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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSenior Advisory Board - Minutes - 11/12/20034 CITY OF FORT COLLINS SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES: Meeting held November 12, 2003 Chairperson — Mike Buderus — 970-215-5413 Staff Liaison — Barbara Schoenberger — 970-224-6026 City Council Liaison — Ray Martinez, Mayor — 970-221-6506 Attendance: Mike Richardson Bud Herin Eileen Hendee Chris Bartlett John Smith C. Dean Miller Jim Downey John Roberts Dianne Heath Excused Absence: Mike Buderus Darren Gunn Other Absence: James Downey Guests: Tom Frazier, City of Fort Collins, Transfort/Dial-A-Ride Marlys Sittner, City of Fort Collins, Transfort/Dial-A-Ride Kay Rios, Dial -A -Ride Advisory Committee James Voorhies - CSU Student Molly Campsey - CSU Student Liaison: Ray Martinez, Mayor Staff: Barbara Schoenberger Karen Bryner I. Call Meeting to Order: Vice Chairperson, Mike Richardson called the meeting to order at 1:34 p.m. II. Citizen Participation: ❖ Two CSU students attended the meeting to observe. ❖ Tom Frazier, General Manager of Transfort/Dial-A-Ride & Marlys Sittner, Operation Manger for Transforb'Dial-A-Ride and Kay Rios, Dial -A -Ride Advisory Committee attended the meeting to answer questions about proposed fee increases for elderly and disabled riders. Tom Frazier explained that on November 18, 2003 they will be taking to the City Council the purposal for fares. The fare increase will impact both the fixed route systems for large buses and the Dial -A -Ride systems. The Senior Advisory Board had provided some feed back in the last couple years to the council. Marlys said there will be some night service fixed routes that will be going away in January mainly in the CSU area, however, they may impact seniors as well, they are routes 61, 62, and 63. This routes will be replaces with route 64. Marlys showed a map that route 64 will cover an area from CSU Transit Center up to the downtown area and then back to CSU with a loop out to Overland Trail on Elizabeth and back in on Prospect. This will offer 45 minute service and run Sunday through Saturday. Mike Richardson asked which areas 61, 62, and 63 would cover that 64 does not. Marlys said the other areas that were covered were down at the south part of town, i.e. the Mall area. This route design was based on the information from Leadership of ASCSU, they indicated they were interested in serving the Library on campus, downtown area and some major student housing areas. They do pay for this route 100%. John Roberts asked what the rate increase would be, Marlys passed around a sheet of paper showing the fare increase. There will be a 25 % increase so a $1.00 regular fare will go up to $1.25, the senior and disables fare which has been .50 will go up .60. This would also impact some of the passes, for example we have a senior and disabled annual pass at $19.00, the purposal is that this pass will go up to a $25.00 cost. Bud Herin asked why 17yrs and younger ride free? Marlys explained that the reason that was set up was to make sure young people in the community grew up using the bus. This was done in hopes that they would continue using the bus into their adult lives. Mike Richards told about meeting with the Senior Council last month with an open discussion. Bill Benton brought up the problem of elderly people living around the CSU campus being afraid to ride the buses because of the trauma caused by CSU students. It has been found out that it isn't the CSU students causing the problem it is the 17 yrs and under. The board feels that if the Jr. High and High School age riders were charged a fee they would appreciate it more. Marlys said they have heard this complaint before and do take it into consideration. One of the things they have done is communicate with other transport systems who do have fares for this age group and have found out that this age group is a challenge. There are measures in place where we do work with the discipline area issue. All drivers are given a training on how to deal with people of that age and the different disciplinary problems, we also work very closely with the administrations of the Jr. Highs and High School as well as the school resource officers. Biggest area is currently around the Lincoln Junior High, and currently there is a police officer set up a work station within the downtown Transit Center. His presence has been very helpful in the behavior problems in the Transit Center. Whenever there are incidents in the bus, the police officer is there to greet them as they exit the bus. Mike Richardson - Mr. Benton mentioned that Loveland has a process on their Colt System where they have older college age or young singles that wear some kind of identification vest and ride the buses to help in that situation. Marlys said she is familiar with that program, it is referred to as the Ambassador Program. There is not a program of this nature in place, however, there are a couple things offered one is the travel training and supervisors who ride the buses quite frequently. Mr. Benton suggested approaching CSU to provide Ambassadors to