June 2012 Minutes

  Collaborative Meeting Minutes

June 28, 2012 ~ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Woman’s Club Pavilion, Lakewood Park

 

Our Mission:

“The Lakewood Family Collaborative is a group of agencies, organizations and concerned individuals working together to make sure a network of services and supports are available and accessible to children, youth and families.”

 

 

Welcome/Introductions – Lunch was provided.  Bruce Chamberlin welcomed everyone.  Collab attendees introduced themselves.

 

Spotlight – Dale Miller: Cuyahoga County Council Representative, District 2 – Jillian Driscoll introduced Dale Miller.  Mr. Miller began by thanking all of the county employees who were present for their service.  Mr. Miller spoke on the 5 year economic plan and the overall plan for health and human services, which he believes should have a strong preventative emphasis.  He also stated that collaboration and consolidation is very important in this plan (he used the Collab as a great example of this).  Mr. Miller addressed…

1.  When revised property taxes are complete there is expected to be 10-15 million more spent in human services each year than what will be being taken in.  Fortunately, the county has inherited lots of reserve funds.

2.  Mr. Miller recently participated in a regional meeting of 16 counties to look at overall health and human services – plan to track factors such as: education, illness, disease, etc.

3.  Suburb migration is a major issue.

4.  Preliminary re-appraisal values:  3.6% decline in home values in Lakewood, Cuyahoga County average was 9% decline.

5.  County Council is working on an equity plan – comprehensive approach on how to pursue contracting, hiring, promotions.

6.  There is better accountability in place for reviewing county contracts.

7.  In discussions on how to use the estimated 9.7 million tax revenue from the casino.

8.  Very interested in the transparency of the County’s legislative process.  It’s on the website.  Still needs improving.

 

Questions & Answers –

Q:  Will communities have voice in programs that will be cut?

A:  Yes.  It is an open and public process.  The county executive submits proposal to the county council and then the council holds several hearings, which all have time for public comment.  It is possible that there will be no cuts.

 

Q:  What is the county doing to prevent overlap of human service organizations?

A:  Not enough.

 

Q:  Which is better, city or county government, in regards to health and human services?

A:  Either way.  Both have advantages.  Ideally there would be a partnership.

 

Q:  Is it possible that the casino revenue could be applied to the cuts in the county budget?

A:  It is possible.  The executive wants to run the budget on existing funds and use the casino revenue to do new/extra stuff.

 

Q:  What’s the deal with the real estate re-appraisals?

A:  It is law that every 6 years, re-appraisals be done.  Homeowners will get a letter stating, “We propose your property value be X.”  You can appeal if you disagree.

 

Q:  What are the best questions you hear regarding health and human services?

A:  How do you help with needs when there’s not enough money?  And, how do you get people to be more responsible and also help needs?

 

Q:  How would you answer those questions?

A:  Be kind and compassionate people; and everybody be part of the solution.

 

Recognitions & Thank You – This community is grateful for all who work so hard to make Lakewood the best it could be.  Thank you for impacting families the way you do, and thank you for being a part of our effort.  We would like to highlight a few who have stepped above and beyond!

*Departing Leadership Team Members:  Colleen McNamara, Ralph Lundberg, Donna Rakerd-Converse

*Kaprice Holloway – Job Seekers Committee Chair; Karen Lee – School Supplies Committee Chair; Amy Thacker – Public Relations

*Organizations:  Lakewood Library, Trinity Lakewood, Observer, PNC Bank, Rec Dept, YMCA

*Melissa Garrett

*Attendance:  Verlinda Moore, Lakewood City Schools

*Past Spotlight Presenters

*Lakewood Family Collaborative Community Builders:  Art & Kristine Pagsuyoin

 

Leadership Team Slate – Nick Bachosfsky, Ken Brand, Laura Jaissle, Karen Lee.  Passed unanimous.

 

Announcements –

*Lakewood New Life:  Let’s Love Lakewood – August 18, 12 pm – 4 pm @ Masonic Temple

*H2O will be applying for grant for inner-ring suburbs for out of school / summer programming for kids.  If your organization would like to collaborate with H2O for this grant, contact Mary Hall.

*Produce Perks – see flyer.  http://www.cccfoodpolicy.org

*Rally in the Alley to support Trinity Lakewood Community Outreach

*Guidestone – Cleveland Indians Fundraiser – July 24

*Cleveland Rape Crisis Center – Free, Camp Create, 7 yr – 12 yr boy/girl who have witnessed any violence, July 9 – 13, 10 am – 4 pm, @ Lakewood Women’s Pavilion

*Live Well Lakewood – “Fit in Five” @ Madison Park

*Lakewood United Methodist Church – VBS, July 16 – 20

*Cleveland Food Bank – call center @ food bank, referral sheets, hotline is now open – 216.738.2067

*Housing Research & Advocacy Center – 5k coming up

*Adoption Committee – still open to committee members, contact Colleen McNamara

*Collab Newsletter – July/August will be combined

*Big Brothers / Big Sisters – Need students, ages 8 – 15 boy/girls.  See flyers.  Contact Jerrald, 216.452.5236

 

Next meeting is Thursday, September 27, 2012 @ 1pm.