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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board minutes 121306 1 ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes December 13, 2006 PRESENT: Jeanie Arnel, Myra Austin, Jack Chestnut, Peggy Cohn, Emily Corley, Renee Harris, Diane Henderson, Martha Grove Hipskind, Bob Jones, Kathie Kearns, Jerry Kruter, Steve Lackey, Linda Orndt, Jerry Passmore, Jane Paulson, Mary Ann Peter, Arthrell Sanders, Fred Schroeder, Jan Wassel, Angie Welsh The joint meeting of the Advisory Board on Aging and the United Way Senior Issues Team was called to order by Co-Chair Jack Chestnut. Following introductions the Chair asked for reports from the United Way agency representatives present. Renee Harris reported that JOCCA is implementing the new reporting system for Home and Community Block Grant-funded services. This includes the completion of new client registration forms for all participants. She extended an invitation to the Holiday Party to be held at the Efland-Cheeks Community Center the following day. Myra Austin distributed and reviewed a summary of the Wellness Program activities since the last Senior Issues Team meeting. She noted that 870 persons received flu shots at one of the senior centers. Linda Orndt announced that the Triangle Radio Reading Service had just entered into an agreement with The People’s Channel to broadcast their program from 6:00 am until noon each day. She estimated that the service has 15,000 listeners throughout the 20- county area. Jeanie Arnel stated that the number of Meals-On-Wheels recipients is down to around 50 per day from its earlier average of 80. She is actively recruiting new clients. Renee Harris suggested that an ad be placed in the Senior Times. Jan Wassel announced that the Southern Gerontological Society will hold its annual meeting in Greensboro next April 11-14 and that the ‘call for papers’ has been extended to January. Angie Welsh informed the group that the United Way annual fundraising campaign is drawing to a close and initial totals suggest an increase for the previous year. Martha Grove Hipskind was introduced as the planner for the Regional Emergency Preparation Project, funded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Triangle J Area Agency on Aging. Ms. Hipskind stated that the purpose of the grant was to increase the number of seniors and disabled adults that are prepared for a disaster and strengthen the ability of 2 the provider network to respond. She added that in the last 25 years 40% of the weather- related events in this country affected North Carolina, more than any other state. Ms. Hipskind will identify best practices, provide training, and foster collaborations among agencies. Jerry Passmore stated that the Department of Social Services is responsible for the special needs shelters in Orange County. Historically, they have been housed within the general public shelters. He suggested that their intake form be shortened. Linda Orndt added that the disabled population needs to be informed that a shelter exists for them. Jerry Passmore gave an update on the construction of the Seymour Center, scheduled for occupancy before May. He also announced that, on November 4, the Board of County Commissioners approved the architectural design for the new Central Orange Senior Center at the Sportsplex. That facility is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2008. The design includes a covered porch area. Mr. Passmore also reported that a meeting was held on December 11 to discuss the future of the Efland and Cedar Grove community centers. The ad-hoc committee will meet again in January to review who is responsible for the operation of the centers, what are their relationship with the Central Orange Senior Centers, and how the programs will be marketed. In Florence Soltys’ absence due to illness, Mr. Passmore presented a progress report on the Master Aging Plan Update process. He plans to have all of the input sessions completed by January and the report submitted to the Board of County Commissioners at its mid-February meeting. He thanked Jack Chestnut for his assistance in making presentations to local organizations. He noted some of the issues that have arisen during these presentations. Before adjourning the joint session, the minutes of the October 11 meeting were approved upon the motion made by Mary Ann Peter and the second provided by Jan Wassel. The meeting of the Advisory Board on Aging was called to order by Chair Jack Chestnut. Diane Henderson moved the approval of the minutes of the November 8 meeting. Peggy Cohn provided the second. Motion carried. Jerry Passmore announced that a board member orientation will be held prior to the January 10 meeting at the Central Orange Senior Center. Bob Jones distributed a current board member listing and asked members to update/correct the information. Jack Chestnut reported for both the Friends of the Chapel Hill and Central Orange senior centers. Mary Ann Peter suggested that retiring County Commissioner Steve Halkiotis would be a good nominee for the Aging Board. Mr. Passmore encouraged members to contact Bob Jones if they are unable to attend a meeting due to schedule conflict or illness. The Commissioners are now requiring that attendance be kept for all Board- appointed committees. 3 Arthrell Sanders reported on the activity of the RSVP Advisory Council. She announced that the quarterly meetings will be held on the first Thursday of March, June, September and December. She must resign her seat due to a schedule conflict with the new meeting time. The VITA program will be scheduled in the current Chapel Hill senior center building. Jan Wassel reported that the Human Services Advisory Commission is having difficulty recruiting members. She noted that the annual conference held last fall was not as well attended as the previous year. She is also resigning from the HSAC due to other obligations. Jerry Passmore stated that committee appointments can be discussed as part of the January board orientation. Peggy Cohn has already agreed to serve on the Wellness Board. Jerry Kruter summarized the first meeting of the newly-formed Sportsplex Citizen Advisory Committee. He was concerned that the majority of the discussion centered around complaints about current operations. Mary Ann Peter noted that Sportsplex attendance has increased since Orange County has assumed ownership. Mr. Kruter also expressed concern about the lighting in the parking lot. The Chair suggested that he share his concerns about the meeting content with the convener, Barry Jacobs. Jerry Passmore stated that the Senior Care board had updated its day care policy and procedure manual. Effective January 1, clients will be billed for service in advance. He reviewed the architectural design of the proposed day care space in the Sportsplex complex. Mr. Passmore distributed a listing of the special equipment needs for the Seymour Center. He stated that the County will accept donations towards the purchase of equipment. Jan Wassel suggested approaching the Dell Corporation about donating computer equipment. Jerry Passmore also handed out the Board’s position statement on including the IFC homeless shelter on Orange County’s Homestead Road property. This statement has been distributed to the County Commissioners. No decision has yet been made. Members suggested asking Commissioner Alice Gordon to address this issue at the January 10 meeting. Jack Chestnut reported that he had met with the group of Carrboro residents who are interested in forming a community support organization similar to the one that exists in Fearrington. At the meeting he informed the group of the many resources that already exist in the community to foster independent living. Jerry Passmore distributed a draft of the input form for the Board of County Commissioners annual retreat in January. He urged the Aging Board members to review the document and submit their suggestions to him. Jan Wassel stated that the Board had previously agreed to include a statement about housing developments for 55+ 4 communities receiving a courtesy review by this group. Peggy Cohn added that a statement about the collaborative efforts with the United Way should be noted in this document. Mr. Passmore handed out a summary of the outreach project grant funds recently awarded by Triangle J Area Agency on Aging. Jack Chestnut stated that A Helping Hand also has received funding to work in northern Orange County and that the two efforts should be coordinated. It was decided that electronic copies of both documents will be emailed to the membership for review and comment. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Jerry M. Passmore Secretary