Human Services
Bernie Blackmore		David Howelman, Chairman	Laura Stanek
Minutes
April 24, 2008
Members Present:	Laura Stanek, Bernie Blackmore and Dave Howelman
Members Absent:	None
Others:	Peter Garwood and Jack White
1.        Meeting was called to order at 9:05 a.m.
2.        Public Comment Don Schuiteman, member of the Commission on Aging (COA) board indicated his support for the new building Ray Mills from Area Seniors Inc. will be proposing later in today’s meeting as well as the respite care (adult day care) program it would house.  Mr. Ed Bradford, Chairman of the COA board echoed that support.

3.        Additional Building and Respite Care Program

Mr. Mills gave a history of the Area Seniors, Inc. activities since they began some fourteen years ago.

Mr. Mills presented plans for a proposed new building that would be located south of the current Antrim County Senior Center. Mr. Mills proposed that the new building would house a respite care program. Mr. Mills proposed the program would be operated by the COA.  The building could also be used for some of the current COA programs to take the pressure off of the current Senior Center. 

Mr. Mills also indicated the County currently does not pay rent or pay for major repairs at the current Senior Center, which is causing a hardship on the Area Seniors, Inc. He indicated he would like to see changes to the current lease agreement for the Senior Center, so that the County would pay rent or pay for some of the needed repairs.  The Committee was generally receptive to the idea.

Carol Mitchell, Director COA joined the meeting and expressed her support for starting a respite care program.  She also gave a general outline as to how the program would be run by the COA out of the proposed building.

Dave Howelman, Chairman of the Committee informed Mr. Mills and Ms. Mitchell the County would need to see an analysis of the costs and possible income associated with running a respite care program, while taking on a lease payment, utilities and maintenance of a new building.  Mr. Mills and Ms. Mitchell will provide the costs and income for the Human Services Committee’s meeting next month.

Meeting was adjourned at 11:05 a.m.