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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026.03.09 HHSC Minutes City of Apache Junction, Arizona Meeting location.- City Council Chambers w Special Meeting Minutes 300 E.Superstition Blvd. Apache Junction,AZ Health and Human Services 85119 Commission apachejunctionaz.gov P:(480)982-8002 Doors are open to the public at least 15 minutes prior to the posted meeting start time. Monday, March 9, 2026 3:00 PM City Council Chambers A. Call to Order Chair Brennan called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. B. Pledge of Allegiance Chair Brennan led the Pledge of Allegiance. C. Roll Call Present 6- Chairperson Brennan Commissioner Smithson Commissioner Mykland Commissioner Montgomery Commissioner Krcilek Vice Chair Danford Excused 1 - Commissioner Wood City Clerk, Evie McKinney Deputy City Clerk, Amy Greening Administrative Assistant, Naomi Funk D. Consent Agenda Vice Chair Danford moved,seconded by Commissioner Mykland to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Yes: 6- Chairperson Brennan, Commissioner Smithson, Commissioner Mykland, Commissioner Montgomery, Commissioner Krcilek and Vice Chair Danford No: 0 Excused: 1 - Commissioner Wood 1. 26-83 Consideration of approval of agenda. 2. 26-84 Consideration of approval of special meeting minutes of February 23, 2026, E. Old Business F. New Business City ofApache Junction,Arizona page i Health and Human Services Special Meeting Minutes March 9,2026 Commission 3. 26-85 Interview of applicants for Health and Human Services funding for Fiscal Year 2026-2027:A New Leaf,Apache Junction CDC,Azura VITA, Black and Gold Youth Football League, Boys and Girls Club, Kiwanis, NAZCARE Inc., and Superstition Food Bank. Presentations were shared by the local non-profit organizations that submitted funding applications for FY 2026-2027. Each applicant gave a presentation that showcased their services and answered questions that the Commission had at the February 23, 2026, meeting. Listed is the order in which the organizations presented: A New Leaf Director of Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Services Dana Martinez presented a background on the services that A New Leaf/CAAFA offers and their history with Apache Junction. They are requesting $20,000.00 to support their domestic violence outreach program. She spoke about the following topics: -Their ongoing partnership they have with the Apache Junction Police Department - Federal funding cuts and how that has affected their organization - Ensuring the funding, if awarded, goes to Apache Junction residents - Challenging fundraising efforts - Percentage the funding request is of the total domestic violence outreach budget - Case discussed in their application - Partial funding they would accept -A discrepancy listed on their application for the budget numbers - New services offered and a success story from their services Director of Government Contracts and Grants Larry Grubbs addressed the size of the organization and how their funding works. Commissioners concerns included the case discussed in their application, statistics on recidivism, support for victims, how their shelters work, and how much funding they will accept. Ms. Martinez and Mr. Grubbs responded to all concerns. Apache Junction Community Development Corporation Chairperson of the Apache Junction Community Development Corporation (AJCDC) Board Gail Evans introduced herself and stated she was available to answer any questions. They are requesting $7,500.00 to support operating expenses for code compliance cases and residential clean ups. Commissioners concerns included what the AJCDC could do if awarded more funding than they are asking for, referring clients for medical help, Parks and Recreation expense on their application, personal protective gear for volunteers, educating clients to prevent repeat visits, and limits on helping the same person. Ms. Evans responded to all concerns and shared several stories of cases they have worked on. Azura VITA Executive Director Kymbrlee Hsu presented a background on the organization and the services they provide. She clarified that they are requesting $15,800,00 to expand their volunteer City of Apache Juncfion,Arizona Page 2 Health and Human Services Special Meeting Minutes March 9, 2026 Commission income tax preparation service and not for capital improvements, windows or holistic case management. She addressed the following topics: - How their program works - Shared statistics from last tax season -The number of Apache Junction residents they served last year -What the funding would go towards specifically Commissioners concerns included what percentage of clients are Apache Junction residents, if they have an Apache Junction location, collaborating with community colleges, if they help with tax audits, qualifications of their volunteers, and what the funds will be used for. Ms. Hsu responded to all concerns. Black and Gold Youth Football League Sponsor Coordinator Todd Furnish presented a background on the organization and how the league works. They are requesting $6,000.00 for fall season football scholarships. He addressed the following topics: - How many players are from Apache Junction - The way their organization works - How they decide which kids get scholarships - Expenses for the teams and budget concerns The structure of the teams and how many they have -The number of games per season Commissioners concerns included the structure of the teams, how many teams they have,the number of games per season and why that specific amount was asked for. Mr. Furnish responded to all concerns. Boys and Girls Club Vice President of Regional Impact Liz Burns presented a background on the organization and the services they offer. They are requesting $30,000.00 to fund staff for programming at the Superstition Mountain Club. She addressed the following topics: -The mission of the Boys and Girls Club -The percentage of club members that are Apache Junction residents - What the funding would go towards -What the club provides to members and highlighted a couple of their popular programs The local schools that they partner with - Their fundraising efforts and how their budget works Commissioners concerns included graduation rates, the fall out rate as children get older, clarification on the monthly fee, financial aid, and if the members are from families with working parents. Ms. Burns responded to all concerns. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 3 Health and Human Services Special Meeting Minutes March 9, 2026 Commission Kiwanis President of the Kiwanis Club Jeff Mitchell presented a background on the organization. They are requesting $2,000.00 for various events to support the children in Apache Junction. He addressed the following topics: -The percentage of their funding request to their overall budget - Listed the activities they have supported - Explained how they support the local schools - Future goals of the club Commissioners concerns were what the funding would go towards specifically. Mr. Mitchell responded to the Commissioners concern. NAZCARE Inc Financial Assistant Ashley Leiker presented a background on the organization. They were requesting $62,400.00 for renovations to their Rising Star Wellness Center, She addressed the following topics: - Changing their funding request from capital improvements to applying the funds to non-title 19 serious mental illness (SMI) clients that have had their Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) benefits cut. Commissioners concerns were business hours, which regional behavorial health authority funds them, what the term LMI stands for, clarification on the AHCCCS cuts, what happened to the people they lost due to the benefits cut and their amended funding amount with the project change. Ms. Leiker responded to all concerns. Superstition Community Food Bank Executive Director Erik Arriola presented a background on the organization. They are requesting $75,000.00 to purchase food for their emergency food program, holiday box program and the student backpack food program. He addressed the following topics: -The percentage of clients that are Apache Junction residents -The days and hours of operation - How someone qualifies to receive the food boxes - How many pounds of food is given per person - Where they get the food - Explained each program they offer and what is included in their food boxes - If they were able to extend the backpack program - If funding is increased for one program would that free up funds for other programs - Qualifications for the backpack program - How community partnership work Commissioners concerns were food boxes for seniors, auditing income for people receiving the food boxes, if they offer delivery, serving homeless people, distributing electrolytes, and adding City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 4 Health and Human Services Special Meeting Minutes March 9, 2026 Commission more schools to the backpack program. Mr. Arriola responded to all concerns. G. Information and Reports H. Staff Liaison's Report There was no Staff Liaison report. I. Selection of Meeting Dates, Times, Location and Purpose J. Adjournment eBrenjourned the meeting at 5:15 p.m. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 5