HomeMy WebLinkAboutSenior Advisory Board - Minutes - 10/10/2001E
Attendance:
CITY OF FORT COLLINS
SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES: MEETING Of October 10, 2001
Chairperson — John Roberts, 223-9317
Staff Liaison — Barbara Schoenberger — 224-6026
y Council Liaison — Ray Martinez, Mayor — 221-6506
George Kress
Kristin Glenn
Erik Margolis
James Downey
Eileen Hendee
Maxine Yankey
John Roberts
Florence Williams
Absent: (notified)
Staff:
Darren Gunn
Dorothy Miller
Barbara Schoenberger
Karen Bryner
Guests:
Bruce Hendee
Visitors:
Kathleen Galle (CSU student)
C. Dean Miller
Other Absences:
June Tucker
1. Call Meeting to Order: Meeting was called to order at 2:05 p.m.
Citizen Participation: Bruce Hendee gave a presentation on "Imagine Fort Collins"
ballot issue. Voting will be done by mail in ballot. The new library would be three times
larger than existing library. The museum would move into the old library building. The
new Performing Arts Center would be on the northeast corner of Mason and Mountain.
Bruce outlined the many benefits for all age groups if this measure passes. He also
answered many questions presented him by members of the Board. All Board members
were encouraged to communicate to others about the value of the proposal and voting on
Election Day.
2. Correspondence: The American Red Cross sent a fall training schedule for 2001.
3. Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the last meeting were accepted as read.
4. New Business:
Blue Grass Chili Cook -Off will be held on Sunday, October 14 at the Sundance
Steakhouse and Saloon. Due to the short notification time the Board opted not to
enter this year's competition. All Board members were encouraged to attend the
event that is a fund raising activity for the Senior Center. The concert and chili
tasting will have a $5.00 admission and will be from Noon until 6:00 p.m.
Jim Downey reported on the coalition for Elder Rights & Adult Protection and
distributed brochures outlining information on services and contact numbers.
Senior Advisory Board recruitment is in process. Informational handouts were sent
to the Board and have been distributed at many City locations along with application
forms. The Senior Advisory Board will be losing two and possibly three members.
Eric and George are not seeking to extend their terms. The Board is only as effective
as its members are. All current members are asked to recruit committed and earnest
individuals to apply for the Board.
Plans for a holidav celebration were discussed. John Roberts offered his home for a
holiday party. Everyone agreed this would be a nice idea. Next meeting a sign-up
sheet will be passed around for refreshments. A suggestion was made to have the
event in lieu of the December 12th meeting.
• A retreat will be held in January 2002 at John Robert's cabin in Glenhaven for all
Senior Advisory Board members. Saturday was suggested since it is very difficult to
people to get away for an entire day. The regularly scheduled Board meeting will be
January 9, 2002. The retreat will be scheduled for either the 121h or 19`h depending on
when members can be available. A facilitator for the event will be engaged. The
purpose of the retreat is to develop relationships and create a focus for Board
activities in 2002.
■ Senior Blue Book was passed out to the Board members. It is a very useful resource.
5. Old Business
■ National Recreation and Parks Association national conference was held in Denver
the first week in October. The Fort Collins Senior Center was selected as an off -site
tour location for conference participants. Two buses transported recreational
professionals (from various locations around the country) to the Senior Center for a
tour, lunch and presentations on the senior center operations. The event was reported
to be well received by those who attended.
■ Bridging The Gap was held at the Fort Collins Senior Center on Friday, September
28. George Kress was commended for his leadership in organizing this year's event.
Approximately 130 people attended the session, which featured time for networking,
displays and information about local services and resources, and a very fine luncheon.
A final report will be available at the next meeting including a summary he has
compiled from the group moderators. Next year the event will be held in Loveland
on September 27, 2002 and will be hosted by the Loveland Senior Advisory Board.
■ Police and Community Relations was discussed by Board members. As requested
John Roberts sent a letter to the Fort Collins Police Department asking for a future
presentation for a Senior Advisory Board meeting. Good communications between
community and police is very important, and is essential to the safety and security for
older people. John was informed that Susan Vance is assigned to work with
community relations including TRIAD and would be a good resource.
