HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING NOT APPROVED Members Present: K. LaForge, J. Hopkins, S. Burt, D. Decker, C. Jessup, T. O Grady, D. Root, P. Stockin, C. Crandall Others Present: L. Ballengee, M. Biddle, T. Boyde, J. Chaffee, L. Edwards, H. Evans, D. Fanton, V. Grant, K. Graves, D. Healy, K. Hollis, R. Hollis, C. Knapp, T. Miner, B. Penman, V. Pettit, D. Rahr, B. Riehle, T. Ross, T. Shaw, R. Sobeck-Lynch, A. Weaver, T. Zalar Press Present: B. Quinn Wellsville Daily Reporter, B. Clark Olean Times Herald Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Human Services Committee Chairman Kevin LaForge at 3:02 p.m. Approval of Minutes The minutes from the May 3, 2017, meeting were approved on a motion by Legislator Decker, seconded by Legislator Stockin, and carried. SOCIAL SERVICES Social Services Commissioner Vicki Grant attended the meeting and submitted her monthly report to the committee for review. Ms. Grant noted that both PA and FS cases were down but that is most likely cyclical. Ms. Grant stated that Vickie Ketchner and Val Smith were part of a panel at the Poverty Symposium held by ACCORD on May 17. She also noted that she had presented at a WNY BOCES Event in Buffalo, NY, on May 24 regarding Trauma Informed Care and what schools can do to collaborate with DSS & other agencies. Caseworker Social Services Commissioner Vicki Grant requested approval to fill one full-time Caseworker position (Union, Grade 16, Step: Base-7) due to a resignation. This position is responsible for ensuring the safety, health, and welfare of children and families. The annual salary for this position is between $37,832 and $47,199. This position is funded 35.57 percent with County dollars, 21.89 percent with State funds, and 42.54 percent with Federal funds. The request was approved on a motion by Legislator O Grady, seconded by Legislator Root, and carried. Refer to Ways & Means Account Clerk Typist Social Services Commissioner Vicki Grant requested approval to fill one full-time Account Clerk Typist position (Union-Grade 7, Step: Base-Step 7). This position is responsible for running daily financial reports and checks through the BICS system as well as processing authorized payments and other related accounting duties. The annual salary for this position is between $29, 262 and $34,258. This position is funded 38 percent with County dollars, 10 percent with State funds, and 52 percent with Federal funds. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Root, seconded by Legislator Decker and carried. Refer to Ways and Means.
Page 2 of 7 OFFICE FOR THE AGING Office for the Aging Accountant Vickie Pettit attended the meeting and submitted their monthly report. Committee Chairman LaForge asked Ms. Pettit if there was anything that she would like to note regarding the monthly report. She indicated not that she was aware of. Legislator Healy asked when they track the number of meals, is there was a way to track the number of Veterans served, and would that generate some additional funding. Ms. Pettit stated that she would suggest this to Ms. Gasdik. Allegany Senior foundation Donations Office for the Aging requested a resolution accepting $4,000 in donations from the Allegany Senior Foundation. One-thousand dollars of the donation comes from a grant the Foundation applied for and received from the Renodin Foundation. The other $3,000 was from funds raised by the Senior Foundation through donations and fundraising events. The $4,000 will be used to fund Personal Emergency Response Systems (Mercyline) for low-income and frail elderly. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Jessup, seconded by Legislator Stockin, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means MIPPA Funding Office for the Aging requested a resolution to accept an increase of $1,286 in Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) funding. This grant is a renewal of an existing grant for the period September 30, 2016, to September 29, 2017. The funds should be appropriated as follows: Appropriation: A6774.402 OFA Medicare Improvements - Mileage $ 286 A6774.424 OFA Medicare Improvements - Advertising $1,000 Total: $1,286 Revenue: A6774 4772.00 OFA Medicare Improvements Federal Aid $1,286 This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Root, seconded by Legislator Decker, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means Request to increase BIP funding Office for the Aging requested a resolution to accept an increase of $40,187 in NY Connects Expansion and Enhancement Grant (BIP) funding. The funds should be appropriated as follows: Appropriation: A6790.101 OFA Balancing Incentive Program Regular Pay $14,100 A6790.201 OFA Balancing Inventive Program Office Equipment $ 1,500 A6790.401 OFA Balancing Inventive Program Postage $ 700 A6790.402 OFA Balancing Inventive Program Mileage $ 649
