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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSenior Advisory Board - Minutes - 08/13/1997FORT COLLINS SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES The Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board held a regular meeting on Wednesday, August 13, 1997 at the Senior Center. ATTENDANCE Ed Johnson Jane Goodhard Esther Springer Mae Espeland Erik Margolis Yvonne Myers Marjorie McTaggart Jill Taylor Blanche Yakmas EXCUSED STAFF Fran Ward Barbara Schoenberger Steve Budner GUEST Christina Ulrich RSVP Lynette McGowan L.C. Ombudsman Kary Rios OOA FCAHB CITY COUNCIL LIAISON Ann Azari II. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by the chair, Yvonne Myers at 2:02PM. III. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION - None IV. CORRESPONDENCE: The First Presbyterian Church sent the board the name of the new representative to be put on the SageNet mailing list. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of July 9, 97 were approved 8-0 with the following change, strike the first sentence under H. Liaisons Report. VI. GUEST SPEAKER: Lynette McGowan Latimer County Ombudsman. She explained the program, to act as a mediator, advocate, to provide information and referral. She also gave a brief history of the program. Lynette has been at this position since May 1, 97. She reported that there are 12 Nursing Home facilities, 30 Assisted Living facilities in Larimer County. The Ombudsman's office receives 15-20 complaints per month. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. OUTREACH MEETINGS UPDATE: The October 9, 97 meeting will be at noon, at the Plymouth Congregational Church. Blanche Yakmas, Jill Taylor and Yvonne Myers will represent SAB. Yvonne Myers will meet with Youth Board on Sept. 3, 1997 and Recreational Servia Fort Collins Senior Center August 18, 1997 To: Human Relations Commission From: Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board Re: Query re status of proposed revisions to the Human Rights Ordinance On October 9, 1996 the Senior Advisory Board sent you a letter of endorsement to the proposed changes of this ordinance with a copy to City Council liaison Ann Azari. The endorsement was based on the information given during a presentation to this board by one of your members in August 1996, a summary of them, and a copy of the entire ordinance. In recent months rumors about changes to the proposals have been flying: letters to the editor, Soapbox opinions, hearsay. SAB members have tried to find out what, if any, changes have been in the proposals since the board's letter of endorse- ment. There was a statement in a Soapbox article that something was done to them in April, 1997, but SAB has had no official word from any source. Please let SAB know as soon as possible what (again, if any) further revisions have been made since last year so that the board can take another look at its endorsement. In the meantime, the board feels that its endorsement should be placed on "Hold" until it knows the status of the proposed changes. Sincerely, Marjo 'ie McTaggarv� for the Fort �ollins Senior Advisory Board pc: Ann Azari, City Council Liaison 1200 Raintree Drive • Fort Collins, CO 80526 • (970) 221-6644 • (970) 221-6645 August, 1997 TO: City Council Members FROM: The Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board SUBJECT: Fee Discount Policy Members of the Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board and the Parks and Recreation Board have met several times over the past months to discuss the fee discount policy. It appeared, after the last of those meetings, that a general understanding had been reached. Members of the SAB left the meeting believing that an agreement was formed to make a joint request to City Council for a fee discount policy that would be used city-wide. It was later revealed, through staff, that members of the Parks and Recreation Board had decided not to make a joint statement. They had, apparently, decided to make their own statement that would focus on removing age as a discount possibility. As a board, we would like to register our disappointment with their actions. First, we felt it would have been more professional to have the change in action presented to the SAB members first hand rather than having it relayed informally via staff. Second, we believe that the request that is being forwarded is not based in reason supported by fact but, rather, is driven by personal agenda. Therefore, we as a board have taken a firm stand that we believe discounts should continue' to be offered to senior citizens and youth under 18 years of age. We feel that this is a viable policy to carry across the city for the following reasons: Financial Implications 1) The information provided by Recreation Staff does not indicate that this discount is creating a monetary crisis nor does it show that the implication of the discount is endangering any of the programs. Many people over 60 don't ask for the discount and pay the full fee instead. Some do ask for the 20% discount and some of them could qualify for greater discounts but won't apply through the City's financial need process. 2) As the senior population grows, this amount will most likely grow but current projections also show this to be a minor issue. If, at a future date, the discounts cause major impact, then the issue could be revisited. 3) Members of the Parks and Recreation Board expressed irritation that the middle -age, middle and lower -income citizens are bearing the brunt of the cost and, because of this, they can't participate in activities. But, many of these families not only have children under 18, they may also have aging parents for whom they help provide support. If both of these groups are allowed the discount, then that middle group would, in effect, also reap the benefit. Social Implications 1) Providing a senior discount is a societal statement of appreciation and respect for our elders. Our western/anglo society has often been accused of casting off our aging population and being completely oriented toward the eternal quest for youth. Policies which show outright statements of support and honor like city-wide senior discounts are needed as a counter to this image. 2) In our fast -paced, impersonal world, youth often feel isolated and forgotten. Policies such as a city-wide discount for youth promote a feeling of inclusion and encouragement to join. 3) This is viewed as an important community statement to seniors and youth alike: a) Research has shown that involvement in community activities actually prolongs life and independent living, thereby reducing medical and life assistant costs which are inevitably borne by the community at large. b) On the other end of the spectrum, encouraging youth involvement in community activities provides a sense of belonging to and pride in the community. This, in turn, can help reduce crime and vandalism and encourages positive growth experiences for our younger citizens. The proposal (as we've heard third hand) that is to be offered by the Parks and Recreation board bases all criteria on income. But this overlooks the stigma and mind -set that goes along with that requirement. Professionals who work with seniors have confirmed that many seniors will not apply for "low-income" status because of the image it projects. They feel they have been self-sufficient all their r1 L-A lives and it is a matter of pride. For the most part, they simply will not apply for a "poverty" or "low-income" discount but will, instead, do without the activity. Based on this information, we strongly urge Council to adopt a city-wide policy of discounts for 60 years and older seniors and for youth under 18 for all activities which fall under the Department of Parks and Recreation umbrella. If you need any additional information or require further discussion, please contact our board through Barbara Schoenberger at the Fort Collins Senior Center.