Board
of Commissioners Meeting
April 24, 2002
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: |
Diane Neighbors, William Coke, |
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: |
Michael J. Miller, Pam McEwen, |
GUESTS PRESENT: |
Denny Mosesman, U. T. College |
The Metropolitan Social Services Board of Commissioners held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 24, 2001. Chair Diane Neighbors called the meeting to order at 3:12 p.m. The minutes for the meeting held on March 27, 2002, were approved as submitted.
Employee Recognition/Announcements
Mr. Miller announced that just prior to the Board meeting, the Administrative Professionals of the Department were recognized. Each was congratulated and presented with a certificate and a flowering plant.
Shirley Stephens was recognized for having completed 30 years of service with Metropolitan Government, all at Richland Village, and was presented a pin and certificate by Mr. Miller. Ms. Stephens counseled with children and families and also provided training for staff at Richland Village.
Ms. Stephens received special recognition for accepting the Program Manager position in our Homemaker Program following the retirement of Gwen Motley. Mr. Miller explained that Ms. Stephens is in the process of concluding services at Richland Village and making the transition to the Homemaker Program.
Mr. Miller announced that Denny Mosesman, intern from the U. T. College of Social Work, will be graduating and leaving Social Services. Mr. Mosesman said his time here had been a very educational experience.
Elwanda Murphy, Program Manager of our Nutrition Program, has announced her retirement and her last day will be April 30. Mr. Miller has asked Darla Peterson, currently a Social Worker with the Program, to assume Ms. Murphy's responsibilities until the position can be filled.
We will celebrate the Child Care Center and their achievement of obtaining the 3 Star Rating on Wednesday, May 1, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Everyone is invited.
Mr. Miller announced the 39th Annual State of Metro Address will be held on May 24, 7:00 a.m. at the Convention Center. Anyone wishing to attend should call Ann Carney, who will be making the reservations.
On behalf of the Board and staff of Social Services, Mr. Miller wished a Happy Birthday to Bill Moynihan.
Director's Report
The Cemetery Committee, chaired by Giovanni Achoe and composed of Ernest Freudenthal, Abdelghani Barre, Linda Bowers, Judy Jordan and Avia Howse, have worked to have a monument placed at the Bordeaux Cemetery. This monument is now ready to be sculpted and an inscription has been chosen. Mr. Miller read the inscription and passed around a drawing of the marker. A formal dedication ceremony will be held but a date has not yet been set. Mr. Miller commended the Committee for their work on this project.
Mr. Miller, as well as Board members Diane Neighbors and Gwen Harris, have served on the Ad Hoc Committee looking at the interface of services between Metro Action, Metro Social Services and the Metro Housing and Development Agency. A copy of their final report was provided and Mr. Miller reviewed some of their recommendations. One recommendation is to provide leadership for implementing joint, ongoing strategic planning and a shared database to ensure clients will receive services to which they are entitled.
Mr. Miller attended the CSA Board meeting held on April 9. The Board has recommended moving the Caring for Children Division from Social Services to the Finance Department. On April 16, an ordinance was introduced into the Metro Council to make this move and we will be working with Personnel and Finance to this end.
Ms. Dobbins commended Mr. Miller on the way he has handled the issues surrounding the Caring for Children Program; Mr. Coke and Ms. Harris expressed their support of her statement.
On April 10, Mr. Miller attended the International Forum on Diversity 2002, sponsored by the Nashville Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Bill Purcell was the keynote speaker.
Mr. Miller attended a meeting on April 11, co-hosted by the Tennessee Justice Center and the Tennessee Conference on Social Welfare on the subject of Welfare Reform Reauthorization.
Chair Diane Neighbors just completed the Week of the Young Child, whose focus was the rights and needs of young children. The events were successful in advertising the needs and potential of the young child.
Financial Report
Ms. McEwen reported that we are now 9 months into this Fiscal Year and we remain one-half million dollars under budget. We are working with the budget office on the transition of Richland Village and the use of local dollars to make up the reduction in funds from the Department of Human Services in our Homemaker Program. Spending patterns at Caring for Children have been less than expected except for the Flex Funds Account. They have requested an additional $20,000 and we expect this request will be approved. There is a balance of $590,000 in the 4 Percent Fund but it should be noted there are purchase orders and payments that will be posted against this amount. The Facilities Management and Special Donations funds have had very little activity.
Ms. McEwen explained the possibility of a liability facing our Caring for Children Division resulting from a recent audit by the state comptroller. An will be filed and we feel the ruling will be in our favor.
A copy of new budget pages were provided to show how the budget was presented. Ms. McEwen explained that these new budget pages allowed us to be more informative and to include illustrations.
Ms. Butler requested a list of vendors included in the Contractual Services of our Financial Report.
Financial Assistance Program Budget Review
Ms. Polk presented a table showing the amount of money distributed in Family Services grants each month. A peak was reached in January, due in part to more opportunities for appointments, working in the community with other agencies, home visits and reaching out to the homeless. Unlike in past years when the funds in this account were not all spent, it is anticipated that we will spend the entire balance this Fiscal Year.
FY 2002-2003 Budget Developments
The Social Services budget hearing with the Mayor is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8 at 2:00 p.m. in the Mayor's conference room. The Board was invited to attend.
Mr. Miller reported that Refugee Services did not receive the $200,000 Housing Initiative for Refugees grant from Freddie Mac that we were negotiating. Also recent information from the State indicates that it is likely Refugee Services funding will decrease by approximately $100,000 due to the slowing down in the flow of refugees. We are currently looking at ways to reduce our expenditures should this decrease occur.
Strategic Planning Update
Ms. Polk reported that on April 2, a retreat was held with Department supervisory staff and input was received on the Vision and Mission Statements and five goals were developed. On April 29 we will meet again to go over these statements and goals and to put these goals into strategies. A report should be ready to present to the Board at the May meeting.
Richland Village Program Developments
Mr. Miller reported that the RFP on Richland Village closed on April 15 and the Finance Department said proposals were received. A committee will be formed to look at these proposals and recommendations will be presented to the Metro Social Services Board.
Mr. Miller reviewed plans for the conclusion of residential services at Richland Village. Ms. Stephens will lead this team, made up of Tarver Smith, Sonny Hicks, Pam Taylor and Joyce Sanders. The team leaders for the new program are Tarver Smith and Terri Akers. These two teams will work with 3 school clusters, Glencliff, McGavock and Stratford to provide preventative and supportive services to children and families.
There have been two meetings with the staff of Richland Village regarding reductions in staffing. Staff are being informed of their options and rights. Human Resources has met with some staff and assisted in helping to develop resumes. Mr. Miller commended the SEIU Union for their support during this time.
Richland Village Residential Contract Amendment Approval
Mr. Miller asked the Board to approve a contract amendment in the amount of $7,507 that would provide an additional 71 days care of Level II beds at Richland Village. A motion by Ms. Harris, seconded by Mr. Freudenthal, to approve this contract amendment passed by a unanimous vote
Other
Ms. Butler asked about the status of the RFP for an immigrant study. Mr. Miller said Vanderbilt Institute of Public Policy Studies was selected, although it is not yet formalized.
Chair Neighbors thanked Ms. Butler and the League of Women Voters for their presence at the Week of the Young Child Conference.
All the Commissioners were present today and Chair Neighbors thanked them for attending.
There being no further business before the Board, Chair Neighbors adjourned the meeting at 4:38 p.m.