A resolution requesting the Metropolitan Action Commission to review and modify its procedures for providing assistance to citizens.

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2.108.050 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, the Metropolitan Action Commission is responsible for coordinating local, state, and federal facilities "in an effort to obtain full employment and job opportunity for the residents of this community through education, reeducation, upgrading of health and physical environment, and such other means as may be proper"; and

WHEREAS, in furtherance of its purpose, the Metropolitan Action Commission provides an Emergency Assistance program to help low-income families meet basic medical, housing, and utility needs on a short-term basis; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Action Commission obtains federal pass-through grants under the Low Income Energy Assistance Program to provide partial funding for the Emergency Assistance program; and

WHEREAS, on December 30, 2005, the Tennessean reported that $98,000 in unspent Low Income Energy Assistance Program funds were returned to the state at the end of fiscal year 2005; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Action Commission currently does not maintain a "waiting list" of applicants that qualify for assistance, but rather only serve clients as they come in the door using the funds they have available at the time; and

WHEREAS, according to the December 30, 2005 Tennessean report, the room in which clients wait to meet with a Metropolitan Action Commission employee has a capacity of 74 persons, even though there is a great demand for assistance as a result of the extremely high energy costs this winter; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Action Commission make the necessary changes to its procedures to increase efficiency and utilize its resources in a manner that meets the needs of as many citizens as possible.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Metropolitan Action Commission to review and modify its procedures for providing assistance to citizens. Such modifications should include, but not be limited to, (1) devising a method for maintaining a waiting list of applicants for services; (2) streamlining the application process to reduce the amount of time that citizens must wait before being served; and (3) attempting to provide an alternate location during the winter months to physically accommodate a larger number of citizens seeking assistance.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to Cynthia L. Croom, the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Action Commission, and to each member of the Metropolitan Action Commission.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Michael Craddock, Jim Shulman