MINUTES

MH&R BOARD of ERIE & OTTAWA COUNTIES

— March 17, 2009

 

 

 

Present:

Steve Lippert

Kenny Baughman

Margy VanLerberghe

 

Leroy Sizemore

Marlene Boas

Pam McGlothlin

 

Barbe Limpert

Jude Hammond

Ann Duez

 

Steven Prentice

Sue Kane

Bill Kimberlin

 

Eric Zgodzinski

 

 

 

 

 

 

Office Staff:

Kirk Halliday

Beth Williams

Patty Notestine

 

 

 

 

Excused:

Bob Kasayka

 

 

 

 

 

 

Absent:

Robert Warner

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guests:

Lisa Byers

Henrietta Whelan

Marty Williams

 

 

 

The Mental Health and Recovery Board of Erie and Ottawa Counties met on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at the Sandusky Artisans, 138 E. Market Street, Sandusky, Ohio. Steve Lippert, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.

 

Introduction of Guests — The Board welcomed all in attendance.

 

Commentary: None at this time.

 

Approval of Agenda — Sue Kane moved the agenda be approved as presented, Ann Duez seconded; motion carried.

 

Secretary’s Report — Pam McGlothlin moved to accept the minutes of February 17, 2009 meeting as presented, Ann Duez seconded; motion carried.

 

Executive Director’s Report

Dr. Halliday reported on the following: a) Policy No: I-C Policy Title: Budgeting – no questions asked. b) State Budget Update: Dr. Halliday will be attending a budgetary related hearing at the State House on March 19th. A request has been made from our state-wide association to participate on May 6th with a day at the State House asking to send a group of people to share ideas and meet with legislators. Board members were asked for their participation. A sign-up sheet was passed around for those interested and able to go. c) Sundown Motel Project: Beth Williams noted that a meeting was recently held with representatives from ODMH, which provided us with technical assistance. The architect will be revising the original plan using fewer dollars than originally projected. Once everything is submitted back to the State, if approved, we will then be able to purchase the property. Additional suggestions included; applying for stimulus dollars, selling the existing building on the property, and create/add a Phase 3 to the project. d) Levy Campaign (see handout provided): an “overview of preliminary levy replacement plans” was distributed to the Board. Kenny Baughman reviewed the plans with emphasis on TTFMHM, meaning “Tell Two Friends Mental Health Matters.” We need to get to the audience that may, or may not, vote for our levy. Visibility is key, small groups as well as large. A volunteer list was available for those willing to help out with their time and expertise. Updates will be forthcoming on the levy issue. A “conversion” levy was mentioned; to be looked into further. e) Program Division Report: a modified annual calendar was provided in the board packets noting additions made for levy planning, focus groups, board training and FY2010 continuum of care update based on actual allocations. Board Training: required every year; the suggestion for this year’s training was on consumers and consumer advocacy. The desire is to have a representative from each of the following organizations present: NAMI Ohio, Ohio Citizen Advocates for Chemical Dependency Prevention and Treatment, Ohio Federation for Children’s Mental Health, and the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation. This training will probably need to be scheduled for May or June. It was suggested to extend an invitation to the media as well as to invite significant others. Ann Duez suggested using the Regional Welcome Center on Rt. 53 in Ottawa County. State Update: still unknown at this point. Futures Group: recommendations were approved by the Boards and an action plan has been approved by the Executive Council of OACBHA. Update to be included in April’s Program Report. Community Plan: plan requirements along with locally relevant information were presented in January. A follow-up summary will be presented at the April Board meeting. Focus Groups: specific targeted focus groups have been or are in the process of being scheduled, focusing on Children, Youth and Family, Consumers, Consumer Advocates and Adult Mental Health and Alcohol/drug.

 

CQI – Continuous Quality Improvement: moved under old business

 

Consent Agenda

Beth Williams presented a brief summary on the consent agenda items.

 

Resolution No. 03-2009-01: Whereas the attached Consent Agenda has been reviewed for appropriateness and compliance with Board Policies; therefore Bill Kimberlin resolved the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Erie and Ottawa Counties approve the business contained in the Consent Agenda, seconded by Pam McGlothlin. Roll call vote as follows: Kenny; yes, Marlene; yes, Ann; yes, Jude; yes, Sue; yes, Bill; yes, Barbe; yes, Pam; abstain, Steven; yes, Leroy; yes, Margy; yes, Eric; yes, and Steve; yes, resolution carried.

 

Board Concerns:

It was asked if the Board would be providing scholarships for the NAMI Ohio Conference. It was stated that the Board will not be providing the scholarships this year.

 

Health Care concessions made by the Board Staff went into effect on January 1, 2009. The amount was deducted from their Health Savings Account. It was suggested that Beth Williams present the actual dollar amounts (family plan/single, deductible, etc.) back to the Board.

 

  • Kenny Baughman moved to nominate Eric Zgodzinski for Board vice chair, seconded by Bill Kimberlin, motion approved. Comments: good nomination, this would allow for representation from both counties, other nominations can still be made; actual voting takes place in June.

 

Open Board positions; their are currently three open positions on the Board; 1 – ODMH, Primary Consumer, and 2 – ODADAS, Primary Consumer and Professional A/D. Two additional ODADAS positions will be available on July 1, 2009 for Advocate and Family Member. As a general rule any board member can recommend nominees. Multiple applications have recently been submitted to ODADAS to fill existing consumer openings.

