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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board minutes 110806 1 ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes November 8, 2006 PRESENT: Jack Chestnut, Peggy Cohn, Nate Davis, Gwen Harvey, Diane Henderson, Bob Jones, Kathie Kearns, Jerry Kruter, Jerry Pasmore, Mary Ann Peter, Fred Schroeder, Florence Soltys, Janice Tyler ABSENT: Cary Cornette, Alice Gordon, Arthrell Sanders, Tammy Thacker EXCUSED: Jan Wassel The meeting was called to order by Chair Jack Chestnut. He distributed fliers announcing the open house for the new 55+ housing development in Mebane, Asbury Crossing. Questions were raised about the location of the community and the price of the homes. It was suggested that a tour be arranged in conjunction with a future Aging Board meeting held in that part of the county. The Chair extended congratulations to the winners in the November 7 county commissioner elections and to the new County Manager, Laura Blackmon. Jerry Passmore added that Assistant County Manager Rod Visser would be retiring at the end of the year. Mr. Passmore announced that the December Aging Board meeting will be held at the Northside Senior Center and that January’s meeting will be in Hillsborough. He added that the 2007 schedule will include meetings at the new Seymour Senior Center. The Chair asked for additional agenda items and referred to a recent newspaper article on the need for sidewalks in the Northside community. He also mentioned that a proposal has been submitted to the Board of County Commissioners to designate land on the Southern Human Services campus for the relocation of the Men’s Shelter operated by the Inter-Faith Council. Mr. Chestnut expressed his concern that the need for additional space for growth of the Seymour Center and other human services departments located there be taken into consideration when determining the use of that land. He distributed a draft position statement asking that the County Commissioners to request a growth study report on the Homestead Road property for the next 30 years before adding other service facilities. Discussion followed on the proposed location of the IFC facility on the property. Jerry Passmore suggests that an adult day health facility may be co-located on the property with the new Seymour Center. Florence Soltys reminded the Board that the agreement reached with the original Bond Committee was to build a small facility with the capability for expansion. After further discussion the motion was made by Fred Schroeder that the Chair submit to the Board of County Commissioners a statement urging that, based upon the previous agreement for additional space and the consideration of future needs, careful consideration be given to these commitments when reviewing other requests for Homestead Road campus use. This motion was seconded by Diane Henderson. Mary 2 Ann Peter added that this request be linked to the space needs identified in the Master Aging Plan, now receiving public comment. Jerry Passmore commented that the Seymour center will not have enough space for current staff or expanded programming. Gwen Harvey asked how the community centers fit into the issue of space shortage. Motion carried. Jack Chestnut reported that the Friends of the Chapel Hill Senior Center have asked IFC Director Chris Moran to attend next week’s board meeting to discuss the Men’s Shelter plans. The Friends are making plans to use their funds for scholarships and programming at the new center. A motion was made by Mary Ann Peter and seconded by Florence Soltys to approve the October 11 minutes. Motion carried. Jerry Passmore reported that the recent RSVP recognition luncheon was a success . The RSVP board is changing its schedule to quarterly meetings. He also reported on behalf of Jan Wassel, who was excused from today’s meeting, that the Human Services Advisory Commission sponsored a day-long conference on aging issues in September. The HSAC reviews all non-profit human service agencies requests for county funding. Florence Soltys reviewed the first quarter report for the Central Orange Adult Day Health Center. She noted that recently-passed legislation requires that all CAP clients be assessed for day health care service. She stated that Senior Care Board still awaits word on its Strowd Rose application for operation funds. Jerry Passmore provided an update on the new senior centers. He reported that, due to cost overruns, only $50,000 remains in the new equipment/furniture account that is part of the overall project budget. He added that he had recently received a pledge of $5,000 from a private citizen. Mr. Passmore will be working with the supervisors of the senior center and eldercare divisions on strategies to serve some of the seniors from Northside and the Galleria who will have difficulty adjusting to the new facility. When asked about the future of the current centers Mr. Passmore responded that Northside could become the home of the dental access project for seniors in Long Term Care facilities. Florence Soltys urged board members to complete the Master Aging Plan Community Input Survey on the Department on Aging’s website. Jerry Passmore gave a brief report on his meeting with a citizens group in Carrboro who are interested in establishing a continuing care retirement community without walls, similar to the Beacon Hill and Fearrington Cares models. In the Director’s report, Mr. Passmore announced that the Board of County Commissioners has expressed interest in publishing a Senior Times without advertisement and direct mailed to all Orange County residents 55 and older. He also noted that Bob Jones and Vicki Hill are taking the lead in updating the Department’s website. 3 He announced that an interest group is being formed to study the purpose and function of the community centers in Efland and Cedar Grove. Leo Allison has agreed to chair the group. Issues to be addressed include who is responsible for these facilities, what the operating hours should be, and how their senior programming should coordinate with the new senior centers. Jack Chestnut and Florence Soltys volunteered to represent the Aging Board on the interest group. In closing, Jerry Passmore distribute a chart showing the growth in the TTA/OPT public shuttle ridership since it began in January, 2006. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Jerry M. Passmore Secretary FN:\H\BOARDS\AGING\MINUTES \2006