Human Services Committee

March 12, 2008 at 8:30 AM

              DRAFT MINUTES

Committee Present:  Sandy Price, Chairman; Don Spaulding, Vice Chairman; Mike McKee, John Troy, Larry Cornell – Absent: Kathie Wilcox – Excused: Dan Tagliente

Legislators/County Staff Present:  Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Angie Wyatt, Secretary to Scott Schrader; Mark Suben, County Attorney; Carol Deloff, Office of the Aging Director; Kristen Monroe, DSS Commissioner; Robin Sandwick, Employment & Training Director; Manny Lann, County Youth Bureau Director; Carl Bullock, Veterans Office Director; Carol Tytler, Legislator

Others Present:  Eric Mulvihill, WXHC News Director, Evan Geibel, Cortland Standard Reporter

The meeting was called to order at 8:30a.m. by Chairman Sandy Price

MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 13, 2008 MEETING MADE BY MR. TROY - 2^ND BY MR. MCKEE - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR WITH ONE CORRECTION:  MR. SPAULDING WAS EXCUSED FROM THE FEBRUARY 13, 2008 MEETING, THUS HE WAS NOT PRESENT AS REFLECTED IN THE MINUTES – MINUTES APPROVED WITH THE CORRECTION

 

RESOLUTIONS:

Area Agency on Aging

1. Accept Bids/Authorize Purchase Area Agency on Aging/Nutrition Miscellaneous Groceries and Frozen Foods – MOTION BY MR. TROY - 2^ND BY MR. CORNELL - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion: NONE

Employment & Training

2. Authorize Agreement/ Amend Budget between CNY Works, Inc. and Department of E&T Grant Administration (On behalf of Cayuga-Cortland Workforce Investment Board) – MOTION BY MR. MCKEE - 2^ND BY MR. TROY - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion: Ms. Sandwick explained that this is a regional grant designed to identify businesses in Cayuga and Cortland Counties working in the Energy and Environmental Systems Cluster for an internship program.  Each County will receive $7,500.00.

3. Amend Budget Department of E&T Grant Administration WIA Incentive Award – MOTION BY MR. TROY - 2^ND BY MR. CORNELL - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion: Ms. Sandwick explained that this money was awarded for meeting their goals and it can be spent on whatever they desire. They will be purchasing new computers for the Resource Room, holding workshops and also use the money for in-service training for staff.  A Youth Career Day is planned for June 5^th in conjunction with the Cortland County Youth Bureau.

Youth Bureau

4. Accept Grant/Amend Budget/Authorize Agreement Youth Bureau (Member Item Grant) – MOTION BY MR. MCKEE - 2^ND BY MR. TROY - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion:  This member item in the amount of $2,000 was made possible by Assemblyman Gary Finch to be used for Foster Youth trips and PINS data software for the Probation Department.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS/DISCUSSIONS  

Youth Bureau – Mr. Lann indicated that they are working on the summer youth recreation programs.  The Corning Glass Museum and the Rockwell Museum were suggested as possible field trips for the youth this summer.  Chairman Price expressed a desire to have Mr. Lann provide information regarding the Summer Program at the next CCTVS (County/City/Towns/Villages/Schools) meeting being held on Thursday, March 27^th immediately following the Legislative Session.

Veterans – Mr. Bullock indicated that everything is going well in the Veterans Office.  He further advised the Committee that on January 28, 2008, President Bush signed the National Defense Authority Act bill which allows for military individuals involved in Iraq and Afghanistan to be able to sign up for medical benefits from the Veterans Administration.

Aging

• Heritage House – Ms. Deloff advised the Committee that the Heritage House would be closing this Friday.  It is the only social model adult day center in the in County.  14 individuals were using this service.  There are no other options for them – they will just have to be in their homes. This program was subsidized by OMRDD (Office of Mental Retardation and Developmentally Disabled), which is no longer funding it.  The Heritage House is located on Kennedy Parkway.  Mr. Spaulding commented that he knew someone that was using this service.  Ms. Deloff further indicated that there is no reimbursement for Senior Day Care services and the medical model day care facilities have no openings.  It is a sad situation.

• RSVP – RSVP is funded by federal, state and county dollars.  The state has advised the Office of the Aging that there will be a rescission of funding for RSVP.  Their budget will be reduced by $875.00. RSVP Director, Cindy Stockholm had budgeted and planned to attend a national conference but will not go to the conference to make up for the lost revenue.

