HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BOARD
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Administrative Center – Room 3220
6:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Sharon Hampson, Jill Billings, Robert Erickson, Tammy Gamroth, Bill Brockmiller, Margaret Wood, Loren Kannenberg, Dr. James Glasser, David Trapp
MEMBERS EXCUSED: None
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Jerry Huber, Doug Mormann, Tim Garrity, Dean Ruppert, Jane Klekamp, Sara Koopman, Mary Ellen Prinsen, Sue Conard, Fran Hegenbarth, Kelly Kjos, Becky Pagge, David Geske, Carol Schilling, David Steinberg, Steve O’Malley, Steve Doyle, Cheryl Stephen
GUESTS PRESENT: Sue & Jerry Swim, Robert Burgett, Tom Schwabenbauer, Bob Rucinski, Robert Jones, Tim Rortuedt, Jay Lokken, Todd Olson, Emily Thomas-Harned, Katie Rowan-Koenen, Scott Koenen, Jo Ann Neve, Lynn Dobyns, Ken Riley, Joan Mueller, Mary Faherty, Ron Russo, George Italiano, Amiie Gabrilska, Heather Schmid, Donald Meyer, Beverly Mach, Joe Veenstra, Cheryl Stephen and media
CALL TO ORDER
HHS Board Chair Sharon Hampson called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
July County Board Action – County Board unanimously approved the Resolution re: Closing of Fund 955 West Central Consortium.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Board Chair Hampson noted the Board may receive information from the public, but the Board reserves the right to limit the time that the public may comment and the degree to which members of the public may participate in the meeting; each speaker will have two-minute time limit. Speakers and brief synopsis of their comments:
· Todd Olson, 608 Avon St, La Crosse – opposed; if it did not work for the other neighborhood, why is it any different for this neighborhood; he lives only couple blocks away from the proposed site and has six kids; already a lot of group homes in this area.
· Tom Schwabenbauer, 1215 Kane St., La Crosse – opposed; too many children in the area; neighborhood is slowly deteriorating and this will not help the situation.
· Bob Rucinski, 1208 Kane St., La Crosse – opposed – strongly.
· Ken Riley, 950 Cass St., La Crosse – opposed (Cameron Ave location); here to get more information being Cameron Ave. location is still a consideration; concern with misinformation and level of information.
· Jay Lokken, 950 Cass St., La Crosse – opposed (Cameron Ave. location); concern with location; should listen to the voters; recommends a comprehensive plan.
· Katie Rowan-Koenen, 1018 Cass St., La Crosse – opposed (Cameron Ave. location); supportive of women’s issues and rehabilitation; concerned with security issues.
· Robert Jones, 923 Cameron Ave., La Crosse – opposed (Cameron Ave location); should not be in middle of residential area – poor planning.
· Robert Burgett, 1202 Charles St., La Crosse – opposed; this Board is to represent the public and if the people say “no”, then that is the way to go.
· Jerry Swim, 733 Powell St., La Crosse – opposed; this has turned into neighborhood against neighborhood. This does not belong in this neighborhood.
· Sue Swim, 733 Powell St., La Crosse – opposed; concern with how neighbors are notified. It should be located where these women can get needed services.
· Lynn Dobyns, 909 Division St., La Crosse – opposed (Cameron Ave location); too many children in the area; too much saturation of group homes in the area; suggested area near WTC.
· Joan Mueller, 1019 Division St., La Crosse – opposed (Cameron Ave. location); concern with lack of communication; already have 10 group homes in the area; too many neighborhood children and concern with safety issues.
· Mary Faherty, W5840 State Road 33, La Crosse – in favor; supports the women’s community based program; some of these women are inappropriately held in the jail; need to look at cost effective solutions for difficult problems.
· Ron Russo, 1232 Kane St., La Crosse – opposed; people don’t want this in their neighborhoods; if it happens, his house will go up for sale.
· Joe Veenstra. 1107 Caledonia St., La Crosse – opposed; as County Board Supervisor, he represents this district. All constituents he has spoken with are opposed to it. The neighborhood is trying to turn positive. Concern with putting money into the property for only 1-year use; take that rent money and apply to permanent location. WTC location might be better fit due to nearby services.
