Staff: M. Dolan, Social Services Commissioner; B. DeLuca, Mental Health Commissioner; N. Zahler, Youth Bureau; J. Johnson, Youth Bureau; W. Skinner, Public Information Officer; K. Fuller, Recorder

Guest: N. Winograd, Director of SPCA

Called to Order
 Vice Chair Proto called the meeting to order at 9:05a.m.

Changes to Agenda
 Office of the Aging was removed from the agenda as they would not be present.

 Tompkins County SPCA was added to the agenda.

 Approval of Minutes
 It was MOVED by Mr. Winch, seconded by Mr. Stein, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the minutes of the June 20, 2001 meeting, as submitted.

Chair's Report
 Mr. Proto informed the committee that he wanted to alert members of the budgets that will be presented in the upcoming months.  He mentioned the Dental Program in particular which is operated through the Department of Social Services.  He would like a status report on this situation.

 Mr. Proto also informed the committee that the Reconstruction Home is currently in a financially difficult position and that there will be a meeting on July 21, 2001 to discuss this matter.

 Mr. Proto alerted the Committee to the concerns of the Health Department, and the letter from the Board of Health, addressing the long-term impact of the proposed two percent cut in 2002 funding.

Public Information Officer
 Ms. Skinner informed the Committee that at a Budget and Capital Committee meeting she attended it was determined to continue the practice of televising the extended budget meetings this fall as we have done for several years.  She also proposed that Committee-level budget meetings also be televised as well.  Mr. Joseph, Chair of the Budget and Capital Committee, suggested that she come to each Committee and propose the options available to proceed with this.  They are: (1) meet at the normal location for the Committee and not have cameras; (2) meet at the normal location for the Committee and allow unobtrusive taping of the meeting for future viewing on television; and (3) meet at the Board Room in the County Courthouse and be televised live.  Ms. Skinner indicated that she would need to know their decision with enough lead time to coordinate individuals to record the meetings if they agreed to do this.  Mr. Penniman inquired what the cost would be for taping/televising the sessions.  Ms. Skinner said that any cost associated with this would be coming out of her budget and that she has adequate funding to allow this to be done.
 Discussion followed and it was decided that the majority of Committee members would prefer to have these meetings in the Board room.
 Ms. Davis arrived.

Department of Social Services
 Mr. Stein inquired as to the concern of increased costs in various programs.  Ms. Dolan said that they have only seen the increases falling in the family and safety net assistance areas due to emergency expenditures.  Also providing an increase is the area of pharmaceuticals and home care in the area covered by Medicaid.  They have continued to do comparisons of previous years to determine the cause.  At the present time it appears that there will be $250,000 in the local share over budget.

 Ms. Dolan noted that counties are coming together to lobby for fiscal relief from Medicaid and that NYSAC is assisting in this.  She noted that funding decisions are anticipated to be made within a specific timeframe as a result of deadlines required by law for school districts to set their tax levy.

 Mr. Proto inquired about the TANF funds available and if they had any problems.  Ms. Dolan indicated there are many different TANF funds available and that at the present time they have not had a problem.  With regard to the TANF funds being utilized through TCAT for transportation assistance they are at the RFP stage.  It appears that this program will be short $9,400 and the other partners, Cornell University and the City of Ithaca, are suggesting that they look to the County to make this up.  This program will run for several years and provide transportation to many who could not get to their place of employment without it.

 Mr. Winch inquired how the anticipated $250,000 shortfall would be funded.  Ms. Dolan indicated that they have taken steps to reduce budget expenditures through personnel reductions.  They have not filled positions as they become open unless it is required for safety purposes.  They are redesigning the way the department operates until they are able to ascertain what they future budget will allow.  She has made it clear to employees through a letter from her that it is her goal not to cut current employees.

 Ms. Dolan informed the Committee that by the following week they will have completed one of the Department’s goals for 2001 which was to have every employee receive customer service training.  This training is provided in-house by two of the Department’s staff members.

 She noted that they are identifying individuals who might be able to participate in the dental program.  They are continuing to gather information from the Health Department and others with regard to mobile dental.

 Family Treatment Court currently has ten individuals enrolled in the program.  These are households in which alcohol and/or drug abuse are present in homes in which Article 10 of Child Abuse proceedings exist.  Ms. Dolan is working with the Health Department and others on TANF funds that will assist in providing the funding to aide these families.

 In addition they are also working with TANF funding for transportation, InVest in conjunction with the Workforce Development Department as well as many others.  They have identified 235 families eligible for TANF and are developing ways to coordinate eligibility based on approval in one TANF area, thereby decreasing delays and paperwork.

Budget Adjustment
 It was MOVED by Ms. Davis, seconded by Mr. Winch, and unanimously adopted by voice vote of members present, to submit the following budget adjustments to the full Board for approval:

Department of Social Services
Revenue Acct          Title           Amt          Approp Acct         Title(s) _____________________
6141 44681          Fed HEAP    $172,232    6141 54400           Home Energy Assistance Program
                                                                                                    (HEAP)

Explanation:  Additional Federal allocations for the Autopay, Application, and Emergency components of the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) have just been released by the New York State OTDA.

Mr. Proto alerted the Committee that his tenants occasionally avail themselves of this program, and that he will abstain from the vote if the Committee wishes.  The Committee saw no need for abstention.

Tompkins County SPCA

 Mr. Nathan Winograd, new Director of the Tompkins County SPCA introduced himself to the Committee.  Mr. Winograd started out his career in law.  He was a district attorney for several years and chose to change careers when he started his family.  He has worked a variety of positions within the human field.  He comes to Tompkins County from the San Francisco area where he was the Director of the local human society.  Previously he had responsibility for 212 employees with an 18 million dollar per year budget.  His family made a choice to relocate to a rural area and take a position which would allow him more direct contact with the animals.

