CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Special Called Council Meeting Contract Agency Public Hearing September 13, 1978 2:00 Ρ.Μ. Council Chambers 301 West Second Street The meeting was called to order with Mayor McClellan presiding. Roll Call: Present: Mayor McClellan, Mayor Pro Tem Mullen, Councilmembers Cooke, Snell, Himmelblau, Goodman, Trevino Absent: None Mayor McClellan opened the Public Hearing scheduled for 2:00 P.M. on the funding proposals for social and cultural contract agencies. ARTS COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION MR. ALVIN GOLDEN, Chairperson of the Arts Commission, told the Council that the Commission has received 72 funding requests, totalling $700,000 He stated that the Commission met on August 30th and made its recommendation to the Council. Mr. Golden indicated that the Commission is requesting that the City enter into contracts with 52 of the 72 agencies requesting funding. The total funding for these agencies amounts to $411,730. Mr. Golden stated that the arts were important to the economic climate of the city. He then gave the following break down for the funding requests: 1. Approximately $50,000 will be spent for direct programming in the parks. This will be a direct adjunct to the BARD programs. 2. $135,000 is earmarked for the downtown area. Mr. Golden told the Council that he had already submitted to them, an interim report on cultural agency contracts from the Arts Commission. Mayor McClellan thanked Mr. Golden and told him that the Council would appreciate anything in writing which he had to offer. Mr. Golden indicated that he had a letter that he would be forwarding to the Council. Councilmember Himmelblau felt that the Council had to draw the line on funding somewhere and stated _ CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS September 13, 1978 that she would not be in favor of funding for all of the new agencies requesting funding. Mr. Golden stated, however, that out of the 52 agencies request- ing funding, only 12 are new or semi-new agencies. He pointed out that Spectrum is now required to pay their dancers a union scale, without which they would be unable to adequately conduct their program. Mr. Golden indicated that the Civic Chorus is also in need of additional funding in order to keep their organization together. He stated that this would require an additional $5,000 in funding. Mr. Golden also stated that the Paramount Theatre has requested the Council to be their guests at their most current production, the Mikado. Councilmember Lee Cooke asked for a synopsis of how much revenue will be produced by the hotel/motel occupancy tax, as relates to funding for the arts. Mr. Daron Butler, Director of the Research and Budget Department, stated that in 1978-79 the bed tax will produce approximately $1 million. He stated that the transfer to the general fund to support cultural agencies is based on 1/8 of this money, or $128,000. Mr. Butler stated that in 1977-78, this is what Council allocated out of the bed tax for the support of cultural agencies. Mr. Butler pointed out that with the accrual of an additional $50,000 in bed taxes since the submission of the proposed budget, the cultural agencies would be eligible for an additional $6,000 in funding for this coming year. This would bring the total funding allocation to $134,000. Mr. Butler then reviewed the allocation of bed tax money in the Auditorium Fund. He stated that the money goes for the support of the Auditorium and for payment of a contract for the promotion of conventions and tourism. He stated that the law requires that the City set aside a certain amount of money for that purpose, which is 1/4 of the revenue. In the past the Council has chosen to allocate the money to the Chamber of Commerce for this purpose. Mr. Butler stated that the City does have the option of retaining the money and using it itself for the promotion of conventions and tourism, He stated that the other allocation which the Council has chosen to make is 1/8 of the revenue to cultural agencies. Mr. Butler stated that the balance in the Auditorium is $406,000, and that they have recommended that the Council not decrease the balance below $100,000. Other options presented to the Council were to take some of the proposed Auditorium/ C.I.P. Programs into the 1978-79 year. CULTURAL AGENCY RESPONSES Mr. John Bernadoni, representing the Paramount Theatre, told the Council that the Theatre's contract with the City of Austin indirectly offsets the problems incurred by closing the Theatre during construction phases when there is no money coming into the Theatre. Mr. Bernadoni indicated that they would be doing less shows this year in order to put their emphasis into fund raising and construction. He stated that they would be renting the building out and that one of the major parts of theer request is the building utilization program whereby local groups in Austin use the building and the City pays the rent. Mr. Bernadoni stated that $10,000 of their funding request would be going to the local art organizations that use the building. They are given a certain amount of money for each production to offset their production costs. He stated that the Paramount Theatre is a major catalyst. in the downtown revitalization effort. He stated that the Theatre project would be a great help to the entire city. Mr. Bernadoni stated that they were asking for a funding level CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS September 13, 1978 which is eqivalent to the funding granted to the other major artiinstitutions in the city. He closed by saying that the Paramount Board of Directors were in support of