Human Services Committee

June 11, 2008 – 8:30 a.m.

DRAFT Minutes

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

Excused:                  Dan Tagliente

Others Present:       Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Ann Homer, Secretary II; Carol Deloff, Director, Area Agency on Aging; Evan Geibel, Cortland Standard; Kristen Monroe, DSS Commissioner; Manny Lann, Youth Bureau Director; Judy Davison, Director, E & T Grant Administration; Robin Sandwick , E & T Director; Mark Suben, County Attorney; Kathie Arnold, Legislator, LD 16; Carol Tytler, Legislator, LD 3

Mrs. Price called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.

Mr. Troy moved adoption of the May 7, 2008, minutes as printed. Seconded by Mr. Cornell. All members voting in favor, none opposed; minutes approved as printed.

Mr. Cornell welcomed Ann Homer back to take minutes and thanked her for her work.

Resolutions

Area Agency on Aging

1.         Abolish/Create – Area Agency on Aging – Keyboard Specialist/Secretary I. Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Cornell. Ms. Deloff explained that the Keyboard Specialist is a 17 hour per week position. Upon review of the position, it has been determined that the duties are in line with a Secretary I. In order to stay within the budget, the hours have been reduced to 15 hours per week. Mr. Spaulding asked the difference between the two titles. Ms. Deloff explained that it is the duties and the level of responsibilities. Mrs. Wilcox asked if there is a person who will be moving in to the position. Ms. Deloff explained that the Keyboard Specialist resigned, so they will be hiring a new person for the Secretary I. The civil service list is imminent. The position has been vacant since the first week in May. Mr. McKee asked if the vacancy has put the agency in jeopardy. Ms. Deloff explained that there are two support staff vacancies so higher level staff are performing the duties. The position will be physically re-located to serve as backup for phones. All members voting in favor, none opposed; resolution approved.

2.         Accept Bids/Authorize Purchase – Area Agency on Aging/Nutrition – Miscellaneous Groceries and Frozen Foods. Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy. Ms. Deloff explained that this is the quarterly bid. Mr. Spaulding asked who got the bid. Ms. Deloff explained that the bid is a line-by-line bid, so different bidders were low on a variety of line items. Ms. Deloff does not have the bid with her, so she could not provide specifics. Legislators may see Ms. Deloff in her office to view the bid. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

3.         Accept Bids/Authorize Purchase – Area Agency on Aging/Nutrition – Paper Goods and Maintenance Supplies. Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Spaulding. Ms. Deloff explained that this is an every six months bid. This is also a line item by line item bid. All members voting in favor, none opposed; resolution approved.

4.         Accept Bids/Authorize Purchase – Area Agency on Aging/Nutrition – Milk and Dairy Products. Mr. McKee moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy. Ms. Deloff explained that this is an annual, “winner takes all” bid. The lowest bidder this time is Upstate Milk Cooperative. They had the previous bid. Ms. Deloff indicated that one bidder submitted the wrong figures. Mr. Suben asked why this is “winner takes all” and other bids are line by line. Ms. Deloff indicated that the only reason she knows is this the way it has always been done. Ms. Deloff did indicate that we only purchase three products and perhaps this is why. Mr. Suben asked that Ms. Deloff research that issue and get back with him so he can ensure that we are not violating the procurement policy. Ms. Wilcox asked that the resolution be amended to reflect each bidder’s bid. By general consensus, the committee agreed that they would like this. Ms. Deloff will get the figures to Mrs. Morgan to amend the resolution. Ms. Deloff verbally reported all the bids. Mr. Spaulding asked if we could go to providers and ask them if they could provide the products for a particular price. Mr. Suben indicated that we do not have to give a bid to the lowest bidder – we have to give it to the lowest responsible bidder. Mr. Troy asked if negotiations could be conducted after the bids were opened. Mr. Suben indicated only if you negotiate with all bidders. All members voting in favor, none opposed; resolution approved.

