Minutes
Bexar Senior Advisory Committee
November 8, 2002
Members Present:
Sharon Baughman Johnnie Davis Blanca Cook
Oscar Garcia Ray Foley Santos Hernandez
Suzanne Huber Ida Kenny Lewis Marshall
Winn Murnin rep by Sterling Neuman Nancy Rheams
Alicia Rodriguez Rev. Gene Sheppard Katherine Schwesinger
Jimmy Toubin Bonnie Truax
Members Absent:
Chris Alderete Norma Cheeves Elsa Davis
Hon. Ruth Jones-McClendon Dorothy Whitenack
1. Call to Order - Meeting was called to order by Ms. Suzanne Huber, Vice Chairman in the absence of Pastor Ernie Lantz.
2. Roll Call - Roll call was taken as reflected above by Blanca Cook in the absence of Laura Cisneros.
3. Consider and act upon approval of the Minutes of November 8, 2002 - Minutes were approved as presented.
4. Citizens to be Heard – Oscar Noriega, Attorney at law, informed that they are sponsoring an award acknowledging certified nursing assistants performing exceptional work. For further information, please contact 342-5466.
5. Staff Report – Carol Zernial presented the following:
§ There has been minimal legislation activity. At the present time there is a continuing resolution bill that will keep government open through November 22nd. The only funds received have been carry-over funds and SGR funds to be able to reimburse the October and part of November bills. Will then anticipate another continuing resolution in December. Ms. Zernial referred BSAC members to the handout regarding USDA language reporting that they are transferring the USDA to the Administration on Aging and funding will then be distributed to the states and tribes based on the number of meals. With this transfer to AoA, in the Senate Bill, this funding will not be subject to the intrastate funding formula which is positive and not be subject to administrative costs preserving the USDA rules as they exist at this time.
§ All 28 Area Agencies on Aging in Texas have signed an agreement for the phase-in of the aging services formula. It was previously reported that there had been a half-million dollar cut based on the 2000 census data. AAA’s have agreed to take 50% of the cut this year, 25% of the cut next year and then receive the full cut in the third year. The Texas Department on Aging (TDoA), in the first year, will pay 25% to makeup the difference and those gaining the funds will “give-back” 25% of their new dollars. In the second year, TDoA, out of their administration dollars will make the 25% difference so that those who gained dollars will receive their full dollars in the second year. In the third year the dollars will be lost. This requires a change in rule and this rule will be presented at the TDoA Board on 11/14/02.
§ The new Suicide Prevention program will also be presented at the TDoA Board and Nick Monreal will make this presentation.
§ There have been reports on the shortage of low-income and senior housing. What is occurring, the persons who have the contracts for Section 202 supportive housing and the Section 8 vouchers, contracts expire and they have the option to renew. Some are choosing not to renew going to market rate housing.
§ Representatives Ciro Rodriguez and Gene Greene have released a report on Nursing Home Conditions in Texas. It was reported that 39% of the Texas facilities had violations that actually caused harm and placed residents at risk of injury. An additional 47% had violations and 94% did not achieve minimum standards. Ms. Zernial informed that she will have Nick Monreal of her staff to present a Quality Initiatives for Nursing Homes.
§ Will attend an N4A Board meeting and if anyone wishes to have a particular issue to bring to their attention, please let her know.
6. Chairperson’s Report – No report.
7. Subcommittee Status Reports
A. Access & Assistance – No report
B. Allocations and Monitoring - Mr. Sterling Neuman presented the following:
§ FY02 Closeout Allocations (copy attached with official minutes). Motion passed.
§ Update on the Guardianship Program stating that they were given time to consider their program as to how they will be able to maintain their current program. Mr. Neuman further reported that they have held up the amount of funds that will be allocated to this program. Ms. Zernial stated that the County, United Way and AACOG met to discuss Guardianship and indicated that the County has placed Jewish Family Services on a six-month contract, AACOG will process reimbursement on a month-by-month basis. This situation will be assessed to determine if a joint Request for Proposal will be issued regarding guardianship services in Bexar County.
C. Family Caregiver Support Program – Ms. Nancy Rheams presented the following:
§ Access and Family Caregiver Support Program Vendors (copy attached with official minutes) – Motion passed. The following members abstained: Suzanne Huber, Sterling Neuman; and Jimmy Toubin.
D. Information, Special Events and VISTA – Ms. Julia Castellano-Hoyt in the absence of Ms. Davis presented informative information only on the upcoming Senior Day at the Capitol that will take place on February 4, 2003. Matters relating to transportation, meals and logistics were discussed. It was reported that the City of San Antonio would be providing the lunch for the seniors and sponsors for the transportation would be identified later. The committee is preparing for the Older American’s Month in May and plans are to continue with the Proclamation and the breakfast; however, in an effort to have greater involvement, an addition of an event in partnership with the Botanical Gardens is being planned. This event will be a Vintage Arts Festival that will showcase the artistic talent of seniors in our community.
E. Nominations/Bylaws and Legislative – Mr. Lewis Marshall presented the Adhoc Report referring BSAC members to page 2, Section C. Membership Term of the Bylaws. Proposed change: 1. Members will serve a three year membership term beginning in January of each year. Any member fulfilling an unexpired term may be eligible for nomination to a three-year term. Members may reapply for an additional term subject to approval of the Bexar Senior Advisory Committee and the AACOG Board of Directors. One-third of the Bexar Senior Advisory Committee shall terminate each calendar year. After two consecutive terms, the representative must sit out for at least one year before reapplying. 2. The local Elected official, Commissioner’s Court Representative and the Texas Silver Haired Legislative Representative will be exempt from term limitations. (official copy filed with Minutes). Participation in this process was received from the following BSAC members: Laura Cisneros, Barb Dampman, Suzanne Huber, Nancy Rheams, Julia Castellano-Hoyt, Ida Kenny, Tito Villareal and Lewis Marshall. Ms. Dampman thanked those who participated and further indicated the Alamo AAA has a similar clause in their Bylaws approved by the AACOG Board of Directors. The proposed change will be presented to the AACOG Board of Directors for approval and ratified by this committee in December.
Mr. Marshall continued to present proposed change under Article II – Activities – Section E. Proposed Change: Require this committee’s involvement in the on-going evaluation of agencies and programs funded by the Texas Department on Aging (TDoA). After discussion, motion was made by Barb Dampman and seconded by Jimmy Toubin to table this proposed change pending further clarification. Motion passed.
Mr. Marshall proceeded to read the proposed change under Article III – Membership – Section E. Proposed Change: Where Bexar Aging Manager is citied, replace with Bexar Area Agency on Aging Director. Motion was seconded by Sterling Neuman and will be presented to the AACOG Board of Directors for approval.
At this time, Mr. Marshall presented individually the Slate of Officers for 2003. Chairman: Jimmy Toubin and asked for any other nominations from the floor. There being none, motion passed.
Mr. Marshall then presented the nomination for Vice Chairman: Sterling Neuman and asked for any other nominations from the floor. There being none, motion passed.
Mr. Marshall then presented the nomination for Secretary: Alicia Rodriguez and asked for any other nominations from the floor. There being none, motion passed.
The Slate of Officers will then be presented to the AACOG Board of Directors for approval.
10. Informational Items – Ms. Julia Castellano-Hoyt reported she will be attending the Citizen’s Advisory Council in Austin and asked members should they have any issues that they would like for her to present, please let her know.
Ms. Tina Richards thanked those BSAC members who assisted with the Southwest Airlines Home for the Holidays recipient selection process.
11. Adjournment – There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.