the Arts Commission's recommendations. MR. DIEGO CHAVIRA, Artist Director for the American Deaf Dance Company, told the Council that the ADDC will become a professional dance company starting in September. He stated that the National Endowment for the Arts requires that the dancers be paid in order to get any support from the NEA. Mr. Chavira indicated that the NEA is providing 90% of their budget. He stated that their NEA is funding request was for $3,700. MR. PHILLIP SMITH, President of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Austin, told the Council that they were requesting $1,500, and could not understand why his organization was being turned down for such a small amount. Mr. Smith felt that new agencies were necessary for Austin. He asked that the Council reconsider the recommendation of the Arts Commission. In response to a question from Mayor McClellan, Mr. Smith indicated that funds were needed for a show they are planning in cooperation with St. Edwards University. Mr. Golden stated that the Commission did not recommend funding for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society because they wanted the use of the Paramount Theatre and, also, because they were asking the City to underwrite the profit on their production. He felt that the commercial venture could stand on its own merits without funding from the City. Councilmember Goodman felt that there was nothing wrong with the organization making a profit which it could recycle back into other productions in the future. In response to a question from Councilmember Himmelblau, Mr. Smith indicated that St. Edwards University would underwrite about½ of the cost for the production. Councilmember Goodman felt that specific guidelines needed to be laid down so as app- licants for funding willlknow what procedures to follow. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW TEAM RECOMMENDATIONS Mr. Buck Apelt, Acting Director of the Human Services Department, told the Council that the HSRT recommendation which previously totalled $1,140,164, was revided to a new total of $1,131,314. In addition, there were three supplemental requests which were recommended by the review team should any funding become available. Mr. Apelt indicated that the total amount of the recommendations, inclusive of the supplemental funding requests, is $1,158,842. He stated that staff has submitted funding recommendations in four categories, depending upon the particular funding level approved. Mr. Apelt pointed out that a funding cut-back was experienced by MHMR in the amount of $1 million. He stated that this will have the effect of reducing services to clients formerly provided by the agency. Mr. Apelt indicated that the amounts in Title XX funding available to Austin and Travis County are not expected to increase except in certain instances. He stated that funding recommendations are based strictly upon the amount of City monies necessary to match the Title XX funds available. Mr. Apelt indicated that two things which bear heavily upon an agency's budget are inflation which reduces the amount of services which can be provided, and increased service demands. Mr. Apelt stated that the Review Team would have liked to support some of the agencies more than they did under the constraints of the policies they had to follow. He suggested that Council may want to consider leaving the door open for these agencies to come back when CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS September 13, 1978 they know if they are eligible for additional Title XX funding, to request additional match funds. In response to a question from Councilmember Trevino, Mr. Apelt indicated that the Review Team discussed the possibility of setting aside a reserve for these types of funding requests, but suggested using the ending balance for this rather then setting aside an additional amount. Councilmember Snell asked if there was enough flexibility in the grant requests to make changes later on if necessary. Mr. Apelt indicated that it would be possible to make changes later on if necessary. He stated that the agency desiring the change would have to make a request to appear before the Council. Councilmember Snell asked Mr. James Strickland, Executive Director of Child, Inc., if he felt that his organization's grant would have to be altered in any way, some time in the future. Mr. Strickland stated that, currently, there was a distinct possibility of four changes in their proposal within the next 12 months. Mr. Apelt continued to say that of the 33 agencies requesting funding, the Review was recommending funding for 23 of the agencies. He stated that the general parameters used regarding Title XX funded agencies, were an attempt to limit salary increases, cost of living increases and to allow an inflation rate of approximately 5%. He stated that they were also attempting to work within the general funding guidelines laid down by the City and ther County. As far as the County is concerned, an increase of no more then 5% over the present level of funding for the City dollars at or below the current level. Mr. Apelt stated that the Review Team suggested that the Boy's Club could be more appropriately funded by the United Way, and that the United Way felt that Legal Aid could be more appropriately fünded by the City of Austin. Mr. Apelt stated stated that they suggested a trade-off which would be subject to the consent of the agencies and further examination on the part of the City, the United Way and the agencies. Another possible trade-off suggested by the Review Team was to allow the County to pick-up DAR in exchange for a like dollar amount to other projects that might be