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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Community Development Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 1/4/2010COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF GLENDALE PUBLIC HEARING #2 MUNICPAL OFFICE COMPLEX 5850 W. GLENDALE AVENUE COUNCIL CHAMBERS WEDNESDAY, January 6, 2010 6:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chris Flippen, Chair Susan Jernigan, Vice -Chair Sharon Wixon Rebecca Ontiveros Mary Jean Eggleston Madelin Page Glenn O'Bannon Pattie Johnston Karen Mankoski MEMBERS ABSENT: Yolanda Hernandez STAFF PRESENT: Erik Strunk, Community Partnerships Director Gilbert Lopez, Community, Revitalization Administrator Mona Francis -Spellman, Revitalization Supervisor Brian Lotto, Revitalization Coordinator Beth Coughenour, Senior Secretary Call to Order and Introductions Chair Flippen called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. and welcomed all attendees and scheduled presenters. Committee -members introduced themselves. If. Business from the Floor/Public Comments None. III. Public Comment Mr. Lopez explained that staff is formulating the FY 2010-2014 Consolidated Plan which is an action plan to guide how federal funds are spent in the City of Glendale. Mr. Lopez stated that there will be various opportunities for public comment, including upcoming public hearings on January 28, 2010. Minutes of the Community Development Advisory Committee January 6, 2010 Page 2 Chair Flippen opened the floor for public comment on the 5 -Year Consolidated Plan No comments were made. III. Fiscal Year 2010-2011 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Requests Chair Flippen explained that during this meeting, the agencies that submitted CDBG Public Service Activity funding requests would present their requests to the Committee. Presentations are limited to four minutes each. Committee -members may ask clarifying questions and there would be no time limit on this question and answer period. Chair Flippen noted that this was the second half of the Public Service funding requests presentations. Eleven presentations will be made this evening. Upon review and voting, the Committee will make final recommendations to Mayor and Council for approval in spring. Mr. Strunk introduced staff and thanked the Committee -members for their time and dedication during the hearings and review process and thanked the presenters for their participation in the funding process. Mr. Strunk suggested that during review of funding requests, Committee -members should keep in mind Council priorities of homeless prevention, domestic violence, employment services, basic food and shelter necessities, youth and senior programs and redevelopment. Mr. Lopez also thanked the Committee -members and the agencies for their participation. Mr. Lopez announced that available funds for Public Service were estimated at $330,154 less $30,000 already committed to two-year contracts. There are 24 public service requests totaling $639,874. Mr. Lopez agreed that this would be another difficult year for recommendations as there are many worthy agencies and more in requests than available funds. YOUTH Back to School Clothing Drive Association — Back to School Clothinq Drive - $15,750 request Mr. Karl Gentles, Executive Director, explained that this agency has provided new school outfits and uniforms, backpacks and school supplies to low-income children attending Title 1 schools for the past 42 years. This is a non-profit agency located in Glendale. Furthermore, Mr. Gentles stated that the agency has launched a new online retail store to provide another revenue stream for the program. Mr. Gentles noted that this agency is the only organization of its size and scope providing this type of services. Mr. Gentles displayed an example of clothing, uniforms and backpacks distributed to the children. Mr. Gentles explained that with the proper, clean clothing, backpacks and supplies, children feel like they fit in and therefore, enjoy and excel in school more. Minutes of the Community Development Advisory Committee January 6, 2010 Page 3 Mr. Gentles announced that last year, approximately 300 kids from Glendale participated in the program, which was 5% of the kids in total. This was the second largest population behind the city of Phoenix. Chair Flippen asked how specific schools were chosen to be in the program. Mr. Gentles replied that there are schools that have historically been with the program from its inception and new schools are accepted based on need and available funding. Chair Flippen thanked Mr. Gentles for his presentation. Big Brothers Big Sisters — CDBG/Glendale Community -Based Mentoring Program - $15,590 request Ms. Gina Trotter represented the agency and thanked the Committee -members for their time. Ms. Trotter explained