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Cline Schmidt, Alexandra House, explained they serve battered women, families, and the <br />community. She thanked the Council for its past support and considering their current proposal. <br />Ms. Schmidt advised of the services they provide and stated they are requesting a CDBG <br />contribution of $2,000. <br /> <br />Councihnember Anderson noted there have been rather-serious questions raised regarding the <br />management of Alexandra House. She stated that she supports the services they provide to <br />victims and children of domestic abuse and asked what is being done to address the concerns <br />raised in the newspaper and if clients are going from one undesirable power base to an <br />undesirable power based organization. <br /> <br />Ms. Schmidt reviewed their strategic planning process where input was received from all <br />community members and past clients. The results of this overall study showed that 89% of those <br />who responded felt they were provided with quality services and leadership and the most often <br />comment received was the need for more services for battered women. She stated the newspaper <br />article mentioned indicated there was an investigation but, in fact, there is no investigation and <br />they have an audit each year. <br /> <br />Councilmember Anderson restated that she supports the services provided and knows they are <br />needed in Anoka County. <br /> <br />Diane Peters, Arc of Anoka, Ramsey, and Suburban, Inc., stated that Ramsey has not supported <br />this organization with CDBG funding in the past. She stated they served 900 to 1,000 County <br />residents and about 50 were from Ramsey. Ms. Peters reviewed the services they provide to <br />handicapped children and advised of the adaptive equipment and toy library they provide. Ms. <br />Peters advised of the adult services they provide for those with developmental disabilities and <br />parents who need help in dealing with their children. She requested a CDBG contribution of <br />$1,000. <br /> <br />Cathy Weidmann, Anoka County Community Action Program Senior Outreach (ACCAP), stated <br />she represents a program that serves seniors and disabled adults by linking them to different <br />supportive services which allows them to live in their homes for as long as possible. Ms. <br />Weidmann stated that for the past several years, Ramsey funding has not been received which <br />has impacted the number of Ramsey clients they can serve. She explained that without funding <br />they can only provide fueling services or use of Anoka County dollars to check the welfare of <br />someone in crisis. Last year's program served ten Ramsey households but there are over 600 <br />seniors in Ramsey that are age 65 or over. Ms. Weidmann estimated that if funding were <br />provided, six times that number could be served and requested a CDBG contribution of $3,000. <br /> <br />Councilmember Anderson asked if the Council is being asked for $3,000 or if there is middle <br />ground. <br /> <br />Ms. Weidmann stated they view CDBG funding as a contract for services so when funding runs <br />out, they need to find other funding or provide energy assistance and crisis assistance only. <br /> <br />City Council/January 25, 2000 <br /> Page 8 of 35 <br /> <br /> <br />