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1 ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes January 6, 2006 PRESENT: Jack Chestnut, Mildred Council, Bob Jones, Kathie Kearns, Jerry Kruter, Ellen Ozier-Hayes, Jerry Passmore, Fred Schroeder, Jan Wassel The meeting called to order at the Southern Human Services Center by Chair Jack Chestnut. Jerry Passmore reviewed the Preventive Home Visit Project that was approved at the December meeting. The grant application being developed by UNC Dept of Allied Health Services is the result of observations from the trip to Denmark that UNC and Dept on Aging staff made last year. Questions were raised about the level of direct service provided by the Project and the ‘single portal of entry’ to the service delivery system. By consensus the board approved of the project application to go forward to the Board of County Commissioners. Mr. Passmore distributed a draft of the Aging Board’s top priorities for Fiscal Year 2006-07 that will be submitted to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for consideration at their January 20 retreat. Chairman Chestnut asked if all Advisory Board members are serving on a Master Aging Plan (MAP) subcommittee. Bob Jones distributed the list of persons recently appointed by the County Commissioners to serve on the Central Orange Senior Center Design Committee. Fred Schroeder asked about the progress of the new Southern Orange Senior Center building since the groundbreaking in October. Suggestions for the list of accomplishments in the retreat document included completion of the Southern Orange Design Committee report, initiation of the MAP Update, and the Hillsborough Town Board’s support of the Section 202 Housing project. Jan Wassel inquired about the status of additional funding for the Senior Times. Discussion followed on the ways that board members receive input from the older citizens whom they represent. It was agreed that the Board will host ‘senior speak-outs’ annually as a mechanism to gather comments and distribute information. Recommendations were made on ways to reach insolated seniors such as advertising through churches. Concerns were also raised about the availability of affordable and appropriate housing for senior adults and developing strategies for the increasing problem of fixed incomes vs. escalating property taxes. Jerry Kruter suggested that the Homestead Exemption tax laws in this state may need to be revisited as a way to allow individuals to age in their own homes. Jan Wassel asked about the opening date for the new senior centers and the proposed staffing plans. Mr. Passmore cited the need for additional front desk staff for the computerized registration and scheduling system currently being implemented. Jack Chestnut reported that many activities at Carol Woods are staffed by the residents themselves. The Board reviewed the emerging issues listing on the draft input document, including the need for private funding for the fitness center and the property tax dilemma. A motion was made by Jerry Kruter and seconded by Fred Schroeder that Jerry Passmore incorporate the suggestions made into the document to be submitted to the BOCC at its January 20 retreat. Motion carried. Chairman Chestnut reported that members of the Triangle United Way Senior Issues Team had schedule conflicts with the new joint meeting time of the first Friday morning. It was suggested that the meeting date be changed to the first Thursday at 1:00 pm. Bob Jones will survey board members not present for their availability as to where to change date. He also reported that the meeting room at the Southern Human Services Center is available at that time.