AGING AND LONG TERM CARE COMMITTEE

Monday, April 9, 2007

Lakeview Health Center – Board Room

9:00 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Roger Plesha, Jim Ehrsam, Jason Gillett, Ann Fisher, Lyell Montgomery (arr @9:04), and Sharon Hampson (arr @9:06)       

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  Jerry Sebranek and Ray Ebert      

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None   

GUESTS & STAFF:  Pam Semb, Noreen Kuroski, Jim Gausmann, Pete Eide, Wanda Plachecki, Mary Hennen, Bryan Jostad, Steve O’Malley, Michael Gardner, Denise Engen, Jeff Van Straten, JoAnne Killeen, Kim Kania, Clair Sweet, Reid Magney, and Cheryl Stephen

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Roger Plesha, Committee Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Ehrsam/Gillett to approve committee meeting minutes of February 5, 2007.  Motion carried unanimously; Sebranek and Ebert excused; Hampson absent.

CONSENT AGENDA

MOTION by Ehrsam/Fisher to receive and place on file the following consent agenda items:

• Commission on Aging Minutes of February 6 and March 6, 2007
• Commission on Aging Advisory Committee Minutes of February 7, 2007
• Long Term Care Council Minutes of February 2, 2007
• Report by Attendees at WACH Spring Conference, March 26-27, 2007
• Meal Sites Statistics for 2006 and Prior
• Ripples & Waves – Lakeview Newsletter
• The Hillview Family – Hillview Newsletter

Motion carried unanimously; Sebranek and Ebert excused.

PUBLIC COMMENT

No requests.

APPROVE RFP FOR PHARMACY SERVICES FOR HILLVIEW AND LAKEVIEW

Bryan Jostad reviewed the RFP process noting 2 vendors had submitted proposals.  Detailed cost analysis was sent with the agenda.  A review team of 10 key employees from Hillview, Lakeview and Finance evaluated the proposals based on the following categories:  cost, scope of work, references & qualifications, and interview.  A total of 3,000 points was possible with each vendor receiving the following points:  Pinnacle with 2,222 and Health-One with 2,742.  The primary strengths of Health-One were cost, exceptional references, billing system, access to decision makers, and commitment to add resources.  Health-One is out of Minneapolis and has verbally agreed to open a branch in La Crosse within the next 6-9 months; also noted their backup is Walgreen’s.  MOTION by Montgomery/Hampson to approve the RFP from Health-One for a 5-year contract for pharmacy services starting May 16, 2007.  Motion carried unanimously; Sebranek and Ebert excused.

APPROVE RFP FOR VOLUNTEER DRIVER PROGRAM

Noreen Kuroski reviewed the RFP process noting only one vendor had submitted a proposal, that being Bethany Lutheran Homes.  An evaluation team of five people that included two County Board members,

Page 2 – Aging & Long Term Care Committee Minutes of April 9, 2007

two Aging Dept. staff, and the Purchasing Manager evaluated the proposal based on relevant experience, history & references, scope of work, and cost; the evaluation team determined that Bethany Lutheran Homes proposal met the qualifications to provide satisfactory service.  MOTION by Montgomery/Fisher to approve the Volunteer Driver Escort Program proposal as submitted by Bethany Lutheran Homes for the balance of 2007.  Motion carried unanimously; Sebranek and Ebert excused.

REPORT BY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER

Jim Gausmann reviewed his written report as sent with the agenda.  Highlights as follows:

• Youth Governs the County is April 24; all County high schools are involved except for Logan.
• Veterans Service Commission application for assistance and administrative guidelines are being updated, though Jim can grant emergency aid in between commission meetings.
• Due to recent Walter Reed Army Medical Center being in the news, area VA facilities were inspected which included Hillview and Lakeview.  Jim notified deficiencies in mental health and specialized health care.
• Seeing increase in post traumatic stress disorders.
• Memorial Day website will be up by May 1^st as part of the Veterans Service Office website.

UPDATE ON LAKEVIEW’S COLLABORATION

Pam Semb noted a meeting today with various County representatives.  It’s looking very positive for the Counties of Vernon and Monroe; these are the two counties that have the most clients at Lakeview.  Steve O’Malley also noted his involvement in meeting with various county staff and County Board members and the progress that’s been made.  Supervisor Ehrsam noted he recently attended a Wisconsin Association of County Homes conference and discussed the matter with some Board Members.   

RENEW LEASE FOR BRIDGE LEARNING CENTER

Pam Semb reviewed noting a year ago, the committee approved leasing a portion of the Neshonoc Center to a local advocacy group for the chronically mentally ill.  The lease is due for renewal and needs reconsideration by the committee.  MOTION by Ehrsam/Gillett to approve the renewal of the lease for the Bridge Learning Center.  Supervisor Hampson questioned the economic impact.  Pam noted none other than some additional utilities; it has worked out well with one person being in charge of the security and safety.  Motion carried unanimously; Sebranek and Ebert excused. 

RESOLUTION RE PROCLAIMING APRIL 15-21, 2007 AS VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION WEEK IN LA CROSSE COUNTY

Committee Chairman Plesha read the resolution.  MOTION by Plesha/fisher to approve the resolution.  Supervisor Hampson asked if there were any planned activities.  Pam noted Lakeview holds recognition event in June; Pete Eide noted Hillview holds similar event in August and Noreen noted same for County Aging Dept.  The three departments participate at the Annual Volunteer Breakfast as sponsored/promoted by RSVP.  Motion carried unanimously; Sebranek and Ebert excused.

RESOLUTION RE PROCLAIMING MAY AS OLDER AMERICANS MONTH AND MAY 22, 2007 AS OLDER AMERICANS DAY IN LA CROSSE COUNTY

Committee Chairman Plesha read the resolution.  MOTION by Plesha/Ehrsam to approve the resolution.  Motion carried unanimously; Sebranek and Ebert excused.

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RESOLUTION RE APPOINTMENT OF SENIOR PAPER STUDY COMMITTEE

Committee Chairman Plesha read the resolution.  Supervisor Gillett noted his reasons for such a study, such as duplication of services in having two newspapers and waste of resources (paper, etc.).  Supervisor Montgomery noted the County has no control over a privately published newspaper; he also noted previous problems with errors and inaccurate information.  MOTION by Hampson/Gillett to approve the resolution.  Supervisor Hampson noted the reason she made the motion is to serve on the study committee and have the capability of putting an end to this matter; she also noted the committee has discussed and reviewed this matter before with same end result of no change.  Steve O’Malley pointed out that he and the Finance Director disapproved the resolution; it’s not feasible to study small budgeted items; it’s up to this committee and the Commission on Aging, and both have reviewed and decided to continue with a County published newspaper.  Supervisor Ehrsam said he agrees with the resolution and noted confusion with having two newspapers.  Committee Chairman Plesha noted previous experience with the privately owned newspaper and his concern with articles being published that are in the form of advertising.  MOTION FAILED on 2 to 4 vote:  Gillett-yes, Ehrsam-yes, Hampson-no, Montgomery-no, Fisher-no, Plesha-no; Sebranek and Ebert excused.

ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS

Supervisor Hampson suggested monthly or quarterly reports/updates on the following:  pharmacy services, volunteer driver program and Lakeview collaboration.

NEXT MEETING

Monday, May 7, 2007 at 9:00 a.m.  General agreement to hold the June meeting at Hillview. 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Committee Chairman Plesha declared the meeting adjourned at 9:43 a.m.

Disclaimer:  The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder