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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSenior Advisory Board - Minutes - 09/13/2000C� • CITY OF FORT COLLINS SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES: MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 13,2000 Chairperson: Erik Margolis — 416-1411 Staff Liaison: Barbara Schoenberger — 224-6026 City Council Liaison: Ray Martinez, Mayor — 221-6506 I. Attendance: Erik Margolis Absent: Florence Williams George Kress Kristen Glenn Marjorie McTaggart Alyce Eckley Darren Gunn Dorothy Miller Guest: Doug Finnman June Tucker Jo Sanders Blanche Yakmas Kay Rios John Roberts Staff: Barbara Schoenberger II. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Erik Margolis at 2:05 p.m. III. Citizen Participation: In Sanders attended the meeting to observe a meeting of the Senior Advisory Board. She is interested in applying for one of the vacant positions on the board. IV. Guest: Laury Dennis was unable to attend this month due to illness. Doug Fineman from FTC central information technology department spoke to the group about the Fort Collins web site. Fort Collins has been selected as one of 14 cities for a study regarding local city web sites and their contents. There will be a focus group meeting held on at 405 Canyon on Thursday, September 21, 2000 from 7-9pm. The purpose of the focus group is to gather information from participants as to what they would like to see on a local web site. June will attend for the SAB. Doug distributed questionnaires regarding information on the web site. Each member present completed the form and Barbara will mail the forms back to Doug. V. Approval of the Minutes: John moved that the minutes from the August 9, 2000 meeting be approved George seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. VI. Correspondence: None VII. Old Business: A. Transportation: Florence/Kay — •— On August 30, 2000 at the Senior Center there was a meeting held to discuss the primary concerns concerning Transfort and also school buses. Dial A Ride: discussions regarding how to handle troublesome situations, including behavior problems. School bus safety issues included backpacks on the floors. Other discussions included installations of bus shelters in various locations, as well as bus service to the new Harmony Campus. • September 11, 2000 through September 16, 2000 is National Bus Week. Transfort is free during this time. • There will be a Round About Open House on September 13, 2000 from 4-8pm at 625 9`h Street (Lemay & Vine). • Kay distributed copies of the letter that was sent to John Kefalas regarding the Larimer County Office on Aging Transportation not supporting the $289,000 budget increase. B. Outreach: • The SAB will do an out reach presentation, hosted by the Senior Center Council on October 18, 2000 starting at 10:30 am. Invitations will be sent to various senior groups, refreshments will be served. The purpose is to discuss senior issues and what the SAB does. George, Barb, Erik and John will present. C. Housing: • The Northern Hotel project had its ground breaking. This is a Historic Preservation Project as well as a Senior Complex. An early walk through presented concerns for safety. Two examples are no overhead lights in the hallways, and only one small elevator for the entire building. There will be 47 senior apartments and seniors will have to pay an additional $17.00 per month for parking nearby. Erik will call Karen Girard. Director of Funding Partners to speak at a future SAB meeting. • CDBG is beginning the next round for applications for housing monies D. Paint-A-Thon: • June left a message for Rusty. She will try to contact him next week to schedule a meeting E. Discounted Medications: • We obtained 200 signatures from attendees at the New West Fest on our petition for Affordable Prescription Medication for Seniors • We will leave petitions at the Senior Center for additional signatures and then forward the petitions to our Congressman F. New West Fest: • The SAB members discussed the outcome of the New West Fest. There were some communication problems and a few problems with the set up, handouts, etc. Prior to making a commitment for next year we will have discussions and decide how we can attract more people to our booth. G. Chili Cookoff: • Our theme will be " " • Erik will bring the propane stove • Barbara will bring the utensils, banner & chairs • We will report to the Sundance at 8am and cook until 12 noon. • We still need to get items for the "cook's bags" • Barbara will send invitations to former SAB members to attend • Posters and tickets were distributed to members to give out H. Senior Networking Luncheon: • SAB members will serve as moderators I. Liaison Reports: 1) Ombudsman: • Nursing Home Conditions: An investigation spearheaded by Congressman Mark Udall revealed that of 27 nursing homes visited in Boulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson, and western Adams counties 70% violated some federal standard. To address these concerns he has proposed a nursing home protection act, which will require facilities in violation to refund portions of their Medicaid funds. Elizabeth Kelly believes that there are unreasonable regulations, inconsistent involvement from families and other community members, along with too few methods of positive re - enforcement and incentives for quality of care. • OOA held a public forum on September 8'° in Niwot • You may call the local chapter of OOA at (303) 866-2800 with comments or the LTC Ombudsman Program at (970) 498-6800 2) Dorothy Miller reported: • The inspection facilities at the Senior Center was excellent • A negative comment by some seniors was there was too much competition during bridge and pool games 3) Mardi Gras: • Darren reported that there are only five more months to Mardi Gras. He will give us updates as he gets them 4) Veterans Day: • Barbara reported that on 11/11 at I I am balloons will be released from the Sr. Center as part of a WWII memorial celebration. There will be a pancake breakfast served from 9 am to 12 noon. There will be entertainment by the children's choir. This is a very special celebration to honor all those who served in WWII. There will be balloons released at 11 am at Grandview Cemetery at the war memorial. This is a national day of celebration. Volunteers to help with breakfast would be appreciated. 