Amended and Adopted July 13, 2004

HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
June 8, 2004
7:30 – 9:26 PM
32 Courthouse Square

Members Present:  

Members Absent: Allison Bunge  Deborah Hopson
           
Staff Present: Sarah Gicale  Mary Lou Jacobs

Guest: Art Chambers, Director, Community Planning and Development Services 

Re: Call Meeting to Order /Introductions

Ann Reiss called the meeting to order.

Re: Approve May 11, 2004 Meeting Minutes

The minutes were amended as follows:  on page 4, in the first paragraph, the word “nonprofit” was changed to “Caregiver program.”  The sentence beginning, “Agnes said a decision…” was deleted.  In the following sentence “$25,000” was changed to “less than $100,000” and the word “no” was changed to “few”.  In the same paragraph a typographical error was also corrected.  On the same page, the last sentence in the second paragraph, the word “he” was changed to “Agnes”.  Tom Lawrey then moved that the minutes be approved as amended.  Agnes Saenz seconded the motion and all present voted in favor.

Re: Update on CMR Health Program

Agnes said that CMR had started its new health program.  MobileMed’s new mobile clinic (“Hummy”) has had three sessions at Crusader Lutheran Church.  Thus far they have provided services to 11 patients, 5 of whom are Rockville residents; all are Latino.  Clinic hours are 3-7 p.m. on Wednesdays.  Agnes assists patients in filling out forms.  Another translator is present on the van with the nurse practitioner who provides medical care.  Agnes said that some of the patients have chronic illnesses and haven’t taken their medications in months.  CMR plans to increase the number of patients seen each week from six to ten.  All patients pay a fee for each visit based on a sliding scale.  Agnes said she would continue to refer patients to Twinbrook. She called that site and was told that they could serve another two to three people.  She also contacted Lincoln Park and learned that they are busier.  In a meeting with Mt. Calvary she learned that although they have some health activities at the church, they did not know about the MobileMed site at Lincoln Park.  They were interested in having the information and will refer to that site.

Re: Presentation on Affordable Housing for Families and Seniors

Art Chambers, Director of the City’s Department of Community Planning and Development Services, explained that housing is always a key element in any community.  One of the Mayor and Council’s current initiatives is to focus on senior housing.  He explained that it is important to determine what that means.  It can range from couples whose children have left home and who no longer want to mow a lawn to elderly people living alone who are ill and in need of ongoing care.  In terms of housing type, this may mean attached condos or MPDU’s for seniors (which the City already has), or retrofitting units with things like a grab bar in a bathroom so that seniors can stay in their current residences.  Senior housing has developed into a niche for developers.

Tim Stranges asked if the Mayor and Council had given thought to senior housing in planning the development of Town Center.  Art said that 15% of the units would need to be MPDU’s, which will include seniors.  The housing in Town Center will include elevators.  Ann asked if there were any large parcels of land in Rockville that have not been committed to development.  Art said that the only undeveloped land in Rockville is golf courses.  The Twinbrook Metro site will consist of 1300 apartment units combined with offices and retail.  Bill Goodwin asked if the housing units would be within the corporate city limits of Rockville.  Art said that currently talks are ongoing with JGB, the developer, concerning the City annexing the property.  If that should happen, 15% of the units will be MPDU’s.  Seniors who apply for an MPDU are given preference and move to the top of the list.  Art also told Commission members that the King Farm is considering combining a nursing home with housing based on the Asbury Methodist model, which has different levels of care.  It operates much like a cooperative that you buy into.  Generally, the City does not have the ability to do much as regards senior housing because there isn’t any land to develop. 

Agnes asked about the 15% of the King Farm that will be MPDU’s.  She commented that the Commission has learned that most of these units have one or two bedrooms, which is not adequate for families with children.  Art said that currently the City does not have any rules regarding number of bedrooms but as the program is reviewed, he will look at that.  Everywhere else outside of Rockville, the percentage of MPDU’s is 12.5%, so that, at least, Rockville has a greater percentage of MPDU’s for families.