· George Italiano, 621 Avon St., La Crosse – opposed; City Council representative for this district; same concerns as Joe Veenstra; he’s here in support of his constituents; plenty of other places that are better suited.
Chair Hampson thanked all for coming and for sharing their concerns and thoughts. She noted a handout, that being a letter signed by the five Judges who are all in favor of the Women’s Community Based Program.
RESOLUTIONS
Resolution re: Women’s Community Based Program – MOTION by Glasser/Brockmiller to approve the resolution, which authorizes the County to lease, for not more than one year, two units (1118/1120 Kane St. and 1102/1104 St. Paul St.) to house the participants in the Women’s Community Based Program. Discussion and questions followed. Can the cameras be moved to the permanent location; Jane thought yes. What are the obstacles if delayed and continue to look for permanent site; Jane noted the impact on the jail remodeling as some of the men are to be moved into the former female jail during the jail renovation. Loren Kannenberg said a decision will be difficult no matter where it’s located. Steve Doyle noted that within one-year timeframe and another permanent location is not ready to move into, these females will go back to the main the jail.
Board Chairman Doyle noted his comment made at the north side neighborhood meeting, that being he will hold a follow-up neighborhood meeting 60 days following County Board approval in order to answer all questions/concerns. All neighbors and interested others will receive a meeting notice.
MOTION by Billings/Brockmiller to amend the motion to include the word “separate” in the 4th Whereas paragraph, to read as: the Women’s Community based Program should facilitate closing of the “separate” women’s jail and redirecting jailers to the main jail. Motion on the amendment carried unanimously.
Original motion as amended carried on 5 to 4 vote: Glasser-yes, Brockmiller-yes, Hampson-yes, Wood-yes, Kannenberg-yes, Billings-no, Erickson-no, Gamroth-no, Trapp-no.
Resolution re: Development of an Adolescent Center in the Juvenile Justice Facility of La Crosse County – Jerry Huber briefly reviewed. Mary Ellen Prinsen and David Steinberg were present to answer questions. The plan is to open an Adolescent Center on October 1, 2008. In December 2005, the County closed the licensed shelter due to lower utilization by the county and other counties. In 2007, started a Juvenile Reporting Center which closed February 2008, due mainly because it was used by the school districts for delinquent/truant youths. After further study, staff determined the need for a comprehensive Adolescent Center within the existing JDF, licensed as a small group 8-bed shelter by State DHS. Six counties will share in the purchase of these beds; four of those will be reserved for La Crosse County; three will be contracted between the remaining 6 counties and 1 for first come/first serve; have received letters of commitment from the six other counties, those being: Trempealeau, Buffalo, Crawford, Monroe, Vernon and Jackson; other interested counties are Clark, Columbia, Sauk and Juneau. MOTION by Kannenberg/Billings to approve the resolution. Supervisor Billings requested clarification of the fiscal note. MOTION by Billings/Glasser to amend the motion to include additional language in the last paragraph of the Fiscal Note following $96,283, that being: “which includes one-time start up costs.” Motion on the amendment carried unanimously. More discussion followed. Jerry noted the proposal was discussed with the union; the union is opposed to the salary range for the new staff that will be hired in this Center and in all likelihood will bring this issue into upcoming union contract negotiations. Also noted the Social Workers are anxious for the Adolescent Center to open. Original motion as amended carried on 8 to 1 vote; Erickson-no. Board Chair Hampson requested a report be given at the January HHS Board meeting.
Resolution re: Recognition of September 2008 as Foster Provider Appreciation – MOTION by Billings/Brockmiller to approve the resolution. Pointed out that the title of the resolution needs to be changed to 2008 (not 2009). Jerry and Mary Ellen noted the planned recognition events. Motion carried on 8 to 1 vote; Erickson-no.