5) Loveland Sr. Council: • Erik had copies of the August minutes. Please see attached. There are notes regarding the Job Fair at the Chilson Senior Center on September 21, 2000. There is also an article from The Capital Times (Madison, WI) regarding scare tactics being used by the drug/pharmaceutical industry to intimidate seniors. VII. New Business: A. The Community Homecoming Parade • October 14, 2000 • SAB members nominated Marjorie McTaggert for Dignitary • There will be a Sr. Center Float • John accepted nomination to be one of the judges VUL Other: • We will begin working on the 2001 work plan next month • The Women's Gathering posters and bookmarks were distributed to members to be given out Having no other business before us, Marjorie moved to close the meeting. John seconded this. The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted by June M. Tucker Page 1 of 5 Erik Margolis From: Earl E. Stevens [eestms@frii.coml Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2000 9:31 AM To: Erik Margolis Subject: Minutes of Loveland SAB - 6 Sept 2000 Erik: I enclose a copy of the minutes and other materials that were distributed at our meeting on Sept. 6. I have forgotten but it there anyone else in Ft. Collins to whom I should e-mail these? We continue to receive your materials. Thanks. Earl. CITY OF LOVELAND Senior Advisory Board Agenda for September 6, 2000 10:45 AM - Library, Multi -Purpose Room 1. Call to order 2. Opening Comments and Introductions ; Mr. Ken Jukowski and Mr Donald Zeh 3. Approval of July Meeting minutes 4. Unfinished Business: 1. Needs Survey compilation of data 2. Report on the Summerfest project 3. Job Fair 4. Networking Luncheon 4. Networking Luncheon 5. New Business: 1. Grant proposal for underwriting the computer classes 2. Volunteerism 6. Committee reports and Comments 7. Announcements - 8. Adjournment 9/13/00 Page 2 of 5 CITY OF LOVELAND Senior Advisory Board Minutes of Meeting July 5, 2000 Members present: Earl Stevens, Bill Hagen, Betty Herder, Eldona Hughes, Judith Jones, Barbara Nuss, Jan Brown, Elson Wride. Excused: Angel Hoffman, Ralph Lange, Sally Marchand. The meeting was called to order at 10:45 A.M. by Chair, Earl Stevens. Announcements: Don Matula has resigned from the Senior Advisory Board for personal reasons. Applications are being accepted at the City Manager's Office for this position. The position of staff liaison from the city has not been decided as yet. The minutes of May 3 were accepted with the correction of the name Anne Mane Baker as the person compiling the mailing list for the Bridging the Gap Networking Luncheon. Guest Speaker: Michelle Miller, Latimer County Work Force Center. Last year's Older Adult 50+ Job Fair had 550 respondents within the first hour when they had expected 50-60. This year's Job Fair scheduled for September 21, 2000, at the Chilson Senior Center. There was not as much variety last year and care is being taken to offer more. They are looking at employers, with 50 or more employees, who are looking for part-time, full-time or seasonal employees. Employers are being asked to have materials to offer up to 500 applicants. There will be a "Referral Data Base" compiled 9/13/00 • • Page 3 of 5 that can also be used for the Senior Job Line source. Widespread announcements are planned throughout the community. A volunteer coordinator will be needed along with volunteers to assist with the attendees. Unfinished business: 1. Summerfest to be held July 15 at Foote Lagoon. Volunteers from the SAB are lined up to assist in the sale of bottled water during the event. There will be a booth with a canopy set up for the day. The SAB will have its banner and brochures there to inform the public about the Senior Advisory Board. Members of the Youth Advisory Board have signed up to help at various times during the day. A total of in -kind and cash donations from businesses in town total $348.00. 2. Bridging the Gap Networking Luncheon: The first information letter has been sent to Larimer County agencies, businesses and organizations having connection with Senior issues. The registration forms will be sent out the first week of August. Plans are proceeding according to schedule. The luncheon will be held September 29,2000, at the McKee Conference and Wellness Center. Guest speaker will be Carol Mathies-Kraft, Gerontologist. No New Business. Committee Reports: 1. Senior Spotlight: To date there has been no further action from Comcast on resuming the Senior Spotlight program. With new cable companies looking toward the Loveland market, the board is hoping that Comcast will respond positively. A person has been found to man the camera and there is a host in place. 2. Hotline: There were 3 calls to the Hotline in June. One call was inquiring about the computer classes, the others were not relevant or no phone number left to respond. Announcements/Comments: A question was raised regarding the August meeting of the SAB, Fldona Hughes moved that the board not meet in August and resume meetings in September, seconded by Betty Herder, approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 12 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Judith Jones, Secretary THE DRUG/PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY USES TACTICS TO SCARE SENIORS The State AARP office has forwarded to its local chapters an article from the June 28 issue of The Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin) by Dave Zweifel about these tactics. 