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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-HSC-1993-01-19 HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 19 , 1993 Attending : John Johnson , Chair , John Efroymson , Neil Golder , Barbara Blanchard , Richie Berg 1 . Human Services Coalition — Plans for 1993 Marge Dill advised the Committee the HSC intends to simplify the review process for agencies applying for funding . The process will be consolidated ; with the review committee divided into teams , and the application forms simplified . The Coalition is not making a recommendation for the amount of funding for next year . Ms . Dill indicated that she ' d rather not see new programs funded at the expense of existing programs . Ms . Dill indicated that some additional funding may be forthcoming for some agencies from some of the towns in Tompkins County as agencies will be making applications for new funding sources . The Coalition is investigating the possibility of moving into a central human services building ; with a number of agencies sharing space and other resources . Other plans for the Coalition include : A . Sponsorship of 8 workshops in 1993 B . Needs assessments C . Review of preventive services D . Computerize Information and Referral Services 2 . Police Department — Plans for 1993 Chief McEwen reviewed his plans for 1993 including : A . Complete the General Order Manual outlining policies and procedures . B . Technology Developments — Keeping abreast of computerization . C . Implementing parking ticket computerization D . Contract negotiations with PBA . City desirous of having more flexability with work schedules . E . Traffic enforcement: Chief and Mayor working on new patrol zones and the redeployment of patrol zones . F. Training : Training records to be computerized , more training in interpersonal relations skills and forensic skills . C . 1 . ,. . ,; • . .....t 1 - . . G . Renovation of the Hall of Justice — 2nd , 3rd , & 4th floors . 3 . Fire Department — Plans for 1993 Chief Olmstead reviewed his plans for 1993 . See memo attached to these minutes . 4 . The next meeting of the Committee is February 19 , 1993 at 11 ; 45 p .m. at Central Fire Station . Human Services Committee, 1/19/93 Page 2 9 . Finalize Occupational Safety and Health Policy. 10 . Continue integration of Fire Department and Building Department property and code enforcement databases through shared computer system. APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND PHYSICAL PLANT 11 . Complete specification and purchase of aerial ladder, pumper and suburban. 12 . Begin upgrade of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus . 13 . Establish program for the upgrade of all ground ladders . 14 . Complete specification and acquisition of exhaust extraction system for apparatus rooms . 15 . Construct dedicated turnout gear storage facilities in fire stations . 16 . Closeout construction projects for new stations and renovations . 17 . Begin phaseout of shunt type master boxes on Gamewell system. TRAINING 18 . Revise in service training program (state mandated 100-hour in service for career personnel) through transfer of responsibility to individual shifts . CODE ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC EDUCATION 19 . Complete fraternity and sorority inspection program and commence inspection program for other places of assembly (churches, bars, restaurants) 20 . Establish basic inspection program for C-2 (mercantile) occupancies, including updating of emergency contact database. 21 . Establish next group of inspection and permit fees . 22 . Complete last phase of fire hydrant inspection program and resume twice-yearly operational hydrant inspections . 23 . Formally establish Juvenile Fire Setter program including securing of outside funding sources . HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND DISASTER PLANNING/MANAGEMENT �Or ` 11 ,,rr 1�1 lvfF iThr, n1 ,�.� d lb�iiEO_=• CITY OF ITHACA 310 WEST GREEN STREET ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850 OFFICE OF TELEPHONE FIRE CHIEF (607)272-1234 MEMORANDUM TO: Human Services Committee FROM: 2 dward M. Olmstead, Jr. , Fire Chief DATE: 19 January 1993 SUBJECT: 1993 Fire Department Projects The Board of Fire Commissioners has reviewed and approved the following items as projects to be addressed for 1993 . STAFFING AND MEMBERSHIP 1 . Work with Board of Fire Commissioners on review of elements of City-Town Fire Protection Agreement, with special emphasis on staffing issue. 2 . Revise new member application process for volunteer members to bring procedures into compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act. This will include a need for most of the Volunteer Companies to review their procedures for compliance. 