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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-24 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee April 24, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. Minutes Councilors: Hawes, Blanchette, Longo, Staff: Farrar, Yardley, Goodwin Others: Tom Grogan, CPPC Coordinator Consent Agenda 1. Resolve, Authorizing the City Manager to accept and appropriate a grant in the amount of $37,250 from the Maine Center for Disease Control Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund to support lead poisoning prevention activities in the Penquis Public Health District. This is a one year renewal of a $27,250 grant to support lead poisoning prevention activities in the Penquis Public Health District for the period July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012. Hawes opened the meeting to Shawn Yardley, Director of Health and Community Services who explained that this is basically a CDC grant. It is a renewal of an existing grant targeting lead education and abatement. Since Bangor is the primary site for much of the lead issues, a lot of the work is completed locally. Yardley said that they partner with Penquis Lead Program and it is a continuation of the work. There is no match for the grant, it is entirely state funds allotted to us to complete this work. Councilor Longo moved Staff Recommendation; the motion was seconded and approved. Regular Agenda 2. Introduction and Presentation – Community Partnerships for Protecting Children (CPPC). (CPPC of Bangor is a local collaboration of stakeholders committed to the responsibility of keeping children and families safe, supported and healthy within their families, neighborhoods and communities.) Hawes introduced Tom Grogan, CPPC Coordinator to present a presentation about the organization. Grogan described the CPPC as a model that exists in approximately thirteen states and is often referred to as a reform for child protection. The program is currently in Portland and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) would like to see the model replicated in other parts of the state. Grogan further explained that the measurable goal of the partnership is to reduce the number of children going into care with the state and the number of referrals for child abuse and neglect. The philosophy of the CPPC is that healthy children live in healthy and safe families, safe neighborhoods and safe communities. They work as a “neighborhood by neighborhood model”. For example, they are currently operating in Capehart, and if all goes well, they move into other neighborhoods. The CPPC requests that folks who are involved in their neighborhoods such as organizations, churches, communities groups, etc…. come together and look at possible methods and/or solutions to problems. A Governance Council oversees the project and there are currently committees in place. There is a Practice Committee responsible for assisting various organizations in connecting with the CPPC. A Neighborhood Committee examines their own neighborhoods to seek out those in need of support. There is also a Resident Committee made up of residents of certain neighborhoods willing to get involved and assist in helping the cause. A reform process for child protection has been developed by the office of Child and Family Services in Bangor. They have identified two protection workers to work solely in the Cape Hart neighborhood. One is a permanency worker and the other is a prevention worker. DHHS has stated that support is needed before intervention comes into play. The model also includes a parent partner who is someone that has had an open case with the DHHS that has now been closed, so they serve as a mentor for those currently in need. After complimenting the efforts of the CPPC, Blanchette asked Mr. Grogan what he needed from City Council. Grogan replied by stating that his organization would be honored to have the City of Bangor sign the CPPC Partnership Agreement to work together in supporting this mission. Farrar said that the Bangor Police Department and the Department of Health and Community Services are currently partners with the CPPC organization. He added that in speaking with City Manager Conlow, she is willing to sign the document as long as the Government Operations Committee endorses the concept and allows Mr. Grogan to explain this program as he did today. Blanchette suggested that our Legal Department review the process before an agreement is signed. Farrar agreed to coordinate with the City Solicitor before the City Manager signs the agreement. Hawes described that the next two items on the agenda as updates rather than voteable items which our City Clerk Lisa Goodwin will discuss. 3. Appointment of Election Clerks Goodwin explained that each even number year, Democrats and Republicans caucus and select individuals to serve as Election Clerks. These clerks will work for the City Clerk during the elections performing various tasks needed during that time. The list of selected individuals is then submitted to City Clerk, and forwarded to City Council for confirmation. These people will be added to the current group of Election Clerks that the City has previously had. Goodwin will th bring this list before Council at the May 14 Council meeting. 4. Voter Registration Appeals Board Goodwin described that the Voter Registration Appeals Board is required by law as well as a City Charter requirement. The Democrats and Republicans nominate two people, one as a serving board member, and the other as the alternate. The City Clerk then chooses the Chair for that Board and these names (1 Democrat, 1 Republican and 1 Chair) will be submitted to City Council for confirmation at the th May 14 Council meeting. Adjourned at 5:35 pm.