HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdvisory Board on Aging Minutes 03 12 2024 Orange County Department on Aging
Advisory Board on Aging Meeting
MINUTES
Tuesday, March 12, 2024; 10 a.m. — 12 noon
Seymour Center Hybrid
In Attendance: Colin Austin. Rachel Bearman, Ann Bradford, Jeff Charles,Jerry Gregory, Jackie Podger, Vibeke
Talley, Dick White, Shelia Evans, representing the Friends of Seymour; Staff: Brandi Beeker, Leiha Edmonds,
Ryan Lavalley, Kim Lamon-Loperfido, Kendall McMillan, Cydnee Sims, and Janice Tyler.
Absent: Sandy Walker, James Harris
Guests: John Wilner, Board applicant
1. Welcome
a. Ann, filling in for Colin, welcomed everyone.
2. Introductions and Announcements
a. John Wilner joined us for the meeting. He has applied to be on the board. He is the former
director of the ArtsCenter in Carrboro.
3. Approval of Minutes— February 12, 2024
Director's Report
1. Opportunities to give input on transit services [Brandi]
a. Biden put 138.3 million dollars into budget to fund the north-south BRT for Chapel Hill
b. OC Short Range Transit Plan Outreach Sessions
i. Next 5-year plan, working with consultants to launch short-range survey—survey goes
through 3/31 (online) with pop up events to reach more residents with survey
1. March 19: Seymour Center, 11 a.m. — 1 p.m.
2. March 19: Passmore Center, 3—5 p.m.
c. MPO Coordinated Public Transit - Human Services Transportation Plan Input Sessions—
Workshops
i. Want feedback from older adults and people with disabilities
ii. Also will have separate workshops for rural. These workshops [dates below] focus on
the towns:
1. March 18: Passmore Center, 1—3 p.m.
2. March 20: Seymour Center, 9— 11:30 a.m.
3. Zoom meeting in April
d. Opportunity in both sessions to advocate for age-friendly and expanded transit
2. All Ages All Stages— Multi-sector Aging Plan for NC
a. Big meeting last week for leaders (including Janice) to present to all groups
b. Having a listening session at upcoming NCAOA conference—want to get more voices into the
process
c. Sending plan back to workgroup leaders to revise and submit to the governor by May 2, 2024
3. Preparing for CPAAA Annual Monitoring visit—April 11-12
a. Monitoring everything, including spending of ARPA funds
b. Anticipating issues with the lunch program because of challenges with the caterer
c. Lunch program will discontinue takeaway meals after ARPA funds end in December or possibly
earlier if all the funds have been spent.
d. OCDoA pays $7 a meal to the caterer. We are anticipating an increase with the bidding of the
new contract, as a result of the rising food costs.
4. Input needed for 2024-28 Area Agency on Aging Plan www.centralpinesnc.gov
a. Shared printed copies at meeting
5. Two presentations accepted for the NC Association Aging Conference this week
a. Aging Well Together Radio Show
b. R Place Caregiver Respite Program
Janice will also be presenting as part of the All Ages All Stages Multi-sector Aging Plan Opening Session
New Business
6. FY 24-25 Budget
a. Outside Agency Application reviewed and scorecard submitted—thanks to the board members
who assisted with the scoring.
b. Six additional food related organizations' applications reviewed by Aging Director and other
county department directors.
c. Several temporary positions will be moving to permanent status
i. Permanent non benefited positions under 19 hours a week
d. Meeting with the county manager— March 28
i. Major request is for Endless Possibilities to cover rising cost [15-20k to continue
publishing with McClatchy]
ii. We are exploring other printing and design options.
iii. The outdoor fitness area was funded in CIP to be built in 2024 has been removed from
funded projects. There is a possibility that the department could cover half of the cost
through $75K of ARPA funds + $25K MAP funds and the county would fund the
remaining $100,000 for unspent capital project funds.
iv.
2022-27 Master Aging Plan
7. Second Quarter Year 2 Reports
a. Outdoor Spaces and Building
• Talked about inviting additional organizations to workgroup.
• Focus on improving education and outreach through partners.
• Park programming events having good attendance.
• Discussion of multicultural events— Ex. EnoFest returns in 2024.
• AARP challenge grant— Invited staff person working in CH working on that to join the workgroup.
• Gold Park will be next focus in Endless Possibilities.
• Spring brings more outdoor space beautification and outdoor events.
• Getting new outdoor storage building
• Chapel Hill bus stops have been upgraded with new shelters that include public art and bike stations.
• Identified meditation places for caregivers— nature preserve spotlights.
• Eno River association connecting on trail and walking events for older adults—align with their
accessibility audit and guided hikes.
b. Housing
• Education and outreach focus— presentation on affordable housing and searching for housing and
roommates [15 attendees]
• Office of Equity and Inclusion co-sponsored with us a Fair Housing workshop—included presentation on
federal and Orange County guidelines. Includes people over 40 as a protected class. 8-9 people
attended. Interest in seeing this offered at the Passmore Center.
• ADU event to be held again at Passmore in April
• Job description for MPA student researching policy and advocacy— have received first applicants.
• Orange County Homes Preservation Coalition —OC Housing moving to a 3-year contract
• Chapel Hill interest in housing bond for$50 million to support affordable housing.
• Home repair expansion — Hope Renovations expanding to Wake County
• Handy Helper Program— New staff person in Volunteer Connect 55+
• Interest from state to move OCHPC model to across NC—OC is a model for other counties.
• OCAHC—ask BOCC to consider set aside fund for last resort home repair fund. Asking for$2 million
through CIP—sharing data with BOCC on capacity.
c. Community Supports and Health Services
• New data collection tool—first quarter using the online tool, volunteer helping partner orgs learn how
to use the form. Allows for more uniform data collection process.
• Lessons learned revealing which partners are engaged in MAP.
• The entire Aging Transitions team trained in AAA AOTA program for car fit—expanding to 3x a year
• Hoarding task force offered three community education events in the last quarter [goal is 2 a year]
• Student is working on a resource guide for hoarding taskforce.
• Class six of Project Engage graduated 13 new senior leaders.
• Increase in new volunteers and hours spent volunteering.
• Handy Helpers presentations have increased.
Committee Progress Reports if needed:
8. Senior Tar Heel Legislature— Dick White/Vibeke Talley
a. Standing committees and issue committees are meeting regularly
b. Push for 30K from legislature to fund the work of the STHL
9. Nursing Home and Adult Care Home Joint Community Advisory Committee—Jackie Podger
a. The committees have moved to paperless reporting
b. Seeking speakers and field trip sites
10. Friends of the Passmore Center
a. Spring market 5/4 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
b. Easter egg hunt at Efland
11. Friends of the Seymour Center—Shelia Evans
a. Contributed funds to offset cost of new sound system at Seymour Center
b. Cookbook is ongoing to be completed in 2025
c. Sponsoring Google workshop 4/13 from 9a-11a focused on protecting from scamming
presented by the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Alumni group (pg 49 of EP). Can register through
Seymour Center front desk
Adjournment
Next meeting: April 9 from 1:00—3 p.m.—Passmore Center&Virtual