Boards and Commissions

 Adopted November 9, 2004

HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
October 12, 2004
 7:36 – 9:30 PM
Rockville Senior Center

Guest: Linda Morganstein, Director of Human Services, City of Gaithersburg 

Re: Call Meeting to Order /Introductions

The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m.  Everyone was introduced to the guest speaker, Linda Morganstein.

Re: Guest: Linda Morgenstein, Director of Human Services, City of Gaithersburg

Linda began her remarks by saying that a few years ago, Gaithersburg, along with the City of Rockville, joined the Montgomery Organizational Development Group, and implemented the concept of a combined application by using the United Way application.  She then explained that the City of Gaithersburg has a Community Advisory Board with ten members who review the non-profit applications and make recommendations in one four hour meeting.  Linda said that the City of Gaithersburg’s FY 2005 budget total for non-profit funding is $443,800, which is slightly over one percent of the total city budget of $41 million.    The current amount of funding to nonprofits represents an increase from FY 04 of approximately $75,000, due primarily to the Bohrer Parent Resource Center, which is now funded totally by the City of Gaithersburg.  Funds for this program have been pulled out of the competitive process.

Linda said that the Advisory Board consists of a representative from the Social Work Department at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, a few business people, a member of the clergy and, in the past, someone from Montgomery College.  She said the City always tries to keep a representative of the hospital on this board because the hospital works with many of the same clients.

Tim Stranges asked about the application process in Gaithersburg.  Linda said that everyone who has received funding in the past is mailed a hard copy of the application.  The document is also put on the City web site and advertised in the City newsletter.  Many groups also learn of the application process through the City’s grant writer who handles CDBG funds for the City.  In addition, Gaithersburg also has a Caregiver organization that meets during the year.  Mary Caroline Coletti asked how many people were served by the nonprofits funded by Gaithersburg.  Linda said she did not have an exact figure although the Bohrer Resource Center alone serves 1,200 people per quarter.  She added that funding to nonprofits has represented approximately one percent of the City budget for the last 8-9 years.

Mary Lou Jacobs then asked Linda to talk about the grant writer position in the City of Gaithersburg.  Linda said the Community Advisory Board two years ago came up with the idea of someone to work with local non-profits to help them raise funds.  Many non-profits have difficulty with fundraising, simply because they are too busy in human services delivery.  A part time contract employee who started in February 2003 now fills the created position.  This employee belongs to the National Association of Fundraisers and receives a base salary and a bonus based on how much money comes in for non-profits.  The main focus of her work to date has been assisting nonprofits in developing their boards, which Linda feels is of primary importance in increasing their fundraising ability. 

Ann Reiss asked if Gaithersburg anticipates any changes in their nonprofit funding.  Linda said that last year was the first year the City budget ran in the red.  She feels there is no guarantee that priorities will stay the same.  Tim asked if Linda thought the current United Way difficulties would result in fewer dollars to nonprofits.  Linda responded affirmatively.  She said that one response of the senior staff in the city was to discuss the idea of having their own fundraising campaign.  The idea was rejected, however, because of the administrative costs involved.  She added that Gaithersburg City Code includes the restriction that City money can only be spent on residents of Gaithersburg.

Re: Approve Meeting Minutes for September 14, 2004

Tom Lawrey moved that the minutes for the Human Services Advisory Commission meeting of September 14, 2004 be approved as written.  David L’Heureux seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

Re: Review Nominations for Volunteer Recognition

Agnes Saenz moved that since the Commission had received five applications nominating volunteers for inclusion in the December insert to Rockville Reports, the Commission should accept all five.  Tim seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Re: Debriefing on Recent Site Visits

Agnes explained that Dental Care For Kids is a program of the Primary Care Coalition.  She and other site team members had visited their office for approximately two hours.  Mary Lou told Commission members that Dental Care for Kids is using a dentist located on Key West Avenue.  The program had worked to find a dentist that would work for a reduced rate and were especially proud that this dentist charges less than the Medicaid rate.  This is a new program being developed by the Primary Care Coalition; eventually they want to work with more dentists.  Only the cities of Rockville and Gaithersburg are funding this program. The target population is children who are eligible for the Care for Kids Program.  These are families that miss eligibility for the MCHIP Program, i.e., they are not lowest income.  Currently, children ages six to twelve are served although the program is trying to work with children as young as possible in order to provide preventive care.  The first year that Rockville funded this Primary Care Coalition program, 35 kids were served.  Many of the children served appear to be from Hispanic/Latino families.

Re: Finalize Questions for City Contracts Officer

Tim passed around a handout he and Bill Goodwin had prepared comparing highlights of the Montgomery County legislation that became effective July 1, 2003 with a brief assessment of the impact the legislation would have on wages in Rockville City government.  He pointed out that the City’s lowest wage of $6.43 per hour does not meet the level of $10.50 per hour set by this new County law.  Mary Lou said she had called Personnel and verified the information.  The City has several different salary structures.  She learned that some City employees have been paid this low wage for a long time.  After discussion as to how to proceed with this information, it was decided that Ann would talk the situation over with Anne Robbins, Council liaison to the Commission and report back at the next meeting.

Re: Old Business

Advocating Change in MPDU Size Guidelines 
Ann said that she and Allison Bunge had researched this topic and were advising that before the Commission could proceed in making a recommendation, they should determine that, in fact, families in Rockville have a need for MPDU’s with three bedrooms.  They had contacted Ed Duffy who had agreed to get back to them with this information.  Ann also brought to the attention of Commission members an article in the Gazette which seemed to her to be a good summary of the housing situation and asked if it could be sent to members in the next mailing.

Follow-up on Communication with The Mayor and Council
Ann said she had discussed this issue with the City Clerk, Claire Funkhouser, who recommended that the Commission speak with their liaison, Anne Robbins, on any issues.  Regarding the Mayor and Council’s lack of response to the Commission’s written communications, Claire explained that the policy is that the Mayor and Council never respond unless a response has been requested in writing.  She added that the Human Services Advisory Commission is not the only commission to have asked this question

Re: Identify Items for November Meeting Agenda

Tim said he continued to be concerned about the amount of funding provided non-profits by the City of Rockville.  Mary Lou suggested that the Commission invite Donna Boxer, Director of Finance, who would be able to address the discrepancies between the Gaithersburg and Rockville budgets and might also know something about the City’s wage structure.

• Commission members agreed to invite Donna Boxer
  
• Information from Ed Duffy regarding MPDU’s will be discussed
  
• Tim asked that the Commission discuss the idea of having the Commission help make decisions on how City funds for non-profits be allocated as is done in Gaithersburg.  Mary Lou advised that this would necessitate a change in the Commission’s charter.
  
• Ann asked if the Commission could be involved in the process of selecting the new Director of Neighborhood and Community Services.  Mary Lou said she was not sure when the process would start but would try and find out.  In the meantime, a current job description for the position could be mailed out for Commission members to consider.

Re: Adjourn 

Tom moved to adjourn the meeting.  Agnes seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

The next meeting of the Human Services Advisory Commission will be held Tuesday, November 9, 2004, from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m., in the Board Room of the Rockville Senior Center, 1150 Carnation Drive.