St. Louis County Library

Florissant Valley Branch

195 New Florissant Road, South

Florissant, MO 63031

Dr. Ahr, Mr. Barrett, Mr. Briggs, Ms. Douglas, Ms. Freiman, and Mr. Ruecker

Ms. Balogh, Mr. Bassin, Ms. Bush, Dr. Cannon, Ms. Femmer, Mr. Goldstein, Ms. Holland, Ms. Kindred, and Ms. Prage

See attached.

A quorum was present and due notice had been mailed and published. Dr. Ahr called the meeting to order at

7:05 p.m. He recognized the attendance of Ms. Nancy Koenig, former board member, and thanked her for attending the meeting. Dr. Ahr asked Dr. Cannon to provide the Executive Director’s report.

Dr. Cannon recommended that the board approve MACDDS membership renewal for 1998.

Dr. Cannon stated that in the board members’ packets were flyers and the press release announcing the PLB’s upcoming public forums. He stated that the first forum will take place on Tuesday, February 17, at the Creve Coeur Community Center. The purpose of the forums is to obtain input from the community prior to developing PLB’s strategic plan. Dr. Cannon invited those present to join the PLB at the public forums, and stated that several board members will be present at each public forum.

Mr. Ruecker stated that he feels this is an important endeavor. He pronounced that the board needs to hear what the public has to say.

Dr. Cannon reminded the board that he is a participant in DMH’s Family Directed Support Task Force. He reported that the committee is making headway and that he feels the elements of DMH’s program are consistent with the PLB’s mission. He reported that this program will facilitate services under the control of families.

Dr. Cannon reported that PLB staff will be meeting with DMH staff to negotiate the renewal of the Memorandum of Agreement. He said that staff hopes to have the negotiations complete and a new agreement submitted to the Strategic Planning Committee by the end of the fiscal year.

Dr. Cannon stated that he and Dr. Ahr attended the AAMR conference on managed care last week. Dr. Cannon shared his impression that there was not a lot of substance to the conference. He said that many of the issues discussed at the conference were more of an ethical nature instead of practical. Dr. Cannon reported that there was a lot of discussion and concern regarding whether managed care is appropriate for individuals in long-term care. Dr. Ahr agreed with Dr. Cannon’s assessment of the conference.

Dr. Ahr asked if anyone would like to make a comment.

Ms. Jean Loncrini stated that she was speaking for the Parents Advocacy Group. She said that they would like to state their opposition to the plan to consolidate six workshops into two shops. Mrs. Loncrini said that they believe that such consolidation will create a transportation nightmare. There is no central area in St. Louis County north or south. She said that we are a suburban sprawl at its best or worst. She also said that they believe community support would be lost and that since each shop would retain its autonomy they believe the PLB would be creating a three-headed hydra with each head biting the other. The competition would be horrendous.

Dr. Ahr responded that the board agrees. He assured Ms. Loncrini that the PLB does not plan to force the workshops to consolidate operations. Dr. Ahr explained that the PLB has discussed with workshops the possibility of consolidating storage space only. He assured Ms. Loncrini that any consolidation is at the selection of the workshops, not because the PLB is pursuing consolidation.

Ms. Freiman stated that this issue is pure rumor. She assured Ms. Loncrini that the PLB has done nothing to decrease the number of workshops.

Dr. Ahr stated that Dr. Cannon has been visiting some of the workshops and has reported that there are some workshops where physical conditions need improvement.

Ms. Jean Loncrini said that there should be an increase in the amount of taxes the PLB receives since everything is being reassessed. She asked if this money could be used for workshop renovations or even new buildings.

Dr. Ahr stated that in the last three years the PLB has doubled the amount allocated to the workshops. He did agree, however, that there are improvements that need to be made in the workshops.

