Board of Commissioners Meeting May 28, 2003
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Diane Neighbors, Dot Dobbins, Ernest Freudenthal, Gwen Harris, Luvenia Butler
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dorothy Shell-Berry, Pam McEwen, Karlene Polk, Ann Carney
GUESTS PRESENT: Jennifer Gash, Mayor’s Office, Terry Hirsh and Marty Reeder, Metro Data and Telecommunications Office
Minutes
The Metropolitan Social Services Board of Commissioners met on Wednesday, May 28, 2003. Chair Diane Neighbors called the meting to order at 3:05 p.m. The minutes for the meeting held on April 23, 2003, were approved as submitted.
Announcements
Mrs. Shell-Berry expressed her pleasure to be here today as the new Interim Director of Social Services.
Mrs. Shell-Berry announced our budget meeting before the Metro Council will be on Wednesday, June 11, 5:15 p.m. She invited Board members to attend.
World Refugee Day will be celebrated on June 21, 2003, and will take place from noon to 5:00 p.m. in the J. Percy Priest Picnic Area on Anderson Road.
Some staff members of our senior programs are part of the committee that put together plans for the first annual Madison Senior and Community Day. The event will be held on September 19, 2003, at the Madison Community Center, Madison Park, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The objective for the day is to promote awareness for every senior and/or their family in an effort to support their independence and quality of life.
Mrs. Shell-Berry invited everyone to attend a Hawaiian Luau, hosted by our Nutrition Program, to recognize volunteers for their contributions. The event will take place on June 17, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Knowles Senior Center, corner of Wedgewood and Raines Avenues.
Director’s Report
Mrs. Shell-Berry reported that in the short time she has been here, she has been made to feel at home. She has toured some of the programs of Social Services and had the opportunity of meeting staff from across the Department at an all-staff meeting that was held on May 19. A second all-staff meeting will be scheduled to accommodate those who were unable to attend the first one.
Mrs. Shell-Berry would like the citizens of Nashville to be aware of the fine services we offer and how we can make Nashville a better place to live. She presented our budget to the Mayor and future plans include revisiting some of the Divisions, facilitating the change the agency is going to experience and preparing for the Department Audit. She is convinced the agency will reach its goals and wants all the employees to be a part of this.
Chair Neighbors commended Mrs. Shell-Berry for the good job she did in presenting the budget after being here for only three days.
The Chair welcomed Jennifer Gash, the new Department liaison from the Mayor’s Office. Ms. Gash will tour some of our Divisions next week.
Financial Report
Ms. McEwen reported all Divisions are operating within their budget and she projects we will return local money to the general fund balance at the close of this fiscal year. The Child Care Center and Senior Dietary business units will be affected by the health insurance deficit funding. We were not notified that we would not receive a supplemental appropriation to cover this until it was too late to make other plans to offset this increase. With regard to the 4 Percent Fund, we transferred some funds to Divisions that had printer and other computer needs; there is a balance in this fund of $414,000. The Capital Project Fund has a balance of $421,000, all of which is designated for the renovations at the Knowles Home; there is a balance of $20,761 in the Special Donation Fund.
Ms. McEwen received some information on our budget for next fiscal year. We will receive $342,500 for an increase in employee salaries, $72,500 for repairs and maintenance at the Knowles Home and $37,000 for the search and relocation of a new director. Our budget was reduced by $79,800, which was for Information Systems; this will not impact us as they will no longer bill us directly.
Community Update
Ms. Polk referred to the handout provided on the different activities in the community. Brenda Ross is representing our Department on the Neighborhood Response Team; this teams goes out into the neighborhoods to address any issues they may have.
With regard to Family Resource Centers, we are in the process of replacing the bilingual social worker assigned to the Woodbine Center. United Way has tentative plans to fund two new centers in the North Nashville and Bordeaux areas. We requested funding for a new social worker to expand our services in the North Nashville area. The request was not included in the Mayor’s budget; however, we will continue to seek ways to extend our service in the area. Family Services and Richland Village are working to coordinate their services to avoid duplication.
The third Hope VI project is underway and Ms. Polk reviewed the impact on our Child Care Center and our involvement with relocating the current residents of the Sam Levy Homes.
Ms. Polk reported she has been attending the Advisory Council organized by United Way on President Bush’s Faith-based Initiative. One purpose of the Council is to provide technical assistance and training opportunities for the organizations seeking funds. We expect an RFP from the Department of Health and Human Services for the distribution of these funds within the month.
Other
Commissioner Harris presented the Nominating Committee’s recommendation and made the motion that Ms. Butler serve as Vice Chair for this Board of Commissioners. Mr. Freudenthal seconded the motion and by a unanimous vote the motion was passed.
On behalf of the Nominating Committee, Commissioner Butler made a motion, seconded by Ms. Dobbins, that Ms. Neighbors continue as Chair of this Board. The motion was passed by a unanimous vote.
There being no further business before the Board, Chair Neighbors adjourned the meeting at 3:43 p.m.