05-15-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-May 15, 2006 3070 MOTION, passed Mr. Wagner moved and Mr. Vanyo seconded to receive the tax system assessment and recommendations from Eide Bailly Technology Consulting and study the document for further action. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 7. FARGO SENIOR COMMISSION, Discussion on fundinQ request for new center and offices Brian Arett, Executive Director of the Fargo Senior Commission, Inc., was present. Also present were Roger Gress and Jim Larson from the Fargo Park District and several board members from the senior commission. The senior commission, city and park district have been working together to develop a project to construct a new senior center and administrative offices at Ed Clapp Park, located at 32nd Avenue and 28th Street South in Fargo. This also is a proposed site for an new library. Mr. Arett reviewed the reasons a new senior center and administrative offices are needed. The current offices located downtown do not allow for growth and there has been an increase in senior citizens living in south Fargo and in adjacent communities outside the city. Ed Clapp Park is in close proximity to the new senior population and with the proposed 3,400 square feet of office space, will be better able to effectively serve the area's senior citizens. He said through a partnership with the city library, the city will pay for common costs and the park district will contribute the land, landscaping, site maintenance and parking. He said cost estimates total $1,661,000 for the project. He discussed revenue sources and said the senior commission is requesting $700,000 in county funding. The county share is 42% with the remaining 58% shared among the city, park district, senior services and private donations. The county has the authority to levy up to two mills, but is currently levying one mill for senior services. Mr. Montplaisir said the state matches two- thirds of one mill; anything above that, the state does not match. Mr. Bennett thanked everyone for attending today's meeting and said the request will most likely be discussed again during county budget sessions in August. 8. SOCIAL SERVICES, FundinQ request from Guardian and Protective Services, Inc. Bill Chaussee, Administrator from Guardian and Protective Services, Inc. (GaPS), was present. Also present were Kelly Qualey, Office Administrator from GaPS, and Kathy Hogan, Social Services Director. Mr. Chaussee said their organization is a nonprofit corporation that provides protective arrangements, including guardianships, for vulnerable adults. Services are billed to individuals with the ability to pay; however, about 90% are low income residents. In 1998 GaPS began taking cases in Fargo and in 2000, set up an office with grant funds. Their organization receives several grants and has continued serving residents, but has been operating at a loss of about $25,000 in the Fargo area since its inception. He said over the past two years they have received $2,000 per year from a Cass County sponsorship grant. He said Burleigh County provides $24,000 and Morton County provides $4,000 per year to support their program. They are requesting $20,000 in county funding. Mrs. Hogan said her department sees a number of clients who need guardians and there is an unmet need for this type of service. She struggles with whether this is a state or a county responsibility and hopes the legislature addresses the issue during the next session.