HIV Health Services Planning Council
25 Van Ness, Room 330A
January 24, 2005
4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
DRAFT MINUTES

I. Call to Order

II. Roll Call
A quorum was present after roll call. See Attachment A, Column 1.

III. Review and Approval of Agenda
Jack Newby informed Council of the removal of Russ Zellers CARE budget presentation from agenda. CM Durio inquired as to why this item was removed. Leah Crask indicated that presentation would not be complete until February. The agenda was reviewed and approved.

IV. Review and Approval of Minutes- November 22, 2004
Council reviewed minutes. CM Thomas moved for minutes to be approved. Minutes approved without objection.

V. General Announcements
CM Thomas made an announcement regarding the AIDS Partnership California Meeting advocacy and community organizing conference for March 14 and 15 and updated Council regarding attendance issues and invitation for Planning Council members and requirements for attendance based upon discussions at previous Steering Committee meeting. CM Thomas had second announcement regarding fundraising event for WORLD on March 3 and has invitations for interested parties.

CM Allgaier acknowledged the current meeting room not ideal, and suggested attendees step out as needed. CM Allgaier discussed recent Chronicle article about CARE award and outdated information contained therein. CM Allgaiers indicated that he and co-chairs are working on Op-Ed piece on CARE reauthorization for Chronicle and possibly the B.A.R.

Jimmy Loyce, Director of AIDS Office announced deficit figures for fiscal year ’06 and DPH portion of $13 million. He mentioned a Feb. 15 meeting on the budget from Mayor’s office will inform Council in advance about the AIDS Office portion of the budget cut. Mr. Loyce also thanked CM Allgaiers and other Council Members regarding the reauthorization piece for the Chronicle and B.A.R.

VI. Public Comment
Veronika Cauley commented on an article written about Baker Places in the B.A.R. and complained that the CARE Council people “don’t get it” regarding the issue of transgender people. Ms. Cauley indicated that the transgender community is overlooked for funding on a regular basis and that agencies do not hire transgender people with skills. Ms. Cauley implied that program money is being used inappropriately and that the Council needs to look at the accountability of these organizations and why they do not have transgender people in charge of transgender services. She commented in detail regarding services and how transgender clients are represented and used negatively rather than in a positive way. She emphasized that the Council should ensure that transgender people be hired and used and suggested holding back funds for those agencies that do not hire transgender people, specifically Baker Places. She believes rollover dollars be given to St. James Infirmary for Sexual Occupational Health Clinic. She congratulated CM Kanios on efforts but indicated that CM Kanios should not have to do this work single-handedly. A copy of the letter/article referenced by Ms. Cauley is on file at Council Offices.

Patrick Monette-Shaw discussed the B.A.R. article and issues with the Mayor’s new AIDS Czar presumably snubbing the Council. Mr. Monette-Shaw suggested that the Council needs to understand how the consensus meeting is held and take control and not let the AIDS Czar or Mayor’s office determine how the meeting is held, so that grant applications more accurately reflect the scope of the epidemic in San Francisco. He advised the Council that he will be watching to ensure they take a lead role in this process. He expressed concern about comments made by Dr. Katz in the Chonicle article mentioned earlier.

No other public comment.

VII. By-Laws Change-VOTE
CM Allgaier discussed changes in the Council by-laws specifically regarding the clause on absences from meetings mentioned in Article VI, Sections 3 and 4. Other changes were indicated for Article IX, adding the clause “its Director”. CM Allgaier opened the matter for discussion and questions.

Public Comment on this item
There was no public comment on this item.

Roll call vote recorded all “YES” votes from those present. See Attachment A, Column 2.

VIII. Change Council Meeting Date -VOTE
CM Allgaier informed Council regarding change of meeting space due to Mayor’s office needing the room. City Supervisor Bevin Duffy’s office has been looking into meeting at the SF Public Library, but that space is only allowed to be used once per year. CM Allgaier provided updates on the ongoing search for alternative meeting spaces, in lieu of changing the meeting date. It was decided that there would not be a vote on the change of date.

Public Comment on this item
There was no public comment on this item.

IX. Report from San Mateo County
Mary Jane Wood, Ph.D., AIDS Program Director, San Mateo County
Consumers from San Mateo County

Mary Jane Wood presented information to Council members and the public regarding the San Mateo County AIDS Program. Please refer to the meeting handouts or audio recording for more information.