Page 3 of 7 A6790.409 OFA Balancing Inventive Program Fees $ 700 A6790.416 OFA Balancing Inventive Program Telephone $ 1,000 A6790.419 OFA Balancing Inventive Program Printing $ 1,000 A6790.802 OFA Balancing Inventive Program Retirement $ 1,396 A6790.803 OFA Balancing Inventive Program F.I.C.A. $ 1,078 A6790.804 OFA Balancing Inventive Program Workers Comp $ 240 A790.806 OFA Balancing Inventive Program Hosp/Med Ins. $ 17,824 $ 40,187 Revenue: A6790.4772.6790 OFA Balancing Inventive Program Federal Aid $ 40,187 This is a renewal of existing grant funding for the period January 1, 2017, to March 31, 2018. Legislator Burt questioned the use of the extra money for payroll expenses rather than other expenses. Ms. Pettit stated that they are using it to replace County money with the grant money instead. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Stockin, seconded by Legislator Hopkins, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means Attorney/Client Session A motion was made by Legislator Decker, seconded by Legislator O Grady, and carried to enter into attorney/client session at 3:12 p.m. Immediately following discussion at 3:18 p.m., a motion was made by Legislator Decker, seconded by Legislator Root, and carried to end the attorney/client session and return to the regular meeting. Picnic Tents Ms. Pettit requested permission to rent tents, tables, and chairs for the OFA Senior Picnic from Cline s Tent Rental. Bids were received form A-1 Rent-All & Sales, Olean for $4,517, Cline s Tent Rental, Belmont for $5,180, and Cayas Canopies, Olean for $7,577.98. Ms. Pettit indicated they felt that Cline s was the best option as the bid included one large tent, and they would be supporting an Allegany County business. As Cline s was not the lowest bidder, the additional costs would be covered by the 2017 budget, and there would be no additional cost to the County. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Jessup, seconded by Legislator Decker and carried. Legislator Burt requested that it be noted that accepting the bid from Cline s would allow OFA to obtain better products. Ms. Pettit reminded the Legislators about them taking a day to deliver Meals-on-Wheels on one of the following dates: July 21, July 27, or August 24. Office for the Aging would like enough notice of the selected date in order to notify the meal recipients so that they make take that time to ask the Legislators any questions they may have. There was much discussion as to possible conflicts with the dates. It was decided that if a consensus was made by the July meeting that would be soon enough. Legislator Hopkins asked if there was a report on the recent Swingin with the Oldies, and she was informed that they were in the process of completing the report.
Page 4 of 7 Corrections to the Board of Health Appointments The request was made to repeal resolution number 75-2017 that mistakenly reappointed various members of the Board of Health to terms that would not allow for staggered terms, and mistakenly reappointed Dr. Brubaker to a new six-year term when in fact his current term was not due to expire until July 7, 2019, and that it, therefore, be it resolved with (1) repealing resolution number 75-2017 effective immediately (2) the reappointment of Timothy LaFever of Bolivar, NY, to the County Board of Health for a six-year term beginning July 8, 2017, and expiring July 7, 2023 (3) that M. Zahi Kassas is reappointed to the County Board of Health for a three-year term beginning July 8, 2017, and expiring July 7, 2020 (4) that Legislator Kevin S. LaForge is appointed, effective immediately, to the County Board of Health for the remainder of a six-year term expiring July 7, 2019. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Root, seconded by Legislator Stockin, and carried. Prepare Resolution Appointments to the Board of Health The Board of Health recommends that Dr. Joseph Felsen be appointed to fill the unexpired six-year term of Susan Dougherty, CNM, NP effective immediately and expiring July 7, 2018. This request was approved on a motion by Legislator Decker, seconded by Legislator Hopkins, and carried. Prepare Resolution Heroin & Opioid Ad Hoc Committee Update Legislator Hopkins stated that the Ad Hoc committee and work groups with the help of the Lions Clubs and other organizations to pay the licensing fee will be able to present three Healthy Heart events in September. These are free events to help raise awareness regarding Heroin & Opioid addiction. They have also recently learned about recovery coaches in a nonclinical setting. They are similar to a sponsor in that they are not necessarily a clinician. Hoping to have this available locally rather than in Connecticut, and supervision would be through ACASA, adding that peer support is