Lehman: Next item would be Discussion/Action Needed, a Letter from Jay Honohan, Chair for the Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center, Commission Regarding the 28E Agreement of the Senior Center Between Iowa City and Johnson County. That’s in our packet. We’ve had a chance to review that. Would someone like to volunteer to read that?

Thompson: I’ll read it.

Lehman: Carol, you’ve got a good voice.

Thompson: "The Government Subcommittee of the Accreditation Committee of the Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center, working on national accreditation of the Center, recommended that the Commission pursue a new 28E Agreement between the City and the County. They recognize that the previous committee, after spending a great deal of time, reached an impasse. They felt, however, that another effort should be attempted, because of the importance of the agreement and the need for revision after so many years. The recommendation of the Senior Center Commission was to request a new Committee be appointed consisting of 2 members of the Council, 2 members of the Board, and the Chair of the Commission. The Committee would be advised by staff members of the City and the County. We would appreciate your consideration of this request."

Lehman: Someone want to give us the background on the length of this current agreement, how long this has been in effect, and…

Thompson: The current agreement has been in effect since 1978, and it’s accompanied by a lease agreement, under which we lease, at not cost to ourselves, the space for the Senior Dining Program in the Senior Center building. The 28-E Agreement really covers the intent of the City and the County to work together to provide a Senior Center, and our intent to pay for part of the cost. It sets out how the costs will be calculated and when we’ll be notified, and those kinds of things. There’s a long-standing difference of opinion about what level of partnership in this endeavor the 28-E Agreement was really intended to convey. I don’t know that we’re any closer to an agreement now that we were when we reached the impasse a year ago.

Lehman: This is an ongoing agreement, subject to re-visitation, I would imagine, on the request of either of the participating parties?

Thompson: Yes. I might add that when we looked at it last year, one of the things we talked about was, was the County paying its fair share? We pay 20% of the operating costs of the Senior Center. We looked at it a number of ways. We looked at how many of the participants at the Center are County residents; we looked at square footage that we use in the building, different ways, and it all came out to 20%, so I don’t think there’s any real difference of opinion about that part of the agreement.

White: I think it’s also fair to say that by the time we reached the impasse, we were happier with the existing version than we were with the sort of suggestions that the City was talking about. There is a termination clause that either side could use. They’re not likely to use it, because we’re paying 20% of their operating budget. I haven’t heard or seen anything that would suggest we’re any more likely to succeed than we did before. In fact, even the suggested makeup of the group is skewed in favor of the views we’ve heard before, with 3 city and 2 county people. But, a city we’re attempting to be in partnership wants to talk with us…

Stutsman: I think we should honor the request to at least talk. But I want to, as one Board member, reach a partnership, and so I think that’s how we should enter the discussion, is how we can partner and reach a satisfactory conclusion to both entities.

White: An example was, they objected so strenuously when the Board appointed Carol to the Commission. It’s bizarre, to me, that they would object to that. I don’t know how it’s gone. I assume it’s going OK, but I think from the standpoint of the County, that the Board’s knowledge of what’s happening and input is much stronger, much improved. I don’t know if Carol agrees with that or not.

Thompson: Well, there’s another proposal from the same subcommittee to change their bylaws.

White: To bar you, to ban you.

Thompson: Yes.

White: I don’t get it.

Thompson: But I do think it has helped me understand, and therefore I can explain things better to the Board.

Lehman: Yes, I think our purpose was to hear a firsthand report, not that the other way wasn’t working, but we thought this might give us a little more insight.

Stutsman: Well, do we want to respond and say that we would like to begin discussions again? Do we want to give input on what we feel the makeup of the committee should be? Are we in agreement to go along with…

Lehman: Their recommendation was to a new committee to be appointed consisting of 2 members of the Council, 2 members of the Board, and the Chair of the Commission.

Thompson: Pat, can you remember what the makeup of the other committee was?

White: You know, I don’t, Carol.

Thompson: But you were a member, right?

White: I don’t think I was?

Stutsman: I don’t think he…I think (inaudible) his staff.

White: But I don’t remember. The model that you’ve used with Iowa City for fringe area has been 2 and 2, so that both sides are equally represented.

Lehman: You need to expand it so it’s 80/20? Is that what we’re hearing? If it comes down to a show of hands, a vote, I don’t think that would be quite where we want to be, either.

White: We spent an awful lot of time with nothing gained from the discussions.

Thompson: It was clear that our goal was towards more partnership, and the City’s goal was towards a more streamlined relationship that would amount to less partnership.