BOARD EDUCATION
Policy, Practice, People of Health Dept. Administration re: Cat Licensing –
David Geske, County Vector Control Officer, and Heather Schmid and Amiie Gabrilska of the Coulee Region Humane Society, were present to review cost of contractual services as provided by the Humane Society for La Crosse County. Heather noted an increase in operation costs – estimated at 11%, so for their 2009 contract with La Crosse County, they are requesting an increase. Options to assist the County in covering these additional costs could be: (1) an increase in dog license fees and (2) request portion of cat licenses fees from those municipalities under the County contract that require a cat license, those being Campbell, Shelby and Rockland. Noted that the Cities of La Crosse and Onalaska contract separately with the Humane Society. The Humane Society is seeing greater responsibility for cats. In 2007 per the County contract, the Humane Society dealt with 464 strayed cats as compared to 221 strayed dogs; 64% of the dogs were reclaimed as compared to 4% of the cats. By increasing dog license fees by $1, it’s estimated at $10,000 additional revenue; if request portion of cat licensing fees, it’s estimated at $3,000 additional revenue. Lengthy discussion followed. David noted the Vector Control goal, as well as that of the HHS Board, is “animal welfare and public health.” Noted approximately 50% of the dogs in the County are not licensed as well as 97% of the cats. Noted per State Stats., the County cannot require cat licensing. General agreement by HHS Board members to educate and encourage municipalities, in particular the urban areas, to require cat licensing. Board Chair Hampson requested a written proposal and to bring back to the September HHS Board meeting.
POLICY ISSUES
Alcohol Prevention Funding – Doug Mormann noted at the July HHS Board 2009 budget hearing, the Director of the Medical Health Science Consortium noted funding for one of their projects has ended. They are requesting the County to fund portion of Health Educator to continue work of identifying and implementing ways to reduce alcohol related injury as part of their strategic plan that was developed. The consortium had contracted with the Health Dept. for a part-time Health Educator/Project Manager paid from grant funds, and the consortium would like to continue for another year though funded by the County. They are seeking outside grants and not sure of availability. Doug offered three options for consideration: (1) .4 FTE grant writer position in 2009, and focus on seeking funds for such, (2) take $25,000 from the Health Dept. Fund Balance, or (3) or seek program reductions in other sections of the Health Dept.. Discussion followed. Jerry offered possibility of using some of the Human Services funding that is directed toward Coulee Council on Addiction; currently no system for accountability of those funds (how used); and the State is shifting their priority and focusing more in prevention. General agreement by the HHS Board members to not cut any other Health Dept. programs and to have Jerry and Doug further discuss and bring back a proposal. Jerry will check on how the funds directed toward Coulee Council on Addiction are distributed. Supervisor Billings also requested a plan from the Medical Health Science Consortium and who are the other contributors and dollar amounts.
DIRECTORS REPORTS
Health Department Written Director’s Report
Human Services Written Director’s Report
Board Chair Hampson asked for questions or concerns. None noted.
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by wood/Brockmiller to receive and file the following Consent Agenda items. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes:
· Health & Human Services Board of 7/8/08
· Health & Human Services Board Public 2009 Budget Hearing of 7/8/08
· Health & Human Services Board Retreat of 7/16/08
· Consumer Advisory Council of 6/20/08
· Coulee Region Public Health Consortium of 7/9/08
· Labor/Management of 7/21/08
· West Central Consortium Steering Subcommittee of 6/11/08
· Family Policy Board Governing Council of 6/12/08
· Long Term Care Coordinating Committee of 7/25/08
· Criminal Justice Management Council Executive Committee of 7/9/08
Fiscal:
· August 2008 Vendor Contract Approvals
· Summary of Revenue and Expenses for Care Management Organization
Department Reports:
· Quarterly Goal Reporting – Health
· Quarterly Goal Reporting – Human Services
· Quarterly Fiscal and Activity Reports – Health
· Quarterly Fiscal and Activity Reports – Human Services
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
ADDITIONAL HANDOUTS
NEXT MEETING
Tuesday, September 9th at 6:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Glasser/Trapp to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:51 p.m.
Disclaimer: the above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next board meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder