CSC Minutes 02/05/1993 Children ' s Services
Council of Collier County
Minutes/Transcript
February 5 , 1993
The Children' s Services Council of Collier County
Meeting of February 5, 1993
Council Members Present Council Members Absent
Hon. Cynthia Ellis Delores G. Dry
Lavern Gaynor Bea Harper
Dr. Robert Munz Melinda Riddle
Mary Ellen zum Felde Burt Saunders
Ron Webster
A meeting of the Children' s Services Council of Collier County
was held on Friday, February 5, 1993, 9 :00 am. , Collier County
School Board Room.
The invocation was given by Dr. Munz, followed by the pledge of
allegiance and roll call.
The minutes of the December 4 , 1992 meeting were approved as
presented. Motion made by Lavern Gaynor, seconded by Mary Ellen
zum Felde and passed unanimous.
Mr. Pinson introduced Wayne Miller, Executive Director, Mosquito
Control Board of Lee County, who was appointed by the Lee County
Commissioner to chair a special task force to research and assess
what can be done to win a referendum in November on behalf of the
children and the juvenile system in Lee County.
Mr. Miller explained he became involved with the juvenile system
when his family became the victim of a juvenile crime, and
attributes one of the problems in Lee, and other district
counties, to obsolete laws which were enacted to cope with
juvenile delinquents when the public is now coping with juvenile
criminals -- and while it is a small number that creates the bulk
of the problems, it is of serious concern to everyone in the Lee
County community.
He continued by stating the Lee County Board of Commissioner
authorized one-half mill for the Children' s Services Council of
Lee County subject to referendum, which was defeated. (At that
time, Mr. Miller had talked to the Lee CSC and did not believe
the referendum would pass. He represented a foundation that put
up approximately $20, 000 to help with campaign advertising even
though it was considered a lost cause. )
His perception of the juvenile system in Lee County is that there
are several programs for juveniles, but no commitment facility,
no place to put juveniles when they are sentenced. He recognizes
some HRS staff persons and legislative members perceive that
early intervention programs are the answer to the problem rather
than a commitment facility -- he agrees this is not to be
denied, that the best money spent, long term, is for early
prevention, but politically, the public does not support it. He
then cited the analogy: "In Lee County the Mosquito Control Board
spends about $1,000,000 in basic research which does not control
one mosquito, and the reason why the taxpayers are willing for
the Board to do so, is because the mosquitos are not biting the
public. When they do bite, it is necessary to stop everything
except eliminating the mosquitos. These juvenile criminals are
biting the public and that' s what the public is willing to
address. The message of the task force to the Lee Board of
Commissioner and the CSC is "the kids must first stop the
biting. "
He continued by saying the Lee Board of Commission had authorized
a 1/2 mill for CSC, which would have produced $9, 000,000, and
that CSC told the public even though they were authorized to
spend 1/2 mill they only wanted to use a 1/4 mill, $4,500, 000.
The public did not believe them. During a discussion with CSC,
he inquired, if you only want 1/4 mill why not put 1/4 of a mill
into a commitment facility and take the other 1/4 mill to do the
early prevention programs you want to do. Their response was
"that ' s only for the first year" , and that' s exactly what the
public was concerned about.
He explained the task force had made a proposal to the Lee County
Board of Commission which said, "the business and professional
communities would get out and sell the 1/2 mill to the public if
the CSC would split the 1/2 mill with 1/4 going to a commitment
facility and set it (the facility) up as a dependent authority of
the Board of Commission. He continued by saying a security
facility would cost $30,000 per bed per year and a 150 bed
facility could be constructed for $4,500, 000. He believes the
public will support such a plan. The problem is that it leaves
the CSC hanging without any funds and the general consensus is
that it will never pass on its own. The task force talked with
the media and they agreed. And so, it is a heavy load to carry,
but they are going to the public for 1/2 mill in November of this
year; 1/4 for the commitment facility and 1/4 for CSC. The
Board of Commission is commited to the plan and have asked their
staff for innovative proposals for funding. Members of the task
force prefer the Board of Commission not get involved in funding,
as five years from now faces change; their preference is for a
more dedicated source of funding.
Mr. Miller continued by saying that to be successful, the story
the public needs to hear is that these kids will work in the
proposed facility and cited the San Antonio Boys Village (Fla)
that operates a nursery. When committed to the Village, the boys
work in the nursery at a minimum wage where disciplinary
measures, such as TV viewing and use of dirt bikes, etc. , are in
place and the boys themselves become disciplinarians for one
another. Mr. Miller closed by reiterating they are moving in Lee
County and that the public will support their plan.
