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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 - Senior Advisory Board - Annual Report2- 2-04;12:23PM;SENIOR CENTER ;970 224 6072 Fort Collins SAB 2003 Annual Report Brief Summary of Activities and Accomplishments Board meetings were held at different locations in the City. Board members were active in providing information about the SAB, and availability of services and programs for seniors. SAS members were advocates for new public transportation routes to the southeast, street crossings, parking issues at the senior center, and not increasing the cost for transportation services. Board members have advocated for Senior Center funding that ensures affordability and access for all seniors. Members have been active in promoting and participating in Friends of the Senior Center fundraisers. SAB members have written letters to media outlets, met with and called editors, and attended meetings organized by the Coloradoan. Speakers have been invited to make presentations to the SAB to provide current and relevant information about needs, issues, opportunities, programs and services for seniors. Guests and residents at outreach meetings have provided personal and relevant information about concerns and issues which affect them. Board members have maintained liaison activities with ten organizations. Continuation of excellent relationships with City Council and City Officials has been very beneficial. The SAB, along with co -host Loveland Senior Advisory Board, planned and hosted another successful annual Bridging the Gap Senior Network luncheon. The SAB has been active in nominating individuals for community service awards. * 2/ 10 2- 2-04;12:23PM;SENIOR CENTER ;970 224 8072 i 3/ 10 Fort Collins SAB 2003 Annual Report Summary of Activities and Accomplishments OUTREACH (a) Meetings were held in the community to introduce the Senior Advisory Board, listen to the concerns of the people who were present, and discuss issues, problems and solutions with them. July 9th the SAB met with the residents of Park Lane Towers. Residents reported that Dial -A -Ride was very dependable and an excellent program which greatly enhanced their lives. One resident expressed concern that homeless people were using the parking facility as a refuge. A follow-up revealed that the facility was not being used by homeless people. September 10t° the Board met with the residents of Parkwood Estates. Residents indicated a need for more public transportation to the Southeast and transportation to the Senior Center. Primary concerns for the next five years included not having enough money, paying for prescriptions, and access to health care. October 8'" a joint meeting was held with the Senior Center Council, Senior Center Staff, and other senors who were present. Questions and answers were directed to the concerns which were presented by those in attendance. How are fees structured? How are class sizes determined as well as room capacity? What can be done to control rowdy, rude and disrespectful behavior of high school students riding Transfort? The students' behavior was intimidating and threatening to seniors, especially women. Mayor Martinez and several members of the City Council attended a wine and cheese hour at the Senior Center and toured the facilities. 2- 2-04;12=23PM;SENIOR CENTER 970 224 8072 „ 4/ 10 Page 2 Fort Collins SAB 2003 Annual Report Members met with Gordon Thibedeau, Executive Director of United Way, to discuss the funding process, changes in funding procedures, Catholic Charities Northern funding, and the need for more seniors to participate in the process of allocating money. Members assisted with special events at the Fort Collins Senior Center including planning, directing, and hosting events. (b) Board members are available to provide support and information about the location and availability of senior services and activities. Members of the Board participated in: outreach meetings chili cook off fund raiser far the Senior Center Channel 9 Health Fair hosting (along with Senior Center Staff) the Annual Bridging the Gap Luncheon planning the AARP Fall Conference, "Reinventing Aging in a Changing World" meetings held by agencies and organizations serving seniors in Ft. Collins and Larimer County distributing information about Elder Pet Care Senior Yellow Pages (prepared by LCOOA), Senior Citizen Property Tax Work Off Program, Job Fair, and fund raising activities for the Senior Center, volunteering for senior nutrition programs, and serving on the Boards and Councils of organizations serving seniors. the meetings and activities of the local AARP Chapter the Tax Day Golf Tournament fund raiser for Friends of the Senior Center (c) Contact was made with Los Ancianos Unidos representatives. Our understanding is that they have an organization and network of people that meets tke interests and needs of persons who share their cultural backgrounds and values. 