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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.04.2008 (2)• • COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 4, 2008 4:50 p.m. Council Chambers Mayor Hurley called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Members present: Mayor Hurley, Getty, Hart, Greenwood, Steve Schmitt, Welper, Reggie Schmitt, Cole. Moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Greenwood that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Cole. Motion carried. Mayor Hurley explained that the city has been instrumental in helping to fund and build the Eastside Ministerial Alliance. Over the years the city has supported their operations at different levels. Cole now present at 5:02 p.m. Reverend Jay Burt, President of the Eastside Ministerial Alliance, explained that a lot of people needing housing, medicine and food were fallen through the cracks, and the Eastside Ministerial Alliance took on the ministry to help those people. Reverend Burt noted that thy have been traveling to all levels of government asking for help. A new director, Martha Frazier, was hired in October, and they are now looking at case management. Due to lack of funds, the Eastside Ministerial Alliance laid off three people. The quality of care did not suffer but they want to help all the people who need it. Reverend Burt asked the city for financial support on an annual basis. Reverend Burt distributed several handouts. Reverend Burt commented that a lot of their funds come from churches and they receive help from the free clinics. The Eastside Ministerial Alliance is seeing about 25 people every night. Reverend Burt explained the Eastside Ministerial Alliance Crisis Prevention Intervention and Referral Program is to help people with clothing, education, employment, food, housing, medical, medicine, shelter issues and transportation. The Eastside Ministerial Alliance covers the entire Cedar Valley area. Councilperson Greenwood commented that it seems to him that there are a lot of referral resources already available with the Peoples Health Clinic and the Waterloo Housing Authority. The service is already in place and the Eastside Ministerial Alliance should be a referral. Reverend Burt responded that these places send the Eastside Ministerial Alliance their overflow, and that they work in partnership with them. Reverend Burt noted that the Eastside Ministerial Alliance's location is convenient for many of the people who come to them. Councilperson Cole asked if the Eastside Ministerial Alliance could provide monthly financial reports. Reverend Burt responded that they are capable of providing those reports. Mayor Hurley noted that the letter from the Eastside Ministerial Alliance dated August 21, 2007 requests an annual amount of $50,000.00 from the city. Reverend Burt commented that amount would help them hire another person. Mayor Hurley reported that the city is looking at a preliminary budget with $200,000.00 more than the city can legally tax, and the city has to lower that amount. The city does not have a huge cash balance, and we have to take care of our own operations first. Mayor Hurley asked if the Eastside Ministerial Alliance could provide the city with a copy of their budget. Mayor Hurley noted that over the past ten years the city's discretionary funds have depleted to nothing. Mayor Hurley asked if the council approves any funding for the Eastside Ministerial Alliance, is there a way to designate that it can be used only for Waterloo citizens. Martha Frazier, EMA Community Center Director, responded that they could restrict funds for Waterloo citizens only. Ms. Frazier noted that the EMA receives referrals from Cedar Falls, Waterloo and Evansdale. Ms. Frazier reported that Black Hawk County gave the Eastside Ministerial Alliance $29,000.00 for operations and $15,000.00 for programming expenses. Council Work Session February 4, 2008 Page 2 Councilperson Cole asked if the Eastside Ministerial Alliance applied for the Black Hawk County Gaming Association funds, and Reverend Burt responded no. Councilperson Reggie Schmitt stated it looks like the Eastside Ministerial Alliance is providing duplications of services for people who fall through the cracks and for those who shop for services. Councilperson Reggie Schmitt stated he feels the EMA needs to put emphasis on services not being duplicated. Reverend Burt responded there is a difference between replication and duplication, and the EMA is actually replicating. Reverend Burt noted that their calling is to help, and it is important that the city recognizes and helps them. Councilperson Hart asked if there is an intake form to track where people are from. Ms. Frazier responded that they receiving referrals from People's Health Clinic, doctors' offices and hospitals. Mayor Hurley asked what is the Eastside Ministerial Alliance's budget gap. Reverend Jim Carstensen, Treasurer for EMA, stated that last year the EMA had to lay off staff to maintain what they were doing, and last year's budget was short $7,000.00 to $10,000.00. Reverend Carstensen stated that they need some programming funds. Reverend Carstensen reported that they have a director, an intake worker and they are interviewing for a secretary. They are hoping Allen Hospital will contribute some funds, and the EMA received a grant from John Deere. Reverend Carstensen stated that funding from the city in the amount of $7,000.00 to $10,000.00 would be a huge help for the EMA. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Cole that the meeting be adjourned at 5:27 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk • •