Board
of Commissioners Meeting
June 26, 2002
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: |
William Coke, Gwen Harris, |
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: |
Michael J. Miller, Pam McEwen, |
GUESTS PRESENT: |
Chris Koster, Mayor's Office, |
The Metropolitan Social Services Board of Commissioners held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 26, 2001. Vice Chair William Coke called the meeting to order at 3:13 p.m. The minutes for the meeting held on May 22, 2002, were approved as submitted.
Announcements
Mr. Miller invited Board members to the Annual Volunteer Dinner sponsored by our Senior Nutrition Program to be held on Friday, June 28, 11:00 - 1:00 p.m. at the Madison Senior Station, 301 Madison Street, Madison, Tennessee.
Mr. Miller reported that the Council on Accreditation will have a workshop on July 24, and he and a leadership team are planning to attend. This is the date for the regular meeting of this Board and would call for the rescheduling of the Board meeting to July 31. A letter will be sent to confirm that date.
The monument has been installed at the Bordeaux Cemetery and Mr. Miller presented a slide showing the monument and its inscription. Hunt Memorials was commended for their fine work on this project. A dedication ceremony is being planned and Board members will be advised once plans are complete.
Mr. Miller announced that Caroline Skelton is doing very well following recent surgery and has been into the office on two occasions. She will be returning to work on Monday, July 1.
Director's Report
Mr. Miller thanked the Board for joining him on May 17 at the State of Metro Address.
Mr. Miller continues to work with the Nashville Prevention Partnership. They are currently in the process of preparing a substance abuse grant, Weed and Seed, to work toward weeding out drug abusers and planting seeds of positive activities in the community.
Mr. Miller explained that he has been participating in the updating of the United Way Needs Assessment. The last assessment was done in 1996. They are presently reviewing the responses to an RFP and then a contract will be awarded and the new assessment will begin.
As reported last month, application was made for the enhancement grants offered by the Greater Nashville Regional Council to provide transportation, nutrition and homemaker services to seniors. Mr. Miller explained we were informed today that some of our grants proposals have been approved and complete information will be brought before the Board next month.
Personnel Committee Report
Ms. Butler, representing the Personnel Committee composed of Ms. Harris and Mr. Coke, asked the Board to approve a 3 percent salary increase for Mr. Miller to reflect the 3 percent across-the-board increase other Metro employees will receive on July 1. A motion by Ms. Butler, seconded by Ms. Dobbins, to increase Mr. Miller's salary by 3 percent, passed by a unanimous vote.
Ms. Butler and Mr. Coke are currently working on the job performance evaluation for Mr. Miller and will be reporting on that next month.
Financial Report
Ms. McEwen reported that the Department continues to operate within the budget. As shared last month, there has been over spending in the Family Services grants and we will be closely monitoring this for the next month. We will see a reduction in revenue collected at Richland Village as residential services are phased out; the impact of losing state funds in our Homemaker Program will be seen as local funds will be needed to offset the loss of revenue; the Transportation budget is still tight even though a $10,000 transfer was made to increase their budget. The Caring for Children Division was transferred from our Department effective June 4, 2002 and this will be our last report. They are currently operating slightly less than projections and should finish the year within their budget. The 4 Percent Fund has a balance of $556,000 and we are working to use old funds; it should be noted that this balance is designated. The Facilities Management Projects and the Donations Funds have had little activity.
FY 2002-2003 Budget Developments
The Mayor's recommended budget included an additional $18,000 that would increase the amount we pay funeral directors to provide services for indigent burials and funds to cover the 3 percent pay increases and any pay increments for staff due in the coming year. Funding for Traveler's Aid and a Homeless Team Coordinator was included our request but not included in the Mayor's recommended budget.
In the Metro budget outside the Social Services department budget, the Mayor recommended $250,000 that will be available for Family Resource Centers, with each Center receiving approximately $20,000. Caring for Children will receive funds to establish a new unit to compliment their other services. Funding was also made available for a Mayor's Office of Children and Youth and $100,000 for a child care substitute teacher program that would provide coverage for teachers to attend training or to fill gaps in coverage.
The Council added $108,000 to our budget to cover the loss of state funding to our Homemaker and Nutrition Programs. Administrative changes have already been made to make up for this loss so this added money will go directly into client services.
The funds to continue with the accreditation process were not approved but Mr. Miller and Ms. McEwen will look at the budget Department wide and find any available funds to go forward with this effort.
Senior Nutrition Voucher Program Plan
Darla Peterson, Interim Program Manager of our Nutrition Program, explained that the meal voucher program would allow participants at one of three congregate meal sites, 60 years of age or older, to receive a voucher twice a month for a meal at the Piccadilly Cafeteria. She reviewed some of the highlights of the program and distributed a sample menu. She explained procedures and features of the new program including start dates and plans for future growth.
Additional Agenda Items
Mr. Miller asked the Board to approve a contract amendment that will adjust the number of days of care and conclude Level 2 Residential Services at Richland Village. This would allow the State to use any unspent funds in other contracts. A motion by Ms. Butler, seconded by Ms. Harris, to accept this contract amendment passed by a unanimous vote.
A Memorandum of Agreement was received today from the Board of Education requesting that we continue to provide them with interpreter services. Mr. Miller asked the Board to approve this request. Ms. Dobbins made a motion, seconded by Ms. Harris, to approve this request and by a unanimous vote the motion was passed.
Richland Village Residential and Community Services Report
Mr. Miller gave an update on the current situation at Richland Village. There were 52 employees at the start; 30 positions were retained for the new program. Of the remaining 22 positions, 6 are currently vacant, 8 have transferred into the same position within Social Services, 5 into other positions outside the Department and there is a possibility of 3 lay-offs.
A History of Richland Village and an Agenda for the festivities planned at Richland Village for Thursday, July 11, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. were presented. The event will recognize the closing of residential services and the beginning of community services at Richland Village. Mr. Miller invited the Board and invitations will be sent with details.
Immigrant Assessment Contract
Mr. Koster explained that Vanderbilt had been awarded the contract for the Immigrant Study and they have enlisted the help of Tennessee State University and Meharry to work with them. Mr. Koster introduced Dr. Oscar Miller of Vanderbilt University who gave a slide presentation on how they plan to proceed with the study that should be completed by June 30, 2003.
Other
There being no further business before the Board, Vice Chair Bill Coke adjourned the meeting at 4:40 p.m.