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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-29 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee November 29, 2011 Minutes Councilors: Hawes, Longo, Gallant, Durgin, Blanchette, Sprague, Baldacci Staff: Farrar, Yardley, Conlow, Heitmann, Gastia Others: Joe Pickering, Fran Loring, Dennis Marble Hawes noted that items 2 and 3 would be covered first. 1. Request to Establish Regional Committee to Discuss the Future of the Dorothea Dix Facility Councilor Baldacci had requested that a regional committee be established to discuss the future of the Dorothea Dix facility. This request follows recent discussions initiated by the State of Maine concerning the possible closure of the facility. Baldacci spoke about the 25% budget reduction facing the facility in 2012. The Legislature has approved a $2.5M reduction of general funding that translates into approximately $7M in total reduced funding when the federal matching monies are taken into account. The reduction will cause a decrease in maximum bed at the facilities and the outpatient services would be limited. The facility employs 280 staff and the reduction would eliminate 70 positions. Baldacci said he would like to see the force of the community, the region get behind the idea of offering an alternative vision to persuade Legislators and to make a case to them that the people in Bangor care. Blanchette spoke of the importance of the Bangor City Council going on record to notify the Legislature that the City is taking this issue very seriously. Dorothea Dix cannot be downsized. She referred to the effectiveness of a prior formed group that dealt with methadone clinics in Bangor. Gastia said it is his belief that the closing of Dorothea Dix will adversely affect law enforcement within the City and the region. With the reduction in funding for agencies, he finds that the Department’s resources continue to diminish. Durgin spoke of his background in dealing with the BMHI since 1966. At the hearing in Augusta last month, Durgin represented the Bangor City Council and make the plea to not close the facility but to redefine what keeping it open means. There are a number of alternatives to consider. He noted that Dorothea Dix is funded by the DHHS. Pickering said that CHCS operated the joint in-patient program with the then BMHI. It was closed due to federal policy. He spoke of federal and state policies that are not integrated. He expressed concern that some decision will be made based on politics. Longo spoke of fostering partnerships across the other five counties to help with a task force/committee. Loring spoke of her nursing career at Bangor State Hospital in 1966. There is an assumption of resources being available in the community to help this population and they aren’t. Cost shifting has nothing to do with cost saving. She indicated that when the State wishes to save money it shifts it to the police force, the community, to individual taxpayers. She urged the formation of a committee to look at solutions, not just identifying a problem, and to learn the history of the facility. In response to Hawes, Yardley said the Public Health Advisory Board was created 4-5 years ago by City Ordinance around the impetus of preventive health issues and is part of the State’s efforts to have a statewide public health infrastructure. He spoke of the potential of Dorothea Dix becoming a subcommittee of the Board. Hawes commended the Board and said that that the Board’s meetings are not televised and people aren’t aware of their valid hard work. Durgin agreed with the subcommittee concept as the PHAB’s membership reaches out to all agencies having a stake in the issue. Marble agreed with the PHAB’s involvement by forming a subcommittee. He spoke of the need for additional members other than those currently serving on the PHAB. Baldacci felt that a meeting of the Government Operations Committee and the PHAB would be beneficial. He would like to see a focused effort regarding Dorothea Dix. Baldacci would like the Council to invite individuals from beyond Bangor’s city limits. Longo spoke of the importance of the matter. He spoke of a forming separate group from the PHAB as soon as possible. He was not in favor of a subcommittee of the Board. Blanchette spoke of time sensitivity with the issue, and the City’s lobbyist (Richard Trahey). The City needs to contact him about the matter. Gallant spoke about the safety of the citizenry as evidenced by the recent vote to keep Bangor’s dispatch. The City needs a strong, educated, willing and focused group to stop the closing now. Durgin said the PHAB has taken a position to move with this matter if needed. He feels the Board can act quickly. Hawes, Heitmann and Yardley talked about the PHAB membership as well as adding members for this one issue. Baldacci again asked for a meeting of the joint meeting of the PHAB and Government Operations Committee within the next week to make a focused case. Baldacci also would like to include regional individuals to the meeting. Conlow clarified that the PHAB regularly meets bimonthly at 3 pm. Yardley said the Board serves 14 communities and can be brought together for a meeting. Heitmann did recommend a Council Resolve to establish the Council’s position on the issue and to set parameters for a committee structure. Longo made a motion to have an independent committee separate from the PHAB formed with representatives from the PHAB and representatives deemed appropriate from various partners and agencies, members of the public and Council. Baldacci seconded the motion but requested that the Council Resolve be added to the motion. He still requested a meeting with the PHAB. Yardley stated that the PHAB serves 14 communities in greater Bangor. There is also the District Coordinating Council which serves Penobscot and Piscataquis County, and their regularly scheduled meeting is next Friday. Next week the State Council for Public Health meets, and Yardley is the Chair. He will bring the issue to their attention as well. He suggested that a focus group be formed including some of the PHAB membership. He isn’t certain what would be gained by meeting with the PHAB as they have already formed an opinion about Dorothea Dix. Gallant spoke about a referendum process versus forming a committee. Baldacci said it is more of a decision by the State Appropriations Committee, which needs a clear and concrete message from the City. The objective is to keep the facility open. He would like to reverse the cut which is set for July 1, 2012. Responding to Pickering, Durgin spoke of the State’s report regarding Dorothea Dix indicating that the report was indecisive. He mentioned the need to meet with area representatives. Blanchette said that any bill that goes forth to reestablish funding would have to be emergency legislation. Hawes referred to the motion which had been seconded. Longo restated the motion to establish a regional committee to discuss the future of the Dorothea Dix facility and make recommendations to the Council as well as the Legislature and the Governor. The vote was unanimous among the voting Committee members. This item will go to full Council. Marble spoke of a December 12 breakfast meeting at the Shelter at which the topic of Dorothea Dix will be discussed. Councilors have been invited as well as the Legislative Delegation. Hawes and Conlow discussed a joint meeting of the Council and the Legislative Delegation. Blanchette also added that the Chair of the Appropriations Committee should be included. Hawes asked Committee members to provide the City Manager with a list of individuals to invite to the Legislative/Council meeting. Yardley also spoke of the Hot Stove League meetings at which Legislators attend. 2. Council Resolve 12-016, Accepting and Appropriating a $90,000 Community Transformation Grant from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Yardley noted that this grant offered to the Penquis Public Health District will be used to implement public health strategies. Funding will be used to hire a staff person to increase physical activity, tobacco, control blood pressure, cholesterol and related strategies. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff’s recommendation. The Order will be placed on the December 12, 2011 Council Agenda. 3. Authorizing Application for and Acceptance of a $25,000 Strategic Planning Grant from the Libra Foundation to Further Develop the Healthy Homes Asthma Project Staff is requesting permission to apply for and accept this grant funding for the Healthy Homes Asthma Project. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff’s recommendation. The Order will be placed on the December 12, 2011 Council Agenda. Adjourned at 6:37 pm.