Employment and Training

5.         Authorize the Chairman of the Legislature to Sign the Disability Program Navigator Application. Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Cornell. Ms. Davison explained that this grant has been received for the past five (5) years. The first couple of years, it was a competitive grant. The following years, the State took over the program and you have to submit an application. This grant is for $75,000 and the application must be submitted by next week. It provides for two disability navigators – one in Cortland and one in Cayuga. Chairman Daniels must sign the application in order for it to be submitted. It is ready to go to Mr. Daniels for approval. The next resolution involves expenditure of those funds. Mrs. Price asked if we need to adopt a resolution for every grant. Mr. Schrader indicated that we only need a resolution if there is a local share. There is no local share for this application and therefore, the resolution is not needed. Mrs. Price feels that we don’t need to address this resolution. Mr. Troy moved that the resolution be pulled; seconded by Mr. Spaulding. Resolution withdrawn 

6.         Accept Grant/Amend Budget – Department of Employment and Training Grant Administration – Disability Program Navigator. Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Cornell. Ms. Davison explained that this is for the expenditure of the funds that will be received as a result of the application addressed in agenda item number 5. All members voting in favor, none opposed; resolution approved.

Discussion

1.         Ms. Arnold spoke to the committee about the operation of the Truxton Senior Center being changed to three days per week. The funds for the fourth day were transferred to the McGraw Center in order to open more days. A new Center Manager in Truxton was hired in August. Attendance has substantially increased and the Truxton Center is anxious to being four day per week operations. There is no money in the budget to open the Truxton Center , so she has requested that money be transferred from contingency in order to operate the center four days a week. The cost will be less than $10,000, which will fund the Center Manager full time instead of part time. Ms. Deloff indicated that meetings have been held regarding this situation. The move to have the Truxton Center operate on a three-day basis was not made lightly. It was done after much research and statistics. Ms. Deloff explained that the new Center Manager in Truxton has been doing an excellent job. She has an aide position at the McGraw Center that has been vacant since August. She supports the increase in Truxton, but she also asks for consideration of the McGraw position. Mrs. Wilcox inquired about the vacancy in McGraw. Ms. Deloff explained that it is a Title V position, which is not a County position. She has been unable to fill the position due to a variety of considerations with that position being a Title V – it is minimum wage and transportation can be an issue. Mr. Schrader will bring a resolution to the next Human Services Committee to increase the hours. Mr. Cornell indicated that the will support the increase.

Departmental Reports

1.         Youth Bureau – Mr. Lann explained that the Youth Job Fair is over and was a success, although attendance was smaller than anticipated. Mr. McKee confirmed the time of the meeting tomorrow evening – which is 4:30 p.m.

2.         Veterans – No report as the Veterans’ Services Officer is not present. Mrs. Wilcox indicated that the Veterans Program in the City of Cortland for Memorial Day was very nice.

3.;        Aging – Ms. Deloff spoke about the space and building on South Main Street . Ms. Deloff indicated that she and others have met with the architect. She has concerns about the space at the building, and one of the major issues is the parking situation. She is concerned about what parking spaces can be provided and what the agency really needs. Mr. Troy inquired whether or not that portion of Main Street is wide enough so that diagonal parking can be implemented instead of parallel parking. There was concern about the diagonal parking and the width of the street and safety. Mrs. Price indicated that the Majority and Minority Leaders have required that the Chairman of the Legislature call a committee of the whole so that space needs can be discussed with all members. The Empire State Senior Games were successful with an all time high attendance of 2,100.

4.         Employment and Training - Ms. Sandwick indicated that they are gearing up for the summer program. They have spoken to over 200 students. They have some new sites this year, which will be a nice addition. They have been running ads for the Title V position; salary and transportation are an issue. Ms. Sandwick indicated that their facility will be inspected this month. It is a “surprise” inspection in that they do not know when the inspectors will come. Ms. Sandwick does not anticipate any problems with the inspection. She is doing some work at the Center just to make certain that everything is in place. They have a DSS work experience person who is doing an excellent job. The DSS work experience program is excellent and many of the participants are able to get full-time employment. Mrs. Price thanked Mrs. Sandwick for her assistance in providing summer student help to the Virgil Youth Program function this year. Mrs. Price indicated how pleased she was that Foster Children automatically qualify for this program.

            Ms. Davison indicated that she is writing another grant, which is due next week. It is for $50,000 for occupational testing and assessment program. They are utilizing the “Prove It” system to apply for the grant, and she feels we stand a good chance of receiving the funding. The program will be available at both the Cortland and Cayuga Career Center and assessment will be done on-site for participants. Some of the initiatives are new to us and others are not.

            Ms. Davison did have an inquiry about a potential renter for a portion of the Main Street site. She needs to meet with Mr. Schrader regarding this. Ms. Davison indicated that over 50% of their funding has been lost since the year 2000. She indicated that this year, Cortland County will pick up about 4% in additional funding.