essential in treating the addiction. Helen Evans will be holding a Mental Health Training. There will also be a SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) training which helps to assess for addiction by public health professionals. Allegany County Foundation will also be sponsoring pharmacy training through University of Buffalo. Tobacco 21 The Ad Hoc Committee brought forth a request for a local law to raise the legal age for the purchase of tobacco products in Allegany County to 21. This would be different than the existing NYS law where the legal age is 18. The point of this new law would be to encourage the delay in young people starting to smoke, as research indicates that the human brain is not fully developed until age 25. There are two versions of the law being presented. The first simply increases the age of purchase to 21, the second would allow for an exemption for military personnel. While the committee is aware that cigarettes can still be purchased at the reservations, they are hoping that transportation will be an issue and that the law will protect young people from making the decision to smoke, similar to the seat belt and drinking laws, and
Page 5 of 7 over time they will accept the law as routine and not as a punishment. The committee is hoping to bring it to the full Board so that a public hearing can be set, and they are recommending the version without the military exemption as they did not want it to appear as though they were protecting one group over another. The Board of Health also voted to put it forward without the military exemption. Legislator Fanton stated he feels strongly that if 18 is old enough for someone to sacrifice their life for their country then they should be old enough to decide whether or not to smoke, and he would not support the law without the exemption. Legislator Burt asked what happens as far as enforcement once the age is raised from 18 to 21. Enforcement comes through the Department of Health and would include continuation of having a minor attempt to purchase cigarettes at various businesses. The fines for infractions range from $100 - $1,000, and if repetitive can include pulling lottery and liquor licenses. There is no punishment for the underage population purchasing the cigarettes as the law is directed only at the sale of the product not the purchasing. Legislator O Grady noted that he is not in agreement with the County passing a law that covers something that has formerly fallen under State jurisdiction. He would rather see it addressed by a resolution asking the State to raise the age to 21. It was noted that there is currently Legislation at the State level to raise the age to 21, and by passing the law at the County level it would serve to make the point at the State level. The Clean Indoor Air Act was not passed by the State until the majority of New York State Counties had passed their own laws. Legislator Burt stated that the decision to smoke is made by most young people prior to the age of 18, and we have no business making the decision. He is in agreement with Legislator O Grady and feels that the County should not be telling people what to do. He would consider supporting it, but not without the military exemption. Legislator Healy stated that he agrees with the intent of the law, but feels that it is a State issue rather than the County s, adding to have a real affect it should be a State law. Human Services Committee Chairman LaForge feels that anything that can be done to turn the tide in the other direction is a good thing so he would be in favor. He also clarified that if the intent is to take the law forward to the full Board and request a public hearing, a 10 day s notice would be required. Legislator O Grady reiterated that he would rather see them support it with a resolution to the State rather than take a chance on a public hearing and have it not pass at all. Committee Chairman LaForge suggested that they table the discussion for now and pick it up at the next meeting. A motion was made by Legislator Burt, seconded by Legislator Decker, and carried to table the issue. HEALTH DEPARTMENT Family Planning Building Rent Public Health Director Lori Ballengee requested that a 2.5 percent increase in rent ($551.40 to $565.18) to Barbara Graves for the Family Planning building be granted. The increase was budgeted for in 2017 and will be budgeted for again in 2018. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Decker, seconded by Legislator Root, and carried. Performance Incentive Initiative Monies Public Health Director Lori Ballengee requested a resolution to accept and appropriate Performance Incentive Initiative monies so that they may continue to maintain high standards of communicable disease reporting measures. This is State awarded money for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. The funds should be appropriated as follows:
