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10 <br /> <br />with administrators, who are asked how they view quality of life. She said the administrators 1 <br />report that the high staff turnover greatly impacts quality of life. 2 <br />Vibeke Tally said two of the nursing homes have turned over their overall administration, 3 <br />which is difficult. She said the Committee is not just focusing on facilities, but is also working 4 <br />with community projects, such as Project Engage. She said there are two Committee members 5 <br />who are part of a long term care task group. She said this group is focusing on reestablishing 6 <br />the friendly visitor program in the nursing homes; where trained volunteers visit with residents, 7 <br />help with activities, etc. 8 <br />Vibeke Tally said a new nursing home will open on Legion Road in Chapel Hill in the 9 <br />coming year, which is owned by Liberty Healthcare, and will bring the total number of nursing 10 <br />homes in Orange County to 5. 11 <br />Commissioner Jacobs referred to administrators expressing frustration over staff 12 <br />turnover, and asked if a living wage is paid. 13 <br />Vibeke Tally said no. 14 <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked if the BOCC can help the Committee to encourage the 15 <br />payment of a living wage, otherwise the cycle of staff turnover will continue. 16 <br />Vibeke Tally said the BOCC could write to the corporations who own the nursing homes. 17 <br />Commissioner Jacobs said he wrote letters as the Chair, and imagines that the current 18 <br />Chair would also be willing to do so. 19 <br />Vibeke Tally said it was very helpful. 20 <br />Chair Dorosin asked if the letters were related to wages. 21 <br />Commissioner Jacobs said no, rather about quality and standards of care. 22 <br />Commissioner Burroughs said she was going to bring up the same issue, and said she 23 <br />has met many nursing assistants in recent years, and the living wage is critical to prevent 24 <br />turnover. 25 <br />Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the pay level is known. 26 <br />Vibeke Tally said minimum wage to begin with, and some go up from there with time. 27 <br />Commissioner Marcoplos asked if Liberty Health is an insurance company. 28 <br />Vibeke Tally said it is a healthcare company. 29 <br />Commissioner Jacobs said the County’s contracts for in home health aides require that 30 <br />a living wage be paid, and this could be used as an example to show the healthcare companies 31 <br />of how to keep staff and provide consistent care for the elderly. 32 <br />Chair Dorosin asked if the Committee has reached out to the Animal Shelter to bring in 33 <br />animals to visit with residents. 34 <br />Vibeke Tally said yes. 35 <br />Chair Dorosin asked if Travis Myren would draft a letter to be sent to the healthcare 36 <br />companies. 37 <br /> 38 <br />• Parks and Recreation Council Tori Williams Reid, Chair 39 <br /> 40 <br />Tori Williams Reid says this Council serves as an advisory board for the provision of the 41 <br />parks, facilities and recreation programs. She said she has a lot to cover, as there is much that 42 <br />falls under the umbrella of Parks and Recreation, most of which is children’s programming, but 43 <br />some adult programming also. 44 <br />Tori Williams Reid reviewed their accomplishments: 45 <br />• Plans for Blackwood Farm Park 46 <br />• The process for capital funding for parks (FY 2017-22 Capital Investment Plan projects) 47 <br />• Reviewed and made recommendations on five FY 2017-18 Outside Agency Funding 48 <br />Requests (recreation agencies) 49 <br />• Sponsored The Nature of Orange Photography Contest 50