Cortland County Human Services Committee

Minutes

7/9/08

8:30 AM

County Office building

Room 304

Meeting called by

Mrs. Price @ 8:31 AM

Type of meeting

Regular Committee

committee Members present

Sandy Price, Chairman; Don Spaulding, Vice Chairman; Mike McKee; John Troy; Larry Cornell; Kathie Wilcox; Dan Tagliente

attendees

Carol Deloff, Area Agency on Aging; Carl Bullock, Veteran’s Services; Robin Sandwick, E&T Director; Judy Davidson, Director, E&T Grant Administration; Kristen Monroe, DSS Commissioner; Manny Lann, Youth Bureau Director; Dennis Whitt , County Auditor; Mark Suben, County Attorney; Brianne Parker, Secretary I

not present

Scott Schrader , County Administrator ; John Daniels, Chair of the Legislature

Mr. Troy moved for the adoption of the June 11, 2008 minutes as printed.

Seconded by Mr. Cornell.

 All members in voting favor, none opposed; minutes approved as printed.

Agenda topics

Resolution ~ Aging

NO.1 – Create Temporary Aging Services Specialist Area Agency on Aging

Discussion

Ms. Price called for a motion.  Mr. Cornell moved the motion.  Mr. Troy seconded.

Ms. Deloff informed the committee that she received extra money this year for the Health Insurance program.  She wanted to discuss the problems with open enrollment in regards to Medicare Part B.  She suggested that the department hire someone beginning 9/8/08 and work to 1/16/09 to deal strictly with Medicare Part B and Medicare Advantage Plans.  She stated that last year the department counseled 644 clients between 11/17 and 12/31.  During that time, all other work in the department had to be out on hold.  She stated that she is hoping that hiring this individual would help alleviate the problem.  She also informed the committee that it would be State funded.

Mr. McKee inquired if the position would be a household consultant.

Ms. Deloff replied that it would be a county employee position, but would help counsel.

Mr. Spaulding wanted clarification why the employee would not be receiving benefits although it is stated that the position is full-time at 35 hours per week.

Ms. Deloff explained that the position is for less than 6 months.

Mr. Spaulding questioned why it stated 15 or 16 weeks, he thought it would be approximately 15 weeks.

Ms. Deloff said that the position would be for about 18 weeks.

Ms. Price informs Mr. Tagliente that the committee is in the midst of discussing Resolution #1 and asked Ms. Deloff to recap.

Ms. Deloff explained that the position was temporary; for a health insurance counseling person to help with Medicare Part B during open enrollment.  She stated that it is completely state funded and there would be no county dollars used.  She informed the committee that this is also the time period that the agency is open on Saturday. 

Ms. Price asked if there were other questions or comments.

Mr. Spaulding asked if the position would be in the union.

Ms. Deloff stated that she was not sure. 

Mr. Spaulding said that is stated that the position was CSEA.

Mr. Cornell stated that it was in regards to the grade of the position.

Mr. Spaulding said that he thought that was the reason there were no benefits offered with the position.

Ms. Deloff stated that Civil Service rules are the reason there are no benefits and it has to be taken from list of 3 to 6 months.

Ms. Price asked for anything else on the resolution and then called for a vote.

Conclusions

All members voting in favor; None opposed; Motion carried.

Resolution ~ Aging

NO.2 – Create Food Service Helper Area Agency on Aging

Discussion

Ms. Price called for a motion.  Mr. Troy moved the motion.  Mr. McKee seconded the motion.

Ms. Deloff informed the committee that she had just received notification that there are additional funds available for the center aide in McGraw.  She stated that the center has been without an aide since last September.  She said when the money became available she made it a top priority.  The position will be part-time at 16 hours per week.  The center is open 4 days a week. 

Ms. Price stated that she was aware that Ms. Deloff tried for several months to hire someone under Title 5.

Mr. Troy inquired what SNAP stood for.

Ms. Deloff responded that it stood for – Senior Nutrition Assistance Program.

Mr. Troy stated that it should be spelled out; many people prefer it that way.

Ms. Price said that it would not be a problem.

Ms. Wilcox asked if this resolution would allow her a larger pool of people to draw from.

Ms. Deloff stated that she hoped so.  She said that Title 5 was mentioned to be income eligible.  When she advertised the position she received 32 applications, but only 2 were income eligible.  She stated that income eligibility is extremely low.

Ms. Price inquired if the Title 5 position would be eliminated.

Ms. Deloff stated that the position would still be available and would hire if the individual met the criteria.

