Board
of Commissioners Meeting
August 27, 2003
Archived Minutes
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: |
Diane Neighbors, Dot Dobbins, Ernest Freudenthal, Drake Holliday |
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: |
Dorothy Shell-Berry, Caroline Chamberlain, Pam McEwen,Karlene Polk, Giovanni Achoe, Ann Carney |
The Metropolitan Social Services Board of Commissioners met on Wednesday, August 27, 2003. Chair Diane Neighbors called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. The minutes for the meeting held on July 23, 2003, were approved as submitted.
Executive Director’s Report
Ms. Berry reported that last week Metro Social Services participated in the All About Women Conference at the Gaylord Entertainment Center. There were large crowds and we had staff on hand that passed along information about our services. Ms. Berry expressed her appreciation and thanked the staff that devoted their time on Friday and Saturday.
At last month’s meeting, Chair Neighbors asked that we come today prepared to discuss our Child Care Center and the Hope VI Project. MDHA is currently writing the work plan and when it is completed, it will be submitted to HUD for approval. Once it is approved, MHDA will give 90 day notices for residents to begin the relocation process. Families currently living in the Sam Levy Homes are on the waiting list for Section 8 housing. Our Family Services Division may be asked to help with the Section 8 relocation funds but at this time these funds are not available and we are not sure how we will be involved in the process.
With regard to our Day Care Center being involved with the McNeilly Center to provide day care for the State, we have moved out of the process due to lack of space of both parties.
Ms. Berry invited the Commissioners to attend the Madison Senior and Community Awareness Day. This event will be on September 19, 2003, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Madison Community Center. This is a pilot project and it if works well, will be taken into other areas of Nashville. Commissioner Holliday will contract Demitria Norman about the possibility of Legal Aid participating.
Our Refugee Services Division has created a series of videos that are being aired on Comcast Channel 19. A handout was provided listing the segment, date and time for each show.
Ms. Berry gave an up-date on the search for a new Director. The Performance Audit is almost completed and we have been told that the RFP for the Program Audit should be out by Labor Day weekend. We expect the Program Audit to be completed by mid October, at which time a search committee (Ms. Berry will be a member) will begin the process for a new director.
A retreat for the Board will be scheduled once the three new members are in place. Ms. Berry would like the Board members to meet our staff and talk about future plans.
Financial Report
Ms. McEwen reported that at one month into the new fiscal year, things are looking good across the Department. The books are still not closed for 2003 but a final report will be presented when it is available. In the operating fund, there is still an issue on the fringe benefits but we expect a supplement appropriation to cover this added cost. Our 4 Percent Reserve Fund has a balance of $370,000, all of which is designated; the Special Donations Fund has a balance of $29,000.
The ADA renovations at the Knowles Home have not progressed as expected, however, we have been in touch with the appropriate persons and was told the work should start soon. Commissioner Dobbins requested someone from Real Property come to our next meeting and give an up-date on this project; Ms. McEwen will check on this.
Items Requiring Board Action
Amendment to Social Services Block Grant Contract
Ms. Chamberlain presented an amendment that would add $50,050 to our Homemaker contract, raising the units of services from 11.136 to 12.993. A motion by Ms. Dobbins, seconded by Mr. Freudenthal, to accept this contract amendment passed by a unanimous vote.
Child and Adult Care Food Program Contracts
Ms. Chamberlain asked the Board to approve the continued participation of our Child Care Center and Adult Day Care Programs in the USDA Food Program. This will reimburse some of our food costs. A motion by Mr. Freudenthal, seconded by Mr. Holliday, to continue with this program passed unanimously.
Memorandum of Understanding with Metro Schools
Ms. Polk presented a contract amendment from the Board of Education that would provide an additional $13,185 annually to fund the School Liaison Coordinator position at the Cayce Family Resource Center. A motion was made by Ms. Dobbins, seconded by Mr. Freudenthal, to accept this contract amendment. By a unanimous vote, the motion passed.
Emergency Contract for Embalming and Burial/Cremation Services
Ms. Achoe explained Metro Legal suggested we have an emergency contract with funeral directors in place until November, at which time a formal contract will be available. A motion was made by Mr. Holliday, seconded by Mr. Freudenthal, to approve this emergency contract. The motion was passed by a unanimous vote.
New Business
Mr. Holliday reported that he met with some of our staff regarding the possibility of Social Services helping people qualify for TennCare Spend Down. He distributed a copy of a memorandum from Russ Overby, Tennessee Justice Center, proposing how Social Services, with the help of Legal Aid and the Tennessee Justice Center, might help these clients. A pamphlet from Legal Aid on this topic was also distributed.
Mr. Freudenthal offered a resolution congratulating our Chair, Diane Neighbors, on her election to the Metro Council and expressed our regrets that this will be her last meeting. He thanked her for her service on this Board.
On behalf of the Nominating Committee, Chair Neighbors announced that Luvenia Butler would be the new Chair of this Commission and Dot Dobbins has agreed to serve as Vice Chair.
Chair Neighbors thanked everyone for her good experience at Social Services.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 3:55 p.m.