2- 2-04;12:23PM;SENIOR CENTER ;970 224 0072 R 5/ 10 Page 3 Fort Collins SAB 2003 Annual Report ADVOCACY (a) Participation in review of City Plan and City sponsored activities. Several members participated in the January meeting to revise the City Plan. Three new members of the SAD attended the Boards and Training session. A memorandum was sent to the City Manager as requested with recommendations for City Budget Priorities. Two members attended a City Council meeting for the periodic review and to answer questions about the Senior Advisory Board. (b) Affordable Housing: Members attended meetings to become informed about affordable housing and to interact with others to identify the housing issues which need to be addressed. (c) Participating and taking an active role in advocating for solutions to transportation, street crossings, and parking issues which affect seniors. The top priorities have been: (1) advocating for public transportation to the southeast part of the city, especially to the PVHS Harmony Campus and the Social Security Office, and (2) additional funding to lessen or avoid increases in fees which will affect the people with the least amount of resources, (3) parking at the Senior Center and development of property between the Senior Center and Shields Street. SAB members presented information to Mayor Martinez which addressed the need for a special lighted crosswalk at Centre and Washington streets. Members have been advocates for reduced transportation fees for low income seniors, crosswalks at Magnolia and Mason streets, warning signs and speed bumps at each end of the tunnel, under South College, which connects the main campus with the old Fort Collins High School. 2- 2-04;12:23PM;SENIOR CENTER ;970 224 8072 * 6/ 10 Page 4 Fort Collins SAB 2003 Annual Report A letter was sent to the City expressing concern for residents of Oakbrook I and 11 who have difficulty crossing Stanford Road to get to Foothills Mall. Members of the SAB have communicated with Mayor Martinez, City Manager, City Council and Transportation Services. Members of the SAB wish to express their appreciation for the prompt response through detailed and informative letters and quick action taken by the city to address the pedestrian needs of seniors. One member has made contact with 40 agencies to determine their willingness to attend a meeting to share and provide information about senior transportation needs and services that are provided in the City, explore possible ways to pool and maximize resources, and identify existing gaps in transportation for seniors along with future needs. SAB has been an advocate for senior center funding policies that ensure affordability to the center for all seniors in the community. Members of the SAB have supported the Senior Center funding as well as hndraising efforts of Friends of the Senior Center by supporting, promoting, participating and: speaking at City Council to support funding for the Senior Center meeting regularly with Mayor Martinez meeting with City Council members Tax Day Golf Tournament fund raiser Boomer Dance Cemetery Crawl Chili cook off Senior Center Craft Fair 2- 2-04;12:23PM;SENIOR CENTER ;970 224 6072 * 7/ 10 Page 5 Fort Collins SAB 2003 Annual Report COMMUNICATION To monitor, report, support and initiate media information that is relevant and affects the lives of seniors is another important task. An SAB member attended the Coloradon First Night to emphasize senior issues, and the need for better coverage of aging including examples of older persons who continue to contribute in significant ways, and live active and meaningful lives. Thumbs Up Letters have called attention to the: fast response of City Engineers in putting pedestrian crossing stripes at Magnolia and Mason streets response of the City for cross walks at Oakbrook I and H Members wrote letters to the Coloradoan concerning senior issues and transportation concerns. Being informed regarding the many issues which impact seniors, knowing about agencies and services which are available for seniors, as well as funding and other sources of financial support, and research on aging and aging well requires considerable time and effort. One way to obtain current and relevant information about needs of seniors and effective aging is to invite speakers to the regular SAB meetings. This section contains a summary of the various topics and sources of information: Fort Collins Pedestrian Safety Project Member on the Board for Triad spoke about the Homeland Security Conferences Executive "Director with the United Way spoke on changes in funding procedures and allocation