not use exclusively Shamrock or another because one might offer a better price on chicken breasts one week.The other one might come back and drop the price further because of the competition. Commissioner Whiteneck commented it is good to have leverage. Mr. Dan Taylor stated exactly.It takes a little more time for a food service person because they have to work with more than one person.In the long run, it pays off.It makes a difference and at least keeps their raw food costs manageable. Chairperson Weeter asked if he said 300 pieces. Mr. Dan Taylor commented part of that is the federal funding they receive.It is obviously not improving so they have to rely more on other sources.The one good thing is the United Way of Final County went up slightly for their meal program this year.It was not a huge amount, but it went up.That is a huge change from what they have experienced over the last two or three years.He is hoping it is a trend because they fund two of their programs:meals on wheels and an outreach program. They are the only senior center that provides an outreach program in Final County. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 15 OF 24 Ms. Terry Kaufman commented on the back of the menu it shows where they have a soup and salad bar on Tuesdays.They start serving that at 11:00 a.m. so people can eat early. Mr. Dan Taylor stated they have found a number of people, because of the economy, are working longer.People used to retire at 65 and it is not happening now.People are continuing to work.He has asked people in their late 60's how much longer they are going to work and has been told they do not have any timeline.They are trying to say on Tuesdays that if they have a tighter time frame, come in at 11:30, have their lunch and they can go.Their lunches tend to be more of an event.They bring everybody in, sit everyone down, do announcements, do jokes and then serve everybody.It takes more time than the average lunch hour. Ms. Terry Kaufman stated they offer a box lunch to go at their center.It costs a little bit more but it is set to go. Mr. Dan Taylor stated the soup and salad has been started at all three of their sites.In the year they have been doing it, it is now the most popular meal that day across all three centers. When they started it, it was not.As they adjusted to it and saw what was available, they chose it because it is choice. Everyone likes choice.As they move forward in time, they will probably do more of this.People like choice and options.It is a little bit harder on the kitchen and it takes more time, but that is why they are doing it every Tuesday.It has been interesting to watch it become so popular over the last year. Ms. Terry Kaufman commented in the winter time they usually order 45 second choices.They have to raise it on Tuesdays because they have such a big demand for it. Mr. Dan Taylor stated it is just a little bit different and it is hard to make something different every day because they have to make nutritionally balanced meals.They cannot just mix and match.They have to look at vitamin C and vitamin D and all those things.It sometimes makes interesting combinations. They make it as best they can. Ms. Terry Kaufman commented tomorrow is a good example.They have quiche Lorraine, roasted potato halves and brussel sprouts. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 16 OF 24 Mr. Dan Taylor commented people ask why brussel sprouts.It is because they have wonderful vitamins in them. There was a general discussion as to who liked and disliked brussel sprouts. Mr. Dan Taylor gave them all information on the Senior Expo coming up in Mesa at the Convention Center on November 17.It is their 20th annual and they should have 75-80 businesses in there with lots of snacks and information. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly commented it is free admission. Mr. Dan Taylor stated that is correct.They charge all the businesses and it is one of their fundraisers. Chairperson Weeter thanked them for coming in and advised them the commission was only given $80,000 this year, the same as last year, with over $150,000 in requests.She added there were a lot of good things said about his organization before he got here. Mr. Dan Taylor commented Terry and her staff work very hard and put in extra hours every week.He appreciated the comment.He appreciated their efforts and they know the money will be well used.They stretch the dollars more than anyone else can. The final interview was with Mountain Health and Wellness, represented by Marge Walter, chief financial officer. Introductions were made around the room. Chairperson Weeter asked how many people they are seeing. Ms. Marge Walter stated they are seeing about 3,500 within the complete agency. Commissioner Whiteneck asked how many they are seeing in Apache Junction. Ms. Marge Walter stated about 50 to 65. Chairperson Weeter asked how many of those have to see a psychiatrist for their medication. