Re: Impact of Policy on Rental Fees for use of MCPS Facilities on Nonprofits (Agnes Saenz)

Agnes began by explaining that Community Ministries of Rockville’s (CMR’s) Latino Outreach Program offers English language classes at three elementary schools.  Recently they were contacted by Montgomery County’s Interagency Coordinating Board, inquiring as to the reason CMR was not paying a fee to use Meadow Hall Elementary School.  The Board is making an effort to collect more fees from non-profits using the school buildings.  They do have a waiver option.  Agnes and CMR’s Executive Director, Mark Poletunow, met with Mary Lou and Burt Hall, Director of Recreation and Parks, to discuss this situation.  Burt suggested doing something collaboratively with the mayors of Rockville and Gaithersburg since this is an issue affecting nonprofits throughout the county.  Agnes and Mark are also meeting with the individual principals of the schools involved. 

There are many costs involved in using the schools, which is the reason for the County’s policy.  The lowest rate is $6.50 per hour per room.  This rate would represent an expense of $5,000 per year for CMR.  Agnes says that the County has a significant waiting list of people wanting to take English language classes.  In addition, the program at Meadow Hall would not have happened if the school principal and counselor had not appeared before the Mayor and Council to request it.  Agnes thought that the Human Service Advisory Commission might want to consider writing a letter of support for CMR. 

Tim said that he is concerned that the Interagency Coordinating Board is drawing up this policy in a vacuum and that its focus is too narrow.  Mary Lou said that the issue should be framed more broadly to include additional situations, as, for example, the City’s after-school programs at several schools.  Tim asked Commission members how they would like to proceed.  Tom Lawrey said that Agnes is doing a good job and should continue.  If necessary, she can come back to the Commission.  Mary Lou asked Agnes if she would find out the names of the board members.  David L’Heureux suggested that the executive directors of Community Ministries of Rockville and Community Ministry of Montgomery County might want to ask for a meeting with the new county executive, depending on what happens. Tim said he would table the discussion until the next meeting.

Re:  Develop Recommendations re:  Gang Prevention

Agnes passed out a chart comparing responses from the three nonprofits contacted by the subcommittee.  The nonprofits are Community Ministries of Rockville Latino Outreach Program, the Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington, and the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center.  Agnes said that subcommittee members do not believe that the work they have done is complete.  They need to do more research on the issue relative to Rockville and Montgomery County. 

Based on what they have learned, however, the subcommittee made the following recommendations:

• The City of Rockville should work closely with the County’s Gang Prevention Task Force so as to be well informed on gang issues, especially those related to Rockville.
  
• The Commission may want to invite Sgt. Tate Safford as a guest speaker to a future Commission meeting along with a representative from the Rockville City Police. Agnes recently heard Sgt. Safford speak on gang violence and thought he was excellent.
   
• The Commission may also want to invite Candece Kattar, Executive Director of Identity, regarding a survey on gang violence recently conducted by that organization.  The subcommittee is waiting to hear from her as to whether any of the information in the survey relates specifically to Rockville.
  
• Based on the information the subcommittee collected from the Latino, Chinese and Korean groups, the City should offer more programming after school, especially in academics. The three groups surveyed all agreed on the need for more after school programs.

In the discussion that followed, David commented that the Mayor and Council’s Vision of Rockville does not address the gang issue.  Tom suggested that the Commission could produce a white paper on the topic.  Mary Lou said that the Commission might also want to consider communicating with the Collaboration Council that they should allow the City of Rockville to apply for funding to address gang issues.  Recently, their requests for proposals have targeted areas outside of Rockville only.  Tim said that this is the time in the City’s budget cycle for the Commission to be proactive.  In response to Tim’s remark, Mary Lou said she had met today with Burt Hall and Phil Bryan, Superintendent of Recreation.  They were in agreement that Recreation and Parks would ask for funding for a new Community Services Latino outreach worker/youth position.  This staff person would identify youth that need to be linked with services.  They saw this position as having value for the entire department.

   
Re:  Discuss Mayor and Council’s Vision of Rockville in 2020 and Associated Priorities for 2006-2008.

Tim said he was not sure of the context in which this document was released.  He thought that a draft should have been passed around to all boards and commissions.  Mary Lou said that individual items within the Vision have been assigned to City staff persons to work on.

David said that, in reading the Vision statement, he had found certain omissions as follows:

• Health
• Senior issues
• Youth programs
• Volunteer involvement
• How Rockville relates to other political entities
• Community policing
• After-school programming
• Reaching out to diverse populations
• Individuals with disabilities

David offered to draft a critique, which he will send out to everyone before the next meeting. Michelle Beadle commented that a more positive approach is to consider that the Vision itself is fine; the action plan is incomplete.

Re:  Updates from the Chair

Tim wanted Commission members to know that he had received a thank you from Burt Hall for their participation with the Caregiver agencies in the Salute to Non Profits.

Re:  Plan Agenda for Next Meeting (January 9, 2007)

• Guest Speaker:  David Jefferson, Director of Rockville Housing Enterprises 
• Follow-up on Impact on Nonprofits of Policy on Rental Fees for use of MCPS Facilities
• Follow-up on Gang Subcommittee Recommendations
• Follow-up on Discussion of Mayor and Council Vision for Rockville

Re:  New Business

David wanted Commission members to know that he has recently completed a placement checklist guide, which is useful for people with disabilities as well as for seniors.  Mary Lou offered to email it to all members.

Re:  Adjourn to Executive Session

David moved that the meeting be adjourned to Executive Session.  Sarah Duffy seconded the motion.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.  The next meeting of the Human Services Advisory Commission will be held Tuesday, January 9, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the Glenview Mansion Dining Room.