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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board minutes 020910ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes February 9, 2010 PRESENT: Heather Altman, Leo Allison, Peggy Cohn, Alice Gordon, Steve Lackey, Haryo Marsosudiro, Thelma Perkins, Fred Schroeder, Janice Wells EXCUSED: Jan Wassel GUESTS: Joan Pellettier, Mike Symons, Pete Wehr STAFF: Kathie Kearns, Jerry Passmore The meeting was called to order by Chair Steve Lackey at the Seymour Center. The Chair acknowledged that the Department on Aging has been awarded the 2009 Ernest Messer Award for programs that exhibit outstanding work with North Carolina’s aging population. The NC Division of Aging and Adult Services Director Dennis Streets will present the Award at the February 16 Board of County Commissioners meeting and all Advisory Board members are invited to attend. He also announced that the Friends of the Central Orange Senior Center will hold its next Las Vegas Night fundraiser on February 20. Transportation will be provided from the Seymour Center. A motion was made by Leo Allison and seconded by Fred Schroeder that the minutes of the January 12 meeting be approved as mailed. Motion carried. Friends of Central Orange Senior Center Board member Pete Wehr summarized the efforts being made to access the pond on the Sportsplex property for fishing for seniors. Of foremost concern is the liability issue. The initial proposal includes a ‘catch and release’ policy for fishing. A dock with a railing is also an immediate proposal. The long range plan is for a park with a walking trail and benches around the pond. Mr. Wehr is in the process of preparing a plan to submit to the County officials for consideration. He is also working to secure private funding for the project. Heather Altman asked the projected cost for this project. No estimate has been made at this time. In his Director’s Report, Jerry Passmore reviewed the OPT operational statistics report for Fiscal Year 2008-09 that was presented to the County Commissioners at their February 4 meeting. He also informed the Advisory Board that OPT is developing a proposal to establish an intra-Hillsborough public route with funding provided from non- County sources. This proposal will be reviewed at an upcoming joint County-Town planning meeting. Alice Gordon asked for additional details to present at the joint meeting, such as how the daily costs were calculated, the expenses included in the indirect cost, and the difference between the actual costs and the maximum available funding listed in the project summary. Mr. Passmore indicated that more details on the proposed route will be given to the BOCC and Town of Hillsborough Council than what was distributed to the Aging Board. Mr. Passmore concluded his report by distributing updated population projections supplied by Triangle J. Under Old Business, the Chair reminded the Advisory Board of the previous meeting’s discussion around the naming of the Adult Day Health Program in honor of the Florence Soltys. A draft resolution was distributed with the meeting agenda. Mr. Passmore explained the importance of naming the program, not the building. Peggy Cohn offered a motion to name the adult day health program for Florence Gray Soltys. Fred Schroeder provided the second. Motion carried. The Chair offered to revise the proposal to submit with the resolution to the Board of County Commissioners. Chairman Lackey informed the Advisory Board that the Heather Altman and Jerry Passmore will make a presentation on the Community Resource Connections (CRC) to the Board of County Commissioners in the near future. Ms. Altman reported that implementation of the CRC continues. She announced that the official website has been launched. She also stated that the designation of Orange and Chatham Counties as a Person-Centered Hospital Discharge Planning Model was announced last week in Raleigh. Joan Pellettier added that this is in conjunction with the work being done with the Orange-Chatham CRC. Ms. Altman added that she, Mr. Passmore, and Ms. Pellettier will be attending a national conference on CRCs in Washington. Pete Wehr asked what actions had been taken during the recent weather crisis to care for seniors. Mr. Passmore summarized the Department’s work to prepare a special needs shelter, and provide transportation and telephone checks on ‘at-risk’ seniors. Thelma Perkins and Peggy Cohn noted the extra efforts made by staff at Carol Woods and long term care facilities respectively. The Chair asked if all homes were equally prepared. Discussion followed on the small family care homes and the Department of Social Services role in their preparation. The Chair asked for comments on the draft of the 2009 Annual MAP report, including priority objectives for 2010. Jerry Passmore proposed that the report be presented to the Commissioners at the March 2 meeting. He highlighted some of the accomplishments of the previous fiscal year, such as revising the operation of the Senior Lunch program and participating in the distribution of senior coupons for farmers’ market purchases. Peggy Cohn asked for information on the involvement of the faith community in the respite day care movement. Mr. Passmore announced an upcoming training at Duke to which all local congregations have been invited to participate. Pete Wehr expressed his concern about the outreach effort to the faith-based community to prepare for the “aging” of the population. Mr. Passmore responded with information about the outreach to the African- American community. Janice Wells reported on programming by a minister in another county for his senior members. Mr. Passmore concluded by stating that any new initiatives will have to be done with little or no funding. He summarized the three recommendations for 2010: conducting community assessments, developing a Wellness Center expansion concept plan, and starting a Hillsborough in-town bus route. Heather Altman voiced her support of the work presented in the Plan but asked if there could be more time allotted to review the material. The Chair responded that the current task is to endorse the three priorities for 2010. Ms. Altman urged further review of previous-stated initiatives. After further discussion, there was a motion that the draft plan be approved. It was Janice Wells provided the second. Motion carried. Peggy Cohn added her support to the idea of holding an Advisory Board retreat where items in the MAP Update could be reviewed in greater detail. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Jerry M. Passmore, Secretary