Following the presentation, several Council Members addressed questions to Ms. Wood for clarification. CM Thomas thanked Ms. Wood for her presentation and recommended visits to San Mateo to tour services and that other Council Members should investigate first-hand. Ms. Wood indicated that invitations to participate on monitoring committees have been offered to members of Council.
Considerable applause and thanks for presentation.

Public Comment on this item

There was no public comment on this item.


X. Feedback from San Mateo County Consumers
There was no feedback from San Mateo County consumers.
Public Comment on this item
There was no public comment on this item.

XI. Report from Marin County
Sparkie Spaeth, Community Health & Prevention Services Manager
Marin County Department of Health & Human Services
Sparkie Spaeth presented information to the Council regarding the state of affairs in Marin County with regard to HIV/AIDS. Following the presentations, several Council Members addressed questions to Ms. Spaeth for clarification. Please refer to the meeting handouts or audio recording for more information.

Public Comment on this item.
CM Allgaiers asked for public comment.

Veronika Cauley indicated that a mandate from the AIDS Office requires the inclusion of transgender data and must break down data by gender including transgender.

Other public comment suggested that the Council should advocate responsibility to direct DPH to set the level of funding categories, offering guidance with Council input.

XII. Feedback from Marin County Consumers

Will Carter, consumer, stated that he disagreed with most of the presentation regarding Marin County. Discussed problems in Marin Co. specifically the chart 03-04 prioritization grid on page 9, and the chart on Page 3, and questioned the spending decisions made with money awarded to Marin County by the Planning Council. Mr. Carter suggested that the low rate of minorities (African American and Hispanic) residents in Marin County reflects the level of services. He concluded his statement by asking the Planning Council to codify its relationship with Marin County.

Dorothy Kleffner stated that the Council will vote on her membership later in this meeting. She emphasized the issues of isolation and lack of community in Marin County and reported that services are not client-centered; indicating that some clients get many services while others get none. Kleffner commented that people with AIDS do not have a voice in the process in Marin Co. and said HHS is the deciding body. She stated that Marin County was promised Title I funds and implied discrepancy in allocation of these funds. Ms. Kleffner suggested a lack of a legal process in Marin, and would like to demand that one be created.

Mark expressed surprise that the Marin Advisory Board was not set up for Title I. He reported frustration with too much case management and the inability to access services without a case manager. He expressed being upset with the way services are delivered in Marin County and indicated no dialogue, and nothing being done to heal problems. He considered this meeting an eye opener for him. He also reported that people are isolated in Marin County because nothing exists to bring them together and expressed general disappointment with the situation.

CM Siron asked to extend the meeting to 7:45 due to running late.
Everyone was in agreement.

CM Sallee asked if grantee assessments been done in San Mateo or Marin counties. San Mateo representative Mary Jane Wood stated that reviews of programs had been done but that is contract monitoring.
CM Byers identified one grantee for the Council and that they are only asked to get the money out quickly, reinforced that Marin Co. has a Title II consortium planning group. The San Francisco Planning Council represents the entire EMA, and Marin and San Mateo look very different in demographics and services, and they are allowed to do what they need to do in their counties to address their specific issues. Counties should take priorities and take funding based on those priorities, and should not mirror the services of San Francisco. He stated that there is only one Title I Council in the EMA.
CM Thomas reiterated comments of CM Byers and stated that the Council supports local decision-making in San Mateo and Marin counties, because what works in one may not work in the other. CM Thomas suggested that the Council take responsibility for knowing the needs for the entire EMA and setting allocations appropriately. CM Thomas concluded by stating that the year-end decisions need to reflect the entire EMA, not just San Francisco County, and emphasized the importance of significant input from the other counties.
CM Allgaier indicated that prior discussions agreed that this is an EMA-wide process and the need for a committee to oversee County activities to monitor.
CM Allgaier made a motion that the Planning Council take on the activity of monitoring the needs of the other counties, since the Council is the responsible body. He suggested that the Steering Committee oversee the prioritization allocation process in San Mateo and Marin counties.
CM Thomas seconded. Opened up for discussion.
Council members discussed the need to address the problems that had surfaced, but agreed that more thought needed to be given before voting on the matter. Due to the vagueness of the motion, several council members were not in favor of the motion, and indicated that such a motion was premature.
CM Allgaiers reiterated that no decisions was being made at this time, only an agreement that the Council needs a mechanism to deal with these issues, and indicated the motion was not meant to do anything other than have discussion with counties.
CM Byers offered comment regarding his experience working with multi-county EMA’s and the requirements often imposed by HRSA. CM Antonetty suggested that other committees discuss the issue and acknowledged the urgency.
CM Allgaier withdrew the motion with agreement from CM Thomas who seconded.
Michelle Long Dixon reported on meetings with San Mateo and Marin counties and asked for clarification on actions to be taken next.
CM Allgaier encapsulated comments that Council needs to have accountability for all three counties and what that looks like. He indicated that the Steering Committee will discuss this at their next meeting and come back to Full Council with recommendations.
Marin County representative Sparkie Spaeth stated that she welcomes cooperation and suggestions from the Council.

