Re: Preparation for Councilmember Visits
Mary Lou Jacobs reported that Claire Funkhouser, the City Clerk, had sent a note to the Councilmembers to determine when they might each be able to meet with the Commission. John Britton responded that he could attend the February meeting. Piotr Gajewski responded that he has a standing commitment for Tuesday evenings and asked if another time could be arranged. After discussion it was decided to respond that Thursdays, specifically February 7 or 21, would be a good time for most members present or that Mr. Gajewski should suggest a more convenient time.
Sarah Duffy then asked what members would like to discuss with the Councilmembers. She suggested they discuss the charter setting up the Commission, the City’s Human Services Policy and review programs such as the Rockville Emergency Assistance Program and Caregiver agencies. She would like the Councilmembers to understand that the City of Rockville has historically felt a responsibility to care about people and has had a role in protecting residents. Tim Stranges said he thought the Commission’s current projects, i.e., the subcommittees, should be discussed.
It was decided to put together a packet of information for each Councilmember including the Human Services Advisory Commission brochure, the City’s Human Services Policy, the Resolution establishing the Commission, the Rockville Reports insert for December 2007, the Needs Assessment complete by the Community Services Division in 2006, the Commission’s last two final reports and a pie chart showing how City funds are used in funding human service programs. Mary Lou will ask Claire to inquire as to whether the members want these materials available to them before or at the meeting they attend.
Individual members also agreed to take the lead in discussing different aspects of human services. Sarah Mahin said she would present information on homeless services in Rockville; Cindy Griffiths volunteered to lead the discussion of youth services and emergency funds in Rockville; and Sarah Duffy agreed to take responsibility for a discussion of those programs that provide services in the areas of cultural diversity and food and clothing.
Sarah Duffy said that she thought that Commission members could describe what they do, e.g., attend meetings, go on site visits, review documents, make recommendations, testify at budget hearings and, when asked to do so, represent the community perspective in City projects. Mary Lou said that Councilmembers should be encouraged to view the Commission as a resource; for example, when they were campaigning they may have been made aware of issues they would like to explore. The Commission might be able to assist.
Tim said he thought it would be helpful for the Commission to advocate on behalf of maintaining stable funding for human services in Rockville. This comment led to a discussion of the impact of county budget cuts on Rockville residents. Sarah Mahin said that homeless/housing services have already been affected adversely by the County budget. Mary Lou said that the City can only respond through the annual grant application process. Individual programs that are affected by County budget cuts would have to demonstrate increased need through a proposal to the City. Tim said he thought it best to use a broad brush in a discussion of funding and to encourage the Council not to follow the County’s lead in cutting back on funding to human services. Mary Lou said that for a number of years, the Mayor and Council have supported a general increase in funding to nonprofits.
Finally, members agreed to discuss the appointment of a liaison with the Mayor and to include ideas as to how this position could be helpful.
Re: Recruitment for New Community-at-Large member
Several suggestions were made on recruiting a new member as follows:
the Neighborhood Resource Coordinator who ran Rockville University will be consulted to see if any attendee of the recent session might be interested;
Cindy will put a note on her blog;
Mary Lou will contact someone she met through the CHARLAS Program in Twinbrook;
Rockville Reports will be checked to see if the vacancy is listed; and
the vacancy can be posted at the Lincoln Park and Twinbrook Community Centers
Mary Lou offered to contact Charlotte Zuckman, a former Commission member who is now associated with a human services group in King Farm, to see if she knows of any residents who might be interested.
Re: New Business
Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan (PROS)
Mary Lou said she is still working at scheduling a time for a focus group that would include members of the Human Services Advisory Commission, the Human Rights Commission, Community Ministries of Rockville, Rockville Housing Enterprises and others. The Human Rights Commission has asked to wait until after the Martin Luther King celebration and would prefer a Wednesday. There needs to be a minimum of 30 people attending. Mary Lou is hopeful that some residents of David Scull and some Linkages to Learning parents will be able to attend. There was agreement from those present that February 13 and 20 were possible dates for this meeting.
Follow up on Commission Communications
Sarah Duffy said she did send an email to Burt Hall in support of the part time position for an Aging-in-place Coordinator being requested by Lorraine Schack. Mary Lou said that Lorraine was very pleased by the Commission’s show of support. With respect to the issue of access to mental health services, Lorraine had encouraged an outside agency that provides mental health assessments and counseling to apply through the City’s grant process.
Sarah Duffy continued that she did not include support for a part time volunteer coordinator in her email to Burt. Mary Lou said that this item could be included in the Commission’s testimony at the public hearing. Tim offered to write up the testimony.
Sarah Duffy also said she had sent the City Manager an email to thank the City for the huge effort made in support of workforce housing in King Farm. She will forward a copy of this email with his response to Commission members, as he was very positive.
Re: Plan Agenda for February 12 Meeting
As noted, Councilmember Britton will attend next month’s meeting
Re: Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
The next meeting of the Human Services Advisory Commission will be held Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the Black-Eyed Susan Conference Room in City Hall.