3 . Maintain the current level of volunteer and bunker recruitment (48 per year) . OPERATIONS 4 . Revise and consolidate Standard Operating Procedures and General Orders . 5 . Revise incident accountability program to establish higher degree of control at emergency operations . 6 . Develop rapid water rescue SOP. ADMINISTRATION 7 . Continue building index of Board minutes and resolutions . 8 . Continue implementation of program budget. n I. "e" AvirAviry "`''`rmnr i 1 INI; d, CITY OF ITHACA 310 WEST GREEN STREET ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850 OFFICE OF TELEPHONE FIRE CHIEF (607)272-1234 MEMORANDUM TO: Human Services Committee FROM: I dward M. Olmstead, Jr. , Fire Chief DATE: 19 January 1993 SUBJECT: 1993 Fire Department Projects The Board of Fire Commissioners has reviewed and approved the following items as projects to be addressed for 1993 . STAFFING AND MEMBERSHIP 1 . Work with Board of Fire Commissioners on review of elements of City-Town Fire Protection Agreement, with special emphasis on staffing issue. 2 . Revise new member application process for volunteer members to bring procedures into compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act. This will include a need for most of the Volunteer Companies to review their procedures for compliance. 3 . Maintain the current level of volunteer and bunker recruitment (48 per year) . OPERATIONS 4 . Revise and consolidate Standard Operating Procedures and General Orders . 5 . Revise incident accountability program to establish higher degree of control at emergency operations . 6 . Develop rapid water rescue SOP. ADMINISTRATION 7 . Continue building index of Board minutes and resolutions . 8 . Continue implementation of program budget. A •n..c,...,n........ ..n.,c.....i.......,..... .,nK..., n.......,o...... ... t� Co..,Nu.1 oo..e. Human Services Committee, 1/19/93 Page 2 9 . Finalize Occupational Safety and Health Policy. 10 . Continue integration of Fire Department and Building Department property and code enforcement databases through shared computer system. APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND PHYSICAL PLANT 11 . Complete specification and purchase of aerial ladder, pumper and suburban. 12 . Begin upgrade of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus . 13 . Establish program for the upgrade of all ground ladders . 14 . Complete specification and acquisition of exhaust extraction system for apparatus rooms . 15. Construct dedicated turnout gear storage facilities in fire stations . 16 . Closeout construction projects for new stations and renovations. 17 . Begin phaseout of shunt type master boxes on Gamewell system. TRAINING 18 . Revise in service training program (state mandated 100-hour in service for career personnel) through transfer of responsibility to individual shifts . CODE ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC EDUCATION 19 . Complete fraternity and sorority inspection program and commence inspection program for other places of assembly (churches, bars, restaurants) 20. Establish basic inspection program for C-2 (mercantile) occupancies, including updating of emergency contact database. 21 . Establish next group of inspection and permit fees. 22 . Complete last phase of fire hydrant inspection program and resume twice-yearly operational hydrant inspections . 23 . Formally establish Juvenile Fire Setter program including securing of outside funding sources . HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND DISASTER PLANNING/MANAGEMENT Human Services Committee, 1/19/93 Page 3 24 . Develop plan for city-wide response to hazardous materials incidents that is acceptable to the New York State Department of Labor. 25 . Finalize hazardous materials SOP for incident response to operational level . This list will be periodically reviewed for additions and modifications . CC: Board of Fire Commissioners DC Wilbur DC Dorman VC Lynch File Chrono Human Services Committee February 19, 1993 Central Fire Station Present: B. Blanchard, R. Berg, J. Efroyson, N. Golder, &J. J. This meeting focused on discussion of our purpose or goals and identification of our responsibilities as a committee of Ithaca Common Council. Since the charter does not specify our purpose, Barbara Blanchard and John Johnson will be responsible for drafting a statement of purpose for the committee. Some ideas put forward focused around eOnsuring that basic human needs of the residents of Ithaca are met. The following activities were identified as responsibilities of the human services committee: Developing the Contract with the Human Services Coalition Recommending funding for Human Services and Community Service Programs �t