HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdvisory Board on Aging Minutes_3_11_2025Orange County Advisory Board on Aging
Tuesday, March 11, 1 – 3 pm
Passmore Center and Virtually
Minutes
In Attendance: Jackie Podger, Jeff Charles, Jerry Gregory, Daniel Leonard, Vibeke Talley,
GiGi Rashdi, Ann Bradford, Jon Wilner, Rachel Bearman, Sandy Walker, Joanne Wilson;
Absent with Notice: Tracey Holsinger, Sheila Evans; Guests: Rafael Velez; Staff: Janice
Tyler, Marilyn Hohl, Anshu Gupta, Ryan Lavalley, Dawn Smith
1. Welcome
2. Introductions and Announcements.
3. Approval of Minutes – February 11, 2025. Minutes were approved.
Director’s Report
4. Aging Board Report to the BOCC on March 11- Anne (representing this board), Janice
(representing Aging), and Jackie (representing the ACH NHC Adv. Comm.) will all be at the
BOCC meeting tonight.
5. Fit Lot Construction has begun- pushing for this to be ready for use by our Health &
Wellness Fair on May 1!
6. Serving our unsheltered community at the Seymour Center- Janice shared the growth of
unsheltered peoples spending time in Seymour who are not 55 and it has raised safety
concerns. SORAD will be walking through the building at night and on Saturdays for
support. Jeff asked if security was available. Janice said we are currently hiring an evening
desk assistant with the preference of someone who has done security. 40 applications
have been submitted, and they are being reviewed.
7. Orange County Government Academy – March 25- Community Relations program where
Aging will be presenting.
8. Kick-off of the All Ages All Stages Multi-Sector Aging Plan Implementation – April 1
9. Upcoming Events – Read Endless Possibilities for a full listing of programs. Below are
some highlights:
a. Orange County Senior Games –
Kick-off and SilverArt – March 20 4:30-6:30 p.m. Seymour Center
Track and Field events – March 22 Cedar Ridge High School
Senior Games Celebration Dinner – April 16 4:40 p.m. Seymour Center
Events all across the county over the coming weeks
b. Med Assist Event with Alliance Health, April 11 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Seymour Center
c. Dementia Basics Class at the Efland Cheeks Community Center April 1 ,8, 15, 22
from 10:30 – 12:30
d. Shred and Meds Disposal – Monday, April 7 from 9 – noon at Seymour Center and
Tuesday, April 8, 9-noon at Passmore Center
10. Janice shared a flyer for an AARP Age Friendly in Action: Insights and Ideas Forum
11. Fiddlehead Corner community rezoning was denied 6-0 votes. The group discussed
property tax increases for Orange County residents with the reevaluation. Dr. Wilson
brought up tax relief/caps on property tax depending on your county. Passmore and
Seymour will hold presentation with the Tax Office for knowledge on this topic. The group
said they would like to have the Tax Office present this info to our next Aging Board
meeting. Then the group discussed the general issues surrounding housing, cost of living,
and aging in Orange County.
2022-27 Master Aging Plan
12. Second Quarter Year 3 Reports
1. Social Participation and Inclusion
• Connection created with Refugee Community Partnership for resources and
collaboration on program opportunities.
• Nov 22- Aging Transitions staff presented at Refugee Community Partnership, the
presentation was translated into Burmese, Karen, and Arabic.
• OC Office of Equity and Inclusion created a list of interpreters, more specifically for
American Sign Language.
• Bilingual Mandarin Program Coordinator hired: Claire Chen started mid-November.
• Looking at Fall 2025 for presentations at the schools.
• Met informally with our direct contact with OC Schools and learned that this should
tie in with next year curriculum since this will be added to the state curriculum.
2. Transportation
• Updated the 2025 Transportation Guide, available online and in print.
• Tabling has been successful, What’s hAPPending in Transit and Transit 101
continuing into next quarter.
• Anne asked about our volunteer programs. Brandi says there are currently 2 drivers
and there are more volunteers working with Samantha to come on board. The ride
request gives information regarding if the driver needs to assist the person inside or
only drop off.
3. Communication and Information
• Labeled all AWT episodes in order on the AWT Radio Show webpage for ease of
access and organization.
• New Chinese Community Liaison & Program Coordinator has been hired, will
collaborate to restart E-life Chinese e-newsletter.
• Shared Press Releases to 75+ media contacts for our Intergenerational Day of the
Dead Carnival, How to Be A Trans Ally panel, and Hispanic Heritage Celebration.
• Sent 8 emergency e-newsletters for winter weather hours and closings, as well as
posted updates on Facebook, our website, and Google profile.
• Filmed R Place Program Video and Seymour/Passmore Centers Promotional Video
with TaleGate to highlight volunteer care partners and center program volunteers.
13. MAP Steering Committee Meeting – May 16. 9 am – 11 am.
New Business
14. FY 25-26 Budget
a. MAP Fund Balance Presentation to BOCC
I. Anne will represent the board tonight.
II. BOCC Business Meeting for Aging is next Tuesday, March 18.
III. The group discussed general county budget concerns, federal funding
cutting worries, and the effects of this decision for future potential donations
and funding.
b. Budget Meeting with County Manager
I. American Sign Language accessibility concern: interpreter is needed.
II. Alison Smith’s weekly hours rose from 30-40.
III. Hoping to move money for 10 homebound individuals’ meals to MOWOC.
Committee Progress Reports if needed:
15. Senior Tar Heel Legislature – Vibeke Talley, STHL Delegate and Rafael Velez, STHL
alternate delegate
a. Vibeke shared about the experience at the capital last Tuesday and Wednesday.
HB280 would allocate $30,000 to Senior Tar Heel Legislature if passed. HB59 is in the
senate for Homestead Tax Exception. HB343 would expand the ombudsman program
with 4 additional ombudsmen in NC. Tabling programs at each center will continue and
has had successful attendance.
16. Nursing Home and Adult Care Home Joint Community Advisory Committee – Jackie
Podger
a. Jackie shared Central Pines has not replaced Autumn Cox’s previous position. She is
speaking tonight at the BOCC. January meeting was held and now preparing for April
meeting. The committee is 10 people strong and holding.
17. Friends of the Passmore Center – Dawn shared that Friends is connecting to Backyard
Theatricals to do The Great Gatsby dinner show here at Passmore. They will also host the
Spring Market this season as a fundraiser.
18. Friends of the Seymour Center – Shelia Evans- absent.
Adjournment
Next meeting: April 8 from 1 – 3 p.m. at Seymour Center