NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Greetings,
I hope that everyone has enjoyed their summer. While the staff at SARPC was able to take some time off, it was definitely between some very busy weeks. The I-10 Bridge continues to be a hot topic and has gained some very influential recognition with a visit from Anthony Foxx, the US Secretary of Transportation. We know the bridge is a long-term goal and it will stay our focus along with all of our South Alabama assets. We will continue to work diligently to achieve our goals for economic, community and environmental vitality.
Thank you,
Chris
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TRANSPORTATION
US Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx visited Mobile on August 20th. He spoke briefly at the Mobile Chamber of Commerce and then had a press conference at the Alabama State Docks Container Terminal later that morning. Although the Secretary did not offer any funding for the I-10 Mobile River Bridge, he did offer some encouraging thoughts. He appreciated the spirit here in Mobile and Baldwin Counties in terms of collaboration. He said that "we have our act together, hopefully Washington will get their act together". He spoke about the importance of a six year transportation bill, and the Highway Trust Fund being short every year. These are problems the entire country is facing.
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The Mobile MPO met on Wednesday, August 19 to adopt the FY2016 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), the 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), the Program of Projects (POP) for the FTA 5310 awards, and a resolution supporting passenger rail. There was also a discussion of American Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plans and Toole Design Group presented the final recommendations of the Non Motorized Mobility Study for Downtown Mobile.
http://mobilempo.org/PDFs/Mobile%20Stakeholder%20Mtg%2028JUL15.pdf
Copies of the proposed fiscal year 2016 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), which details the federally funded transportation planning activities to be undertaken in the Mobile urban area in FY 2016 by the Alabama DOT, the Wave Transit System, and the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission, and the adopted 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program are available online at
www.mobilempo.org.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Meeting
There was a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee on August 19, 2015 as well. The agenda included a discussion about Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grants, Non Motorized Mobility Study for Downtown Mobile Presentation, review of road projects for bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and a review of recent crash data involving cyclists and pedestrians.
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FTA 5310 ( Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities) Awards. On August 4th, the Mobile Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 5310 Project Selection Committee met and awarded the following:
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AGENCY
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FEDERAL AMOUNT
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CAPITAL / OPERATING
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| Mobile ARC |
$189,758 |
Operating |
| Independent Living Center |
$22,470 |
Operating |
| Mobile Bay Transportation |
$9,982 |
Capital |
| Goodwill Easter Seals |
$43,200 |
Capital |
These projects were brought before the MPO for approval in a document called the "Program of Projects" at the August 19th MPO meeting.
The Mobile MPO, as the Designated Recipient for FTA 5310 funds, had $823,000 FTA 5310 funding for FY 2015 and FY 2016. The majority of that HAS to be used for traditional 5310 activities (capital for vans) and 10 % for administration. We have a lot left over (almost $500,000) that can only be spent on capital. If your agency is within the Mobile MPO, and you need a van for the elderly or disabled, now is your chance. We are having a second round of call for projects for CAPITAL ONLY, there was a Pre-Submittal Conference on August 24th at 10:00AM at the GMO building; the deadline for the second round of applications is September 9th.
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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plans Each City in the Mobile MPO Study Area and Mobile County now has an appointed ADA Coordinator, thank you for your cooperation. The FHWA has required that every city and county in the state have an ADA Transition Plan, and Urban Areas will have a one year deadline. The ADA Coordinators create a 9 member ADA Subcommittee. The first task is to select a consultant through the ALDOT Alternative Consultant Selection Procedures. The nine ADA Coordinators met on August 18th, and selected Neel-Schaffer to do the work.
**(For areas outside the boundaries of an MPO, ALDOT is working on a time line for you, and you will not follow the same timeline as the Urban areas) **
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CAREGIVER COLLEGE HELD IN BREWTON
Pictured is Alec Brown of Davis and Associates, providing a presentation on
legal issues for caregiver at the free Caregiver College held July 23rd at the Alabama Cooperative Extension Office in Brewton, attended by 34 caregivers. Mr. Brown is the Area Agency on Aging's provider of legal counseling services to persons age 60 and over. The purpose of the college is to enhance the knowledge and skills of the caregivers while helping them simplify and de-stress. Topics included Dementia 101, caring for the Caregiver, Legal Ease, Medication Dispensing and Caregivers, and Medicare information. The program is open to anyone caring for a family member or loved one with dementia, chronic illness or physical frailty. To obtain information about upcoming workshops this Fall in Baldwin and Mobile counties, contact Della Sanchez at the Area Agency on Aging, 706-4650.