Reviewing the GIAC contract Other areas of interest identified by as responsibilities for committee members to work on are: Employee city relations-JE Promoting Public Participation-NG Improving Common Council working together-NG Skill Improvement-JE Promoting economic democracy-NG Promoting affirmative action-JJ Structure and function of city government-NG Coordination with Tompkins Co. Board Human Services Committee- BB. JJ Police-Community Relations JJ Productivity & Improvement in city government-BB, RB Explore & support consolidation of resources for human services agencies-BB Review guidelines for funding human and community services-RB, JJ Explore various revenue sources for funding human services-NG Clarification of relationship between the city and the South Side Community Center-RB. JE ADA & youth advocacy-NG Committee members will be responsible for further exploration and monitoring the topics identified by their initials 1 I DRAFT!!! FOR COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION 11 March 1993 The mission of the Human Services Committee is to identify areas of City responsibility for the provision and support of human services and to develop strategies for meeting these responsibilities. While our ultimate goal is to have a population that has less need for services, we recognize that government will always have some role to play in this field. The Committee has identified the following goals and objectives that will guide its work: Goal 1. To ensure that basic food and shelter needs are met for all residents of the City. Objectives: 1. Actively participate in the Homeless Task Force/Housing Providers Network; report to Council on a six month basis. Goal 2. To promote equal opportunity in all aspects of the lives of City residents. Objectives: 1. Review affirmative action plans of each department of City government; provide an annual report to Council. Goal 3. To promote investment in people in ways that maximize their capacity for indepen- dence. Objectives: 1. Review and modify the funding criteria used by the Human Services Coalition to ensure that programs funded by the City strengthen individual initiative and create a climate where greater self-sufficiency can flourish. Complete this project by June 1993. Goal 4. To ensure that City financial support for human service activities is used in the most effective and efficient way. Objectives: 1. Establish a working relationship with the County and other funding sources to promote a coordinated approach that reduces fragmented service delivery and speaks to the needs of the total population. Meet with County Human Services Committee twice each year to discuss areas of mutual interest and concern. 2. Participate actively on the Human Services Coalition Space Needs Committee to advance the Coalition's Multi-Agency Not-For-Profit Center project. As required. 3. Establish a regular series of productivity enhancement workshops and training programs that can be accessed by every City employee. Develop implementation schedule by January 1994. Human Services Committee Minutes 7/8/93 Present : Johnson , Berg , Blanchard , Golder , Efroymson Public : Camilla Lisbe, Kirby Edmonds June minutes approved . 1 . Community Service Funding Amended to -application due August ( 1?) -paragraph 2 p . 2 to read " . . . as a guideline for the HSC in evaluating funding requests . " Delete remainder of sentence . -omit -point totals with percentages section -"requests scoring less than 30 points will not he funded" -add to section 2B "The sponsor of the proposed activity. . . " These amendments passed unanimously. Amendment : Berg moves, Blanchard seconds : Making 2B worth 9 points to send clear message to applicants . "Up to 3 pts . for good faith effort, up to 6 pts . for reasonably assured funding, up to 9 points for firm commitment . " Amendment passes 3-2 (Berg, Blanchard , Johnson) Hain motion passes 4-0-1 (Efroymson abstains) Comptroller will please take note that criteria 2B is new. Sense of the committee : We need to open up the process . Johnson will contact Mayor, Dick Booth, Marge Dill and Dominic re : process . Kirby raised issue of how much it costs to go through the process . People should know about this . 