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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board minutes 110910 1 ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING DRAFT Minutes November 9, 2010 PRESENT: Heather Altman, Alexander Castro, Peggy Cohn, Ed Flowers, Mary Fraser, Haryo Marsosudiro, Mike Symons, Janice Wells EXCUSED: Leo Allison, Steve Lackey, Thelma Perkins STAFF: Kathie Kearns, Janice Tyler The meeting was called to order at the Central Orange Senior Center by Chair Heather Altman. Following introductions, the Chair welcomed Mary Fraser and Mike Symons as newly-appointed Advisory Board members. A motion was made by Ms. Fraser and seconded by Peggy Cohn that the minutes of the October 12 meeting be approved as distributed. Motion carried. In her Director’s report Janice Tyler informed the Advisory Board that the Orange County Human Resources Department is preparing to post the department director job vacancy. She has suggested that Area Agency on Aging Director Joan Pellettier be invited to be on the selection committee along with several department heads. The Board expressed interest in recommending persons to be involved, such as Steve Lackey and Jack Chestnut. Ms. Tyler will relay this information to Human Resources. Ms. Tyler reported that the County Manager had responded to the Advisory Board’s recommendation for renaming the Central Orange Senior Center in honor of retired Director Jerry Passmore. Referring to the County’s facility naming policy, Frank Clifton’s letter noted that a person must make a significant financial contribution or be deceased to qualify for this honor. He suggested that a portrait and plaque may be a suitable alternative recognition. Discussion followed on the facility naming policy. Ms. Tyler offered to request clarification on the amount of financial contribution that is considered significant. Janice Tyler reminded the Advisory Board that the next issue of the Senior Times, available next week, will not be mailed to individual homes. The Herald Sun is supplying distribution boxes at locations throughout the community identified by the Department on Aging. Volunteers are needed to be responsible for seeing that the boxes are supplied with the newspapers and tracking the number of papers distributed. Additional locations are also being recruited. A list of current locations was circulated. In response to a request made at the October meeting, Janice Tyler proposed that a task force on long term care issues be established. The Triangle J Ombudsperson for Orange County will be invited to attend. Mary Fraser and Jan Wells confirmed their interest in participating. The first meeting will be held on November 30 at 3:30 pm. 2 Kathie Kearns provided an update on the proposed meal rate increase for the Senior Lunch program. She reported that the Area Agency on Aging staff had been informed of the rate increase and commented that the cost was still within range of similar programs. An amendment to the Nantucket Café, Inc. contract reflecting the $4.50 cost has been placed on the consent agenda for the November 16 Board of County Commissioners meeting. Janice Tyler reviewed some of the changes being implemented to operate within the current budget: limit meals served per day to a 135 average, place new participants on waiting lists, discontinue meals for out-of-county guests. She also stated that, while the per-meal donations from Central Orange Senior Center remain consistent at $.64, the October average for the Seymour Center has dropped to $.35 per meal. Discussion followed on ways to increase contributions, how to prioritize meal recipients, and other sources of revenues to offset this cost increase. Janice Tyler stated that each of Orange County’s advisory boards has been asked to complete a summary of accomplishments and tasks for the last year and goals for the future. This information will be submitted to the Board of County Commissioners for its use at the upcoming planning retreat in early 2011. She referred to the most recent Master Aging Plan Annual Report that includes recommendations for future action. The Board members listed recent achievements, such as the 30th Anniversary recognition ceremony, participation in the community resource fair, supporting recognition of the Department’s Ernest Messer Award, implementation of the Farmers’ Market voucher program, support of both Friends organizations, and support of a new public bus route for Hillsborough. Their list of tasks included: leadership in the development and implementation of the CRC (Community Resource Connection), support of the changes in the Senior Lunch program (such as going green), renaming the Senior Care adult day health program, monitoring the Master Aging Plan (MAP), representation on the Senior Tar Heel Legislature and the Area Agency on Aging advisory committee, and cross membership with the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee. Board members offered the following suggestions for inclusion in the goals for the upcoming year: activation of the Advisory Board’s Legislation/Advocacy and Service Planning/Coordination subcommittees, establishment of a Long Term Care Task Force, more focus on services for the frail elderly, and stronger connection with the Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee. Janice Tyler asked about including the MAP goal of conducting community assessments utilizing UNC School of Public Health students and senior volunteers. She also suggested including the support of the Mood, Memory and Mobility clinic recently discontinued due to the loss of funding. Discussion followed on the benefits of holding a Board retreat to review this list of goals more thoroughly as well as assess the progress made with MAP goals and objectives. Peggy Cohn cautioned that the Advisory Board should be preparing for the next Master Aging Plan update. After further discussion, the Chair identified the two tasks at hand as follows: - Prepare the goals document to submit for the County Commissioners retreat - Review the current Master Aging Plan goals and objectives in preparation for the next update 3 The Chair asked Ms. Tyler to propose a timetable for accomplishing these goals. It was agreed that anyone interested in working on the BOCC retreat document would meet the following Wednesday afternoon. The draft document will be sent to all Advisory Board members for their review prior to submission. The work session to review the Master Aging Plan’s goals and objectives was set for Tuesday, December 7. The goal is to draft the 2010 MAP Annual Report and strategize for the future. All members were encouraged to review the current document in preparation for this meeting. The two candidates for Advisory Board appointment were excused and their applications were reviewed. A motion made by Peggy Cohn and seconded by Mary Fraser to recommend Alexander Castro and Ed Flowers was approved. This recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners Clerk. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Janice I. Tyler Interim Secretary