that Big Brothers Big Sisters helps children realize their potential through a professionally supported relationship. Ms. Trotter provided details about the program, including the following: • A parent or guardian enrolls a child in the program and the child is then matched to a mentor. • The mentor commits to the program for two to four visits a month with the child for one year. • The mentor must be 18 years old, an Arizona resident for at least 3 months, have a valid drivers license, complete a one-hour long interview, provide three references, have a clean driving record and pass a criminal background check. • Activities shared can include attending fairs and events, a day at the park, a trip to the library or a movie. • Evaluation of the program includes a comprehensive measure of the child's improvement in school, relationships and other life aspects. • It has been proven that mentored children have increased self-esteem and decreased use of drugs. Committee member Jernigan inquired as to the exact use of the funds for staffing. Ms. Trotter replied that the grant funds would be used to pay for 20% of salary for Glendale staff. Committee member Jernigan inquired as to the level of education of this staff position and it was a new or existing position. Ms. Trotter replied that is it as bachelor's degree, currently existing position. Chair Flippen thanked Ms. Trotter for her presentation. Minutes of the Community Development Advisory Committee January 6, 2010 Page 4 Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix — Swift Kids Branch - $15.000 request Mr. Bill Shackleford, Branch Manager of the Swift Kids Club and Ms. Bridget McDonald, BGCMP Vice President of Club Operations, addressed the Committee. Ms. McDonald stated that the goal of BGCMP is to enable all youth to realize their full potential and to be productive, caring and responsible citizens. Ms. McDonald provided the following details regarding the Swift Kids Clubhouse: • This is a new club that was built on the campus of the Smith School in 2008 with the support of CDBG and other funding. • The facility is 25,000 square feet with a learning center, gym, teen center and two computer labs. • 1,027 members enrolled in 2008-2009, which is three times as many as in previous years. • Average attendance is 170 youth and teens daily. Approximately 50 kids a day are teens. • In 2009, with CDBG funding, a new outdoor recreation and fitness area was added. • The site provides safe access from Smith School and the Swift Kids Club. Mr. Shackleford discussed the Afterschool Program: • Monday — Friday from 2:30 to 8 p.m., August through May • Fees are $10 - $30 per year • Hot, nutritious meals served at no extra cost • Help with homework, computer access and training, educational enrichment, sports, fitness, recreation, the arts, health and life skills, leadership and community service • Various community partners are involved in supporting the program. Mr. Shackleford explained that the funding request is to help fund the Afterschool Program and is 4% of the 2010/2011 afterschool budget of $355,096. Committee member Jernigan inquired as to the exact position the funding would support. Ms. McDonald replied that it would be used for 30% of the salary of an Education Coordinator. Committee member Jernigan asked if this was a professional position and if the position was already existing. Ms. McDonald replied that it is an existing position and the staff person is degreed. Chair Flippen thanked Mr. Shackleford and Ms. McDonald for their time. Minutes of the Community Development Advisory Committee January 6, 2010 Page 5 Glendale Union High School District — Glendale High School Health Care Clinic - $12,675 request Ms. Sheila Mehlem addressed the Committee along with Ms. Brenda Guzman, a student of Glendale High School. Ms. Mehlem stated that that goal of the Glendale High School Health Care Clinic is to provide medical services to students who do not have access to health care otherwise. Many of the students are from low-income families, families who do not have insurance or families who may have insurance, but cannot afford to pay a deductible at the time. Ms. Guzman shared a story about how important this program was to her especially when she was ill and needed to use the service. Ms. Mehlem stated that recently, two programs were granted to the Glendale High School Health Care Clinic by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The High School was one of five groups chosen nationally. The programs were a mental health service whereby 36 students received free mental health services and a dental program whereby 60 kids received teeth cleaning and oral hygiene instruction. Committee member Page asked if any work was done by the clinic regarding boyfriend abuse. Ms. Mehlem replied that if she suspects boyfriend abuse, she will hand