|
|
|
|
Public Health & Welfare
Committee Actions
|
MAY 26, 2005
ATTENDANCE: Rev. Jeanette Olmstead-Sawyer, Chair, Peter Wien; Bill Krummel;
Rick McQuaid; Leona Williams; Doug Sutton.
STAFF: Tim Callahan, Director of Health
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 10:35 p.m.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF APRIL 28, 2005
The following changes were made the April 28, 2005 minutes:
Page 3 - Youth Services Blue Ribbon Commission Update, paragraph two, line
two. “that this committee” change to “that the Public Health committee”.
Page 3 - Youth Services Blue Ribbon Commission Update, paragraph two, line
two. “They should take this back.” change to “The Public Health
Committee should take the issue back and they have the capability
to handle it.”
Page 3 - Youth Services Blue Ribbon Commission Update, paragraph three,
“Mr. Sutton said that they Mayor should consider this as part of the
youth violence issue.” change to “ Mr. Sutton said that the Mayor
should consider the Youth Services Department role(s) a significant
and beneficial component of his youth violence prevention initiative.”
Page 4 - Paragraph one, first line - “should do it’s job and they should”
change to “should do its job and the Public Health Committee should”
Page 4 - Paragraph five, second line - “Mr. Wien said that Mayor Knopp”
change to “Mr. Wien said that he feels that Mayor Knopp”.
** REV. OLMSTEAD-SAWYER MOVED TO HAVE THE APRIL 28, 2005
MINUTES ACCEPTED AS AMENDED.
** MOTION PASSED WITH TWO ABSTENTIONS (MR. MCQUAID AND
MS. WILLIAMS)
UPDATE ON YOUTH SERVICES BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION
Mr. Callahan reported that the Blue Ribbon Committee met for the first time on May 16th and heard a presentation from Ms. Susan Roadway, the Director of Youth Services in Waterford. She has a fairly extensive presentation of program and the had good research. there was quite a bit of discussion. The next meeting will be on June 1st. There will be another presentation in the same format. There will be a subsequent meeting on the15th, to talk about youth issues. The meeting agenda are open after that.
Rev. Olmstead-Sawyer commented that the meeting was well attended and extended the invitation to the rest of the committee to attend future meetings. She announced that the next meeting will start at 6 p.m., not 5 p.m. in Room 330A.
Mr. Sutton asked Rev. Olmstead-Sawyer about her feelings on the meeting.
Rev. Olmstead-Sawyer replied that she was pleased with the meeting. She also
stated that the Committee got somewhat sidetracked because the Mayor added a
little bit more than was originally expected. The issue about youth violence
prevention was one of the additional issues. The Committee, however, is concentrating
on youth services as applied in the beginning. There are two other meetings
that currently have no particular agenda and youth violence could very well
be included in those meetings. One of the issues that Ms. Radway mentioned about
the State is that here in Norwalk, many of the services are already available.
The problem is in cooperation. Everyone is doing his or her own thing. A suggestion
was made that a hard copy be made available so that everyone will be aware of
all the services
that are available to the youth. There already is a youth initiative going on
against youth violence.
Mr. McQuaid mentioned that although one youth initiative is already in place, they need funds to operate. He also stated that he has asked numerous times to be on that committee since there are six criteria that need to be met and Mr. McQuaid has five of the six. The Mayor has actually said, “No, you may not serve on that Committee.” I would like to ask if this Committee could have an open forum, an open meeting, on this issue.
Mr. Krummel suggested that it be handled as a discussion item for next month and let others know about it.
Mr. McQuaid concurred that having it as a discussion item would be an excellent
idea. And there was some discussion about youth services in the community. The
next meeting of the Health committee will be June 23rd.
When concerns were raised about conversations that occur before the meetings,
Mr. Callahan stated that he makes a point of sending email copies to other members
of the group.
Ms. Williams expressed her appreciation to the Chair for keeping the committee focused on the issues at hand.
Rev. Olmstead-Sawyer stated that this issue would be on agenda for the June 23rd meeting and this would give the members a chance to do some publicity on it.
.
HEALTH DISTRICT
Rev. Olmstead-Sawyer requested that the committee formulate a statement that will be given to the Common Council.
** MR. MCQUAID MOVED THAT THE ISSUE OF THE FORMATION OF
A HEALTH DISTRICT BE MOVED TO THE COMMON COUNCIL.
Mr. Wien questioned whether this could be done under “Other Business” and if that was procedurally right or wrong. With all the questions and contention involved in the issue, Mr. Wien was concerned about making such a major change in the City government.
Mr. Krummel stated that there should be some requirements before the Council
brings it up for a vote. The results of the meetings with the Union officials
need to be considered, the full financial analysis should be available, an organization
chart needs to be prepared to show where the Council has input into this new
Health District and the results of the
public hearing in New Canaan needs to be considered. These points are necessary
to add to any resolution brought to the full Council.
Mr. McQuaid stated that in terms of procedure, a suspension of the rules would be in order for this issue.
Mr. Sutton pointed out that the Common Council looks to the Committee for direction and guidance.
Mr. McQuaid replied that this issue does not just pertain to Norwalk, but also to New Canaan and taking a vote on it without all the information available would not be wise. By moving the issue on to the Common Council, there can be a full discussion and more time can be spent working out the details and concerns.
Mr. Wien reiterated his earlier concerns about putting issues up for a vote before all the information was available and said that he had told the Mayor at an earlier time that when issues were being voted on without all the information available, Mr. Wien would abstain from voting.
Discussion continued on the issue of presenting it to the Common Council.
** MR. KRUMMEL AMENDED THE MOTION TO PUT THE ISSUE OF
THE FORMATION OF A HEALTH DISTRICT ON THE COMMON
COUNCIL JUNE 14TH AGENDA FOR CONSIDERATION WITH THE
PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE TO HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING ON JUNE 9TH TO DISCUSS THE
NECESSARY FURTHER INFORMATION
NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE ABSTENTION (MR. WIEN).
** MR. MCQUAID MOTIONED TO ADJOURN.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon L. Soltes
Telesco Secretarial Services
 |
 |