SIERRA COUNTY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES COMMISSION
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019
The Sierra County Children and Families Commission met on Friday, January 25, 2019, at 9:30 A.M. in the First 5 Sierra Office, 701 Main Street, Loyalton, California, led by Mary Wright, Chairperson.
FLAG SALUTE
Mary Wright led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
Present: James Beard, Shanna Anseth, Anne Reugebrink, Andrea Ceresola White, Mary Wright
Absent: Laurie Marsh
Staff Members Present: Allison Smith, Executive Director
Staff Members Absent: Kelly Champion, Business Manager
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Ms. White moved to approve the agenda, Mr. Beard seconded the motion, and the agenda was unanimously approved.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comment opened at 9:34 AM. There was no public in attendance. Public comment closed at 9:34 AM.
REPORTS
Director’s Report
Ms. Allison Smith reviewed the Director’s Report submitted which included a review of the Governor’s Budget, First 5 Association Meeting, Preschool and Programs Update, Preschool Back to School Night, Focus on Strengthening Families and Building Maintenance updates.
Business Manager Report
Expenditure Detail Report – October 16, 2018 to January 15, 2019: The Commission reviewed the report and had no questions.
Budget vs. Actual Report – July 1, 2018 to January 15, 2019: The Commission reviewed the spending percentages for the half year and had no questions.
Budget Review–Administrative Ratio – July 1, 2018 to January 15, 2019: Ms. Smith noted that the Administrative Ratio is currently 30%, the target Administrative Ratio for the year is 24%. She noted that the ratio will decline through the year as program dollars are expended. There were no questions.
Bank Reconciliations—Oct, Nov, Dec 2018: The Commission reviewed the Bank Reconciliations for the preceding three months and had no questions.
Cash in County Reconciliation—Dec 2018, Jan 10, 2019: The Commission reviewed the Cast in County reports and had no questions.
General Journal Review—Ms. Smith noted that a journal entry was made for the previous year, due to an error by First 5 California’s fiscal staff. In July 2018, First 5 CA informed First 5 Sierra staff that monies disbursed from Prop 56 were over and above the SPCFA allocation. First 5 CA announced in January that the Prop 56 disbursement should have been included within our total allocation for 2017-2018, which necessitated a journal entry to reverse the amount of the Prop 56 funds.
Commissioner Report
Ms. Reugebrink informed the Commission of her work on Smoke-Free Health Care Facility policies. Mr. Beard discussed the potential impact of the government shutdown on Sierra County families receiving SNAP benefits. Ms. Anseth stated that SNAP clients received benefits through mid-February, but if the government did not reopen, many SNAP clients would likely be in need of emergency assistance. Mr. Beard suggested the Commission consider financially assisting those families with children aged 0-5 whose SNAP benefits were being withheld due to government inadequacy. Ms. Anseth and Ms. Smith stated they would research the situation, the number of families and the dollar amount of benefits they receive, if the government did not reopen shortly and would consider calling a Special Meeting for further action, if needed. Ms. White discussed that there are increasing numbers of children with high needs entering the Elementary school, generally social-emotional in nature. She announced that the Kindergarten class will increase its end time to 1:00pm, and discussed the challenge that parents are not legally required to send their children to Kindergarten, so creating good attendance habits is important.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of October 26, 2018
Ms. White moved to approve the minutes of the October 26, 2018 meeting. Mr. Beard seconded the motion and the minutes were unanimously approved.
NEW BUSINESS
Budget Revisions – Authorize Budget Revisions to Balance 2018-2019 Budget
Ms. Anseth moved to approve the Budget Revisions. Ms. Reugebrink seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Approve Travel Expenses for Executive Director to attend Child Abuse Prevention Summit in San Diego as part of Sierra County’s Prevention Team in an amount not to exceed $800
Ms. Anseth moved to approve the travel expenses for Executive Director Smith to the Child Abuse Prevention Summit as part of Sierra County’s Prevention Team in an amount not to exceed $800. Mr. Beard seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Approve Purchase of New Washer & Dryer for Sierra Kids Child Development Center in an amount not to exceed $1500
Mr. Beard stated his opinion that an increase in the maximum purchase amount
to $2000 was warranted as ensuring the purchase of long lasting, quality
appliances for Sierra Kids Child Development Center would be in the best interest
of the Commission. Mr. Beard moved to approve the purchase of a washer and
dryer for Sierra Kids Child Development Center in an amount not to exceed
$2000. Ms. Anseth seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Strategic Planning
Ms. Smith stated that she would be seeking input from the Commission on a date for a final planning meeting to be held in the upcoming weeks. She stated that she will be seeking external consultation from other First 5 EDs and strategic planning consultants to assist with the final meeting process.
ADVANCED PLANNING
The next regular meeting of the SCCFC is scheduled to be held on Friday, March 22, at 9:30 A.M. in the First 5 Sierra office, located at 701 Main Street, Loyalton, California.
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Anseth moved to adjourn the meeting, Mr. Beard seconded the motion and with unanimous vote the meeting adjourned at 11:10 A.M.