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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board minutes 061406 - 1 - ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes June 14, 2006 PRESENT: Jack Chestnut, Emily Corley, Gwen Harvey, Bob Jones, Kathie Kearns, Steve Lackey, Pete Langan, Mariah McPherson, Linda Orndt, Jerry Passmore, Jane Paulson, Florence Soltys, Jan Wassel, Angie Welsh The Joint Session of the Aging Board and the United Way Senior Issues Team was called to order by Co-Chair Steve Lackey. The minutes of the February 8 Joint Session were approved by consensus. Mr. Lackey referred to the meeting schedule through January, 2007 that was distributed with the agendas. Jan Wassel asked if there would be a September 20 board meeting since the Human Services Advisory Commission conference will be held that day. Jerry Passmore replied that this would be determined at the August meeting. Florence Soltys suggested Rand Coble for the guest speaker at the HSAC Forum’s luncheon. She mentioned that the focus of his legislative study commission will be on aging for the first time in 24 years. During introductions Jan Wassel announced a new business and aging initiative at UNC- Greensboro. She also announced that the Southern Gerontological Society will hold its annual meeting in Greensboro next spring. She asked for input into the program. UNC-G will hold its second annual ‘Aging is Good Business’ conference in conjunction with SGS. This year’s focus will be senior housing. Steve Lackey summarized the work of the current Orange County United Way Senior Issues Team agencies from the annual report. He distributed the quarterly activity report that Myra Austin had prepared for the Wellness Program. Jack Chestnut added that Orange County assumed part of the salary cost of the Wellness Program Coordinator when UNC Hospitals reduced its funding last year by 50%. In reviewing the meal service provided by JOCCA, Jack Chestnut encouraged board members to join the seniors at the Northside Center for lunch to get a better understanding of the program. Mr. Lackey introduced Emily Corley as the new Meals On Wheels Coordinator for OCIM. Ms. Corley informed those present that 52 people are currently receiving daily meals on six routes. More than 125 volunteers deliver the meals. There is currently no one on the waiting list. OCIM had celebrated its 25 years of service to northern Orange County the previous evening. Linda Orndt reported that the Triangle Radio Reading Service uses 150 volunteers. She estimated that the service has 15,000 listeners in 20 counties. She currently is experiencing timely delivery difficulties with The Herald-Sun newspaper and may have to utilize another daily publication. A listener survey was recently completed. Ms. Orandt stated that plans are underway to use Galway Ridge’s in-house station to broadcast and that discussion has begun for using the People’s Channel during downtime. Jack Chestnut and Jerry Passmore offer to follow up with the public television station. - 2 - Steve Lackey reviewed the Senior Issues Team agency allocations totaling $38,269 for FY 2007. Florence Soltys asked Orange County United Way’s total allotment and was told between $700,000-800,000. Mr. Lackey summarized the history of the allocation process that resulted in such a low percentage of the total funding going for senior programs. He reminded the joint session that United Way is in the process of developing a new allocation process that may resolve some of this inequity. Jan Wassel cautioned that, based upon demographics, future older givers may put their resources elsewhere. Ms. Soltys added that Orange County government’s funding to non-profits has a similar bias, which reflects society’s attitude in general. She thanked Mr. Lackey for his advocacy on behalf of seniors. Jerry Passmore reviewed the architect’s drawing for the new Central Orange Senior Center. He stated that this facility will serve as a hub for Orange Public Transportation. The Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to review this design at its June 27 meeting. It is hoped that bids will be let in September and the building will be ready for occupancy next May. He added that the Seymour Center construction is progressing with completion scheduled around February. Florence Soltys gave an update of the MAP planning process. The draft of the Update 2006- 2010 is scheduled to be presented to the Board of Commissioners on September 7. After presentations to the municipalities’ governing bodies, the final draft will be presented for approval on October 17. Jack Chestnut noted that, at the recently-held Senior Speak-Out at Northside, property taxes were a major source of concern. Gwen Harvey reported that the BOCC had directed staff to research this issue and prepare a report for review after the summer break. Discussion followed on the efforts made to date to examine the issue of taxes. Mr. Chestnut stated that the high cost of eyeglasses and hearing aids was also mentioned at the Northside forum. Following these comments the joint session was adjourned. The meeting of the Advisory Board on Aging was called to order by Chair Jack Chestnut. The minutes of the May meeting were approved as mailed upon the motion made by Florence Soltys and the second by Jan Wassel. In the Friends of the Senior Center for Central Orange report, the fundraising projects in process included the Las Vegas night and shopping spree raffle tickets that will be available at Saturday’s Hog Day. The funds raised will no longer have to be spent on Center utilities after the move to the new facility next spring. The Friends plan to redirect their funds to scholarships and program enhancements. Jack Chestnut noted that the Friends of Chapel Hill yard sale proceeds will also be earmarked for program activities, as the Friends’ rent commitment terminates June 30. Florence Soltys reported that the Central Orange Adult Day Center was approaching maximum enrollment. Laura Deloye has been employed as the program director. The Board of Directors representatives Jack Chestnut, Ken Reeb and herself will be presenting their request for $50,000 in county support at the June 19 county budget hearing. She summarized the proposed PACE program and its potential impact on day care participation in Orange County in the future. Ms. Soltys also gave a summary of the NC Commission on Aging’s report to the State Legislature. The recommendations included an increase in day care subsidies, promotion of day care in CAP care plans, funds for 10 new ombudsmen positions statewide, funding for senior - 3 - housing, and tax credits for long term care insurance. The recommendations also included adding $5 million to the Home and Community Care Block Grant program. Jerry Passmore reported that the Transportation Advisory Board is reviewing a regional para- transit proposal for Durham, Orange, and Wake Counties presented by the consulting firm in April. He also reported that Orange Public Transportation is proposing a change in its working title from OPT to the Orange Bus. New driver apparel has already been distributed and eventually developing a new website after BOCC approval.. Mr. Passmore informed the Board that Dept on Aging budget has received a favorable review by the Manager’s Office and the Commissioners will review the four new positions requested for the senior centers and the increase to full-time for the Eldercare social worker at their June 15 budget session. A list of applicants for the three board vacancies was distributed, two at-large slots and a Town of Hillsborough representative. Mariah McPherson will continue to serve as the Board’s liaison to the Triangle J Area Agency on Aging’s Advisory Council. Assistant County Manager Gwen Harvey presented the Home and Community Care Block Grant funding proposal for FY 2006-07. She stated that the BOCC had approved the plan at its meeting the previous evening. The funding is the same as available for the current fiscal year. She reviewed the agencies that receive funding. She explained that Orange County is allocated a set amount of funds and determines locally how they will be spent. At the Block Grant Committee meeting held in May it was agreed that a meeting should be held in the fall to discuss in detail the impact of the current funding. The report on the Block Grant funding plan was approved by consensus. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Jerry M. Passmore Secretary