Area 3 Committee Meeting Minutes
May 15, 2007

Members in Attendance
Mary Armstrong
Dale Cooper
James Edwards
Patrice Marker
Henry Mosler
Mark Paris
Alberto Rodriguez
Charles Tice
J T Wright

Members Absent
Daryll Cordeiro
William Matheny
Max Scott
Donna Tremblay

DFO present
Carolyn Lewis

Staff in Attendance
Nancy Ferree, TAP Program Manager
Sallie Chavez, TAP Program Analyst
Isai Pallango, TAP Staff and Note Taker

Welcome / Announcement
Chair Hank Mosler opened meeting by welcoming everyone and stated agenda will be followed as plan. It was stated that panel member Max Scott will not be attending due to Outreach Event.

Roll Call
Quorum was met. 

Introduction of Guest
Chair Hank Mosler stated no guest were present for this Area 3 meeting.

Review of Previous Meeting Minutes
Panel members discussed prior meeting minutes for March 20, 2007 and April 17, 2007. These meeting minutes were approved by consensus.

Review of Rating from Last Area 3 Call
Chair Mosler requested all panel members complete meeting rating / survey for the month of April and submit to analyst Chavez. Mosler also requested input from all panel members during monthly teleconference meetings and to be properly prepared.

Chair asked for questions or comments on ways to improve teleconference meetings, but none was provided. Chavez stated subcommittee chair should submit report prior to teleconference meetings and properly inform all panel members.

Review of Joint Committee Call
Chair Mosler stated that TAP Director Bernie Coston spoke of National Report during the month of April. It was also stated that three Town Hall meetings were held with NTA Nina Olson and good participation from the public were present. Chair stated that TAP budget is current and applications for new TAP panel members were counted as of May 15, 2007 at 386.

TAP Manager Nancy Ferree stated that 37-38 (33%) vacancies available to become new panel members. It was also stated that TAP Director Bernie Coston, Nancy Ferree, John Fay, Judi Nicholas, Steve Berkey, and Kayla Walker are currently ranking new applications.

J.T. Wright shared process of elevating issues should be core of improving TAP and to rely on input from reliable sources. Wright also stated that subcommittee should take ownership of issue pending elevated status. Wright wanted to revisit topic / issue and present proposal during upcoming Joint Committee Face-to-Face meeting.

Review of New Issue
Issue 4183-Child Care Limit Too Low
Panel member Cooper stated issue is legislated and cannot be addressed. Cooper recommended issue be dropped. All panel members agreed by consensus to drop issue.

Analyst Chavez will send a letter to taxpayer with suggestion to contact local congressman.

Issue 4195- Schedule A-Medical Deductions
Cooper stated issue is legislated / statutory and cannot be addressed. Cooper recommended issue be dropped. All panel members agreed by consensus to drop issue.

Panel member Mary Armstrong will share research material with local taxpayers.

Subcommittee Reports
Issue 3671- SSN Not Matching Last Name
Panel member Patrice Marker is currently working on issue. Marker had nothing to report due to lack of information. Marker stated she would like to meet with subject matter expert and explore possible input. Panel member Marker will forward her research material to analyst Chavez.

Program Manager Ferree and Chavez will work on contacting subject matter expert and share information in the near future.

Issue 3910-Delay in TAC Services
Panel members Dale Cooper and Bill Matheny are currently working on issue. Matheny contacted Michelle Jones (Policy Analyst) and indicated TAC waiting times are in Facilitated Self Assistance Model-FSM.

Program Manager Judi Nicholas and Michelle Jones will participate in next month subcommittee meeting and share feedback.

Issue 3921- Expanding Third Party Authorization
Panel members Dale Cooper and Bill Matheny are currently working on issue. Cooper stated program manager Ferree and analyst Chavez held a teleconference meeting with Jesse Gonzales. Jesse wrote response of subcommittee’s elevated issue to Internal Revenue Service.

Panel members Matheny and Cooper shared ideas with Mr. Gonzalez and receive positive feedback. Jesse will re-look at the TAP proposal and get back to Matheny.

Outreach
Chair Mosler request all panel members explore opportunities to reach taxpayers. It was also stated that Gil Yanick posted / e-mailed outreach recommendations for all panel members as outcome of December Advanced Outreach workshop. Analyst Chavez will research material and submit to area 3 panel members.

Conference Call Date Changes for July and September
Program Analyst Chavez advised panel members that July and September teleconference meetings will be moved to July 10, 2007 and September 11, 2007 respectfully. Carolyn Lewis will not be able to attend September teleconference meeting but will send substitute.

Citizen Input
No citizen present.

Meeting Close
Chair requested all panel members complete meeting survey.

Meeting was adjourned.