MINUTES

Bexar Senior Advisory Committee

Friday, September 13, 2002 – 10:00 a.m.

Members Present:

Sue Ackerman rep by               Chris Alderete                           Julia Castellano-Hoyt

    Sharon Baughman                Norma Cheeves                        Laura Cisneros

Barb Dampman                        Elsa Davis                                Ray Foley rep by

Oscar Garcia                           Santos Hernandez rep by              Richard Duffy

Suzanne Huber                             Mary Will                             Pastor Ernie Lantz

Lewis Marshall                         Winn Murnin                             Sterling Neuman

Nancy Rheams                        Alicia Rodriguez                        Eugene Sheppard

Katherine Schwesinger             Jimmy Toubin                            Bonnie Truax

Dorothy Whitenack

Ambassador at Large:  Steve Saldana

Staff:  Carol Zernial, Director – Bexar AAA

          Elena Hernandez, Admin. Assistant/AIM – Bexar AAA

1.       Call to Order – The meeting was called to order by Pastor Ernie Lantz.

2.        Roll Call – Roll call was taken as reflected above.

3.       Consider and act upon approval of the Minutes of August 9, 2002 – Upon correction to include Ida Kenny and Gene Sheppard as present, motion was made by Steve Saldana to approve the minutes as presented and seconded by Bonnie Truax.  Motion passed.

4.       Citizens to be Heard (Limit to Three Minutes) – Gene Sheppard distributed copies of the Resource Directory listing all the services available in the Southside Side and Harlandale area.

5.       Staff Report – Carol Zernial, Bexar Area Agency on Aging Director welcomed everyone and reported on the following:

§         Federal legislative update informing that President Bush released the final rule on implementing the prescription drug care assistance plan that will save seniors 10 – 13% on the cost of medications with a one-time enrollment of $25.  She further stated that the Pharmaceutical industry is opposing this and feel that CMS does not have the legal authority to implement such program.

§         There are 13 appropriation bills and none have been signed by the Administration.  Currently there is a Budget Bill in the House that will give the Administration on Aging a 2.6 % increase.  Individuals are expressing interest in the Transportation Equity Act that has to be re-authorized next year.  Interest groups indicate that transportation should not just be for medical appointments, but for socialization, groceries, and church as well.  The National Association of State Units on Aging report that “the AAA’s should not even have to spend their funds on transportation; this is a large issue, very expensive and places such a drain on their resources.”  They would rather see the monies to be expanded to allow operating costs and to reduce the burden on transportation for AAA’s.

§         With the TDoA funding formula changing, the Bexar AAA is expected to lose $363,839.  BSAC members were reminded that this is not a budget cut, this is a funding formula change that added a slight weight for rural areas.  Ms. Zernial referred members to the FY2002 vs. FY2003 Allocations.  (Copy filed with original minutes).

§         Tina Richards reported on the upcoming Southwest Airlines Home For the Holidays project.  Applications are available and for more information, please contact Ms. Richards at 362-5217.  Ms. Richards introduced Kerry Finnegan, VISTA Volunteer who will work with the Benefits Counseling Program and whose role will be to increase the volunteer base in this program.  At this time, Ms. Finnegan presented background information.

§         There are a few initiations in the Ombudsman Program and Ms. Zernial stated that Nick Monreal will be trained to be certified as an ASIST Trainer and ASIST is a program under suicide prevention.  Mr. Monreal will be the first Ombudsman in the State to begin this type of training.  This training component is currently within the Criminal Justice Division of AACOG, training students.  Ms. Zernial reported that senior men have a higher suicide rate and so this prevention program will be implemented.

§         Reported on the recent Advocacy in Action Training conducted in Austin on August 15^th, and stated that this was an excellent training.  Should BSAC members and other interested members in the community like this type of training done here, please let her know.

§         Referred members to their handout on Aging Texas Well Building Community Capacity and reminded members that this was the grant awarded to the AAA and Texas A & M University in conjunction with Cornell University.  A planning committee was held in Austin and will be forming an Advisory Committee of approximately 35 persons, including school districts, government planners, disability groups, technology groups, health system as well as other interested groups. Ms. Zernial provided an in-depth overview of how this project will work here in our community.  If anyone is interested in participating in this project, please do not hesitate to call Ms. Zernial.

