Dane County  
Minutes - Final Unless Amended by  
Committee  
Area Agency on Aging - Legislative / Advocacy Committee  
Consider:  
Who benefits? Who is burdened?  
Who does not have a voice at the table?  
How can policymakers mitigate unintended consequences?  
Wednesday, December 8, 2021  
9:00 AM  
via Zoom  
The Wednesday December 8, 2021 AAA Legislative/Advocacy Committee meeting is being held virtually.  
The public can access the meeting with the Zoom application or by telephone.  
To join the meeting in Zoom, click the following link (after you fill out the form, the meeting link and  
access information will be emailed to you):  
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cwXG7vE4SMeZJeG5iIzPsQ  
This link will be active until the end of the meeting.  
To join the meeting by phone, dial-in using one of the following three phone numbers:  
1-833-548-0276  
1-833-548-0282  
1-888-788-0099  
When prompted, enter the following Webinar ID: 867 0087 8125  
If you want to submit a written comment for this meeting, or send handouts for committee members,  
please send them to MATULLE.CINDY@COUNTYOFDANE.COM. In the subject line please state: Written  
Comment for this meeting or Handouts for this meeting. Please include the name of the meeting and  
date.  
PROCESS TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT: ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO REGISTER TO  
SPEAK ON/SUPPORT/OPPOSE AN AGENDA ITEM MUST REGISTER USING THE LINK ABOVE (even if you  
plan to attend using your phone).  
Registrations to provide public comment will be accepted until 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the  
meeting.  
Staff & Guests Present: Cheryl Batterman, Cindy Matulle, Wesley Sparkman, Carrie  
Springer, and Angela Velasquez  
A. Call To Order  
Chair OLSON called the meeting to order at 9:01 am.  
8 -  
Present  
TED BUNCK, JODIE CASTANEDA, FAISAL KAUD, ANNA LEZOTTE, JILL  
MCHONE, ESTHER OLSON, JIM SCHMIDLKOFER, and GAIL RUTKOWSKI  
1 - MAI ZONG VUE  
Absent  
B. Consideration of Minutes  
Minutes from October 27, 2021  
2021  
RPT-692  
Attachments: 2021_1027 AAA Legislative-Advocacy Committee Minutes  
A motion was made by KAUD, seconded by LEZOTTE, that the minutes be  
approved. The motion carried by the following vote:  
8 -  
Ayes:  
BUNCK, CASTANEDA, KAUD, LEZOTTE, MCHONE, OLSON, SCHMIDLKOFER  
and RUTKOWSKI  
1 - VUE  
Absent:  
C. Action Items  
1. Diversity Work Group  
No Action Taken.  
2. Advocacy Supporting Federal & State Programs  
OLSON reported services of ADRC’s are being reviewed across the state. Access  
capability versus the need of ADRC services is something being reviewed. A lot of  
money from ARPA to agencies but not enough staff to provide all services. Some  
agencies are having a hard time spending the money wisely. Aging Coalition is working  
with Legislators to update these issues. Wisconsin Senior Advocacy Group is working  
with WAAN on three top areas: 1. Lack of caregiver service providers; 2. Voting rights of  
older adults; and 3. Transportation. Older adult isolation continues to be an issue as not  
all ADRC’s are offering services because of staffing levels.  
AAA Manager Cheryl Batterman updated about the State’s nutrition funding lapse in  
2021. Meeting was held with AAA’s as a follow up to questions asked by Dane County  
AAA Board about this situation. State has taken responsibility for not communicating in  
a timely manner the underspending of agencies affecting the Nutrition Program. The  
unspent money was transferred to the State’s GPR funding and will not be redistributed  
to AAAs. Many counties in GWAAR’s service area underspent money that was allocated  
to them. Unspent 2021 money will be redistributed to Dane County and Milwaukee  
County, in addition to GWAAR. The State is hiring four people to manage the ARPA  
money. The State also agreed to quarterly meetings with AAA Directors to reduce  
miscommunications. Communication from the State seems to be a concern as the  
state’s internal mailings often times do not include Dane and Milwaukee AAAs. Due to an  
increase in Federal OAA funding and the ARPA money, Dane County AAA will have  
$250,000 to award in caregiver grants in 2022 which is double of what has been received  
in past years. With this large increase, a 10-hours/week LTE will be hired to assist the  
AAA Caregiver Specialist with the application process and distribution of funds.  