more appropriately funded by the City. Mr. Apelt stated that they used as a basis for the recommendations, the statements of priorities contained in the social policy. In response to a question from Councilmember Goodman, Mr. Apelt indicated that the proposed trade-off between Legal Aid and the Boys Club was suggested by the United Way representative on the Review Team. He stated that the Boys Club was in favor of the trade-off, Legal Aid had problems with it, and it has not been discussed at any great length with DAR. Mr. Joe Liro, Assistant City Manager, indicated that one of the recommendations of the Social Policy Advisory Committee was for the different government agencies participating in that Committee to realign responsibilities for funding or administrative supervision of agencies. He stated that the proposed trade-offs arise from this recommendation. Councilmember Trevino asked how much money would the Council have to consider around the beginning of next year in order to take advantage of Federal match monies. Mr. Apelt replied that the amount of money would probably be no more than $30,000 local. Councilmember Trevino hoped that the Council would consider using some of the ending balance money for match money. Mayor Pro Tem Mullen stated that he was in agreement with this. September 13, 1978 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Mayor McClellan asked if the $17,000 in funding recommended for the Infant-Parent Program is included in the 1979 funding recommendation for MHMR of $235,165. Mr. Apelt indicated that this amount was not included. He stated that the amount recommended for the Infant-Parent Program is the amount necessary to bring the program back up to its full capacity. He stated that there is a recommendation in the $235,165 for some funding for the Program. Mr. Dan Gerski, Acting Director of the Austin-Travis County Health/Mental Retardation Center, told the Council that they requested $13,531 for the Program. This amount represented a portion of a $232,000 program to have a basic InfantParent Program. Mr. Gerski stated that the total funding for the Infant- Parent Program is $232,274 as approved by the MHMR Board of Trustees for Fiscal Year 1979. Of this amount, they were requesting from the City $13,531. He stated that the $13,531 is included in the request for $235,165. Mr. Gerski stated, however, that this Program does not include the Home Visit Program, and that HSRT was recommending the additional $17,000 to reinstate this part of the Program. He stated that the Home Visit Program is the first priority after what has been approved by the Board. In response to questions from Councilmember Himmelblau, Mr. Gerski stated that the Home Visit Program served between 25-30 children, that they lived mostly in Austin and that the Program was on a sliding fee scale as is all MHMR services. Mr. Apelt indicated that the total amount needed to reinstate the Program is $26,000, but that the balance of that request has been referred to the County for funding. In response to a question from Councilmember Cooke, Mr. Apelt indicated that County funding for the Program would not be available until January of next year. Councilmember Cooke asked how the partial City funding would impact the Program. Mr. Gerski stated that they would fund the Program at a partial level and not provide the full range of services. He stated that they would just have curtailed services until the funds are available. Councilmember Trevino suggested that the City could provide the supplemental funding contingent upon the County picking up its portion of the funding later. Mr. Apelt indicated that they had to revise the recommendation for the United Cerebral Palsy. The original recommendation was $29,072 and the revised amount based upon the actual amount of Title XX funding is $20,222. This amount will provide only the necessary match funds for Title XX funding. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS MR. RICHARD CRUZ, representing the Community Development Commission, read to Council the following letter of recommendation from the Commission: "The Community Development Commission has completed its review process of applications submitted by local human services agencies for Fiscal Year 1978-1979 City funding. We have outlined our recommendations on the attached material." "In addition, we also wish to note a special recommendation concerning agencies currently utilizing CETA funding which will be requesting continuing funding from this source. We feel these agencies, Austin Area Urban League, Austin Association for Retarded Citizens, Austin Child Guidance Center, Austin Tenants Council, Austin Women's Center, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boys Clubs, Caritas, Capital Area Rehabilitation, Center For Battered Women, Child, Inc., Extend-A-Care, Legal Aid, CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS September 13, 1978 Middle Earth, United Cerebral Palsy, Youth Employment Services, AustinTravis County Mental Health/Mental Retardation Center, should be given a high priority for available CETA funds to continue current levels of service through FY 78-79." "Also of concern to the Commission, upon our completion of the reviews, is the effectiveness of the current application process. As specific improvements are needed, we recommend that the Council require that future procedures be based on a Request for Proposals (RFP) process as follows: (1) The City Council, for the FY '80 application process, initially establish priorities by social service areas, with the advice of the Community Development Commission; (2) Requests for Proposals should be developed and categorized