1961-12-12 Regular CC Meeting40'
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD TUESDAY AFTERNOON, DECEMBER 12, 1961
The meeting convened at 4:00 o'clock p.m.. with President Collischonn presiding.
ROLL CALL:
The roll was called and Councilmen Dungan, Godfrey, McCall, Schacht and President Collischonn,
(5), were noted present. Absent: None.
Also present were the following members of the Social Service Board: Mr. Welles Whitmore, Jr.,
President; Mrs. Phyllis McCoskey, Mrs. W. J. Pooley, Mrs. Rudolph Steinmetz and Mr. Smith C.
Anderson, Jr.
NEW BUSINESS:
1 :1 President Collischonn remarked that this joint meeting had been arranged at the request of
the Social Service Board for a discussion of the responsibilities of the Board in relationship with
the City Council. He then called upon Mr. Whitmore, who explained the Board's activities and its
need for an executive secretary, at least on a half -time basis.
During the course of a thorough discussion on the subject, it was developed that the Board's prin-
cipal activities are the handling of "Camperships" for underprivileged children during the summer
vacation period, the clearance of proposed recipients of food baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas
and the screening of applications for solicitation permits.
During the question and answer period, members of the Board emphasized that the Board has initiated
and carried to a successful conclusion many projects for the welfare of the community, but without
a professionally trained social worker as a Staff Head for the administration of the Board's policy
decisions, such activities would no longer be possible.
At present, there is only a Senior Stenographer -Clerk in the Social Service Department and she very
competently takes care of the office work. She also performs stenographic work for the Alameda
Women's Town Hall and the Youth Activities Committee and has currently been helping with the Toy
Project of the Parent - Teachers Association and the clearance bureau for Holiday food baskets to
needy families.
However, it was pointed out the qualifications of a professionally trained social worker are needed
to establish the standards and criteria by which the Board's decisions are made with regard to
certain cases. Also, there is now no one qualified to attend the County Welfare Planning meetings
as the representative of the City in this field, and this contact is important in the overall
social service program.
President Collischonn excused himself at 5 :00 o'clock due to his commitment to attend another
meeting and Vice President Schacht then assumed the Chair.
It was also pointed out that this request for an executive secretary is nothing new. The Social
Service Board was established by the Charter and a professionally trained social worker has always
been employed by the City to serve in this capacity. The small amount of about Five Thousand
Dollars is budgeted for the Department and the salary of an executive secretary would be only
Three Thousand Dollars more. The members of the Board felt such a Staff Head is necessary to
properly carry on the community welfare program, and further, to participate in the County Plan-
ning Conferences.
Admittedly, the stenographer has been able to carry on with the work during the past few months
but only because she has been following the standards already established by the former executive
secretary. However, the criteria is subject to revision, and in the future, she will not be able
to make proper judgments in all circumstances and, therefore, the whole program will deteriorate.
Following some further discussion, it was suggested the Board continue to operate for the time being
as it is presently doing and keep a complete record of just exactly what activities it performs
and submit a report in concrete form to the Council - after which the Council will definitely review
the situation and advise the Board of its decision.
Vice President Schacht thanked the Board for presenting its views on the matter for the information
of the entire Council.
ADJOURNMENT:
2. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council adjourned at 5:40
o'clock p.m.
Respectfully submitted,