Excused: N. Schuler
Staff: Irene Stein, Office for the Aging; M. Dolan, Department
of Social Services; A. Cole, and
E. Brazauskas Health Department; N. Zook, and Kris Bennett, Youth
Bureau; S.
Whicher, Administration; N. Burston, M. Fisher, and J. Hart, Human
Services Coalition;
B. DeLuca, Mental Health; K. Fuller, Recorder
Call to Order
Chair Winch called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
Discussion of Budget Review Meetings
Chair Winch and the Committee members discussed when to hold the September program committee budget review meetings. Consensus was reached on the following dates:
September 9, 2002 – 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Budget Review
September 10, 2002 – 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Regular Meeting - Action
Only Items followed by Budget
Reviews
September 18, 2002 – 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Budget Review
September 19, 2002 – 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Budget Review
Approval of Minutes of July 9, July 15, and July 18, 2002
It was MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Ms. Robertson and unanimously approved by members present to accept the minutes of July 9, 2002 as amended, and July 15 and July 18, 2002 as submitted.
Department of Social Services
Ms. Dolan expanded upon information received in Mr. Herden’s monthly report relevant to an apparent increase in costs for services associated with the Franziska Racker Center. She indicated that the increased costs are due in part to a State Health Department approved rate increases for services that include a 3 percent cost of living increase, 3.5 percent trends increase and approximately 3.25 percent retroactive rate increase. She noted that an individual client may reside in a location that is fully funded, yet still carrying local share expenses for a different service they are receiving. The process of determining exact cost to the County to project subsequent budget year expenses is therefore difficult. Ms. Dolan said the number of individuals served in a community based waiver sites is finite; however there is a shift of where the funding comes from. She noted that funds previously from the State budget and now are from Federal dollars and the manner in which payments are made varies. Ms. Dolan said she is working with the County Administrator and Mental Health Director to determine the extent of overburden and when to anticipate reimbursement of funds.
Mr. Proto inquired about unfilled positions within the Department of Social Services. He requested a summary that would provide the number of unfilled positions and whether a request to fill them had been made to the Fiscal Management Committee. Ms. Dolan said she was asked to provide the number of positions coming forward to the 2003 budget process, what is the turn-over in the department, and she is adding what the impact of employee absence due to disability is. Mr. Winch asked that a summary be provided to all Board Members.
RESOLUTION NO. APPROVAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES THREE-YEAR CONSOLIDATED CHILDREN’S SERVICES PLAN – ANNUAL UPDATE
MOVED by Ms. Robertson, seconded by Mr. Proto. Ms. Dolan explained the report and the manner in which it was developed to Committee members. Mr. Proto inquired whether the PINS information is incorporated within this report. Ms. Dolan said that it was a separate plan that was the result of the changes in the law. Ms. Robertson said she appreciated the work that went into this report. A voice vote was taken by all members present and it was unanimously approved as amended. MOTION CARRIED.
WHEREAS, the New York State Office of Children
and Family Services (OCFS) has required the Department of Social Services
to develop and submit an Annual Update to the Consolidated Children’s Services’
Three-Year Plan which covers children’s services for the period of January
1, 2002 to December 31, 2003, and
WHEREAS, County Administrative Policy 01-35
states that “plans whose public participation requirements mandate advertising
in newspapers of general circulation must be approved by the Board of Representatives
upon review by the County Administrator and the appropriate program committee,”
and
WHEREAS, such advertising was required with
regard to the Plan’s development, and
WHEREAS, the County Administrator and the
Health and Human Services Committee have reviewed the Department’s Plan,
now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Health
and Human Services Committee, That the Annual Update to the Department
of Social Services Three-Year Consolidated Plan for Children’s Services
is approved.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
Moved by Mr. Booth, seconded by Mr. Porto. Mr. Winch inquired whether Ms. Dolan was present at the Charter Review meeting and concurred with the suggested changes to the Charter. Ms. Dolan said she was present and did concur. Mr. Booth inquired whether Mr. Wood, County Attorney, was in agreement with the language involving attorneys. Ms. Dolan said she believed Mr. Wood was in agreement. A voice vote was taken by all members present and it was unanimously approved. MOTION CARRIED.
Creation Of A Dental Case Manager (Senior Social Welfare Examiner)
Members of the Committee discussed the position
that is to be proposed for consideration in the future. Questions
regarding funding for the position were responded to by Ms. Dolan.
She explained that rollover funding would be available for a portion of
this position from 2000 and that this position should be adequately covered
in the proposed 2003 budget, however, there would be Medicaid expenses
incurred for the Medicaid recipients for services rendered over and above
the cost for the position. She said that the cost of this position
for the sixteen month period is estimated to be $94,000 with revenue $47,400.
