Human Services Committee

October 11, 2006  - 8:30 am

DRAFT MINUTES

 

Members:                   Sandy Price, Chairperson; Carol Tytler, Vice-Chairperson; Merwin Armstrong, Kay Breed, Mike McKee, Don Spaulding and John Troy

Others Present:          Marilyn Brown, Chairman of the Legislature; Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Carol Deloff, Director of Area Agency on Aging; Kristen Monroe, Commissioner of Department of Social Services: Robin Sandwick, Employment & Training; Manny Lann, Director of youth Bureau; and Corey Preston, Cortland Standard

Ms. Price called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m.

Mr. Troy made the motion to adoption of the minutes of the September 14, 2006 meeting; seconded by Ms. Breed.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.

 

RESOLUTIONS:

Employment & Training

 

1.                Authorize Agreement/Employment & Training Department (Operation of Year Round Youth Program) – Ms. Tytler moved adoption; seconded by Mr. McKee.  Ms. Sandwick explained this youth program and the five-year plan that is associated with it.  She added that the program is renewable next year.  Ms. Tytler inquired about the accounting number appearing on the resolution.  Mr. Schrader explained that the account numbers are not needed because this in not part of the County’s budget.  Ms. Sandwick informed the Committee that this would come before the Legislature annually.  Committee members discussed other mentoring and employment programs involving youth.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

Department of Social Services

 

2.                Amend Budget (Transfer) (MMIS Expenditures) – Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Tytler.  Ms. Monroe briefly explained that this is money added to the budget.  Ms. Tytler requested that MMIS be spelled out in to resolution.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved as amended.

 

3.               Amend 2006 Budget (Home Energy Assistance Program/HEAP) – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy.  Ms. Monroe explained that this is the annual kickoff for HEAP and added that she does not have State information yet and will try to obtain it before session.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

4.                 Amend Budget (Transfer) (Program Juvenile Delinquents) – Mr. McKee moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Spaulding.  Ms. Monroe explained that she spoke about this at last months meeting and there has been no new appropriation.  She added that this is from the Family & Children Services account.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

Committee members discussed a Seven Valley Coalition study group beginning to look at Mental Health issues in the community. 

 

5.                 Amend Budget (Transfer) (Program Safety Net) – Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Armstrong.  Ms. Monroe discussed this transfer being needed because she was over budget due to an increase in the number of indigent burials and a higher number of eviction and utility emergencies.  Mr. McKee inquired about this affecting the overall budget.  Ms. Monroe explained that it had no affect it was a transfer of funds.   All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

6.                Amend Resolution Number 258-06, Cortland County Area Agency on Aging and Department of Social Services (Point of Entry for Long Term Care Services) – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy.  Ms. Monroe explained that this is a State issued contract and Department of Social Services needs to be a signatory on it.  She added that it is simply a change in the wording and adding Area Agency on Aging and Department of Social Services.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

Youth Bureau

 

7.                Accept Grant/Amend Budget (“Eat Well, Play Hard” Grant) – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy.  Mr. Lann explained that this is to cover the cost of vintage bike racks that will be installed in the spring around Cortland and added that one is being put at the Courthouse.  Ms. Price suggested that one be installed at the County Office Building.  Mr. Lann expressed that he would look into that.  Ms. Price additionally suggested looking to the possibility of ordering the bike racks similar to the way grills were ordered for the parks; from the prison system.  Mr. Lann distributed brochures regarding the bike racks and explained that hey have already been order.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

Legislature

 

8.         Cortland County Continuum of Care Committee Resolution – Revised - pulled from the September 28, 2006 Legislature Agenda – Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Tytler.  Ms. Price explained that she has had meetings with different people regarding this, including Chairman Brown, and everyone seems to be satisfied.  Ms. Breed expressed that she has concerns with Access to Independence’s perspective on this.  Chairman Brown expressed that this is a good start and that it can be built upon from this.  Ms. Price explained setting up the group of individuals named in this resolution.  Mr. Van Donsel discussed the time constraints and how they are related to the individuals named in this resolution.  Chairman Brown inquired about how often they meet.  Ms. Price explained that they would meet on a Friday morning for about an hour on a monthly basis.  Mr. Van Donsel requested that Ms. Price check with the individuals named in this resolution to see if they are still interested to meet the obligation this involves.  Additionally, he requested that this be tabled until such contact has been made.  Ms. Price explained that it is down to crunch time regarding this.  Ms. Breed expressed her concerns that we are asking these people to meet and then meet again with a group that is already there.  Ms. Price explained that there have been minimal changes to this resolution and that the original resolution asked for our support.  She added that the first part of this is just for support.  Ms. Breed explained that her concerns are with the second page and inquired about what exactly are we asking these people to do.  She added that she does not have a problem with the issue itself.  Ms. Price expressed that she will proceed with calling each individual on the resolution.  Ms. Breed explained that she still did not know what exactly they are doing.  Ms. Price requested input from Mr. Van Donsel and Chairman Brown.  Mr. Van Donsel explained that he really did not have an answer and further discussed what originally was requested of him, which was to meet as a larger group and now that has changed.  Ms. Price attempted to clarify this by explaining that part of the larger group is to gain background information and they meet as a smaller group to administer the grant application.  Ms. Price explained that she would check with the individuals and if they were not still interested then she would pull it at session.  Ms. Price additionally offered to meet with Ms. Breed to discuss this resolution further.  Ms. Price, Ms. Tytler, Ms. Armstrong, Mr. McKee, Mr. Spaulding and Mr. Troy voting in favor; Ms. Breed was opposed; resolution approved contingent upon all persons listed on the resolution still being in agreement to participate.

 

 DISCUSSIONS/PRESENTATIONS:

 

1.         Children and Family County Service Plan for January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2009 – Ms. Monroe explained to Committee members that she will be emailing all of them a copy of the Children and Family County Service Plan for January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2009.   Additionally, she stated that she would leave a copy with Katrina Spicer in the County Administration Office for review also.  She expressed that it is a large document and did not make copies for the meeting.  She added that if anyone is interested in receiving a copy she will provide it for them.  Committee members discussed not having Ms. Monroe emailing them a copy due to the fact that it could tie up their e-mail accounts.  Ms. Monroe agreed to not e-mail it and would just provide a copy in the County Administration Office.  

 

2.         Disability Mentoring Day – Ms. Tytler discussed that next Wednesday is Disability Mentoring Day.  Ms. Sandwick explained that the kickoff will start at Cortland High School and that persons with disabilities will be working with individuals through out the community.  She added that this gives people disabilities a chance to explore career opportunities.  Committee members discussed having Ms. Sandwick e-mail them a list of business that will be participating.  Ms. Sandwick agreed to do so.

 

3.        Pancake Breakfast – Ms. Deloff announced that there will be a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, October 15, 2006 at the Homer Elks and invited everyone to attend. 

 

4.         Employee/Employer of the Year – Ms. Price discussed that she and Ms. Breed attended a luncheon for Employee and Employer of the Year.  

 

5.         Drug and Alcohol Awareness Poster Contest – Ms. Tyler discussed the Drug and Alcohol Awareness Poster Contest and that there were twelve winners.  She also explained that the twelve winning posters are going incorporated into a calendar that will be available through the Youth Bureau for $5 each.  

 

6.         Red Ribbon Event – Ms. Sandwick explained that red tulips are being planted though out the community and that there has been a large interest in this event. 

 

Ms. Price adjourned the meeting at 8:14 a.m.