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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 1988Minutes of the HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE January 11, 1988 7:30 P.M. Present: Ald. Collens, Davis, Drummer, Feldman, Larson, Wold Absent: None Officials and Staff Present: Kip MacMillan, C. Louise Brown, Jean Ann Shulse, Bruce Zimmerman, Keith Bennett, Helen McCarthy Presiding,: Ald. Larson, Chair Minutes The minutes of the December 21. 1987 Human Services Committee meeting were amended as follows: page 3, paragraph 3, the last sentence should be amended to read, "The Committee asked the Township Supervisor to prepare a memorandum for the January 25, 1988 meeting which summarizes the total amount of savings resulting from the lower case load and from the revenue from the Illinois Department of Public Aid, and estimating the cash reserve to be available at March 31, 1988." A final sentence should be added to read, "The Committee will use this information to assess whether taxes should be abated in the current year." With this correction the Minutes of the December 21 meeting were approved unanimously. Communications: Report from the Public Health Director on the AIDS Update - Alderman Wold thanked C. Louise Brown for the informative report. In response to a question as to whether heterosexual AIDS victims had other risk factors, Ms. Brown explained that the heterosexual contacts include persons who have had sexual contact with a person with AIDS or at risk for AIDS and a person born in a country where heterosexual transmission is believed to be a major mode of transmission. Alderman Feldman questioned the scope of the City policy statement referred to on page 3. Ms. Brown stated that this policy statement is to cover City personnel and persons receiving services from the City, and is not intended to address the School District policies. In response to a question, Ms. Brown stated that District #65 has completed its AIDS policy and District f202 is in the process of completion. Alderman Collens said that AIDS policy will be placed on the City/School Liaison Committee agenda. Alderman Davis thanked Ms. Brown for the report. She said that at the last National League of Cities Conference she learned about what other cities are doing regarding this issue. Evanston is doing almost all of the activities outlined at the Conference. She noted two omissions: first, other communities have brought various groups together such as clergy and the business community to develop AIDS policies for the workplace; and second, some communities are looking at the need for care facilities and alternative housing for AIDS victims. The Committee agreed that after the City has developed its own policy for City employees, it would be appropriate to share with other employers in Evanston, It was recommended that this be placed on the agenda of the City/Chamber Liaison Committee. Alderman Feldman noted that in 1987 there was M Human Services Committee Minutes of 1/11/88 ... 2 an almost 100% increase in reported AIDS cases over 1986. Hs. Brown said this is reflective of increases in cases nation-wide. Memorandum from the Recreation Board on Regulating Jet Skis - In response to a question, Jean Ann Shulse, Superintendent of Recreation, stated that this rule would mean that launching of jet skis is prohibited in Evanston. Areas other than the Church Street Boat Ramp are covered in the City Code; therefore, this rule strengthens the prohibition. The Committee accepted the recommended rule. Memorandum on Changes in Board and Commission Budgets - Alderman Collens moved and Alderman cold seconded a motion to approve the Board and Commission budgets as outlined in the memorandum dated January 6. In response to a question, Bruce Zimmerman, Assistant City ?tanager, stated that the changes in personnel amounts for the Arts Council and the Commission on Aging reflect changes in salary levels since the budgets were prepared by Commission staff. Alderman Collens stated her intent to find $10,000 to add back to the books and publications budget of the Library. The motion passed unanimously. Consideration of the Evanston Clean Air Ordinance - Alderman Wold moved and Alderman Collens seconded a motion that Ordinance 129-0-87 regulating smoking in restaurants be approved and introduced to the City Council at the second meeting in February. A copy of the Ordinance should be sent to all restaurants with a letter indicating that they can comment to the Human Services Committee and/or to the City Council prior to Council consideration. The Committee discussed Section 8-21-7 on page 4 dealing with the granting of exemptions. C. Louise Brown stated that a new restaurant in Evanston would not be eligible for an exemption, nor would a new owner of a restaurant which had been granted an exemption. In the City licensure process a new owner is treated entirely as a new entity required to meet all Code requirements. Alderman Davis suggested that a new owner of a restaurant which had been granted an exemption, particularly for a reason relating to its physical layout, should be eligible for this exemption. Alderman Drummer said all new owners should comply regardless of a previous exemption as long as they are aware, prior to purchase, that the restaurant had an exemption and Will no longer be