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CSC Minutes 03/05/1993 Children ' s Services Council of Collier County Minutes/Transcript March 5 , 1993 The Children' s Services Council of Collier County Minutes of March 5, 1993 Meeting Members Present Members Absent Hon. Cynthia Ellis Lavern Gaynor Kathy Hebert, Delores G. Dry designee Dr. Robert Munz Melinda Riddle Burt Saunders Ron Webster Mary Ellen zum Felde A meeting of the Children' s Services Council of Collier County was held on Friday, March 5, 1993, 9:00 am. , Collier County School Board Room. The invocation was given by Judge Cynthia Ellis, followed by the pledge of allegiance and roll call. The minutes of the February 5 meeting were approved as presented. Motion made by Lavern Gaynor, seconded by Dr. Robert Munz and passed unanimous. Mary Ellen zum Felde, Treasurer, presented the February Treasurer' s Report. Cash on Hand as of January 31, 1993, $812 . 64 ; Income, $325.92; Expenditures $524 .02; Cash on hand as of February 26, $614 .54 . Report was approved and filed for audit. Judge Ellis presented Bea Harper' s letter of resignation as a member of the Council and Margaret Steinbeck' s letter of resignation as Council ' s volunteer attorney. The resignations were accepted with regret. Motion made by Burt Saunders, seconded by Mary Ellen zum Felde and passed unanimous. Status of Council. Paul Pinson, executive director, referred to the Two-Year Anniversary Executive Summary, which highlighted the clear goals and mission of the CSC and its accomplishments of the first two years of operation, concluding that even though the referendum had failed, a children' s agenda had been established. He continued by saying he would be hard-pressed to articulate the same kind of success for the past 12 months, but that the CSC has remained a viable entity without clarity of 9oal and mission -- that it seems timely for the Council to consider other viable alternatives and options; ie. , dependent district or some type of advisory committee status -- that the Council needs to have a clearly stated mission. Judge Ellis asked: "if we went to the advisory committee status would that be as a functioning CSC, would we maintain the Council entity?" Commissioner Burt Saunders responded by saying that if the CSC elected the advisory board status and the Board of Commission approved it, it is not likely the board would be composed of current Council members; it may be some one could be appointed through the regularly advertised solicitation of resumee process. He explained that a clear statement as to number of people on the board and the function of the board would have to be established. He continued by stating that considerable resistance to the establishment of advisory boards is being expressed . . there are approximately 30 to 50 now in existence, and a certain amount of expense is involved with each board. His personal view is that the more public participation the Commission has, the better the decisions are, and that money is actually saved through the advisory board process. Commissioner Saunders continued with the suggestion that each of the Commissioners would be open to the board concept, but each would have to be convinced that its establishment would be a positive benefit to the kids, the families, and the tax payers; ie. , a Juvenile Justice program the board was involved with. In order for the Commission to support it, they would have to be certain the program was truly beneficial and not just another costly government program. But with persuasive argument the Commission would listen to the proposal. Paul Pinson commented the CSC can be placed on an inactive shelf and keep in close touch with Lee County to see what happens when they go to referendum in November, or, in the meantime, it can see what it can do to achieve some things for kids, such as moving to a status where there is some direct input. Commissioner Saunders further stated the Council, as it is currently constituted, would not be funded by the Commission and that the voters would not approve another referendum. He doubts the Commission, at least in the forseeable future, would put the issue back on the ballot. . .that if the Council wanted to accomplish anything through the Commission that there seemingly is no other alternative but to approach the commisson requesting them to establish an advisory board. Melinda Riddle commented she had strong reservations about an advisory committee. . .that, for the board to have direct input into the Commission, it would have to do like every other board, get on the list to get on the agenda and then appear before the commission -- that there would be disadvantages, ie. neither an office, staff, or support services, such as mailings would be available, that it would be necessary for the board to have some independent way to function. Mary Ellen zum Felde, because of her lack of advisory board experience, voiced some reservations. Dr. Munz pointed out the question is "can the CSC maintain an office and develop the funds to remain operating? If not, then we have to go into another direction. The option of becoming inactive was reviewed -- it was suggested rather than become officially inactive, the Council would meet on a quarterly or semi-annual basis. Basic office needs and statutory requirements were discussed; the most important requirement being the annual audit. After a thorough sharing of views, it was the general consensus that the present office be maintained for another month during which time the Council would give further consideration to the options for future direction and Paul Pinson would contact each of the Board of Commissioners individually and report back to Council at the regularly scheduled meeting, Friday, April 2, 1993. Kay Campbell updated the Council on the Children' s Services Information Service. The data is ready in print-out form for use by the service providers and Council internal use. Consumer print-outs need to be developed. Marketing is dependent upon funding. Judge Ellis reported on her meeting with Diana "Pixie" Turner, Insurance and Risk Managment Services, Inc. and Barbara Kent, executive director, the Community Foundation. The purpose of the meeting was to share with Barbara Kent the insurance proposal presented by IRMS, Inc. The total acceptable insurance premium totalled approximately $3,000, including coverage for the C.A.D.E.T. program. Barbara Kent was very positive that if the Council presented a proposal for the Children' s Services information and referral program, the difference between the $3, 000 insurance amount and the original $6,000 grant might be redirected toward the I & R program, or additional C.A.D.E.T. expenses. Barbara Sweinberg, Lutheran Ministeries of Southwest Florida, reported on the fund raising event at the Swamp Buggy Races, Florida Sports Park, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, March 6 and March 7 . Cotton candy and snow cone machines and face painting were donated; ingredients were purchased with refunds on unused portions. Volunteers from the YMCA, Lutheran Ministeries, and the Children' s Services Council were scheduled during the two day period. Pat Barton, Human Services board member, reported on the Juvenile Delinquent Gang Prevention Council, Lee County, chaired by Jude Reese, 20th Judicial Circuit. The agenda is two-fold: prevention of juvenile delinquency and construction of a committment facility which would serve the Judicial Circuit in its five counties including Collier County. Two ways to approach resolution of the agenda is: through referendum and each county doing a capita per share funding -- or possibly both. No decision has been made. A large body of people from the five counties attended the first meeting and are continuing to participate. Collier County was fairly represented at the first meeting and we met at a subsequent local meeting to determine how best to be represented in the formalized governing council body. The general consensus was that Collier County representation should be an elected official. It is hoped Sheriff Don Hunter and a County Commissioner will respectively agree to serve in the sheriff and commissioner slots. Ginny Stevens, David Lawrence Center, and Paul Pinson names have been submitted as Collier County representatives. Rev. Michael Collins has been contacted and agreed to serve in the religious slot. Structure of the JDGPC is mandated by law. They are working diligently to fill all the slots as soon as possible. A general discussion validating the existence of the Council as a central focus on children continued. No firm conclusions were reached. The meeting adjourned by a motion by Burt Saunders and second by Dr. Robert Munz. Passed unaimous. Respectfully submitted f"\\,.2144 mezf:kmc Mary Ellen zum Felde, Secretary