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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019.08.22 HHSC MinutesHealth & Human Services Commission Meeting Minutes August 22, 2019 Page 1 of 4 MINUTES OF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION City Clerk Conference Room 300 E. Superstition Blvd., Apache Junction, AZ August 22, 2019 – 4:30 P.M. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairperson Erickson Commissioner Miernicki - participated by phone Commissioner Shar Daniels COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Borey - excused Commissioner Hunsaker - excused STAFF PRESENT: Jennifer Pena, Deputy City Clerk A. Call to Order/Attendance. Chairperson Erickson called the meeting to order at 4:34 p.m. Deputy City Clerk Jennifer Pena called the roll and advised there was a quorum. B. Agenda 1. Opening Remarks – Chairperson Erickson 2. Discussion and Possible approval of the Health and Human Services Commission Minutes of April 24, 2018 and May 9, 2019. Commissioner Daniels moved, seconded by Commissioner Miernicki to approve the minutes be approved. 3. Review Purpose, roles, duties and responsibilities of the Commission. Chairperson Erickson stated at their last meeting they did not have time to discuss the roles and purpose of the committee and the majority of this meeting would be on those subjects. Included in the agenda packet was City Code Chapter 2-11: Health and Human Services Commission, Article 2-14-1 Requests for Financial Assistance, and Ordinance No. 659 related to reporting requirements, required documentation, and procedures for non-profit agencies receiving city funds. There are five duties the commission is responsible for that the committee has not focused on very much in past years, those are: Health & Human Services Commission Meeting Minutes August 22, 2019 Page 2 of 4 a. Conduct public hearings to determine the needs of city residents with regard to public health needs, provision of human services and care of the elderly, handicapped and developmentally disabled; b. To enhance the development of the public health through public forums, seminars and work with other agencies; c. To review requests submitted by health and human service providers (non-profit agencies) for city funding and to make recommendations to the Council regarding that funding; d. To assist in the development of health care facilities; and e. To make recommendations to the Council regarding elderly health care and emergency transportation programs. Deputy City Clerk Jennifer Pena stated she and the city Attorney will be reviewing the city code to make a few changes. The word Grant will more than likely be removed as this is not a grant, it is an appropriation given by the city Council. The city is not in the business of developing health care facilities, and the intent behind that duty is a bit unclear. Other requirements such as proof of residency is being reviewed along with the various auditing and filing requirements. The city code lists the appropriations funding as a way to assist new non-profits in starting their operations or to assist with new program implementation, not as a continuous funding mechanism. Chairperson Erickson would like to review the duties to see what is still relevant and eliminate what no longer applies for the commission. Determine how the commission members can be of assistance to the city council and the city in the human services area. Ms. Erickson is looking for input and clarification on the role of the committee, defining the focus areas of the committee in order to provide the best resources and uses of the funding for the community. 4. Discussion and possible committee outreach ideas. A. Ms. Erickson stated she is looking for outreach areas, feedback from the residents to determine the needs of the community whether that be through public hearings, surveys, focus groups, through community agencies. Would those agencies like to partner in those needs assessment events? What are other ways the city is receiving feedback from the residents. Commissioner Daniels thought the commission members could set up a tent/booth during city sponsored special events to poll/survey the residents on various matters related to health and human service needs. Ms. Erickson stated she read the General Plan, which is on the city website. She indicated they solicited the public input and part of that survey included homeless and at risk community on page 13. She is hoping the Health and Human Services Commission could partner with the City Staff’s homeless outreach coordinator and other government entities to help the residents. B. Enhance public health through public forums, seminars and working with other agencies. Utilize community partners in presentations and seminars. Ms. Erickson stated the Parks and Recreation programs are abundant and advocate for a healthy community from the youth to our senior population. Health & Human Services Commission Meeting Minutes August 22, 2019 Page 3 of 4 C. To review requests submitted by health and human service providers (non-profit agencies) for city funding and to make recommendations to the Council regarding that funding. Ms. Erickson stated the requirements can be confusing and it would be nice to have a more explanative process, and find alternative reporting methods for the residential status and financial records. There are several non-profits in the community which help at a much more local level than some of the other larger organizations. She read an excerpt from a report created for mayors of Arizona; “In our community non- profits are problem solvers, innovators, job creators, trusted advisors, major employers, and revenue generators. They are the connectors, links and leaders that make our towns and cities true communities.” Ms. Pena stated she will be working with the City Attorney as the financial reporting of monies and how they are spent are very explicit. D. To assist in the development of health care facilities. Ms. Erickson commented on this duty. It seemed a bit strange and it would be nice to know the intention behind this duty. It may be that the HHSC would be requested to comment on the needs they have assessed and data collected that would aid any entity who might be considering an assisted living facility. E. To make recommendations to the Council regarding elderly health care and emergency transportation programs. Ms. Erickson stated the Sr. program at the multi-gen center serves a great need and helps many seniors, but commented there might be more opportunity for out-reach to the senior communities. She stated the Superstition Fire and Medical district has 4 ambulances and 37 personnel and that in 2018 ther e were 9,620 responses by ambulances with 5,068 transports made. What are the current needs for this type of service? Commissioner Miernicki agreed that a deep look at what the community needs at this time vs. what they may have been when the city initiated the commission is a good starting point. Ms. Erickson mentioned a home-sharing program in California might be something Apache Junction could look at by utilizing a community organization to match house-mates. One of the non-profits which received funding is looking into this type of program for the east valley area. 5. Discussion and possible establishment of regular meeting dates for the Commission. Commissioner Daniels moved, seconded by Commissioner Miernicki to set a regular meeting schedule for the Commission to be the third Thursday of the month at 4:30 P.M. Motion passed. 6. Determine Future meetings, agenda items and confirm meeting dates. Confirming the third Thursday of the month, the next meetings will be September 19, October 18, November 21, and December 19, 2019. Health & Human Services Commission Meeting Minutes August 22, 2019 Page 4 of 4 C. Adjournment Chairperson Erickson adjourned the meeting at 5:20 P.M. Mary Erickson Jennifer Pena Chairperson Deputy City Clerk