• March For Meals – Ms. Deloff indicated that the March for Meals campaign is going well.  They had a fund raising breakfast at the Homer Elks last week and raised approximately $900.00.  They are also doing well with collecting non-perishable food for their food pantry.

• Home Delivered Meals – Next week City and Village Mayors, Town Supervisors and Legislators will be able to ride with the home delivery meals staff to observed this very important service provided by the Office of the Aging Nutrition Program.

• Bowl-A-Thon – This is to raise money for Office of the Aging and it is going very well.  There are quit a few teams that will be bowling.

• South Main Street – Ms. Price asked Mr. Schrader for an update.  Mr. Schrader indicated that he has nothing to report at this time.  Upon action by the full Legislature to pass a resolution for a feasibility study by Barton and Loguidice they will be able to move forward.  Ms. Deloff asked what the correlation is between Barton and Loguidice and Joe Maryak of JCM Associates.  Mr. Schrader answered that Barton and Loguidice are the Engineers and Joe Maryak is the Architect and that they work in concert with each other.  Mr. Suben indicated that the County owns the Moose Club and now needs to purchase the Robbins Vending property from Mike and Chip Wood.  Mr. Suben said the Assistant County Attorney, Liz Burns is handling the real estate issues.  The Robbins Vending property owners were told that they would be able to stay there until they find a new location.  Mr. Suben understands that they have found a new location.  Mr. Suben also advised the Committee that the Robbins Vending property owners dropped the lawsuit they had against the County.  The bar that is in the Moose Club could have historical value.  It was the original bar that was in Hotel Cortland that was located at the corner of North Main Street and Groton Avenue.  No one would like to see the bar taken to the landfill since it has historical value.  Mr. Suben suggested that we contact Angelo (“Butch”) Maniccia who is the son of the original owner and who owns the Red Dragon.

Employment & Training – Ms. Sandwich told the Committee about the Community Center at the Appleby School in Marathon.  The Community Center is used for resources.  Mr. Schrader commented that it is a great idea and great use of a school.  Ms. Sandwich indicated that they have funding for a Women Opportunity Center and were able to purchase 7 new computers.

Social Services

• Foster Home Recruitment – Ms. Monroe explained that foster home recruitment is ongoing and that there is a Senior Case Worker dedicated to work exclusively with foster home parents and the recruitment of foster homes.  Ms. Monroe indicated that the next class for new foster home parents begins at the end of March.  The last class had 12 couples starting and ended up with 2 couples becoming certified.  They are developing a new brochure.  Mr. Spaulding asked Ms. Monroe how long have they been holding classes for foster parents.  Ms. Monroe indicated that they have been holding classes for about 5 years.  Mr. Spaulding commented that when he and his wife took in foster children they were not required to attend any classes.  Ms. Monroe said that the greatest recruitment for foster parents comes from the recommendation of existing foster parents.  Chairman Price asked if Legislators are able to be foster parents.  Mr. Schrader and Ms. Monroe indicated that they are not aware of any law prohibiting Legislators from being foster parents.  Ms. Monroe advised the Committee that the Foster Parents Dinner will be held on April 25, 2008 at 6:00p.m. at Tinelli’s Hathaway House in Solon and that all Legislators are invited.

• Mental Health – Carol Tytler, Chairman of the Health Committee reported that the new Psychiatrist started at the Mental Health Department.  His name is Dr. Jason Stepkovitch.  Dr. Stepkovitch feels that there is a huge need  there – the quality of service is not what it should be.  Dr. Capanzano is planning to retire and a new person will be coming in.  There will be a need to work with the Department of Social Services and the Health Department.

• MICAH – This is the effort of a group of private citizens, local clergy and County departments to insure that all children in the County have health insurance.  There will be a County Proclamation in April regarding this.  Mr. Schrader met with County Schools Superintendents and indicated that the superintendents were unaware of this effort.  They indicated that if a child gets hurt at school, the school district is required to pay for all medical bills resulting from the injury(ies).  They presently do not have any records as to whether the children are covered by health insurance but they will start keeping track of the children’s health care.  Mr. Schrader indicated that the Superintendents were extremely positive regarding this issue.  This is moving in a very positive direction.

• Stewart Place – Ms. Monroe indicated that Attorney Larry Knickerbocker will prepare the paperwork.  At the request of County Attorney Mark Suben, on MOTION BY MR. TROY – 2^ND BY MR. CORNELL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS PENDING LITIGATION/PROPERTY ACQUISITION – ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 9:12A.M.   -   OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 9:24A.M.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:24a.m.

Minutes taken and prepared by Angie Wyatt, Secretary to Scott Schrader