Advisory Council Meeting

June 14, 2007

Minutes

Held at 1501 Blue Spruce Drive

Fort Collins, Colorado  80524

 

Members Present:	Nancy Arthur	Roger Bailey	Paul Bell
	Steve Budner	Marcy Greenslit	Elnora McCloughan
	Janet Montera	Barbara Nuss	Karen Reinhardt
	Mary Shultz	Lloyd Spawn	Earl Stevens
	Stan Ulrich	Don Venneberg	Sharon Zamora
Members Absent:	Rene DeMattei	Ellen Pihlstrom	Barbara Tuttle
Staff Present:	Ruth Coberly	Tina Hugo	Margaret Long
	Katy Mason	Lynette McGowan	Glen Rathgeber
	Laura Sutherlin
Guests Present:

CALL TO ORDER

Earl Stevens called the meeting to order at 1:34 p.m.

CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF March 8, 2007           

No changes were recommended.  Minutes stand as presented.

CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF May 10, 2007           

No changes were recommended.  Minutes stand as presented.

CHAIR REPORT

Earl Stevens reported that the Executive Committee discussed possible changes to the committee format.

UPDATE ON OFFICE ON AGING

Margaret Long distributed an article from the Coloradoan about Earl Stevens.  Margaret presented certificates of appreciation to Paul Bell, Karen Reinhardt, and Lloyd Spawn for their service as council members.  Margaret also presented Earl Stevens with an appreciation plaque for being the Advisory Council chair for the past year. 

 

Margaret presented the One-Year Plan for both the state and federal funds for discussion and approval.  Margaret thanked Stacie Hougard for her work on the budget and Tina Hugo for inputting units of service.  Margaret reported that the Office on Aging completed the Request for Proposal process and has now incorporated those figures into the one-year plan.  Margaret explained that that there will not be any changes in how the Office on Aging conducts business.  Ddue to the additional state funds, the Office on Aging will be able to continue funding contracts at the same level as last year, with a few exceptions.  The Wellington Senior Center’s funding will increase from $7,300 to $11,000.  This increase is due to the rising gas prices and the expansion of their transportation service.  The Family Caregiver Support Program will have some changes due because of to the Colorado Trust grant.  With the funding from the grant, the Office on Aging will be able to expand respite care and material aid grants.  Margaret is steadfast in keeping the current level of staffing for the Office on Aging.  In order to do this the Office on Aging will need to use more federal funds.  If there is no increase in state funding there will not be enough money to fund the B services at current levels.  levels as internal costs are forecasted to go up, particularly the cost for employee health benefits.  Therefore, the council must continue their efforts and be diligent in advocating for increased funding. 

 

Roger Bailey questioned the administrative budget; where does the money come from to pay salaries?  Margaret replied that there is $80,000 in the Federal Title III funds for Administration.   Some of these funds are reserved for program development.  In addition, some funds come out of the Caregiver and Ombudsman programs to pay for Margaret and Tina’s salaries.  Margaret went on to explain that there is also money for administration in the state funds. The oOmbudsmen, fFamily cCareg giver sSupport pProgram and outreach programs are funded out of Federal Title III B. Margaret stated that the County money is used for match.  Margaret reported that tThe county also funds two programs strictly out of county general fund dollars, which is , $10,000 for four rural senior centers, and $20,000 for the Senior Tax Work-off Program. 

 

Karen Reinhardt asked if the Office on Aging has plans to pursue additional grants.  Margaret replied that yes, the office does plan to continue to look for grants, but must be very careful to not compete with our community partners.  Margaret stated that the Colorado Trust grant was perfect because the Office on Aging is basically the fiscal agent.  The grant a. Allowsing our partners to expand their efforts in providing support to family caregivers and our office the opportunity to maintain and even increase our support with respite care vouchers and material aide.

 

Karen Reinhardt moved that the council accept the financial forms for both the Federal and state funds, Paul Bell seconded motion.  Motion was passed. 

COUNCIL MEMBER BIOGRAPHY:

Karen Reinhardt gave a brief autobiography.

 

ELECTIONS

Earl Stevens distributed the nomination ballot to the council members.  The ballot listed Elnora McCloughan for Chair, Nancy Arthur as Vice Chair.  Nancy Arthur declined to automatically be nominated for the Chair position next year.  Katy Mason collected and counted the ballots.  By unanimous vote, Elnora was elected Chair and Nancy was elected Vice Chair.

DISCUSSION/FINAL WRAP-UP OF COMMITTEE STRUCTURE

Janet Montera distributed a copy of the new committee structure that was recommended for the Office on Aging Advisory Council.  Janet opened discussion with the council.  Marcy Greenslit, Steve Budner, Roger Bailey and Katy Mason described the structure in detail. 

 

Stan Ulrich moved to vote on adopting the new committee structure and title changes.  Marcy Greenslit seconded and the motion was passed.  The new committees and titles are as follows:

 

          #1:  Public Policy and Advocacy Committee

          #2:  Community Outreach and Education Committee

          #3:  Planning, Funding and Partnership Development Committee

          #4:  Media and Public Relations Committee

 

Katy explained that the next step in this process is for council members to sign-up for the committees.  Sign up sheets for members, including the new members, will be available at the July meeting.  Each of the new committees will then establish a time to meet, and then discuss the goals, functions and activities of their new committee. 

 

Stan Ulrich moved to vote that during the July meeting, members will sign up, and select a meeting date to discuss goals, functions and activities.  Karen Reinhardt seconded the motion.   The vote was unanimousmotion was passed.

 

Margaret Long noted that she will begin the process of changing the bylaws. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

Earl adjourned the meeting at 3:29 p.m.