5.         Social Services

a.         Annual Report – Ms. Monroe asked if there were any questions on the Annual Report and Business Plan distributed last month. Mr. Spaulding complimented Ms. Monroe.

b.         YWCA Enhanced Non-Residential Domestic Violence Contract – Ms. Monroe provided an update on this program. This is the program having staff designated at the YWCA to connect with the AVV program and CPS. This program was not very successful. The money became available this year again. The staff member now sits on-site here at the COB and the program has been very successful. She will be extending the program through December of this year. She did not need to bring a resolution to the committee, as there is money since they are contracting their Disability Program with the JM Murray Center instead of the Health Department. Mrs. Price indicated that with the recent domestic violence case here in the community, there is much going on of which we are not aware, and we need to reach out wherever we can. She is glad that we have a successful program with this initiative.

Mrs. Tytler complimented Ms. Monroe on her leadership and initiative. There was a program that wasn’t working well and she was strong enough to say that the program couldn’t be continued with the current model. She initiated a meeting with many parties involved and a new model was developed which has been very successful. She praised Ms. Monroe on her efforts.

c.         Child Protective Services Allegation Trends – Ms. Monroe distributed a graph outlining the first quarter of 2008 CPS allegations. She compared the 2008-quarter to the 2007 quarter and she could not find any trends or “story”. Ms. Monroe indicated that biggest part of the pie chart is domestic violence carried out in front of children. Mr. McKee asked about the meaning of DOA. Ms. Monroe indicated that it means “Dead on Arrival” and is basically a death. Ms. Monroe indicated that the death on the chart is actually a stillborn from two years ago. Ms. Monroe indicated that this report is allegations not founded reports. However, the chart on the founded reports will look very similar. Ms. Monroe indicated that she couldn’t explain trends; it is very random.

d.         Foster Parent brochure – Ms. Monroe distributed the “Make a Difference Be a Foster Parent” brochure. Mrs. Price indicated that she believes this will be a good tool for the Broadband subcommittee. Mrs. Price asked Ms. Monroe to bring a supply to the Legislative meeting so she can distribute them to members to leave in their home communities.

e.         Ms. Monroe indicated that they will be increasing their rates for Foster Homes by 3.3% effective April 1. There may be another increase in July. There is money in the state budget to increase Foster Home funding over the next three years. Mrs. Tytler asked if the increase was local or statewide. Ms. Monroe indicated it is a statewide increase.

f.          Ms. Monroe addressed the indigent burial rate issue. She indicated that the funeral directors are still working on their rate.

g.         Ms. Monroe indicated that last month there was a write up about consideration of a computer camp for foster children in July. She did not see if there was any action at the last meeting. Mr. Troy moved approval of the computer camp; seconded by Mr. Cornell. Fourteen (14) foster children aged 14 and up will be sent to a 2-½ day computer camp, to be held in this building. The children will be trained and will receive a laptop computer. The cost is approximately $2,000. The children will be taught how to use the internet and other computer skills. There will be follow up on the success as the children are followed through the foster care system. All members voting in favor; none opposed; computer camp is approved.

h.         Ms. Monroe explained that the County Plan annual update is due August 1. This was previously called the Consolidated Services Plan. Manny will also be working on this plan.  It was last filed January 2007 and runs out December 2009. There is an 80-page update required to be completed by August 1. This will consume much staff time.

Roundtable

1.         Mr. Spaulding commented that one of his former foster “girls” came by with her four year old and she stopped to see the Spauldings. Mr. Spaulding was pleased that she stopped and he remarked on the importance and impact of the program and the hard work that Ms. Monroe and staff does.

2.         Mr. McKee thanked Ms. Monroe for her assistance in a situation in his area. He appreciated all of her involvement.

3.         Mr. Suben expressed his appreciation on how pleasant is to work with Ms. Monroe. Even when they disagree, it is a pleasant experience.

4.         Ms. Deloff reported that she has had meetings with State staff regarding the situation with Rosewood in Cincinnatus. Unfortunately, nothing is really moving forward. They are still in the revocation process, which started last June. However, Rosewood is on the “do not refer” list, which means they cannot be referred to my hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The State AAA Director will continue to pursue this with the SDOH.

Mr. Spaulding moved to adjourn; seconded by Mr. McKee. The meeting adjourned at 9:21 a.m.

Minutes prepared by Ann Homer, Secretary

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