Shawn Ordway

The Board approved several items including a sub-award from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund for local climate solutions, an emergency ordinance regarding the lease assignment for the Homer G. Phillips Senior Apartments, and a reappropriation of American Rescue Plan Act funds to address water infrastructure repair needs. Additionally, the Board discussed and approved budget amendments to address increased salary costs for the fire department following police board decisions, noting that these adjustments serve as short-term measures for the current fiscal cycle.

The committee discussed the mayoral appointment of Dr. Mark Mullen to the Detention Facility Oversight Board. Dr. Mullen introduced his background as an assistant professor of psychiatry and his relevant experience in treating incarcerated patients, which informed his interest in serving on the board. The committee members reviewed his qualifications and ultimately passed a motion to forward his appointment to the full board for confirmation.

The board discussed various re-entry and rehabilitation programs for detainees, including the Jacob's Ladder Ministry, Prosperity program, restorative justice sessions, ServSafe food handler certification, veteran support services, and the Unlock Labs computer IT program. Key topics included efforts to expand these programs to include female detainees, the impact of space and staffing limitations on program accessibility, the role of religious services, and the potential for a construction pre-apprenticeship program. The board also addressed the use of tablets as educational tools to overcome physical space constraints and the ongoing challenges regarding GED access and staffing.

The committee held a meeting to review board bills. Board bill number one was tabled pending further information regarding police board and fire department compensation parity. The committee reviewed and recommended the passage of board bill number eight, which concerns raises for employees in the collector of revenues office, with multiple members offering their support and co-sponsorship.

The committee reviewed Board Bill 37 regarding a one-time lump sum payment for staff at the Board of Aldermen. A motion was passed to attach a fiscal note to the bill, and the committee subsequently voted to recommend the bill for passage.