HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board minutes 062707ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING
UNITED WAY SENIOR ISSUES TEAM
JOINT SESSION
Minutes
June 27, 2007
PRESENT: Cathy Ahrendsen, Jeanie Arnel, Myra Austin, Jack Chestnut, Peggy Cohen,
Diane Henderson, Jerry Kruter, Steve Lackey, Jane Paulson, Lauren Proctor, Fred
Schroeder, Florence Soltys, Jan Wassel
STAFF: Bob Jones, Kathie Kearns, Jerry Passmore, Angie Welsh
EXCUSED: Alice Gordon
The meeting was called to order by Co-Chairs Jack Chestnut and Steve Lackey. The
minutes of the April meeting were approved as distributed. Following the tour of the
Seymour Center Mr. Lackey requested brief agency reports. Jeanie Arnel stated that a
new volunteer is providing arts and crafts to Meals on Wheels recipients once a week.
Angie Welsh stated that Blue Cross/Blue annually conducts community impact tours for
its top executives. One of the four tours this year will be for Orange senior services. The
tour will take place August 1.
Jerry Passmore recapped the events marking the opening of the Seymour Center. He also
noted that the groundbreaking for the Central Orange Senior Center/Day Health
Center/Sportsplex expansion project was held on June 19. He added that the Central
Orange location will have more options for service for frail older adults as well as
intergenerational opportunities. Discussion followed on the size of the program space in
the expanded facility.
Mr. Passmore reported that, at the previous night’s Board of County Commissioners
meeting, the Commissioners adopted a proclamation thanking the 100+ staff and
volunteers involved in the MAP update process. Jack Chestnut added that, in keeping
with the reasssessment of the role of community centers in aging services, Lisa Berley
and the programs she administers are being transferred to the Dept on Aging, effective
July 1. Mr. Passmore distributed a legislative bill tracker forwarded by the Triangle J
Area Agency on Aging. Florence Soltys voiced her concern about the bill that requires
all facility volunteers to be funneled through a home health agency. Another bill she
noted was the rating system for adult care homes.
After the joint session’s adjournment the Advisory Board on Aging was called to order
by Chairman Chestnut. Jerry Passmore asked that a request from Board of Elections
Director Barry Garner to use senior center for one-stop voting sites be added to the
agenda.
In his report on behalf of the Friends of the Seymour Center Jack Chestnut and Jerry
Passmore listed some of the new building issues that are being addressed by the
contractor and the County Public Works Department. Mr. Passmore added that the
Friends of the Senior Center for Central Orange are anxious to have their building
underway. A Board representative is still being sought for the RSVP Advisory Council.
Diane Henderson asked for details on the activity of this board. Director Kathy Porter
gave an overview. Mr. Chestnut stated that he is participating in the Sportsplex
committee meetings until a replacement can be found for Jerry Kruter.
Florence Soltys reported that, thanks to Jerry Passmore and Jack Chestnut, the Central
Orange Adult Day Health Care Center has been able to continue operating after the
departure of director Laura Deloye. She noted that currently there are more male than
female clients. Piedmont Health’s new PACE program is developing and staff is anxious
to see the expanded day care space at the new Central Orange Senior Center. Mr.
Chestnut added that Carol Woods is submitting a three-year Duke Endowment grant that
would focus on coordinating health care resources including PACE and adult day health
care. He concluded by reporting that Senior Care had finished FY 2007 in good financial
condition.
Florence Soltys began her update of the IFC Men’s Shelter by summarizing a series of
events that indicated that administrators at UNC are willing to become actively involved
in the relocation project. Discussion followed on the role of the Aging Board and the
possible next-steps to act on the offer of the University’s involvement. The Board
authorized Florence Soltys to pass on the new UNC site possibilities to Alice Gordon,
member of the Inter governmental Search Committee.
Jerry Passmore briefly reviewed the fee structure and scholarship proposal for utilizing
the Wellness Center equipment and classes. The Board endorsed the use of the Orange
County senior centers as early polling places in upcoming elections. Discussion of board
member replacements and elections was deferred until the August meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Jerry M. Passmore, Secretary