2 . City/County Consolidation of HSC funding Done 3 . Community-Police Relations Passed as amended, 5-0 . (See August package . ) Kirby thanked Barbara for her assistance on the complain form. Submitted by John Efroymson HUMAN SERVIEESICOMMITTEE THURSDAY , dRilr8 , 1993 COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7 : 30 P.M. AGENDA 1 . Minutes 2 . Community Service Funding - Resolution 3 . • City/County Funding Agreement 4 . Community/Police Relations TOMPKINS/TIOGA COUNTY OFFICE CHEMUNG COUNTY NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES,INC. • THE DEWITT BUILDING 215 N. CAYUGA STREET ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850 (607)273-3666 JUSTIC IN TIOGA COUNTY 1-800-724-4170 To: City of Ithaca Community Police Board From: Gregg A. Thomas, Managing Attorney Re: Training for Lay Advocates Date: September 24, 1993 This memo is submitted in response to a request from John Johnson for a proposal regarding training for lay advocates, as recommended by the Mayor's Task Force. This memo is intended solely as a tool for discussion at this time, since the precise nature of lay advocacy in the context of police grievances has yet to be determined. Someone has to decide what form the lay advocacy project will take. That decision could be made by the Community Police Board, by the Mayor, by Common Council, or by the advocates themselves. The advocates could serve completely independently, without any responsibility to the Police Board or any other agency; they could serve as volunteer agents of a City department, such as the Community Police Board itself or the Mayor's office; or they could constitute a separate and distinct component of a community agency that serves the appropriate client population, such as the Southside Community Center, OAR, or Neighborhood Legal Services. The sponsorship, if any, of the lay advocates should be determined by the definition of their mission. The basic inter-related issues to be resolved in determining what form lay advocacy will take include: 1. To whom will the lay advocates be accountable? 2. How will the lay advocacy project be managed? 3. How, and by whom, will training be delivered? a. Who will design and deliver the training? b. What will the substance of the training be? c. How will training be followed up? A Tompkins County United Way Member Agency t Community Police Board September 24, 1993 Page 2 If lay advocacy is defined as a community education and outreach function, the "lay advocates" could be trained and supervised by the Community Police Board, presumably with assistance from the Police Department, Neighborhood Legal Services, private attorneys who practice criminal law, and other interested community groups. To the extent that the perceived lack of independence of the Community Police Board is a bather to citizens' use of the complaint procedure, that same problem would affect the lay advocates in such a model. If lay advocates are to serve as advocates in the traditional sense, however, they should be completely independent of the adjudicatory body before whom they will advocate (the Community Police Board) as well as the agency whose actions they grieve (the Police Department). In order to serve their clients effectively, the lay advocates must also be able to assure their clients of confidentiality. A citizen inquiring about the police complaint procedure should be able to discuss the substance of his/her complaint as well as the complaint process freely and openly with his/her advocate. The lay advocate should be able to discuss all of the complainant's rights and options without feeling obligated to report any information obtained through that process to the Police Department or to the Community Police Board. In order to ensure such confidentiality, the advocates would have to serve in a capacity that carries a recognized privilege, such as the lawyer-client privilege or the social worker-client privilege. The question of accountability, both to their clients and to the community, is necessarily intertwined with the issue of management and will further define the nature of lay advocacy. Effective advocacy involves much more than brief training. Once the lay advocates are trained, they should be able to draw on various back-up resources, including supervisors or mentors as well as a library of materials. While many community resources would be available on an ad hoc basis, a structured network of lay advocates would provide ongoing supervision, reporting, evaluation, and recordkeeping. Presumably, the Community Police Board, consisting of volunteers with broad responsibilities, has little time to manage and maintain the continuing operation of a network of volunteers. An independent agency sponsoring a program of lay advocacy could collect and report data from all of the inquiries and questions posed to lay advocates, including statistics on how many questions yield formal or informal complaints and why certain complainants choose to pursue different remedies (or no remedies at all). Such information could be as useful to the Police Department and the Community Police Board in formulating policy and addressing training needs as any number of formal complaints. Community Police Board September 24, 1993 