HomeMy WebLinkAbout20062547 •
WELD COU; I'
COvvir
-
Minutes F`S SEP -6 AM II: 32
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
July 17, 2006 RECEIVED
Tapes 7A2006 & 7B2006
The Weld County Council met in regular session in full conformity with the Weld County
Home Rule Charter, Monday, July 17, 2006, 6:30 p.m., at Weld County Centennial
Center, 915 10th Street, Greeley, CO.
ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by President Gene Stille. Vice President
Tom Pettit, Councilwoman Ginny Buczek, Councilman Dwaine Kurtz, and Councilman
Chip Marks were present constituting a quorum of the members. Also present: Director
of Weld County Department of Social Services Judy Griego, Commissioner Geile, Don
Coloroso, and Bev Thomas, council secretary.
REVIEW PROGRAM: Weld County Department of Social Services Director Judy Griego
stated as of May 2006 there were 12,292 Assistance Payments Cases (not people) in the
county (excepting child care and low-energy assistance programs.) Twenty-two percent
of the cases are in south Weld. Also in May there were 347 Out-of-Home Child Welfare
cases with 17.5% of them in south Weld. Most of the child welfare cases involve parents
using illegal drugs, primarily methamphetamines. In 2005 Weld County, the state, and
the federal government made assistance payments and child welfare and child support
payments, not including all administration and Medicaid costs, totaling over $40 million.
Ms. Griego said the planning goal of Weld County Department of Social Services is to
intervene successfully with families in the least intrusive manner while maximizing safety
before they enter the judicial system; and upon their entry into the child welfare and
juvenile justices systems, to expedite the positive resolution of the treatment or case
plans.
Weld County Social Services tries to concentrate its efforts in families rather than hospital
or jail placements. This is also the most cost-efficient plan. The county's goal is a
community based services integration process, emphasizing family strengths through
interagency and community collaboration. Success is measured by decreasing filings in
the judicial system and the number of cases open in child welfare, and increasing the
number or services available to families under a balanced system of care.
Weld County Social Services is involved with major partners attempting to decentralize
social services programs making them more community and neighborhood based.
Partners in this process include: businesses, community members, judicial districts, two
mental health facilities, School District 6, St. Vrain School District, Centennial BOCES,
Catholic Charities, Head Start, Promises for Children, Right to Read, substance abuse
programs, Weld County Commissioners, the District Attorney, Division of Youth
Corrections, Human Services, Probation, Public Health & Environment, United Way, the
Family Youth Commission, and connections with 250 faith-based groups.
` VIrt rY1 u_eu Cethon1 S 2006-2547
ct I II /2,c0(O
Weld County Council Minutes
July 17,2006
Page 2 of 3
Commissioner Geile emphasized children come to Social Services through the courts or
through law enforcement. The Commissioners have gone to great lengths to provide
social services functions to faith based organizations to help them be successful in their
ministries while maintaining appropriate separation between church and state. For
example in the marriage training Social Services offers through churches, the churches
cannot bring their religion or ministry into the training.
A multi-disciplinary youth assessment team (MAT,) for youth between the ages of 10 and
17, is in place to develop a system-wide approach to address needs by connecting or
developing positive alternatives, strengthening families and preventing entry into Child
Welfare or Youth Correction systems. The MAT also partners with other entities. The
Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC) is also in place providing a single point of entry for
individual processing and referring of at-risk juveniles and juvenile offenders.
Other programs focused on keeping children and teens out of the social services include:
Families First, Families First Initiatives, Faith based initiatives, Supporting Healthy
Marriages including marriage training specifically designed for low income and culturally
sensitive population.
Adoption, foster care, and new federal and state rules outlining documentation (and the
cost of getting documentation) for people needing Social Services were also discussed.
AGENDA: Councilwoman Ginny Buczek made a motion to approve the agenda as
printed. The motion was seconded and carried.
APPROVAL OF DOCUMENTATION:
Approval of Council Minutes
Councilman Dwaine Kurtz made a motion to approve the June 19, 2006 council minutes.
The motion was seconded and carried.
Approval of 2006 Second Quarter Report to the People
Councilwoman Ginny Buczek made a motion to approve the second quarter Report to the
People dated July 17, 2006. The motion was seconded and carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Reports from Meetings with Commissioners
Council members Buczek, Marks, Pettit, and Stille shared content of discussions in one-
on-one council member/commissioner talks regarding issues in southwest Weld County.
County Commissioners are meeting July 20 to decide what to do about the current Mixed
Use Development Study conducted by Carter & Burgess Incorporated.
Weld County Council Minutes
July 17,2006
Page 3 of 3
Salary Setting for Weld County Elected Officials
Councilman Dwaine Kurtz presented a document summarizing issues and facts relevant
to the council's responsibility to set Weld County's elected officials salaries. Councilman
Kurtz encouraged council members to gather salary information from other entities
regarding salaries of management personnel.
Coordinator Reports
Councilman Dwaine Kurtz noted the council needs to consider a request to initiate a
change in the Weld County Home Rule Charter to align Weld's County Council petition
filing dates with the filing dates required by the Colorado Secretary of State.
Payment of the Bills
Councilwoman Ginny Buczek made a motion to pay the bills as listed:
Mileage for President Gene Stille $ 9.78
Mileage for Vice President Tom Pettit $ 8.50
Mileage for Councilwoman Ginny Buczek $ 27.20
Mileage for Councilman Chip Marks $ 35.70
The motion was seconded and carried.
ADJOURNMENT: President Gene Stille adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
August 21, 2006 (7Th aitAct-ZSG---
Date Approved Gene Stille, Council President
Beverly Thomas, Council Secretary
Hello