Tim asked about the land situated at Choke Cherry and Shady Grove roads.  Art said that is considered a redevelopment site.  The traffic is so bad there that the City does not anticipate anything large being built.  It consists of 10-15 acres and the SAMSA Building.  Tim then asked if anyone from Art’s office had visited the Gardens of Traville.  He explained that this site, located just outside of Rockville, consists of market rate as well as moderately priced units for  people earning less than $30,000/year.  The developer made use of federal tax programs in developing the site.  The Commission thought this was an excellent model for Rockville.  Art said he was not familiar with the site but land availability would prohibit the City from undertaking anything similar.

Ann said that one of the trends the Commission has been studying was the large number of immigrants moving to the city.  She asked if citizenship was a requirement for the MPDU program.  Art said it was not.  Ann said another trend in Rockville is people “aging in place” and asked how this trend impacted housing.  Art said the Planning Department is seeing people enlarging their houses or even tearing them down and rebuilding on the same site.

Mary Lou Jacobs said that by way of contrast, two weeks ago when the area was having a spell of bad weather, a large number of mostly Asian seniors were camped out in front of Heritage Park waiting for the waiting list there to reopen.  Some seniors were there for almost two days.  She pointed out that there are many people in Rockville who are below the MPDU income level.

Re: Follow-up Discussion on Need to Research Living Wage/Health Insurance Requirement for City Contractors

Ann introduced this topic by reminding Commission members that at the last meeting they had agreed to write a letter to the Mayor and Council on the topic of the Living Wage.  She was raising the issue again because she thought it needed more discussion.

Mary Lou said that, for her, there are two issues.  The first issue is to define the problem being addressed.  While only a few of the Caregiver programs would be impacted by a living wage requirement, it is not clear as to whether any other nonprofits would be.  The second issue for Commission members to consider is that this legislation was very contentious when it was discussed at the County level.  It is not a current priority for the Mayor and Council.  If Commission members feel strongly, she would suggest that Ann talk informally with the Mayor and Council to see if they want to hear about it.  Most of their attention is on Town Center and the Rockville Metro site.

Tim said he still feels very strongly about the issue.  He thinks adopting the legislation demonstrates that you are “walking the talk.”  However, he agreed that the Commission should look at the impact and which contractors would be affected.  Bill said there should be someone in City government who has that answer.  His assumption was that the law would apply to future, not existing contractors.  That would be a research question to be answered, i.e., the number of contracts potentially affected.  Mary Lou said that a second question would also need to be answered as to what type of wage structure the contractors have.  Tim said that all existing contracts would need to be checked.  Tom Lawrey said that many contractors were exempted from the County legislation.  He also does not think the Mayor and Council would be very interested in the issue.  David L’Heureux said that if we don’t assure that people are getting a sufficient income to pay their health insurance, we all end up paying it anyway.

Mary Lou said that currently the Mayor and Council use a competitive bidding process and go for the lowest cost.  It would be necessary to understand the City’s contract process and be knowledgeable about specific contracts in order to fully understand the issue.  Either Ann or Allison would need to find out if this is something the City wants presented.  Mary Lou stated that the Commission’s role is to advise the Mayor and Council so members need to ascertain whether they want input on the matter.  Bill said he did not think this was necessary.  Agnes said that she is in support of the principle involved but the Commission could simply advise them of the issue.  Ideally, the Mayor and Council would assign City staff to do the research.  David said that one of the Commission’s charges is that residents of Rockville should receive basic human services; he thinks Commission members have a moral obligation.

Tom said he would like to have someone tell him that there is a problem—there is something wrong.  He thinks the Mayor and Council would like to know why this issue is being raised in the first place.  David asked if it is the Commission’s responsibility to determine what the Mayor and Council might accept; it should be enough to recognize this as a potential problem.  Mary Lou said that we don’t know if contractors or their employees are local, i.e., Rockville residents.  David asked Darrell Butler if his shelter residents are impacted by having wages that do not cover health insurance.  Darrell said no; shelter residents are there for other reasons.  However, shelter employees have been affected.  He agrees that the issue needs to be researched and the Commission needs some data.  He remembers a work session with the Mayor and Council where the Commission was not properly prepared.  Tim said they would also need to determine if the City itself is paying its employees a living wage.

David moved that the concept of recommending a living wage be accepted in principle and the Commission would research data to determine whether to go forward.  Darrell seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.  Ann asked if someone wanted to spearhead this project; no one volunteered.  David then suggested that Ann take the matter under advisement until the Commission determined how to move forward.  Mary Lou said she thought the head of the City’s contract program could be invited to a meeting.  Agnes said that if Mary Lou learns that someone in the City has researched the topic, they could be invited to a meeting.  There was agreement that the head of the City’s contracting process would be invited to speak or at least send some information in writing.

Re: Strategies to Increase Utilization of Moby Clinics in Rockville

Mary Lou introduced this topic by summarizing the strategies already used by the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services in advertising the Moby Clinics.  She said that during the first year of operation a staff person went door to door in Lincoln Park to tell people about the clinics.  In addition flyers were posted at community centers and articles and pictures were published in Rockville Reports highlighting MobileMed.  About two months ago, she, Sarah and Guerdon met with MobileMed staff and discussed changing the hours of operation.  After the meeting they decided to do a special mailing to all Holiday Drive recipients.  Ann asked what the hours of operation are.  Mary Lou said 8 a.m. to Noon on Fridays.  Agnes said that the CMR health clinic site has their hours from 3-7 p.m.  She considers evenings a must for their clients.  Mary Lou said that MobileMed felt that the location was not an issue.  Rockville residents will go to any of their locations.

Bill asked what type of outreach had occurred through churches and schools.  Ann said that outside organizations are no longer allowed to put information into children’s backpacks at school.  Mary Lou said that her Department is looking at relocating sites at two schools.  She said that a recently completed GIS map showing Holiday Drive addresses documented that most potential clients are east of 355.  Ann asked if public schools would allow the van to be placed on their sites.  Mary Lou said they spoke with Maryvale Elementary where the Linkages program is situated but the Lincoln Park Community Center likes the program and doesn’t want to see it moved.

David suggested sending something to community leaders and following up with a telephone call.  Tom said that Twinbrook has a community newsletter that everyone reads.  Agnes said she doesn’t think the problem is one of location; more people need to know about the service.  Bill asked if the cable television channel had been used.  Darrell asked about the business community.  David agreed, saying that, as an example, grocery stores could put a flyer in each grocery bag.  Agnes said that churches should be used.  Many churches have health programs or committees.  They could do an insert just on health clinics for their parishioners.

Mary Lou said that MobileMed uses the term “partnering”.  They might be willing to do a presentation.  Tim said that at an earlier Commission meeting, someone spoke about having Bob Spector attend a meeting and do some brainstorming about increasing utilization. 

There was agreement that Bob should be invited to a future meeting.

Re: Items for July Meeting Agenda

• Sue Walsh from Rockville Housing Enterprises has been invited to speak
  
• It was decided to leave open the Commission vacancy for one more month to discuss applicants at the next meeting.
  
• Tim offered to write a letter for the Commission to review at the next meeting in support of the City actively pursuing senior housing.  Agnes said that a recommendation to increase the number of bedrooms should be included.  Ann agreed to put this on next month’s agenda.
  
• Ann agreed to call Ann Robbins, the Commission’s liaison to the City Council, regarding the Commission’s letter to the Mayor and Council recommending the Presidential Awards program. She will report back next month as to what the Mayor and Council decided.
  
• Bill reminded Commission members that the summary of the Commission’s activities and accomplishments, usually prepared by City staff, should be reviewed at the July meeting.

Re: Adjourn

Bill moved to adjourn the meeting.  Tom seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:26 p.m.

The next meeting of the Human Services Advisory Commission will be held Tuesday, July 13, 2004, from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m., at 32 Courthouse Square.