by social service areas in order for prospective agencies to meet the City's service priorities; (3) Advertising should be undertaken to allow all eligible agencies to become aware of, and compete for, suitable funds for thear services." In response to a question from Councilmember Cooke, Mr. Cruz indicated that CDC made a total funding recommendation of $1,188,226, whereas the Human Services Review Team has recommended $1,158,842 in funding. This represents a funding differential of $29,384 between the two bodies. Mr. Cruz pointed out that CDC recommended about three agencies for funding that were not recommended by the HSRT. He stated that CDC recommended the funding of the MHMR Infant-Parent Program. KUT-FM MS. SUSAN MARMORE, representing KUT-FM, and MS. PRISCILLA DRUCKER, Program Director, spoke in regards to City-funding of public service-oriented radio broadcasts. Ms. Marmore stated that many persons who cannot attend City Council meetings benefit from the KUT broadcasts. She stated that, in addition to being an instructional and entertainment facility of the University of Texas, KUT-FM also serves as a public broadcast medium for events of public interest. Councilmember Trevino asked if the funding request of $24,772 was the minimum amount of funding that the radio station could get by with. Ms. Marpore indicated that this was actually the total for four different proposals, a different amount being needed for each event broadcasted. Ms. Drucker gave a brief outline of the events which are broadcasted by KUT. Councilmember Trevino suggested that KUT try and solicit funding from the Austin Symphony. Councilmember Goodman indicated that he was in support of the funding request from KUT. CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS September 13, 1978 SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY MS. TONY CABRERA, Director of Services for the Elderly, told the Council that the recommendation for their services has remained as it was last year. She stated that they have been informed by the Texas Department of Human Resources that they will be able to match as much money as the City of Austin allocates to the agency. Ms. Cabrera introduced three clients of the agency to speak before the Council: MS. IRENE GARZA told the Council that Services for the Elderly was a blessing to the community and asked that the Council help the agency. MS. ANITA JAMES asked that the Council help fund the agency. MR. CARL HOBBS told the Council that he is proud of what the agency has done for him. He stated that he would be appreciative of whatever help the agency receives from the City. Ms. Cabrera indicated that they were submitting a request for $57,000 which would cover an increase for employees and an increased health insurance rate. She stated that they would be satisfied with a flat 5% increase over what was granted last year. AUSTIN-TRAVIS COUNTY ALCOHOL COUNSELLING SERVICE MR. GIL ORTIZ, Director of the Austin-Travis County Alcohol Counselling Service, told the Council that, though they were not being recommended for funding, the services they provide are a direct service to the Municipal Court. MEALS ON WHEELS MS. JANE RICHARDSON, Director of the United Action for the Elderly (Meals on Wheels), told the Council that the HSRT has recommended that Meals on Wheels should receive no more allocation than last year due to the initial Title XX limitation in funding. She stated that the agency would not be able to perform on a consistent level based on last year's funding allocation. Ms. Richardson requested that the Council set aside enough money for Meals on Wheels to qualify for a Title XX match grant. She stated that without additional funding, the agency would be forced to decrease services provided. Ms. Richardson indicated that she was in favor of funds being set aside to be used as match money in the future. She stated that increased funding was needed to offset rising food costs and to cover increases in facility rent. Ms. Richardson pointed out that they would have to cut services by about 50 persons if additional funding is not obtained. Ms. Richardson told theeCouncil that the agency currently serves 285 persons 6 meals per week. She stated that without additional funding they would have to reduce their services from 7,100 meals per month to 6,100 meals per month. Ms. Richardson indicated that they were requesting $46,300 in funding from the Ctty. Councilmember Goodman pointed out that this was a 17% increase over last year's funding level. _ CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS September 13, 1978 COMMUNITY BOUND PROGRAMS, INC. MS. EMILY FLIPPEN, Director of Community Bound Programs, Inc., told the Council that her organization provided follow-up services for persons who have been in mental hospitals. She stated that her organization began in response to the closing of Blair House. Ms. Flippen stated that they do medication maintenance, offer referral services, and give emotional support to their clients. She stated that they were asking for $12,000 from the City. She stated that they have also asked for $10,000 from the County. In response to a question from Councilmember Goodman, Ms. Flippen indicated that there were no other agencies that duplicated their services. Councilmember Goodman asked what was meant by medication maintenance. Ms. Flippen stated that they offer a support system to their clients, they monitor their behavior and see that they maintain their appointments with the Human Development Center or their private physicians. She stated that the agency currently serves 17 persons. Councilmember Goodman stated that the program served a real community