A general discussion followed during which Mr. Miller explained
how his family became involved and that parents, judges,
attorneys and legislators are all frustrated and a sincere effort
is being made to necessarily change the law. When asked who was
going to promote the plan, he stated he had been authorized by
the Lee Board of Commissioners to appoint a Citizens Task Force
and he reports back to the Board in March. It is anticipated a
large amount of funds for financial support will be raised from
within the business and professional communities.
He also said two committees were really necessary to get the job
done, the other being the the Juvenile Delinquency Prevention
Gang Council comprised of official legislative, judicial and
legal hierarchy, which supports their concept and is working
diligently toward that end. He pointed out because officialdom
is suspect in the minds of the public, it is necessary to keep
the two groups separate.
When asked if the facility would be for Lee County use only. His
reply was "that is his concept" , but contined by saying that no
matter how big the facility is built it won't be big enough;
however, if one child is turned loose because a bed is not
available, the system is broken, which is the state of affairs
now. He continued by saying they are looking at a 150 bed
facility because that' s what a 1/4 mill will support. Some
people believe 50 beds will be sufficient, others believe 25
beds would be adequate. . . .and it' s not. Today, Ft. Myers could
place 100 kids in the proposed facility. On the other hand, the
general consensus is that when the word on Lee County streets
gets around that "you go to jail" , the kids will begin to behave
themselves (or, they may go to Collier, Charlotee or Palm Beach)
and eventually the demand for beds will drop off making beds
available to Collier and other district counties. A site for
the facility has been offered by the Price Foundation.
A community response clarified that two separate problems
existed: detention and committment, pointing out that what is
being planned for the commitment facility will not change the
detention problem, that Collier County uses approximately 25% of
the detention facility and that there is a Collier County
contingent involved with the facility serving the entire district
not Lee County only. Mr. Miller commented the importance of
separating detention from commitment when appearing before the
public, and his problem in getting the media, and other
interested persons as well to make this distinction.
Mr. Miller made his final closing by saying he believed the Lee
County CSC could have passed the referendum if they had included
the commitment facility in its message to the public, and
explained that the CSC recognized the necessity for a commitment
facility, but did not consider it their main thrust; their
primary interest being prevention and early intervention. For
that, the task force recommended to the Board of County
Commissioners the commitment facility be a dependent authority
directly under the Board of Commissioners to administer the
program.
Audit Update/Phyllis Jones, Coopers & Lybrand, certified Public
Accountants. Copies of the audit report for fiscal year ended
September 30, 1991 were distributed to members of the Council. A
brief review was given: a clean opinion, unqualified, was so
stated; reference was made to the balance sheet, income
statement, statement including the budget, various footnotes,
internal control (because the Council is a small organization
internal control was not well established or formalized, but as
stated, no material weaknesses were discovered) , and compliance
-- some items were not in compliance but have now moved into
compliance. Recommendations were that the Council move into
fiscal year reporting and usage of the State chart of accounts.
A motion was made by Mary Ellen zum Felde to accept the audit,
seconded by Dr. Munz, passed unanimous. A copy is filed with the
minutes.
Insurance Update/Diana "Pixie" Turner, Insurance and Risk
Management Services, Inc. Copies of a proposal were distributed
to the Council and reviewed. During a general discussion,
inquiry was made to be certain volunteers (ie. , the C.A.D.E.T.
volunteers) would be covered, reference was made to the Community
Foundation' s willingness to fund C.A.D.E.T. , and the need for
professional coverage was questioned. A motion was made by Judge
Ellis that the Council should go back to the Community Foundation
to make them aware of the proposal, seconded by Lavern Gaynor,
passed unanimous. It was agreed that professional coverage be
researched, but there was a general consensus it was not
required.
After School Update/Dorothy Ferguson, Director, Child Care of
Southwest Florida, Inc. Ms. Ferguson prefers "school age child
care" when referring to after school as these kids tend to be
forgotten when talking about child care. There are 12 elementary
after school based programs ( 9 operated by the YMCA, 3 by PAT' s
Kids) ; 5 public programs; 2 private programs; 25 profit and
non-profit child care centers; 60 family day care homes.
Approximately 1, 750 slots are available. In Ms. Ferguson view
providers are not trained to take care of school age kids. We
really don't know what is appropriate for school age kids.