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 17 OF 24 Ms. Marge Walter stated they probably have a third of the clients have to have some kind of prescription.They have the specialized services like the substance abuse counseling where they come in in groups.That can be pretty intensive for the first few weeks.A lot of that is strictly counseling.They try to bill the private insurances in order to avoid the reliance on Medicaid because of the cuts.A lot of that is substance free counseling or general counseling.Other Medicaid clients do pay.The seriously mentally ill are paid by Medicaid and that is about $1,000 client. Chairperson Weeter asked if she could give her an approximate cost on those people per person. Ms. Marge Walter stated it varies.The seriously mentally ill do have more services.She estimated on an annual basis it would be around $4,000 for those that are with them for a full year.It could be higher.They used to have some clients in their group home and that was a certain cost per month, if not more.That was one of the programs that they had to cut last January because of the funding cuts in that area.They could not spend that much money on those few clients. Commissioner Whiteneck asked if they do anything on the web. Ms. Marge Walter stated they sell medications for the Oracle and Kearny offices so they do not have to spend time driving.They also sell medical equipment in Pinal County jail.They still like it personal so someone goes down there on Mondays.They use if more for emergency -type situations. Commissioner Whiteneck commented he thought there might be some security issues for one month's pills. Ms. Marge Walter stated they have only one psychiatrist in the Yuma area.If he should happen to be out or something or they want to see more clients, then the doctors from here will send some down to Yuma. Chairperson Weeter commented they cover a large area. Ms. Marge Walter stated they do.She added one thing has changed since she did the funding request.It mentioned in there that they had applied for federally qualified health care HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 18 OF 24 agencies.They did not receive that; no agency in Arizona received that funding.As a result, they have not had to put in the sliding fee scale or the free services they had anticipated. They are pursuing a look -alike wherein they would have to do the sliding fee if it comes through.They will not have all the requirements and they do not get all the benefits of it.They do get increased rates for Medicare and will be more in line to do a full application- later.They have heard that doctors will be turning down Medicare patients as the rates are being cut so badly.If you have the federal qualified status you get the better rates. Chairperson Weeter stated their rates are going up. Ms. Marge Walter stated they would have to pay more.The government is trying to get a lot of people off of Medicaid and AHCCSS.Single adults that do not have children may not get coverage.They are very diligent on getting their clients to reapply because once you are off you cannot get back on again. It has affected them a little bit thus far.She did a study on their sliding fee scale.Two years ago they were averaging $850 a month.Last year it was up to $1,450.So far this year since July 1 it is over $2,000 a month.They have had some rate cuts from the state as well.They have not touched the doctors' services thus far.The psychiatric evaluation, monitoring and medication are still being paid at the same amount.Case management, counseling and other ancillary services have had a five percent reduction in the rate. Chairperson Weeter asked how many counselors they have. Ms. Marge Walter stated they probably have about 25 that concentrate on support services. Chairperson Weeter asked how many groups they have going. Ms. Marge Walter stated the last she heard they were up to 60. They want to double that.Their goal is to cover more people with group therapy.If someone comes in for services and they want to see someone more than 6 times, they have to justify it to the clinic director.They can get up to 6 individual sessions without having to go into group therapy. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 19 OF 24 Chairperson Weeter asked if they have any people who have been diagnosed with PTMC. Ms. Marge Walter stated there probably are. Chairperson Weeter stated they probably have a lot of them. Ms. Marge Walter commented they have a front desk in the lobby of the new building and they are all welcome to visit.It was originally staffed but a person that had hip surgery and they are trying to fill it with a volunteer. 5.Consideration and action on recommendations for human services funding for FY 2011-12. Commissioner Whiteneck commented he had put a lot of thought into the process and would like their input.A couple of agencies stand out because they provide critical services to the community.If we did not have them people would be suffering or hurt.One of them is Community Alliance Against Family Abuse because of domestic violence.The service they provide can save lives.They really help and benefit people, not to mention avoiding the mental and physical scarring that occurs.He put them as a priority one.He commented he prioritized all of them.He asked if anyone disagreed with that assessment. Commissioner Mullen commented he personally liked the food bank. Commissioner Whiteneck stated the food bank is his second one. Commissioner Mullen stated it serves a lot of people in the community.He has to remember the amount of people that get served by that. Commissioner Whiteneck stated that is his number two and the ones that he had 100% funding for. Chairperson Weeter stated she gave Community Alliance against Family Abuse the full amount they were requesting.She cut the food bank back a little bit. Commissioner Whiteneck stated she thinks a lot like him.His third choice is the mental health center because they are HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 20 OF 24 talking about peoples' health and well-being.He asked if anyone disagreed that it is a priority. Commissioner Mullen asked if she had said they had served one quarter. Chairperson Weeter stated she said she served 500. Commissioner Mullen stated that was not Apache Junction. