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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board minutes 051006ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes May 10, 2006 PRESENT: Jack Chestnut, Carey Cornette, Mildred Council, Bob Jones, Kathie Kearns, Jerry Kruter, Mariah McPherson, Jerry Passmore, Arthrell Sanders, Fred Schroeder, Florence Soltys The meeting was called to order by Chair Jack Chestnut. After introductions, Mr. Chestnut asked for review of the proposed meeting schedule through January, 2007. A motion was made by Florence Soltys and seconded by Carey Cornette that the revised meeting schedule be adopted as mailed. Motion carried. Jerry Passmore announced that May is Older Americans Month and Senior Center Week begins on Mothers’ Day. The Board of County Commissioners adopted proclamations for both events. Senior Speak-Outs scheduled for May 22 at the Northside Senior Center (10:30), May 24 at the Central Orange Senior Center (1:00) and May 25 at the Chapel Hill Senior Center (1:00). In Praise of Aging is focusing on these events in its May programming. Jack Chestnut noted that the Friends of the Senior Center for Central Orange annual meeting will be held this Friday. Jerry Kruter requested that Board members be emailed a reminder of these dates. Florence Soltys invited members to attend the May 26 meeting at Carol Woods where the new legislative research commission study on aging will be previewed. The minutes of the March meeting were approved upon the motion offered by Florence Solty and the second provided by Mariah McPherson. Jack Chestnut reported that the Friends of Central Orange are planning to have a booth at Hog Day with raffle tickets for sale. This raffle has proven to be a good fundraiser in the past with matching funds provided by Walmart. The Friends are looking for sponsors for Las Vegas night, scheduled for September 15. He also reported that the Friends of the Chapel Hill Senior Center yard sale fundraiser will be held on September 9. Since the Friends are no longer responsible for a share of the Galleria lease costs, they will be using the proceeds to support other activities at the Center. Suggestions may be submitted at the upcoming Senior Speak-Outs. Florence Soltys reported that the Central Orange Adult Day Health Center has hired Laura DeLoye, as program director. She also informed the Board that the contract with UNC for nursing service will be ending in June. The Senior Care Board is also working on updating its policies and procedures for considerations at the June meeting. Funding increases from state and VA are anticipated. She announced the proposed PACE health program for seniors through Piedmont Health and the 3,500 sq ft program space for the adult day health program that is being included in the Triangle Sportsplex complex project. 1 of 3 Mr. Passmore informed the Board that MAP Steering Committee Co-Chair Pat Spriggs gave a status report to the Commissioners at their May 4 meeting. The BOCC endorsed the direction that the planning process was taking. They were particularly interested in the issue of property tax relief for seniors. They directed staff to investigate the four NC counties that are already doing something with this issue and compile a report. They expressed interest in having seniors involved in this research. The BOCC was also very interested in the changes taking place at UNC Hospitals as a result of funding cutbacks. County Manager John Link had suggested that Florence Soltys be invited to address the Board at a future meeting on this subject. Jerry Passmore announced that the Southern Orange Senior Center is still slated for December completion. The next issue to be resolved are the staffing for the new centers for night and weekend operations and the furnishing. He stated that he hoped to have a meeting with the County Manager next month on these subjects. He also stated that the Central Orange Design Committee will meet next Tuesday. Bids should be issued next Fall, with completion likely planned for Spring, 2007. The Chair referenced the presentation that a 55+ community made at the March Aging Board meeting. Representatives from that group have contacted him and others about the Town of Hillsborough’s current moratorium on new proposals. The consensus was that this was not an issue for this body Jerry Kruter agreed to be nominated for a second term on the Aging Board. Mildred Council and Mariah Mc Pherson are completing their second terms and are not eligible for reappointment. Ms. McPherson suggested that retiring Orange County School Board member Delores Simpson might be a good candidate for consideration. Jerry Passmore summarized the Department on Aging’s budget proposal currently being reviewed by the Manager. The proposal does not include any of the requests for the new centers’ staffing or furnishings. It does include funds for the Senior Times. The recommendation from Mr. Link was to research other options for producing this publication. Fred Schroeder commented that the cost did not sound outlandish for 25,000 copies of the paper printed every other month and 5,000 copies mailed directly to seniors’ homes. He offered a motion that the Aging Board endorse continued support by Orange County of the Senior Times, either as an independent newspaper or part of a larger publication. Jerry Kruter provided a second. Motion carried. Mr. Passmore reported that the County Manager supported the increase to full-time of the part-time Eldercare social worker and temporary personnel for bookkeeping help. He cited that counseling has increased 46% and 1,400 home visits had been made in the last fiscal year. A question was raised about implementing a sliding fee for counseling service or billing Medicare for the service. The consensus was that privatizing a component of the counseling service should be further investigated. 2 of 3 Mr. Passmore informed the Board that RSVP has requested an increase in temporary personnel for assistance with the VITA tax assistance program. He noted that Orange County had the second largest tax program in North Carolina. Jerry Kruter asked about the possibility of charging a small fee for the service and was told that the IRS did not allow fees. Florence Soltys asked if staff had ever calculated the value of the volunteer hours. Ms Soltys made the motion and Arthrell Sanders provided the second that the Board approve the Department on Aging budget as submitted. Motion carried. Bob Jones distributed thermal drink mugs to the Board members sent by the County Commissioners in appreciation for their volunteer service to the Orange County. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Jerry M. Passmore Secretary 3 of 3