Collier County Extension has some dome training. Why aren't the
empty slots not filled? Cost: there is a range from $35 for
child care, $31 for family day care, and $11 to $12 county care;
appropriate time as parents working hours vary; and, some parent
attitude that after school care is not necessary. It is against
the law in Florida to leave a child under 12 alone at home.
There are subsidy problems, parents who earn just over the mark,
do not qualify and it is many of these kids that fall through the
cracks and learn to "bite" the public.
After School Update/Mary Peterson, Parents As Teachers. Ms.
Peterson reported a meeting was held at Gulf View Middle School,
during which it was agreed to go with the Middle School Activity
Program with some adaptations to fit Gulf View. A variety of
activities were discussed. It is anticipated the cost will be
$31, 000, the largest cost being transportation. The program is
viable and desperately needed. September 1993 is the target date
for the program to begin.
C.A.D.E.T. Update/Ginny Stevens, chairman of C.A.D.E.T. , reported
the first child would appear before the Board next week and that
Barron Collier was helping with the design and printing of
an informative brochure.
Executive Report/Paul Pinson, reported Bea Harper has moved from
Naples opening up another seat on the Council. It is
anticipated a formal letter of resignation will be received from
Ms. Harper. There are now two vacancies on the Council. The
Governor' s Office is waiting to hear from the Board of
Commission. The golf tournament was held until after the
treasurer' s report.
I & R Update/Kay Campbell. 95% of gathered information is in the
computer. Service providers have been most cooperative in
supplying data. Operating costs and program marketing is
dependent upon funding.
Election of vice-chairman. Ms. zum Felde nominated Lavern Gaynor,
seconded by Dr. Munz, passed unanimous.
Treasurer' s Report/Mary Ellen zum Felde, treasurer. The December
1992 and January 1993 financial statements. November 1992 cash
balance, $1, 924 .68; income, $2 , 141.31; expenditures, $2, 374 . 16;
cash on hand December 31, 1992 , $1,691. 83. January income,
1003 . 19, expenditures, $1, 882 . 38; cash on hand January 31,
$812 . 64 . The report was approved and filed for audit.
Mr. Pinson continued with his report by stating the current
balance will not enable the Council to pay staff February 15, and
it is now necessary for the Council to come to a consensus on the
direction of the Council. Will it remain a professional or
volunteer operating entity, or what whatever it decides to do?
The purpose of bringing Mr. Miller before the Council was to
inform the members on what was happening in Lee; that Lee was
doing it in a different way; Lee is answering all the objections
their community has raised -- all those primary issues raised in
our campaign as well as; Lee has talked it through and developed
a way, which he believes holds promise for succeess. Does the
Council wish to go forth with the refrendum issue or does it wish
to remain status quo?
A general discussion followed. Mr. Pinson reported no contact
had been made with the Board of Commission regarding any type of
support for the Council. There was a consensus it would be
prudent for the Council to do its homework first and identify the
kind of proposal it would bring forth -- as Lee has its act
together; homework first and then decision whether the Council
goes to referendum, rather than make the decision and back into
whether it needed to identify what it wanted to do.
Mr. Pinson agreed it was premature to make a decision about
returning to referendum and that to win, an aircraft carrier of
an issue, such as juvenile justice, was needed. He pointed out
that we do currently have funding requirements to address. If
there is reason, such as potentially returning to referendum at
some later date then we can put some energy into gathering the
necessary funds, but if the Council is going to be another
agency, he believes that would dictate a volunteer agency or
something else. There is the option of operating as a deQendent
district. It was agreed Mr. Pinson would contact Commissioner
Saunders and report the February meeting to him.
Mr. Pinson reported three individuals are interested in planning
the golf tournament to be held in May and followed by a
dinner/dance event; Bob Giamari, Gene Vaccaro and Bill Farrar.
It is anticipated $5, 000 to $6,000 can be raised.
There was great audience response: Mary Peterson felt she could
guarantee $2, 000 from a private source and suggested a fund
raising committee be formed. Gene Vaccaro, Florida Sports Park,
offered space for a concession booth at the Swamp Buggy Races,
March 6 and March 7 with monies to benefit the Council. Members
of the audience volunteered to help with the staffing of the
two-day event. Ginny Stevens suggested the Council seek
contributions from the agencies. Mary Peterson was asked to chair
the fund raising committee.
It was agreed the Council would hold its March meeting.
Respectfully submitted
me:kmc Mary Ellen zum Felde,
Secretary/Treasurer