Dr. Cannon stated that he has visited each of the workshops and met with their managers and, in some cases, their boards. He reported that many of the workshops have identified the need for additional warehouse space. He clarified that several of the managers have agreed that they could develop a shared warehouse arrangement. This would facilitate their ability to bid on larger contracts, to move out of the trailers some of them are using, and to move some raw materials off the workshop floor work space. Dr. Cannon reported that the PLB asked three of the workshops to get together to tell us how they would like to go about consolidating warehouse space. He reiterated that the workshops have suggested this action; it was not initiated by the PLB. Dr. Cannon stated that at least two of the workshops have severe problems with their work space and that the PLB would like to help them with this problem. He stated that the PLB will continue to work with the workshops in these areas.

A guest (unknown) stated that if the PLB encourages workshops to merge he feels that there would be problems with transportation. He requested that Dr. Cannon list the advantages of merging.

Dr. Cannon stated that one of the advantages would be the ability of the workshops to bid on larger contracts. He stated that this decision has to be made by the sheltered workshops and their boards - not the PLB. Dr. Cannon acknowledged that the boards have difficult decisions to make and that the PLB is here to help them through this process but not to force them into decisions with which they are not comfortable.

A guest (unknown) asked if the PLB encourages workshops to hire zero functioning employees. He stated his concerns regarding low functioning and high functioning individuals working together.

Dr. Cannon responded that the PLB supports workshops hiring people. He stated that he does not use the terminology high functioning and low functioning. Dr. Cannon stated that if a person is in the right setting with the right supports that individual could become productive. He stated that he would be hard pressed to say there are people with zero productivity.

Ms. Vicky Voss introduced herself and shared that she is a new resident and has a small child with a severe disability. She shared with the board her son’s disabilities and the services he is currently receiving. Ms. Voss asked how managed care is going to affect her son in the future. She asked if it will help him obtain services in the future.

Dr. Ahr stated that actually all care is managed care. He explained that the board is only discussing the application of certain principals of what has traditionally been managed health care. Dr. Ahr suggested that Ms. Voss talk to Jeff Bassin to find out what services the county is funding. He also suggested that Ms. Voss talk to Bill Welsch from the Department of Mental Health (who was present) to discuss state funded services. Dr. Ahr welcomed Mr. Welsch and stated that the board was glad that he is here to help.

Ms. Geri Grisham introduced herself and shared that she has a 16-year-old daughter who is mentally retarded. Ms. Grisham stated that she ran into problems last year in finding a summer program for her daughter. She said that she did not know the process of how agencies receive funds but that it seemed there are not a lot of programs for kids who do not fit into the inclusion factor. Ms. Grisham shared that her daughter has an attention deficit problem and will not ever work in a workshop. She stated that most programs work toward employing the individual and inclusion, such as a drama program -- things that her daughter doesn’t fit into. Ms. Grisham stated that she wants a recreation program where her daughter would enjoy herself. She said that the only thing such as this that she could find was in Kirkwood, which is not convenient for a North County resident. Ms. Grisham stated that everything is geared to inclusion and that her daughter doesn’t fit into these programs.

Dr. Ahr asked if Ms. Grisham’s daughter is a client of St. Louis Regional Center. Ms. Grisham responded that she is. Dr. Ahr suggested that Ms. Grisham talk to Jeff Bassin after the meeting to discuss summer alternatives.

Ms. Lois Sterbenz introduced herself and shared that she is a member of Down Syndrome Association. She stated that she thinks it is okay to talk about high functioning and low functioning people. Ms. Sterbenz stated that the PLB should be giving more money to the workshops to upgrade or rebuild. She said that she knows the PLB can spend money because she has visited the PLB’s beautiful offices . Ms. Sterbenz reported that she heard that the workshop managers must sign an agreement each year promising that they will not request any more money in that year -- even if there is a fire or something.

Mr. Briggs replied that the workshops must come in like any other agency and apply for grants. He stated that he has never heard of the policy they must sign an agreement stating that they will not request any more money for the remainder of the year -- even in the event of a fire.

Ms. Loncrini said that she just read PLB‘s financial report and that the PLB spent $500,000 on sheltered workshops and $900,000 on the board. She stated that if someone says you spent more on yourself than you did on workshops it is true.