Page 3 TRAINING AGENDA The substance of a training package should include at least the following topics: An overview of the role of the police officer in the community Introduction to the Chief and other officers Rights and responsibilities of community members Rights and responsibilities of the police officer Summary/overview of training provided to officers Criminal law and procedures Miranda warnings Right to counsel and how to obtain assigned counsel Basic search and seizure issues The nature, functions, and limits of the Community Police Board Introductions to the Commissioners How the Board perceives its role Administrative procedure for handling complaints How to file a complaint How a complaint is processed The role of the investigating Commissioner The role of the Chief The role of the Community Police Board What happens after the Board acts Police Department disciplinary procedures Police policy-making procedures Interviewing skills and techniques Interviewing the complainant Interviewing witnesses Preparing the complainant for the complaint "hearing" Follow-up with the complainant after the "hearing" and decision Advocacy skills and techniques Drafting a complaint Information gathering Appearing before the investigating Commissioner Appearing before the Chief Direct examination/Cross examination of witnesses t' Community Police Board September 24, 1993 Page 4 Counseling and Referral Overview of community resources available Determining what the complainant wants Determining the appropriateness of the grievance procedure Referrals to or consultation with attorneys Pending criminal matters Civil rights issues Personal injury issues Collateral estoppel and res judicata issues TRAINING FORMAT An informal survey of various agencies in Ithaca that operate ongoing volunteer advocacy or similar programs (OAR, the Task Force for Battered Women, Hospicare, AIDSWork, CDRC, and Family & Children's Services Consumer Credit Counseling Program) yielded the following information: Training sessions for volunteers are limited to small numbers of volunteers, generally in the range of 6 to 20 volunteers at a time. Training sessions are always broken into several sessions, usually about three hours at a time, although some programs include some full-day sessions. A typical training session will run 2 to 3 days per week for 2 to 3 weeks. The total hours of initial training range from about 25 hours to more than 40 hours. Each program schedules regular meetings of volunteers (usually monthly) in addition to routine case supervision to facilitate networking and training updates. All of the programs use paid staff to supervise and monitor their volunteers. Estimates of the time spent on recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers on an ongoing basis range from .33 FIE E to 1.0 FTE. The high turnover rate among volunteers requires a constant cycle of recruitment, training, supervision and evaluation, even though some programs ask their volunteers to make commitments of one or two years. Based on this information and the rough draft of a training agenda described above, it is estimated that initial training for lay advocates would be scheduled for 24 to 32 hours (6 to 8 sessions at 3 to 4 hours per session). • Community Police Board September 24, 1993 Page 5 Different training sessions would be built around presentations by various volunteer presenters, including the Community Police Board, the Chief and his staff, Neighborhood Legal Services, OAR, local criminal attorneys, and other concerned community members, as appropriate for the Agenda. Each session should encourage active participation in discussions by the lay advocates, allowing lots of time for questions and answers. Final sessions should include role-playing demonstrations and feedback to ensure adequate preparation for real advocacy situations. Training should be followed up on a regular basis. Regular monthly meetings would provide an opportunity to share information and insights. Resource people in the community, whether paid or volunteer, should be identified for the advocates and the advocates should be encouraged to use them. As described above, networking and recordkeeping functions could not only enhance effective advocacy but could also provide statistical data regarding the numbers of inquiries and questions that are not now recorded or available to the Board or the Chief. Without establishing an independently structured program of lay advocacy in which confidentiality could be assured, such information will probably never be available. HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE - AGENDA ITEM 18 . :2 TO: Mayor Nichols and the Ithaca Common Council FROM: Human Services of Common Council • SUBJECT: