March 8/05 Report
Scheduled start time: 9:30 am. Actual start time: 9:37 am.
Adjournment: 10:25 am.

ATTENDANCE

Committee Members (A = absent ; N/M = non-member )

• Larry Di Ianni n/m
• Brian McHattie (C)
• Bob Bratina
• Bernie Morelli
• Sam Merulla
• Bill Kelly - A
• Tom Jackson
• Chad Collins n/m
• Terry Whitehead n/m
• Phil Bruckler n/m
• Maria Pearson n/m
• David L. Mitchell n/m
• Murray Ferguson n/m
• Art Sampson n/m
• Dave Braden n/m
• Margaret McCarthy n/m

CATCH: L.Hall

MEDIA: Eric McGuinness (Spec), Ken Mann (CHML), Kevin Werner( Brabant )

Others: PH&CS staff: Joanne Priel, Gillian Hendry, Kathy?

Observations/Comments:
Efficient, well run. McHattie had staff give quick overviews; a few councilors asked questions

CHANGES to the AGENDA - item 12.2 added (but I didn't get the gist of what this was about because it was mentioned so quickly (before I got my tape running) and later when it was briefly mentioned during the meeting (?)

DISCUSSION ITEMS :

8.1 Disposition and Replacement of Scattered Hamilton Housing Corporation Single and Semi-Detached Units (SPH05018) (City Wide ) http://www.city.hamilton.on.ca/clerk/agendas-minutes-reports/
Social-Public-Health/2005/Mar08/SPH05018.pdf (approved by Council)

There was no discussion of this item

". 564 single and semi-detached units owned by Hamilton Housing Corporation . The revenues generated would ensure that at a minimum these units would be replaced on a 1:1 basis and would be more cost effective from a property management perspective.

. In total, approximately 85-90 units have been identified which represents 15 percent of the total Hamilton Housing Corporation single and semi-detached stock, or approximately 0.6 percent of the total social housing stock in the City of Hamilton (14,200 units). The bulk of these units is located in the east end of the City and are concentrated in the McQuesten West neighbourhood. These units are predominantly semi-detached units where the other semi-detached unit is privately-owned."

8.2 Transition Directives - Ontario Works Program (SPH05020) (City Wide)
http://www.city.hamilton.on.ca/clerk/agendas-minutes-reports/
Social-Public-Health/2005/Mar08/SPH05020.pdf
(received for information and approved by Council)

1. Gillian Hendry asked for a one year time frame for staff to examine and determine the effects of the 20 or so changes the Provincial Gov't has made to delivery of Ontario Works (OW) programs - possible increase in program, administration, procedures, & workload costs?
2. Gillian asked that three current practices regarding allocation of discretionary funds be continued:
   1. benefits to pay for low-cost energy and water
   2. issuing Winter Clothing Allowance for OW recipients during Jan & Feb
   3. benefits for chiropractic services for recipients of OW and ODSP
3. Merulla initiated a motion to gather some statistics and write a letter to Prov. Gov't about people in Hamilton who have slipped through the cracks since 1995 when the categories for qualifying for OSDP were changed. Joanne Priel suggested data could be gathered around two areas: (a) Hamilton stats about "wait times" for receiving ODSP, and (b) anecdotal records re: Hamilton caseloads and the cost to serve these individuals. Gillian H. suggested that about 20% of their total caseload falls into this area.

8.3 Ontario Works Service Plan SPH05021) (City Wide ) (Work Plan is attached under separate cover - Due to bulk, copies can be viewed in the City Clerk's Department)
http://www.city.hamilton.on.ca/clerk/agendas-minutes-reports/
Social-Public-Health/2005/Mar08/SPH05021.pdf
Recommendation is to receive the report. (report was received for information by Council)

1. Gillian Hendry said that BIG changes were coming for the Ontario Works Service Plan. The City just received the approved New Service Guidelines in December, 2004, and Hamilton planning is underway.
   