need. Mayor McClellan remarked that the Community Development Commission has recommended $12,000 in funding for the agency. Ms. Flippen told the Council that their agency worked towards making their clients self-sufficient rather than dependent upon the agency. AUSTIN COMMUNITY NURSERY SCHOOL MR. ELEAZAR LUCIO, Vice-President of the Board of Austin Communtty Nursuery School, told the Council that their agency served 100 children from low income families. Mr. Lucio stated that it has been recommended that the agency receive $27,982 from the City, which is $1,294 less that their current grant. He asked that the Council not reduce the current allocation. He stated that since Title XX funds have been reduced, their agency will receive no increase in Title XX funds for this coming year. Mr. Lucio indicated that the agency needs additional funding to provide a salary increase for its employees. They want to give agency employees a flat 5% salary increase. Ms. Susan Salisteo, Director of the Austin Community Nursery School, stated that they were asking that they not lose the local funds that they have. She stated they have not heard if they will receive Title XX match funds or not. Councilmember Trevino suggested that the agency could use ending balance monies to qualify for Title XX match funds. Mr. Apelt indicated that they have not yet heard if the agency qualifies for Title XX funds or not. MIDDLE EARTH MR. LARRY WATERHOUSE, Executive Director of Middle Earth, told the Council that there was a difference in funding recommendations between the Human Services Review Team and the Community Development Commission of $750. Mr. Water- house requested that the Council allocate the $750 to the agency. He stated that this money represented the 5% inflationary costs increase. Mr. Waterhouse informed the Council that they have discussed the issue of the scope of the Crisis Intervention Services provided by Middle Earth outside of the existing mandate 66 MHMR. In regard to the potential duplication of services relating to information and referral, Mr. Waterhouse stated that they have moved very much towards consolidation of services provided by both Middle Earth and Hot Line. He stated that Middle Earth is trying to do more crisis intervention and also back-off somewhat from information referrals. Councilmember Cooke _ CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS September 13, 1978 asked Mr. Waterhouse to speak to the concerns raised over the agencies' record keeping. An unidentified representative from CDC stated that the concern presented to the Commission was that the agency did not want to engage in con- fidentiality as relates to documentation of clients and results of services provided. He felt that there were still ways of protecting confidentiality and also maintaining records of people served and the results of those services provided. Councilmember Trevino stated that he was disappointed that the agency could not provide any information pertaining to ethnic breakdowns. Councilmember Trevino hoped that the agency can provide such information for the coming year. Mr. Waterhouse responded by saying that they have taken steps to provide that kind of information. He stated that a large part of their business by crists telephone and that they cannot maintain client files on Mr. Waterhouse indicated that they do maintain records on those clients who actually come into the agency for counselling. In response to a question from Mayor Pro Tem Mullen, Mr. Apelt stated that the agency was doing alright in providing information on the volume of services provided and what kind of services are provided, but that they still lack any follow-up information of the effectiveness of the services provided. Mr. Apelt felt that they could devise some way of measuring the effectiveness of services provided by the agency. Councilmember Trevino felt that it was not unreasonable to expect certain information from the agency, especially since that same kind of information is being provided by other social agencies. He stated that the public expects accountability from the City, and that the Council in turn experts it from the agency also. Mayor Pro Tem Mullen also agreed that this information was needed. Mr. Waterhouse asked that the agency receive some kind of support from the City staff in devising a system of determining agency effectiveness in the community. Councilmember Trevino indicated that they could instruct staff to provide this assistance to the agency. Councilmember Cooke suggested that the agency submit an interim report to the Council within 6 months. Mr. Waterhouse indicated that they would try to do this. CITIZEN ADVOCACY PROGRAM MR. HECTOR VERA, a member of the Citizen Advocacy Committee, told the Council that there are many mentally retarded individuals in the city who need assistance. He requested that the Council approve the $6,253 in funding for the agency. AUSTIN EVALUATION CENTER MR. SIMON, representing the Austin Evaluation Center, told the Council that for the past 13 years the Center has been involved with in-depth diagnostic services to children in Austin and central Texas. He stated that they were requesting $5,000 in funding from the City of Austin. Mr. Simon stated that they are expecting a reduction in funding from the Texas Department of Health and that funds from the A.I.S.D. are in question. He stated that they would lose $15,000 without the School District funding. Mayor McClellan indicated that she wanted to know if the School District, in its final budget adoption, recommended the Evaluation Center for funding. Mr. Apelt stated September 13, 1978 =CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: