Community & Human Services Cte Minutes 05-23-1988 MINUTES
• Communit� and Human Services Committee
May 23, 1988
1:30 p.m.
Third Floor Council Chambers
The meeting was called to order by Janice Rettman, Chair, at 1:30 p.m.
The following were in attendance: Janice Rettman, Chair; Bob Long, Council�ember;
Bill Wilson, Councilmember; Kiki Sonnen, Councilmember (late); Terry Sullivan,
City Attorney's Office; Phil Byrne, City Attorney's Office (late); Joe Collins,
Legislative Aide; Kathy Gelao, Legislative Aide; Jim Murphy, Program Analyst; and
Barbara Benson, Secretary.
Janice Rettman introduced the members present, stating that Kathy Gelao was representing
Roger Goswitz, who was unable to attend. She stated that she wished to keep the meeting
informal, inviting anyone present wishing to speak to do so. •
The first item of business concerned City Council Agenda 4/28/88, Item No. 32:
Resolution amending the 1988 budget by transferring $11,635 from Contingent Reserve
to the Department of Community Services for the operation of Sackett Recreation Center.
Jim Murphy gave an overview of this resolution, stating $11,635 would be transferred
from the contingent reserve general to rec center programing, to help finance the
operation of the Sackett Rec Center. The City is currently cutting back on recreational
facilities and continues to utilize the facilities which are used most often. Because
• of a contract with the Public Housing Agency, Sackett could not be closed d�wn.
Jean Baumgartner, Division of Parks and Recreation, stated that the center was leased
to the Boys and Girls Club. This Club expressed interest in funding the operations of
this center, but have not been able to raise enough money to adequately run the center.
The $11,635 will help pay for supplies, utilities and a recreation leader (.5 FTE).
Long asked whether a similar arrangement has been made with other recreation centers;
Baumgartner answered that some others were turned into passive parks. Gelao stated that
her office supports the resolution. Sue Girling, District 2 Community Organizer,
discussed the City's commitment and recommended further publicity efforts for Sackett
by the City. Baumgartner noted that brochures will be going home with all public and
parochial school children in the next few weeks outlining services available at the
rec centers. Long made a motion that this resolution be approved. 3-0 yes.
The second item concerned City Council Agenda 4/28/88, Item No. 33: Resolution
authorizing and executing a contract between the Minnesota Department of Jobs and
Training and the City, and amending the 1988 budget by adding $75,000 to the Financing
and Spending Plans for the Older Worker project. Murphy explained this provides for
the acceptance of a Federal grant, provided by Jobs and Training Partnership Act (JTPA)
to fund a comprehensive employment and training program, and Older Workers Project,
which will service workers who are 55 and older and economically disadvantaged. Harriet
Horwath, Job Creation and Training, stated that this is the fifth year the City has
received this grant but there is no guarantee the City will receive the grant every
year. If the City does not receive the grant, it will search for an alternative fund,
cut back on the program, or end the program. Rettman observed that the City's
General Fund is never used to finance this project. Long made a motion that this
• resolution be approved. 3-0 yes. -
The third agenda item concerned City Council Agenda 5/3/88, Item No.4: First Reading
88-634 - An ordinance amending Chapters 402.06, 409.25 and 410.10 of the Legislative
Code, providing that certain temporary ]_icenses shall be treated as Class II Licenses.
MINUTES
Community and Human Services Committee
May 23, 1988 •
Page Two
Kathy Gelao stated that Roger Goswitz had this drafted because some of the organizations
many times came in with applications a few days short of thirtv days and thus had to
reschedule their actiivities. She added that Goswitz felt this would be a good government
gesture to the community. Wilson inquired as to whether it would be a good idea for
first time applicants to appear before the Council; and, inasmuch as this is handled
administratively, if license is denied, could they not appeal to the Council? Phil
Byrne answered that this is a policy judgment which could be rewritten to reflect
certain situations, and that the denial of any license of Class II or III could
culminate in a contested case, adding that moving fron a Class III to a Class II would
not affect this. Rettman stated that Murphy did do an intensive mailing regarding this
issue, from which she has received positive feedback. Ray Sammons introduced himself
as secretary of Wilder Youth Club, in addition to being representative of other
organizations, and stated that he is fully in agreement with this ordinance and thinks
it is a good idea. Ann Copeland, from the Midway Civic and Commerce Association,
wholeheartedly applauded this effort. Long discussed the matteY of the Director of
Finance signing off in this matter, especially regarding those coming in late. There
was further discussion, with Joe Carchedi, Licensing, addressing the issue. Rettman
stated she will place this issue on the Committee's agenda in approximately six months,
at which time Carchedi may give an overview. Wilson made a motion to.approve the
resolution. Long made a motion to change page two of the resolution--from "shall" to
"may" in the first paragraph, second sentence; and to change "shall" to "may" on the
third page, first paragraph, first line; and second paragraph under Section 5, eighth •
line. 3-0 yes. Rettman called for a vote on the original amended motion: 3-0, as
amended.
