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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board minutes 031407 1 ‘ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes March 15, 2007 PRESENT: Jack Chestnut, Peggy Cohn, Alice Gordon, Diane Henderson, Jerry Kruter, Mary Ann Peter, Arthrell Sanders, Fred Schroeder, Florence Soltys, Jan Wassel, GUESTS: Chris Moran and Laurie Tucker (IFC) STAFF: Bob Jones, Kathie Kearns, Jerry Passmore The meeting was called to order at the Northside Senior Center by Chair Jack Chestnut. Florence Soltys informed the Board that the NC Study Commission has chosen mental health as its focus for the next year. Jan Wassel invited all to attend the ‘Aging is Good Business’ conference on April 11 at UNC-Greensboro. Chairman Chestnut announced that the Aging Board meeting agenda was being changed to include a discussion of the future location of the IFC Men’s Homeless Shelter. The Chair introduced IFC Executive Director Chris Moran. Mr. Moran gave a summary of the options that had been explored to date for relocation of the IFC men’s shelter operations from the Town of Chapel Hill facility on West Rosemary. The outcome was that the Southern Orange Human Services campus on Homestead Road was the only viable parcel of publicly-owned property available for this project. Mr. Moran listed the membership of the local government coalition working toward relocation as follows: Carrboro Alderman Chilton, Chapel Hill Town Councilmen Foy, Strom, Ward, Greene, and Orange County Commissioners Gordon and Foushee. Mr. Chestnut noted that County Manager Laura Blackmon had recently completed a survey of future Orange County space needs for the Homestead Road property. Included is the Seymour Center expansion for additional programming space and inclusion of a adult day health care center. Mr. Moran expressed support for the need for expanded services for seniors. He expressed regret that the recent Herald-Sun newspaper article didn’t focus on that issue rather than the opinion that the men’s shelter would be bad neighbors for the Seymour Center. Florence Soltys added that seniors were promised additional space for the senior center when funds for a smaller facility were included in the bond. Fred Schroeder asked about the location within the Homestead Road property that was being considered for the IFC facility. Mr. Moran stated that the program needs 15,000-20,000 sq ft to place a long-term residential facility similar to the Project Homestart campus. Jerry Passmore stated that there had been discussion concerning the relocation of the Justice building from downtown Chapel Hill and the impact that move might have on the IFC project. The Board asked Mr. Moran how he would proceed if the Board of County Commissioners rejected the IFC request for inclusion in the Southern Human Services 2 Center campus. Jan Wassel wanted to know why space near the new Town of Chapel Hill Public Works location on Eubanks Road could not be designated for the shelter. Mr. Moran explained that the Planning Department designation of that area as a ‘green tract’ made it virtually impossible to develop. Jack Chestnut suggested pursuing housing bond funds for the purchase of private property. Mr. Moran noted that $400,000 has already been designated for this project but additional funds cannot be raised until a site has been selected. Mr. Passmore suggested requesting land from UNC-CH. Ms. Wassel noted the University’s responsibility to the Chapel Hill community. Mr. Schroeder added that, in the beginning of the search for a new location for the Chapel Hill Senior Center, it was hoped that the University would donate land on the Chapel Hill North campus. Mr. Moran stated that he would report today’s discussion to his board of directors at its next meeting. Jerry Passmore assured Chris Moran that the Aging Board’s position against the IFC proposal was not taken without careful study. And, while sympathetic to the cause, the make-up of the homeless population makes the effort to co-locate this group with the seniors seems unwise. Mary Ann Peter added that the seniors’ fear of the danger of exposure to homeless individuals, whether real or perceived, would be detrimental to the success of the Seymour Center. Discussion followed on security issues. In summary Chairman Jack Chestnut stated that the Aging Board would like to join IFC in approaching University President Erskine Bowles about the possibility of securing land for the placement of a residential training facility for homeless men. Mr. Chestnut also urged Chris Moran to investigate the possibility of acquiring housing bond funds for land purchase. Fred Schroeder suggested that representatives of the Board of County Commissioners meet with the mayors of the two southern Orange County towns to talk about possible solutions. Mr. Moran stated that he viewed the Duke Power property at the corner of Homestead and M L King as a viable alternative location. Alice Gordon added that the BOCC would not be making any decisions on property allocation until the revised space study report is received from the County Manager. After adding Peggy Cohn to the list of excused absences, the minutes of the February 15 meeting were approved as mailed. Jerry Passmore reviewed the timeline and upcoming events associated with the move from the senior center on Elliott Road to the new Seymour Center. A list of furniture needed for the new facility has been submitted to the County Manager’s office, totaling approximately $90,000. Mr. Passmore announced that all of the equipment for the fitness studio has been donated by UNC Hospitals. Artwork that has been donated to the Hospital has also been made available. Jan Wassel suggested contacting the Dell Corporation and Google, who is building a new datacenter in North Carolina. Mr. Passmore announced that the grand opening will be held on May 30. Alice Gordon requested a tour of the new facility prior to that time. Florence Soltys reported that the MAP leadership team will meet in March and April to finalize the Master Aging Plan Update prior to its May 3 presentation to the Board of 3 County Commissioners. Jan Wassel suggested that publicity for the new Seymour highlight a different service division each week prior to the grand opening. Jerry Passmore distributed the new Seymour Center staffing request being submitted to the Board of County Commissioners. Alice Gordon suggested that a report on all of the services that will be provided from the new Seymour Center be included with the agenda abstract to better inform the BOCC about the many resources available beyond the senior center activities. This information supports the requests for additional staff and hours of operation. Mr. Passmore added that the request includes maintenance staff hired directly by Public Works and through contract. Mr. Passmore distributed a draft of the outline for the new Department on Aging website. Alice Gordon cautioned against abbreviating the Department’s name is “DOA”. Board members were asked to review the draft and give feedback at the next meeting. Diane Henderson offered to work with staff in revising the draft and simplifying its format. A report from the committee studying the role of community centers in serving older adults was also made by Jerry Passmore. The committee is examining whether five days per week service should be continued at the Efland and Cedar Grove locations or if service could be reduced to three days with transportation to the Central Orange Senior Center provided on the other days. Community center participants will be surveyed in the near future. He also announced that an exploratory meeting will be held to discuss expanding the services to special populations during disaster situations to include vulnerable individuals. Topics will include preparing ‘stay-at-home kits’ vs. ‘go kits’. The Department’s Fiscal Year 2007-08 county budget request will be ready for review at the April board meeting. The Budget Office has directed county departments to submit requests with no increases. The Chair shared a request from Commissioner Mike Nelson to meet and share information with this Board and the Friends boards. After discussion, it was decided to invite Mr. Nelson to attend the April Aging Board meeting and add this item to the end of the agenda. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Jerry M. Passmore, Secretary