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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board minutes 031009 1 ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes March 10, 2009 PRESENT: Leo Allison, Alice Gordon, Ann Johnson, Jerry Kruter, Steve Lackey, Haryo Marsosudiro, Fred Schroeder, Jan Wassel, Steve Yuhasz EXCUSED: Heather Altman STAFF: Alvonia Baldwin, Kathie Kearns, Jerry Passmore The meeting was called to order at the Central Orange Senior Center by Chair Steve Lackey. He introduced County Commissioner Steve Yuhasz and Senior Tar Heel Legislature delegate Ann Johnson. The Chair announced that electronic invitations have been sent to the Aging Legislative Forum scheduled for March 23. He reported that Senator Joe Hackney will not be able to attend. The minutes of the February 11 meeting were approved upon the motion offered by Leo Allison and the second by Haryo Marsosudiro. Following member introductions, the Chair called for committee reports. Steve Lackey reported that the Friends of the Seymour Center have recently designated funding for an intern for the Senior Centers Administrator and for additional equipment needed to operate the Seymour Center kitchen. Ann Johnson expressed her concern that the word ‘senior’ is not included in the name of the Robert and Pearl Seymour Center. Jan Wassel stated that the research suggests that boomers are not attracted to the term senior center. Commissioner Yuhasz stated that the Board Of County Commissioners has recently adopted a policy requires that the function of a facility be included in its name. Haryo Marsosudiro reported for the Friends of the Senior Center for Central Orange that the recent Las Vegas Night fundraiser was a huge success with more than 340 tickets sold. The number of activities offered at the Center continues to grow. The consolidation of the Efland and Cedar Grove Communities into the new Central Orange location has been accomplished. Mr. Marsosudiro noted that the Central Orange Senior Center took 10 years to come to completion. More than 350 persons attended the grand opening. Jerry Passmore added that the older population in Orange County is projected to double by the year 2020. He stressed the need for an adult day health program co- located with the Seymour Center in southern Orange County. Jan Wassel asked if senior center participants sign a release as part of their registration. Central Orange Adult Day Health Program Director Alvonia Baldwin reported that three new participants have enrolled since moving to the new facility. The current maximum daily attendance is twelve. Recent donations have included two flat screen televisions and a WII Fit game. Ms. Baldwin reported that she travels with the contract nurse to do client assessments in the home. Leo Allison asked about the staffing for the Adult Day 2 Health program with the increased participation. Ms. Baldwin responded that the C.N.A. position has increased to 1.5fte. Jerry Passmore added that plans are underway to change the kitchen design to increase the licensed maximum number of participants to 29. The Chair gave a report on the recent work of the Food Service Innovations Committee. The next meeting will be held on March 18. Commissioner Yuhasz asked about the inclusion of locally-grown foods in the project plans. Jan Wassel cautioned that the project must be cost-effective. Ann Johnson suggested establishing senior housing in proximity to the senior centers. This provides a pool of senior workers for the kitchen. Commissioner Gordon asked for a status report on the kitchen project. Jerry Passmore summarized the options, stating that a private caterer may be utilized until a kitchen can be staffed and made operational. This is contingent upon realizing sufficient funding. Local caterers will be considered in addition to the current contractor who prepares and ships food from Fayetteville. Ms. Gordon asked if current revenues are confirmed for next year. Mr. Passmore replied that available United Way funding is already known to be less than the current level. The Chair asked Ann Johnson to lead the discussion of plans for the upcoming Aging Legislative Forum on March 23. Ms. Johnson reported that her role will be to address the need and strategies for advocacy. She asked the Aging Board to review the agenda proposed for the March 23 meeting. Fred Schroeder provided the motion and Jan Wassel the second to approve the agenda. Motion carried. The next item for review was the 2009 Aging Legislative Priorities as compiled by the NC Division of Aging. Leo Allison moved that the Advisory Board approve the legislative priority listing for Orange County as presented by the Aging Legislative Workgroup. Jan Wassel provided the second. Under discussion, Item #5 was recommended to be made a priority by Ms. Wassel. Mr. Allison asked for further clarification. Following discussion and call for question, Commissioner Gordon suggested that a cover sheet be developed to gives explanation to the information included on the matrix. The document to be distributed on March 23 could list only the Orange County Advisory Board on Aging approved priorities. Ms. Wassel also suggested that some items be grouped together, such as those relating to Medicaid. Fred Schroeder asked if the numerical listing is in priority order and, if not, that should be addressed in the cover sheet. Ms. Gordon asked for clarification of the purpose of the Forum. Ms. Wassel asked that the Orange County priorities be split between community-based and long term care issues. Ms. Gordon urged the Advisory Board to submit any priorities in ample time for Board of Commissioner consideration in early April. Mr. Allison offered to amend his motion to exclude certain priorities where questions had been raised. Jan Wassel suggested moving forward with the legislative priority list as proposed by the Workgroup with further clarification in the future. The motion was approved with one member opposed. Chairman Lackey asked Commissioner Gordon to present the approved legislative listing at the upcoming Forum. She asked for clarification of the Forum’s purpose. After further discussion it was determined that the Forum is for information-sharing only. Commissioner Gordon responded that the Advisory Board Chair would be best suited to 3 present the priority list and she will address what the County Commissioners will do with this information. She could include information on the key state legislators to contact. Due to the time, the discussion of the proposed budget cuts was deferred to a future meeting. Commissioner Yuhasz stated that the Board of County Commissioners should receive a priority list of the proposed County department expense cuts. The Commissioners are committed to maintaining permanent positions. Commissioner Gordon added that decreased property tax revenue decrease will mean deeper budget cuts. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Jerry M. Passmore, Secretary