ride buses during the peak times when the youth might be creating a problem for the elderly. Marlys said she thinks that is a good idea and they could certainly pursue that especially with the ASCSU. Tom Frazier asked how could they get seniors to ride the bus more often verses riding Dial -A -Ride? Dianne Heath said there are many reasons, mainly because everything has moved south except the bus routes. They can't get to the Social Security Office, can't get to the Harmony Campus, so of course their going to use transportation that will get them where they need to go. John Roberts thanked them for putting the bus routing on the bus stop, but secondly a lot of the seniors do not know where the buses go or where the routes are, John suggested putting that information in some publications monthly, maybe Coloradoan. There use to be bus routes in the south they weren't used much at that time, however, there is so much more out there and it would be useful to experiment with a route. Mike Richardson - It would it also make sense to look at the rate difference. Tom said they could ride the bus for $19.00 a year. Mike Richardson suggested approaching PVH as well as the medical societies to help do a funding of a mini route rather than having it being the City problem. Tom - the last 2 years we have posted a forum for about 40 businesses along the Harmony Corridor and talked to them about what they would like to see, the Drs all rent. The basic result was we identified the kind of service they would like to see. There are Federal dollars available and we would apply for that if we could get the local match from this group and we were able to identify about 1/3 of the local match, the other 2/3's the economy was down. The Harmony Corridor's route was the last route dropped because the finances said they had to drop it. It is the first route we have recommended and we have it in for request for 2004 for special funding considerations. Bud Herin - When Mayor Martinez talked to us he brought up some cost that sounded way out to us. We were suppose to get a report back on the break down of $300,000.00 to establish that route plus and driver and bus on top of that. Tom - It cost to put a bus and a driver 12 hrs a day, 6 days a week it runs $200,000.00 a year. John Roberts - route to south/east is very important to seniors also advertising routes and times. Barbara Schoenberger read letter in response to agenda items and funding issues for next year. Senior transportation was in both letters. Some highlights were transportation for the elderly independent and in their homes longer. They believe that para transit services are more important than bus services because of fear and uncertainty with a population that has never used the bus to any great extent and no amount of publicity and no amount of accommodation is going to change that. Kay Rios - Showed a map everything outside the blue area is going to come for an on RFP request purposal for an outside contractor to pick up. Two things that occurred when John Fishbach present the budget to council it had $88,500.00 less for Dial -A - Ride based on summery survey on what the ridership was costing in that area out side the blue. John has cut out the $88,500.00 and council is at the point of leaving it that way. That is for 1 year coverage in that outlined area, however, there are two things 1) the RFP will be going out in 2 wks, and they hope to have a contract in place by the end of February. January and February which are not covered, so they need to find money within their budget to cover these 2 months. The second part is we have been there before, Shamrock did provide the service and there were some horrendous issues. Kay is writing a letter from Dial -A -Ride Advisory Committee saying they want 3 people from their board on that RFP group also a member of the SAB board and also someone from the Commission of Disability. Marlys explained the different fares, the Foxtrot is the original route connecting Fort Collins and Loveland and we are an equal partner in that operation of the provision of funds for that route with the city of Loveland and Larimer County. All three are equal partners and some Federal dollars are received as well. There is not enough money received from the fare box to off set the cost of providing this service and so an open house on the night service route is being held, all the partners wanted to take a look at what the public would say in regards to raising the fares on the fixed route. No decision has been made at this time. Kay encouraged SAB to keep after the Coloradoan to include senior issues. III. Approval of Minutes: Correction to the minutes are page 2 under new business Outreach meetings - Eileen Hendee is not doing it. Last sentence Dean will contact Collinwood for next month and then a schedule for 2004 will be set. Back page Future planning for increase in older adults, this should read increase in numbers of older adults. Adjournment was made by Chris Bartlett. John Roberts made a motion to accept minutes as corrected, Bud Herin second the motion. Minutes of October 8`h were accepted. IV. Correspondence: ❖ Letter from