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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board minutes 091207 1 ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes September 12, 2007 PRESENT: Jack Chestnut, Peggy Cohn, Diane Henderson, Jerry Kruter, Mary Ann Peter, Fred Schroeder, Florence Soltys, Jan Wassel STAFF: Myra Austin, Bob Jones, Kathie Kearns, Jerry Passmore, The meeting of the Advisory Board on Aging was called to order at the Seymour Center by Chair Jack Chestnut. The minutes of the August meeting were approved upon the motion provided by Peggy Cohn and the second by Mary Ann Peter. The Chair announced that a Health Carolinians annual meeting will be held at the Seymour Center on September 26. Jerry Passmore invited board members to attend and offer feedback on the proposed 2010-2020 goals and objectives. Peggy Cohn nominated Fred Schroeder to be the next Chair of the Board. Fred offered to serve as Jack Chestnut’s Vice Chair until his membership term expires next June 30, assuming the chairmanship at that time. Ms. Cohn made the motion that Mr. Chestnut be reappointed Chair and Mr. Schroeder appointed Vice Chair. Diane Henderson provided the second. Motion carried. Jerry Passmore announced that the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) had approved the proposed fee structure for the Fitness Studio. Myra Austin reviewed the structure, noting that the fees are comparable to those at the Sportsplex and Meadowmont. Jack Chestnut clarified that the fee will cover both staffing and equipment maintenance costs. Ms. Austin stated that the BOCC wanted assurance that scholarships would be available for those for whom the fees would pose a hardship. Mr. Passmore added that scholarship funds are available from the Friends organizations and the United Way. The cap on the amount of scholarships funds available per person has yet to be finalized. Mr. Passmore also reported that the SHIIP mini-grant for Medicare D enrollment assistance had also been approved by the BOCC. The $5,000 will be used to employ a volunteer coordinator and an office assistant, purchase a laptop for use by the volunteers, and hold a volunteer recognition event. Discussion followed on the need for volunteers to maintain impartiality when reviewing insurance plan options. 2 Florence Soltys announced that she has been appointed to the board of the new PACE project. She stated that the program is purchasing a building in Alamance County to begin its operation. This building will include an adult day care center. Mary Ann Radcliff has been employed as program director. She also reminded members of the upcoming ‘Scam Jam’ program at the Chapel Hill Bible Church on October 17. Jerry Passmore stated that the General Assembly approved a $200,000 grant to expand the dental access program to several new counties, including Orange. The program will use the space reserved at the Northside Center for storage. The space formerly used for the Northside Senior Center will now be occupied by DSS for the Work First Program. Jack Chestnut reported that the Friends of the Seymour Center did not meet during the summer. The Friends of the Central Orange Senior Center will hold its Casino Night fundraiser this Friday evening at the Big Barn in Hillsborough. The Human Services Advisory Commission is holding its annual form today. Florence Soltys has just come from the forum whose topic is ‘Domestic Violence’ and stated that the focus was solely on children and family issues, not elder abuse. She estimated that there were 50-60 persons in attendance. Myra Austin reviewed some of the new Wellness Program class offerings for the fall semester at the Seymour Center. The Wellness Board is scheduled to meet again at the end of September. Florence Soltys announced that Senior Care’s Central Orange Adult Day Health Center is increasing its daily attendance maximum from 10 to 12 persons and ended the last fiscal year with a balanced budget. She also updated the Board on the activity surrounding the search for a new location for the IFC Men’s Shelter. Since the Chapel Hill Town Council has designated the old post office building on Franklin Street for the Children’s Museum, the Town Manager has been instructed to explore the Duke Power and Eubanks Road properties as possible sites. Discussion followed on the Board’s involvement in this campaign. Jerry Passmore reviewed the Board’s responsibility for establishing the MAP implementation priorities for the next two years. He addressed the need to establish work groups, the first being the Aging-Friendly Community Action Team, referring to new materials he obtained at the NC Conference on Aging that will be distributed to all board members. Myra Austin announced that the Wellness Program will receive $7,500 from United Way for the next calendar year. She also announced the upcoming Aging In Stride 5K fundraiser on September 29. She summarized the section of the draft Healthy Carolinians Assessment Report dealing with aging issues. Jan Wassel suggested that a brief summary be developed for distribution to elected officials and the general public to use in soliciting feedback. She asked that the document be emailed to board members. 3 Bob Jones reported that there currently were three vacancies on the Aging Board: 2 at – large seats and one representing the Town of Hillsborough. He distributed the list of applicants on file with the BOCC Clerk’s office. Ms. Soltys reminded the Board of Ellen Ozier Hayes’ interest in being appointed and her attendance at a meeting earlier this summer. Former board member Mariah McPherson’s name was also on the list. Mary Ann Peter made the motion that Ms. Ozier-Hayes and Ms. McPherson be recommended for appointment to the Advisory Board on Aging. Florence Soltys provided the second. Motion carried. Mr. Passmore suggested inviting all others with applications on file to the next meeting. He also encouraged members to suggest other applicants. Jerry Passmore announced that the Food/Nutrition Study Committee would be meeting the next day and exploring the possibility of setting up a soup/salad bar pilot project. Jan Wassel asked for sources of volunteers to participate in an early-stage Alzheimer’s graduate student study. Florence Soltys invited board members to meet the United Way Board tour of the facility Friday morning. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Jerry M. Passsmore, Secretary