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5 <br /> Victor Orija, Ombudsman Program Specialist, Autumn Cox, the Regional Ombudsman <br /> with TJCOG who is assigned to Orange County, and Kim Lamon-Loperfido and Janice Tyler, <br /> Department of Aging Director, were available during the meeting. <br /> Autumn Cox said according to state statute the ACHCAC should have 8 members, with <br /> the BOCC being able to appoint up to an additional 5 members, which is what happened in <br /> Orange County. She said NHCAC should have 7 positions, which would mean the current <br /> County NHCAC is full. She said the ACHCAC has 6 candidates, with 3 ready for training, which <br /> has been put on hold due to Covid. <br /> Chair Rich asked if the committees were to be combined would the membership <br /> numbers be 15. <br /> Autumn Cox said no. She said a joint committee would require 13 members, with the <br /> BOCC being able to add up to 5 additional members, if so desired. <br /> Vibeke Talley, Chair of the NHCAC, she said there are 5 nursing homes in Orange <br /> County. She said she does not recommend combining the 2 commissions, as the proper level <br /> of attention will not be applied to the details of the work, and advocacy for the care facilities' <br /> residents would be compromised. <br /> Victor Orija agreed with Vibeke Talley. <br /> Autumn Cox said if the groups merge, all members would have to go through additional <br /> training, which would take a fair amount of time. <br /> Commissioner Price asked if there are committee members waiting for both groups. <br /> Autumn Cox said no, there are only pending candidates for the ACHCAC. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said the number of vacancies on these commissions motivated <br /> this conversation. He asked if the impact of those vacancies could be described. <br /> Vibeke Talley said as long as there are 7 people on her committee, it can work <br /> effectively. She said more people would be helpful, but 12 are definitely not necessary. <br /> Autumn Cox said the ACHCAC is also doing well, and would be even better if the 3 <br /> pending members could be brought in. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said his primary concern was seeing all of the vacancies, and he <br /> wanted to ensure these committees were able to still do their work with limited members. He <br /> asked if there is any benefit to combining the two groups. <br /> Vibeke Talley said more work will be created if the two groups are combined, and likely <br /> less people to do the work. <br /> Janice Tyler said she defers to Vibeke Talley, and would recommend keeping two <br /> groups, but reducing the numbers slightly. <br /> Vibeke Talley agreed, and recommended 10 members for the NHCAC. <br /> Chair Rich asked if 10 would be a good size for the ACHCAC. <br /> Autumn Cox said yes. She said a current member has to leave due to a conflict of <br /> interest due to a family member being in a care facility. <br /> Commissioner Greene said she is glad to be having the conversation, and it sounds like <br /> a merger is not a good idea. <br /> Commissioner Price asked if there has to be a quorum for these boards to work. <br /> Autumn Cox said yes, there must be a quorum for business meetings. <br /> Commissioner Price said a spot must be kept for a nursing home administrator on the <br /> NHCAC, even if the numbers are reduced. <br /> Autumn Cox said she works in several counties, and other counties do not keep track of <br /> the specific position designations. <br /> Thom Freeman-Stuart, Assistant Deputy Clerk I, asked if it would be acceptable to fill the <br /> positions with people who do not fit the designation. <br /> Victor Orija said no, and the most important detail is to avoid any conflicts of interest. <br />