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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board Minutes 041409 ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes April 14, 2009 PRESENT: Leo Allison, Heather Altman, Alice Gordon, Jerry Kruter, Steve Lackey, Haryo Marsosudiro, and Fred Schroeder STAFF: Jerry Passmore, Bob Jones Chair Steve Lackey called the meeting to order at 2:05 pm at the Robert and Pearl Seymour Center. Mr. Lackey began with a brief report on the Aging Legislative Forum held on March 23. He stated that it was very informative for those in attendance. The recommendations that the Advisory Board had considered were consolidated for the forum. Jerry Passmore stated that the legislative issues had been sent to the County Commissioners and that he thought that BOCC were meeting with legislature representatives next week. Fred Schroeder said that he found the questions at the end of the forum very interesting. Discussion on tax issues followed specifically on House Bills 423 and 396 and Senate Bill 500. Heather Altman thought the content of the forum was good and wished more had attended. Need to work on attendance next year. Mr. Passmore passed out a couple of upcoming event notices. On April 30 a forum, “Expanding and improving relationships in mid and later life”, will be held at the Seymour Center beginning at 6:30. Topics will include a variety of subjects based on panelists’ personal life experiences in enriching their lives. Seymour Center Family and Friends Cruise Night will be on Thursday, May 14, 2009 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm. Chair Lackey asked for a review and approval of the minutes from the March 10, 2009 meeting. Jerry Kruter moved for approval and was seconded by Fred Schroeder. The minutes were approved. Asked for other Agenda items, Heather Altman added an update on Triangle J Area on Aging that will follow her update on Community Resources Connections. Chair Lackey began the Committee Progress Reports by reporting for the Friends of the Seymour Center. He stated that the Friends were preparing applications for funds from the Town of Chapel Hill. Since the beginning of the Friends of the Chapel Hill Senior Center, the Town had funded $30,000 with some restriction for use on physical space. Leo Allison asked if Carrboro had provided funds in the past, if not, maybe it could be pursued. Mr. Lackey said that the Chapel Hill funds had been broadened for use in operations and programs, not for capital improvements. Haryo Marsosudiro reported that the Friends of Central Orange Senior Center were working on revising their By-laws and were finalizing the financial data from Las Vegas Night. Since this was the first at the new center the Friends will be working on ways to improve for nest year. Leo Allison stated that this year was a rousing success with approximately 350 people attending. Mr. Marsosudiro also stated that the Friends had applied for $1,200 funding from the Town of Hillsborough to assist with programs. Page 1 of 3 Jerry Passmore reported that work continues with the design of the counter in the kitchen at the Adult Day Health Center. The present size accommodates only 13 clients and needs and additional 24 inches to expand to 29 clients. The architect is working on improving the design or getting cost estimates to fix the counter. Discussions continue as to reasons for change and Mr. Passmore will be meeting with county projects manager, Jeff Thompson for a resolution. Mr. Passmore provided copies of a letter requesting funding for the Orange County Food Service Initiative from the Triangle Community Foundation. He stated that Jerry Kruter’s wife was looking into other foundations to pursue. It was suggested to request funds from the Town of Chapel Hill. Mr. Passmore handed out the Updated Food Service Phase-In Timeline. Preparation has started in submitting RFP bids as for outside caterer for Food Service for a minimum of 6 months and if no funds to prepare on site then extend outside service for the year. A desire is to begin serving food on washable dinnerware and that the Friends of both senior centers could provide the dinnerware. The goal is to eliminate paper plates, etc. There was discussion of charging for the meals. Mr. Passmore stated that there cannot be charges per meal and that donations only can be suggested. The average donation received now is $1.00. Commissioner Alice Gordon questioned the vision for the food service; move forward in preparing food on site. She recommended having an introductory statement before presenting the overview of the timeline. Leo Allison reported on the SportsPlex Advisory Committee meeting held on March 17. He stated that most of the meeting was touring the new renovations at the SportPlex and that there was a lot of activity. He said that there was also some discussion about limited use of the ballroom at the Central Orange Senior Center by outside groups when not in use by senior programs. There was also discussion regarding responsibility of maintenance of the grounds and pond. Mr. Passmore said that there would be a meeting with Pam Jones, County Central Services Director, to discuss some of the issues regarding the outside of the buildings such as access to the pond for fishing, trails around the pond with benches, review the traffic pattern around the circle, and some form of garden at the building entrances. Heather Altman, reporting on Triangle J Area on Aging, said that she had the opportunity to meet new Deputy Secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services, Ms. Maria Spaulding. She stated that Ms. Spaulding had a great interest in Long Term Care and that Ms. Spaulding would be visiting Carol Woods. There was some discussion of stimulus funds. Ms. Altman also reported that there was a lot of activity going on with the Community Resources Connections Project and that Ms. Sabrina Lee had visited Carol Woods. Ms. Altman said that some of the planning could be in implementation in six months. Responding to Mr. Lackey’s question regarding sustainability, Ms. Altman said that she was very positive about the sustainability of the plan. Due to Chair Lackey having to leave the meeting at 4:15 pm Vice-chair Fred Schroeder presided for the closing agenda items. Page 2 of 3 Mr. Passmore distributed FY 2009-2010 spreadsheets of the Annual Operating Budget Request-Revenues and Expenditures for each of the Department on Aging’s divisions reflecting the first cuts of 10% as requested by the County Manager. He also reviewed the Budget Summary showing the FY 2008-2009 Performance Highlights and the 2009-2010 Budget Impact resulting with the cuts. It was noted that more cuts were inevitable. Mr. Passmore also mentioned some of the projects that could be funded by the stimulus funds such as sites for park and ride lots for OPT. Commissioner Gordon had concerns that these projects were not shovel ready and that request for new buses was a better possibility. Bob Jones was asked to review any membership vacancies. He stated that Jerry Kruter would be completing his second term on June 30. Heather Altman and Haryo Marsosudiro would be completing unexpired terms on June 30 and are eligible for reappointments to their first full terms. Asked if they were willing to serve both responded that they would. Mr. Jones stated that he would notify BOCC staff. Mr. Jones also reported that Ms. Peggy Cohn was up for reappointment to a second term but discussion followed about her request for a leave of absence. Since the By-laws did not address such a request and that three consecutive absences, excused or not, could constitute a vacancy, Mr. Passmore instructed Bob Jones to contact the Clerk to BOCC to find out the procedure. Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:40 pm. Respectfully submitted, Jerry M. Passmore, Secretary Page 3 of 3