Stutsman: And I would hope that this time, we reach a closure. Either we have a 28E, or we decide not to go to the 28E, instead of just letting it just hang. That would be my suggestion, too.

Lehman: Well, it sounds like we need to sit down and talk, at least.

Stutsman: Definitely. Definitely. And I appreciate their extending the offer.

Thompson: Well, it remains to be seen whether the City Council will choose to go into this again, too.

Stutsman: That’s true.

Lehman: Yes. This is a 2-way street. This is a Commission, the 28-E Committee, is recommending putting this committee together to talk about this, and this has been sent to us, as well as the Iowa City City Council.

White: Is there a date generally identified yet for the next County/City meeting? That would be an approach, too, is just to say, well, let’s put this request on the joint meeting, and then talk directly to the Council about it.

Stutsman: Yes. I like that approach. I think that would be…

Lehman: I think Carol has reminded us that the County hosts the next one, but the date has not been set.

Administrative Assistant Carol Peters: I was visiting with City Clerk Maurine Carr the other day, and I did give her the heads up that budgets are over now, and there are some things for discussion.

Stutsman: Could we put that on for next Thursday, to nail down a date? We have talked about this a couple of times now, about when the next one is, and I think we need to…

Administrative Assistant Carol Peters: You need to set that date out far enough so that I can get it on everybody else’s calendar.

Stutsman: That’s what I was looking at. We’re already in the 2nd week of March, practically, so it would have to be April or May, and then we start getting into summer, so…I think that would be a good way to approach it, is just rather than responding in a letter, maybe just having some dialogue.

Lehman: Is that the consensus of the Board, to put this on next week and try to come up with some dates we can try to get together with the towns and cities?

Neuzil: That would be great.

Administrative Assistant Carol Peters: I think that that’s what she’s talking about…

Stutsman: Well maybe…yes, just the dates for the next Joint Cities Meeting, and have this as one of the agenda items.

Lehman: OK. I understand. The topic next week would be coming up with a date for that group to meet again, and then this as an agenda item. Is that agreeable to everyone?

Stutsman: Sounds good.

Lehman: Going down the agenda here. We have Reports and Inquiries from the Board. Any volunteers to start show and tell?

Thompson: I have to skip my report tonight because I’ve misplaced my appointment book, and I have no idea where I was the last week, or what I’m going to be doing next week.

Lehman: Anybody want to remind here where she’s supposed to be tomorrow, maybe, who she’s supposed to be meeting with?

Thompson: I’m with Pat tomorrow.

White: But we don’t know where, yet. We don’t have a meeting room.

Harney: I can go ahead and start. On Monday, March 5th, I and part of the Board, here, attended the City Assessor’s hearing at 6:30 at the City Council Chambers. That budget was approved. We did the same here at the County at 7:30, for the County Assessor’s Budget. So that was all approved and taken care of for the year. Tuesday, March 6th, I attended the MH/DD Research and Development meeting at 911 North Governor’s Street. That was with Elaine Sweet, chaired that meeting. It was basically on their policies and procedures manual, was one of the issues that was discussed. They were accredited, and that was 100% score for their accreditation, which was really a compliment to their hard work up there for the accreditation process. Another one was the Needs and Assessment and Consumer Survey; they’re ready to implement that program. They’ll be sending out questionnaires to all of the consumers and anyone, any family that’s affiliated with any of the consumers for the comments to see how well the services are being served to their needs. She also stated that she’s gone back and gone through for the last 2 years. The amount of payment from the State that they were missing when they did the accreditation and they did the background check, that there was a lot of paperwork that wasn't documented as far as the services that they gave to the clients. They had to pay back $46,000. At the same time, she was able to go back those 2 years and was able to come back up with about $150,000 a head. So, she really did a lot of good work on checking records and coming back with that extra money. They're reserving in ISERVE, which is a computer program system designed for attracting services in case management, which is pretty well recognized statewide. There is going to be a demonstration here at the Board office on March 20th in the morning for people that would be able to use the machine and are looking for more of the technical aspects of it. There will be one at 4:30 for those that aren't. So, anyone that's here as well can attend that. The MH/DD staff, they're going to be working with the 6th Judicial District on reviewing the persons in the County Jail and who may or may not have mental illnesses. So, that should be handled before long. Iowa Department of Corrections had a representative there and they as well have given us quite a bit of information as to who is prisons, why they are in prisons and a lot about the backgrounds of the people that are in prisons. Tuesday, March 6th, we attended the Prairie Preview at Montgomery Hall. The speaker was Don Johnson, who gave a review on his farm history and the restoration of prairie and so forth on his farm up near Decorah. It was a very good program. There were a lot of attendees. There were displays and a lot of booths set up down there. There was a lot of good information passed out. Other than that, that is pretty much it. We met with Dwight Dobberstein and reviewed about the jail and the administration building and what is going to be happening there. It was very informative for me.