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HEAVENLY SENT LEARNING CENTER RECEIVES STATEWIDE HONOR
Heavenly Sent Learning Center was recently recognized for its work with Pre K students. The Center received a grant and the designation of "First Class Pre-K Classroom" from the Alabama School Readiness Alliance and the Alabama Department of Children's Affairs. South Alabama Regional Planning Commission is proud to have played a part in their achievement.
South Alabama Regional Planning Commission Revolving Loan Fund (SARPC RLF) provided financing for the expansion of Heavenly Sent Learning Center located in Foley. The minority owned business provides day care for infants through Pre- K as well as After School and Summer Programs for school aged children. The project, which was funded by the SARPC RLF Loan and local lenders, expanded the facility and created 8 new jobs.
South Alabama Regional Planning Commission is committed to assisting small businesses with gap financing through its Revolving Loan Fund. The SARPC RLF can be used for working capital, equipment, inventory as well as the purchase of property and buildings. Terms are fixed and there are no prepayment penalties. The purpose of the program is to create and retain jobs in the SARPC region. For more information on the SARPC RLF contact Terri Pringle at 251-652-0585.
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TRAIN THE TRAINER WORKSHOP
The Area Agency on Aging hosted a Train the Trainer workshop for Living Well Alabama at SARPC August 13-20
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, an evidence based chronic disease self-management program developed by Stanford School of Family Medicine. Master Trainers Jabari Sullen of the Alabama Department of Health and Marie Cafferty, SARPC, lead the four day training of volunteer instructors that included recent graduates of SARPC's Legacy Leadership Institute and the Alabama Institute of the Deaf and Blind. For information contact Marie Cafferty at 706-4685.
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ALABAMA STATE GENERAL FUND BUDGET STILL IN LIMBO
Alabama Department of Senior Services projects cuts to services for seniors and disabled.
The Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS) is the state agency that provides state and federal aging services and Medicaid Waiver funding to the regional Area Agencies on Aging, such as the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission (SARPC).
ADSS provided this projected impact of the Alabama Senate passed HB1 on aging programs proposed at the latest Special Session:
Senior Meal Programs
HB1 cuts funding to the Alabama Department of Senior Services by 9% or $2,728,053. The Senate approved budget takes the entire cut out of one appropriation (Appropriation 525). This appropriation funds Older American Act Programs such as the Elderly Nutrition Program.
Cuts in funding could potentially result in the loss of 812,452 meals to seniors throughout the state.
Additionally, a decrease in meals served would impact federal funding under the Nutrition Supplemental Incentive Program in future fiscal years. NSIP funding is based on State ranking of meals served in the prior fiscal year. This would result in a reduction in funding to supplemental the meal program.
ADSS provided this projected impact of the Alabama House passed HB1 on aging programs proposed at the latest Special Session:
Medicaid Waiver Programs
A 5.5% ($1,143,711 million) cut to ADSS Medicaid Waiver Programs potentially could have the following impact on ADSS' programs:
- Loss of Federal Funding - $2.55 million (69 % federal / 31% state)
- Reduction in Clients served per month - 367
- Inability to serve 7,100 + on current referral list
The E & D Waiver Program provides services to individuals who are eligible for institutional placement and are at risk of being placed in an institutional setting without these services.
- The State places the individual client's health and safety at risk if unable to provide the necessary services.
- Additional costs incurred if clients were placed in an institutional setting instead of receiving services in the community.
- Institutional setting cost - Approximately $5,900 per month per client
- ADSS Medicaid Waiver Cost - $838 per month per client
- Additional cost to the State of $6.9 million as a result of not serving 367 clients in E & D Waiver
1.
At this time the Alabama Department of Senior Services does expect to rollover funds into FY 16 which will mitigate the impact on our Medicaid Waiver Programs.
2.
ADSS would not be able to expand our Personal Choices program statewide to give consumers more choice (it already operates in SARPC's region).
3.
