MINUTES

Bexar Senior Advisory Committee

Friday, March 14, 2003 – 10:00 a.m.

 

MEMBERS:

 

Sue Ackerman rep by               Julia Castellano-Hoyt             Laura Cisneros

   Sharon Baughman                 Barb Dampman                     Alex Davila

Victor Garcia                            Ray Foley                            Oscar Garcia

Maria Hernandez                      Santos Hernandez rep by      Suzanne Huber

Jan Jarosek                                 Mary Will                         Marcia Katz

Ida Kenny                                Yvonne Lozano                     Hon. Ruth Jones McClendon

Lewis Marshall                         Tito Villalobos Moreno             Rep by Bill Heinemann

Winn Murnin                            Sterling Neuman                   Nancy Rheams

Alicia Rodriguez                       Steve Saldana                      Jimmy Toubin

Reverend Gene Sheppard          Lily Porter-Tarrillion               Dorothy Whitenack

 

MEMBERS EXCUSED:

 

Chris Alderete                          Norma Cheeves                    Elsa Davis

 

 

1.       Call to Order  - The meeting was called to order by Mr. Jimmy Toubin, Chairperson. 

 

2.        Roll Call – Roll call was taken by Ms. Alicia Rodriguez, Secretary.

 

3.       Consider and act upon approval of the Minutes of February 14, 2003  - Upon consideration, motion was made by Mr. Lewis Marshall and seconded by Ms. Ida Kenny.  Motion passed.

 

4.       Citizens to be Heard (Limit to Three Minutes) – Ms. Maria Dominguez expressed her sincere appreciation regarding the funding provided for the transportation program.

 

5.       Staff Report – Ms. Gale Murden, Bexar Area Agency Contract Specialist  informed that Ms. Carol Zernial was at a Joint Conference on Aging in Chicago.  Ms. Murden referred to the handouts included with the Minutes and pointed out the Virtual March that will take place in Austin as well as the related National Agenda on the Environment and the Aging taking place on April 8th.

 

6.       Chairperson’s Report – Mr. Jimmy Toubin informed BSAC members on the Advocacy Initiative and also advised that his office had developed a Subcommittee list for the House Appropriations Subcommittee, local representatives,  Senate Finance and State Senators to be used in contacting representatives regarding the budget cuts.

 

7.       Subcommittee Status Reports

A.      Access & Assistance – Ms. Suzanne Huber presented the following:

§         Permission to spend up to $12,000 on Senior Directory – Ms. Huber asked that this be tabled since only information from one vendor has been received and the committee would like to explore other vendors and proposals. 

§         Texas Review and Comment Applications

1.       Asociacion Nacional Pro Personas Mayores – Senior Community Service Employment Program - $25,599,792 – U. S. Department of Labor  - Upon consideration and review, this application received Favorable Review.   The following committee members abstained:  Ms. Barb Dampman, and Mr. Steve Saldana.

 

2.       National Indian Council on Aging- Senior Community Service Employment Program -  $929,890 – U.S. Department of Labor – Upon consideration and review, this application received Favorable Review.  The following committee members abstained:  Ms. Barb Dampman, and Mr. Steve Saldana.

 

B.      Allocations and Monitoring – Mr. Sterling Neuman informed that the subcommittee had not met, however,  stated that Ms. Carol Zernial felt that if monies were received in support of this year’s 2003 allocations that such funds would need to be allocated immediately and if we waited until April’s monthly meeting, that we would incur problems.  In anticipation of this, requested the following:

§         Should funds be received, that the Allocations Subcommittee be empowered to review and take the FY03 Allocations directly to the AACOG Board of Directors.  ACTION:  Motion passed.

§         Permission to allocate up to $20,000 for new Client Tracking Software to replace AIM .  Ms. Gloria Arriaga reported that the Agency is at a critical point and at the state level,  TDoA has informed this Agency that they will no longer be supporting the current AIM reporting software.  Discussion ensued regarding provider piloting testing.  Ms. Laura Cisneros reported that the City of San Antonio was selected by Ms. Zernial to test the Synergy Software.    Ms. Arriaga further reported that a Request for Proposal will be released and the outcome will be based upon those responses.  ACTION:  Motion passed.

 

C.      Family Caregiver Support Program – Mr. Steve Saldana stated that the subcommittee has been monitoring and pulling together in order of unit rate the different vendors for review by BSAC in April.   The subcommittee is trying to determine how many vendors in each type of service is needed in order to have adequate offering to the client.    Also, there are disparities in the rates of some services.  With decreasing funds, the subcommittee is looking to have a pool of vendors that will have a rate that is adequate.

 

At this time, Mr. Saldana presented the proposed vendors for approval: JR’s Plumbing, A-RAM Plumbing and ADA Remodeling & Sales.  ACTION:  Motion passed.  Ms. Ida Kenny abstained.

 

Mr. Saldana further presented the proposed vendors for approval:  Kingsley Place-Oakwell Farms, Hamilton House, and Kingsley Place at Medical Center.  ACTION:  Motion passed.

 

 Mr. Saldana informed that a mobile Alzheimer’s Program has been started in the Southeast and Southwest part of town, one day a week in each Church.  The agreement with the City of San Antonio Nutrition site is that they will provide the lunch meal for each day at a cost of $.50 per meal and thanked the City of San Antonio for partnering in this effort.  He concluded his report by stating that the next meeting will be held on April  9th, 2:00 p.m. at the Alzheimer’s Association office.

 

D.      Information, Special Events and VISTA

§         Update on Vintage Arts Festival – Ms. Burma Hyde, informed that this event will take place on May 18th – 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. At the Coppini Academy for Fine Arts, located at Melrose Place off McCullough.  Quite a bit of activities are being planned for this event and staff will provide a complete schedule of activities at the April meeting.

 

E.      Nominations/Bylaws and Legislative – Mr. Lewis Marshall reminded those BSAC members who have not submitted the name of their alternate to please do so.   

 

10.       Informational Items – Senator Jones-McClendon’s representative, Mr. Bill Heinemann,  presented a brief overview on HB86 which calls for a freeze of the dollar amount of taxes paid at the time the homeowner reaches age 65.   Discussion ensued with no action required.  Mr. Heinemann mentioned that there is a website available to view:  www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/schedule

 

Ms. Sharon Baughman thanked Mr. Jimmy Toubin for his leadership with the Senior Advocacy meetings.  Ms. Baughman informed that there have been several meetings held and trust that everyone is aware of the major cuts that are being proposed affecting seniors in Bexar County.  Ms. Baughman reminded BSAC members to involve seniors in the Virtual March being held in Austin as well as contacting the legislators regarding the cuts particularly Medicaid services.

 

11.      Adjournment – There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.