Ms. Price asked if there was any more discussion and called for a vote.

Conclusions

All members voted in favor; None opposed; Motion carried.

Resolution ~ DSS

NO.3 – Draft Resolution (subject to change) Cortland County Indigent Burial Rate Policy

Discussion

Ms. Price called for a motion.  Mr. McKee moved the motion.  Mr. Troy seconded.

Ms. Monroe informed the committee that she would go through the resolution and point out the changes from the current policy.  First, she gave a brief background on the current policy.  She stated that it was adopted in 2005.  There had been no change in rates for 3 years at that point and prior to 2005 there hadn’t been an increase in 15 years.   She also informed the committee that for all costs the state would reimburse the county $450 per burial.  She stated the changes as follows:

-          Under Funeral Options, Burials: It was clarified for the Funeral Director what had to be included in the service; how and when the services would be provided.

-          The rates for stillborn to 6 months and 7 months to 4 years increased by $50.

-          The rate for 5 years to adult increased $100.

-          Under previous resolution the dollar amount was capped for incidental burial items, would now like to agree to pay the actual cost given proper documentation.

-          Cremation with services included increased $100.

-          Cremation costs will be reimbursed at actual cost.

-          Cost of the crematory will no longer be a $250 charge; it will be included in addition to the $1700.

-          Anatomical Donations increased $50.

-          The transportation rate increased from $1.50 per mile to $1.75 per mile.

-          Supplementation has changed allowing families to purchase additional prayer, prayer cards and guest registers.

-          Under Benefits Due: our department will be able to seek bank accounts to pay for expenses.

Overall, she predicted the cost to increase about $250 per burial.

Mr. Tagliente inquired how many burials were done in a year.

Ms. Monroe stated there were 65 in 2006, 53 in 2007, and through the end of June 2008 there were 25.  She stated that using the figures given, they would still be on target and forecasted spending $12,501 more than previous years. 

Ms. Price stated that Ms. Monroe had been working on this for about 6 months.

Ms. Monroe corrected her, as she had only been working on it for 4 months.  She stated that the hold-up was with receiving valid information in regards to the increase in casket costs and cremation costs.

Mr. Troy inquired the difference between a mile and a loaded mile.

Ms. Monroe responded that a loaded mile includes the deceased body.

Ms. Price asked if there were any questions and called for a vote.

Conclusions

All members voting in favor; None opposed; Motion carried.

Resolution ~ DSS

NO.4 – Amend Budget Department of Social Services

Discussion

Ms. Price called for a motion.  Mr. Cornell moved the motion.  Mr. Tagliente seconded.

Ms. Monroe informed the committee that about 6 months ago the State received a large bonus from the Federal government for past food stamp performance.  As a result, Cortland County received $25,000.  Some of the money was used to compensate staff for their involvement with the workshops were held a couple months ago.  She stated that she would like to use the remaining money to purchase headsets for the examining staff.  She informed the committee that the food stamp process would be done over the phone beginning in the Fall.  She stated that she would like to be proactive in regards to any worker’s comp cases that could result in the future by not purchasing the headsets and the process is done by phone. 

Ms. Price inquired how many headsets she was looking to purchase.

Ms. Monroe stated that she planned on purchasing 28 headsets because the reception staff will also be involved in the process.

Ms. Price called for a vote.

Conclusions

All members voted in favor; None opposed; Motion carried.

Resolution ~ Youth Bureau

NO.5 – Accept Grant/ Amend Budget/ Authorize Agreement Youth Bureau ( United States Tennis Association Grant)

Discussion

Ms. Price called for a motion.  Mr. Tagliente approved the motion.  Mr. Spaulding seconded.

Mr. Lann informed the committee that he had applied for the United States Tennis Association (USTA) grant for the amount of $2,400.  He was awarded $1500.  He stated that after discussion with the City Youth Bureau, it was decided to use the money to supplement lessons being given by the instructor that the City already employs.  The supplement lessons would be free of charge and would be held on Thursdays.  He also stated that the instructor might travel to some of the towns and villages to provide free lessons.

Ms. Price called for a vote after no one had any discussion.

Conclusions

All members voting in favor; None opposed; Motion carried.

Discussion/ Department Reports ~ Youth Bureau

Discussion

Mr. Lann informed the committee that the Summer program had

begun.  He also informed the committee that he would be serving as the project coordinator for the AmeriCorp Grant that was awarded to the college.

