Community & Human Services Cte Minutes 04-06-1988 • MINUTES
Community and Human Services Committee
April 6, 1988
1:30 p.m.
Third Floor Council Chambers
The meeting came to order at 1:30 p.m.
The following were in attendance: Janice Rettman, Chair; Bob Long, Councilmember;
Roger Goswitz, Councilmember; Terry Sullivan, City Attorney's Office; Joe Collins,
Legislative Assistant; and Barbara Benson, Secretary.
Janice Rettman, as Chair,•introduced the members present. She st-ated that anyone in
the audience who wishes to be recognized and speak will be allowed to do so.
The first item of business concerned Item No. 10 from the City Council Agenda of
March 10, 1988, regarding a resolution amending the 1988 budget by transferring
$20,000 from Contingent Reserve to Executive Administration-Civic Organizations
Partnership Program. Greg Blees, Budget Director, addressed the process for funding.
He observed that is a decision is made to decide to put more money into this account,
it would take away from the integrity of the process. The process was set up because of
limited resources. He added that it is a justifiable request, and that the money is
available. Kathy Stack, Director, Department of Community Services, then addressed the
issue. She noted this will be the last year that this particular contract appears in
the COPP program. She stated she believes this should be supported and noted that the
• Emergency Care Fund will soon not exist. Bob Long questioned the process. Geralyn
Sheehan, of the United Way of Saint Paul Area, discussed the Emergency Care Fund,
noting this will be the last year of the Emergency care Fund. She stated the goal is
to raise $500,000; 76' of this amount has bePn raised, adding that the campaign for the
Emergency Care Fund will end this month. This is totally separate from the United Way
Fund Drive. Bob Long questioned whether other groups will be hurt by this decision;
Kathy Stack answered that this is very difficult to predict. A motion for approval was
made by Bob Long. 3-0 Yes.
The second item of business was Item No. 6 from the City Council Agenda of March 24,
1988, the first reading of an ordinance amending Section 322.03 of the Legislative Code
pertaining to hours of operation and cause for revocation of pool halls and bowling .
alleys. Janice Rettman noted that meeting notices for this particular item were sent '
to bowling allies and pool halls. In addition, all of the district councils were
notified at least one week prior to this meeting; no calls were received requesting a
layover. Roger Goswitz noted he talked to one district council person who thought it
was a good idea. Discussion ensued regarding occasional incidents of later operation
versus daily allowance. At this point, Don Hafner introduced himself as the operator or
Hafner's on the East Side of Saint Paul. He stated that the ordinance refers to "bowling
alleys"; he would prefer they be known as "bowling centers". Mr. Hafner stated he
employs 200 people. He would like a later hour or no closing hour. This would allow
people on late shifts to participate in bowling leagues. He noted that Maplewood
Bowling Center, not a far distance from his operation, has been open for 24 hours for
many years. Thus, he has been losing large numbers of bowlers because of the hour
restriction. He added it is his preference to be allowed to remain open for 24 hours.
• Terry Sullivan stated he could think of no legal reason why a particular hour must be
stipulated for closing, but he will check. Roger Goswitz stated he is amenable to
change the ordinance to read "bowling centers" and allow the bowling center to be open
on a 24-hour basis.
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Community and Human Services Committee
• April 6, 1988
Page Two
Janice requested that Terry Sullivan do the following regardir_g this ordinance:
1) Review any of the definitions; 2) Drafta spirit and intent change of having 24 hours
versus 4:00 a.m.; and 3) Check with licensing and police in terms of concerns aobut
stipulated licenses that would have any problems. She stated that this could, hopefully,
come back in two weeks as an amended ordinance. Terry Sullivan agreed to do this
within the suggested two weeks.
Patrick Manion, from Minnehaha Bowling Lanes, addressed the group, �tating that he
concurs completely with Mr. Hafner's statements. He noted that the 24-hour stipulation
would be most advantageous for his business. Janice Rettman stated that she will send
the amended version to all of the district councils. Bob Long made a motion to lay
this item over. 3-0 yes.
Janice Rettman informed those in attendance that one of the goals the City Council
agreed upon during their retreat was that of youth. To this end, Judy Barr, Division
of Public Health, passed out packets of information regarding the licensing and
regulation of day care centers in the City of Saint Paul. One of the inclusions in
this packet was "Proposed Day Care Rules and Regulations", prepared by the Division of
Public Health. Irene 0'Ryan, Public Health Nurse Supervisor at the Division of Public
Health,made a presentation on day care licensing procedures. She explained that the
• State Department of Human Services was licensed and inspected day care centers, but
items of health and safety did not seem to be adequately covered. Communicable
disease spreading in day care centers was reported. Thus, the Day Care Ordinance was
initially proposed by the Environmental Health Section of the Saint Paul Division of
Public Health--the ordinance was passed in March, 1985, and Rules and Regulations
were published in October and went into effect November 26, 1985. 5,000 children are
impacted. Inspections were discussed, along with child care fee schedules, and day
care centers for the sick child. Bob Long quPried as to regulations for day care
centers for the sick child; Irene 0'Ryan answered that sick care issues have not been
addressed because there are no such centers at this time. Home day care was discussed.
Joe Collins asked about the possiblity of the City developing in-home programs the
same as the centers. Irene answered that this would be a tremendously costly program,
that many more children are impacted at centers. Janice Rettman inquired as to the
number of complaints agianst day care providers. Irene answered there is still a
problem with infant restraints in transporting. Janice then discussed with Terry
Sullivan a form of resolution, which could be brought in under suspension, urging
support of this program by the Mayor and the City Council. Terry Sullivan will do
this. P.E.D. involvement was discussed. Irene 0'Ryan will provide Councilmembers
with the information discussed today. Bob Long made a motion to lay over discussion
of guidelines and rules and regulations. This was agreed upon.
Kathy Stack introduced the topic of review of Civic Organizations Partnership Program
(COPP) survey. Bob Beikler, Department of Community Services, outlined the criteria
of the program. (Roger Goswitz left the meeting at this point.) Beikler explained
that the program began two years ago when the Administration and City Council were
going through the budget process and discussing funding of certain civic organizations.
• It was felt there was a need to set policy and measure what we are buying and what we
are paying for. All activities were placed in one category called COPP. A questionnaire
was sent out to all agencies which applied for the program. The COPP committee was
dfscussed at length (this committee is comprised of City staff and community leaders).
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• Community and Human Services Committee -
April 6, 1988
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Council input was discussed. Janice Rettman noted that the Council will have a
representative on this committee, but this will not begin until mid-summer. Dollar
amounts were discussed; Bob Beikler indicated that normally 1037 of the dollars funded
in 1988 would be requested for 1989, unless the City Council would suggest another
level of funding. Bob Long and Janice Rettman discussed budget guidelines and priorities.
Janice Rettman stated that information should be made available to the full Council
with recommendations made so this issue may be discussed at our May 4th committee
meeting. Janice indicated that her staff will prepare this information, along with
the utilization of a matrix. Bob Beikler will not send out any information to
participating agencies until the City Council has presPnted priorities.
Janice Rettman noted that the Comcnunity and Human Services Committee will now be
addressing licensing matters, so meetings may occasionally run a bit longer as needed
to accommodate all issues.
A motion was made and seconded that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting adjourned
at 3:45 p.m.
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