out appropriate pamphlets and refer the patient to counseling services. Committee -member Page inquired if the clinic distributes contraception. Ms. Mehlem replied that the clinic does not do so, but will refer a patient requesting contraception to Planned Parenthood, the ASU College of Nursing or the Maricopa County Family Clinic. Chair Flippen asked if only Glendale High School students were eligible to attend the clinic. Ms. Mehlem replied that any student in the district is eligible to utilize the clinic as long as certain criteria is met (low income, no insurance or insured but parents cannot meet the deductibles.) Ms. Mehlem also stated that there are two other clinics: one at Independence High School and one at Sunnyslope High School. Chair Flippen thanked Ms. Mehlem for her time. DISABLED Advocates for the Disabled (AFD) — Case Management & Assistance for Disabled Glendale Residents - $10,000 request Ms. Donna Crews, Executive Director of AFD, provided highlights of the Case Management & Assistance program: Y The program helps the disabled navigate the social security system to obtain their long-term benefits. Minutes of the Community Development Advisory Committee January 6, 2010 Page 6 • The agency acts as a fiduciary of the client. • Utilities and rent or mortgage are paid directly from the social security checks to the utility company, property owner or mortgage company. • Clients are assisted with saving and budgeting. • The agency works closely with the CAP Office. • There are 67 Glendale residents currently in the program with a waiting list of 25 additional Glendale individuals. Committee member Mankoski confirmed that the request consists of $8,000 for salary of a social worker or disability case manager and $2,000 was for direct client assistance. Committee member Jernigan inquired as to the ASU in-kind contributions. Ms. Crews replied that these were Masters Level students assisting at the agency. Chair Flippen thanked Ms. Crews for her time. Catholic Community Services dba Valley Center of the Deaf — Services for the Deaf Blind - $20,000 request Ms. Cindy Walsh, Agency Director, was in attendance to represent the agency's request. Also in attendance were two deaf -blind clients along with their interpreters. Ms. Walsh provided the following details of the program: • Many deaf and deaf -blind individuals want to live their lives as independently as possible. The agency provides Interpreters and Support Service Providers (SSPs) to help achieve this goal. SSP's are paid professionals with very specific skill sets. • SSPs serve these clients with transportation, communication, grocery shopping, bill payment and other errands. • The process of interpreting for the deaf blind is difficult because it is very physical as the client's hands rest on the Support Service Provider's hands during sign language. • Without this service, independence is too difficult to achieve. This assistance provides the deaf blind with empowerment and removal of barriers. • 430 hours were logged with Glendale residents over the first six months of the past fiscal year. • The highest demand is from Glendale for these services. Ms. Walsh announced that the agency would like to develop an emergency system so that clients can call after hours in emergency situations. Current clients do have a method to contact the agency in an emergency, but new clients would not have this type of access. Minutes of the Community Development Advisory Committee January 6, 2010 Page 7 Committee Jernigan inquired about the types of staff positions and how much of the grant request would be used to pay for salaries. Ms. Walsh replied that there were three different types of positions: Program Coordinator (2% of salary funded) and Interpreters and SSPs (15% to 20% of salary funded) Chair Flippen thanked Ms. Walsh for her time. Civitan Foundation — "Our Night Out' Program $12,000 request Ms. Dawn Trapp addressed the Committee regarding the Civitan Foundation grant request. Ms. Trapp stated that the "Our Night Out' Program to provides socialization for disabled clients and respite for their parents and families. This program is held once at week at night at Independence High School and a local church. During the evening, activities include food education, cooking, nutrition education and work on gross motor and social skills. Other activities may include learning about the arts. Masks and guitars recently made were displayed by Ms. Trapp. Ms. Trapp noted that there are currently 35 participants in the program. Ms. Trapp noted that the agency is facing a challenge as the state has reduced its funding by 10%. Furthermore, Civitan would like to provide expansion to the current program described above. The expansion would include an afterschool program once a week year round at a church from 3:00 — 6:00 p.m. and a program at Sahuaro Ranch from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Ms. Trapp stated that because of the planned expansion, the program is not only helping the disabled and their families but is hiring people as well. Committee member Mankoski inquired about the age range of the participants. Ms. Trapp replied that the ages range from 5 — 65 and at Independence High School it is mostly teens and junior high kids and at the local church there is more of a mixture of ages. Chair Flippen thanked Ms. Trapp for her time. Foundation for Blind Children — Infant Program -Parent Education - $10.000 request Ms. Elaine Baldridge, Director of Program Services, thanked the Committee for its time. Ms. Baldridge explained that the greatest service of the Foundation is to provide support services to blind children as well as their families. Most parents are experience initial shock and grief and have the greatest difficulty within the first few months or early years after diagnosis. Early intervention and services from this agency assist children in becoming independent and help parents and siblings in the process as well. Ms. Baldridge provided more specifics of the Parent Education program: 0 Education, information, support, training and hope are provided. Minutes of the Community Development Advisory Committee January 6, 2010 Page 8 • Experienced parents help new parents cope. • The children served are from birth to preschool age. • 60% or more of these children have additional disabilities. • Class sessions include education, networking in a healthy and safe environment. • Counseling is offered. • Staff works with the children and minds siblings if any are present, while the parents are in class. • Many of these children would not grow to be as typical as they are if not for the early intervention of the program. Families resume a more typical lifestyle with the early intervention of this program. Committee member Jernigan inquired if there were additional funding sources for this service. Ms. Baldridge replied that there were no funding sources for the Parent Education and Center Based Programs, only for the home-based programs. Committee member Mankoski inquired about any cost to the parents. Ms. Baldridge explained that the agency does ask for contributions, but some parents cannot afford to make one because 51% of the current clientele is low-income. Chair Flipped asked for further clarification of home visits. Ms. Baldridge replied that this a method of ensuring families are following through with training at home and with any potential issues specific to their home environment. Chair Fippen thanked Ms. Baldridge for her time. Foundation for Senior Living — Restorative Therapy Program for Glendale ADHC Young Adults, Disabled Adults and Seniors - $25,750 request Ms. Mary Servin, RN and Center Director of the Glendale Adult Health Care Center, addressed the Committee regarding the funding request. Ms. Servin stated that the Restorative Program serves disabled adults and seniors through a variety of comprehensive and structured therapies in order to build self- sufficiency, confidence and self-esteem. The disabilities of the clients include traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke and serious mental illness. Ms. Servin noted that a comprehensive, individual assessment is conducted by a licensed therapist prior to joining the program. Ms. Servin added that many times, these restorative therapies allow clients to live successfully in his or her own home while enjoying activities in a community-based setting. Ms. Servin shared a success story and artwork of one of her clients. Minutes of the Community Development Advisory Committee January 6, 2010 Page 9 Committee -member Mankoski requested confirmation of the amount requested as there appeared to be a discrepancy. Ms. Servin replied that the original request of $23,000 was changed to $25,750 due to an increase in salary. Committee member Mankoski inquired as to how the grant funds would be utilized. Ms. Servin replied that the funds would be used to pay the salary of a Certified Nursing Assistant trained in Restorative Therapy and also specializing in occupational and physical therapy. Committee member Page inquired about the relationship to the Foundation for Senior Living. Ms. Servin replied that the Foundation for Senior Living is an umbrella organization under which is a Home Healthcare Program, 5 Adult Day Care Centers, HUD Housing and Home Improvement Programs (mostly for seniors.) Committee member Jernigan inquired about internal controls on the program budget, such as internal auditing. Ms. Servin replied that all of the financial tracking and reporting is handled through the accounting department at the Foundation for Senior Living. Committee -member Jernigan asked if annual audits were performed. Ms. Servin replied in the positive. Chair