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated she said 65 from Apache Junction and about a third of those are on medication and require monitoring. Commissioner Mullen asked if she had said 65%. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated it was 65 people. Commissioner Whiteneck commented he thought she had been talking about percentage. Commissioner Mayo commented if she is talking 65 people that is not a lot of people being assisted. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated their quarterly reports backs up the 65 people. Commissioner Whiteneck stated that is only 2% then.They should not be fully funded then. Commissioner Mayo commented if you look at their financial statements, they are pretty good. Commissioner Whiteneck commented they are pretty healthy. Chairperson Weeter commented they look better than a lot of the others do. Commissioner Mayo commented if you look at the food bank, all except for one person are volunteers.They stretch their dollars pretty well. Chairperson Weeter commented the boys and girls club got over $250,000 that was earned for the valley by Channel 5. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 21 OF 24 Commissioner Whiteneck stated they have deep pockets.They have six figure revenues. Chairperson Weeter commented she has cut them back quite a bit. Commissioner Whiteneck commented that is a luxury for the community.No one will be suffering if someone does not finish their homework.It is nice to have as they are our future, but it is not essentially as critical as the others.He added he had his numbers and they are welcome to change them.He wrote them up on the chalkboard. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly commented she hoped that comes to $80,000. There was general discussion on what the amounts should be. Commissioner Mullen MOVED THAT WE RECOMMEND THAT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB BE FUNDED FOR $8,000, COMMUNITY ALLIANCE AGAINST FAMILY ABUSE BE FUNDED FOR $14,500, THE SENIOR CENTER BE FUNDED FOR $25,000, THE FOOD BANK BE FUNDED FOR $20,000, AND MOUNTAIN HEALTH AND WELLNESS BE FUNDED FOR $12,500. Commissioner Mayo SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. 6.Discussion on schedule for presenting recommendations to the city council. Chairperson Weeter asked if there was anything else they needed to do today. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated she started doing the preliminary memo on the contracts today.She is scheduling the council discussion for Monday, November 14 for the work session. The contracts will be approved the next night on the consent agenda. Chairperson Weeter commented they need to be there on November 15. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 22 OF 24 City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated they need to be there on November 14 which is the work session.She will complete the memo and send them a copy so that they will know what the council is looking at. Commissioner Whiteneck asked if that would be by email. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated it would be hard copies.It will include the chart and their recommendations. Commissioner Whiteneck commented if for some reason one of the quarterly things do not pan out for one of these folks, he would like to send the money to another. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated what the city manager asked for last year and it will probably be in the contracts this year is for it to either get distributed equally amongst the rest of the applicants or, at his discretion, go back into the general fund. Commissioner Whiteneck commented he was going to basically suggest that. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated that is what was in it last year and she was not going to change it. Commissioner Whiteneck commented he did not want anyone calling him to say something changed and they need to come in and have another meeting. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated it will be equal distribution to everybody else that is in good standing.If they are not in good standing they will not get more money.It will be equally distributed or, at the desire of the city manager, it will just go back into the general fund. Commissioner Whiteneck commented he was hoping it would be distributed proportionately. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated usually if somebody screws up it is the fourth quarter and there is not a whole lot left to distribute.But this particular group is very good.Other than emailing something instead of hand delivering it, most of it is good.So it is the 14th for the presentation and she expects HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 23 OF 24 the council to approve them on the 15th.One of the other things they are supposed to do is' elect the chair and vice chair. 7.Election of chairperson and vice chairperson. Chairperson Weeter NOMINATED ANDREW WHITENECK FOR CHAIRPERSON. Commissioner Mullen SECONDED THE NOMINATION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Commissioner Whiteneck NOMINATED JODENE WEETER FOR VICE CHAIR. Commissioner Mayo SECONDED THE NOMINATION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. 8.Selection of future meeting dates. There are no future meeting dates pending. 9.Adjournment. Chairperson Weeter adjourned the meeting at 5:25 p.m. /Jodene Weeter Chairperson ex-r_e Kathleen Connel City Clerk HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 2011 PAGE 24 OF 24