Dr. Ahr responded that the board members themselves are all volunteers and receive no compensation whatsoever. In addition, PLB operating costs are only 7 percent of its total budget, which is considerably less than the 15 percent cap on administrative expenses that the PLB requires of its agencies.

Dr. Ahr asked Ms. Kindred to respond to Ms. Loncrini’s statements regarding the allocations to sheltered workshops. Ms. Kindred stated that the PLB allocates $500,000 to the workshops, and they determine how this money will be spent. In addition, the PLB appropriated approximately $720,000 to four of the workshops and the St. Louis ARC to provide training in the workshops. The PLB also forgave approximately $70,000 in loans in the last fiscal year. Ms. Kindred summarized that the total dollars allocated to workshops is in excess of $1.2 million plus the loan forgiveness. She stated that this does not take into account the approximately $650,000 the PLB spends on transportation to workshops.

Mr. Barrett presented the treasurer’s report and financial statements dated January 31, 1998. Mr. Barrett stated that by this time next month the PLB will know how much it will be receiving from this year’s taxes. Mr. Barrett noted that on page 3 of the financial statements is the year-to-date column. This column reflects that a total of $6.1 million was expended on projects year-to-date; this represents about $800,000 more than what was spent this time last year.

Dr. Ahr announced that the board and management team of the PLB will hold a retreat on Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7.

Dr. Cannon announced that staff requested bids from the organizations that responded to the PLB’s RFP for a facilitator for the focus groups. There were six bids provided. He recommended that the board approve the selection of Candace Ulrich to facilitate the management retreat.

Dr. Ahr appointed the PLB Nominating Committee to confer and provide recommendations to the board for officers for FY’99. The Chairperson for the committee is Ms. Freiman, members are Mr. Briggs and Mr. Bardgett.

Dr. Cannon requested that the board approve $528.88 to reserve the Junior League for its management retreat.

Mr. Barrett referred members to the meeting minutes at their places.

Mr. Goldstein provided an overview regarding the contents of the policy.

Mr. Ruecker stated that the PLB was concerned with confidentiality issues in regards to how data was being accessed. He stated that the committee felt that the PLB should have procedures and policies in place before we begin any electronic submission processes.

Ms. Douglas stated that she was pleased to see that the policy includes an off-site storage plan, prohibiting the playing of games during work hours, and not putting unauthorized software on PLB systems.

Mr. Barrett stated that Tom Curran, St. Louis County Department of Planning, attended the committee meeting and provided an overview of the TIF commissions. The information Mr. Curran provided is included in the committee meeting minutes at each board member’s place.

Mr. Ruecker provided a brief explanation of the purpose of TIF commissions and how they operate.

Mr. Briggs stated that this committee had no report but that the committee’s minutes from the meeting of Thursday, January 22, 1998, were included as an information item.

Dr. Ahr announced that the next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 9, 1998, at PLB office, 121 Hunter Avenue, Suite 200, St. Louis, Missouri 63124. The meeting will begin at 3:30 p.m.

As recorded by Rhonda Femmer, Administrative Assistant.

George H. Norton, Universal Workshop

Joe & Joan Ineton, Parents

Jean Loncrini, Parents Advocacy Group

Ted Eddy, ITE

Patti Patty-G’Sell, Willows Way, Inc.

Wendy Buehler, Life Skills Foundation

Geri Grisham, Parent

Martha Anderson, Parent

Patti Anderson

Richard Flood, Parent

Nancy Koenig, Parent

Catharine Bindbeutel, Parent

Heather Stockmann, Lifestyle Options & Opportunities

Michael Maguire, Options for Justice

Julie Roscoe, Judevine Center

Ronda O’Farrell, START

Steve Frank, Florissant Valley Workshop

LaTonya Lewis, Bellefontaine Rehabilitation Center

Victoria Voss, Parent

Sue Fleming, The Recreation Council

Bonnie Grueninger, Jamestown New Horizons

Bill Welsch, St. Louis Regional Center

Steve Carleton, Parent

Michele Pitman, St. Louis Society

Michael Ball, Parent