Commission on Human Needs Minutes - 05/17/1999 COMMISSION ON HUMAN NEEDS
MINUTES OF MEETING
17 May 1999
City Council Conference Room
Present: Absent:
Don Carter Corry Blount
Allen Cherry,Jr. Harvey Brakelsburg(excused)
Sandy Dudley Bobby Flail
Pat LeBus Bob Mc Bee(excused)
Penny Miller,Chair Katherine Phillips(excused)
Robert Thomas Robert Randolph
Vicki Tanner,Secretary Rita Vokes(excused)
Bill Winaski Mary Walker
Staff Liaison:
Dave Goodrich
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Penny Miller at 6:15 PM,there being a quorum attained.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Correction was made to the 19 April minutes to exclude Ben Valadez from members.
A motion to approve the minutes with correction was made by Don Carter and seconded by
Robert Thomas. The motion passed unanimously.
1. GUEST SPEAKER
The guest speaker was Laura Grimsinger from First Step.Ms.Grimsinger mentioned the
following programs:
A. Emergency Shelter- This facility can house 35 persons. Stay is up to 30 days, is
available for both genders and provides a safe place when the home is violent.
B. Crises Hot Line- The organization receives about 8,000 calls annually and
averages 11 calls per day. It is available 24 hours a day.
C. Sexual Assualt Program- This program has been active since 1985 and aids
victims from age 3 and up. Counselors can meet with the victim at a medical
facility and begin a supportive relationship with the victim as well as the family
until the victims feels ready to end the relationship. First Step is attempting to
become proactive instead of reactive by the Sexual Assault Prevention
Education program with the WFISD,and a Mother/Daughter Retreat next year.
D. Other programs include the the Staircase Program and the Family Store which
has generated up to$80,000 in one year.
2. OLD BUSINESS
A. Committee on Aging
Vicki Tanner,Chair
The Chair neglected to bring to the commission the committee recommendation regarding the Red
Door. It will be forthcoming at the next meeting. A meeting was planned with the committee and
several people well learned on Medicare issues. Due to a an emergency the meeting was
postponed.
B. Committee on Status of Women
Rita Vokes,Chair
No report
C. Committee on Disabilities
Don Carter,Chair
The committee is still pursuing the Safe Return program. Additionally,an issue has surfaced
regarding the American Disabilities Act. The committee and commission feel an effort needs to
be made to educate the public and business alike regarding standards. The committee will pursue
this.
D. Committee on Human Relations
Chair Open
Allen Cherry,Jr.has agreed to chair this committee. In the interim,Penny M iller reported that
the committee will be meeting to talk about future projects with an emphasis on children.
E. Subcommittee on the Media
Sandy Dudly,Chair
Robert Thomas is still working on the commission logo competition and will have entry forms out
soon. The template for the newsletter was circulated. Sandy Dudley stated all articles need to be
in by next week.
5. NEW BUSINESS
Robert Thomas submitted his letter of resignation from the commission effective 1 August 1999
as he will be reassigned. Bill Winaski will also be leaving 1 Aug due to a sabatical and Brent
Walker will be on a leave of absence for 2 months as he will be away at school.
6. OTHER BUSINESS
None
7. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission,a motion to adjourn was made by Don
Carter and seconded by Pat LeBus. The motion was unanimously passed. The Commission
adjourned at 6:50 PM.
The next regular meeting of the Commission will be held at 5:30 PM on 21 June 1999 in the City
Council Conference Room.
Respectfully submitted,
RECEIVED IN
Vicki Tanner, Secretary CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Date
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