that there is enough money in the School District's budget to provide the same level of funding as last year. He stated, however, that the School District did not specifically fund the agency. Ms. Nadia Gizelbach, Director of the Capital Area Rehabilitation Center, stated that there will not be funds available for various agencies. She stated that the School District decided to appropriate a certain amount of program funding, but that they would not necessarily use this money because there will be some new program funding. Council- member Trevino suggested getting the School District to designate specific funding for particular agencies. Mayor McClellan asked what the agency would do without the $15,000 in funding from A.I.S.D. Mr. Simon indicated that they were hoping that Travis County would grant $5,000 and that the United Way would also grant $5,000 in funding. Councilmember Cooke pointed out that there was no indication that the agency requested the $15,000 in funding from the School District. Mr. Joe Liro, Assistant City Manager, told the Council that they have spoken to Mr. Stanley Peterman, Finance Director of A.I.S.D., and that he has confirmed that there is no amount designated for the agency and that the School District is prepared to make reimbursements on a referral basis throughout the year. Councilmember Trevino felt that the School District's method of piecemeal funding was not helpful to the City in making its own budgetary deliberations. MHMR - INFANT/PARENT PROGRAM MR. DAN GERSKI, Acting Director of the Austin-Travis County Mental Health/ Mental Ketardation Center, told the Council that the Center's budget required some very hard decisions this year. As a part of the process, the entire budget was allocated to the five basic services of Mental Retardation, Adult Men- tal Health, Childrens Mental Health, Drug Abuse and Alcoholism Services. He stated that within each of these categorical areas, priorities were established for the target populations to be served and for the types of services to be provided. Mr. Gerski stated that there was a combination of three groups which worked at establishing these. He stated that there was staff recommendations, Advisory Committee input and Board decisions. At the point of coming to the Infant-Parent Program in consideration of Mental Retardation Services, the Advisory Committee's recommendation to the Board of Trustees was that to provide another service, a summer camp program, the Advisory Committee members were willing to recommend not having the home program. In response to a question from Mayor McClellan, Mr. Gerski indicated that the summer camp program took priority over the Infant-Parent Program. For clarification, Mayor McClellan stated that the funding being requested for the Infant-Parent Program was in addition to the basic amount already being requested. Mr. Gerski stated that the program was given last priority compared to everything else being requested in the $235,000 funding request. An unidentified representative from MHMR stated that it was with great sadness that they had to make the cuts in funding they did, but that they simply did not have enough money to fund everything. INFANT-PARENT PROGRAM: MR. GUY KURCHILL asked for the Council's help to save what he considered to be an important program. He stated that the basic cause of program funding shortage is the cut back in the federal grant. _ CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS September 13, 1978 COL. DON RITTBURG pointed out that 45 children will not be served in Austin next year. Col. Rittburg outlined three of the major facets of the program. He stated that a child who begins the learning process early will con- tinue to learn for the rest of his or her life. He pointed out that if a child does not receive the learning stimulus early, the result could be institutionalization in later years. Col. Rittburg indicated that the program could be looked upon as an investment because it would prevent individuals from being instituionlized at the cost of the taxpayers. Col. Rittburg regretted that the proposal was being presented after their school year has started, in the form of a time-sensitive emergency. Mr. Gary Shreve told the Council that the Program offers hope to mentally retarded children who had no hope before. He urged the Council to continue funding for the Infant-Parent Program. MS. KAREN TEAGUE told the Council that the Program has been of great help in the rehabilitation of her son. She urged the Council to fund the Program. MR. JASON PAVLOVIC stated that the Program does keep families together that could be easily destroyed through the institutionalization of a retarded child. He urged the Council to consider funding the Program. MS. MAXINE BLACK also spoke in favor of funding the Program. Mr. Gerski stated that they very strongly supported the recommendation of the HSRT and the CDC. He then highlighted the following aspects of the recommendations: 1. The basic application for $235,160 represents a 5% increase over the current award. Mr. Gerski felt that this was a conservative amount. He stated that there is also a recommendation to make available a CETA position to serve as a clerical person for the Hotline Program. 