Lehman: Thank you Pat.

Lehman: Terrance?

Neuzil: Sure, some of the things that I have worked on throughout the week. I attended the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Advocacy meeting and throughout that meeting we worked on a couple of topics, including, as always, trying to help promote the kind of services Johnson County provides for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. I've also joined a subcommittee that will be focusing in on legislative affairs. We'll be focusing on new language as well as existing language, finding some changes and hopefully bringing legislators into the process when it comes to issues involving MH/DD. Also, attended a Regional Trails and Bicycling Committee Meeting. That was held over at the Iowa City Civic Center. I had an opportunity to be a part of that committee for the first time. It's exciting to see some of the projects that are being worked on in regards to promoting trails all around Johnson County. Not only from Iowa City to Coralville to North Liberty, but the kind of connections that will be taking place throughout Johnson County as we identify more roads that have shoulders on them for bicycling. I also attended a budget presentation this morning joined by our Chair Mike Lehman, along with Budget Coordinator Jeff Horne. We gave a budget presentation to the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce Local Government Affairs Committee and provided some insight about what goes on in Johnson County's budget and what goes on in Johnson County government. I encourage anybody, any civic group or organization that would like to have Johnson County give a presentation about its budget to contact Mike and I know he can assign as needed, as far as having members provide that presentation. As far as our Hawkeye Friday Listening Posts, this is an opportunity, if you would like to have lunch with me, to talk about any kind of County issues that are on your mind. I'm going to be at the Nickelodeon this Friday, March 9th, starting about 11:30 and having some lunch. If you can join me, be at the Nickelodeon over on the Coralville strip. Thanks.

Lehman: Thank you.

Lehman: Sally?

Stutsman: I attended Empowerment Board Meeting last Thursday evening, to remind Board Members that Johnson County is the fiscal agent for the Empowerment Board. I serve on that Board. That's about the sole role that the County has on that Board. It's a Board of local community members, so we don't appoint the people or anything on there. We are at the point of hiring support staff for the Empowerment Board. This has been a constant problem with trying to administer this pretty huge community initiative without any support staff. So, we have figured out how to pay and hire a part-time administrator. One of the issues that came up, and this is just a heads up for the Board, is where would this person be contracted through. Currently we have a similar arrangement with the Decat Coordinator and that person is hired through United Way. So, United Way will be approached to see if they would be willing to take on Administrative Responsibilities for this person. If that doesn't work out, there might be a possibility that they might ask the County to assume that role. No decision has been made but I just am telling you that for your information. I attended the Finance Committee Meeting with MH/MR/DD Department. I serve on that committee now. I think Pat pretty well went over all of the things that we discussed, too, at our Committee meeting. I attended Prairie Preview, also. Last night, Pat and I attended a racial profiling discussion that was presented by Chief Winklehake and Sid Jackson. I just went for my own information to see what the City is doing as far as racial profiling. One thing that was mentioned is that Senator Bolkcom has introduced legislation concerning police. Am I correct Pat, sheriff departments, too?

Harney: Yes.

