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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board minutes 041107 1 ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING AND UNITED WAY SENIOR ISSUES TEAM Minutes April 11, 2007 PRESENT: Myra Austin, Peggy Cohn, Emily Corley, Diane Henderson, Jerry Kruter, Steve Lackey, Jane Paulson, Mary Ann Peter, Arthrel Sanders, Fred Schroeder, Florence Soltys, Angie Welch, EXCUSED ABSENCE: Jack Chestnut, Jan Wassel STAFF: Bob Jones, Kathie Kearns, Jerry Passmore Co-Chair Steve Lackey called to order the joint session of the Advisory Board on Aging and United Way Senior Issues Team at the Central Orange Senior Center. The minutes of the February 14 joint session were approved upon the motion made by Jerry Kruter and the second by Fred Schroeder. In giving United Way agency reports Myra Austin stated that each agency is receiving an allocation increase from the $9,000 in additional funding awarded the Senior Issues Team in Orange County. She distributed a summary of the January-March wellness program activities. She noted that Partners/Medicare has pulled its support of the Mall Walkers program and reduced its funding of the Senior Games. She added that the Bear Rock Café will no longer be able to provide the breakfasts. Ms Austin announced that the Orange County Health Dept/Healthy Carolinians will be conducting a community assessment this weekend and next. Arthrell Sanders noted that some seniors are not comfortable with answering the door or responding to questions from strangers. Discussion followed on negative comments being made by some of the instructors about the program space at the new senior center. Emily Corley reported that she has been the OCIM Meals on Wheels coordinator for one year. The program is currently serving 30 individuals. All client information has been updated. She reviewed program eligibility. Fred Schroeder asked how the service was publicized. Ms. Corley responded that church bulletins, tv spots and agency referrals are used to promote the program and people volunteer as individuals or as groups. Angie Welch announced that the Triangle United Way is striving to increase its contributions after ten years of declining support. They are examining the process used to allocate the little more than $700,000 to 177 agencies. The new system would simplify the agency application process and focus on the work being done in each county. 2 Jerry Passmore distributed copies of the powerpoint presentation given the Board of County Commissioners meeting the previous night. At that meeting the BOCC approved two additional positions for the Seymour Center: a daytime office assistant and a part- time facility manager for evening/weekend operations. He announced that the groundbreaking for the new Central Orange Senior Center will be held on June 19, with construction completed the following Summer, 2008. Mr. Passmore noted that the Seymour Center will open May 1, with the ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for May 24 and the grand opening celebration held on May 30. Dr. Gene Cohen will give a presentation at both 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm on that day. His presentation will be taped for future viewing on In Praise Of Age. Florence Soltys suggested that Robert Butler be invited as the featured speaker for the Central Orange Senior Center grand opening. Mr. Passmore reported that a committee composed of representative of the Recreation and Aging Departments have been meeting with Assistant County Manager Gwen Harvey to explore how the Efland-Cheeks and Northern Orange (Cedar Grove) community centers will coordinate with the Central Orange Senior Center. Community center participants will be surveyed for programming ideas and interest in attending the Hillsborough senior center. In order to facilitate coordination a proposal has been made to transfer Lisa Berley from the Recreation and Parks Dept staff to the Dept on Aging. She will be the lead staff person responsible for the coordination of programs at these three facilities. It was suggested that Ms. Berley be invited to come to the next Board meeting to discuss the coordination effort. Fred Schroeder asked if the Northside Senior Center participants are excited about the move to the Seymour Center. Jerry Kruter asked if transportation to the new location is an issue. Mary Ann Peter suggested that an evaluation of the Northside participants be conducted after the move and that follow-up be conducted on those who have not attended the Seymour Center. Discussion followed on the food service at the Northside and Seymour Centers. It was suggested that Northside participants be recruited to serve as tour guides for the Seymour Center on May 24 and 30. After a brief recess, the Advisory Board on Aging was called to order by Jerry Passmore. Bob Jones announced that three board members were up for reappointment: Fred Schroeder, Florence Soltys, and Jan Wassel. All three members have agreed to be reappointed. Arthrell Sanders is retiring after completing her second term June 30. Also, two members have not been attending the meetings and should be replaced. This means two vacancies are at-large representatives and one represents Hillsborough. A motion was made by Florence Soltys to approve the minutes of the March 14 Aging Board meeting. Diane Henderson provided the second. Motion carried. In Jack Chestnut’s absence Jerry Passmore reported that the Friends of the Senior Center for Central Orange a planning a fundraiser sock-hop in addition to their annual raffle. He also reported that the Friends of the Chapel Hill Senior Center are changing their name to Friends of the Robert and Pearl Seymour Center. It was suggested that, since the Northside Senior Center did not have a Friends organization, those participants should be 3 invited to join the Seymour Friends. Mary Ann Peter suggested that the recent merger of the Orange County Historical Museum and Society could serve as a model for the Chapel Hill Friends organization. Jerry Passmore informed the Board that the Orange County RSVP operates the second- largest VITA tax program in the State. Over 2,000 tax returns were prepared last year. Jerry Kruter stated that he is still receiving meeting notices for the Sportsplex Citizen Advisory Committee even though he has resigned. Bob Jones will notify the BOCC office of his resignation. Peggy Cohn reported for the Wellness Board that the change from nurses to technicians providing the Fit Feet toenail clipping service may raise concerns among program participants. Florence Soltys added that many homebound patients seen through the UNC Hubbard program could benefit from this service. Ms. Cohn suggested that she contact the OC Health Dept since their nurses are continuing to do the assessments. Florence Soltys reported that the Senior Care adult day health center continues to operate successfully. Jerry Passmore added that former Orange County Personnel Director Elaine Holmes has joined the Senior Care Board and is exploring benefit options for the Program Director. Jerry Passmore stated that the Department on Aging has not received any additional information about the IFC’s request to relocate their Men’s Shelter to the Southern Human Services campus. Discussion followed on the information shared on this subject at last month’s Board meeting. Mr. Passmore asked if there was any action that the Board should take to follow-up on this issue. After further discussion Mary Ann Peter agreed to contact Commissioner Alice Gordon about the status of the search committee and ask about the availability of the Duke Power property for the IFC project. Mr. Passmore reported that Diane Henderson has worked with Dept on Aging staff to design the new website. After reviewing the Dept’s budget request a motion was made by Diane Henderson and seconded by Florence Soltys to approve the budget as distributed. Motion carried. This budget includes the two new Seymour Center positions. The Board also approved the proposed Fitness Studio fee schedule, which will be reviewed by the BOCC on April 24. Scholarships will be available for those unable to pay. The Board of Commissioners will also consider that furnishing request for the Seymour Center at the April 24 meeting. These items could be covered by the building project budget. Mr. Passmore is still waiting on responses from the local businesses he has approached for equipment donations. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Jerry M. Passmore, Secretary