Social Services

Board of Commissioners Meeting December 15, 2006

Board Members Present: Leonard Bradley, Dot Dobbins, Jose Gonzalez, Gwen Harris, Linda Mattson and Barbara Toms

Board Members Absent: Glenn Carter

Legal Advisor: Kathryn Evans

Chair Lady Mattson called the meeting to order.

Motion: Approval of November 29th meeting minutes
Made by: Commissioner Gonzalez
Seconded: Commissioner Bradley
Passed unanimously

Executive Director’s Report: Gerri Robinson

Mrs. Robinson noted the following:

  • COA Applications are on board and Mrs. Robinson and management are currently reviewing records
  • MAXIMUS has started their review of Implementation of the Performance Audit Recommendations. MAXIMUS spent all day Wednesday and Thursday with the management team and the director. MAXIMUS will return at the first of the year to meet with stakeholders and Planning and Coordination staff.
  • Mrs. Robinson made mention to staff that the MAXIMUS audit that is currently
    being conducted is not about staff but about the leaders of the organization’s
    implementation of audit recommendations.

Finance Report - Pam McEwen

  • Pam reported that we have not had any changes to report since we had our
    November meeting a couple weeks ago
  • Contract updates include all the new contracts or updates to existing contracts that were approved at the last meeting. We are currently going through the purchasingprocess which should be completed by the end of the month.

Old Business - Commissioner Mattson

  • Nutrition Program – Julius Witherspoon
    • The nutrition program is made up of a total of 24 employees
    • The purpose of the MSS Nutrition program is to provide daily allowance meals, nutrition supplements, nutrition education and socialization products to low income seniors and disabled persons so they can continue independent living.
    • To be eligible you must be:
      • 60 years or older
      • Frail and/or disabled
      • Low-income, minorities and underserved communities
    • MSS Nutrition customers reside within the 10 priority council districts that are defined by high rates of poverty.
  • Approval of Plan/Timeframe for Decision re: Audit Recommendations of Nutrition and Homemaker Services
    • Commissioner Mattson stated that the MSS Board of Commissioners was to take a very thoughtful look at everything the Nutrition and Homemaker Services are currently doing and address it from a planned point of view.
    • Commissioner Mattson suggested the Executive Director develop a comprehensive plan for the provision of Homemaker and Nutrition Services, taken separately. The points outlined in her September email would be a beginning place.
    • Commissioner Mattson stated that the decision relative to the Homemaker Services and Nutrition Services would not impact 07-08 Budget year
    • Homemaker Services has 140 clients currently on the waiting list and Commissioner Mattson wanted to know what the plan is from a county wide prospective on how we address Homemaker Services.
    • Commissioner Bradley asked if MSS currently has contracts with service providers? Per Pam McEwen responded that we do have contracts in place.
    • Commissioner Gonzales stated he wanted all information including the financial information before we make a decision.

Motion: Motion was made to request staff to collect information to enable us to evaluate the Homemaker and Nutrition Services and how we will provide them in the future. As soon as the information is received the Commission will put it on the agenda for action.
Made by: Commissioner Bradley
Seconded: Commissioner Harris
Passed unanimously

New Business – Commissioner Mattson

  • FY07/08 Budget Submission
    • We have two stages:
      • Budget Modifications for 07/08
      • Homeless
    • Gerri Robinson will begin by giving an overview of the Metro Social Services budget.
      • We have been directed by finance to propose a budget with a 10% cut.
      • We have two options:
        • Option 1:
          Eliminates one Coordinator position within the Division of Planning and Coordination as well as the Research Coordinator position within Administration. This option would eliminate all major contracts which would precipitate the loss of service to 60 seniors or disabled adults in the nutrition and home maker programs as well as outside performance reviews
        • Option 2:
          Eliminates two positions within the Division of Planning and Coordination, the Researcher in Administration but retains the Mid Cumberland Contract thus continuing nutrition and homemakers services for 60 seniors or disabled adults.
      • Commissioner Mattson ask to entertain a motion that the Executive Director go back and review all contracts budgeted for this year and come up with an option that does not reduce filled positions and eliminate all vacant positions.
      • Since a decision could not be made concerning the 10% cut, it was suggested that a call meeting be planned prior to the budget due date of January 5, 2007.

Motion: Motion was moved to have the Executive Director come up with a proposed 10% reduction that may or may not reduce filled positions and to bring it back to the board at the next call meeting to be held on January 3rd or 4th.
Made by: Commissioner Mattson
Seconded: Commissioner Bradley
Passed unanimously

New Additions

Homeless Commission – Vice Mayor Howard Gentry and Councilman Eric Cole
  • Homeless Commission made a request for improvement funds that include $450,000 toward capital funds, 150,000 toward operating funds.
  • Per Vice Mayor Gentry the homeless commission is asking as a capital request. The homeless Commission is asking for an extra $600,000.00 out of the capital funds/operating funds so that 50 units can be provided for homeless persons.

Motion: Motion was moved to give the Homeless Commission an extra $600,000 with $450,000 coming out of capital funds and $150,000 coming out of operating funds.
Made by: Commissioner Gonzalez
Seconded: Commissioner Harris
Passed unanimously

Meeting was adjourned