Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability executive committee adopts procedural items, plans Feb. 13 meeting around impending legislation and a housing brief
February 01, 2024 | Commission on Aging and Disability, Deparments in Office of the Governor, Organizations, Executive, Tennessee
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The Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability (TCAD) executive committee met remotely on Jan. 22, 2024, adopted a statutory "statement of necessity" allowing the electronic meeting, approved minutes from Oct. 23, 2023, and spent the session planning the Feb. 13 full commission meeting amid an anticipated, large legislative package and a possible administrative transition.
The committee voted unanimously by roll call to adopt the statement of necessity after Ryan Hicks read aloud the legal rationale, citing "Tennessee code annotated 844-108," and confirmed that members were dispersed across the state and that timely action was required to prepare the February agenda. Mike Willis moved to adopt the statement and Tracy Moore seconded; the roll call recorded four affirming votes and the motion carried.
Members said they expect a substantial bill to be filed soon that could move some developmental-intellectual disability functions out of the existing statutory structure and shift responsibilities affecting aging and disability policy. The transcript describes the legislation as "over 100 pages." Committee members agreed to reserve time at the Feb. 13 commission meeting for Commissioner Turner (or his designee) to outline the changes and to allow discussion.
Lauren Legere Carroll, who identified herself as "chief of staff for DIDD" and said she was attending in Commissioner Turner's stead, told the committee the legislation had been delayed by recent events at the Legislature but was expected imminently. Members asked that the commissioner touch specifically on the commission's future responsibilities and how they could work proactively with the new administration.
The committee also discussed making the February meeting more discussion-focused and less report-driven. Rather than having multiple individual program presentations consume most of the agenda, members proposed providing written program updates in advance and scheduling a single program update (noted in the transcript as a Shelley-led overview) with time for questions.
Housing and homelessness emerged as the topic the committee wants to address in February. Members proposed a "level-setting" briefing on community-based housing issues affecting older adults and people with disabilities (not institutional care). Potential presenters identified in the discussion included staff from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency, Metro Social Services' William Bissett, AgeWell Tennessee, and the Tennessee Coalition for Better Aging.
Christie Wicht described a Qualtrics survey she has drafted to gather anonymous feedback from commission and community members on meeting structure, priorities and who should be consulted. The committee discussed who would manage the survey and how to ensure its findings are useful to the new leadership during the transition.
The meeting noted a statutory requirement for an audit committee in the commission bylaws and the chair reported difficulty recruiting volunteers; the committee suggested introducing the new audit staff person at a future meeting to encourage participation.
The group agreed on an order for the Feb. 13 agenda: Commissioner Turner and DIDD staff introductions and remarks, open discussion with commissioners, public comment, then program updates and member spotlights. The executive committee adjourned by roll-call vote; the next full commission meeting is scheduled for Feb. 13.
Votes at a glance
- Adopt statement of necessity (required for an electronic meeting): motion moved by Mike Willis; seconded by Tracy Moore; roll-call vote recorded in the transcript as Cara Westlake: Aye; Mike Willis: Aye; Tracy Moore: Yes; Christie Wicht: Aye. Outcome: adopted.
- Approve minutes of Oct. 23, 2023: motion moved by Tracy Moore; seconded (recorded). Roll-call vote recorded in the transcript as affirmative and the motion carried.
- Adjournment: motion moved and seconded; roll-call vote recorded as unanimous in the transcript.
What happens next
The committee asked staff to plan the Feb. 13 agenda so the commissioner can introduce DIDD staff, present how responsibilities may change under the forthcoming legislation, and leave time for a housing briefing and public comment. Members also asked for clarity about how survey feedback will be used and for help recruiting audit committee volunteers.
(Reporting based on the Jan. 22, 2024 TCAD executive committee transcript.)
The committee voted unanimously by roll call to adopt the statement of necessity after Ryan Hicks read aloud the legal rationale, citing "Tennessee code annotated 844-108," and confirmed that members were dispersed across the state and that timely action was required to prepare the February agenda. Mike Willis moved to adopt the statement and Tracy Moore seconded; the roll call recorded four affirming votes and the motion carried.
Members said they expect a substantial bill to be filed soon that could move some developmental-intellectual disability functions out of the existing statutory structure and shift responsibilities affecting aging and disability policy. The transcript describes the legislation as "over 100 pages." Committee members agreed to reserve time at the Feb. 13 commission meeting for Commissioner Turner (or his designee) to outline the changes and to allow discussion.
Lauren Legere Carroll, who identified herself as "chief of staff for DIDD" and said she was attending in Commissioner Turner's stead, told the committee the legislation had been delayed by recent events at the Legislature but was expected imminently. Members asked that the commissioner touch specifically on the commission's future responsibilities and how they could work proactively with the new administration.
The committee also discussed making the February meeting more discussion-focused and less report-driven. Rather than having multiple individual program presentations consume most of the agenda, members proposed providing written program updates in advance and scheduling a single program update (noted in the transcript as a Shelley-led overview) with time for questions.
Housing and homelessness emerged as the topic the committee wants to address in February. Members proposed a "level-setting" briefing on community-based housing issues affecting older adults and people with disabilities (not institutional care). Potential presenters identified in the discussion included staff from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency, Metro Social Services' William Bissett, AgeWell Tennessee, and the Tennessee Coalition for Better Aging.
Christie Wicht described a Qualtrics survey she has drafted to gather anonymous feedback from commission and community members on meeting structure, priorities and who should be consulted. The committee discussed who would manage the survey and how to ensure its findings are useful to the new leadership during the transition.
The meeting noted a statutory requirement for an audit committee in the commission bylaws and the chair reported difficulty recruiting volunteers; the committee suggested introducing the new audit staff person at a future meeting to encourage participation.
The group agreed on an order for the Feb. 13 agenda: Commissioner Turner and DIDD staff introductions and remarks, open discussion with commissioners, public comment, then program updates and member spotlights. The executive committee adjourned by roll-call vote; the next full commission meeting is scheduled for Feb. 13.
Votes at a glance
- Adopt statement of necessity (required for an electronic meeting): motion moved by Mike Willis; seconded by Tracy Moore; roll-call vote recorded in the transcript as Cara Westlake: Aye; Mike Willis: Aye; Tracy Moore: Yes; Christie Wicht: Aye. Outcome: adopted.
- Approve minutes of Oct. 23, 2023: motion moved by Tracy Moore; seconded (recorded). Roll-call vote recorded in the transcript as affirmative and the motion carried.
- Adjournment: motion moved and seconded; roll-call vote recorded as unanimous in the transcript.
What happens next
The committee asked staff to plan the Feb. 13 agenda so the commissioner can introduce DIDD staff, present how responsibilities may change under the forthcoming legislation, and leave time for a housing briefing and public comment. Members also asked for clarity about how survey feedback will be used and for help recruiting audit committee volunteers.
(Reporting based on the Jan. 22, 2024 TCAD executive committee transcript.)
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