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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board minutes 021407 1 ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING AND UNITED WAY SENIOR ISSUES TEAM Minutes February 14, 2007 PRESENT: Jack Chestnut, Alice Gordon, Diane Henderson, Jerry Kruter, Mary Ann Peter, Arthrell Sanders, Fred Schroeder, Florence Soltys EXCUSED: Tammy Thacker, Jan Wassel SENIOR ISSUES TEAM: Steve Lackey STAFF: Myra Austin, Bob Jones, Kathie Kearns, Jerry Passmore The Joint Session of the Advisory Board on Aging and the Triangle United Way Senior Issues Team was called to order at the Central Orange Senior Center by Co-Chair Steve Lackey. Mr. Lackey announced that the recent United Way campaign had netted $9,512 additional dollars for Orange County. Those funds were awarded to the Senior Issues Team allocation agencies by formula. Myra Austin distributed a program summary for the Department on Aging Wellness Program. She reviewed developments related to the move to the new Seymour Center, particularly the requirement that all users of the fitness center equipment must complete a health assessment prior to participation. The minutes of the December 13 Joint Session were approved following the motion by Mary Ann Peter and the second by Diane Henderson. Jerry Passmore updated those present on the construction at the Seymour Center. He stated that the lease for the current senior center space at the Galleria will expire April 30. UNC Hospitals has committed to providing equipment for the fitness center. They also have some surplus art work that might be available. Mr. Passmore has approached several electronics store for audio/visual equipment donations. Alice Gordon stated that the Board of County Commissioners is interested is seeing that the facility is properly furnished and may be able to provide some additional funding toward that effort. Commissioner Gordon also stated that the BOCC does not have a policy on naming rights and any recommendation should be brought before them for consideration. Also, seniors should not be asked to donate money. Discussion followed on the signage for the building and the Southern Human Services campus. Mary Ann Peter suggested that the signage style be consistant throughout the property. Concern was also expressed about the visibility of the Homestead Road access to the Seymour Center from the Martin Luther King Boulevard direction. Commissioner Gordon suggested that these concerns be forwarded to the County Manager. 2 Jerry Passmore reported that the groundbreaking for the Central Orange Senior Center addition to the Sportsplex should take place in the near future and the project be completed next spring, 2008 Additional funds for construction of the adult day care space are being requested through Representative David Price’s office. No official new name has been given to the Central Orange facility at this time. Mr. Passmore informed the group that meetings have been held regarding the coordination of the Efland and Cedar Grove commuity centers with the new Central Orange center. Representatives from the agencies providing service in those locations (JOCCA, Recreation and Parks, Aging) have held meetings with community representatives and the Managers’ office staff. A survey is being prepared to gather citizen input on the future of those community centers. Discussion followed on the importance of available transportation for individuals to take advantage of the expanded programming at the new senior centers. Alice Gordon noted that the establishment of the TTA/OPT North-South route was a positive step for public transportation in Orange County but it didn’t address the need in the more rural areas. Fred Schroeder cautioned that Chapel Hill Transit’s schedule will be revised in May for any proposed schedule changes to accommodate the Seymour Center. Florence Soltys summarized the work of the final MAP Update Steering Committee meeting. She stated that the most significant change in this edition of MAP is that the responsibilities of implementation are outlined. The Advisory Board on Aging is responsible for monitoring the implementation schedule. The presentations to all of the local governing bodies and planning boards were also important in developing a comprehensive plan for aging services in the next five years. Commissioner Gordon commended the MAP Committee membership and staff for their work in developing the Update which will be presented to the Board of Commissioners this spring. Board members and United Way Orange County Senior Issues Team Chair Steve Lackey discussed the benefits of the Joint Sessions and agreed to continue the current arrangement. Mr. Passmore noted that the latest schedule listed only changes in location, not meeting dates. The meeting of the regular Advisory Board on Aging was called to order by Chair Jack Chestnut. Florence Soltys made the motion and Mary Ann Peter the second that the minutes of the January 10 meeting be approved as mailed. Motion carried. Mr. Chestnut reported that the Friends of the Senior Center for Central Orange are planning a fundraiser ‘sock hop’ on May 18. They hope to use the new Seymour Center as the location because of the increase cost to use the Big Barn in Hillsborough. The Friends of the Chapel Hill Senior Center will meet on Thursday and are working on an open house for the new facility. Arthrell Sanders announced that she will be able to continue to represent the Aging Board on the RSVP Advisory Council. It was noted that Jan Wassel has resigned her 3 appointment to the Human Services Advisory Committee due to a work schedule conflict. The committee meetings are held on the third Monday at 5:30 pm and a new Aging Board representative is needed.. Jerry Passmore attended the last meeting in her absence and the most recent HSAC annual forum on aging issues was reviewed. It was also announced that Jerry Kruter has resigned his appointment to the Sportsplex Citizen Advisory Committee and a replacement is needed. He expressed his concern about the lighting in the Sportsplex parking lot and the lack of adequate parking. Mary Ann Peter echoed his concerns. Alice Gordon urged the Chair to forward these issues to the County Manager as soon as possible. Florence Soltys informed the Board that the Central Orange Adult Day Health program is growing, with Laura Deloye providing great leadership as the program director. She reviewed the new staffing pattern that utilizes retired and part-time nurses instead of staff supplied through contract with UNC School of Nursing. This move has resulted in a significant cost savings. Jack Chestnut reported that he has approached a former participant’s relative to serve on the Senior Care Board to provide input from a family member’s perspective. Reassignment of Aging Board members as committee liaisons was the next agenda item. Current vacancies had been identified earlier in the meeting. Jerry Passmore spoke about contacting Advisory Board members who don’t regularly attend. Cary Cornette is submitting his resignation due to schedule conflicts. Tammy Thacker has yet to attend since being appointed and could not attend today due to being in Raleigh. Commissioner Gordon stated that advisory boards are within their right to report non-attendees to the Commissioners’ Clerk. Fred Schroeder read the section of the Aging Board by-laws that addresses attendance. Jerry Passmore distributed the revised list of furnishing needs for the Seymour Center. The installment of a security system has not been finalized. Chairman Chestnut asked members to consider a position statement handout drafted by Mary Ann Peter on “The Merits of Proposed Men’s Homeless Shelter being located on Homestead Road Campus”. A copy of the Manager’s memo on the recent space study for the Homestead property was also distributed and reviewed. Discussion followed on the options that the Board of County Commissioners has discussed for the court system to date. Commissioner Gordon stated that there are two ‘footprints’ on the property: one between the Seymour Center and DSS, and the other on the opposite side of the road in the area where the old house is located. She added that the BOCC has not addressed the issue of locating the IFC men’s residential facility on this property. More information has been requested from the County Manager on the needs of the downtown post office and the IFC. In further reviewing the position statement Florence Soltys noted that recent studies indicate that felons are being released from prison with no other housing resources except the homeless shelters. Commissioner Gordon added that the community seems to be at a loss for a suitable location for the IFC facility. 4 Fred Schroeder made a motion that the recommendation of the Advisory Board on Aging, after consideration of the issues, is that the Board of County Commissioners not place the proposed men’s residential facility on the Homestead Road property. Florence Soltys provided the second. Jerry Passmore suggested that the statement be broadened to read that no residential facility be placed on the property. After further discussion the motion was approved as presented. Ms Soltys reported that the NC Legislative Commission’s recommendation #11 addresses the dilemma that 11,000 individuals have been discharged from state mental hospitals and are being placed in long term care facilities that are not appropriate for their care. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted. Jerry M. Passmore Secretary