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Human Services Advisory Commission
Meeting Minutes
April 11, 2006
7:40 - 9:20 PM
Glenview Mansion Cottage
Members Present: | ||
Michelle Beadle | David L'Heureux | Tim Stranges |
Deborah Hopson | Ann Reiss | Eric Wang |
Tom Lawrey | Agnes Saenz |
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Members Absent: | ||
Paul Mutyambizi |
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Guests Present: | ||
Sarah Duffy, Rockville resident | ||
Re: Call Meeting to Order/ Introductions
Tim Stranges called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. He announced that Mary Caroline Colletti had submitted a letter of resignation from the Commission.
Re: Approve February 7, 2006 Meeting Minutes
David L'Heureux moved that the minutes be approved as recorded. Tom Lawry seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Re: Follow-up Discussion on Proposed Reorganization of Community Services Department
Mary Lou Jacobs reported that the reorganization of the Community Services Department is proceeding. At the Mayor and Council meeting on April 3, 2006 there was mention of the reorganization. At the end of the meeting the Council adopted a motion accepting the budget and directing the City Manager to proceed with the reorganization. That was done so that senior managers could proceed.
Mary Lou continued, saying that Catherine Tuck Parrish, the Assistant City Manager, met with staff before the last Commission meeting. Following that meeting she circulated proposed job descriptions for the positions that are being created in the new division. The position of Community Services Program Manager has been circulated internally and applications are due this Friday, April 14th.
Agnes Saenz said that she was surprised that the motion to reorganize the Department of Community Services was a secret motion. People watching the meeting on cable didn’t have a clue as to what was happening. Michelle Beadle asked Mary Lou if there had been an open public meeting to discuss the reorganization. Mary Lou said that there had not. Michelle then said that the only time for the public to comment would be at the upcoming budget meetings, which is, essentially, after the fact.
Mary Lou continued that the City has proposed that the Youth Service Bureau funds be split. Half would be used for a contract with an outside provider for counseling. The other half would be used to fund two new positions. The City’s rationale is based on the functions they want to see in the new division. For example, the function of information and referral would be placed in the new Referral Coordinator position. The subcontract for counseling could potentially be with one of the other Youth Service Bureaus.
Michelle asked if there is a savings from the reorganization. Mary Lou responded that the amount of savings is $400,000, which includes $150,000 for the departmental director position. The actual reduction is $250,000. The impact is less because several positions have been vacant. One of the next steps will be to develop a budget for the new division. The new division will report to Chris Henry in the Recreation and Parks Department.
Agnes said that she does not have a clear understanding as to how the reduction in staff will result in more services. The City seems to be going backward. She wishes there was a way to change the direction. The Human Services Advisory Commission should have had a voice. Mary Lou responded that the Commission was represented in the decision-making process because Tim Stranges was a member of the Steering Committee. Tim said that he was told that more youth would be served and there would be more programs. He has also asked what the City’s goals are as to the increased numbers. To date he has not received an answer.
Mary Lou said that the first thing that needs to happen is a very strenuous needs assessment process. She understands that money will be earmarked for priorities set through the needs assessment. Tim asked if there is any indication as to when the new Community Services Division budget will be finalized. Mary Lou said that two public hearings are scheduled for April 24th and May 1st. The City Manager has already made a recommendation to add some money to four Caregiver programs.
Tim then handed out the Caregivers budget for 2007. He said that the budget represents a 3% increase even though the inflation rate is 3.4%. Increases for non-Caregiver grants include a 10% increase for Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI); a 3% increase for Peerless Rockville; 24% increase for VisArts (Visual Arts); 14% increase for the Rockville Consortium for Science; a 3% increase for Rockville Housing Enterprises; and the grant for the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department almost doubled. His overall reaction is that the increase in Caregiver Funding for FY 07 is not keeping up with inflation.
There was discussion about REDI, namely that it was started approximately ten years ago with the understanding that it would become independent in three years. There was further discussion about the fact that there is no system of outcome measurement for REDI although the Caregivers and the Community Services Department have to track outcomes. Mary Lou said that this year most outside agencies had to complete an application.
Tim asked Commission members what they should do to ensure their voice is heard. It was decided to develop a list of questions that could form the basis of comments made at the upcoming budget hearings. The list is as follows:
Tim then asked who would be willing to accompany him to talk with Scott. Agnes and Deborah volunteered. It was decided that it would be more effective if Agnes spoke on behalf of the Caregiver Agencies while Deborah would accompany Tim.
Re: Discussion of Needs Assessment done by Metis Associates
Tim introduced this topic by saying that the contract with Metis was for $50,000. The Needs Assessment was one of five questions asked of the contractor. Generally the Needs Assessment points to the importance of the City crafting a strategy with respect to human services and, in his opinion, the Commission should be very involved in that process. Tim asked Mary Lou if she thought the full report would ever be finalized. Mary Lou said that she did not know. The process of reviewing the consultant’s report included sending two lengthy letters to the consultant asking for clarification. Tim added that the consultant never did an executive summary, which renders the document useless to decision-makers. The consultant was also asked to provide information on "best practices" but failed to do so.
Agnes commented that there does not seem to be a connection between this document and the reorganization of Community Service. She asked Mary Lou how long the Community Services Department had been in existence. Mary Lou responded that she thought it was thirty plus years. Tim suggested they use the Needs Assessment as a resource document in the future.
Re: Committee Reports
It was agreed that, in the interest of time, reports from the three subcommittees (Affordable Housing, Gang Prevention, and Residents with Disabilities) should be added to the agenda for the next meeting.
Re: Updates from Chair
Re: Plan Agenda for Next Meeting
Re: Adjourn
David moved that the meeting be adjourned. Deborah seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. The next meeting of the Human Services Advisory Commission will held Tuesday, May 9, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. in the Glenview Mansion Dining Room.