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1972-01-20 Regular Meetinga 1 1 1 ! I CALL TO ORDER II ROLL CALL 4 5 2 T KODIAK 'SLAM) BOROUGH ASSEMBLY MEETING JANUARY 20, 1972. The meeting was called to order by Presiding Officer Norman Sutliff at 7:35 P.M. in the Courtroom of the State Office, Building, Kodiak, Alaska. Present Absent Wilton T. White, Borough Chairman Norman Sutliff, Presiding Officer Richard Sims Don Arndt Fred Brechan T. T. Jackson Also Present: Mr. Charlie Larsen, State Department of HEW; Dr. Ray Langdon Supervisor of the Mental Health Center, members of the Center Staff and members of the Governing Board; tir• Bob Greene, Superintendent of the Kodiak School, and members of the School Administration. There were approximately 35 people in the audience. III MINUTES OF PREVIOUS NEEDING A. Assembly Meeting - Regular - December 2, 1971. Mr. Sutliff noted that there was a correction on page 2, next to last paragraph, the amount of Homey retraining in the capital improvement reserve should be $16,000 rather than $26,00 as listed. Mr Sims moved for approval of the minutes as amended, seconded by Mr. Arndt. Passed by unanimous roll call vote. IV MINUTES OF OTHER MEETINGS A. P1- _ & Zonin - re lar meetings - December 15 1971 & Jan - 19 1972 B. School Board - Regular meetings, November 29, December 13 and , 1971. C. Comprehensive Health Board - Regular meeting December 15, 1971 and meetings of January 12 & 19, 1972. rtr. Sims asked the status of the malpractice insurance. The quote on the malpractice insurance was $17,000 annual premium. The firm of Clary - Pioneer handles malpractice in Alaska and we are now waiting for a quote from that firm. V COIIUNICATICNS AND APPEARANCE REQUESTS A. Letter of Resignation - Mt. T. T. Jackson, read in full by the Bcnough ' in which he stated that he did not know at this time when he would be able to return to Kodiak and therefore submitted his resignation. Mr. Sims moved to accept the resignation of !r. T. T. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Arndt. No objections voiced, the motion was so passed. B. Selection of New Assemblyman. Nr. Sims nominated Mr. Harry Clowes, seconded by Nh•. Arndt. Mt. Arndt - nominated Nr. Erwin, noted that no second was needed. ft. Sims moved that the nominations be closed, seconded by Mr. Arndt. The Chair so ordered. Ballots were prepared by the Borough Clerk, a vote was taken and the tabulations recorded by the Clerk: two votes for Mr. Clowes and one vote for Rh•. Erwin. Mr. Clowes was sworn in by the Borough Clerk. C. Mental Health Center - Mr. Charlie. Larsen, Co- ordinator of the Community Health Centers, Health and Social Service, Department of Mental Health, Juneau was present to speak to the Assembly. Mr. Larsen stater trier, he was in Kodiak to express interest and pledge support to the Mental Health Center. He noted that they were surprised at the turn of events in that Dr. Stickel resigned and recognized the concern of the Borough Assembly. Mr. Larsen futthe stated that he wished to assure the Borough Assembly that they would help in any way possible, in consultation or recruiting or any other assistance that the Borough Assembly or Mental Health Board desires. Mt. Larsen explained the funding grants received from the Federal Government in that it is on a declining basis - and as the Federal share goes down the State and local share gees up. At present the State is paying 75% of the difference and there is a bill pending in the legislature that would bring this funding up to 90 -10 that is 90% from the State and 10% from the local support. At this time there 1s no guarantee that this funding will pass as the Governor is desirous of holding the line on expenditures. Probably the 75% funding from the State wit: continue, Mr. Larsen stated that he had been in Kodiak for the day and had :1 0 0 1 1 1 5 2 4 KIB ASSEMBLY MEETING - JANUARY 20, 1972 Page 2 spent most of that tire with the ; Health Board representatives, Borough Administration and it was his opinion that the right hand did not know what the left hand was doing. This holds true for Juneau as they are rotaware of many of the activities that , ?ere being carried out in Kodiak in order to co- ordinate the entire program and growth of the Mental Health Center it will be required that more frequent reports be submitted to Juneau and advising them of any assistance that the Center needs. There has been a great deal of misunderstanding of what the duties of various Boards, Assembly and individuals are and this should be spelled out so that everyone is aware of their area of responsibility. Ur. Sims asked for the projected federal funding for Kodiak for the fiscal year 1972 -73. Mr. Larsen pointed out that we are entering our third year here and the staff grant drops from 75% to 60 %, the following year the staffing grant will be 45 %; 30% for the fifth year and will stay at that level until the ninth year when the federal support will drop to zero. Mr. Larsen suggested that there should be specific guide- lines in the state grant or contract that spells out policy on personnel. The State office did not learn until four days prior to Dr. Stickel's leaving that he was in fact leaving the