The Noise Ordinance -1987 Enforcement ExperiPnce was discussed (as requested by Kathy
Stack). Judy Barr, Division of Public Health, discussed a report submitted by Peter
Kishel, Division of Public Health, stating that the Noise Ordinance was adopted in
April, 1987 by the City Council and became effective June 9, 1987. Enforcement
respon�ibility was divided among the Department of Community Services, the Division of
Public Health and the Police Department. The Police Department began to enter data
and keep records of neighborhood noise complaints only a few weeks ago; thus, there are
currently no records. Public Works has been contacted, per Rettman, and no records have
been kept by them. Kiki Sonnen discussed onsite monitoring experience and Riverfest
variance. Barr noted that housing inspectors have been used for monitoring. Sonnen
indicated concern about clerical hours involved. Peter Kishel noted that a number of
complaints have been received regarding small structures; he stated they have not
done variances for them, only for larger projects. Rettman asked if the ordinance is
doing what it set out to do in terms of compliance. Kishel answered that it is. The
notification process was discussed at length. Changes in the notification process were
addressed. Sonnen stated that some flexibility should be addressed in the process; she
suggested that notification in community newspapers could replace other types of
notification. Rettman stated that Murphy will write an official letter to Terry Sullivan
regarding the notification process. Barr asked whether they should proceed with the
budget for the program costs. Rettman answered that at this time, all of the members
present (which, at the time, were Rettman, Sonnen and Long) were supportive of this.
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Community and Human Services Committee
May 23, 1988
Page Three
At this time, discussion ensued regarding the Civic Organizztions Partnership Program
(C.O.P.P.). Rettman noted that Bob Beikler, Department �� Community Services, had
given a presentation on this at a previous committee meeting and Jim Murphy had prepared
a matrix. Concerns have been expressed about the administration of the prc�gram. Long
stated he has a number of concerns about the process, as have other Council Members.
Chris Park, Mayor's Administration, addressed the group, stating that the Mayor's Office
strongly supports the continuance as it is currently set up. She noted that in the
survey done after the process, of those funded and those not funded, all indicated the
process was fair and equitable. the Mayor's Office has stated that if the Council
wants to suggest criteria, they would support that change. Kathy Stack, Department of
Community Services, outlined the process, stating their process for examining the
proposals in relationship to the departments' process was an informal one. She
suggested that Council could frame specific questions which would require an answer
from department heads. Long inquired as to what organizations think about the C.O.P.P.'s
present process versus how it was done before. Stack answered that this question was
not covered. Nancy Briggs, Director of the North End Medical Center, stated that she
was involved in the process last year, and noted that community clinics would simply
ask for a commitme.nt:to public health. Rettman stated that she would urge upping
commitments rather than lowering them. Joe Collins queried Briggs about City funding
versus County funding in her organization. Briggs answered that up to this point, the
• County has funded similar amounts at the same level. Lois Severson introduced herself
as the Executive Director of the Domestic Assault Intervention Project. She stated
their group had initially received seed money in 1985, to be paid out through the Police
Department. She added that if the program was administered through the departments, it
would be very difficult. She cited budget concerns. Rich Neumeister addressed the
committee. He stated it is his opinion, after serving on the Emergency Care Fund as
a citizen for six years, (1) It is very important to have an open process; i.e., budget
hearing, etc.; (2) After the second year of receiving help, agencies rely on it. If
there is need to change, the system has to be flexible; and (3) There must be very
specific guidelines in the process so people may look for other sources of resources.
Much discussion ensued regarding where we are now in the process, and where we are
going from now. Rettman stated that she will a�k Murphy to have the C.O.P.P. process
placed on the City Council agenda. This process needs City Council input, and, as
she pointed out, only �he and Bob Long of the City Council were still present at this
time. Rettman stated that Murphy will pull out the original C.O.P.P. resolution; he
will then meet with Bob Long to get his input; Murphy will then request Terry Sullivan
to draft an appropriate resolution. The resolution would serve to give direction.
The resolutioa will be drafted for Council review, but the old resolution will also be
available at the same time for review so that there may be proper input by the Council.
This item will be placed on the City Council agenda as soon as possible.
The meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.
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