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HomeMy WebLinkAbout190118 - Minutes, Area Agency on AgingWashington County Commission on Aging, Inc./AAA Advisory Council Meeting January 18, 2019 The bi-monthly meeting of the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council Meeting was held on Friday, January 18, 2019, in the Conference Room at the Washington County Senior Activities Center and Commission on Aging offices, Hagerstown, MD. PRESENT: Aggie Llewellyn, Co-Chair, Deborah Cohill, Julie Ferron, Thomas Ruhf, Paulie Ward, Harry Wagaman STAFF: Jay Kelsh EXCUSED: Brenda Gordon, Co-Chair, Commissioner Terry Baker and Jessica Scott ABSENT: None. STAFF: Amy Olack, CEO, Steve Reynolds, Chief Financial Officer and Sherry Mauk, Recording Secretary WELCOME Aggie Llewellyn opened the meeting and welcomed all in attendance. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA: None. MINUTE APPROVAL (November): The motion to approve the amended minutes of the November meeting was made by Paulie Ward, seconded by Julie Ferron and the motion carried unanimously. COA Presentation: Jay Kelsh, Elder Abuse Victims Advocate Jay Kelsh presented to the Advisory Council the Elder Abuse Victims Advocate program for the Commission on Aging. Jay explained he has been able to advocate for approximately 35 individuals. Jay presents to the community and has reached 46 different groups with as many as 300 people. Jay stated he works with Adult protective services at the Department of Social Services and local police departments. Jay has been present in 15 court cases as the Elder Abuse Victims Advocate. Jay stated he will be presenting this week a presentation called Money Smart for Older Adults. Tom Ruhf asked where the referrals come from. Jay answered they will get referrals from local police departments, Adult Protective Services and Maryland Access Point (MAP) referrals. Harry Wagaman, new member of the Advisory Council introduced himself to the Advisory Council members. Release of minutes – Amy Olack, Chief Operating Officer Amy Olack indicated the County Commissioners are requesting to receive a copy of the Advisory Council minutes after they are approved. Advisory Council Minutes January 18, 2019 Page 2 Aggie Llewellyn asked if the minutes are presented to the Board of Directors. Amy answered they are not made available to the Board. Amy stated the Chairman, Brenda Gordon of the Advisory Council is a line item on the agenda each month and makes presentation to the Board members. Aggie Llewellyn recommended the minutes of the Advisory Council are provided as an attachment to the Board minutes. The amended motion was made to release the minutes of the Advisory Council meeting to the county commissioners and attach the approved minutes as an addendum to the approved Board of Directors minutes was made by Julie Ferron seconded by Thomas Ruhf and the motion carried unanimously. FINANCIAL REPORT – Steve Reynolds, Chief Financial Officer: Steve Reynolds reviewed the Financial Report for the Older American Act Programs. Steve Reynolds explained a Notice of Grant award for Title III & VI programs, was received last week and the NGA was $66,000 higher than anticipated. Steve indicated IIIB was the only program that had a decrease in funding. Discussion took place regarding the funding from the Maryland Department of Aging. A motion to approve the financial report as presented was made by Deborah Cohill, seconded by Julie Ferron and the motion carried unanimously. CEO’s REPORT – AMY OLACK: Amy Olack presented the CEO’s report as written. Amy Olack indicated orientation for Vernell Doyle and Terry Baker will be held on January 24th. Amy Olack indicated the Senior Employment Program have pulled both employees that worked at the Senior Center and Café. She explained this has created a vacancy and void within our agency. Amy explained they currently do not have candidates with the skillset required for the positions needing to be filled. It was noted that the Advisory Council are in support to determine if it is a viable situation to make a hiring decision rather than utilizing the Senior Employment Program. Amy Olack stated she and Steve are researching merchant services for the Café. Julie Ferron asked if Jeremy Brown will continue working at the Senior Center. Amy Olack answered Jeremy will be working full time as the Older Americans Act Programs Manager working with the IIIB and Caregiver programs. Amy Olack stated Amanda Distefano is the Outreach and Education Manager and will be connecting with Meritus and John Hopkins University for education opportunities. Aggie Llewellyn suggested we include in the minutes the amount it would cost to fund the 46 people on the waitlist for Home Delivered meals. Amy Olack stated the amount would be over $100,000 to take care of the 46 people on the waitlist. Advisory Council Minutes January 18, 2019 Page 3 Amy Olack stated the Commission on Aging will be participating with the United Way Campaign which will begin on February 1st. This obligation is required due to current year funding. Amy Olack stated the appointed and re-appointed members will be acknowledged at the March Annual meeting. Amy Olack stated she will be researching programs in order for senior center members to register for classes. OLD BUSINESS: Paulie Ward provided an update to the Advisory Council on the video project with a working title of Beyond the Walls. Thomas Ruhf stated he had a senior center member contact him complaining of the cost associated with the art class. Amy Olack explained some of the classes are paid instructors and some are volunteer instructors. Some of the classes were not budgeted and therefore $5.00 for each of the classes is being charged. Amy Olack stated the Standing committee of the Senior Center initiated a survey for senior center members to complete. She stated of those surveys a majority showed between $25- $50 as a reasonable amount to charge for a membership fee. NEW BUSINESS: Julie Ferron stated she has been asked by a few members of the Senior Center to provide a recycling bin to throw away bottles or cans. Amy Olack stated there is a cost associated with the pickup of recycling bins. Paulie Ward will contact the county to see if it is possible for the Commission on Aging to get a free recycle bin. Aggie Llewellyn stated the discussion regarding guidelines for meetings will be table until the next meeting. Amy advised one of the items Brenda requested was that if an agenda item is to be discussed at the Advisory Council that it be presented two weeks in advance of the meeting. Those requests are to be emailed to Brenda and Sherry. MEMBER UPDATES/INFORMATION: Julie Ferron stated she continues to get referrals for one on one classes to instruct Chronic Disease Self- Management. Deb Cohill stated that Interfaith continues to work with the Hancock Congregate site and provide 2 trips per month. She indicated they recently did a mystery trip to the Charlie Brown Christmas tree event and a shopping trip. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be the Annual meeting which will be held on March 8, 2019, at 1:30 pm in the Multi-Purpose Room, 535 East Franklin Street, Hagerstown, MD. ADJOURNMENT: The motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Julie Ferron. The motion to adjourn at 12:35 pm. Respectfully submitted, ________________________________ Sherry Mauk, Recording Secretary