Orange County NC Website
9 <br /> <br /> <br />B. Composition <br />1. The Advisory Board on Aging is composed of twelve (12) voting members. <br />2. Members shall consist of seven members over the age of 60 years, one person who <br />is a resident of the Town of Chapel Hill, one person who is a resident of the Town of <br />Carrboro, one person who is a resident of the Town of Hillsborough, and two <br />persons who are residents of unincorporated areas. <br /> <br />During the September 17, 2019 BOCC Regular meeting, the commissioners appointed three (3) <br />individuals to fill vacant positions. Two (2) of those appointees were not over the age of Sixty <br />(60) years. At the time, there was only one position that would accommodate a person under <br />the age of Sixty (60) years. <br /> <br />Chair Rich said the BOCC’s last appointment to this Board was not in the right age <br />bracket, as one of the appointments must be over age 60. <br />Thom Freeman-Stuart, Clerk’s Office, said that both previous appointments were <br />under the age of 60, and the positions on the advisory board for persons under 60 years old <br />are limited to five. <br />Chair Rich said the BOCC had no way of knowing an applicant’s age. <br />Thom Freeman-Stuart said this was a surprise after the appointments were made, <br />and staff has not run into this problem before. He said the requirement is in the advisory <br />board’s bylaws. <br />Chair Rich asked if there was a way the BOCC could have known. <br />David Hunt said the BOCC does not know the applicant’s age from the application, <br />and staff was not aware of the problem until it actually happened. He said, historically, the <br />Advisory Board makes the recommendation, as it does know the requirements of the <br />positions that are available. He said the BOCC and staff were not aware of the problem. He <br />said tonight’s task it to narrow it down to one appointment. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos asked if this is discriminatory because of age. <br />David Hunt said it is based on State guidelines that a certain percentage of <br />members need to be over 60. <br />Chair Rich said in the future the BOCC will need this information. <br />Thom Freeman-Stuart said, going forward, he will make that notation on the <br />abstract. He said this issue has never happened before. <br />David Hunt said the new application includes an age category. <br />Commissioner Dorosin said knowing the age of the person is helpful, but the BOCC <br />should be made aware of any Board that has these types of requirements, via the abstract. <br />He said it is also important for the public to know of any statutory requirements. <br />Thom Freeman-Stuart said position numbers generally list any special requirements. <br />Commissioner Price said, in looking at the responses, she feels Karen Green- <br />McElveen gave more positive responses in her experience, expressed a stronger desire to <br />be on the Board, and appears to be better qualified. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos agreed, and said he also considers how long an applicant <br />has been a part of the community. <br />Commissioner Dorosin said the other candidate has more work-related experience, <br />and working in the field of aging would be more relevant. He said he puts less stock in how <br />long someone has lived in Orange County, versus the experience one might have. <br />Commissioner Price asked if Ms. Collins is already serving on a board. <br />Thom Freeman-Stuart said both applicants are already serving on other boards. <br />Commissioner Price asked if the attendance records on other boards is available. <br />Thom Freeman-Stuart said yes, it’s available but it’s not included in the abstract.