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

MEMBERS PRESENT: Caroline Ambrose, Karen Armstrong, Amanda Bergen, Wendy Boyd, Adonis Brown, Lisa Byrd, Christina Carter, Bryan Dooley, Jack Rogers (for Wayne Black), Eric Chavis, Anna Cunningham, Kerri Eaker, Mary Edwards, Jason Faircloth, Katie Holler, Beverly Cowell (for William Hussey), Andrea Meisenheimer, Desiree Peterson, Deb Zuver (for Joseph Piven), Cheryl Powell, Ron Reeve, I. Azell Reeves, Clare Shocket, Vicki Smith, Jim Swain, Peggy Terhune, Mya Lewis (for Jason Vogler), Kelly Woodall, Paula Woodhouse

MEMBERS ABSENT: Joshua Gettinger, Michael Groves, Representative Verla Insko, Wing Ng, Dave Richard, Nessie Siler, Sandra Terrell, Senator Tommy Tucker, David White

STAFF PRESENT: Chris Egan, Cora Gibson, Steve Strom, Melissa Swartz, JoAnn Toomey, Yadira Vasquez, Philip Woodward, Letha Young

CONTRACTORS/GRANTEES PRESENT: Erika Hagensen, Jill Hinton, Gordon O’Neill, Devika Rao

GUESTS: Laura Bartholomew, Karen Cook, Paula Coppola, Eric Fox, Elizabeth Kahn, Danielle Matula, David Owen, Scott Pokorny, Somer Sutton, David Taylor, Jr., Judi Taylor, Sarah Yancey, Yasmine White

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. Anna Cunningham then conducted the roll call.

APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES

Ron Reeve asked for approval of the May 2016 Council meeting minutes. A copy of the minutes had previously been made available to Council members.

MOTION: Eric Chavis made a motion to approve the minutes. Clare Shocket 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.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Chris Egan provided his report to the members starting with a focus on the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, the importance of the event around the world and the hard work and planning leading into and during the Olympics. He connected this theme to the new Five Year Plan as a major milestone that occurs once every five years for the Council, and the importance of the work leading up to and during the development of the new Plan. He thanked the members and staff for their efforts and commitment leading to the development of the goals and objectives that will guide our areas of emphasis and funding over the next five years.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Kerri Eaker shared information about the transition to adulthood conference that is coming up. Chris Egan is the keynote speaker.

David Taylor, Jr. shared information about SABE and Our Community Standing Strong (OCSS). He asked that Council members go to the website to vote.

Paula Coppola shared information about the struggles of people who have mental health issues and are homeless. She described some of the efforts she is engaged in to offer help.

Yasmine White shared information about Voices Together. She explained that the program is a music education model with goals to support individuals with disabilities to advocate, communicate and connect with their communities.

Elizabeth Khan shared updated information about the accessibility of the Performing Arts Center in downtown Raleigh.

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.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee members met June 20, 2016 and July 18, 2016. Copies of the minutes were made available to Council members. Mr. Reeve asked each member to review the minutes.

FINANCIAL ASSET DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Committee chair Amanda Bergen presented the Financial Asset Development Committee report. She thanked all committee members and staff and gave a brief update on the discussions from the Thursday meeting. The following is a motion presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION: Amanda Bergen made a motion to approve funding of the In-House Expansion of Employment Opportunities for People with I/DD initiative in an amount up to $110,000 for the period of October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017 for Year 1 of this planning grant that will include demonstration. Match to be determined for future external aspects of this effort. Eric Chavis seconded the motion. Motion was approved.

COMMUNITY LIVING COMMITTEE

Committee chair Kerri Eaker presented the Community Living Committee Report. Updated information concerning their initiatives was given. She thanked all committee members and staff and gave a brief update on the discussions from the Thursday meeting. The following motions were presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION: Kerri Eaker made a motion for continuation funding to the NC DHHS Division of Aging and Adult Services for the NCCDD Guardianship initiative for up to $75,000 (beginning January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017) for Year 3 (of 3) with required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds. Eric Chavis seconded the motion. Motion was approved.

MOTION: Kerri Eaker made a motion to grant NCCDD staff authority to release the Request for Applications (RFA) for the “Supported Living” initiative with the following edits to the RFA to include specific language for

1. A target of 18 individuals served in year 1;
2. Partners to reflect the geographic diversity of the state in rural, suburban and urban areas, each with its own unique areas that will need be reviewed and addressed in the RFA, and
3. Edits to the citations from the research.

Anna Cunningham seconded the motion. Katie Holler, Cheryl Powell, Vicki Smith, and Peggy Terhune recused themselves due to their agencies potentially applying for the RFA. Motion was approved.

ADVOCACY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Committee chair Nessie Siler was absent, so Katie Holler presented the Advocacy Development Committee report. She thanked all committee members and staff and gave a brief update on the discussions from the Thursday meeting. The following are motions presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION: Katie Holler made a motion for continuation funding to First in Families of NC for the NCCDD Sibling Support initiative. Funding is approved for up to $50,000 with a required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds ($16,667), for Year 3 (of 3) from October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017. Mary Edwards seconded the motion. Adonis Brown recused himself because he is on the board and Desiree Peterson abstained from voting. Motion was approved by a vote of hands.

MOTION: Katie Holler made a motion to approve funding of the In-House Inclusive Leadership Development initiative in an amount up to $85,000 for the period of October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017 for Year 1 of this planning grant. Match to be determined for future external aspects of this effort. Anna Cunningham seconded the motion. Motion was approved.

AD HOC COMMITTEE UPDATES

Peggy Terhune gave a brief update on the Governance Ad Hoc Committee.
The following motion was presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION: Peggy Terhune made a motion to approve the NCCDD Council Meetings Policy prepared by the Governance Ad Hoc Committee and as recommended by the Executive Committee. Paula Woodhouse seconded the motion. Motion was approved.

Carrie Ambrose updated the members that the Membership and Development Ad Hoc Committee met June 7, 2016 and reviewed applications for the two upcoming vacancies for a parent and a person with I/DD. Selections were made and forwarded to the Executive Committee who will then make recommendations to Boards and Commissions.

Eric Chavis and Anna Cunningham updated the members on the Communications Ad Hoc Committee’s latest activities.

NEW BUSINESS

The following are motions presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION: Peggy Terhune made a motion to approve the submission of the 2017-2021 NCCDD Five Year Plan to the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) on August 15, 2016. Anna Cunningham seconded the motion. Motion was approved.

MOTION: Amanda Bergen made a motion to approve the 2017 meetings of the Council; February 9-10, May 11-12, August 10-11, and November 15-17 be scheduled and held in the Raleigh area. Eric Chavis seconded the motion. Motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS

There was no old business.

Ron Reeve thanked all Council members for their work and staff. Anna Cunningham made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting was adjourned.

Approved: _________________________
Ron Reeve, Chair
Date: _______________