Stutsman: To fill out a form every time a stop is made so that data can be collected concerning racial profiling. This has just been introduced, so I don't know where it's at. Iowa City, evidently, is already doing this kind of form filling out, just to get that data so that there is some documentation as to who is being stopped and what the offenses are. I know if that law comes into being if that's something that the Sheriff's Department will be asked to do, too. I also attended the State County Management Meeting today in Des Moines. A couple of things there that will be of interest to the Board, there was a court decision called Salito v. Woodbury County. Out of that there is going to be some changes on the local level as far as how we handle appeals. One of the suggestions that's going to be made, and I think it will have to go through the rules process, but I think it's probably pretty sure that it will happen. The Board of Supervisors will no longer be the final step in an appeal process on a decision made through the MH/MR/DD Department. The ruling said it needed to be an impartial decision-maker making that final decision. We decided today to make it very flexible as to how each local, County would handle this. So, at some point in time we will have to make a decision who will be the final appeal body when it comes to handling appeals to the MH/MR/DD Decision. Decisions that the CPC makes. I feel real good about what is coming out this Salsito decision, as far as the appeals process and making sure that if there is a decision that a client isn't comfortable with that they have a body to hear that appeal. It’s up to us how we want to handle it, if we want to appoint one person, if we want to appoint a Board or whatever. But, that will be something that we'll, in the future, be having to work through. The other thing that came out of there is that part of this… There are 50 members on this State Management Committee and this time we each took 7 annual reports from the case plans from different counties and reviewed them and then talked about them during the State County Management Committee Meeting today. It was a real interesting exercise. I was really glad I was a part of it because it gave you a chance to see how different counties handle their case management plan and what they are doing. There is a real variety of what is happening in different counties. The person that reviewed our plan that was submitted by Elaine Sweet, was very, very positive about was submitted, where we're at and what we're doing. So, that was real good feedback to hear somebody else talk about what Johnson County is doing, how complete the plan was. One of things that we're just shining stars on is our community involvement with our whole MH/MR/DD process. Overall, that's probably one of the toughest areas statewide that counties face is how to get advocates, how to get family members, how to get consumers involved in the planning process. We just do a great job here. So, I really wanted to pass that on to the Board and to the community, to say that's just great that there is so much interest in what is happening with services for person with disability in Johnson County. That's everything. Oh, one other thing that I was going to mention. I was approached by an individual asking why in Johnson County we don't offer some kind of tax relief for wetlands in Johnson County. So, I am doing some investigation on this. It is a choice. Counties can offer this if they so desire. There is legislation saying that this is something that we can do. I've been in discussion with Wendell Jones at Soil and Water and Conservation District to see how many acres of wetlands we have and maybe report back to the Board to see if this is something we want to pursue.

Lehman: Thank you Sally.

Lehman: Just to follow up on that, that Prairie Preview is the first time I attended that.

Stutsman: There was a lot of people there, wasn't there?

Lehman: Over roughly 200-250…from the distance there away…Anamosa to Williamsburg and I think Muscatine.

Stutsman: Muscatine. We could tell by who won the door prizes none of us won anything.

Lehman: The speaker kind of gave a history of his farm he now lived and had for the last 25 years up around Decorah. He kind of critiqued the 7 different owners that had lived on that property. I don't know if you've been up around that area, but there is some pretty rough ground up there. You kind of wonder, if the mule died or the wagon wheel break that they settled in that ground or they thought maybe it was going to get worse. But, they get a lot of mileage out of that ground up there. It kind of challenged me and I think his challenge to the whole group was, if you are a property owner or just an individual of any area, try to leave your property in better condition than when you got it. I know my brother and I have been looking at some farm ground doing buffer strips along some creeks and stuff. I think it kind of convinced me that taking some land out of production would benefit the rest of the property and people on down the watershed would cleanup water and stuff. It's pretty good farm ground, but after listening to that, you kind of get a little pride in making things better for the future of your family you leave it to or the next owners. I thought it was a very well done program, excellent speaker.

Stutsman: It was Paul Johnson, who used to be formerly head of the Department of Natural Resources in Iowa. I think he was National Head of the Soil and Water Conservation District. I don't know if I've got that right, but he was a former Iowa Legislator developed the REAP Program for the State of Iowa. He was an excellent speaker.

Lehman: It would have been a good one, I don't think it was filmed or taped, but it would have been a good one I think.

Stutsman: It sure would have.

Lehman: To broadcast later. I think whether you live in rural areas or the city I thought it had a real good impact. Good message, good stories, very entertaining.

Lehman: Previous to that we had our public hearing on the budget here. I thought I would compliment the Board again on doing such a good job on the presentations. That was also taped and can be viewed later for those that have cable access. This afternoon I participated in a panel discussion of the Iowa City Coralville Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership. It was a community economics session. Other participants were, Mary Kay Mitchell of North Liberty, Steve Atkins of Iowa City, Sheila Boyd of the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce Acting President, Jim Fausett the Mayor of Coralville, and myself. Basically a group of about 20 people in this leadership program. We were asked to speak on our condition of our economic development and programs we have, where we're at, where we're looking at problems. It was very interesting insight when you start to listen to other community leaders and some of the hurdles they have overcome, what they look for in the future. There again, it's like very gray areas on where to go. We were asked to look into our crystal ball and predict the challenges that we're going to see in the next couple of years and how we are going to lead the community to the next generation. I really enjoyed it. You always learn a lot listening to those people that are probably more experienced than you are and have had challenges and they've been able to answer those challenges and you learn from them. I stated that we are still working on the Economic Development Plan. We have a land plan that helps us with our Fringe Area Agreements, trying to identify growth areas as such. But, we needed a document to leave… (inaudible) was to at least refer to and maybe build on. As our Board changes from time to time, we need to leave a little bit of a legacy for people to adhere to and change if they so need. I believe that's all I have. Anything else the Board would like to have?