Rollover from 2000 budget will cover the local share cost of $47,000.
She said that there would be an additional local share cost associated
with the position under the “A” mandate spending that is not subject to
target. Ms. Dolan said that actual total cost of moving forward for
a sixteen-month period would be approximately $74,000. Suggestions
were made that the resolution required for this pilot program to move forward
include language that indicates it to be a sixteen month program with a
total cost of $75,131. Also that it include the information that
the rollover funding has been approved for this project and that those
funds would cover a portion of the sixteen-month pilot program up to $26,613.
Members of the Committee decided to request this discussion continue at
Committee budgetary meeting in order to enable all Committee members to
participate in this discussion as well as allowing Ms. Dolan the opportunity
to fully indicate how funding for the program would be set within the 2003
budget.
Health Department
RESOLUTION NO. - ESTABLISHMENT OF MEDICAID DENTAL CLINIC RATE – HEALTH DEPARTMENT
MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Ms. Robertson. Ms. Cole explained that the purpose of the resolution was to enable the Health Department to set a dental clinic rate as allowed by their operating certificate. A voice vote was taken by all members present and it was unanimously approved. MOTION CARRIED.
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Dental Services
Advisory Committee has been charged with the responsibility to find and
implement a sustainable solution to meet the needs of Medicaid and certain
other low-income individuals for dental care at the most reasonable cost
and by the most reasonable target date, and
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Dental Services
Advisory Committee’s research indicates that the development of a clinic
rate to reimburse for dental services is the next step and necessary component
to finding a solution and meeting the needs of the Medicaid and low-income
eligible, and
WHEREAS, the County is currently a licensed
Article 28 clinic operator, with dental services recognized as an authorized
service on the operating certificate issued by the New York State Department
of Health, and
WHEREAS, since the County is already licensed
to provide dental services, a Medicaid rate could be established by filing
a Medicaid cost report with the New York State Department of Health and
an operating budget for the Dental Clinic, and
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Dental Services
Advisory Committee has recommended that it is advantageous to have a clinic
rate established in the event a mobile or free-standing clinic is needed,
and
WHEREAS, the Health Department has an approved
contract with Urbach, Kahn and Werlin, Inc., an accounting firm with the
expertise to complete the cost report necessary to establish this rate
with New York State Department of Health, and
WHEREAS, local funds in the form of 2000 Rollover
have already been approved for this project, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Health
and Human Services Committee, That approval is given to the Health Department
to request that this cost report be completed by Urbach, Kahn and Werlin,
Inc.,
RESOLVED, further, That the Department of
Social Services will pay for these services at a cost not to exceed $10,000
($2,805 local cost) from the remainder of Department of Social Services’
original $95,000 appropriation.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
MOVED by Mr. Proto, seconded by Ms. Robertson. Mr. Winch inquired whether Ms. Cole was present at the Charter Review meeting and concurred with the suggested changes to the Charter. Ms. Cole said she was present and did concur. Mr. Booth inquired whether the change from water systems to supplies would provide enough authority to deal with that particular area of environmental health. Ms. Cole said that she felt it was appropriate. A voice vote was taken by all members present and it was unanimously approved. MOTION CARRIED.
Bernie Bus Services, Inc.
Moved by Mr. Proto, seconded by Ms. Robertson. A discussion took place regarding the requested rate increase for Bernie Bus Services, Inc. This increase is part of the renewal option for the services. Birnie Bus Services, Inc. by their agreement would have had an option to request a higher amount, however, taking into account the difficult budget year is asking for 1.7%, which is the year-to-date Consumer Price Index increase for New York. Committee members inquired whether the firm is meeting the expectations of the Health Department. Ms. Cole indicated they were. Questions regarding annual costs, ways to save money, and the purpose of the different rates involved were asked and responded to. A voice vote was taken by all members present to approve the increase and it was unanimously approved. MOTION CARRIED.
Ms. Robertson said she had received numerous letters from parents requesting that budget cuts not be made in areas that are presently serving their children. She inquired whether the services described are mandated, and therefore, not subject to cuts. Ms. Cole said that while many parts of these programs are mandated, some areas that do not immediately effect the program may be subject to cuts.
Office for the Aging
Charter Review
MOVED by Ms. Robertson, seconded by Mr. Booth. Mr. Winch inquired whether Ms. Stein was present at the Charter Review meeting and concurred with the suggested changes to the Charter. Ms. Stein said she was present and did concur. Mr. Proto asked if there was any changes to the Office for the Aging Advisory Board that might require a change in the Charter. Ms. Stein indicated she was not aware of any. A voice vote was taken by all members present and it was unanimously approved. MOTION CARRIED.
