REGULAR MEETING
OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION
Monday, April
25, 2005
7:00 P.M.
The regular Social Services Commission Meeting was held at the above named place and time.
MINUTES
1. Call to
Order: The Monday, April 25, 2005 regular Social Services
Commission Meeting was called to order by Commissioner Blumenberg at 7:03 pm.
2. Roll Call
Present: Commissioner
Blumenberg
Commissioner Barish
Commissioner Gunn
Commissioner Lee
Commissioner
Sampson
Absent: Commissioner Bravo
Commissioner
Perliter
Julia Brown, M.S.W. Intern
3. Approval
of Minutes: Motion by
Commissioner Huizar, seconded by Commissioner Lee, to adopt the minutes of the regular
February 28, 2005 meeting. The motion carried by voice vote.
Motion by Commissioner Gunn, seconded by Commissioner Crimmins,
to adopt the minutes of the special March 14, 2005 meeting with the following
amendment: correction of the misspelling of Commissioner Gunn’s name on page 2.
4. Public
Input: A member
of the public, Pro Se, expressed concern that Meals on Wheels, recently asked
to vacate their location, would not have an appropriate location from which to
conduct their services. Pro Se
recommended that City staff consider the use of the old police building for
this and other social service purposes.
A member of
the public, Anita Phillips, registered her objection to the Step Up on Fifth project. She feels that the location of the proposed
site near the Silvercrest senior residence has been overlooked.
A member of
the public, Pro Se, shared his opinion that the solution to issues of gang
violence should focus on improving parental skills and increasing the role of
the faith-based community in after-school care.
A member of
the public, Leigh Brumberg, expressed his disappointment at the Probation
Department’s lack of commitment at the April 9, 2005 Gang
Violence Community Workshop. He also
expressed his concern about the recent violence at
5. Committee
Reports:
A. Older Youth Issues and Needs: Commissioner Gunn reported that as a result of the Chamber of Commerce
moving forward with their own plan to encourage job creation for at-risk youth,
the committee will require Commission feedback on how to have an impact. Discussion ensued. The possibility of the Commission playing a
role in the relay of information from the planning group to the community was
raised. Such a meeting would have a
community focus and will be discussed further at the next meeting.
B. Violence (Interpersonal/Community):
Commissioner
Crimmins reported on the April 9, 2005 Gang Violence Community
Workshop, noting the perception on the part of the community that some
agencies, particularly Police, Probation Department, and CYA did not make
concrete commitments.
C. New Approaches to Addressing Homelessness: Commissioner
Huizar requested an update on the status of the sobering center at the next
meeting. Commissioner Huizar also requested further updates on the SAMOSHEL
transition project at the next meeting.
Finally, the Commission discussed the following night’s Council agenda
item 13-C proposing the hiring of a Homeless Secretary. The Commission hopes that if such action is
taken, their input on behalf of the community will be heard.
8. New Business
9.
Staff Updates/Announcements: Commissioner
Lee reported on his progress on the Commissions youth brochure. Commissioner Sampson agreed to assist on the
project.
Julia
Brown announced the City’s Leadership Recruitment workshop to be held on May 5, 2005.
Commissioner Blumenberg noted her
appreciation of Council Liaison Bloom’s continued responsiveness to the
Commission.
Setareh Yavari announced the Chamber of Commerce’s Community
Youth Job Fair, on May 25 from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at
10. Adjournment: Motion by Commissioner Huizar,
seconded by Commissioner Gunn to adjourn the regular Social Services
Commission meeting at 8:47 p.m. The motion carried by voice vote.