Lehman: Down to inquiries and reports from the public?

Reverend Bob Welsh: Just to thank you all again. Bob Welsh. I would like you Sally to (inaudible) were the only one who was here when the Land Use Plan was adopted. The more times you make decisions in line with that document, I think the better it is for developers, for the citizens as a whole. I wanted to thank you for that. I also want to thank Pat for his suggestion that you discuss this 28E Agreement with City Council. I think (inaudible) broke down at least from my perspective. I think Pat was a member of that committee. I think they appointed different persons and he was one of the persons to be at the table. The whole purpose of the 28E Agreement is to do things jointly. If that is not a basic understanding, then… So, I think you are right in terms of talking with the City Council and making sure that at least there is agreement on what a 28E Agreement's basic purpose is. I hope you will rely very heavily on Pat at that point, who was the author of the present 28E Agreement.

Lehman: Thank you. Bob had mentioned the Land Use Plan. I missed it by about 48 hours. Carol missed it by about a month and a half. But, that's something, just like we've been talking about with Economic Development. It's a plan or a guide, whichever you want to say. But, there are 5 of us sitting here. I don't want to say an odd number, or how about an even number, that there is still subject to some interpretation there. I think what the public wants to see from us is, if you've got something to adhere to, they kind of know how, maybe not without hearing your vote ahead of time, they want to know what the situation is out there and they want to know what you're thinking. I know when you're campaigning they might throw a situation at you. But, they want to know for their planning sake and their investment of dollars. They want to know how to read the Board, although it changes every 2 years, we owe it to them to stick to a principal if we can. Every case is separate and different. I know that. But, we're just in reports and inquiries discussion. I have to remind myself.

White: Can I add a 30-second report that I should have added when you called on me before. You had some discussion about who was here and who is left. There is only one person in the room who started the meeting with all of us tonight. Kelly Neff, who covers the Supervisors for KCJJ and who is also their Sports Director. What I want to mention is, he is being recognized by the Iowa High School Athletic Association a week from this Friday, at what will be half time of the Class 1A Boys State Championship game. They are going to give him a reward for his years of service and support of high school athletics in the state of Iowa. I assume his perseverance in sitting through this meeting may be some evidence of what he has accomplished for the Iowa High School Athletic Association.

Stutsman: Can we get Kelly on camera?

White: Congratulations Kelly.

Lehman: We don't get to see him. We only get to listen to him on radio.

Stutsman: Now everybody knows what he looks like.

Lehman: I think we'll get a chance to hear Kelly on Monday morning at 10:30 for the Iowa City Regina team, and on Wednesday, I believe, for the Iowa City Little Hawks and hopefully we'll get to hear both of them later on in the week.

Kelly Neff: Hopefully, 3 times a piece.

Welsh: The Iowa Hawkeye's did win tonight.

Stutsman: Oh they did.

White: Thank you.

Welsh: At half time they were ahead by something like 16 points, but Northwestern came down within 3 points, but then they pulled back away.

Lehman: That was going to be Kelly's lead story I think tomorrow. OK.

Lehman: We'll go into our work session here for our strategic planning document. I wonder if anybody may have some brief discussion on that.

Stutsman: I was going to ask, can we do that next Thursday. It's been a long…

Lehman: Oh, come on. You've only been to Des Moines and back today.

Stutsman: Well, I'm sorry. I would rather do it when I am a little bit more alert and refreshed.

Lehman: Or feisty and ready to bump heads.

Stutsman: You bet.

Peters: Just one clarification. On the agenda it says that February 2000. I left it that way because that is what the document said, but actually it is February 2001.

Neuzil: Yes. We would have to talk about last year's according to the agenda.

Peters: They just use the same cover page as last year. I didn't want to confuse anybody.

Stutsman: Would that be OK?

Neuzil: I don't have a problem with that.

Lehman: That'd be fine with me. OK, any other business the Board would like to discuss?

Adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Attest: Tom Slockett, Auditor

By Casie Parkins, Recording Secretary