Aging Board Minutes 081412 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Roger Waldon of Clarion Associates presented an overview of the Southern Human Services Campus Master Plan process. The goal is a plan for the use of the 33 acre campus for the next 25 years, including buildings, parking and green space. Recommendations for the Master Plan will be made to the Board of County Commissioners at its August 21 meeting. The Chapel Hill Town Council will be briefed at its meeting on September 12. Advisory Board members raised questions about the Master Plan’s relationship to the development of Carolina North. The Chair introduced Terri Buckner from UNC-CH IT Services. She and UNC Telemedicine Manager Michael Young informed the Advisory Board about the Internet Connectivity Municipality Project which offers high speed internet access for the general public in the Chapel Hill area. These kinds of networks have unlimited possibilities for medical services, such as offering real-time conversations between physicians and homebound individuals. Ed Flowers raised the issue of access to medical records and also spoke to the need for the service beyond the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area. Ms. Buckner remarked that the MAP Update does not address the use of new technologies to meet community needs. Jan Wells and Ed Flowers volunteered to work with the UNC representatives to support this project. Janice Tyler informed the Advisory Board that the Commissioners were seeking items for their upcoming legislative agenda. Based upon the MAP objectives she suggested changes to the Homestead Exemption Act. The Senior Tar Heel Legislature priorities were also reviewed. A listing of the current Advisory Board on Aging membership was distributed which included two vacancies and two out-going members. A list of current applicants for appointment was also distributed. Two applicants who were present, Daniel Hatley and Richard White, were asked to introduce themselves. Mary Fraser summarized the activities of the two Public Health summer practicum students who have been assisting Janice Tyler in interviewing all Steering Committee members to determine MAP priorities and identify roles. At its July 23 Retreat the Advisory Board members reviewed the MAP objectives that would be their responsibility. The implementation plan being developed from this process will be reviewed at the next Advisory Board meeting on September 13. Many action items have already been accomplished or are in process, such as a liaison to the Orange Unified Transportation Board (Alex Castro), and a representative on the Village Projects organization (Jan Wells). Keith Cook volunteered to serve as liaison to the Housing Advisory Board and will contact Department Director Tara Fikes. Ms. Fraser stated that the Advisory Board on Aging will be responsible for overall implementation and evaluation of the Master Aging Plan. The Vice-Chair asked member to address questions and comments about the draft implementation plan to Ms. Fraser prior to the September Board meeting. Ed Flowers raised the issue of medical transportation for individuals in the rural areas of Orange County. He questioned the practicality of sending a bus to transport one person to an out-of-county destination. Jan Wells suggested utilizing medical resources closer to home. Mary Fraser stated that the Aging Transitions Program has Friend-To-Friend volunteers who may meet that need