Mental Health Center. Had they been informed of this sooner they could have been in a position to assist in the recruitment. The State also needs better reporting of expenditure in order to have a better idea of what is being done. Further feels that the lines of communications between the Borough Assembly,Board and Citizens of the community should be better; he does believe in public relations. The taxpayers money is being spent and they should and do have the right to :mar how it is being spent. Mr Walker noted that at present the Borough is giving $6,000 in -kind contri- bution in that the Mental Health Center's accounting is being done by the Borough. It was noted if the costs continued at their present rate, the Budget for next year would be approximately $110,000.00 and Federal assistance would cover $48,000 with a balance of $62,000 - 75% of this is paid by the State leaving $15,000 to be covered by local support. Mr. Larsen pointed out that there was one source that could be available for money, that is the Federal assistance for persons under Public Assistance of any kind - this would come under Title 4A and this could be an added source of income. Mir. Larsen and members of the Mental Health Board made a check of the new quarters and he noted that with so little left to be done it really seems a shame that it is taking so long. He will be contacting Commissioner McGuiness to insure that the work: is completed. Dr. Ray Langdon: Dr. Langdon is the Clinical Supervisor of the Mental Health Proistam here in Kodiak, and he mentioned that the Borouph Assembly had passed an the minutes and recommendations of the Governing Board by passing their minutes. However it was pointed out that the minutes were presented for in- formation and that the Assembly did not necessarily pass on the minutes. The recc rendations from the Board's minutes were read: (1) that the Board strongly endorses the continued operation and expansion of the Kodiak Mental Health Center (2) That the management of the center be reorganized so as to incur as little public criticism as possible. To this purpose a qualified Administrative Assistant should be added to the staff. At this point Dr. Langdon noted that the Chairran of the Governing Board was in the audience and felt that she could explain any of the recommendations. Mrs. Springhill gave a short resume on the background of the Mental Health Board, noting that at the suggestion of Region X they are now the Governing Board of the Mental Health Center. She further noted that in this capacity the Board has been working as closely as possible with the Mental Health Center. At the meeting of January 19th many things were discussed but the main thing was that the Board did strongly endorse the continuance and expansion of the Mental Health Center. The Board has also been mWAP aware that there are certain management policies that have cause some problems. Mrs. Springhill noted that the Board strongly recommends the hiring of an Adnn. Assistant, a Gerson that can keep track of things, make sure that all sources of money are tapped and check into the possible contractural services that the community has to offer. Dr. Langdon as the clinical supervisor of the Center will be giving all assistance he can during the interim that the Center is without a program director. Many of the items that were discussed the Board felt could be corrected and that the Mental Health Center has a lot of future in this community. Testimony was given at the January 19th meeting that the Center has proven invaluable to the Community - a Tetter was received from the Doctbrs of the ) () 1 1 I 4 5? KIB ASSEMBLY MEETING - JANUARY 20, 1972 Page 3 camamity noting the assistance that they have received from the Center. There are many benefits that are not seen that come from anything that is done at the Center. Mr. Clowes asked whether or not there was a duplication of activities at the Health Center and the School. Yr. Greene stated that actually the two fields did not cross as they were working with educational psychology and not clinical psychology. It was pointed out that there are checks being made to work out some contractural wont from the school. Mr. Sims asked about Recommendation No. 2 as noted in the Board's minutes. Nrs. Springhill replied that this has to do with discrepancy among employees concerning salary, leave tine and benefits, a morale problem which ha; caused some unnecessary friction. Dr. Langdon noted that the Board should be the Manager and should be the one to establish policy with the Borough Assembly's approval. Dr. Langdon's five pointe of criticism were noted in the Board's minutes. Also attached to the minutes is a copy of a letter from the Holmes Johnson Clinic and signed by Drs. Johnson, Wasson and Falcon. Three suggestions were given and the Governing Board concurred with suggestion "c" in that the management remain as it is except for the hiring of a business hanger accountant to relieve the clinical director Of the financial management of the center, such as negotiating with various agencies for payment for the beneficiaries, collection procedures, preparation of the budget and so forth. ftr. Sims asked if some idea could