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6 <br /> Dr. Friedman said a Task Force has been appointed to look into the data and what <br />we can do. He said the good news is that it has not declined further. He said they will <br />continue to work at it and welcomed Council’s involvement. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch asked if the drop in enrollment could be due to no longer having space <br />at Jefferson School. <br /> <br /> Dr. Friedman said convenience, location and cost are major elements for <br />community colleges. He said there was a major jump in tuition that could have <br />contributed to the decline. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said PVCC is one of the best values for the money. He asked about <br />their work with CATEC. <br /> <br /> Dr. Friedman said that a larger grant has been received which will allow them to <br />expand and have their own space, all of which is being coordinated with CATEC. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch asked if there would be room for the One Stop Center at the Visitors <br />Center if PVCC used it for workforce development. <br /> <br /> Dr. Friedman said they have not spoken specifically about that space, but it would <br />make a lot of sense. He said space will be freed up at PVCC that could be used for the <br />One Stop Center when the new science building is complete, but the downside would be <br />it would not be downtown. <br /> <br />REPORT <br />: JEFFERSON SCHOOL MANAGING PARTNERS <br /> <br /> Ms. Rochelle Small-Toney, Assistant City Manager, introduced Dan Gecker, the <br />City’s tax credit attorney for Jefferson School. <br /> <br /> Mr. Gecker said he interviewed prospective managing partners for Jefferson <br />School, and feels that a very diverse and talented group has been selected. Mr. Gecker <br />listed the General Partnership as follows: Mr. Steve Blaine, Col. Martin Burks, Mr. <br />Craig Barton, Mr. Raymond Carey, Ms. Alison Dickie, Mr. Earnest Edwards, Ms. Kendra <br />Hamilton, Mrs. Ginnie Keller, Mr. Joe Toomer, Mr. Frank Stoner, Mr. Julian Taliaferro, <br />and Mrs. Bitsy Waters. Mr. Gecker said the Partners will hold an organizational meeting <br />and will then begin negotiations with the City to acquire the Jefferson School building. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch congratulated and thanked the board members. He said he would like <br />to make sure that the bylaws include a tight mission statement which he thinks is <br />important as he understands that the board will be self-sustaining. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris thanked Mr. Gecker for his efforts and thanked the Jefferson School <br />Alumni Association for keeping the faith and keeping Council on task. <br /> <br />REPORT <br />: SOCIAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD ANNUAL REPORT <br /> <br /> Mr. Robert Cox, Director of Social Services, explained that the Social Services <br />Advisory Board is required by Code to advise the Department and Council, and is <br />required to report annually to Council. He introduced Ms. Holly Hatcher, Chair of the <br />Advisory Board. He thanked Council for their appointments to the board and said it is <br />one of the best boards of his tenure. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hatcher thanked Council for their continued support of the Department. She <br />recognized Mr. Cox for his leadership and the staff of the Department. Ms. Hatcher said <br />that the Department administers 20 safety net programs. She reviewed notable progress: <br />foster care caseload declines for third consecutive year; continuing success in foster care <br />prevention; implementation of TANF reauthorization changes; continuing positive <br />outcomes in Welfare-to-Work; and recreation of a Department Strategic Plan. Notable <br />challenges include: continued Welfare-to-Work challenges; loss of child care funding for <br />low-income working families; caseload growth in several programs; staffing levels lag <br />behind caseload growth; and food stamp participation rate. <br /> <br />