RESOLUTION NO. - AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH CORNELL UNIVERSITY TO DEVELOP A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON CAREGIVING AND AN ASSOCIATED CURRICULUM FOR THE PERIOD OF AUGUST 1, 2002 THROUGH JULY 31, 2003 - OFFICE FOR THE AGING
MOVED by Mr. Proto, seconded by Mr. Booth. Ms. Stein informed the Committee that this resolution is to provide training of individuals to increase public awareness of the importance of elderly care. She said that the program is a joint effort with Cornell University Gerontology Research Institute, Division of Human Development, and that they will be providing funding for this project. Once completed, this curriculum will be presented at two other sites. Ms. Stein felt this was an excellent opportunity to receive some funding for a program that the Office for the Aging would like to develop to raise community awareness. Suggestions were made by Mr. Booth to amend the wording of the resolution. Mr. Proto inquired about Ithaca College’s involvement in this project. Ms. Stein replied that they are involved as a member of the coalition. A voice vote was taken by all members present and it was unanimously approved as amended. MOTION CARRIED.
WHEREAS, caregiving of elders is becoming more common
as the number of elderly increases, and
WHEREAS, the Office for the Aging has identified
a need for a community conversation on caregiving, and
WHEREAS, Cornell University Gerontology Research
Institute, Department of Human Development, wishes to enter into a contract
with Tompkins County that enables the Office for the Aging to present and
in-service training to educators and representatives from agencies in other
counties on how to develop such a community conversation, now therefore
be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Health and Human
Services Committee, That the contract with Cornell University in the amount
of $10,500 to develop a community conversation on caregiving and an associated
curriculum, and to organize and conduct in-service training in two sites
on how to develop a community conversation on caregiving be approved for
the period August 1, 2002 through July 31, 2003,
RESOLVED, further, That the Finance Director
is hereby authorized to make the necessary budget adjustment as follows:
REVENUE:
6773.42797 Cornell University Caregiver Training
$10,500
APPROPRIATION: 6773.51000215
Salary
$ 7,692
6773.58800
Fringe
2,045
6773.54414
Local Mileage
113
6773.54330
Printing/Copying
300
6773.54472
Telephone
150
6773.54452
Postage
200
TOTAL
$10,500
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Ms. Robertson and unanimously approved by voice vote of all members present to approve the following budget adjustments. MOTION CARRIED.
Office for the Aging (#49)
Revenue Acct Title Amt
Approp Acct Title(s) ______
6777 43803 State Revenue
$3,518 6777 54491
Subcontract
Explanation: Increase in State revenue permits increase in subcontracts
for CSE program.
Office for the Aging (#50)
Revenue Acct Title Amt
Approp Acct Title(s) _____
6774 43803 State Revenue
$ 23
6774 54491 Subcontract
Explanation: Increase in State revenue permits increase in Foodnet
subcontract for SNAP program.
Office for the Aging (#51)
Revenue Acct Title
Amt Approp
Acct Title(s) _____
6781 44772 Federal Revenue
$2,459.42 6781 54400 Program
Expense
Explanation: Revenue Increase permits additional respite hours
for Title III-E (Project Care)
Office for the Aging (#52)
Revenue Acct Title
Amt Approp
Acct Title(s) _____
6772 44772 Federal Revenue
$1,794 6772 51000559
Salary
6772 44772 Federal Revenue
$ 466 6772 58800
Fringes
6772 44772 Federal Revenue
$1,000 6772 54491
Subcontract
Explanation: Increase in Federal Revenue permits coverage of
Aging Services Specialists salary and fringes in Title III-B. Increase
in Federal Revenue permits increase in subcontract for publishing one more
issue of the “Senior Circle.”
Office for the Aging (#53)
Revenue Acct Title
Amt Approp
Acct Title(s) _____
6780 43803 State Revenue
($4,115) 6780
54991 Subcontract
Explanation: Error in calculations of reappropriated State monies
requires reduction in home care contracts.
Office for the Aging (#54)
Revenue Acct Title
Amt Approp
Acct Title(s) _____
6795 44772 Federal Revenue
($603.57) 6775 51000559 Salary
6795 44772 Federal Revenue
($156.93) 6775 58800
Fringes
Explanation: Decrease in Federal Revenue makes it necessary to
decrease the Aging Services Specialist salary and fringes in Title III-D
(Medication Management).
Office for the Aging (#55)
Revenue Acct Title
Amt Approp
Acct Title(s) _____
6771 43803 State Revenue
$200 6771 54414
Local Mileage
Explanation: Revenue increase permits increase in much needed
local mileage for State Ombudsman program.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
Updates
The Committee reviewed a written report received from Ms. Zahler. Ms. Robertson inquired how much staff time was expended obtaining funds from the State and other sources. Ms. Bennett indicated that the goal is to spend the least amount of time possible and that the hope is to provide coordinated services for all municipalities for the funds received. Mr. Proto inquired whether the grant of $100,000 capital funds would, if successful, make a tacit commitment to anything else. Ms. Zook said that this was funding obtained through Assemblyman Luster’s office. She said that they are determining the best way to utilize these funds in an appropriate manner. These funds are a result of Mr. Luster’s staff seeking funding for respite services.
