Minutes Archive

Senior Millage Allocation Committee Minutes

Senior Millage Allocation Committee
June 26, 2009 8:30 a.m.
Calhoun County Building-Marshall
Lower Level Conference Room

The meeting was called to order at 8:35 a.m. by Chair Lisa Gerow.

Members Present: Arlene Bolton, Jill Booth, Julie Camp, , Lisa Gerow, Jennie Hoffmann, Viola Johnson, Joanne Konkle, Father Ed Scully, Rebecca Rocho

Members Absent: Mary Crowell, Karin Hayes, Kristy Smith, Matt Lynn

Staff Present: Carl Gibson, Rodna Stealy, Brad Wilcox

Guests: Valerie Bouchard –Lifespan

Approval of the Agenda

Joanne made a motion to approve the agenda, Father Ed supported the motion. Motion Carried.

Approval of May 22, 2009 Minutes

Becky made a motion to approve the minutes from the May 22, 2009 meeting, Viola supported the motion. Motion Carried.

Consent Agenda

Father Ed made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Becky supported the motion. Motion Carried.

Discussion Items:

Carl discussed the Prescription discount program and the confusion on the part of our office with Caremark and stated that he would like to have someone more knowledgeable about prescription drug costs look at proposed new contract for our Prescription Drug plan with CareMark. Brad suggested that he thought the appropriate place to turn for that would be the county benefit consultant.

Carl discussed the Survey that Senior Millage and Area Agency on Aging have been using and passed out a spread sheet to members to look at, explaining that this is not a completed project by only a sample of what we are receiving in response to our questions.

Valerie Bouchard arrived and Carl suggested we let her speak at this time.

Citizens’ Time: Valerie Bouchard, program director of Personal Emergency Response System of Lifespan, explained the Personal Emergency Response System and how it works. She gave several examples of ways that the PERS has helped to get assistance for individuals in need.

2010 Contracts & RFP Funding Budget/ Fund Balance Review:

Carl presented a sample document of funding recommendations for the 2010 funding year and explained to members that we need to start working on making some cuts in funding for 2010. He explained to members that we will need to cut approximately $150,000 in funding for 2010. Last year money was taken from the fund balance to allow 2009 funding to remain at the 2008 level. As tax revenues decrease we need to decrease our funding level. The hand-out is only a suggestion of possible ways to look at things, by first identifying “CORE” services. Carl suggested “CORE” services would be Care Management, Prescriptions, Dental, Nutrition/Meals and Transportation.

Members suggested that they would like to have a committee look at this recommendation, discuss ways to cut and then make a recommendation to the whole committee. This will need to be done fairly quickly as we will need to advise Purchasing about services to be bid out soon. There is the possibility of continuing some services without going through the bid process. Carl and Brad discussed this process with members and recommended that a work group get working on this issue as soon as possible. Members suggested that those who worked on the RFP committee last year (Jennie, Jill, Father Ed) should look at funding for 2010 and make a recommendation to the whole committee.

Becky made a motion that the RFP committee meet as a workgroup to review Carl’s recommendation and make changes as they see fit and then make a recommendation to the Committee as a whole. Jill supported the motion. Motion Carried.

This RFP committee/workgroup needs to review these notes, come to consensus, and have recommendation for the full SMAC quickly. If SMAC concurs through internet voting process, they will be forwarded to Purchasing, which will then most likely send a letter to contractors which indicates offer of contract extensions, any reductions or notice to rebid certain components.

Recent Events

Carl discussed the presentation that we sponsored on Wills & Trusts by George Strander on June 9, 2009. Although attendance was low, those who attended expressed appreciation of information presented.

Carl reported to members that the Centenarian Luncheon which we sponsored in conjunction with Area Agency on Aging, Maplewood of Marshall, Cascarelli’s of Albion, Forks Senior Center, Schulers Restaurant, and Senior Times, was a success. He explained that family and friends of the participants were very pleased. Centenarians who were unable to attend received either a meal delivered to their home or a flower arraignment delivered to their home. All Centenarians received certificateS from the State Office of Services to the Aging signed by Govenor Granholm, and from Congressman Mark Schauer’s office. Twelve Centenarians and their family members attended the luncheon.

Carl reported on the Contractors meeting that was held June 24 at Marian E. Birch Adult Day Care Center. Carl explained that he reported to contractors that some contracts may be renewed for 2010 and that some services may be re-bid. He also explained that we will need to cut funding for the 2010 funding year. For the current funding year members of this committee chose to use money from the fund balance to maintain funding levels at the same level as 2008 funding year.

New Business:

New Members Meeting

Carl asked new members if they would be interested in having a new members meeting just to give them the opportunity to ask questions and familiarize themselves with some of the procedures of this committee. Member felt that this would be helpful.

Carl explained the assessment process he is currently using (remote desk audit). He explained that he is sending out questions to the providers and giving them a time that they need to be completed. The responses to these questions and the timeliness of the response will play into the eligibility of some contracts for renewal.

Carl noted that he will attend two Health Fairs in the near future. Springfield Health Fair June 27, 2009 and Athens Health Fair July 24, 2009.

Becky questioned the possibility of making a stipulation for Hands On Battle Creek Information and Assistance to provide direct connect for Seniors requesting assistance to the agencies they will need to connect with. Carl responded that we can make stipulations in the contracts.

Citizens Time

There were no citizens present that chose to speak at this time.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at _10:02 a.m.

Next Meeting: July 23, 2009

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