   Areas that will impact on delivery and funding for the program include:
   1. a report by Deb Matthews (Assist. to Min of Commun & Soc Serv) that contains significant recommendations for changes to social assistance;
   2. Ministry announced in Dec. there would be a number of changes to eligibility and benefits in OW program;
   3. closure of OW Intake & Screening Unit, streamlining the application process for assistance;
   4. employment assistance programs will move from an activity-based to an outcome-based system
2. Joanne Priel directed councillors/media to particularly note at least the first 15 pp. of the Ontario Works 2004 -2006 Service Plan for the City of Hamilton (Copies can be viewed at the City Clerk's Dept - it's too bulky to reproduce many copies). She said it would indicate the quality work S&PH Services staff was doing.
3. Merulla initiated a letter of congratulations to be written to staff on behalf of the S&PHS Com.
   

8.4 Career Development Centre (HCS03016b) (City Wide)
http://www.city.hamilton.on.ca/clerk/agendas-minutes-reports/
Social-Public-Health/2005/Mar08/HCS03016b.pdf
Report for information only. (report was received for information by Council)

1.   Jillian Hendry announced that this center opened for business on Feb 21, 2005 at 181 Main St. W. and the Official Opening will take place on March 30, 2005 . Construction was on time and the project was within budget.
2. Funding came from Hydro Community Trust Fund ($2.36 million), Hamilton Housing ($241,000) & Target Placement Funding ($670,000 - 100% from Ministry money earned from positive outcomes for OW employment and community placements). On-going operating costs will be funded thru' Hydro Community Fund and OW Employment Assistance funding - 80% / 20% Prov / City.
3. Jackson admitted he had been skeptical about the project, but is now impressed. He asked questions about the composition of the Advisory Board (See Appendix A of the report) and about the sustainability of the project. It was decided that if the Advisory Board decided to move into a "flag ship" Governance role, that members of Council needed to be part of that Board. There has been some talk about this happening.
   Jillian said that there was no new net levy to the City. This was achieved by transferring current programs.
4. Jackson called on recognition for Merulla who was instrumental in getting this project underway and who took "flack" for suggesting money from the Future Fund be used for it.
   

8.5  2003 Opportunity Fund Allocations Update (SPH05008)(City Wide)
http://www.city.hamilton.on.ca/clerk/agendas-minutes-reports/
Social-Public-Health/2005/Mar08/SPH05008.pdf
Recommendation to extend deadline to Dec 2005 for spending of remaining monies allocated by Future Fund for social service programs.
(approved by Council)

1. Joanne Priel asked for an extension to the original deadline of Dec. 2004 to spend the money, due partly to the late approval of this Opportunity Fund in July, 2003.
2. Projects include:
   1. Bridges Program - subsidized recreation for low-income children (money already spent by June, 2004)
   2. Housing Emergency Loan Program - provides computers in youth agencies (original idea of refurbishing old computers needs to be replaced with a plan to purchase new ones - need until Dec. 2005 to get this going)
   3. Road to Independence - 3 month bus passes to support those leaving OW for employment (On-going requests come in and there is still money, so they want to extend this until Dec, 2005 or until funds run out)
   4. Accreditation for Immigrants - financial assist. For immigrants on OW for validation/identification of employment skills (on-going requests, extend until Dec. 2005)
   5. Greater Food Share - provide funds to purchase a new facility ( total funds have been allocated, but project is conditional on SCPI funding and finding a suitable location by March 2004 (?)

12.1 Review of Outstanding Business Item List (approved by Council)

1. Joanne Priel said that directors have met and have provided her with specific dates for reports on these outstanding items, but she did not have the list with her and asked that this matter be held over for the next S&PHS committee meeting on March 22. Council agreed.
   
2. McHattie asked Bratina to take the chair so that the committee could deal with a structural aspect of # I on this list of outstanding items - Utility Assistance Program Task Force.
   
   McHattie initiated a motion to have himself and Bratina, as Chair and Vice Chair of this committee, be appointed as part of a task force so that this project could move forward. The clerk said this could be done through a motion to move ahead with the existing structure of the committee, of which McHattie and Bratina are already a part. ( moved and passed Jackson/Merulla)

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL:

13.1 Residential Care Facilities Subsidy Agreement (SPH05015)