Quarterly Council Meeting Minutes
February 12, 2016
Hilton Garden Inn, Cary, NC

MEMBERS PRESENT: Caroline Ambrose, Karen Armstrong, Amanda Bergen, Eric Zechman (for Wayne Black), Wendy Boyd, Adonis Brown, Lisa Byrd, Mya Lewis (for Courtney Cantrell), Christina Carter, Eric Chavis, Kerri Eaker, Mary Edwards, Jason Faircloth, Crystal Foreman, Deb Goda (for Sandra Terrell), Joshua Gettinger, Michael Groves, Katie Holler, Dreama McCoy (for William Hussey), Rep. Verla Insko, Wing Ng, Desiree Peterson, Cheryl Powell, Joseph Piven, Ron Reeve, I. Azell Reeves, Clare Shocket, Nessie Siler, Vicki Smith, Jim Swain

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Anna Cunningham, Lourdes Fernandez, Dave Richard, Peggy Terhune, Senator Tommy Tucker, David White, Kelly Woodall, Paula Woodhouse
    
STAFF PRESENT:  Chris Egan, Cora Gibson, Steve Strom, Melissa Swartz, JoAnn Toomey, Yadira Vasquez, Philip Woodward, Letha Young

CONTRACTORS/GRANTEES PRESENT:  Alexander Bergen, Catherine Bergen, Karen Cook, Danielle Matula, Renate Macchirole, Denise Sumiel, Sumer Sutton, Mai Lee Vue

GUESTS:  DHHS Secretary Rick Brajer, Laura Guidry, DSP from Maxim, Fred Johnson, Susi Michelau, Walter Weeks

WELCOME AND ATTENDANCE

Chairman Ron Reeve asked that any Council member with a potential conflict of interest regarding any item on the agenda, to identify that conflict, for documentation in the minutes and acted upon, as necessary. He also reminded members of the emergency exits at the Hilton Garden Inn. JoAnn Toomey then conducted the roll call.

APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES

Ron Reeve asked for approval of the November 2015 Council meeting minutes. A copy of the minutes had previously been made available to Council members.

MOTION:  Amanda Bergen made a motion to approve the minutes. Adonis Brown seconded the motion. The motion was approved.
 
FINANCE REPORT

Ron Reeve reminded members to complete their reimbursement forms and submit them to staff. Mr. Reeve gave a brief report on the financial status of the Council. A copy of the report had previously been made available and reviewed with Council members. Due to the incoming inclement weather, Mr. Reeve announced that there would be a shift in the agenda to address the new business and committee reports so that members could leave early if desired.

NEW BUSINESS

MOTION: Eric Chavis made a motion for continuation funding for the In-House Council Development Fund Initiative for the period of July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017 for an amount up to $40,000 with match requirement waived since this is an in-house initiative of the Council. Adonis Brown seconded the motion. The motion was approved.

MOTION:  Crystal Foreman made a motion for continuation funding for the In-House Public Policy Initiative for the period of July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017 for an amount up to $60,000 with match requirement waived since this is an in-house initiative of the Council. Dreama McCoy seconded the motion. The motion was approved.

MOTION: Adonis Brown made a motion for continuation funding for the In-House Conference Funding Initiative for the period of July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017 for an amount up to $24,000 with match requirement waived since this is an in-house initiative of the Council. Katie Holler seconded the motion. The motion was approved.

AD HOC COMMITTEE UPDATES

Crystal Foreman gave a brief update on the Governance Ad Hoc Committee.
Caroline Amborse gave a brief update on the Membership and Development Ad Hoc Committee.
Crystal Foreman gave a brief update on the Communications Ad Hoc Committee.
Adonis Brown gave an update on the Five Year State Plan Development Ad Hoc Committee. The following are motions presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION: Nessie Siler made a motion to approve the 2017-2021 State Plan Goals and Objectives. After review of the summary received from the 45-day public comment period that ended January 15, 2016, it was found that there was overwhelming support of the goals and objectives as presented. Eric Chavis seconded the motion. The motion was approved.

MOTION: Adonis Brown made a motion to realign the three standing committees of the Council to Community living, Financial Asset Development and Advocacy Development. Clare Shocket seconded the motion. The motion was approved. 

OLD BUSINESS

There was no old business.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT

he Executive Committee members met December 8, 2015, December 18, 2015 and January 11, 2016. Copies of the minutes were made available to Council members. Mr. Reeve asked each member to review the minutes.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Reeve requested presentation of committee reports. Please refer to the committee minutes for a detailed description of the committee's work, including motions made in committee.

DISABILITY SYSTEMS CHANGE COMMITTEE

Acting committee chair Adonis Brown presented the Disability Systems Change Committee report. There were no motions presented on the floor.

COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDING COMMITTEE

Committee chair I. Azell Reeves presented the Community Capacity Building Committee Report. Updated information concerning their initiatives were given. Chair Azell thanked all committee members and staff. The following are motions presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION: Joshua Gettinger made a motion to approve continuation funding to the Alliance of Disability Advocates, a state independent living center, for the NCCDD "ADA Network Fiscal Agent Initiative" for up to $40,000, with a 25% required minimum match, for the period of July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017 for year two of three. Eric Chavis seconded the motion. The motion was approved. Desiree Peterson recused herself since she is on the Alliance of Disability Advocates board.

MOTION: Jim Swain made a motion for continuation funding for the In-House NC ADA Network Initiative for the period of July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017 for an amount up to $60,000 with match requirement waived since this is an in-house initiative of the Council. Adonis Brown seconded the motion. The motion was approved.

ADVOCACY AND LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE

Committee chair Caroline Ambrose presented the Advocacy and Leadership Committee report. She gave a brief update on the discussions from the Thursday meeting. There were no motions presented on the floor.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Crystal Foreman wanted to clarify her comment about homeownership through Habitat for Humanities and share her experience. Crystal also commented on the use of the Council Development Fund, stating that when members use it they should come back to the Council and give a verbal report about the conference they attended.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Representative Verla Insko gave a brief legislative update on Medicaid reform and answered questions from the members.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Chris Egan provided his report to the members with a focus on the importance of relationships {a component of Goal 2 of the newly adopted five-year plan goals and objectives). He reviewed the National Core Indicators data and Personal Outcome Measures data of the Council on Quality and Leadership. In addition, he provided information demonstrating the link between good health (positive health outcomes) and relationships. Mr. Egan concluded by wishing all members a happy Valentine's day.

Ron Reeve asked for a motion for the meeting to adjourn. Eric Chavis made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Amanda Bergen seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned.

Approved:  _________________________
Ron Reeve, Chair
Date: _______________