2. The need for funding for the Infant-Parent Program. In response to a request from Mayor McClellan, Mr. Apelt indicated that he would obtain a breakdown for the $235,000 in requested funding. Mr. Gerski reaffirmed support for the recommendations and stated that they could use whatever funds the Council granted to the agency. ROYAL MASSET spoke in support of the contract agencies in general and felt that the City was getting its money's worth. He asked the Council not to cut back in that area. WOMENSPACE CISSY LOFTIN stated that her organization was a counseling and information and referral center for women in Austin. In its 3 years of operation, 5,000 clients had been handled. The organization was requesting $6,325 from the City. =CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS September 13, 1978 BOYS CLUB OF AUSTIN AND TRAVIS COUNTY CLARENCE PURSELEY, speaking of the Club, thanked the Council for its past support. DON CROMER, Executive Director, requested that the $14,128 requested for two programs be granted instead of the $12,898 recommended by the City. He asked for support of an arts and crafts program ($16,980), but thought that there was some possibility of CETA funding for two positions in that program. He stated that his Executive Committee had discussed the possibility of a trade -off whereby Legal Aid would be funded totally by the City and Boys Clubs by United Way. The organization was agreeable to the idea of there were no interruption of funding, and if the total dollars figure was the same. WOLLIE KOCUREK, spoke in support of Austin's Boys Clubs. CARITAS CLINT BUTLER, Director, Caritas of Austin, asked for full funding of $52,000, which was $2,600 more than the City's recommended amount. He cited the increased case load and the need for a 5% pay increase for employees. AUSTIN TENANTS COUNCIL CHUCK WATTLES, speaking for the organization, stated that the request for $33,377 included a third position on the staff. He agreed that the CDC's recommendations to consider the Council for CETA positions was important. BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS LARRY GUILLOT, former Executive Director, rector, Big Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Austin, stated that if the various funding recommendations were followed the organization would revert to its 1976 funding level. The number of children served since that time had increased by at least 15% each year. He had just been informed that a grant had been awarded from the State for Big Brothers/ Big Sisters statewide. The local share would be $8,700, and he was requesting to amend their request for $47,000 to read $$37,000. The City had recommended $30,952. CAPITAL AREA REHABILITATION CENTER NADEA GIZELBACH, speaking for the organization, stated that they would be losing about $35,000 from AISD this year, but the patients were still there to be served. Councilman Trevino observed that if the City were unable to cover the $35,000 cut, then it would make the City look bad and that was unfair. Councilmember Goodman asked why AISD had denied services to 14 individuals who had been served previously. Ms. Gizelbach stated that it was due to a change in public law. _ CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS September 13, 1978 CATHY MCDANIEL, a parent of a handicapped child, spoke in support of the program offered by Capital Area Rehabilitation Center. She asked the Council to continue its support of the program. AUSTIN GENETIC COUNSELING TERRY MCCASLIN, speaking for the service, stated that they were involved in the diagnosis, management, research and counseling with families who have children with birth defects. She stated that of the 8,400 children born in Travis County last year, 420 had birth defects and 168 had major birth defects. There were approximately 19,500 people in Travis County with birth defects. AUSTIN COMMUNITY TELEVISION DONNA GREEN, speaking for the organization, stated that they had served the community for five years. She reviewed some of the accomplishments of ACTV, particularly the broadcasting of Council meetings. ACTV now wanted to produce a series of programs on downtown revitalization. She took exception to the Human Services Department's statement that there was not a significant need for public or community access services at this time. A good part of the funds being requested was for new equipment, which was the most pressing need. UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY KEN VIENOT, Director of the Max Gochmen Center for United Cerebral Palsy of Texas, Inc., stated that the funds bei being requested would allow the Center to continue and further solidify existing programs. No new programs would be added for the upcoming year. Funding requested was $31,822 from the City, with $20,220 being recommended. Since submitting the request it was learned that $3,000 would be needed to transport clients and that an additional $2,848 was needed to cover an ineligible slot. Total funds requested from the City were $35,087, which was the minimal amount needed to continue the existing level of services. YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICE JULIE SYKORA, Director, YES, stated that the increase requested was primarily for salary increases, a bookkeeper and an audit. She distributed to the Council a statistical report of YES as of August 1978. AUSTIN WOMEN'S CENTER ANN DORSEY, Coordinator for the Center, stated that the $15,007 amount being requested for deaf women was a continuation of an existing project. She then introduced Patty Moore, a deaf woman who was spokesperson for the advisory committee that helped write the grant, and Fred Roy, who interpreted her statement. Ms. Moore spoke in favor of extending the grant. CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS. GAY COMMUNITY SERVICES September 13, 1978 TROY STOKES stated that his organization had submitted their request under the University Y. He pointed out how difficult it was to run a program on an all-volunteer basis. Any funding from the City would help. COMMUNITY BOUND MARSHA DILLARD stated that she had