6.       Chairperson’s Report – Pastor Ernie Lantz informed he did not have a report; however, called on Steve Saldana to present the action items under the Family Caregiver Support Program.

7.         Subcommittee Status Reports

A.      Family Caregiver Support Program – Mr. Steve Saldana presented the following:

§         Consider and act upon FY03 Family Caregiver Budget – Upon consideration, motion was made to approve the Budget as presented and seconded.  Motion passed.

§         Consider and act upon proposed FY03 vendors for Access and Family Caregiver Program – Discussion was held concerning the maximum rate allowed.  Ms. Zernial reported that if a vendor is a DHS provider, then the same rate rule would apply.    This issue was brought up and staff will be working with them to re-negotiate a common rate.  Ms. Zernial further reported that s an update will be provided at next month’s meeting.  After careful consideration, a motion was made to approve the proposed vendors and seconded.  Motion passed.  There were several abstentions:  Chris Alderete, Nancy Rheams, Sharon Baughman, Dorothy Whitenack, Suzanne Huber and Laura Cisneros.  Mr. Saldana expressed his appreciation to staff in developing these vendors.

At this time, Mr. Sterling Neuman presented the following:

§         Consider and act upon responses to the Request for Proposal for the National Caregiver Special Initiative Funding -  Mr. Neuman made a motion to award $120,000 to Catholic Charities  to provide the Alzheimer’s and Dementia care.    Upon consideration, motion was seconded by Julia Castellano-Hoyt to approve the award.  Motion passed.  There were several abstentions:  Ida Kenny, Steve Saldana, Bonnie Truax and Gene Sheppard.

§         Preview of “And Thou Shalt Honor” and update on local documentary – Moved to end of BSAC meeting and was viewed by BSAC members

B.      Access & Assistance – Ms. Suzanne Huber informed that the committee is concerned with Health Maintenance, Homemaker services, Personal Assistance services and Residential Repair and asked BSAC members to consider and act upon proposed FY03 vendors.  Ms. Huber informed that the committee also had concerns regarding the rates that will be renegotiated and further corrected the City of San Antonio’s Dept. of Community Initiatives rate from $4.04 to $4.24.  Also, it was pointed out that there was not much of in-kind being reported by the vendors.  Discussion ensued and after careful consideration, motion was seconded and passed. 

§         Consider authorization to apply for a $25,0000 Residential Repair grant -  Chris Alderete moved for authorization to apply for grant; motion seconded by Bonnie Truax.  Motion passed.

C.      Allocations and Monitoring

§         Consider and act upon submission of FY03 Bexar Area Agency on Aging Budget to the Texas Department on Aging – Carol Zernial reminded everyone that this budget is based on planning figures until the actual dollars are received.  After careful consideration, motion was made to approve the FY03 Bexar AAA Budget.  Motion was seconded by Gene Sheppard and passed.

§         Consider request to purchase computer equipment for Bexar Area Agency on Aging staff not to exceed $14,952.00  - Upon consideration, motion was made by Laura Cisneros to approve this request and seconded by Alicia Rodriguez.  Motion passed.

D.      Information, Special Events and VISTA- Elsa Davis reported the following:

§         Committee is working on the upcoming Senior Advocacy Day to be held in Austin.

§         Extended special thanks to Laura Cisneros for also providing several chartered buses during last years’ Senior Advocacy event. 

§         Briefed BSAC members on several September 16^th local events

E.      Nominations/Bylaws and Legislative – Mr. Lewis Marshall asked for consideration and approval of the following:

§         Accept letter of resignation from Ken Williams

§         Johnnie Davis to serve Mr. Williams’ unexpired term

§         Victor Garcia to serve as Alternate Member for Johnnie Davis; and

§         Pete Irwin to serve as Alternate Member for Winn Murnin

After careful consideration, BSAC members approved the recommendations.

10.       Informational Items – Mr. Lewis Marshall reminded everyone about the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature contribution form.

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