 

Old Business:  

Follow-up; Governance Policy Review/Resolutions: The previous month three resolutions were brought forward by Kenny Baughman and consequently tabled for further review.

  • Eric Zgodzinski moved to bring said resolutions back to the table for consideration, seconded by Marlene Boas, motion carried.

 

Steve Lippert, Chair, noted that adding to or revising the governance policy is within the Board’s authority. Although at the same time we want to make sure that they are within the parameters of the revised code, administrative rules, and the Board’s culture. The Board Chair suggested bringing before the Board each resolution individually, discuss pros and cons, and then motion that the Executive Director bring a draft resolution to our April board meeting for consideration (see February minutes for complete wording on resolutions presented).

 

Kenny Baughman reviewed Resolution 02-2009-02; “The Chairperson has the authority to immediately accept, at any time, the resignation of any appointed board member…”

Comments/Suggestions

  • agree with merits relating to said resolution
  • resolution(s) are already presented correctly to approve or defeat
  • serious concerns about board members bringing policy changes
  • compromises the integrity of the organization
  • would like to see changes done within the structure of a policy review
  • problem with just the Chairperson having the authority
  • we are a Board and should all be part of the decision
  • perhaps the issue is what defines a quorum
  • implement a policy review meeting

 

Ø  Kenny Baughman moved to direct the Executive Director to consider the comments made and prepare for the next board meeting a draft resolution, or resolutions, for further board discussion and decisions, seconded by Bill Kimberlin.

Hand vote taken: motion defeated

 

Ø  Kenny Baughman moved to permanently table resolution 02-2009-02, no second, motion failed.

 

Kenny Baughman reviewed Resolution 02-2009-03; “The Chairperson has the authority to represent the board internally at any properly ordered meeting of said board on matters in which the absence of a quorum exits, which require immediate action provided all of the following conditions exist…”

Comments/Suggestions

·         this resolution was drafted based on our history of not having sufficient members present to pay the bills, and is intended to meet the need of the board’s mission in the face of unforeseen emergency.

·         look into what constitutes a quorum

·         legal counsel opinion needed

 

Ø  Eric Zgodzinski moved to re-table resolution 02-2009-03 for legal opinion, seconded by Pam McGlothlin, motion carried.

 

Kenny Baughman reviewed Resolution 02-2009-04; “The Chairperson has the authority to request and immediately accept, at any time, the resignation of any appointed board member who has failed…And ”Board members who consecutively miss four or more regularly scheduled meetings are considered…”

Comments/Suggestions

·         drafted for members who leave the Board unannounced

·         our goal should be to keep board member on, not to shove them off

·         communication should take place first with that particular board member

·         individual circumstances should be taken into consideration

·         O.R.C. Section 340.02 states that the board shall notify the appointing authority, which in turn may, or may not, vacate the appointment

·         we can only convey information to the appointing authority

 

Ø  Kenny Baughman moved to re-table resolution 02-2009-04 for legal opinion, seconded by Bill Kimberlin, motion carried.

 

Ø  Kenny Baughman moved to re-table resolution 02-2009-02 until after we receive the opinions for resolutions 03 and 04, seconded by Eric Zgodzinski, motion carried.

 

New Business:

Communications from the Board Chair:

Ad-Hoc Committee Update: A lot of discussion around salary matrix, how it should be generated and how can we be assured of its integrity in related details. The committee will meet again in April, and hope to have some written detail to present then.

 

Commentary:

Lisa Byers, Oak House Director, thanked the board for not eliminating funds directed toward consumer operated services, and for absorbing the first round of cuts without extending those to the agencies. The Oak House worked very hard to help pass the last levy and hope that everyone does their share for the next upcoming levy.

 

The antique road show hosted at the Oak House was extremely delightful.

 

Review Decisions Made and Action — Steven Prentice reviewed the actions of the Board.

  • Sue Kane moved the agenda be approved as presented, Ann Duez seconded; motion carried.
  • Pam McGlothlin moved to accept the minutes of February 17, 2009 meeting as presented, Ann Duez seconded; motion carried.
  • Consent Agenda Resolution 03-2009-01 – resolved by Bill Kimberlin, seconded by Pam McGlothlin, roll call vote; resolution carried.
  • Kenny Baughman moved to nominate Eric Zgodzinski for Board vice chair, seconded by Bill Kimberlin, motion approved.
  • Eric Zgodzinski moved to bring previously stated resolutions (02-2009-02, 03, and 04) back to the table for consideration, seconded by Marlene Boas, motion carried.
  • Kenny Baughman moved to direct the Executive Director to consider the comments made and prepare for the next board meeting a draft resolution, or resolutions, for further board discussion and decisions, seconded by Bill Kimberlin, motion defeated
  • Kenny Baughman moved to permanently table resolution 02-2009-02, no second, motion failed.
  • Eric Zgodzinski moved to re-table resolution 02-2009-03 for legal opinion, seconded by Pam McGlothlin, motion carried.
  • Kenny Baughman moved to re-table resolution 02-2009-04 for legal opinion, seconded by Bill Kimberlin, motion carried.
  • Kenny Baughman moved to re-table resolution 02-2009-02 until after we receive the opinions for resolutions 03 and 04, seconded by Eric Zgodzinski, motion carried.

 

Adjournment — Kenny Baughman moved the meeting adjourn.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

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