Page 6 of 7 Appropriation: A4010.408 County Health Department General Supplies $12,000 Revenue: A4010.3450.00 Public Health State Aid $12,000 This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Stockin, seconded by Legislator O Grady, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means Abolish Part-Time Public Health Nurse and one Full-Time Public Health Nurse Public Health Director Lori Ballengee requested permission to abolish one part-time Public Health Nurse position and one full-time Public Health Nurse position. These positions were left-overs from the Home Care Programs and have not been filled or budgeted for since 2010. Ms. Ballengee would also like to abolish the Deputy Public Health Director position. This position was vacated due to a retirement in 2016 and is not funded in the 2017 budget. This request was approved on a motion by Legislator Burt, seconded by Legislator Hopkins, and carried. Prepare Resolution Transfer of Funds Public Health Director Lori Ballengee requested a resolution to transfer monies from the Health Department s payroll and fringe accounts to equipment, general supplies, fees and telephone accounts on the Bio-Terrorism Preparedness general ledger. This transfer is necessary to bring the 2016/17 grant and the County general ledger into line as the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator position has been vacant for two months. From: A4010.101 (County Health Department Regular Pay) $11,342 A4189.802 (Bio-Terrorism Preparedness Retirement) $ 1,869 A4189.803 (Bio-Terrorism Preparedness FICA) $ 868 A4189.804 (Bio-Terrorism Preparedness Workers Compensation) $ 165 A4189.805 (Bio-Terrorism Preparedness Disability) $ 26 A4189.806 (Bio-Terrorism Preparedness Hosp/Med Insurance) $ 2,411 Total: $ 16,681 To: A4189.206 (Bio-Terrorism Preparedness Health Equipment) $13,687 A4189.408 (Bio-Terrorism Preparedness General Supplies) $ 250 A4189.409 (Bio-Terrorism Preparedness Fees) $ 650 A4189.416 (Bio-Terrorism Preparedness Cent Service Telephone) $ 2,094 Total: $16,681 The Health Equipment being purchased consists of a Surface Pro4, Surface Pro accessories (mice, docking stations, etc.), wireless access points for the third floor, conference room smart TV, conference room phone, projection unit/screen, white boards, as well as a computer and printer for the third floor conference room so that it is equipped to serve as an
Page 7 of 7 Emergency Operations Center. The general supply being purchased is antibacterial hand sanitizer for the office and wall dispensers. The fees represent Microsoft Office license fees for the Surface Pro and conference room computer. The telephone expense is being increased to cover the cell phone costs for the Public Health Director, Director of Patient Services, and the Environmental Health Director as these staff members are instrumental in public health operations and must carry a cell phone for emergency communication purposes. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Root, seconded by Legislator Decker, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means Attorney/Client Session A motion was made by Legislator Decker, seconded by Legislator O Grady, and carried to enter into attorney/client session at 4:05 pm. Immediately following discussion at 4:19 pm a motion was made by Legislator O Grady, seconded by Legislator Burt, and carried to end the attorney/client session and return to the regular meeting. Early Intervention Public Health Director Lori Ballengee requested a resolution to decrease the amount retained by Allegany County for billing services performed for Early Intervention Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Therapy providers. Currently Allegany County retains $14 of the $64 per service to complete and submit their billing to the New York State Early Intervention Fiscal Unit. Each $64 service is a half hour, and this rate is set by the state. The providers have asked for a reduction in the amount Allegany County retains; therefore Ms. Ballengee is proposing a $1 per billing unit decrease from $14 to $13. This will be a budget adjustment for 2017, and if the decrease is approved, the County will be recognizing $40,846 rather than the previous $43,988. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Stockin, seconded by Legislator Decker, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means Good of the Order Clerk of the Board Brenda Rigby Riehle reminded the Legislators to pick up their Clambake tickets on Monday, June 12, 2017. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 4:20 p.m. following a motion made by Legislator Decker, seconded by Legislator Burt, and carried. Respectfully Submitted, Tina Zalar Secretary to the Commissioner of Social Services