Mental Health Board

708 GENEVA COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH BOARD February 9, 2016 The Geneva Community Mental Health Board met at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9, 2016, at Geneva City Hall, Council Chambers Conference Room, 109 James Street, Geneva, Illinois 60134. Present: Chairwoman Shogren, Members Buckley, Gaines, Hamilton, Johnson, Kautz. Absent: Wagner. 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL/GUESTS Chairwoman Shogren called the meeting of the Mental Health Board to order at 7:00 p.m. A quorum was present with six (6) voting members. 2. AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA - None. 3. OMNIBUS AGENDA ( OMNIBUS VOTE ) All items listed with an asterisk ( * ) are considered to be routine by the Mental Health Board and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a board member or citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the Omnibus (Consent) Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the Regular Agenda. Motion by Kautz to approve the Omnibus Agenda, seconded by Johnson. Motion carried by voice vote of 6-0. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES/PAYMENTS. A. *Regular Meeting Minutes of January 12, 2016 – approved by Omnibus Agenda. B. *Approve Payment to Recording Secretary for Services – approved by Omnibus Agenda. 5. SPEAKER Mary McKittrick, City Administrator – Members introduced themselves. Shogren reminded members she was going to ask McKittrick the following: how the board’s funds are received, the status of the Certificate of Deposit, and whether the board’s grant application can go electronic. McKittrick distributed copies of “Tax Levies and Your Assessments” and explained the formula of how tax levies are obtained. She also distributed copies of a levy statement, a budget worksheet report, a memorandum explaining the levy process, and a copy of the 2015-16 Budget summary. Discussion and details followed on these handouts. McKittrick discussed the inner-workings of the city’s budget, noting the budget includes approximately 30 different budgets, adding up to approximately $90 Million Dollars. She shared some discussion that recently took place at a recent Metro West Council of Government meeting regarding local government and the state trying to take control of property taxes and its implications. She reminded the board that the city was required to fund its core funds for the public’s welfare and safety, as stated by state statute. Should the state freeze the property taxes, she envisioned the city would have to look at other funding alternatives, such as video gaming. Further dialog followed regarding the distinction between home rule municipalities versus non-home rule. Asked if the city has discussed other forms of generating income, such as a donation, McKittrick stated the city has a “giving” program where residents can donate funds to various city boards or commissions. Given the affluence of the city, Kautz threw out the question whether if citizens knew the city was considering gaming for income versus donating, would those same citizens consider donating to the city instead? McKittrick elaborated on the issues that the city faces and believed the city needed to become home rule to address some of the shortfalls she saw. At the same time, she mentioned to the board that there may be a potential revenue stream dedicated to mental health the board could research to increase its revenue. Regarding the board’s capital reserve fund, McKittrick stated it was a board policy decision on how it wanted to use the funds but, overall, the city was supportive of this board. As for the certificate of deposit that the city held on behalf of the Mental Health Board, McKittrick said the city could not use the fund but the State could potentially use it. Additionally, McKittrick explained the city recently partnered with St. Charles, Batavia, and North Aurora to create a housing plan called Homes for a Changing Region, which this board could look into. The plan’s goal is to create a trust fund with the three cities and to make any donations go toward affordable housing, senior housing, etc. which could possibly be done indirectly through mental health. Examples followed. Chair Shogren proceeded to explain to McKittrick that the board believed, perhaps, that it was time to cash in the CD and disburse it, with the board’s regular November disbursement, to some of the larger agencies who had a better idea of where the funds could be used best. McKittrick indicated the process could be done, however, she cautioned the board that it may receive some criticism because not all of the money remained within the city, i.e., it went to agencies that “served” Geneva citizens and also served non-Geneva citizens. McKittrick recommended the board make a presentation in May or June to the council explaining what the board was planning to do and to explain the formula of how an agency was chosen. Then, the board could wait until next year to actually take all 708 Geneva Community Mental Health Board - 2- February 9, 2016 of the money and disburse it. However, she asked the board to make its decision fairly soon since the budget was being worked on and she would be presenting the line item budget to the council on March 7th. Gaines voiced concern that some of the agencies may not exist next year. Options were discussed. Another thought by McKittrick was that members each call a council member and get their input, explaining that the agencies were in need. Gaines agreed speaking one on one was beneficial but appearing before council was better since the press was present. Regarding the on-line, fill-able application grant form, McKittrick stated staff was researching this option. Details followed. Members thanked City Admin. McKittrick for attending tonight’s meeting. 6. CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT Chair Shogren circulated five different news articles regarding LSSI closings, along with a Daily Herald, January 30th article talking about Narcan saving its 100th person. Details of each article were shared. Shogren reminded members that they were considering a Renz representative to speak at its April meeting. Conversation also followed how times were changing and mental health was now starting to be addressed. On that comment, Kautz shared a story about a recent mental health patient released from Delnor Hospital who police had to subdue. She believed it opened her eyes as to the importance of what this board was trying to do. She also agreed it was important for the city’s leaders to clearly explain to the citizens what it needed for the community and to help those in need; not just to voice that there is a need. Hamilton concurred, but also pointed out that there may not be support for what this board wants to accomplish nor that it exist. Johnson added and believed it was so important, especially now, to share the costs associated between incarceration versus mental heath treatment to get through to some people. 7. ACMHAI REPORT - Tabled to next month. 8. OLD BUSINESS A. Capital Reserve Fund –Members then discussed ways on how to approach the aldermen and what to discuss specifically with them -- such as how the housing model has changed and the urgent financial need by the agencies. Members agreed that the board move forward and direct McKittrick to disburse the board’s capital reserve funds (estimated at $145,000) along with its regular $139,000 funding disbursement. Shogren stated she preferred to give McKittrick a summary statement as to why the board wanted this change. She and Hamilton would meet and prepare a summary statement for the request. Johnson made a motion that due to the extreme and extenuating circumstances surrounding the state’s budget and funds that are no longer available to our agencies and due to the changing housing models, the Mental Health Board requests that its entire capital reserve fund be released for disbursement at the November 2016 grant funding meeting, in addition to its regular ($139,000) disbursement. Kautz seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote of 6-0. B May Mental Health Month – Tabled to next meeting. C. Confirm Speakers/Presenters for March, April Meetings – Chair Shogren confirmed that Kelly Hesselbaum, the interventionist coordinator from Geneva High School, will speak at the board’s March meeting. For April, the board agreed to have a representative from Renz Addiction speak. (Shogren would contact Renz). Comments followed that Kane County Public Health Director Barb Jeffers could speak at the May meeting, if desired. Johnson would contact Ms. Jeffers. 9. OTHER BUSINESS A. Fox River Valley Initiative Update– Johnson had no update other than to mention that the group visited DuPage to view The Living Room.” 10. PUBLIC COMMENTS/MAIL – None. 11. ADJOURNMENT The Geneva Mental Health Board meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. on motion by Johnson, seconded by Kautz. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote 6-0. Recording Secretary, Celeste Weilandt