Conclusions

Discussion/ Departmental Reports ~ Veteran’s

Discussion

Ms. Price asked Mr. Bullock if he had any updates for the

committee. 

Mr. Bullock informed the committee that the Cortland Veteran’s Office had 308 contacts for the month of June.  He also informed the committee that he had received the report on expenditures for the fiscal year 2007.  He stated that Cortland County received the following:

-          Compensation Pension Benefits: $3,936,000.00

-          Educational and Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits: $368,000.00

-          Insurance and Indemnities: $ 212,000.00

-          Medical Benefits: $6,323,000.00

He reported the total for the fiscal year was $10,839,000.00. 

Mr. Bullock wanted to inform the committee of his concern with the status of claims.  He explained to the committee that there are approximately 57 Veteran’s Offices throughout the Untied States and that each individual office would process it’s individual pension claims.  It was decided that the process would be consolidated, so there were 3 pension centers established.  He stated two concerns with this.  The first he predicted was the turn around time for the claims increasing from 3 or 4 months to possibly 8 or 10 months.  The second concern he had was that in the process the Veteran’s Office eliminated the toll free number used to speak to a representative about a claim.  They have now made it an automated system.  He stated that a direct result of the change has been an increase in phone calls to his office in regards to the status of the claims.  He said that it was creating a significant problem. Mr. Bullock also expressed a concern for his office if the State representative was to leave office, as there is no plan in place for a replacement.  He stated that if this were to occur that there would be over 7,000 Veteran’s in need of a place to go.  He predicted this to be an even larger problem for the office.

Ms. Price asked how quickly Mr. Bullock expected this happen.

Mr. Bullock said that the matter could wait, but just wanted to make the committee aware.

Conclusions

Discussion/ Departmental Reports ~ Aging

Discussion

Ms. Price asked Ms. Deloff if she had anything present.  Ms. Deloff

just wanted the committee to be aware of the calendar of Bicentennial events for the seniors that she handed out before the meeting.  She stated that some of the events including, the program about the Corset Factory in McGraw and the old fashioned barn dance in Marathon had already taken place. She commented that both events had a great turnout and that she was looking forward to the other events.  She also informed the committee that Willet had put together a calendar with old photos, which are for sale for $5.00, and that Truxton would be producing a Bicentennial cookbook.

Conclusions

Discussion/ Departmental Reports ~ Employment and Training

Discussion

Ms. Price inquired if Robin had anything to inform the committee.

Ms. Sandwick replied that it was business as usual and informed the committee that the Summer programs had begun.

Ms. Price inquired whether Ms. Davidson had anything to present to the committee.

Ms Davidson began by stating that the two grants that had been applied for had been awarded.  They were as follows:

-          Objective Skills Assessment: $50,000.00

-          Disability Navigator Grant: $75,000.00

She informed the committee that in regards to the Disability Navigator Grant they had begun negotiating the sub-contract agreements with the J.M. Murray Center for the Cortland center and the Unity House in Auburn for the center in Cayuga County . 

Ms. Davidson also mentioned to the committee that she had revisited another State level grant, ITA- Learning Project which is an Individual Training Account project that is available state wide to assist in sending individuals to area community colleges.  She stated that they are looking into whether or not they meet the requirements because they are in the middle of their budget cycle and have lost over 20% of formula funding.  She informed the committee that while doing research that Cortland County was one of the highest in Central New York that sends individuals to community colleges.  She stated that the county allots $10,000.00 for two years of completed study, while other county such as Tompkins allots $3000; Syracuse allots $5000 as well as Jefferson County . 

Ms. Price asked if there were any questions for Ms. Davidson.

Conclusions

Discussion/ Departmental Reports ~ Social Services

Discussion

Ms. Price inquired whether Ms. Monroe had any other items for the

Committee before the PowerPoint presentation. 

Ms. Monroe inquired whether the committee had received her draft letter to the Elm Crest Children’s Center.  The committee stated they had.  She wanted to make sure the committee understood what the letter entailed and sought approval to move forward.

Ms. Price called for a motion to move forward with the letter to Elm Crest.

Conclusions

Mr. Spaulding moved the motion.  Mr. Cornell seconded. 

Ms. Price called for a vote.  All members voted in favor; None opposed; Motion carried.

**There was a PowerPoint presentation following all agenda and discussion items on a camping trip to Summit Base camp in the Adirondacks for local foster children**

Meeting Adjourned

Motion to adjourn @ 9:36 AM by Ms. Arnold. Seconded by Mr. Cornell.