John Fishbach to John Roberts regarding senior transportation needs in Fort Collins. Also a letter from Mayor Ray Martinez thanking John Roberts for his letter. V. New Business: A. Boards and Commissions Appreciation Reception 2003 will be held on Friday, November 14, 2003 at the Lincoln Center. Everyone should RSVP B. Public Open House - regarding fee increases for transportation services. C. New member orientation in January, 2004, this is when members are taken to lunch and explained responsibilities of being on the board. It was decided that there wasn't an orientation done in 2003. Everyone agreed to taking new board members to lunch January 71h. VI. Old Business: A. Bridging the Gap — was a very positive event. Next year it will be the last Friday in September, Loveland will be hosting possibly at the Budweiser event center. Board feels that Jim Downey should be recognized because of the outstanding job he has done in organizing the event. B. 2003 Mayor's Award — Commission on Disabilities was discussed. The SAB nominated Rick Aulino. Rick was a worthy applicant and well deserved recognition. C. Letter regarding concerns at Parklane - Bud Herin talked to Bonnie McFael who runs the office and she has not had any positive reports. Bud feels that a letter shouldn't be sent because it should be between residents and management. It was decided that a letter will not be sent. D. Thumbs Up for crosswalks at Oakbrook I and II - Thanks was given to Jim Downey for writing letter to the Coloradoan regarding crosswalks at Oakbrook I and II. E. Update on transportation presentation - John Smith - John and Mike will meet on this F. Letter to City Council re: property on Shields and Raintree - Dianne Heath - Barbara wrote a letter G. Wheeler Realty Proposal (21/2 acres) - Bill O Neil called asking to be put back on SAB agenda for discussion by this board. Bill and John Fishbach are suppose to be meeting to discuss taking it back before the City Council. It the units will sell for 180 to 220 John Fishback will endorse it along with the Mayor. H. Update on senior survey/questionnaire - Dean Miller- Met with representative of Office of Adaptive Recreation survey done that looks very good and the process they went through in developing the questionnaire, they are willing to work with SAB. It will take a year to put together. I. Holiday Social plans - Eileen Hendee - Holiday Social will be at Eileen's house on December 10`h from 4p.m. to 7p.m. Everyone should bring finger food. J. Retreat Plans 2004 with Tess Heffernan - Barbara Schoenberger.- Will be held Jan. 141h from 12p.m. to 5p.m. at the Senior Center. Dianne Heath read the letter. Bud Herin made a motion to sign the letter and send, everyone agreed. K. 2004 Work Plan - Eileen Hendee - Los Ancianos will be taken out along with Channel 9 Health Fair. Under communication educate City Council on future needs of an aging community and put in coordination the facilitate the communication among the senior agencies regarding transportation. Bud Herin made a motion to submit, John Roberts seconded the motion - motion passes. L. 2003 Annual Report - Dean Miller - Dean asked each member to go through the 2003 work plan listing each activity for each item. Dean will be responsible for putting everything together and drafting a copy. Dean also encouraged the board to keep a running record. Another objective is to demonstrate to the City Council and Mayor that we are involved in a number of senior issues. M. Outreach plans for 2004 - SAB will meet with Aspen Club Friday, February 6"' at 5:15p.m. in the cafeteria at PVH. Dean Miller will schedule a meeting with Collinwood in April or May. Bud contacted Good Samaritan but had conflicts with all dates. The luncheon between Senior Center Council and Senior Advisory Board will be a standard thing. Bridging the Gap will be in September. John Roberts suggested that before SAB meets with Transportation, everyone should ride Transfort to get experience and more knowledge of what seniors go through. N. Review 2003 Work Plan - James Boorhies, CSU student asked for clarification of the Endowment Fund. Barbara explained the Friends of the Senior Center VI. Liaison Reports A. Senior Center — Bud Herin — went over events for November. B. Red Cross — John Robert's - All Red Cross are in trouble financially. One way they are trying to raise funds is next Saturday (Nov. 22) at the Eagles game at the Budweiser Entertainment Center tickets sales will be given to Red Cross. C. Office on Aging -Dean Miller - The State of Colorado has become more restrictive which henders the services given. The City Plan requires high density and is restricting in allowing small one level buildings, which is what you need as you grow older. Mike suggested Dean bringing this up during the work session. D. Letter regarding Mike Buderus - Mike Richardson - Letter was signed and mailed. Holiday Party will be December 10, 2003 at Eileen Hendee's house, everyone should bring an appetizer to share VIL Adjourn — John Smith made a motion to adjourn meeting; Bud Herin seconded the motion. Motion passed. Meeting was adjourned Karen Bryner, Recording Secretary