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NEW BUSINESS <br />Mary Fraser announced that 56 individuals have been nominated for the Senior Health Advocates and <br />Resource Partners (SHARP) service awards that will be presented on May 24 at the Passmore Center. <br />This is the fourth year for this ceremony for long term/in-home care employees and all nominees will be <br />honored at this event. <br />Janice Tyler announced that the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services and the NC Association of Area <br />Agencies on Aging are co-hosting a series of listening sessions for the 2019-2023 State Aging Services <br />Plan. None of the locations are convenient to Orange County but written comments will be accepted. <br />Heather Altman suggested submitting a statement from the Advisory Board that reflects both Orange <br />County’s age-friendly community approach outlined in the Master Aging Plan and the legislative <br />priorities identified by the Senior Tar Heel Legislature. The Chair requested that additional comments <br />should be sent to Ms. Tyler by May 22 to be included in the Advisory Board’s statement. Ms. Tyler <br />encouraged Board members to also submit comments directly to the Division. The Coalition on Aging is <br />sponsoring its annual Legislative Advocacy Day in Raleigh on June 6. <br />Ms. Tyler stated that AARP is accepting applications again for its Challenge Grants. She reminded the <br />Advisory Board that last year Orange County was awarded $10,000 for the purchase of bus stop simmi- <br />seats. It was suggested that funding might benefit the Town of Hillsborough Park bird-watching project. <br />Staff will follow up. <br />The AARP National Conference on Age-Friendly Communities will be held in Charlotte in the near future. <br /> <br />CONTINUING PROJECTS <br />The Orange County Manager presented her FY18-19 Budget to the Board of County Commissioners on <br />May 1. Included in her summary was the Department on Aging’s collaboration with Orange County <br />Public Transportation for the continuance of the Occupational Therapist position established through <br />the OC CARES grant. The Department on Aging’s budget will be reviewed by the BOCC on June 6. Ms. <br />Tyler expressed her appreciation to the Advisory Board members who reviewed and ranked the Outside <br />Agency funding applications. <br />The names of the three candidates recommended for appointment to the Aging Board have been <br />submitted to Commissioners’ Clerk. Ms. Tyler announced that Winston Liao has declined serving a <br />second term. Heather Altman suggested that a representative from the Project EngAGE graduates <br />might be a candidate for the vacancy. <br /> <br />CONTINUING PROJECTS <br />All Project EngAGE Senior Resource Teams are operational. The End of Life Choices Team is sponsoring <br />an educational program on how discuss death and dying issues with loved ones and health care <br />providers on June 7 at the Passmore Center. <br /> <br />COMMITTEE PROGRESS REPORTS <br />Dementia Friendly Business Campaign – Lorenzo Mejia reported that 90 businesses have completed the <br />training. The Chapel Hill Rotary Club has agreed to fund the cost of updating the DFB training video. <br />Transportation Board – Alex Castro stated that the Orange Unified Transportation (OUT) Board <br />continues its review of public transportation projects. <br />Housing – Keith Cook reported that over 100 trailer parks exist in Orange County and 35 park owners <br />attended a meeting to discuss plans for the future. Orange County has established a $500,000 revolving <br />loan fund for the purchase of trailers in an effort to keep affordable housing available. This loan <br />program, administered by Empowerment, is in response to the relocation of the mobile home park <br />located on Weaver Dairy Road.