NC Council on Developmental Disabilities
FINAL
Executive Committee Minutes
Date:  May 18, 2020
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Members Present: Allison Dodson, Kerri Eaker, Myron Gavin, Cheryl Powell, Ryan Rotundo, Nessie Siler, Dan Smith
Staff Present: JoAnn Toomey, Yadira Vasquez, Talley Wells, Shar’ron Williams, Letha Young

I. Call to Order
Chair Kerri Eaker called to order the meeting of the Executive Committee (EC) and welcomed the members calling in.

II. Approval of Minutes
The draft minutes of the April 20, 2020 Executive Committee meetings were reviewed.

MOTION: Dan Smith made a motion to approve the April 20, 2020 minutes. Allison Dodson seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

III. Executive Director Update
Talley Wells gave an update to the members on the response to the community discussion regarding COVID-19, hosted by NCCDD on Wednesday, April 29th. It was very well attended, and he made sure to let the participants know that we are updating the website almost daily with COVID-19 updates.

Talley also updated the members on the Conversations with the Council that was held May 11th for the western part of the state. There were over 100 registered, and more than 70 actually attended the 12:30 session and just under 20 attended the more intimate evening session. It went very well and he’s looking forward to the second sessions being held later today for Central NC.

He discussed the Public Policy Coordinator contractor position and there is still no resolution. He is exploring other options and will keep the members posted.

IV. Council Meeting/Member Survey Review
The members discussed the electronic surveys received from the May Council meeting. There were only 6 responses, but they were mostly positive other than comments on the technology glitches. The EC will look into the best way for members to vote on motions with any possible virtual platforms if Council meetings continue through electronic means. They also discussed the possibility of using virtual space during future Council meetings for the public comment portion. All were in favor of exploring this option.

V. Conference Funding Requests
None at this time

VI. Ad Hoc Committees/Updates
JoAnn Toomey reviewed with the members that there will be two vacancies on the Council after June 30th. With the last vacancy that occurred with Alex McArthur’s resignation, there were two recommendations the EC forwarded to Boards and Commissions. JoAnn suggested that the second recommended applicant for the Person with I/DD position be forwarded again for one of the upcoming vacancies. The EC can then either form a Membership Ad Hoc Committee to review applications for the remaining vacant position which is designated for a Person with I/DD or a Parent/Guardian/Relative – or she could forward applications to the EC before the June meeting for their review and recommendation. The EC decided they will review applications in June for the last upcoming vacancy.

The EC next discussed the Awards that are given at the November annual meeting of the Council. They have recommended that an Awards Ad Hoc Committee be formed to review nominations. An e-mail will be sent to all Council members asking for interest to serve on this temporary and short-term Awards Ad Hoc Committee.

VII. Personal Services Contract Review/Approval
None at this time.

VIII. Other
Talley updated the members that there were several other requests for funding after the NCCDD COVID-19 Relief Fund was exhausted. These requests totaled approximately $11,000 and there are unexpended 2018 federal funds available.

MOTION: Ryan Rotundo made a motion to supplement the existing NCCDD COVID-29 Relief Fund in the amount of up to $11,000 for requests from community organizations to provide relief to their consumers during the pandemic. Nessie Siler seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
The members then discussed the new members recently appointed to the Council and will look forward to meeting them at the August meeting. Welcome e-mails have been sent to Victor Armstrong (Division of MH/DD/SAS), Kay McMillan (Person with I/DD) and Karey Perez (Division of Aging and Adult Services).

Nessie brought up the fact that she will be ending her 1st term with the Council and that she hoped to be appointed for a second term. JoAnn thanked Nessie for that reminder and said that along with Nessie, Bryan Dooley and Will Miller were also finishing their 1st term June 30, 2020.

MOTION: Cheryl Powell made a motion that Nessie Siler, Bryan Dooley and Will Miller be recommended to NC Boards and Commissions for their second, four-year term on the Council. Myron Gavin seconded the motion. Nessie Siler abstained from voting. The motion was approved by majority vote.

Talley then discussed with the members the possibility of a short-term contract with an individual to plan for and explore a three-year initiative on the Registry of Unmet Needs based on interest and communications from Council members and the developmental disability community. This would involve research, conversations and developing materials with a $15,000 sole-source, six-month grant.

MOTION: Dan Smith made a motion to approve a sole-source, six-month contract in an amount up to $15,000 with an individual to plan for and explore a three-year Council initiative on the Registry of Unmet Needs. Allison Dodson seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

IX. Adjourn
Kerri Eaker then asked for the meeting to adjourn and Dan Smith made the motion to adjourn.