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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Advisory Board Minutes 021114ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes February 11, 2014 PRESENT: Leo Allison, Virginia Brown, Alex Castro, Peggy Cohn, Ed Flowers, Dan Hatley, Donna Prather, Dick White EXCUSED: Heather Altman, Keith Cook, Lorenzo Mejia STAFF: Mary Fraser, Lance Hendrix, Kathie Kearns, Janice Tyler The meeting was called to order at the Central Orange Senior Center by Vice-Chair Alex Castro. Peggy Cohn was welcomed as a returning appointee to the Advisory Board. The minutes of the January 14 meeting were approved following a motion made by Ed Flowers and seconded by Ms. Cohn. Dan Hatley requested that consideration of a new long term care subcommittee of the Advisory Board be added to the agenda. Janice Tyler began her Director’s Report by announcing the success of the Central Orange Senior Center Fifth Year Anniversary Celebration held on January 31. She also informed the Advisory Board members that a Veteran’s Wall of Honor, painted by local artist David Sovero, was recently unveiled at the Seymour Center. Alex Castro asked if there were plans for something similar at Central Orange Senior Center. The Global Aging and Technology Summit at Carol Woods is the reason for the Chair’s absence today. Ms. Tyler reported that the OC Emergency Operations Framework is being updated. Mr. Castro asked about the generator promised for the Seymour Center. Discussion followed on the plans for emergency power at both Seymour and COSC. Inclement weather plans for Senior Center operations, meals and transportation were also reviewed. Triangle J Area Agency on Aging will be conducting its annual monitoring of the Department on Aging’s Home and Community Block Grant services February 19-21. The monitoring report of the findings will sent to the County Manager. Dan Hatley reported that the recent visit to Seymour by Glenwood Elementary School students enrolled in the Mandarin Chinese program was very successful. The Lunar New Year pageant performed by Chinese-speaking Seymour Center attendees was also well attended. The Department on Aging’s proposed budget for FY 14-15 will include requests for expansion of Saturday hours at Seymour, more meals, and repair/replacement funds for kitchen equipment at both locations. Ms. Tyler reported that the Capital Improvements Plan requests submitted by the Department on Aging outlined the need for expansion at both Senior Centers. The County Asset Manager has suggested a space study be conducted to document the need. Discussion followed about the additions needed for both programming and parking. Leo Allison asked if the Sportsplex expansion plans are available. Ms. Tyler noted that she has also mentioned to a couple Orange County Commissioners the possible inclusion of these needs in the upcoming bond. Mobility Manager Lance Hendrix summarized recent meetings with the Orange County Planning Department staff and other departments regarding the expansion of public transit options in rural Orange County. He distributed a draft letter of support for the OPT Service Expansion Recommendation Report for the Advisory Board’s consideration. Alex Castro reviewed the recommendations being made to the Board of County Commissioners for use of the Transit sales tax and noted that the addition of late afternoon return routes for Senior Center participants was ranked fifth in priority with an implementation date of July, 2016. After discussion it was decided that a draft memo listing the Aging Advisory Board’s support and concerns would be circulated and, after review and comment, be submitted with the report attached. Mary Fraser began the MAP Update by stating that the first Project EngAGE class has completed four of its thirteen weekly sessions. No graduation date has been set. The next Aging In Community forum will be held the following Tuesday at the Friday Center. A Capstone Team proposal has been submitted for the next academic year for continued development of the Project EngAGE curriculum. MAP funding is also targeted for four summer intern projects: Community Resource Guide update, Healthy Ideas physician marketing campaign, long term care direct care worker recognition, and housing forum interest group follow-up. Committee Progress Reports: • Alex Castro stated that there needs to be an effort to inform the public about transportation input sessions, such as the NCDOT District 7 meeting he attended in Greensboro. • In Keith Cook’s absence due to an out-of-town commitment, Janice Tyler distributed an article from the News & Observer about new affordable housing possibilities for Chapel Hill. Ed Flowers urged inclusion of Town of Hillsborough Planning Director Margaret Hauth in the upcoming Developers’ Breakfast invitation list. • The Carolina Villages launch has been rescheduled for February 26 at the Seymour Center. • Leo Allison announced that the Friends of the Central Orange Senior Center are assisting with the dinner theater scheduled for this weekend. • The Friends of the Seymour Center are sponsoring a trip to Costa Rica that departs in the morning. • Dan Hatley reported that the Adult Care Home Committee has full membership. He and Nursing Home Chair Ed Flowers proposed that the subcommittee working on implementation of the Music In My Mind project in Orange County begin reporting directly to the Advisory Board on Aging. With the potential for expansion beyond long term care facility residents it would appear a more suitable relationship. The Advisory Board approved the subcommittee restructuring by acclamation. • Alex Castro informed the Advisory Board that Chapel Hill-Carrboro Meals on Wheels is developing its 3-5 year strategic plan, which includes an inclement weather contingency plan. Discussion followed on the distinctions between Orange County’s two home delivered meals operations. Janice Tyler announced the retirement of Orange Public Transportation Supervisor Al Terry and the resignation of Chatham County Council on Aging’s Director Angel Dennison. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Janice Tyler Secretary