Public Comment on this item
Patrick Monette Shaw offered to work with Will Carter to offer input into multi-county EMA issues.
Mary Jane Wood from San Mateo County encouraged caution and to avoid a knee jerk reaction with the issue. She indicated few problems in San Mateo County and her intention to protect that, suggesting that Council members visit to review in person.

Public Comment on this item
Dorothy Kleffner indicated that one of the first things she would like to do as a new Council Member is to look at various EMA structures around the country, and asked if anyone had information on this.

CM Siron announced a ten-minute dinner break.

XIII. Dinner Break
Yum yum ?

XIV. HIV Health Services Quarterly Report
Michelle Long Dixon, HIV Health Services

Michelle Dixon of HIV Health Services presented information on the HIV Health Services 3rd Quarterly report and provided a handout with protocols and monitoring process. She indicated the desire to have the process expedited and not to drag on, from the time agencies turn in protocol responses. Ms. Dixon distributed newly bound copies of Title I Application for the EMA. After her presentation, she asked for questions and comments. CM Durio asked non-site specific Centers of Excellence and when they will go out. Michelle reported that will go out soon and reported Bayview and others will go out within a month. Ms. Dixon indicated that only outpatient mental health is the only category left over and that will go out after the Centers of Excellence solicitation.

Public Comment on this item
There was no public comment on this item.

XVI. Grantee Assessment Presentation Report
Pat Dunn, Grantee Assessment Consultant
Pat Dunn presented information on Grantee Assessment. Refer to meeting handouts and audio recording for more information. Council members and Ms. Dunn briefly discussed specifics.

Public Comment on this item

Due to time constraints, CM Siron asked the public to direct other questions to staff or call DPH.
Patrick Monette-Shaw commented on neglecting constituents.

CM Siron indicated that due to time constraints there would be an adjustment to the agenda, and asked for a consensus to table the Prioritization Calendar and the Work Plan presentation. A show of hands were in favor of tabling the issues mentioned. A few hands were in favor of staying until 8 pm to complete the issues. CM Thomas suggested the Council agree on the days listed for meetings in the prioritization process calendar agenda item.

XVII. Prioritization Process Calendar- VOTE
CM Thomas asked for approval to have two meetings in July and a two-day final decision meeting in August. Discussion ensued with some Council Members in support of the dates and others implied that required attendance at additional meetings is unfair.
CM Durio spoke against the motion and called the question.
CM Thomas reiterated the July and August meetings issue being 2nd and 4th Mondays in July and a two-day summit in August with flexible dates.
The matter was put to vote by hand. In favor: 21; All opposed: 3; The ayes have it.

There was no public comment on this item.

XVIII. Presentation of Council Integrated Work Plan
Jack Newby, Planning Council Director

By earlier discussion, this item was tabled for discussion at the next Council Meeting.

XIX. Membership- VOTE
Membership Committee

CM Rodriguez presented new candidates for council membership. CM Rodriquez discussed qualifications of Raymond Banks and history of candidate’s participation in previous Council meetings. CM Rodriquez presented Dorothy Kleffner and discussed her qualifications and history of candidate’s activity and participation in Marin County.
CM Siron asked for vote by hand to approve the candidates’ membership on the Council. All were in favor by show of hands. None were opposed.

XX. New Business/ Next Agenda
CM Siron advised Council Members that the next meeting is scheduled for February 28th. Members will be notified as to the location of the meeting.

XXI. Adjourned
The meeting adjourned at 7:46 pm.

Meeting minutes are considered to be in DRAFT form until reviewed and approved by Council attendees.

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