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1994 04 11 CSC Minutes . . COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MINUTES April 11, 1994 I. CALL TO ORDER /\ regular meeting of the Community Services Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. n the La Quinta Civic Center Study Session Room. Chairman Best presiding. Pledge of /\lIegiance was led by the Chairman. ROLL CALL: MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioner Norris Bernard Commissioner Lawrence Best (Chairman) Commissioner Aldine Dickens (Arrived at 7:10 p.m.) Commissioner Susan Francis Commissioner B.J. Seaton (Vice Chairwoman) MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Nancy Nard One Vacancy STAFF PRESENT: Clint Bohlen, Parks & Recreation Director Marni Francisco, Recreation Supervisor Cristal Spidell, Secretary II t was MOVED by Commissioner Seaton/Francis to excuse Commission Nard due to illness. lIlotion passed unanimously. I. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA tem VIII. C. La Quinta Beautiful was added to the agenda at this time. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES t was moved by Commissioner Bernard/Francis to APPROVE the minutes of March 28, 1994 as submitted. V. ANNOUNCEMENTS IIlr. Bohlen introduced Marni Francisco, Recreation Supervisor to the Commission. II1r. Bohlen informed the Commission that the next Civic Concert will be April 16, 1994, and "ill feature Larry New and Quintet. Il,II other announcements were received and filed. MIN4-11 1 . . V. PUBLIC COMMENT None VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS None VII. STAFF REPORTS \lone ifill. COMMISSION BUSINESS Il,. Review and/or Approval of Draft Ordinance Creating a Cultural Affairs Commission Chairman Best reviewed the changes that were made from the previous meeting and the Commission agreed the Ordinance was fine as written. It was MOVED by Commissioner Francis/Seaton to accept the Cultural Affairs Commission Ordinance as written and recommend approval to the City Council. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Discussion of Creation of Draft Human Relations Commission Ordinance Chairman Best stated that in a past meeting, Commissioner Bernard asked if this was a Human Relations or Human Services Commission, and that it should be the latter as it fits the tasks better than a Human Relations Commission. The Commission concurred on the name Human Services Commission. Commissioner Dickens inquired as to the staggered terms and whether this new Commission would include dates in the Ordinance. It was decided that the terms would be written as they were in the two previous ordinances the Commission worked on. Commissioner Bernard asked staff to update the Commission in regards to Community Services Grants. Staff indicated that the item went to the City Council and it was determined that $40,000 would be available for grants. The Council desired to move the selection process to the fall, and that two Council Members and two staff members would screen the Grant Applications which then would be referred to Council for approval. Commissioner Francis asked if the Commission was able to say anything about the possible change. Staff indicated that the Commission has a say because they are an advisory body to the Council. MIN4-11 2 . . Chairperson Best asked the Commission if it was desirous to recommend in the Ordinance that the Grant process remain with the Human Services Commission, because eliminating it would be taking away one of the important roles of the Human Services Commission. Commissioner Francis concurred. Staff suggested that if the Commission wished to pursue this issue, to select a representative to attend the next City Council meeting to express the Commissions desires. Commissioners Seaton/Francis discussed the possible impartiality of a Commissioner. If a Commissioner has a close working relationship with an organization that may apply for grant funds, would they be able to be totally objective in the selection process. Commissioner Seaton inquired as to why Council decided to take this task away from the Commission. Staff indicated that it was a staff recommendation to do so. Commissioner Seaton then agreed with staffs recommendation, and is also concerned with the impartiality. Chairperson Best asked if any Commissioner feels that the grant process should not be a part of the Human Services Ordinance. Commissioner Bernard believes it should not be part of the Ordinance, and that it should be as suggested by staff. Commissioner Francis asked the Commission that after the first year of the Council disbursing grant funds, could the function be given back to the Human Services Commission if the Council so desired. The Commissioners agreed that it was a possibility. Chairman Best suggested that the Commission not appear before the City Council in regards to the grant screening process for the time being. The Commission concurred. Chairman Best inquired regarding the Senior Center Coordinator, and the funding for the Senior Center. Staff informed the Commission that the funding for the Senior Center is through the General Fund. Friends of the La Quinta Senior Center is a private non-profit (501 C3), and their purpose