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1 <br /> <br /> <br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING <br /> <br />Minutes <br />February 10, 2015 <br /> <br />PRESENT: Mary Altpeter, Alex Castro, Peggy Cohn, Keith Cook, Ed Flowers, Winston Liao, <br />Lorenzo Mejia, Donna Prather, Jeane Suddarth, Jack Vogt, Dick White <br />EXCUSED: Heather Altman, Virginia Brown <br />GUEST: Dan Hatley, Ashley Moncado <br />STAFF: Mary Fraser, Kathie Kearns, Eileen Nilsen, Janice Tyler <br /> <br /> <br />The meeting was called to order at the Seymour Center by Vice Chair Alex Castro. The minutes <br />of the January 13 meeting were approved following the motion made by Keith Cook and the <br />second provided Ed Flowers. <br /> <br />Planning Department representative Ashley Moncado presented the proposed Orange County <br />ordinance on temporary health care structures. She stated that State legislation was passed <br />and each County must adopt as is or further restrict. Discussion followed on details of the <br />legislation for these dwellings and how they differ from other types of non-permanent <br />structures. Ms. Moncado concluded with the timeline for public review and the final <br />consideration by the Board of County Commissioners, scheduled for April 7. <br /> <br />Former Advisory Board member Dan Hatley presented a proposal for a senior and special needs <br />housing zoning amendment. This request is the result of a restriction in the size of free- <br />standing structures on residential property in Chapel Hill. If approved the square foot limit <br />would be increased from 700 to 1,000. After discussion the Advisory Board accepted this as <br />information and is interested in continuing to follow this issue. <br /> <br />Mobility Manager Eileen Nilsen presented the newly-proposed Orange Public Transportation <br />(OPT) ADA paratransit plan. She summarized the door-to-door service that will now be <br />available through OPT for those unable to access public fixed routes outside the Chapel <br />Hill/Carrboro Transit service area. Residents within ¾ mile of the Hillsborough Circulator and <br />the North-South Shuttle are now eligible for the service if need is verified by a physician. The <br />charge is limited to twice the per-trip fee. A public hearing on the service expansion will be <br />held on February 12. Ed Flowers expressed concern about the length of the ride on the <br />Circulator from the Central Orange Senior Center to Eno Haven apartments. A change in the <br />route to accommodate these residents has not yet been implemented. Ms. Nilsen will <br />investigate. She also announced that she is initiating a volunteer driver program aimed at <br />meeting the older adults’ needs that cannot be met solely by public transportation. <br />A summary of the Department on Aging’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2105-16 was <br />distributed and reviewed.