Human Services Committee Agendas & Minutes

HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE Meeting Summary Tuesday, November 12, 2013 Village of Niles Administration Building 1000 Civic Center Drive Members present: Rosemary Palicki, Tony Hollenback, Carl Maniscalco, Kelly Mickle, Mark Williams Also present: Louella Preston- resident Members Absent: none Meeting started at 6:30 p.m. New Business Each Director was asked to present a summary of their accomplishments for the current year and their goals for the upcoming year. Below is a summary of each presentation. FAMILY SERVICES- Tony Hollenback -Working on creating healthy relationships within the Village -Wants to restructure monthly adjudication hearings- taking too much time away from the office and clientele (Tony is used as Spanish translator when needed)- needs to make sure that counseling/referrals are for residents only- numbers of cases increasing, over 80% involve minors under the age of 18 -Need to develop crisis intervention procedures -More interaction with Maine and Niles Townships and use of their resources -Working with local schools to integrate Family Services into the school’s offerings of services -Food pantry restructuring - Needs to fill vacant Social Worker position FITNESS CENTER- Carl Maniscalco -Working with Advocate Health Care on health & wellness issues -Employee Wellness Program needs Board of Trustees support of financial incentives to increase employee participation (reduced insurance rates?) -Restricting hours for part time employees (due to eliminating eligibility for IMRF benefits) is a hardship -How to increase employee usage of facility (approx. 120 out of the 270 Village employees are regular users of the Fitness Center) -Considerations: a group exercise program with a separate membership; increasing the number of private swim lessons offered; transferring members to monthly plans -Age of facility -Space issues- aerobic room -5 year equipment replacement plan -Incorporate more usage of energy efficient products - Starting wages for part timers has not increased since the Fitness Center opened SENIOR CENTER- Kelly Mickle -Need to rebrand the Senior Center to make it more inclusive and add evening events -Look at different means of distribution of program guide -Outdated computers, looking for grants -Food Pantry, need refrigerator for fresh produce -Building improvements needed: new couches; sound system in Rm. 127 that accommodates those with hearing problems; doors/counter tops peeling; painting -Meals on Wheels needs an overhaul- not growing, needs to be less restrictive -Would like to consider offering a non-resident rate for membership in Senior Center and seeking outside sponsorship for special events -Considering partnerships with local schools and Niles Library TEEN CENTER- Mark Williams -Redesigning Teen Center website -Have teen produced PSAs on Ch. 6 -Problems with HVAC system at Golf Mill resulting in no heat in certain areas of Center, paying $1350 monthly rent -Need to replace refrigerator, TV stands, new lockers, new coffee/water service -IMRF limitations on hours worked for part timers imposes a hardship resulting in having to close the Center during the Christmas holidays -Cost of postage has resulted in dropping quarterly mailings, would like to reinstate that service Open Discussion Next Meeting Next meeting will be Thursday, January 23 at 1:00 pm. Meeting concluded at 8:15 p.m.