J_CDC_2018A 01/09/2018 08:07:57 AM Committee Summary

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Mr. Reggie Bicha, Executive Director, Department of Human Services (DHS), provided an overview of an FY 2018-19 proposal to relocate the Grand Junction Regional Center, and to close the current center's campus. Director Bicha was joined by Ms. Sarah Wager, Director of Administrative Solutions, and Mr. Mark Wester, Director for the Office of Community Access and Independence. Committee members received a packet of presentation slides, prepared by DHS Staff (Attachment A), and a written description of the proposal, prepared by Legislative Council Staff (Attachment B). Director Bicha responded to questions regarding the current census of the Grand Junction Regional Center. Director Bicha returned to explaining the process by which DHS plans to transition from the Grand Junction Regional Center to a number of group homes. Discussion ensued regarding the values of various properties involved in the proposal.

Ms. Wager provided input on the property transaction issue. Director Bicha returned to briefing the committee on the Grand Junction Regional Center transition proposal. Mr. Wester responded to questions regarding the staffing implications associated with building four, six-bedroom homes to replace the regional center's residential space. Discussion ensued on this point, and the various options for building group homes.

Director Bicha returned to briefing the committee on the Grand Junction Regional Center transition proposal. Director Bicha responded to questions regarding the timeline for the transition. Director Bicha outlined all of the options considered for transitioning out of the regional center. Discussion ensued regarding the merits and detriments of the various options.

Director Bicha continued to discuss the various options available for transitioning away from the Grand Junction Regional Center campus. Ms. Wager responded to questions regarding the value of the campus. Director Bicha discussed the funding scheme for the project. Discussion ensued regarding the costs associated with the transition and operating the new group homes. Director Bicha discussed the day programming functions for the residents once DHS moves them from the regional center. Discussion followed regarding how to best transition these programs.

Director Bicha wrapped up by reiterating the plan selected by DHS for transitioning away from the Grand Junction Regional Center. Discussion ensued regarding the options available for the use or disposal of a DHS-owned property at 29 Road in Grand Junction.

The committee recessed.

The committee returned to order. Several persons testified regarding the DHS Grand Junction Regional Center Relocation and Closure proposal. Ms. Glenda Bennett, representing herself, made some remarks about the transition proposal.

Ms. Laura Litsheim, representing herself, explained the potential dangers of housing residents in the 29 Road property, and spoke in support of creating a cluster home arrangement.

Dr. William Hilty, representing St. Mary's Hospital, discussed the conditions under which the types of residents living at the Grand Junction Regional Center are able to better prosper, and ways to lessen the impacts on these residents as DHS transitions away from the center. He discussed the merits of maintaining a regional center on the Western Slope, as well as creating a cluster home for the residents.

Mr. Robert Pena, representing himself, discussed his sister, a long-time resident of the regional center, and expressed support for creating a cluster group home.

Ms. Kathy Capps, representing Mind Springs Health, discussed the impacts of closing the regional center on her organization.

Mr. Tim Hudner, representing himself, explained that it is time to move forward with the transition from the regional center. He also spoke against using the 29 Road property, and discussed the merits of one type of residential home arrangement. Mr. Hudner discussed the day programming that will be available to the residents under the transition proposal. Mr. Hudner responded to questions regarding the staffing arrangement for the regional center.

Ms. Nanci Limbach, representing herself, expressed support for earlier testimony, and discussed her son, who is a resident at the regional center.

Ms. Lynne Parker Crooks, representing herself, discussed the options available to her for accessing care for her son, and options considered for the state's regional centers going forward. She described the services provided at a regional center, and supported continued care in Grand Junction. Ms. Crooks responded to questions regarding her preferred option for transitioning away from the Grand Junction Regional Center.

Ms. Mary Vigil, representing herself, expressed concerns about the impacts of transitioning the residents of the regional center away from the campus, and the impact of the Grand Junction transition on other regional centers.

Ms. Gini Springmeyer, representing herself, spoke to the merits of the Grand Junction Regional Center, and offered her preference for the group home plans. She also discussed the 29 Road property, and day programming after the services relocation. Ms. Springmeyer responded to questions regarding the bed capacity under her preferred group home configuration.

Mr. Norbert Necker, representing himself, recommended that the relocation proposal made by DHS be funded, and discussed trends in need for intermediate care beds.

Ms. Gayle Berry, representing Strive and several other service providers, outlined a memorandum concerning services available to special need individuals on the Western Slope. Committee members received copies of the memorandum (Attachment C). Ms. Berry responded to questions regarding the ability of contract facilities to accommodate the residents to be displaced by the Grand Junction Regional Center closure.

Mr. Mike Thoma, representing himself, discussed the behavior of his daughter, which led to her being placed at the regional center, and expressed concerns about the safety of the residents under the closure and relocation proposal.

Mr. David Pyle, representing himself, discussed his family, a member of which resides at the Grand Junction Regional Center, and expressed support for creating a clustered arrangement for group homes after the closure of the center. Mr. Pyle responded to questions regarding the merits of the various options available for housing the residents of the regional center.

Ms. Pamela Monsees, Program Manager, and Ms. Laura Calder, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Governor's Office of Information Technology, presented three FY 2018-19 information technology capital budget requests: (1) Public Safety Communications Network Microwave Infrastructure Replacement; (2) Digital Trunked Radio System, Software Upgrade; and (3) Microwave Tower Replacement, Group D. Committee members received written descriptions of the projects, prepared by Legislative Council Staff (Attachment D). Ms. Monsees provided an overview of the communications network project. Ms. Kori Donaldson, Legislative Council Staff, responded to questions regarding project oversight by the Joint Technology Committee. Ms. Monsees provided an overview of the microwave tower replacement project. Ms. Monsees responded to questions regarding the ramifications of not funding the microwave tower replacement project, and the potential for public-private partnerships to fund tower construction.

Ms. Calder provided an overview of the digital trunked radio request. Ms. Calder responded to questions about the overall timeline of the project, and the source of funds for continuing the project when it was not funded as capital. Ms. Brenda Berlin, Deputy Chief Information Officer and Chief Financial Officer for the Governor's Office of Information Technology, provided input on this issue.

Mr. Andy Stine, Director, Colorado Department of Education, Capital Construction Assistance Office, updated the committee on projects constructed under the Build Excellent Schools Today (BEST) program. Committee members received a fact sheet on BEST (Attachment E). Mr. Stine responded to questions regarding mitigation or disposal of closed schools once new ones are constructed, and the use of BEST grant moneys when a grant project does not go forward.