is to raise funds to provide furnishings and equipment for the center. The Friends of the La Quinta Senior Center also are seeking funds for programming expenses, and their function is not under the City in any way. Mr. Bohlen added that the Senior Center Coordinator, Marilyn Smith, attended the CPRS Conference in the past, and the Center has not had any other contact with the Commission in the past. Chairman Best asked if the Commission desired to include Seniors in the Human Services Commission Ordinance. The Commission agreed to write senior citizens into the Ordinance. Additional discussion ensued among the Commissioners regarding the members who will make up the Commission and of the Ordinance. MIN4-11 3 . . It was determined the ordinance shall include: Number of Members: Appointment: Authority: Meetings: Powers & Duties: MIN4-11 7 City Council appoints by consensus; 3 year terms; initial terms are 3 at 1 year, 2 at 2 years & 2 at 3 years (subsequent terms are all 3 year terms); no term limits; must be La Quinta resident and a registered voter in La Quinta; July 1 - June 30; compensation for meeting attendance; authorized travel expenses Every effort will be made to ensure that a wide cross- section of social and leisure services, interests and viewpoints, including providers, recipients and professionally related occupations are represented. Human services organizations such as law enforcement, parks and recreation, public health, gang/violence, child care, and low to moderate income, for example, shall be represented. Reports to City Council 1 meeting per month, or as needed Act in advisory capacity to the City Council; address issues such as child care, low income & affordable housing, senior citizens, youth, public health issues, gangs, and violence; the Commission shall receive and expeditiously act on all special assignments made by the City Council and shall submit reports and recommendations to the City Council on these assignments; the Commission shall be responsible for making studies, reports, and recommendations to the City Council on matters relating to the need for evaluation and planning of the human service delivery system which is defined as human service contract services, youth and senior services, the Commission shall prepare a master plan for providing recommended services, the Commission may submit recommended projects to the City Council for possible assignment by the Council; to conduct and recommend such educational programs as, in the judgement of the committee, will increase good will among inhabitants of the community and open new opportunities into all phases of community life for all inhabitants; maintain close liaison with the police department through the chief or his representatives and promote understanding and cooperation between the police department and residents of the community, as well as other local law enforcement agencies, the judicial system, and other interested 4 . . community groups in developing and maintaining harmonious relationships between these agencies and the residents of the city; to develop and administer programs and plans designed to lessen racial and religious prejudice and to promote the full acceptance of all citizens within the community in all aspects of community life, without regard to race, religion or national origin; to cooperate with and assist those community agencies engaged in fostering mutual understanding and respect among all racial, religious, cultural and nationality groups or who are engaged in the function of discouraging discriminatory practices against such groups or individuals and administer educational programs; to recommend from time to time the coordination of the services and evaluation of possible service overlaps or gaps, from time to time inform the City Council the enactment of legislation which has as its purpose the improvement of human relations within the City; the coordination of the services and evaluation of possible service overlaps or gaps; assume other tasks as assigned. , J. La Quinta Beautiful The Commission selected a La Quinta Beautiful nomination for the month of March. The winning home is located at 51-220 Calle Paloma. X. NEXT MEETING DATE, TIME AND TOPIC Monday, April 25, 1994 6:30 P.M. Commissioner B.J. Seaton's House 79-650 Buttercup Lane La Quinta, CA . Presentation of Gift to Sharon Kennedy . Review and/or Approve Draft Ordinance Creating a Human Services Commission ~ommissioner Francis informed the Commission that Commissioner Nard called her to lxpress her appreciation for the flowers and card she received from the Commission and ltaff. Commissioner Francis also stated that the Kidsline Program is working well. MIN4-11 5 . . Chairperson Best reviewed the Commission's desire to address the City Council regarding the Human Services Commission at its next meeting and it was determined that it was not appropriate at this time. )C. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner Seaton/Bernard to adjourn the meeting to the next regularly scheduled Community Services Meeting on April 25, 1994 at 6:30 P.M.. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M.. :;L1NT BOHLEN :)arks and Recreation Director :;RISTAL SPIDELL 5ecretary II MIN4-11 6