HomeMy WebLinkAboutSenior Advisory Board - Minutes - 08/11/2021 1
City of Fort Collins
Senior Advisory Board
Minutes
Wednesday August 11, 2021 at 11:30 a.m.
Virtual Meeting on Zoom
Fort Collins, Colorado
I. Call to Order
a. Meeting was called to order at 11:30am
II. Guest introductions
a. Susan Gutowsky
III. Public Input
IV. Administrative Items
a. Attendance Myles Crane, Greg Wells, David Kovach, Alan Kress, Deanna O’Connell,
Suzanne King, Sarah Schilz, Susan Gutowsky, Nancy Luttrop
b. Correspondence – No Correspondence
c. Approval of Minutes – Sarah Schilz, David Kovach 2nd, Motion carried
d. Calendar
V. New Business: Discussion
a. Councilmember Susan Gutowsky Council Liaison
Guest presenter Gutowsky will address issues and challenges facing City Council
and discuss how SAB might assist in our community’s present health and economic
environment.
- The board introduced themselves to Susan Gutowsky
- Senior issues are one of her main priorities.
- Seniors are becoming a lost demographic.
- Lived in Fort Collins for 42 years. Worked on the school board prior to city council.
- Recently was elected for her 2nd term for council.
- What can Susan do as our liaison? Wants to be involved without overreaching.
- Nancy – mentioned that council could do a better job “thinking about seniors when
discussing decisions”
- Council does value the “boards”. It is a community involvement and additional input.
Would like to keep them going.
- Myles – asked about building code requirements related to older adults in general.
- Nancy is going to work on a survey for seniors.
- SAB board members are encouraged to attend council and prepare short
presentations to help start conversations with other council members.
- 9702942575 – Susan’s cell phone.
b. Greg Wells will recap results of recent Bicycle Board Meeting which he attended
on behalf of SAB. He will relate request for SAB assistance
regarding safety and/or other concerns of older residents about recreation biking and
biking transportation in general in Fort Collins.
- Attended July BBM.
- BBM asked Greg to return to SAB and find issues/questions related to seniors biking in Fort Collins.
2
- Greg shared recent experience about biking in Fort Collins. They were passed by another bike user
using an electric bike. Bike user was using excessive speed and not following bike etiquette.
- David shared some similar experiences with others on E-bikes while biking on the Mason trail.
- Sarah Schilz mentioned some seniors need the E-bikes as way to continue biking. Not all e-bikes users
are causing issues.
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c. All: Motion to recognize City Manager.
- Suzanne made a motion to send email as it.
- Deanna O’connell 2nd the motion.
VI SAB Member Bio: David Kovach
- Joined the board in 2019
- Generally interested in issues that affect seniors.
- Interested in legal landscape, social security, local laws around
housing/zoning/transportation
- Likes to ask questions that challenge our speakers
- Influence policies in a way that helps seniors.
- Law license and CPA license in Colorado.
- Lost his sister when he was 13 to a plane crash.
- Started taking classes at night and got his GED.
- Got his CPA shortly after being at Ohio State.
- Pursued his law degree and was an intern at Georgetown.
- Fell in love with Fort Collins and the culture.
- Started a non-profit in 2016.
- Recently started working in the Larimer County Treasurers Office.
- Plays chess, guitar, rides his bike, work on his car, loves to cook.
VII Ongoing Business: Highlights of Recent Council Meeting – Alan Kress
- Attended July council session
- 1st item up for feedback – mobile home park enforcement program.
o Maintenance records. Ownership information, streets and entrance not being
maintained. Mobile home park handbook, continue supporting organizing
home park leaders, etc
- 2nd item – Housing strategic plan
o Get council feedback on progress of plan.
o Overview of early implementation progress
o Outlines for next steps
o Overall support for implementation and initiatives.
o Occupancy and rental and what city’s role will be in housing system.
o Support for key initiatives that were underway.
o Appreciation for down payment assistance program.
o Clarification request on estimated funding gap of 8-9 million dollars a year.
o Housing choice voucher program
o Proposed next step is to deliver regular memo updates
- 3rd item – update on Connexxion program
o Provided update on construction
o Customer experience and feedback
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o Talked about potential grants to help with funding
o Overall excitement about existing work.
o Suggestions to make the website more user friendly
o Questions about completion date and budget.
VIII ANNOUNCEMENTS
Article about recent SAB meeting in August MarketPlace News 50 Plus
Centenarian Celebration at Senior Center Sept. 24
Well wishes for Alicia Durand