HomeMy WebLinkAboutSenior Advisory Board - Minutes - 03/13/1996•
Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board Minutes
of March 13, 1996
The SAB held its regular meeting on Wednesday, March
13, 1996 at the Fort Collins Senior Center.
ATTENDANCE: A quorum was present. City Council Liaison: Ann
Azari, absent. Approximately 40 citizens, plus Senior Center
Council members and Center staff were also present during
Citizen Participation.
MEMBERS: Chair: Yvonne Myers (W) 495-1000 (H) 225-3731
Stan Ulrich Marjorie McTaggart
Mary Alice Spelts Wayne Moellenberg
Fran Ward Blanche Yakmas
Kay Rios Ed Johnson
Jane Goodhart
EXCUSED ABSENCE: Jill Taylor
GUEST: Virginia McMillan
STAFF LIAISON: Barbara Schoenberger
I. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Yvonne Myers called the meeting to
order at 2:03 p.m.
II. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: Steve Budner gave a short presen-
tation on the Use Policy of the Senior Center. About eight
citizens spoke, some sharply criticizing, others praising
the use of the Center, followed by general Q&A. Senior
Center staff and the chairs of both advisory boards respon-
ded where appropriate.
After a short break, the SAB meeting continued at 3:07.
Board members expressed discomfort that they were not told
about the expected turnout.
Board discussion pinned down the citizen remarks to the
areas of programming and communication. Since both SAB and
Senior Center Council are advisory boards only (and the
citizens appeared not to know this), it was felt that both
the kudos and the complaints should be addressed to the
appropriate city department (Recreation?) directly.
* Wayne moved that the Senior Advisory Board be on record
for encouraging the city to put renewed emphasis on the
primary focus of the Senior Center, which is seniors. Kay
seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
* Wayne then moved that every effort be made to promote
seniors' use of the Center. Ed seconded, and the motion
passed unanimously. Discussion of the 2 motions tied in with
SAB's '96 plan for education, and with a number of citizen
statements that some seniors are avoiding the Center.
—III. CORRESPONDENCE: A letter from Ann Turnquist, City
Council Policy Manager, regarding the capital improvement
process was turned over to Yvonne for review by the
executive committee.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the February meeting
5A_b I� -
were approved unanimously as written.
V. OLD BUSINESS:
A. Paint-A-Thon: Marjorie reported her conversations with
Rusty Collins of Neighbor to Neighbor and Phil Kinsella of
Brothers Redevlopment, and a follow-up letter she sent to N-
to-N. No response from them yet.
Stan reported no progress in exploring the Housing
Authority's interest, if any.
B. Pioneer Mobile Home Park: Kay reported that 15% of
residents are seniors; 10% of the total were rentals who are
already gone; 80% of trailers can be moved, but so far there
is no local place for them to go.
C. DMA Plaza: Kay reported that it's unknown if HUD's
subsidized rents will continue under the building's new
ownership. Residents won't be notified until late summer.
Oakbrook is under new ownership as well, and their HUD
contract has 2 years to go.
D. Housing Authority Update: Kay reported that an ad hoc
task force has been formed. OOA is involved; Kay and Jane
will represent SAB.
E. Vet -Pet Evaluation: No progress. RSVP rep not present.
F. SageNet: No report. Jill absent.
G. Network Lunch Committee: Kay...
H. Con ress of Nei hborhoods: Several board members plan
to attend 3 23/96 at CSU Student Center, 3-5 p.m. when the
Senior Center will have a presentation.
I. Forum on Aging: Jill absent - no progress.
J. Dial -A -Ride: Kay reported they are working on the
grievance component, and making sure that the service
continues to include seniors.
K. Outreach report: Wayne, Jill, and Fran attended a
gathering of senior residents at 1601 N. College mobile home
park. The park is self-contained with its own pool and other
amenities. Park residents say distance and the cost of Dial -
A -Ride keep them from using the Senior Center.
College Avenue traffic is also a concern. One of their
residents was recently killed trying to cross College Ave.,
a state highway. They were told (by the city) that it is not
feasible to have a traffic light at their entrance. The
nearby traffic signal at Willox and College does not allow
enough time for older adults to get across the wide, busy
highway. A large supermarket is now located on other side.
The SAB secretary will write a letter to Light & Power
recommending that the city adjust the timing of the light.
VI. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Bylaw re -write committee: The board vigorously
rejected the staff request, and no committee was formed. The
bylaws were rewritten, approved by the board, and turned in
to the city 8 months ago - in July, 1995. Members questioned
if what the board has been operating with was not acceptable
why wasn't something said at that time?
B. Reports in writing: In an effort to keep board
business within a two-hour time period, members are asked to
submit reports in writing, preferably in time to be mailed
out with minutes and agenda.
C. 1997 City Budget: Yvonne, Kay and Barb will draft a
letter of recommendations, among them: keeping a consistent
structure of fee schedules at all city facilities; invest
more dollars into senior housing; and keep para-transit
service available for seniors as well as the disabled.
D. Human Relations Award Nomination: A committee of
Wayne, Jane, and Mary Alice will decide and nominate a
worthy person, persons, or organization on behalf of SAB.
VII. SERVICE/LIAISON REPORTS:
1. Fran read her account of a senior who claimed the
county offered her an inappropriate tax work -off job, tree
planting, last year. Fran had called Yvonne about it but did
not want to check it out with the county. Yvonne checked,
and was assured that the county tax work -off program only
offers placement within seniors' talents and wishes, and has
had no such project.
2. Board liaisons: Yvonne handed out 'take home' forms
for each board member to fill out and bring to the April
meeting. The forms ask which organizations each member would
like to represent as liaison. The executive committee will
review and decide so there can be a cross section of repres-
entation without duplication.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
Malrljofie McTagga t, ec'y
Approved:
Yvonne Myers, Chair