Recommendations to the Community Police Board based on Recommendations from the Mayor's Task Force on Police Community Relations ' DATE: September 28, 1993 The Mayor's Task Force on Police Community Relations Steering Committee and its subcommittee on the Community Police Board, the Board itself and the Human Services Committee of Common Council, have spent considerable time and energy reviewing various aspects of the Community Police Board. The following recommendations are made with the intent that they will enhance the operation of the Board: 1) The Community Police Board shall prepare a description of the work of the Board and calculate a reasonable time commitment required of Commissioners, so that as part of the Mayor's screening procedure the Mayor could present that information to prospective appointees and require that before being appointed, a prospective appointee must make -a commitment to spend the amount of time necessary for active participation on, the Board. 2) The Board shall revise the current informational pamphlet and use the press, speaking engagements at community groups and organizations, public forums and other means to increase its visibility within the community, to describe its work and procedures, and to increase its accountability to the community. 3) The complaint form shall be simplified and rewritten, by the Community Police Board, in plain language. 4) The Board shall work together with members of the community, including, but not limited to, the African American community and members of other minority groups to help develop a network of lay advocates to assist people who wish to make an informal complaint or to file a formal complaint, throughout the process. 5) The Board shall work with Neighborhood Legal Services, Members of the Tompkins County Defense Bar, I.P.D. and/or other community groups to provide the training for the lay advocates, taking the necessary steps to insure that this training comes into place. _ z HUMAN:,SERVICES COMMITTEE - AGENDA ITEM 18.. 2 cont'd. (The following are recommendations .to be incorporated into the • Community Police Board Procedures. ) 6) The Board shall initiate the investigatory process to clarify the facts and issues of: the complaint and shall-offer the •complainant an * . opportunity to seek the assistance of an advocate when Chairperson assigns a 'Commissioner to investigate. A Commissioner and the complainant shall meet with the Chief of Police, or his or her deputy, to continue the complaint process. 7) The Board shall, to. the extent legally possible, explain to the complainant, its findings and all actions that it--recommends. 8) The Board's role shall be explained to- the complainant so that• it is understood that even when an investigation does not lead to disciplinary action, other actions may be taken. • • • • • • M .S. Committee Minutes 10/14/93 Meeting Present :Berg, Efroymson , Golder , Johnson Excused : Blanchard 1. Tompkins/Cortland Labor Coalition Funding Request Coert Bonthius presented budget request for $13, 000 . Member dues will be increased to '$1 . 50/member . 1992 23% of total budget was from internal fundraising 1993 28% 1994 31% 1992 15% of total budget was City ' s contribution 1993 11% 1994 9% TCLC is in negotiations w/ Cortland for CDBG money TC will be voting on proposal in P&D committee Efroymson moved, Golder seconded $13 , 000 . Passes 3-0 . Berg abstains to avoid "even the appearance of potential conflict of interest . " 2. Southside Community Center Funding Request Tony Poole , Sheila McCue , Karl Graham, Marge Dill , Chief McKewan , Mayor Nichols present . Marge Dill presented HSC recommendations . Poole presented statistics on numbers served in food shopping, bike recycling, teen program, etc . programs . The committee asked for financial statements from HSC and will meet the following week ( 10/25/93) at Fire Station to review request . Re : move toward a contract w/ City Graham: Bd . is interested Mayor : Please have Bd . invite us to mtg. 3. Community Involvement with the Police at Southside CC. City is asked to consider funding a program for pre-teens (7-14) , as per recommendations of the Community-Police TF . Chief : He and some officers are willing to work with SS . Chief : Historical perspective : there was a sub-committee that recommended several items (such as field day) but they never happened . Mayor : Are police dropping by Center? Chief : Yes . Suggestion to get police and SS together to talk about what can/should be done to get cops and kids together . Tony, Sheila, Camilla, Chief and Richie B . will follow-up . Golder : Get kids, PBA involved early. 