(DISCUSSION/ACTION) Review and possible approval of recommendations from Program Comm. on Dept choices for ‘06-’07 CBO contracts.
Comm Beijen reported that the Chief went into great detail about the process of the RFP, but had not presented a list of recommended organizations for contracting. He was to present that tonight.
The Chief commented that the focus of the funds for the next few years will be service to JPD involved youth. He showed a pie chart showing (attached to minutes) where youth are in the system. Another pie chart showed a relatively similar breakout in proposed services (responses from CBOs to the RFP). The final chart showed the Dept’s proposed division of funds for services (15% for detention based services, 25% girls’ services, 60% for community support services). All of the percentages were fairly consistent throughout the three aspects. 54 responses from the CBOs totaled requests for about $8 mil. The Dept will only be giving out $1.5 mil.
He said that he is asking the Commission to approve the Dept entering into negotiations to contract with the selected CBOs (list attached).
Comm Beijen said the pie charts were useful. He said the number of proposed girl services submitted seem to be lower than what the Dept had estimated to be set aside for such services.
Comm Queen asked what was done to assure that funds were not going to duplicate services. The Chief said he relied heavily on Lonnie Holmes to assure that.
There was a question whether CBOs were encouraged to form collaborative efforts. The Chief said the response to that was silent. Comm Queen said that it should be made a condition of funding.
The Commission took a short recess at 7:30pm
Comm Beijen moved to “accept the recommendation (from the Dept) of the organizations and that we approve the Dept to pursue written grant agreements with those organizations, for funding and services.” Comm Stiglich 2nd.
There was a question regarding the lack of amounts attached to the organizations selected.
There was also a concern for the lateness of this process because of the burden it places on the CBOs who need to know if their staffs and programs will be continued.
Comm Beijen said that the Dept can negotiate with the agencies and come back with their final recommendations for how much to contract with each.
There was a short consideration of somehow finding “bridge” money for CBOs until new contracts can be awarded. This seemed not an option.
Comm Queen offered a friendly amendment to the motion that the Dept can negotiate with the agencies and come back to the Commission for approval of their final recommendations as to how much to contract with each CBO.
The question was called, and upon voice vote, carried 5-0.
Comm Queen, in response to the public comments suggested the Commission write a letter to the Mayor for the “gap” funding they spoke about needing. Comm Hale asked if they could have the Commission and the Chief write this letter.
Rebecca Katz said that it would not be appropriate to make a formal motion and take action on a non-agendized item, but if the commission would like to give a consensus to the President to write a letter to the Mayor recommending support of the CBOs, that would be allowable.
The Chief asked the Commission if they had any disagreements with the percentage breakdown as illustrated with the pie charts. Comm Beijen said it looked reasonable to him, and said that this would be a guide for him anyhow, and not hard targets.
Comm Stiglich suggested Comms Fetico and Hale, along with herself meet with the Chief to review this topic.
(public comments)
Ellouise Patton, YCD, expressed concerns that the rankings weren’t published as promised. She was not convinced that the conditions laid out in the RFP were being adhered to in the deliberations with which CBOs would receive funding. She questioned whether sunshine laws had not been complied with.
Dr Garcia, Instituto, supported the motion, and encouraged an expedited process so that CBOs are not more severely affected than they will be already.
Shawn Richard, SF Brothers Against Guns, asked the Commission to do whatever they need to do to get the Dept to complete the process so contracts can be completed and services are not interrupted for long.
Hyacinth C. Ahuruonye, Chair of YGCIC, recommended that the Commission try to work more closely with the Chief to give him more guidance. He had thought that the process should have been more cohesive. The lack of any recommendations makes it difficult for the CBOs to advocate on their own behalf. He said the Chief should reach out to the Commission earlier to get through unfamiliar territory in a more timely fashion.
Kimo Wheeler, CJCJ, asked what the amended motion was and if the Commission was approving the proposed division of funds according to the pie charts presented. (no answer was given).
Jessica ______, asked that prior to contract negotiations, the Chief check to see if any there is any duplication of funding from DCYF for the same projects.
Shawn Richard commented that this should not be a concern if funding is NOT for the same program services.
Ellouise Patton thanked the Commission for the vote, and emphasized that very close attention needs to be paid to those orgs who are effectively providing services, the high priority areas and choose those that make effective matches.
Jessica said that last year’s experience is not the same as this year’s. She asked the Commission to look to the Mayor for any possibility of emergency funding to keep services until the new contracts are resolved.
Dr. Garcia said the Commission should confirm that it will make a request to the Mayor for emergency funds.
Maria Su, VYDC, also supported an emergency resolution for funds to protect CBOs who otherwise would come to a standstill when contracts end.
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