MINUTES OF THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
MAY 6, 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chairperson Neuzil called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Administration Building at 9:20 a.m. Members present were: Pat Harney, Mike Lehman, Terrence Neuzil, and Carol Thompson; absent: Sally Stutsman.
Sheriff’s Major Keith Slaughter said that Johnson County has had an ever-growing clandestine lab problem, becoming second in methamphetamine manufacturing in the State. He added that Iowa is also the second in methamphetamine manufacturing in the nation. Slaughter said that the Sheriff's Office recently appointed Sergeant Kevin Bell to the Clandestine Lab Enforcement Task Force. He said that Bell will have specialized training in dismantling active labs, proactively working with retail vendors to educate them regarding precursors, and following up on those that purchase the precursors. He said that the Task Force is receiving calls every day about active labs here in Johnson County. Slaughter said that within the 18 county Task Force, there are 6 full time positions, with one in Johnson County. He added that Bell may be working outside of the County at times, but will be kept pretty busy in Johnson County. Slaughter said that the Sheriff's Office is requesting the Board sign the 28E agreement for the Task Force.
Thompson asked who will assume Bell’s former responsibilities. Slaughter replied that Sergeant Deatsch will assume his responsibilities and the Office hired an additional employee as well. He said that in order for Bell to begin with the Task Force the Office had to backfill his position. Neuzil said that methamphetamines are a big problem in Johnson County and so far the problems are getting worse before they are getting better. He asked what the Sheriff’s Department was doing in the past to address the methamphetamine problem. Slaughter said that the Task Force has had requests from businesses and organizations to let them know what to look for. He said that education will be part of Bell’s position as well. Lehman asked what farmers should do if they suspect someone has been stealing their anhydrous ammonia. Slaughter replied that they should contact the Sheriff Office. He said that these labs used to be only in rural areas, but now can also be found in moving vehicles. Slaughter said that the Sheriff’s Office joined the Task Force because they realize there is a problem and want to address it. Lehman asked what the budget implications will be. Slaughter replied that the wages, benefits and supplies for Bell’s position are grant funded. He added that there will always be 2 technicians who dismantle these labs for safety purposes. Thompson clarified that this gives the Sheriff's Office the chance to add an additional staff person. Slaughter replied that it does, but it is funded by the grant. Neuzil asked if the Attorney’s Office has reviewed the agreement. Slaughter replied that he will pass it on to them. Neuzil said that pending legal counsel’s approval, the Board will place the matter on the next formal agenda.
Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities Director Elaine Sweet said that Woodbury County would like to license the management information service software developed by Johnson and Polk Counties to address the central point of coordination function. She explained that Polk and Johnson Counties share the ownership of this software through a 28E agreement. She said that in recent months they have already licensed this product for use by 3 entities including a tri-county consortium of Dallas, Boone, and Madison Counties, Blackhawk County, and Scott County. Sweet said that she is proposing a similar licensing agreement with Woodbury County. She explained that each entity that purchases the software license is subject to a $25,000 user fee, which is then shared between Polk and Johnson Counties. She added that she asked the County Attorney’s Office to review the agreement, but they did not require changes. The Board agreed to put the 28E agreement on a future formal agenda for approval.
Sweet explained that the State requires Johnson County to contract or affiliate with a mental health center or receive a waiver from the MH/DD Commission, so she has brought the annual review of Johnson County’s Mental Health Center affiliation agreement before the Board. She said that the affiliation allows anyone with mental health issues in Johnson County, both legally settled individuals and non-residents, to receive services through the Mental Health Center. She said then the Mental Health Center or MH/DD works collaboratively with the State payment program, third party payers, or other counties to recoup the cost. The affiliation also allows MH/DD to access community services funds from the State, which accounted for $830,033 in Fiscal Year 2003. She said that the allocation increased in Fiscal Year 2002 to over $1 million and then dropped again in 2003 based on State budget cuts. The Board agreed to put the affiliation on an upcoming formal agenda for approval.
