Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Advisory Board Minutes 101414ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes October 14, 2014 PRESENT: Heather Altman, Virginia Brown, Alex Castro, Peggy Cohn, Keith Cook, Teri Driscoll, Lorenzo Mejia, Donna Prather, Jack Vogt, Dick White EXCUSED: Ed Flowers STAFF: Mary Fraser, Kathie Kearns, Janice Tyler The meeting was called to order at the Seymour Center by Chair Heather Altman. Peggy Cohn announced that long-time Advisory Board member Thelma Perkins had passed away the previous week and a memorial service is planned for November 8 at the Unitarian Community Church. Teri Driscoll stated she was representing Ed Flowers at today’s meeting while he recuperates at Brookshire from his recent surgery. The Chair welcomed Jack Vogt who has been appointed to represent the Adult Care Home committee on this Advisory Board, replacing Dan Hatley. The minutes of September 9 were approved following the motion offered by Peggy Cohn and the second by Alex Castro. Dick White asked that review of Senior Tar Heel Legislature information be added to the agenda. In her Director’s Report Janice Tyler announced that new County Manager Bonnie Hammersley had visited both Senior Centers in September and also met with the current Project EngAGE class. She also revealed that the Department’s Chinese-speaking social worker, ZhenZhen Yu, has been granted a two- year work visa. Ms. Tyler informed the Advisory Board of the UNC Public Policy Department student project to facilitate the transfer of the Department’s volunteer division from federal to local funding. She also reported that Orange County has been granted a 25 year special use permit for the Southern Human Services Complex future development. Discussion followed on the impact that the 2016 Bond Referendum could have on the Seymour Center’s expansion. Ms. Tyler announced that a Japanese delegation interested in housing options for older adults will be visiting Orange County in early November. The Aging In Stride 5K fundraiser, sponsored by the UNC Pharmacy Student Association to benefit the Aging Transition clients, will be held on November 1. Galloway Ridge’s Goats on Parade fundraiser will be November 14. Ms. Tyler concluded her report with a Project EngAGE class update. The first item of New Business was membership appointments. Janice Tyler stated that both Keith Cook and Donna Prather were recently reappointed to a second term on the Advisory Board on Aging. Jack Vogt was appointed to represent the Adult Care Home Committee. Staff has reviewed the applications on file and recommend Mary Altpeter and Winston Liao be nominated to fill the two remaining Advisory Board vacancies. Both candidates have been contacted and expressed willingness to serve. A motion was made by Peggy Cohn and seconded by Keith Cook to recommend these persons to the Board of County Commissioners for appointment. Following discussion the motion was approved. The Advisory Board also considered a change in the current meeting time but decided to retain its current 1:00pm-3:00pm schedule. It was agreed that Annual Report to the Board of County Commissioners will be drafted by staff and reviewed at the November 11 Advisory Board meeting. Dick White reported on his attendance at Orange County Justice United’s Affordable Housing training at New Hope. A follow-up meeting is planned for November. Alex Castro attended a session in Carrboro where the Section 8 landlord shortage was discussed. Janice Tyler added that Community Home Trust is advertising affordable housing units for sale. Virginia Brown asked if Hillsborough had an affordable housing requirement for new developments. Discussion followed on the escalating rental price for Carolina Springs senior apartments. Mr. White also stated that Division of Aging and Adult Services Director Susan Merrill presented a legislative update at the recent Senior Tar Heel Legislature meeting. The summary of her presentation will be sent to this membership. Ms. Tyler announced that the 2% reduction in the Home and Community Care Block Grant funds available for the current fiscal year will be offset by the percentage increase of the State’s older adult population who resides in Orange County. Mr. White announced that a mentoring program is being developed to train new STHL delegates on effective lobbying techniques. Heather Altman added that members of this Advisory Board serve a similar advocacy function with local-elected officials. Mary Fraser reviewed progress made in implementation of the Master Aging Plan during the previous three months. Highlights included: • Implementation of the Department’s communications plan; launching its Facebook page. • Planning for a Faith Community seminar to be held on March 5, 2015 at Central Orange Senior Center; Heather Altman added Carol Woods is hosting a Faith and Health workshop, based upon the Memphis model, on November 19. • Options for outreach to Orange County primary physicians are being researched by a Masters of Public Health candidate this semester. • Senior Housing expo will be held at the Seymour Center on October 25, an early voting Saturday. • Transportation action items including Bingham Township service and volunteer driver recruitment are under consideration; OPT service expansion is slated for early 2015 and routes can be adjusted to meet requests for service. • Project EngAGE graduates are exploring options for expansion of home-delivered meal delivery in northern Orange County. • Expanding the Caregiver Day Out service to community facilities is being promoted; 1st Baptist Church in Chapel Hill is a possible expansion site. • Health promotion classes have been initiated at New Hope Presbyterian Church utilizing the Department’s student intern; the Schley Grange will consider beginning a class in their facility at their next meeting. • Long Term Care quality service awards were presented in September; the Learning Collaborative will hold a planning meeting on October 22 at which time the service award winners will give a presentation on their initiatives to improve quality of service; plans are being made to expand Music and Memory to community residents. The Chair asked that Committee Progress Reports be placed first on the November agenda since time was not available today. The meeting was adjourned with the next meeting to be held at Central Orange Senior Center on November 11. Respectfully submitted, Janice Tyler, Secretary