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August 15, 2005 - Regular Meeting Page 302 Carolyn Carpenter, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners and speaking as a Cabarrus County citizen, commented on the decline of funding for the visually impaired. She acknowledged the transportation services have on the daily activities citizens and encouraged the Transportation Department to sources. Federal transportation tremendous impact that of visually impaired seek alternate funding There was no one present to address the Board, and Chairman Carpenter closed the Public Hearing at 10:34 p.m. Mr. Bass advised that no further action was required by the Board at this time. (G-2) Report on the Concord Retirement Center Located at 166 Union Street North in Concord Karen A. pensgen, Adult Home Care Advisory Committee Volunteer, presented a report on problems associated with the Concord Retirement Center and the standards for adult care facilities. She highlighted the following information about the Center: (1) Documented unacceptable resident care for a number of years; (2) Collaborative effort by concerned citizens, city and county officials in getting the State Division of Facility Services to address that problem; and (3) Suspension of the Center's license to operate and relocation of the residents on July 29. Ms. pensgen also reported there are two other homes, Kannapolis Village and Concord House, which may merit similar regulatory action. She advised that the State's Adult Care licensing standards are too minimal and should be upgraded to ensure the quality of life for all residents. Also, Ms. pensgen reported that Robert Mathis (Chairman of the Social Services Board) had suggested in a recent letter to Governor Easley that the Governor impanel a group to study the regulatory system for adult care homes and areas in which the minimum standards should be strengthened. Ms. pensgen recommended the Board take the following action: (1) Contact the Governor's Office, State Legislators and the State Division of Facility Services (DFS) with a request to review and revise the current adult care home laws and regulations with the intent to upgrade the minimum standards that all facilities operate under, and eliminate any "grandfatheringU clauses that exempt currently licensed facilities from complying with new standards; (2) Include in the letters that the State DFS provide quick and thorough responses to compliance problems brought to their attention by local DSS, Regional Ombudsman's Offices and community advisory committees; (3) County Commissioners are invited to make an annual visit to all Long Term Care facilities with the community advisory committee volunteers; and (4) Encourage recruitment and recommendation of persons who might be willing to serve on the community advisory committees. Ms. pensgen expressed her gratitude for Commissioner Juba's support and guidance and willingness to take action during the past few months. UPON MOTION of Commissioner Privette, seconded by Commissioner Freeman and unanimously carried, the Board adopted the recommendations for action (set forth above) as presented by Karen A. pensgen, Adult Home Care Advisory Committee Volunteer, and thanked the volunteer committee members for rendering a valuable service for the protection of the County's senior adults. Hillary Kaylor, Ombudsman with the Centralina Council of Government, responded to questions regarding the ownership and management of adult care facilities. She also commented on the collaborative effort that occurred within the community to address the problems at the Concord Retirement Center. Further, she cautioned of problems that will occur in other facilities because of the minimum standards. Chairman Carpenter stated a letter would be drafted this week to the Governor's Office, State Legislators and the State Division of Facility Services. (G-3) Award of Bids for Two Public Safety Tower Bids Captain Phil Patterson reported the County was awarded Homeland Security grant funds of $500,000.00 to construct a communications tower in the Midland area and a tower on the western side of Concord to improve radio communications for all public safety agencies. Bids for the two towers were opened earlier this date and the following bids were received.