Agenda - 02-02-1987 - Special Mtg.

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I explained again the APS position--that we had both publicly and privately stated that the APS could no longer finance Shelter operations, including clear statements at the budget hearings last year and in private conversations since. Mr. Thompson responded "People say anything at public meetings." Frankly, I was appalled at this statement and told him that I did not say anything in public that I did not mean and that I did not believe in, and that it is my sincere opinion that no one on the APS Board of Directors did so either. Thompson said that the APS had committed itself to funding the Shelter. He also said he had not been notified that the Society was going to withdraw, and that indeed the APS could not withdraw from this obligation. I referred him to the cover letter to the Shelter budget request, submitted April 6, 1987 (See Attachment 1). Mr. Thompson then challenged my authority to relay this information to him. I stated the budget decisions were not mine, although I fully support them, but that the decisions were made by the Board of Directors, and that I was directed to proceed under their instructions. He then challenged, I guess, my credibility, and Dr. Van Stee at that point told Mr. Thompson that he was present at the Board Meeting when the decisions were made, and that it was voted upon and in our minutes. At that point Mr. Thompson said he would have to talk to the Board. I offered to set up a meeting and he decided that he didn't have time. He also asked for a Shelter audit and an APS audit "so I can determine if the Society can afford to continue or not." I advised him that the APS would provide an audit of Shelter funds as quickly as possible, but that it was not proper for Mr. Thompson to ask for an audit of APS funds, and that decisions about the APS use of funds were made by the APS Board of Directors only. When I was explaining the need for the increased budget (which I had assumed originally was the purpose of the meeting), Mr. Thompson made what I consider irresponsible suggestions. When I told him how understaffed the Shelter was and the hours that staff worked, and that we could not expect them to continue on like this, his response was, "Well, if they quit you can just hire someone else." I can't imagine anyone in a management position would take such an outrageous pos- ture. Turnover has caused us to spend many hours training new staff that could have been used in other areas. Along with a very cryptic view of managment, it's also an inhumane way to treat personnel, implying that if employees won't work long hours without reasonable compensation, the Shelter should just hire someone else. If you sense an air of frustration in this letter, let me assure you that you are right. Mr. Kittrell called this morning to say that the Shelter will be funded for $109,250; our request from the County is $180,504. The APS can't run the Shelter on this budget. Sincerely, Pat Sanford Executive Director June 5, 1987 cc: APS Board of Directors 2