Cuts to the Alabama Medicaid Agency could impact funding to the Alabama Department of Senior Services.
- Medicaid pays the State match on three of the Medicaid Waivers operated by ADSS.
- ADSS also receives other grants through State Medicaid which cuts to their funding could jeopardize.
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THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT: AGING WELL SINCE 1965
Th
is year marks an important milestone in the history of how our country supports its older citizens. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Older Americans Act (OAA) into law in July 1965. Over the past 50 years, the OAA has provided the nation with programs that allow millions of older Americans to continue living and thriving in the communities of their choice for as long as possible.
Through a national network of aging services and funding, the OAA offers a wide range of supports, including home-delivered and congregate meals, caregiver support, preventive health services, transportation, job training, and elder abuse prevention.
While the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission provides services to older adults year-round, this anniversary offers an opportunity to emphasize how older adults can access the home- and community-based services they need to live independently in their communities. It is also an occasion to highlight how older adults are engaging with and making a difference in those communities.
The theme of this special observance is "Get into the Act." Take a few minutes to view our website at
www.agingsouthalabama.org and learn how to access programs, resources and opportunities to help maximize the independence of older adults in our community.
Join us in commemorating this milestone anniversary by visiting us at the Baldwin County Senior Expo on October 1st at the Coliseum in Robertsdale where we will have a golden 50thAnniversary celebration. The Older Americans Act funds the core services offered by the Area Agencies on Aging. Come celebrate with us and learn what the OAA means to local seniors in our community.
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GRAND BAY SENIOR CENTER MAKING IMPACT IN COMMUNITY
Grand Bay SAIL Senior Center Manager, Mary Lee, pictured with Grand Bay seniors who have been collecting pop tops for the Ronald McDonald House. They recently also donated 50 pairs of glasses to the Lions Club, and are growing a garden at the Center to provide some fresh produce for members. The Grand Bay Center has many activities planned for the seniors, most recently holding a July 4
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celebration, and in May Congressman Bradley Byrne presented them with a flag that flew over the capitol and they had a special flag raising ceremony at the Community Center.
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GOVERNMENT PLANNING SERVICES UPDATE
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently hosted a series of webinars about their Brownfields Program, and specifically targeted this information to regional planning agencies. The EPA believes that regional planning agencies could be more involved in the brownfield program because of their experience with grant management, planning, development and infrastructure, their existing relationships with multiple agencies, and their ability to support small communities.
EPA defines a brownfield as "real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant." Brownfields can be blighted, derelict, or abandoned property; contaminated property; property which is believed to be contaminated; or property causing a fear of environmental liability.
There are several grant opportunities in the EPA Brownfields Program, but 80% of the grants awarded are assessment or cleanup grants. Other grants in the program include revolving loan fund, environmental workforce development and job training, and area-wide planning.
Assessment Grants
- Are to inventory, characterize, assess, and conduct planning and community involvement related to brownfield sites
- Can be awarded community wide, for a single site, or to a coalition for an assessment of a minimum of five sites within a larger geographic area
Cleanup Grants
- To carry out cleanup activities at specific brownfield sites
- Hazardous substances or petroleum contamination
- Non-profits may apply but applicant must own property at time of application
Since 1995, the EPA has awarded 3,154 brownfields grants totaling more than $920.6M. This has helped:
- Assess more than 24,348 properties
- Leverage more than $23.3 billion in Brownfields cleanup and redevelopment funding from the private and public sectors
- Generate more than 109,787 jobs
- Make more than 55,762 acres ready for reuse
The EPA also offers several non-grant programs that provide training and technical assistance to applicants or potential applicants. It is also important to contact the state EPA office to learn more about programs/assistance that Alabama is offering. See the links below for more information about the EPA Brownfields Program or Alabama's programs.
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We continue to assist the City of Bayou La Batre with their Comprehensive Plan and the City of Chickasaw with their Zoning Ordinance. Both of these projects were funded through the State Lands Division, Coastal Zone Management Program.
We are also assisting the Town of Summerdale with their Comprehensive
Plan, which
is funded through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, the Utilities Board of the City of Bayou La Batre with their CIAP grant and the City of Brewton with their gas line
project, which is
partially funded t
hrough
the Delta Regional Authority.
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