Flippen thanked Ms. Servin for her time. GENERAL ASSISTANCE Community Legal Services. Inc. — Removing Barriers to Access to Justice for Low - Income Glendale Residents - $30.000 request Ms. Nancy Guadagno represented Community Legal Services, Inc. (CLS) and is requesting $30,000 to provide legal services to 437 Glendale residents or 1,200 family household members. CLS is a non-profit law firm specifically helping the low-income population by providing legal advice, assistance and representation. Ms. Guadagno stressed that CLS is the only law firm in Maricopa County to fill this specific need. Ms. Guadagno explained that there are a variety of cases that CLS accepts which fall into the following categories: • Family Law • Housing Law • Consumer Law • Health, Education, Benefits and Employment Law • Migrant Farmworker and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Law • Urban Native American Law Most of the cases handled by CLS include domestic violence, homelessness due to illegal activity, bankruptcy, consumer fraud and denial of healthcare. Minutes of the Community Development Advisory Committee January 6, 2010 Page 10 Ms. Guadagno explained that CLS is comprised of a paid staff of 38 lawyers. Staff travels to off-site locations such as the Salvation Army Building Glendale to meet with clients. Pro-bono lawyer services are utilized via the Maricopa County Board of Volunteer Lawyers Program. However, because cases can last for a long time (the average domestic violence case can last for over a year), it can be difficult to secure the services of a pro-bono lawyer for long-term representation. Ms. Guadagno stated that many times pro-bono services are used for initial intake and evaluation. Ms. Guadagno noted that usually domestic violence cases are the majority of cases involving Glendale residents, however, this fiscal year, the greatest demand from Glendale residents has been in the area of consumer finance. These are cases involving foreclosure, predatory lending, illegal financing deals, etc. These types of cases, if left unresolved, can spiral people into many other serious situations such as homelessness. Chair Flippen asked how clients find out about the services of CLS. Ms. Guadagno replied that the majority of clients are referred by the police, courts and judges, human service agencies, churches and the Community Information and Referral Hotline. Chair Flippen thanked Ms. Guadagno for her time. Upward Foundation — Family Enrichment Program - $15,000 request Mr. Jonathan Smith represented the agency and explained that this was the Upward Foundation's first year in Glendale as the Foundation merged with the Glendale Family Development Center in March of 2009 when the Center went bankrupt. Mr. Smith explained that the Upward Foundation took over the childcare center and in doing so, noticed that there were many more needs beyond childcare that the families were experiencing. Mr. Smith stated that the Upward Foundation established its Family Enrichment Program which is comprised of a Parenting Skills Class, a Financial Literacy Class and a Computer Literacy Program. Mr. Smith noted that the Upward Foundation has partnered with other businesses and agencies to provide these programs to the clients, such as Bank of America and the Meridian Bank for the Financial Literacy Class. Furthermore, Lamar Homes and Del Webb has offset the cost of a social worker who has provided additional information to clients beyond what the Upward Foundation could offer. Mr. Smith stated that the $15,000 request would be used to help offset the cost of a professionally developed curriculum for the Family Enrichment Program. Minutes of the Community Development Advisory Committee January 6, 2010 Page 11 Committee member Jernigan asked about the current curriculum used. Mr. Smith replied that for the Financial Literacy Class, the Bank of America "Managing Your Finances" curriculum was used and an ASU West Social Work Program was used for the Parenting Skills class which was provided by ASU at no charge, but will no longer be free after July 2010. Chair Flippen inquired about repairs that were funding via a CDBG grant for the current fiscal year. Mr. Smith replied that the repairs are currently being made. Chair Flippen asked how many children were enrolled in the childcare program. Mr. Smith replied that there were currently 42, with a maximum capacity of 50. Chair Flippen thanked Mr. Smith for his time. V. Director/Staff Report None. VI. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at by consensus 8:17 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, January 11, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at Council Chambers at 5850 W. Glendale Avenue. Respectfully submitted, Recording Secretary Denise Kazmierczak �p p Beth Coughenour CPS/CAP Senior Secretary Community Revitalization