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Home My WebLink About01/19/1978 r f � • CITY OF APPLE VALLEY URBAN AFFA�RS COMMITTEE MINUTES . JANUARY 19, 1978 PRESENT: George Hecker, Jim Ronay, Hank Myers, and Dorothy Regis ABS'ENT: Bill Smith, Dick Edwards, & Joan Goering Chairman Hecker called the meeting to order. Paul Gilje, a member of the Northwest Dakota Group Homes Study Committee was present to discuss the study and explain to the Committee what they would like to have in Apple Valley. Mr. Paul Gilje gave the following presentation: He informed �he Committee that he lives in South River Hills in Burnsville and the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church pastor approached him in reference to a church proposal for getting into the operation of a group home for the severely mentally retarded. In the discussions the conver- sations indicated an issue of whether the church should be ogerating the facility. The needs for the facility were investi�ated; it was found that a group home for the severely mentally retarded was one of the least desirable because of the need for 24 hour care, it was also found that the needs were much broader than what one church could handle. Consequently the Northwest Dakota Group Homes Study Committee was formed by a group of volunteers; they spent six months looking at the needs of the area and writing the report. They discussed the needs for the larger instit�tions and studied the foster care program. They discovered that the big institution isn't always the best setting. The needs in Dakota County are very great; the County spends about $1,000,000 per 3�ear in buying care at other locatiionS outside the County. It is most desirable for the homes to be 1QCated within our own county. The Committee felt that there were not facilities in the County because of Cou�nunity opposition; however, they found that this didn't seem to be the case; the group home idea just hadn't been proposed. In addition to the $1,000,000 that is spent outside the county, it was found that the social workers are spending a great deal of time driving as well as police transportation, etc. to locations outside the County. The visiting is difficult for the parents when children are located in Minneapolis; and the change in environment from their home in Dakota County to a completely different area has a negative effect and an impact on the persons involved. They found that there is essentially no negative enmmunity result from the location af homes for the juveniles, �entally retarded, chemically dependent, etc. The opposition comes from the fear of loss of property values. He visited a group home in Bloomington with 8 - 10 children placed there by juvenile court; they attend Kennedy High School agd have a social worker at the location. There did not seem to be a problem. Others looked at other homes in the area. They feel the communities in Northwest Dakota County should be preparing for providing facilities. The State Statutes regulate the group home with less than six; however, we need to have a little better idea of what we can provide for in homes that would have more than six. The Study Committee would like to see a Northwest Dakota County Advisory Committee-or' Council on Human Services; Dakota County has recently estabZi,shed a Human Services Advisory Council on a County-wide basis; however, the study committee would like to see a branch of this for this area; the County Government is getting more and more involved in the Human Services area. � , Page ��2 . � Urban Affairs Committee 1/19/78 Mr. Gil�.e stated that Frank Brennan with the Comm�unity Actian Council is heading up a Human Services Council on a eounty-wide basi.s. The Study Group is asking for . support from the local coinmunities to have sub-groups set up in the different areas of the County. The Study Group would also like to have the communi.ties in Northwest Dakota County study their ordinances and see what is allowed in the community<xelative to group homes. Dorothy Regis said that the Committee agrees with the need and tha.t we should provide for these sorts of things; however, how should Apple Valley go about it? Mr. Gilje suggested that the Committee contact Mr. Alan Friedlob at the University of Minnesota Center for Urban Studies and Regionnal Affairs (373-7833) and ask for a copy of the study entiCled, "Community Based Residential Facilities in the �ain City-Metro- politan Area." The different categories for group homes were discussed. When chemically dependency is referred to in a group home situation -- this is not a treatment center; but it is for the transition between the treatment center to home again. There are different categories of inentally retarded persons; some shouldn't be shoved away and put out of the community. There are also group home facilities for battered women. Juvenille homes are another type. Jim Ronay questioned the community's response because of the lack of understanding. People will be concerned about the economic impact on the community. Mr. Gilje stated that he felt that it is important for the community's to work together to eliminate the duplication of services; all of the community�s providing the same services would not be beneficial to the overall County situation. The City could adopt an Ordinance that would be somewhat restrictive; Minneapolis' Ordinance seems to have a rather "open door policy." Ronay questioned an "over-supply"if a11 the communi.ty`s adopt a Group Home Ordinance. Mr. Gilje stated he felt there needed to be a cooperative effort on the localities in the County. The Foster Parent Program was discussed; it was pointed out that the Group Home would be professionally run and operated. Mr. Gilje stated that based on what the Study Group observed elsewhere, there is not a question of oversupply; at the present time Dakota County is doing so much outside of the County. He also pointed out that it is important to have a plan for distribution; you do not want a particular part of a community to be identified as that is where the , Group Homes are located. Adopt a policy �o that they don't get shunted in one area. Mr. Gilje recommended that the Committee talk to Mr. Stan Groff, The Director o� Social Services, as he would be better able to answer the more technical questions. Mr. Gilje again pointed out the need for Huma.n Services sub-groups, etc. for each area, organized in a geographical way. The County is easily divided into three categories -- the north & east is the older urban area; the new urban in Northwest, and the rural to the south. Mr. Gilje said the County is not in favor of the division-- they don't like to set up a sub-county structure and he doesn't know the reasons why. Mr. Gilje also recommended that the Committee contact Mr. Stan Rivness of the South Hennepin Human Services Council for further information. � Page 4�3 �, � Urban A£fairs Committee �tes � 1/19/78 Dorothy Regis recommended that the Committee attempt to get some publicity in the news- papers to inform the residents of the community that the Group Home situation is being studied; the community needs to be educat+�d� and made aware. Mr. Gilje stated that he thought it would be interesting for this group to sponser a public meeting and have people explain what a community based residential facility is and to get input from the local residents. He felt that this would be a tremendous benefit to the program and the community. The meeting was adjourned. The Urban Affairs Committee will discuss a proposal for a change in the "weed" portion � of the nuisance ord.inance�.at their next meeting on February 2, 1978 -- 7:30 p.m. I