  Mr. Winograd informed the Committee of the new euthanasia policy for the Tompkins County SPCA.  Mr. Winograd stated that in order to put down any animal he must sign off.  He has set a policy of multiple temperment tests to be given prior to a determination that any specific animal does not have any physical problem which may be causing the animal to fail the tests.  He indicated that there are already some animals that have been undergoing behavioral modifications while in their new family’s home.

 Mr. Winograd noted that while they will not destroy the animals unnecessarily he will not allow the adoption of a dog which could be dangerous to and individual or family.

 Mr. Winograd was asked about the euthanasia policy for wildlife.  He informed the Committee that he is looking into the most humane way possible that would still insure the safety of his staff members.  They are making inquiries of a variety of larger facilities to determine their methodology.

Appointments

 It was MOVED by Mr. Davis, seconded by Ms. Davis, and unanimously adopted, to submit the following appointments to the full Board for approval:

 Lorinda May – PERS Advisory Committee – term to expire December 31, 2002.

Mental Health

 Mr. DeLuca passed out a chart that outlined the makeup of the various committees within the Mental Health Department.  He stated that the Mental Health Board seats are staggered; however, the subcommittee seats are not.  He felt that it would be a matter of administration in order to stagger these seats.

 Ms. Davis indicated that she felt the length of term was more an issue than the staggering.  Mr. DeLuca said that he felt that the Board does not have to reappoint an individual if they do not wish to, thereby resolving this concern.

 Mr. Proto said that in some cases it is good to have some with a long-term knowledge and are extremely active.  He agreed with Mr. Winch that perhaps more important was a person’s attendance.

 A discussion followed covering the topics of the various ways committees and advisory boards can publicize available seats and how to best keep a file of potential committee members.  Mr. Proto stated that it is the length of the term and the method of appointment that are concerns.  Mr. DeLuca pointed out that he has extreme difficulty filling some of the positions that are vacant.  He stated that an announcement will be made at the next Board meeting.  Mr. Proto said that he and Mr. DeLuca will contact Ms. Skinner, Public Information Officer, to seek assistance on the vacancies.  Mr. DeLuca will also inform the Mental Health Board of the Committees desire to have the specific wording regarding the staggering of appointments in the Charter.

Youth Bureau

RESOLUTION – AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT FOR CONSULTING
    SERVICES RELATED TO RECREATION FACILITIES STUDY AND
    CONTINGENT FUND RESOLUTION – YOUTH BUREAU

 It was MOVED by Mr. Winch, seconded by Mr. Stein for discussion.

    WHEREAS,  Tompkins County, in the 2001 County Budget, authorized the County to participate in joint study of recreational facilities currently owned by the City of Ithaca, partially financed by the Town of Ithaca, and used by residents of the County, and
     WHEREAS, $20,000 in appropriations was already approved in Youth Bureau’s 2001 budget along with revenues of  $15,000 anticipated from the City of Ithaca and $5,000 from the Town of Ithaca, and
     WHEREAS, the County’s share of the $30,000  study ($10,000) was authorized for placement in the County’s Contingent Fund until the scope of work and consultant had been identified, and
     WHEREAS, an inter-municipal committee comprised of the County, City of Ithaca and Town of Ithaca has developed the scope of work to include the following tasks:

1. 1. Evaluate of the operation of Cass Park; Stewart Park facilities; and the Newman Municipal Golf Course including an assessment of the capital improvements needed and the current plans for equipment replacement and improvements in light of regional market trends.
2. 2. Recommend strategies to either reduce costs or maximize revenues to lower the publicly- subsidized costs of the facilities. Describe how such strategies will affect the quality of programs or accessibility by low-income families.
3. 3. Recommend alternative approaches for owning, financing, and managing the facilities and delivering programs including public/private partnerships and privatization options.
4. 4. Review the current facility-exchange relationship with the Ithaca City School District with respect to the equity of the arrangement for all parties.
5. 5. Outline the pros and cons and fiscal impact on New York State aid of (1) consolidating the City and County Youth Bureaus into one organization and (2) establishment of a County Department of Parks and Recreation. Includes feedback from all stakeholder groups, including other Tompkins County municipalities, and

 Following a discussion of the past and present membership of the committee, the scope of work, requests for proposals, and information received regarding this proposed resolution and pending conference call it was felt that a more in-depth review of this matter is required before this resolution is voted on or for the conference call take place.  A special meeting will be called to address this topic and will involve the appropriate County Board members.

  Mr. Winch requested a copy of the proposal from ERA Associates.

Budget Adjustment

 It was MOVED by Ms. Davis, seconded by Mr. Winch and unanimously carried.

Youth Bureau
Revenue Acct          Title                                        Amt                Approp Acct         Title(s) _____________________
7021     42770         Other Misc. Revenues             $   640               7021   54420      Program Expenses
7022     43820         Programs for Youth                 $5,000               7022   54400  Program Expenses
7026     42070         Contrib. For Pvt. Agencies      $   200               7026   54400  Program Expenses

Explanation:  The Town of Newfield recently approved being a part of the Recreation Partnership.  The Town’s fee for the rest of 2001 will be $640.  The Youth Bureau was notified on July 2, that we have been awarded a CCSI Tier III “Field Initiated Ideas” Grant for support for parent advocates.  The monies are to be used between July – December 2001.  The United Way payment to the Town of Ulysses is passed through the Youth Bureau budget.  Reimbursement for 2001 services has increased by $200 to $6,700 from $6,500.

 Item number 10, Proposed Charter Revisions for Youth Bureau and Public Health are postponed until the August 15 meeting.

Adjournment
 The meeting adjourned at 11:01 a.m.