eligible for one. The cost of making the physical conversion to comply is small, compared to the potential cost of maintaining "non smoking seats" which go unused. Alderman Feldman questioned Section 8-21-7 (B-2) which states that the granting of an exemption must not have a significant adverse effect on the health or comfort of the public. He cannot envision a situation where a restaurant could meet this condition. He moved that the motion be amended to delete Section 8-21-7 (B-2) and that a new 8-21-7 (B-4) be added to state that the business license shall state any exemption granted under this section. Aldermen Wold and Collens, as maker and seconder of the original motion accepted this amendment. Alderman Wold moved, seconded by Alderman Collens, to call the question. This was approved unanimously. The main motion was approved unanimously. Chairman's Priorities - Alderman Larson distributed a copy of the priorities for his Chairmanship. Alderman Wold moved and Alderman Drummer seconded a motion to accept the Chairman's priorities. It was approved unanimously. Consideration of Azencv Contracts for Youth Advocacy Services - Don Colleton, Chair of the Youth Advocacy Program Advisory Committee, joined the Committee. He introduced Delores Holmes from Family Focus, Don Baker from YOU and John Bozeday Human Services Committee Minutes of 1/11/88 ... 3 from Evanston Hospital Department of Psychiatry as representatives of the three advocacy agencies being proposed. He also introduced Bob Roy and Kip Macmillan who are Advisory Committee members. Mr. Colleton provided background on the Advisory Committee's recommendation. He stated that staff had solicited proposals from agencies to provide youth advocacy services. Three applications had been received. These applications have been discussed in three different meetings of the Advisory Committee. These agencies have been put through substantial scrutiny of the Committee. The Committee is determined to get the program off the ground by funding these youth advocates. The Committee is determined to make the program successful. Alderman Wold moved and Alderman Collens seconded a motion to accept the recommendation of the Advisory Committee as outlined in the memorandum dated January 7, 1988, and approve contracts for the Youth Organization Umbrella (YOU), Family Focus and Evanston Hospital Department of Psychiatry. In response to a question, Mr. Bozeday from Evanston Hospital said that the omission of the checkmarks on the page of assurances was a mere oversight. Alderman Collens commended the Committee for its intense work, especially during the holiday season. She recommended that the Committee review the effectiveness of the contracts after six months. Mr. Colleton said that the Committee is planning a vigorous review process and resolves to stay "on top of the program". Alderman Feldman asked for an explanation of the discussion at the January S Advisory Committee meeting since the minutes reflect a concern about the Evanston Hospital contract. Mr. Colleton explained that the Committee raised a number of questions of Evanston Hospital and was seeking answers which would resolve concerns of various members. The Committee is interested in building consensus around issues if possible. He cited an example of how a concern regarding Evanston Hospital had been resolved to the extent that the Committee was comfortable. This example related to a team supervision concept to be used by the Hospital. After discussion, the Committee was satisfied that there would be a designated supervisor for the Advocate and that the Advocate would have the benefit of additional supervision from other experts on the team. The Committee recognized that the whole program is an experiment and that the program does not need "cookie cutter agencies" to provide services in exactly the same way. He said the Corunittee also was pleased with the Hospital's Access program for the chronically mentally ill, and became increasingly convinced that this program model could be applied in some ways to the advocacy program. Alderman Drummer said he Was delighted that these contracts are ready for approval. He is aware of how YOU and Family Focus will interact with youth at their drop -in centers. He asked how the Hospital plans to extend it staff into the community to get to know these youth. John Bozeday said that the expectation is that most of the Advocate's time will be spent away from the Hospital in the community. This person will spend time at YOU, Family Focus, the schools and other community locations. The Committee approved the motion to approve the three contracts unanimously. Retirement of Aki Toba - Alderman Collens moved, seconded by Alderman Wold, that the Committee recognize with the following commendation, the outstanding service of Aki Toba, Executive Secretary for the Director of Health and Human Services and the Assistant to the City Manager, upon her retirement: Human Services Committee Minutes of 1/11/88 ... 4 The Committee expresses its great appreciation and thanks to her for the long and valuable contribution to our work. She has been intelligent, thorough, careful and always cheerful. This Committee will miss her very much and wishes her the very best." The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 P.M. Helen McCarthy cc: Joel M. Asprooth