GIS COORDINATOR RICK HAVEL: PROPOSED GIS INTERN POSITION
Neuzil said that Information Services included a GIS intern position in their budget for Fiscal Year 2004, which they are now looking to implement. GIS Coordinator Rick Havel explained that the centerline GIS layer contains lines that represent all the centerlines for streets and roads in Johnson County. He said that the current centerline needs additional work to be more beneficial to the GIS applications throughout the system. Havel said that the centerline is the primary layer needed for computer-aided dispatch mapping software and automatic vehicle location applications currently used by SEATS. Funding for this project was budgeted for in FY 03 and FY 04 for either part-time help or additional contractors, he explained. Havel said that Information Services is requesting the Board create a GIS intern position, whose primary focus for the remainder of 2004 will be the centerline project research and activities. He said that there is a great deal of students through the University with the skills necessary for this position, which will cut down on the required training. Lehman asked if this is a temporary position and how many positions will be filled. Havel replied that a 40-hour position may be shared by 2 students throughout the summer and may continue into the school year with 20 hours per week. Harney asked how many months this position would be filled. Havel replied that they plan on staffing interns through the end of 2004 for this project, but hope this becomes an opportunity for future projects as well as it fits within budgeted projects. He said that he is not looking for a permanent intern, but would like to have the position available when they have the need and funds. Lehman said that Information Services is still trying to get the system into place. Havel agreed. He said that this project will help contribute to an addressing system to help County staff by adding to other systems within the County as well. Lehman said that it is important for the Sheriff’s and Ambulance Departments to get this information into place. Havel said that the Sheriff’s Department is currently working on developing a new computer aided dispatch software system for 911 applications. He said that the system would allow them to map 911 calls and maintain a database of past history. He said that they will also be required to be map 911 cell phone calls, which this database will help facilitate. The Board agreed to place approval of the position on the next formal agenda.
Shelter House Executive Director Crissy Canganelli said she has presented information to the Board in the past on the emergency and transitional shelter, drop-in center, security deposit assistance program, and in-house counseling aspects of the Shelter House. She said that these aspects are really only a preliminary stepping stone, because residents are restricted to 90 days. Canganelli said that the Shelter House saw a great need when residents were transitioning into their permanent housing placements, which is where the STAR program steps in. It is a countywide case management program available to all homeless individuals in Johnson County for up to 2 years. Canganelli said that 80% of the funding is through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, who requires a 20% cash match from local entities. She said that the STAR program is renewed annually at the State and Federal levels. Shelter House is identified as the fiscal agent and lead program manager responsible for oversight of the grant with the help of an advisory committee.
Shelter House Program Manager Kafi Dixon explained that the STAR program serves homeless, unemployed persons 18 years and older in Johnson County. The main focus of the program is employment in order for individuals to move from the shelter to increase their long-term stability. She explained that there are currently 52 program participants with 35 families, so they also have a significant number of children who are served with the program. Dixon said that referrals are typically from Shelter Housing, other agencies who serve the homeless population, outreach workers, or Advisory Board members. She said that the various needs addressed by the program include housing, mental health treatment, life skills, budgeting, employment assistance, education, and finances. Dixon said that the STAR program is currently partnering with HACAP to provide case management services to HACAP’s 25 local housing units where 77 children reside. She said that although the program works with the adult in the household, it really works on the strength of the family and family issues. HACAP also helps coordinate biweekly case management meetings with various agencies that work with the participants in order for stakeholders to address family issues. Dixon said that agencies that work with this program include the school districts, Mental Health Center, Department of Human Services, Visiting Nurses Association, and Shelter House. She said that overall the partnership is to meet the requirements clients have while living in transitional housing, which includes employment requirements. She said that the STAR program also collaborates with Goodwill for employment services for those clients that have greater barriers in obtaining and maintaining employment. She explained that these services include working with job specialists, job coaching, and supported community living. She said that other vocational services are provided directly by case management staff, which includes resume building, employment search, and developing internships. She said that the internship program gives clients a change to work within a supported work environment as well as work experience and possibly a good reference. She said that there are currently 7 participants in internships, with 88% of total clients working or going to school.