4. Police-Community Relations Camilla Lisbe gave report on progress of recommendations . Summary report and longer progress report were distributed . The first training re : police education is happening this week. 5. Training of Lay Advocates Greg Thomas (NLS) presented document re : training. He recommended that advocates be separate from C-P Board . Ben passed out budget as prepared by OAR, and Greg passes out NLS budget estimation . Both were for $10 , 000 . John E . : That seems like a lot of money. 6. Training Oversight Committee Recommendations were distributed . Comments included membership , duties, and reporting mechanisms . John E : Who will appoint/approve members? Submitted by John Efroymson POTENTIAL DIRECTIONS FOR THE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE (NG:3-11-93) I . Goal: To have members of Common Council and the Mayor work together more closely, more co-operatively, more flexibly. Steps: 1) Have some purely social gatherings (e.g. dish-to- pass, bowling, dancing) to help us get to know other aspects of each other 2) Have a retreat/ facilitated workshop and/ or do the ropes course at Cayuga Nature Center, to encourage listening skill, clear thinking, trust, open minds 3) Have some non-voting, non-decision-making meetings which are for brainstorming, thinking out loud, and listening (and appreciating each other) II . Goal: Be strong advocates for young people and get young people more involved in the community and in decisions that affect them Steps : 1) Investigate the major needs of young people in Ithaca 2) Promote specific projects for young people, e.g. a skateboard park, night-time youth recreation center, by working with City staff and appropriate ' youth organizations 3) Solicit input from young people on their concerns, through information distribution, presentation in schools, public hearings, etc. III . Goal: Make Ithaca a model city for people with disabilities Steps: 1) Monitor and give input into the process of having the City conform to ADA legislation, by working with the Disabilites Advisory Council and appropriate City staff 2) Meet periodically with the DAC to hear their concerns and give suggestions to increae their effectiveness • 3) Create a City ombudsperson to receive complaints having to do with problems people with disabilites are having, to respond to those complaints, and to work towards resolving those complaints IV. Goal: Promote more public participation in City government Steps : 1) Create surveys, forums, referendums, and other means of informing and galvanizing the public Topics suggested but not considered here: Re-allocating City resources, Promoting Economic Democracy, Re-Assessing the structure and function of government Human Services Committee Minutes December 8, 1993 Present: J. Johnson, Chair; R. Berg; B. Blanchard; J. Efroymson; N. Golder; REVIEW OF 1993 WORK * Developed work plan with the Human Services Coalition *Explored options for space consolidation of human service agencies * Made Recommendations for funding of Human and Community Services *Developed guidelines for Community Services funding *Initiated an Employee Newsletter *Recommended that Affirmative Action be included in the vacancy committee review process *Developed City-County agreement for funding of human services *Established coordination with County Human Services Committee *Took actions on Police-Community Relations Steering Committee Recommendations *Increased the number of police commissioners *Expanded police training *Funded police volunteer activity at Southside Community Center *Recommended the establishment of a Lay Advocate Advocate Program *Community Policing *Revised/Simplify Community Police Board Complaint Form *Development of "Know Your Rights" Brochure *Supported the proposed "Know Your Rights and Responsibilities" Southside Program CONTINUING/ONGOING WORK *Develop a mechanism for more effective public participation and public relations *Continue to work with Disabilities Advisory Council on Accessibility issues *Review federal regulations of American with Disablilities Act Requirements and city compliance *Develop a consolidated overview of youth activities *recreation *youth development *employment *Entrepreneurial programs *Develop long range plan and contractual relationship with Southside Community Center REPORT(S) Barbara Blanchard distributed a list of the various food programs in the county and reported that: *The Housing Providers Network has consolidated with the Homeless Task Force. *EOC in conjunction with Canandaigua Veterans Hospital has applied for special Section 8 Housing for homeless veterans. *Mutual Housing has 2 unites to be filled. *The Housing Task Force which provides housing for city youth who cannot live at home has 2 apartments, is looking for 2 more units and has eleven applicants for housing.