Board Members Present: Maureen Russell, Norm Gilbert, Doug Fraley, Julia Fullerton, Jeannette Vaupel, Mary Petruchius and Opal Zitka

Board Members Absent: Regina Parker and Bob Krogman

Other Persons Present: Staff: Jerry Lane and Sue Halbrader

The Community Mental Health Board meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m. by Vice-President Opal Zitka in President Krogman’s absence.

Mrs. Russell moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Ms. Petruchius, all in favor.

MINUTES

Mr. Lane announced that Open Door is going through the CARF accreditation process.

Mr. Lane stated that a salary survey from Manisses had been filled out and returned in cooperation with their nationwide survey of comparable positions.

Mr. Lane circulated a memo from the Public Policy Committee of the DeKalb County Board, calling attention to their request for mental health related materials the Board should have prepared for submitting by the end of this month, July 30.

Mr. Lane distributed copies of the most recent State Association newsletter.

Mr. Lane circulated a copy of the Kishwaukee Hospital Newsletter announcing "a new counseling service to enhance your life". This came as a surprise as it appears to be a duplication of available services. Mr. Lane’s concern is that the people with insurance coverage who go into the hospital will be cherry-picked, leaving the most indigent people to be handled by free-standing social service agencies funded by the County. Ben Gordon Center, due to cuts in state funding, is down by thirteen staff over the past several years, yet the state mandates that Ben Gordon must see all patients who come in. When local agencies inquire of the state how they are to fulfill the mandate they are told it is a local problem.

Mrs. Russell suggested the Board write a letter of concern to Kishwaukee Hospital covering the points made by the Board in their discussion.

Mr. Lane said a packet of materials was received by the Board last Friday, discussing the circumstances surrounding the termination of some BGC staff members in the past few months.

Ms. Petruchius requested the Board get a written employee status report from Ben Gordon Center, or preferably, an informal request from one Executive Director to another.

Mr. Lane announced the Board’s bottom line expenditures at six months are at 42% of the total budgeted.

Mr. Gilbert moved to approve of the July 12 agency claims as submitted; seconded by Ms. Petruchius. On a roll call vote the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Gilbert moved to approve of the July 12 office claims as submitted; seconded by Ms. Fullerton. On a roll call vote the motion passed unanimously.

None

None

The issue of transferring the title from the CMHB to Ben Gordon Center has not yet been resolved, awaiting the conclusions of the office of the State’s Attorney.

The job description of the Executive Director was reviewed by the Board. An advertisement was composed and decisions as to how and where to place the ad were discussed. The Board decided the ad will be ready and out by the end of the week. All funded agencies will be sent a letter announcing the pending retirement of the Executive Director by the end of the week. An ad hoc committee was formed to review the job applicants comprised of Ms. Fullerton, Mr. Fraley and Mrs. Parker with Mr. Lane, ex officio.

A draft of the FY-2005 Budget and Levy request was presented to the Board.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m.

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Secretary/Treasurer