of money to agencies and programs serving seniors Reading of City Council's proclamation of the Older Americans Month 2- 2-04;12:23PM;SEW OR CENTER ;970 224 6072 * e/ 10 Page 6 Fort Collins SAB 2003 Annual Report Presentation by directors of the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization Mayor Martinez presented, "What's Happening in Fort Collins." A member of TRIAD reported on the progress of the Car Care/Safety Check program. Representatives with Wheeler Realty reviewed a history of negotiations between Wheeler Realty and the City of Fort Collins related to a parcel of ground south and west of the Senior Center. The SAB's interests are related to the need to obtain more parking space for current needs as well as a projected need for additional parking for the Senior Center. General Manager and Operation Manager for Transfort/Dial-A-Ride answered questions about the services provided and proposed increases for both elderly and disabled riders. A member of the Dial -A -Ride Advisory committee answered questions about proposed fee increases. One important issue focuses on encouraging seniors to use Transfort more frequently versus relying so heavily on Dial -A -Ride. Another important source of information, needs, and concerns of seniors is obtained from guests who attend the regular meetings of the SAB. A total of 18 residents attended and participated in the open meetings held at the two outreach locations, Parkland Towers and Parkwood Estates. Twenty members of the Senior Center Council also met with the SAB along with 15 guests from the community who participated in SAB meetings. A total of 53 citizens attended SAB meetings during 2003. 2- 2-04;12:23PM;HENIOR CENTER ;970 224 6072 % 9/ 10 Page 7 Fort Collins SAB 2003 Annual Report Liaison activities involve obtaining information and providing information about needs of seniors and issues of mutual interest. Board members have considerable experience and maintain regular contact with a wide range of agencies and organizations. Liaison interactions provide support and sharing of information among agencies, seniors, boards, and councils. During 2003 board members maintained liaison positions with the agencies and organizations listed below: Senior Center Council Larimer County Senior Network Retired Senior Volunteer Programs Larimer County Office on Aging CSU Tri-Ethnic Center Aspen Club Friends of the Senior Center Volunteers of America AARP Local Chapter Mason Transportation Cooridor SAB members have also visited assisted living center open houses; participated on the Geriatric Design Team to enlarge course offerings on aging in the Colorado State University Deportment of Social Work; served on the AARP programming committee for the 2003 fall conference; served as the community liaison for periodic reviews of residents on the secure unit at Columbine Care Center West, and volunteered at SNP meal sites. Communicating effectively with City Council and establishing an open working relationship with Mayor Ray Martinez and City Manager John Fishbach are important responsibilities for the SAB. A member of the SAB met regularly with the city council member from his district. Members attended the City Plan revision meeting in January. Three board members attended the Boards and Training Session for new members. 2- 2-04;12:23PM;SENI0R CENTER ;970 224 6072 a 10/ 10 Page 8 Fort Collins SAB 2003 Annual Report The SAB responded to the City Managers request for City Policy recommendations and priorities, and 2004-2005 budget recommendations. Two members met with the City Council and participated in the Senior Advisory Board review. Board members sent a letter to the City to encourage them to purchase property adjacent to the Senior Center and along Shields Street for future development including present and future parking needs. The SAB was represented at the City Council Appreciation Reception. A member arranged for dialogue to continue between the City Manager and Wheeler Realty regarding the development and use of properties adjacent to the Senior Center. COORDINATION Recruiting and encouraging applicants to apply for the Senior Advisory Board is important for continuing the work and traditions of the Board. Members encouraged 5 persons to apply for the SAB. The SAB, along with co -host Loveland Senior Advisory Board, planned and hosted the annual Bridging the Gap Senior Network Luncheon. Senior center staff contributed greatly to the success of the luncheon, meetings, and other arrangements. SAB members were involved in planning for all aspects of the luncheon, securing speakers; serving as table hosts and discussion facilitators; as hosts and greeters; and developing an updated list of invitees and sending letters to them. Approximately 150 people attended the luncheon.