Commission on Human Needs Minutes - 05/19/2003 RECEIVED IN
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Date _D(o- l—l- d3
Commission on Human Needs
BY Time 8'• 6Ain.
May 19, 2003 `-`
Minutes of the meeting
Today's meeting is a regularly scheduled meeting of the Human Needs Commission.
The meeting was convened in the City of Wichita Falls Council Conference Room.
Attendance was as follows:
Those in attendance: City Council Representative:
Keith Cupples (Chair) Mayor William K. Altman
Pat Haywood
Debbie Lawson Absent:
Becky Meadows David Rippy
Barbara Peterson
Katherine Phillips
Teresa Ramos Staff Liaison:
Brent Walker Dave Goodrich
Guests:
Cheryl Larson
Becky Bell
Excused:
Dennis Marquardt
Jeff Pixler
Sylvester Shed.
1. Call to Order:
Item 1. Mr. Cupples called the commission to order at 5:07 p.m. The
minutes of the April 21, 2003 minutes were approved with the
following exceptions: Committee On Disabilities-"job fair"
change to "meeting discussing advantage of hiring people with
disabilities, which was well attended." "The meeting was poorly
attended by representatives of the City."
2. Old Business:
a. Committee Reports:
Item 1.Committee on Aging: No report.
Commission on Human Needs (Continued)
Item 2.Committee on the Disabled: Ms. Haywood reported that the next
meeting would be on June 2, 2003 at noon at Vantage Point
Community Room, 2100 Santa Fe. Topic of discussion will be
setting up a job fair for people with disabilities. Ms. Judy Bland of
Expanco Employment Connection, out of Ft. Worth, will be the
speaker at this meeting. Ms. Bland has experience in hosting job
fairs for people with disabilities.
Item 3.Committee on the Status of Women: Ms. Ramos reported that
the -monthly meeting was held on May 14th, topic of discussion
was Family Violence Seminar that will be held October 24, at
Region 9 from 8:30-4:30. Committee expressed concern over
increase number of incidents involving child violence against
parents. Ms. Ramos reported that a discussion panel might be held
to discuss this problem.
Item 4.Human Needs Committee: Ms. Phillips handed out a history of
operation crackdown, which has been successful. Operation
crackdown is a sub committee of the Human Needs committee that
is co-chaired by Al Brown and Carolyn Gregoire. Ms. Phillips
also has a model from San Antonio that has the same mission as
Operation Crackdown. Ms. Phillips reported that HB 797 had been
passed by the House and will now go to the Senate for approval.
HB 797 would increase the footage for protection around youth
centers from 300 feet to 1000 feet. Ms. Phillips and Chief
Coughlin testified for HB 797 in Austin.
Item 5.Committee on Youth: Ms. Peterson and Ms. Larson had invited a
guest, Becky Bell, with STAR (Services to at risk youths)
Connections was introduce to the commission. Ms. Bell explained
services offered by STAR. STAR is a 3 part program 1) family
counseling 2) life skills 3) parent support. STAR covers Wichita,
Clay, and Archer counties. Sub contact work is done with local
counselors. They also work closely with CPS, Juvenile services,
schools, Judge Little and Judge Newman. STAR is funded by
grants. An office is here in Wichita Falls. Ms. Peterson also
reported about a website that she pulled information from
regarding youth commission in Dallas. Members are welcome to
visit the site at—www.ci.dallas.tx.us
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Commission on Human Needs (Continued)
3. New Business:
Item 1.Mayor Altman addressed the commission. Mayor Altman would
like chairpersons to get together to see how city can help make the
jobs of the commission a little easier. Ideas: having a dedicated
staff member to handle minutes, agendas, calendar etc. of all
boards and commissions; and long-term idea— having committees
make request for budgets. Goal is to help make serving on a
board easier and more enjoyable, therefore, attracting more people
to serve. Mayor would also like to have recognition for the
committee members.
4. There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made and seconded.
The motion to adjourn was unanimous. The committee adjourned at 6:02 p.m.
5. The next meeting will be held June 16, 2003 at 5:00 p.m. in the City Council
Conference Room.
4ile .
Teresa Ramos Keit Cupples
Secretary Chairperson
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