9/13/00 Page 4 of 5 An organization "The Seniors Coalition" has produced a four -page brochure that is given to Senior Centers; the brochure is a "broadside against those who are advocating that the government step in to help America's senior citizens with their soaring prescription drug bills. "It is carefully masked to look like an innocent informational brochure for beleaguered seniors. That's necessary because Monona [Senior Center] [in Wisconsin] , like most senior centers, doesn't allow partisan literature to be dispensed on the premises lest it appear the center is endorsing the opinions. "After a little checking, I discovered that this outfit called The Seniors Coalition is actually in cahoots with another organization called Citizens for Better Medicare. And guess who provides most -if not all the funding? None other than the Pharmaceuticals Research and Manufacturers of America, those wonderful people who have been raising prices at rates that would make the oil companies blush. "The pharmaceutical industry has been spending millions on newspapers, radio and television ads in an attempt to head off attempts to put some price controls on drugs sold in the United States, controls similar to those in Canada and Europe. "Leaving no stone unturned, the industry is also directing cleverly designed brochures and direct mail pieces, like the one at the Monona Senior Center, to audiences they feel need convincing. "Public Citizen [italics mine], the consumer -based lobbying organization in Washington, said in a recent report that the ads 'are part of a sophisticated campaign to protect the firms' multi -billion -dollar profits. The drug lobby's goal has been single-minded: avoid any kind of Medicare drug coverage that reins in skyrocketing drug costs.' "It added: 'Citizens for Better Medicare is a sham, its director, Tim Ryan, was the marketing director for (the pharmacy association) before joining CBM, and he admits that CBM is largely funded by the industry.' "'CBM has received support from The Seniors Coalition, 60 Plus and the United Seniors Association. These direct mail specialists have been denounced by Republicans and Democrats alike for their scare tactics, which involve frightening seniors with overblown threats to their retirement benefits and asking them to send money to support the groups' questionable lobbying efforts.' "Instance, here's an excerpt from the pamphlet given me: 'The numerous proposals in Congress that use price controls pose a formidable threat to pharmaceutical research and development. Moreover, research and development is a lifeline for seniors and price controls will drastically slow down the breakthrough drugs coming through that lifeline.' 9/13/00 • • Page 5 of 5 "A bit of hyperbole, especially when you consider that many of the research costs for American drugs today are paid for by none other than our own federal government." 9/13/00 City C!k • gal City of Fort Collins MEMORANDUM TO: Staff Liaisons, Boards and Commissions FROM: Karla Smith, Boards and Commissions Coor tnator SUBJECT: Latest Revision to Boards and Commissions Attendance Policy DATE: September 21, 2000 On September 19, Council adopted Resolution 2000-119 Amending Resolution 2000-77 Pertaining to Recurring Absences of Boards and Commissions Members. These changes were made to better facilitate reporting absences of the Chairperson of Boards and Commissions. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call me. The revised policy will be included in the 2001 Boards and Commissions Manual. Since the distribution of the manual is still several months away, I ask that you share this information with your board and commission members at your next scheduled meeting. Thanks! Attachment cc: City Council John Fischbach Diane Jones 300 LaPorte Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6515 • FAX (970) 221-6295 r� 0 RESOLUTION 2000-119 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AMENDING RESOLUTION 2000-77 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS PERTAINING TO RECURRING ABSENCES OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEMBERS WHEREAS, on June 6, 2000, the Council adopted Resolution 2000-77 amending the provisions of the attendance policy (the "Policy") contained in the City's Boards and Commissions Manual; and WHEREAS, the Policy, as amended by Resolution 2000-77, calls for written notification of the absence of a board and commission member to be submitted to the chair or the staff liaison of the board or commission prior to the meetings where the absences will occur; and WHEREAS, when it is the chair of a board or commission who will be absent from meeting, the only person who is available to be notified under the Policy is the staff liaison; and WHEREAS, the Council believes that it is desirable to always have two persons to whom such notice may be given, so that the vice chair of a board or commission should be added to the Policy as a person who, in this situation, can perform the duties of the chair. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that Resolution 2000-77, and the attendance policy referenced therein, are hereby amended so that the Policy shall read as follows: Attendance Policy Upon application for and acceptance of appointment, board and commission members demonstrate their intention and ability to attend meetings. If a member experiences recurring attendance problems, the chair of the board or commission (or if the chair is the person experiencing the attendance problems, then the vice chair) should contact the Boards and Commissions Coordinator located in the City Clerk's Office, s❑ that he or she can work with the Council liaison to the affected board or commission to address the issue. Either of the following shall automatically cause a member's appointment to be terminated, and shall create a vacancy on the board or commission: Three consecutive absences from regularly scheduled meetings of the board, if, prior to the meetings where the absences occurred, no written notification of any such absence has been submitted to the staff liaison or the chair or, if the chair is the person experiencing the attendance problems, then to the vice chair.