be given of possible contractural arrange - ments that will off set the local borough taxes. Mrs. Springhill noted that there are several agencies that have been contacted and that this will to checked further, hospitals, courts, probation, welfare, police, schools, B.I.A. dorms Judge Burke has indicated that there is court money available to pay for those cases referred through the courts. Mrs. JoAnne Jcnes noted that this would be of great assistance to the Center as 40% of their - _e load is from the court. Mt. Walker asked about the $10,000 deficit - however the Board did r.. rnel that there would be one, a position that had been authorized by the :r t.! was not filled and the crony for that position should still be in !ne ! cf. In answer to question concerning the benefits to the community, Dr. : ..._ :r noted that the Center has given 255 hours in the last year to the 60 hours of consultation with the doctors, 60 with the nurses and the r- with patients. Robert Lachman, State Trooper, also noted that the :,ere::tc are there even though we are not aware of them. Many of the cases 7.3.nd,ed -v the Center are taken care of before the person is arrested. It is ror question of what isn't being done, just a matter of follow up to - e mat had been done. He further stated that there have been many times t! .3s called Dr. Stickel in the middle of the night to talk to someone and , .i always been available. ?t'o. Sprirhhi11 presented a rcpu prepared by the Mental Health Cer.• - -r noting that direct services given in the period from January 71 to -.c 71 lists 751 hours out - patient cases; 129 In- patient hours; 29 -1/2 hour, -.. cases and 126 hours day care; a total of 521 cases have been seen. .. Lachman commented on the hours for emergency cases and felt that thi_ • L. low as he was sure that more time had been spent not only with Stare but with the calls from the City Police Department. Mrs. Sims noted :. of the Board's recomrendations, the Assembly world go along with the _ _ Board in that they will go to work on the contractural service and - l;trh. some idea in this area, then the Borough Assembly will put in the - •d: e- the amount of $6,000 as they have contributed in the past year. asked that rather than establishing an amount at this time, that a confidence be given to the Board and support them in their continued Mr. Sines roved that the Assembly give the Mental Health Board a vote confid and an indication that the Assembl will allocate a reas :t.-• amount in the :•rough t or the support of the ',- t 'e alth .'•ert r, seconded by Mr. Arndt. � n 1 1 A 5 2 KIB ASSEMBLY =NG - JANUARY 20th, 1972 page 4 Dr. Langdon asked that Mr. Sims also include in his motion that JoAnne Jones should be made Acting Program Direction, that in this capacity she handle the interviewing of the Administrative Assistant and the Program Director; that the hiring will be made by Dr. Langdon and the Board. Further that Dr. Langdon's clinic will be filling in on a basis of three days a week until the new Director is hired. The travel pay that would over exceed the budgeted amount can be taken from the Director's fund until that position is filled The Board members should be appointed for a specific length of time and not serve at the pleasure of City or Borough elected officials. The Board should further form and develop- a personnel policy that is adequate for the center's needs; that the Borough Assembly should actively promote the Passage of HB 292 for the 90-10 support from the State Administration. Dr. Langdon felt that the above suggestions should be incorporated in the vote of confidence. 61r. Sims noted that he was in favor of pushing for the passage of HB 292, but that he felt the other suggestions would take away from the Board and that they should make their recommendations concerning the hiring of the new Program Director. It was noted that although the Board has the authority to proceed with the Health Program, the Borough Assembly still maintains a responsibility and that the recommendations of the Board oust be accepted or denied at the Borough level. The ouestion was called for and the motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. In answer to a question concerning the attitude of the State Administration concerning the Center, Mr. Larsen noted they are quite aware of some of the problems but there is no question that the professional services are needed. The Board has given assurance that the problem areas will be taken care of; the problems have not been in the professional field but in the management and that with a business manager or Administrative Assistant this will be worked out. There needs to be cooperation between the Board and the Borough Assembly and all need to receive all information. The Board Chairman expressed willingness to meeting with the Assembly at any time in order that any problems could be discussed. Dr. Langdon pointed out in leaving that he must have an established personnel policy, that the Assembly should meet with the Board and advise him in order that he can continue the re- cruitment program. The Borough Chairman thanked Dr. Langdon and frr. Larsen for appearing before the Borough Assembly at this time.