RESOLUTION NO. - APPROVAL OF 2001-2003 COMPREHENSIVE YOUTH SERVICES PLAN UPDATE
MOVED by Ms. Robertson, seconded by Mr. Booth.
WHEREAS, Tompkins County is required to develop a
County Comprehensive Youth Services Plan to qualify for $397,867 in State
Aid from New York State, and
WHEREAS, the New York State Office of Children and
Family Services requires that the Strategic Component of the County Comprehensive
Interim Plan submitted for 2001-2003 be updated by July 2002, and
WHEREAS, the update has been prepared by the Tompkins
County Youth Bureau and approved by the Youth Board as required, and
WHEREAS, the New York State Office of Children and
Family Services requires that the Strategic Component of the Interim Annual
Plan Update be signed by the Chief Elected Official, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of Health and Human
Services Committee, That the Tompkins County Board of Representatives approves
the Tompkins County Youth Bureau’s 2002 Update to the 2001-2003 County
Comprehensive Youth Services Plan,
RESOLVED, further, That the Chairman of the Board
of Representatives be and hereby is authorized to sign the Interim Annual
Plan Update - Strategic Component for 2002- 2003 as required by New York
State.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Ms. Robertson. Mr. Winch inquired whether Youth Board staff was present at the Charter Review meeting and concurred with the suggested changes to the Charter. Ms. Zook said the Youth Board did concur. A voice vote was taken by all members present and it was unanimously approved. MOTION CARRIED.
Youth Board Appointments
It was MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Ms.
Robertson, and unanimously adopted, to submit the following appointments
to the full Board for approval:
Joel Lewenstein – Youth Representative – term to expire August 31,
2003
Sloan Sheridan-Thomas – Village of Freeville Representative – term
to expire December 31, 2002
Request for Information
County Administrator, Steve Whicher, requested a flow chart be provided that would indicate the interaction of the various agencies involved with the Youth Bureau and how the youth are served. He felt that it would be useful to follow funding of the various programs. Mr. Whicher said that he is achieving a greater understanding of the complexity of the Youth Bureau and its relationship with other agencies.
Review Cost Effectiveness Indicators
Ms. Bennet and Ms. Zook provided the Committee with written information regarding cost effectiveness indicators for a variety of programs. This report shows the effectiveness of spending dollars on programs that will assist in the future need of more costly expenses associated with youth. Questions were asked about parental involvement in programs designed to assist the entire family’s needs. Ms. Zook said that every effort is made to involve parents to the extent possible and to maintain a level of involvement to assist the youth without becoming a surrogate parent.
Mental Health Department
Charter Review
MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Mr. Proto. Mr. Winch inquired whether Mr. DeLuca was present at the Charter Review meeting and concurred with the suggested changes to the Charter. Mr. Deluca said that he did see an item to change – Section 13.01 – Duties of the Commissioner should read “Government Unit and Community Mental Health Center.” Mr. Proto said that he felt that a modification should take place under Section 13.02, Section (e). He felt that the language stating “from time to time” was not clear enough. Following discussion, consensus of the Committee was that the suggested statement “Such plans shall be reviewed from time to time” to “or as required by the New York State Department of Mental Hygiene regulations.” The last change suggested was that Section 13.00 be amended to indicate that it is the “State Commissioners of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse” who appoint the Commissioner. A voice vote was taken by all members present and it was unanimously approved as amended. MOTION CARRIED.
Advisory Board Review
Members of the Committee held a discussion regarding the current advisory boards. It was decided that the County Attorney or Government Operations Committee be asked to provide members with a list of what advisory boards are required by law so that a better determination of effectiveness and necessity of advisory boards be made. The other issue discussed to be passed on to the Government Operations Committee, was the need to develop a system for attendance accountability at advisory board meetings. The Committee felt that absences quite often created a situation that would not allow advisory boards to conduct their official business in an appropriate fashion. Members felt that it was important that individuals appointed maintain an adequate attendance rate and that in addition to a record of attendance it is necessary to develop a means to notify individuals of removal from advisory boards in the event their attendance requirements are not met, and recommend rules for this procedure. Mr. Proto felt that it would be appropriate for the advisory board staff take the first step in notifying members of the possibility of removal from the board due to absence. Mr. Winch felt that copies of attendance sheets should be submitted to the Board office prior to the reappointment of individuals for advisory boards.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:11 a.m.