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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board minutes 080809 1 ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes September 7, 2009 PRESENT: Leo Allison, Heather Altman, Peggy Cohn, Alice Gordon, Haryo Marsosudiro, Thelma Perkins, Fred Schroeder, Janice Wells, Steve Yuhaz EXCUSED: Steve Lackey, Jan Wassel GUESTS: Mike Symons STAFF: Bob Jones, Kathie Kearns, Jerry Passmore The meeting was called to order by Past Chair Fred Schroeder. He introduced Mike Symons as an applicant for a Board vacancy. Following introductions, Jerry Passmore invited Board members to attend a retirement reception for Bob Jones on September 18 at the Central Orange Senior Center. Mr. Passmore explained the current arrangement to promote the use of Farmers Market vouchers by inviting the Carrboro and Hillsborough markets to set up at the senior centers one day each month. Other Farmers Markets are invited to obtain state certification for the vouchers and establish a day to be available at the senior centers. State-issued vouchers are good for fresh produce only. Voucher recipients must be a registered Senior Lunch Program participant with limited income. A motion was made by Peggy Cohn and seconded by Heather Altman that the minutes of the June 9 meeting be approved as distributed. Motion carried. Thelma Perkins reported for the Friends of the Seymour Center. She announced the continued success of the Sunday Concert Series and the possibility of changing strategies. The Friends’ revenues are supporting the purchase of window treatments, changes in the food service program, and staff coverage during evening hours. Haryo Marsosudiro reported for the Friends of Central Orange that the changes in the lunch program have been very well received. He listed new programs being offered at the Central Orange Senior Center. He announced the upcoming Harvest Moon Ball fundraiser. The Las Vegas Night fundraiser has been scheduled for February, 2010. Leo Allison stated that the Friends spent over $30,000 last year in support of the Central Orange Senior Center. He projected $14,000 will be spent in the current fiscal year. The majority of the money comes from fundraising activities. He listed some of the items that the Friends have and will purchase. The Chair praised both Friends organizations for their work on behalf of the senior centers. 2 Jerry Passmore reported for the Central Orange Adult Day Health Program. He announced that the Health Department has finally certified the program for 29 daily participants. Effective next week, 20 persons will be enrolled. He shared his vision of a similar day health program being co-located with the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill. He outlined the current regulations that prohibit adult day care enrollees from participating in senior center activities without staff or volunteer supervision. A request for a 6,000 square foot addition to the Seymour Center for day care was included in the Capital Improvements Plan request several years ago. Thelma Perkins suggested that the Friends of the Seymour Center Board be made aware of this challenge. Alice Gordon stated that a model for co-located programs exists in the exceptional children service network. Ms. Gordon suggested that a subcommittee be formed to research the legislative changes needed for adult day care and present a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for inclusion in its upcoming legislative agenda. The Chair asked Mr. Passmore to coordinate this effort. Leo Allison announced that the Friends of the Central Orange Senior Center are exploring the possibility of sponsoring bingo as a fundraiser. He reported that the Triangle Sportsplex Advisory Committee is working on the issue of parking as well as the traffic pattern in front of the facility. Heather Altman reported on the activity of the Triangle J Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council. July’s meeting was an orientation for new members. Joan Pellettier has notified Ms. Altman that there is one Orange County vacancy on the Council. Ms. Altman reviewed the origin of the Community Resources Connections (CRC) program. Start-up funds were awarded to Chatham and Orange Counties last year. The program will officially be launched in November. A draft summary of the local program was reviewed. The goal is to minimize confusion and maximize choice in seeking services for older adults. An upcoming meeting with the County Information Technology Department will explore ways to share information electronically. Janice Wells suggested exploring a similar system for information sharing established by the Health Department for inoculations records. Jerry Passmore informed the Advisory Board that the County Commissioners accepted the Friends of the Seymour Center’s offer to provide funding for the Facility Manager for two evenings per week. Commissioner Yuhaz stated that two factors impacted the Board’s decision: this would not guarantee County funding for this effort in the next budget cycle, and there was equity of service between both senior center locations. Commissioner Gordon added that the equity question was resolved by the fact that two- thirds of Orange County seniors live in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area and that the Seymour Center is open to all Orange County seniors. Fred Schroeder summarized that the Friends will provide the funding for this year with neither party committing beyond June 30, 2010. Ms. Gordon noted that, when a program cannot be replicated at both centers, transportation is available. 3 Due to the absence of the Chair, Mr. Schroeder recommended that the election of Chair/Vice-Chair and committee appointments be postponed until the next meeting. Jerry Passmore reviewed the changes made to the senior lunch program since its administration was transferred to the Department on Aging July 1, highlighting the use of real dishes, glasses and linen napkins. The meals are available to seniors for a donation; guests are charged $4.00. Effective September 1, reservations are required. Bob Jones distributed the most recent listing of Advisory Board on Aging membership, including appointment of new members Cohn and Wells. One at-large vacancy remains. He stated that Lloyd Little has removed his name from consideration. Mr. Jones also distributed the list of applicants on file with the Commissioners Clerk. After thanking Mike Symons for his interest, the Chair reviewed the applicants currently on file with the Commissioners’ Clerk. A motion was made by Heather Altman to invite all applicants to the next Advisory Board meeting and postpone making a recommendation for the vacancy until after that time. A second was offered by Peggy Cohn. Motion carried. Jerry Passmore announced that Bob Jones’ position will not be filled at this time and some of his duties will be distributed among existing staff in order to reduce costs. He also reviewed the proposed changes in the custodial staffing service at the Seymour Center and his counter-proposal for a 10:00am to 7:00pm shift. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned with the next meeting scheduled for October 13. Respectfully submitted, Jerry M. Passmore Secretary