D. Presentations  
1. Office for Equity & Inclusion  
Dane County Office for Equity & Inclusion (OEI) Director Wesley Sparkman explained his  
office not only provides equity & inclusion guidance for Dane County employees but it  
also reaches out to community organizations. There is a County Ordinance that includes  
hiring and contracting for woman, minorities, and those disabled. There are several  
positions that specialize in different areas of recruitment and support for community  
involvement. Diversity recruitment staff work with multiple community organizations to  
provide internships for future jobs. The office has an Americans with Disability Act (ADA)  
Coordinator who helps employees who have physical needs to make their work  
environment more productive. Currently working on closing the gap in Criminal Justice  
disparities and ensuring everyone is given the opportunity for COVID-19 vaccines.  
Discussion and feedback about what the committee was looking for lead to more  
resources looked at.  
BATTERMAN explained how the Diversity Work Group was developed and what they are  
looking for. Batterman will share our master list of community contacts with Sparkman of  
whom we have reached out to. Need help in educating the community in who AAA is and  
what services we offer. Some of the community members who did respond wanted a  
stipend for providing their services instead of volunteering to be a voice for their  
community.  
KAUD explained what the work group is looking for in recruitment from the community.  
AAA is looking for members who are generally age 60+ and be actively involved of  
bringing forward things happening in their communities. KAUD is looking for help in  
reaching out to the minority communities as our attempts with phone calls and emails  
have resulted in no responses.  
OLSON wanted to have committee members who are active and not just named to the  
committee. Batterman will contact Employee Relations about possibly putting a flyer in  
the Dane County retirement packet to recruit retirees who are POC and/or identify as  
LGBTQIA+ to serve on the AAA Board and Standing Committees.  
E. Reports to Committee  
1. 2022-2024 Dane County Aging Plan  
Public Hearing Agenda for December 14, 2021  
2021  
RPT-691  
Attachments: 2021_1214 AAA Agenda Aging Plan Public Hearing Agenda  
BATTERMAN reminded members about the public hearing to review the draft plan. The  
final plan will be approved by the AAA Board on 1/3/22.  
2. ADRC Governing Board  
OLSON reported the board is looking at the core services provided and meet the needs  
of the public. There are community members who don’t know the ADRC exists and how  
to get the word out about services. Barb Nichols is returning to the Board and OLSON  
will reach out to see if she would help on the Diversity Work Group.  
3. County/State/Federal Legislative Update  
BUNCK is concerned about National Guard called up by the State to help staffing at  
Mendota. There are severe workforce staffing shortages that are impacting core services.  
4. State's Aging Advisory Council  
OLSON reported there will be a meeting in January or February to review how agencies  
will spend the additional funding they have received.  
5. Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network  
OLSON stated voting rights continue to be a concern for older adults across the state.  
WAAN is starting to plan for 2022 Advocacy Day and will determine if it will be virtual or  
in person.  
6. Chair & Staff Reports  
BATTERMAN asked Committee members to submit comments or questions to her  
concerning the Aging Plan if they are unable to attend the public hearing.  
F. Future Meeting Items and Dates  
Next meeting: Wednesday, 26 January 2022, 9 am via Zoom  
G. Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda  
None.  
H. Such Other Business as Allowed by Law  
None.  
I. Adjournment  
A motion was made by SCHMIDLKOFER, seconded by CASTANEDA, that the  
meeting be adjourned. The motion carried by the following vote:  
8 -  
Ayes:  
BUNCK, CASTANEDA, KAUD, LEZOTTE, MCHONE, OLSON, SCHMIDLKOFER  
and RUTKOWSKI  
1 - VUE  
Absent:  
Minutes respectfully submitted by Cindy Matulle, AAA Clerk III.