STAR Outreach Case Manager Rita Offett explained that the program includes individuals from different walks of life including young industrious participants, older clients and clients with mental illness. She said that an initial assessment includes speaking with the client about the program and then a case manager will meet with participants to determine goals and which community resources they may need. She added that some participants are chronically mentally ill. She said that these participants may never have gainful employment, so case managers may work with them to obtain MH/DD services and then exit the process. Offett said that families they work with may also have children of special needs, so managers work with the families to become more involved with the school system and take an active involvement in getting them the help they need. She said that the program primarily works with the adults, but if their children are having problems it impedes their vocational efforts so the program uses their resources to handle these problems as well. She said that a significant number of participants they work with are long-term Johnson County residents who may have substance abuse or mental health illness, which make them chronically homeless. Neuzil said that this program seems to be a comprehensive approach. Offett said that her history is in outreach programs, which the STAR program has become really helpful in accessing.
Another STAR Outreach Case Manger said that her primary responsibility is with the HACAP collaboration. She said that this collaboration has allowed each agency to share resources, which has benefited the families. She said that the STAR program helps with vocational and stabilizing efforts that benefit the families, while HACAP directly affects the children through Head Start and daycare provisions. She said it has been exciting to see the positive moves these families have made. Lehman asked if housing is the largest impediment for participants, especially since transitional housing has time limits. She replied that it is, especially for families who are very young. She said that she’s seen many participants who do not take advantage of the full 2 year period because they want to move on to more permanent housing, which they aren’t able to do until they are stable with employment. Dixon said that due to the waiting lists for transitional or Section 8 housing, more people are forced to pay market price. She said that juggling all those expenses is hard for many participants, but this program helps them find appropriate housing and create a budget to afford the market rate housing. Lehman said that some people do not want to better their situation, but there is also a great deal of limitations for those that do. Dixon replied that case managers can also work with individuals who are not in the STAR program as part of their outreach to try to help individuals who may have fallen through the cracks or are service resistant. Neuzil thanked them for their presentation.
REPORTS AND INQUIRIES FROM THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Harney attended the following meetings and events: North Corridor neighborhood meeting, AARP Board of Supervisors candidate forum, Secondary Roads liaison meeting, JCCOG Board of Directors meeting, FAIR Forum, ECICOG Board of Directors meeting, and County Attorney’s site visit.
Lehman attended the SEATS Paratransit Advisory Committee meeting, the JCCOG Board of Directors meeting, and the FAIR Forum.
Thompson attended the Jail Alternative Subcommittee meeting, the Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management roadside tour, liaison meetings with Secondary Roads and the Ambulance Department, and a Trails Committee meeting.
Neuzil attended the following meetings and events: SEATS Paratransit Advisory Committee meeting, Van Allen Elementary School groundbreaking ceremony, Juvenile Crime Prevention Program Work Group, Johnson County Heritage Trust Luncheon, Iowa City Chamber of Commerce Committee, and a Boy Scout presentation. He reported that the Linn/Johnson County Leadership Summit will be held on May 6, 2004 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Neuzil will be having a Listening Post at the County Administration building on May 7, 2004 and at the Iowa City Brown Bottle on May 13, 2004.
Stutsman entered at 10:35 a.m.
Stutsman attended liaison meetings with the Physical Plant and Ambulance Department, the AARP Board of Supervisors candidate forum, a meeting with Jan Peterson and United Way Director Connie Benton Wolfe, and the Targeted Case Management Advisory Board meeting.
Adjourned at 10:39 a.m.
Attest: Tom Slockett, Auditor
By Casie Kadlec, Recording Secretary