worked seven years with the mentally handicapped. She spoke in favor of the Community Bound program. TORI MUNRO spoke in support of Community Bound. She had been a former mental patient, but had recovered. She felt that the program would serve as a model for other cities. DORIS BAUMANN spoke in support of the Community Bound program, which was not recommended for funding. DR. RICHARD 4. ALEXANDER spoke in support of Community Bound. He felt that the organization represented a maximum mobilization of the mentally ill's resources. RON SANFORD spoke in support of the Community Bound program. He had provided housing for some of the former residents of Bellaire House, as well as employment for several of the people. ECOLOGY ACTION OF AUSTIN, INC. BETH BROWN requested that the Council fund a community recycling program. The group was requesting $15,685 to continue a low-technology, labor-intensive recycling program. In response to Mayor McClellan's question, Buck Apelt, Acting Director of the Human Services Department, stated that UCP's Title XX contract went into effect about January, 1978. For three months prior to that time, the City supported the program in its entirety, including an ineligible slot and certain ineligible expenses under Title XX. The money currently being requested was to match available Title XX funding. AUSTIN RAPE CRISIS CENTER SYLVIA CALLAWAY, speaking for the Center, first delivered a message from the director of the Center for Battered Women who had to leave the meeting. The increased request for funding from the Center for Battered Women from $15,696 to $29,480 represented the City's picking up the Center for Battered Women's coordinator of counseling services which was funded previously by MHMR. Regarding the Rape Crisis Center budget, Ms. Callaway stated that they were experiencing a decrease in criminal justice Federal money this year. The slight increases in requests to all local funding bodies represented the Center's need to try to absorb some of the loss. CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS September 13, 1978 In response to Councilman Cooke's question regarding what would happen at the end of the 5-year Federal funding, Ms. Callaway stated that she hoped that the Center could stabilize at tts present level. Outside agencies and foundations would be approached for any additional programs or projects. AUSTIN FAMILIES, INC. TERRY GILLIS, Acting Director, Austin Families, Inc., an affiliate of Texas Care '76, stated that the funding request was for a central staff for the organization. An alternative budget had been submitted which reflected a 16% decrease from theeoriginal request of $26,990. She then outlined the projected programs to be undertaken by her organization and how they would help the community. LEGAL AID REGINA ROGOFF, speaking for the organization, explained briefly their grant request. In 1977, Legal Aid was required by their Federal funding source to develop both a salary compatibility statement and a salary schedule setting minimum and maximum salaries for each position. The City had been funding 4 para-legal positions for Legal Aid. The City's Personnel Department had identified the Human Relations Investigator position as being most comparable to the para-legal job. On that basis, Legal Aid developed the re- quired figures which were approximately 80% of the City's pay to Human Relations Investigators. The grant request was for funding of the four para-legals as the specified ed Federal pay levels, which required an increase in funding of $10,446. Regarding the proposed HSRT trade-out between Legal Aid and Boys Clubs, she stated that Legal Aid would prefer to keep multiple funding sources, rather than be funded by United Way only. AUSTIN CHILD GUIDANCE CENTER SUSIE MATTHEWS, Acting Director of the Center, stated that she appreciated the recommendations of CDC and HSRT for a 5% increase in their budget. She felt that preparing just one application was much better than several. PEOPLE'S COMMUNITY CLINIC JAN FREESE, Director of the Clinic, asked the Council to fund the Clinic as requested, A recent increase in malpractice insurance necessitatedofull funding. In response to Councilmen Goodman's question, Ms. Freese said that the cost of malpractice insurance had doubled from $8,000 annually to $16,000 annually. _ CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS September 13, 1978 In response to Mayor Pro Tem Mullen's question, Ms. Freese said that $5,000 had been requested from the March of Dimes to increase the prenatal program, but had been turned down. The Mayor Pro Tem said that if she would get back with him that he would try to help her. Regarding the malpractice insurance, he said that he could also help her in that area. DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FOR REHABILITATION SISTO RAMIREZ, representing the organization, stated that they had worked with 195 people this year, 19 of whom were women. His group had been recommended for full funding of $53,643. BRYANT HOUSE JENNIFER THOMPSON, Director of Bryant House, stated that they had requested $7,200 for housing. CDC had recommended full funding, while HSRT had recommended no funding. wThe organization was in the process of changing its license to be able to serve younger people. The local juvenile court had told her that 80% of Austin/Travis County status offenders ages 12 to 14 years needing placement are sent out of county because no local placement was available. CYNTHIA BRYANT, Juvenile Defender, spoke to the need for the House in the communtiy and funding at $7,200. ADJOURNMENT The Council adjourned at 7:25 P.M. APPROVED C Clellan Mayor ATTEST: momoe City Clerk