HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Advisory Board Minutes 031114ORANGE COUNTY
ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING
Minutes
March 11, 2014
PRESENT: Virginia Brown, Alex Castro, Ed Flowers, Dan Hatley, Lorenzo Mejia, Donna Prather,
Dick White
EXCUSED: Leo Allison, Heather Altman, Keith Cook, Jean Suddarth
STAFF: Lance Hendrix, Kathie Kearns, Janice Tyler
The meeting was called to order at the Seymour Center by Vice-Chair Alex Castro. The minutes of the
February 11 were approved following the motion made by Dan Hatley and the second provided by Ed
Flowers. Mr. Flowers asked that a discussion of the upcoming Alive Inside film screening be added to
the agenda.
In her Director’s Report Janice Tyler announced that Triangle J Area Agency on Aging staff had found no
significant issues during their February monitoring visit. Arrangements have been made to include a
monthly column written by Department on Aging staff in the Chapel Hill News. The first Orange County
Government Expo will be held on April 4 at University Mall in Chapel Hill. Ms. Tyler stated that a
meeting with Emergency Services was cancelled due to bad weather. This prompted a discussion on the
power and communications outage at the Senior Centers that had occurred the previous Friday due to
the ice storm. The situation brought attention to the fact that the Seymour generator has never been
delivered. Dick White suggested that a letter be sent to the County Manager from this Advisory Board
requesting a status report on the generator installation. He also commended the new monthly column
for the Chapel Hill News and inquired if this would also be an option for the News of Orange.
In the first item of New Business Janice Tyler asked for volunteers for the Outside Agency Funding
application review. Alex Castro volunteered and suggested contacting Leo Allison. Kathie Kearns
distributed an overview of the Department on Aging’s Orange County budget request for FY 2014-15.
Ms. Tyler noted that one proposed budget change is the phase-out of the Corporation for National
Service federal funds for RSVP due to the overwhelming reporting requirements and the narrowed
options for volunteer priorities. Discussion followed on ways to utilize and support the volunteer
program. Ms. Tyler relayed a message from Keith Cook that the Orange ABC Board distributes funds to
non-profits and governmental entities for alcohol/drug abuse treatment, research or education.
She concluded by stating that the Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to begin review of the
proposed Capital Improvements Plan which includes handicapped access doors for the lower level and
Wellness Center entry to the Seymour Center.
The Master Aging Plan (MAP) Update began with an announcement that April 28 has been selected for
the first Project EngAGE graduation event marking the completion of the 13 week course. Janice Tyler
gave an overview of the course to date and the upcoming session. Dick White asked that the agendas
be shared with the Advisory Board. Discussion followed on identifying candidates for next year’s course
and changes to the curriculum. A formal evaluation will be conducted at the conclusion of the course.
Ms. Tyler added that the UNC Public Health Capstone Team ‘pitch day’ is Wednesday, March 19. If
selected, next year’s team will continue work with Project EngAGE. Dan Hatley suggested nominating
this year’s Capstone Team for the NC Planning Association award. The next Project EngAGE advisory
committee meeting is April 2.
Cherie Rosemond announced the March 18 speaker for the Aging In Community series, Dave Wann. A
breakfast gathering for interested developers, local elected officials and planning staff will be held the
next morning. Janice Tyler announced that proposals for four summer interns have been submitted to
UNC. Each student will work 240 hours on one of the MAP initiatives. Applications will not be limited to
School of Public Health students.
Ms. Rosemond gave a detailed presentation on the draft MAP Senior Housing Study, including
demographics and an inventory of current options (including costs and availability). Due to time
constraints the Vice Chair asked that this discussion be suspended to allow the report from the Chairs of
the Adult Care and Nursing Home Committees.
Dan Hatley summarized the development of the Music in My Mind initiative to date. Due to the
expansion of the subcommittee beyond Nursing Home and Adult Care Home Committee members and
the soliciting of donations to expand the project, Mr. Hatley recommended that this subcommittee
report directly to the Aging Advisory Board and be included in Committee Progress Reports. This
recommendation was approved. Alive Inside film screening and fundraiser events will be held at the
Seymour Center and Carol Woods. Ed Flowers then informed the Advisory Board that he had been
approached about scheduling a film screening at the Central Orange Senior Center. Following discussion
a motion was made by Dan Hatley and seconded by Ed Flowers that showings would be planned for
Central Orange and other locations that would be advertised in the next Senior Times if the upcoming
screenings are well received. Motion carried.
Returning to her presentation Cherie Rosemond reviewed nursing home and senior housing availability
in Orange County. Alex Castro suggested that the data from this report be shared with Habitat for
Humanity board members for their Brush With Kindness home improvement effort. This information
could also benefit congregations and in-home providers. Dick White requested that Advisory Board
members receive electronic copies of this presentation. Ms. Rosemond asked for feedback that would
improve the Housing Study prior to distribution. Mr. White suggested that each section of the report
include a summary. It was decided to defer further discussion of the Housing Study and its implications
for the future in Orange County to next month’s Advisory Board meeting.
Alex Castro reported that at the last Orange Unified Transportation Board meeting the proposal to
expand senior center transportation was placed on the funded new activities list for the Transit Tax
implementation plan. The Department on Aging is also proposing to use some of its MAP
implementation funding for a pilot southern Orange senior center route.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Tyler, Secretary