Board of Commissioners Meeting Summary of March 25, 2009
Board Members Present: Frank Boehm, Howard Gentry, George Price, and Mary Kate Mouser
Board Members Absent: Barbara Toms and Gwen Harris
Legal Advisor: Christy Feldman, Attorney for Metro Government representing Metro Social Services Board
Mayor Liaison: Hershell Warren, Mayor’s Office
Commissioner Gentry called the meeting to order by commenting on how much he enjoyed the MSS Appreciation Luncheon. Commissioner Gentry stated that several Commissioners were in attendance along with Mayor Karl Dean and Hershell Warren from the Mayor’s office. (0:00 - 2:45)
Directors Report
Ms. Pratt began her report by further commenting on the MSS Appreciation Luncheon that was held last week. Ms. Pratt thanked Commissioner Gentry for being the guest speaker.
Ms. Pratt mentioned the following items from her director’s report:
- Working on the Stimulus Package and has been in touch with Rita Roberts-Turner, the Mayor’s Assistant. Ms. Turner is overseeing the stimulus dollars that will be filtered through the State to Metro.
- Spoke with Paul Haynes, Executive Director of the Nashville Career Advancement Center (NCAC), said they may have funds available for youth to help with summer activities. Ms. Pratt stated that this could mean a partnership to help in the area of the summer camp program;
- MSS is scheduled to go before Mayor Karl Dean’s office for the Budget Hearing on April 8th at 9:45. Commissioner Boehm and Commissioner Gentry have agreed to attend on behalf of the MSS Commissioners. MSS is scheduled to go before the council after the Mayor’s Budget Hearing and Commissioner Gentry will be in attendance along with Commissioner Toms;
- Effective April 3rd, Eric Cardinal, the MSS Systems Director resigned. Commissioner Gentry suggested an assessment be conducted on the systems position to help determine the departments needs; and
- Lastly, each board member received a printed book entitled “Metro Social Services Departmental Overview”. This book will be distributed at the Mayors Budget Hearing to help tell the MSS story. This book provides an overview of all the MSS programs, the role for Planning and Coordination and more so, it will tell the story of the customers we see now. (2:46 – 13:07)
Community Evaluation Subcommittee
Commissioner Boehm began his report by updating the Commissioners on how and why the subcommittee was formed. The Ad Hoc Committee on Planning and Coordination was appointed by Commissioner Gentry initially chaired by Renee Pratt. Commissioner Gentry later appointed Commissioner Boehm as the chair, and under his chairmanship a Community Evaluation Subcommittee was created. The purpose of this subcommittee is to work with Planning and Coordination staff to objectively evaluate needs and resources in the community to identify Nashville greatest unmet needs and gaps in service.
Commissioner Boehm stated that the committee had two specific points that outline the areas this committee would be working on. One is the system and development of a community social service needs assessment and the second would be to contribute to the design of a system for planning and coordination. With this in mind, Commissioner Boehm appointed a community evaluation subcommittee which met for the first time on February 27th.
The committee members are as follows:
- Dan Cornfield, Chair, Professor at Vanderbilt University,
- Cynthia Croom, Metro Action Commission
- Kaki Friskics-Warren, Community Foundation/Giving Matters
- Garrett Harper, Chamber of Commerce
- Kelvin Meeks, Tennessee Department of Human Services
- Oscar Miller, TSU Sociology Department
- Kimberly Newcomb, South Nashville Family Resource Center
- Phil Orr, United Way
- Scott Payne, 2-1-1 Call Center
- William Sinclair, Catholic Charities
- Renata Soto, Conexión Américas
- MSS Staff: Dinah Gregory
Abdelghani Barre
Lee Stewart
Brenda Venson
Tarver Smith
Commissioner Boehm stated that the first meeting was very good and the challenge is to finish the report by July. This will be information that will be continuously updated and that is why the committee’s work will continue after July.
The second meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 27th, and Commissioner Gentry will attend this meeting. Dinah Gregory has already received large amounts of data to be presented to the subcommittee.
Commissioner Boehm also stated that he and Dinah Gregory have begun a series of working lunches. The intent for the working lunches are to gather certain individuals from the subcommittee and possibly outside the committee to discuss what needs to be done by the subcommittee to be most beneficial for the community.
Commissioner Boehm ended his report by stating that he is excited about the potential for this group and he is looking forward to providing ongoing updates on the work of the subcommittee.
Commissioner Gentry stated that Mayor Dean would like to see efforts like this operated in conjunction with the plan to reduce poverty. Commissioner Gentry stated that both documents need to be able to work together. (13:27 – 28:48)
Commissioner Gentry obtained a motion to approve the February 25th meeting summary. Motion was properly moved, seconded and accepted (29:02 – 29:19)
Finance Report
Pam McEwen began her report by stating at the end of February MSS was $313,000 under budget, and the only thing over budget was the contributions line. Ms. McEwen further provided the board with information as to whom the contributions were being made too. Ms. McEwen stated that a $2,000 contribution was made to “The Senior Boomer Expo” for an activity they were providing. Ms. McEwen further stated in 2008 we made a total of $4,225 contributions to agencies. It was decided going forward that these type contributions will not be made in the future.
Projections for 2009 now show that we should be able to meet our $157,000 target. Camille Caldwell fund shows a balance around $23,500 after spending $4,800 for Christmas and Thanksgiving expenditures.
Ms. McEwen stated that the Budget Hearings will be held on the first floor in the Mayor’s Media Room of the Court House. The office of budget and finance has also asked if MSS is planning to contract out for services since we have money in our fiscal year 09 budget in the amount of $24,800 that was available for the Nutrition Pilot Project. That money started out at $55,000 and we moved money to fund the survey project. Finance wanted to confirm with the board that there were know plans to contract with anyone to do an ouside Nutrition project between nowand the end of the fiscal year.
Projections for 2009 now show that we should be able to meet our $157,000 target. Camille Caldwell fund shows a balance around $23,500 after spending $4,800 for Christmas and Thanksgiving expenditures.
Ms. McEwen stated that the Budget Hearings will be held on the first floor in the Mayor’s Media Room of the Court House. The office of budget and finance has also asked if MSS is planning to contract out for services since we have money in our fiscal year 09 budget in the amount of $24,800 that was available for the Nutrition Pilot Project. That money started out at $55,000 and we moved money to fund the survey project. Finance wanted to confirm with the board that there were know plans to contract with anyone to do an outside Nutrition project between now and the end of the fiscal year.
Commissioner Gentry stated that he had not heard of any plans to use the monies. Ms. McEwen stated that she would inform finance that the $24,800 was to be used to help make the $157,000 projection target. (28:48– 37.04)
Commissioner Gentry stated that since we will not be meeting again prior to the Mayor’s Budget Hearing, the Board need to strongly support the request for an enhancement for P&C and to keep the systems position. Ms. Pratt stated that she will be speaking with Dot Berry, Director of Human Resources next week regarding a waiver for the systems position.
Commissioner Gentry asked what effect the technology position would have on P&C if the position was not to be filled. Dinah Gregory stated that it would affect not only P&C, but Direct Services also, resulting in a lack of reliable data.
Commissioner Gentry suggested due to the number of board members absent today that the Programs report by Demitria Norman be postponed until the April meeting.
Commissioner Gentry also stated that the board did received Gerri Robinson’s transition paper.
Motion for adjournment was accepted and approved