HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2020.04.29 - 33142REQUESTING SUSPENSION
OF THE BOARD RULES FOR
IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION
MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION ,#20128 UNDER NEW BUSINESS
BY: Commissioner Kristen Nelson, District #5
IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — CREATING OAKLAND COUNTY TASK FORCE ON COVID-
19 IMPACT ON SENIORS' SOCIAL ISOLATION, LONELINESS, AND HEALTH
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS social isolation occurs when an individual does not have adequate opportunities to interact with
others, whereas loneliness is a subjective experience stemming from the perception of not having enough
social relationships or contact with other people; and
WHEREAS according to the Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness, research shows social
isolation and loneliness are associated with a 29 percent and 26 percent increased risk of mortality,
respectively, comparable to that of obesity and cigarette smoking; and
WHEREAS approximately 42 million adults over age 45 in the United States are estimated to be suffering
from chronic loneliness, according to AARP's Loneliness Study; and
WHEREAS social isolation and loneliness have been linked to many physical and mental health problems
including heart disease, diabetes, anxiety, and depression; and
WHEREAS loneliness has been estimated to shorten a person's life by 15 years, equivalent in impact to
being obese or smoking 15 cigarettes per day, according to the same AARP's Loneliness study; and
WHEREAS today, during the COVID-19 pandemic when the Governor issued the stay home Executive
Orders, more than ever, social isolation and loneliness can be exacerbated for the more than one in four
adults ages 50 to 80; and
WHEREAS Americans who are most at risk of developing severe cases of COVID-19 are the same ones
who report high rates of social isolation: older adults and people with underlying medical conditions; and
WHEREAS in 2016, the Commonwealth Fund's research has shown that adults with chronic conditions and
physical or cognitive limitations are more than two times as likely to report feeling socially isolated (37%)
than adults who do not have these health issues (15%).
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Oakland County Board of Commissioners authorizes creating
an Oakland County Task Force on COVID-19 Impact on Seniors' Social Isolation, Loneliness and Health
(Task Force) to serve as the leading resource for combating social isolation and loneliness through
education, advocacy, and collaboration.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Task Force on COVID-19 Impact on Seniors' Social
Isolation, Loneliness and Health leadership will be appointed by the Chairman of the Board of
Commissioners as follows.
(1) Oakland County Commissioner to serve as Chairperson
(1) Oakland County Commissioner to serve as Majority Vice Chairperson
(1) Oakland County Commissioner to serve as Minority Vice Chairperson
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chairperson of the Task Force will appoint a representative
(member) from each of the following to establish the Core Group:
(1) Representative from the Oakland County Health and Human Services Department
(1) Representative from the Oakland County Information Technology Department
(1) Representative from the Oakland County Homeland Security Division
(1) Representative from Oakland County State Legislature
(1) Representative from the Oakland Community Health Network
(1) Representative from the Area Agency on Aging 1-B
(1) Representative from a long-term care facility
(1) Representative from an internet provider and online solutions business
(1) Representative from the education community
(1) Representative of minority groups
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the appointments and length of service to the Task Force will be at the
discretion of the Chairperson and will not exceed the term of the County Commission.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED if a vacancy occurs on the Task Force, the Chairperson of the Task Force
will appoint a representative to fill the vacancy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the other interested individuals, community organizations, and nonprofits
may be invited to offer assistance by the Chairperson and Vice Chairpersons of the Task Force.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Task Force shall be authorized to make recommendation to improve
conditions for Oakland County seniors for all the following:
a) Increase public awareness regarding social isolation and loneliness and its effect on health and
well-being.
b) Enhance social services and supports to address social isolation and loneliness.
c) Advance health services and supports that address social isolation and loneliness.
d) Leverage innovative solutions that foster connection and social integration.
e) Advance research to continue to develop the evidence base necessary to design effective
programs and policies.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Board of Commissioners requests the cooperation of all related county
agencies in combating social isolation and loneliness.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds is requested to forward
copies to the Michigan Governor, Oakland state delegation, the National Association of Area Agencies on
Aging, the National Association of Counties.
Chairperson, I move the adoption of the foregoing resolution.
Y,A;AA Ne6,v
Commissioner Kristen Nelson
District #5
Resolution #20128
April 29, 2020
Moved by Nelson seconded by Quarles to suspend the rules and vote on Miscellaneous Resolution #20128
— Board of Commissioners — Creating Oakland County Task Force on COVID-19 Impact on Seniors' Social
Isolation, Loneliness, and Health.
Discussion followed.
Vote on suspension:
AYES: Woodward, Zack, Gershenson, Jackson, Luebs, Markham, McGillivray, Miller, Nelson,
Powell, Quarles. (11)
NAYS: Spisz, Taub, Weipert, Gingell, Hoffman, Kochenderfer, Kowall, Kuhn, Long,
Middleton. (10)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the motion to suspend the rules and vote on Miscellaneous
Resolution #20128— Board of Commissioners— Creating Oakland County Task Force on COVID-19 Impact
on Seniors' Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Health carried.
Moved by Nelson seconded by Quarles the resolution be adopted.
Discussion followed.
Moved by Taub seconded by Gingell the resolution be amended as follows:
The Covid-19 Pandemic does not discriminate between age, race, color, creed, religion, sexual
preferences or political parties.
Amend the BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED clause to state the following:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Task Force on Covid-19 Impact on Seniors'
Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Health (Task Force) will be appointed by the Chairman of the
Board of Commissioners as follows:
(1) Oakland County Commissioner to serve as Chairperson
(1) Oakland County Commissioner to serve as Majority Vice Chairperson
(1) Oakland County Commissioner to serve as Minority Vice Chairperson
(1) Oakland County Commissioner to serve as Minority member; and
Discussion followed.
Vote on amendment:
AYES: Taub, Weipert, Gingell, Hoffman, Kochenderfer, Kowall, Kuhn, Long, Middleton,
Spisz. (10)
NAYS: Woodward, Zack, Gershenson, Jackson, Luebs, Markham, McGillivray, Miller, Nelson,
Powell, Quarles. (11)
A sufficient majority not having voted in favor, the amendment failed.
Discussion followed.
Moved by Quarles seconded by Powell to call the question and vote on the resolution as it stands.
AYES: Woodward, Zack, Gershenson, Jackson, Luebs, Markham, McGillivray, Miller, Nelson,
Powell, Quarles, Spisz. (12)
NAYS: Weipert, Gingell, Hoffman, Kochenderfer, Kowall, Kuhn, Long, Middleton, Taub. (9)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the resolution, as it stands, was before the Board.
Vote on resolution:
AYES: Woodward, Zack, Gershenson, Jackson, Kochenderfer, Kowall, Long, Luebs, Markham,
McGillivray, Miller, Nelson, Powell, Quarles, Weipert. (15)
NAYS: Gingell, Hoffman, Kuhn, Spisz, Taub. (5)
ABSTAIN: Middleton. (1)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the resolution was adopted.
I HEREBY APPROVE THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION
STATE OF MICHIGAN)
COUNTY OF OAKLAND)
I, Lisa Brown, Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and
accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on April 29, 2020,
with the original record thereof now remaining in my office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Circuit Court at Pontiac,
Michigan this 29th day of April, 2020. J,Q `,
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Lisa Brown, Oakland County