6. Other Business
0
Barbara Schoenberger reminded the Board that the 2002 Work Plan would be due to the
City on November 30. George Kress and Erik Margolis were asked to draft a plan for
review at the November meeting. They agreed to do so.
Barbara also reminded the Board that the Annual Report to the City would be due at the
end of January. The Board will make decision in November how to proceed with this
report.
7. Liaison Reports
A. Transportation — Florence Williams
• September 24 it was reported that Senate Democrats killed Gov. Owens' plan
to increase highway funding despite faltering state economy and a projected
$26 million -dollar shortfall.
• As of September 17 bus service by Transfort and Dial -A -Ride of Fort Collins
will be available for communities of LaPorte and Wellington. Funds were
obtained from a federal grant for rural transportation along with matching
funds from Latimer County Office on Aging, Department of Health and
Human Services. Florence has written material with further details.
• Measure for consideration by City Council on October 16 was to put
TransfordDial-A-Ride together with street maintenance as a "Primary
Service." Mayor Martinez said, "the move is a political ploy to give transit
better standing for future City funding." Councilwoman Weitkunat agreed
saying its political wordsmithing.
• Fort Collins eyeing Loveland's proposal for excise tax on new homes when
building permits are filled. City Manager John Fischbach said he is curious to
see how it goes over.
• Responding to public outcry City Council considering combination route to
cushion the blow from route cuts slated to go into effect January 1, 2002. City
has $97,000 all ready budgeted for route 9/14 but will need an additional
$22,122 make it a reality. Public budget hearing largely featured testimony
from Transfort supporters on the need for maintaining bus routes and
southside shuttle.
• Opening ceremony on October 4 for opening of the new Transit Center
showed enthusiasm from Tom Frazier for indoor waiting areas, information
areas break room facilities for drivers and restrooms. John Fischback termed
the center as a really first class facility.
• Truck by-pass study results are due to City Council in December.
B. Volunteers of America/Retired and Senior Volunteer Program — Kristin Glenn
• The new RSVP program director is Julie Hartman. Handyman program needs
volunteers, especially in the Wellington and Fort Collins areas. Anyone
interested should call 218-0882. Remodeling of nutrition site kitchen has
been completed. They have the 911 locator switches available for seniors in
the community.
C. Senior Center — Maxine Yankey
Maxine Yankey reported that she participated in the recent Senior Center
sponsored bus tour to Tunica, Mississippi. She enjoyed the trip a great deal.
She also reports that other trips are being planned in the future. The Woman's
Gathering was held on October 10. Although participation was less than in
prior years, those that attended enjoyed the event and found it most beneficial.
SOAP Troupe provided entertainment.
D. Aspen Club — Eileen Hendee
• Flu shot dates being finalized and will probably begin the first of November.
• There have been several calls concerning Anthrax vaccines.
E. AARP -James Downey
• AARP is sponsoring a wellness conference at the Senior Center on October
18. It is anticipated that the registration will be quite large. Lunch is included
and features closing remarks by Dr. Tom Sutherland.
• AARP concerned about room rates increasing at the Senior Center.
F. Foundation on Aging — George Kress
• Final approval of $2000 grant to Elderhaus to be used to help fund a
"Medicaid Benefits Helper", who will be available eight hours a week to
assist with enrollment and benefits for Medicaid.
• The Foundation on Aging would like to combine with other senior agencies to
schedule an "advocacy training" program offered by John Kefalas.
G. Office on Aging — George Kress
• Study performed by Wenda Hartzell to determine whether the Office on
Aging should outsource both its information and assistance program and its
ombudsman program. After reviewing the study, OOA is proposing to add
two part-time positions: one to handle information and assistance, and one to
be a caregiver specialist. The committee agrees with the studies
recommendation to outsource the Ombudsmen activity.
Next Senior Advisory Board meeting will be Wednesday, November 14
November 5`h, Executive Committee meeting to set agenda
Adjournment
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Karen Brynd#, Recording Secretary