Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Block Grant Commission - Minutes - 11/08/2018COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 8, 2018 – 6:00 PM 215 NORTH MASON – COMMUNITY ROOM XX/XX/2018 – MINUTES Page 1 1. CALL TO ORDER At 6:03 PM the meeting was called to order by Serena Thomas. ROLL CALL • Board Members Present: o Serena Thomas – Co-Chair, 2018 o Anita Basham o Margaret Long o Olga Duvall o Sara Maranowicz o Steve Backsen • Board Members Absent o Taylor Dunn – Chair, 2018 o Amy Dondale • Staff Members: o Adam Molzer, Staff Liaison • Presenters: o Lynda Meyer, Program Manager – Larimer County Office on Aging 2. AGENDA REVIEW Serena Thomas reviewed the Agenda with the Community Development Block Grant Commission (“CDBG”). The CDBG Commission accepted the Agenda without modification. 3. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION There were no guests. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES With a few modifications, The CDBG accepted the October 2018 minutes. Olga Duvall motioned to approve the October 2018 meeting minutes as amended. Steve Backsen seconded. The Vote passed unanimously. (6-0). 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There were no unfinished business items. 6. LEARNING SERIES PRESENTATION a. Issues Impacting Seniors in Fort Collins Lynda Meyer, Program Manager – Larimer County Office on Aging joined the CDBG members for a presentation to offer insight to the issues and current programs addressing the aging demographic at the Larimer County level. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT REGULAR MEETING 11/08/2018 – MINUTES Page 2 Lynda began her presentation by reciting the Larimer County Office on Aging (“LCOA”) Mission Statement: The Larimer County Office on Aging advocates, plans, coordinates and delivers services for older adults, adults living with disabilities, and caregivers so they may experience their highest quality of life characterized by empowerment, dignity, health and independence. She mentioned that the LCOA primarily works in the age 60 plus demographic, adults with disabilities and currently oversees 27 grantees. The value of the office, said Lynda, lies in the engagement and collaboration with internal (public benefits) and external partners and being a trusted source for information. The LCOA analyzes data to create outcomes by planning, developing and implementing plans. The LCOA provides leadership and advocacy to guide the community through challenges and opportunities of an ever-increasing aging population. She points out that over the next 20 years; ten thousand (10,000) people will turn 65 years of age each day nationwide. She added that the world is also an aging population. Another lesser-known issue is that while the “boomers” generation reach senior ages, the “millennial” generation, which are a larger demographic, will begin to age upwards soon following. Larimer County projects a 71% increase in the 60 plus population and, in 2024, 33% of residents will comprise the elderly demographic. Lynda Meyer said that far from catastrophic, there are so many opportunities for the older population to contribute. Larimer County has a very educated older population. It appears that in paid and unpaid (volunteer, caregiver, etc.) works, the population has invested $1.5 billion to the community. The 1965 Older Americans Act supports a range of home and community based service such as meals-on-wheels and other nutrition programs, in-home services, transportation, legal services, elder abuse prevention and caregivers support. This federal program provides funding for the comprehensive services for older adults with dual goals of health and independence. Larimer County does not incorporate income criteria or means testing for these programs. Low income, frail, minority and rural communities are priority demographics. County program funding expenses include Administrative, Support Services, Justice/Ombudsman, Advocacy, and Direct Services such as Adult Daycare, Caregiver Support, Health and Vision Promotion, Nutrition and Transportation. Colorado has 16 agencies to serve the aging population called Area Agencies on Aging (“AAA”). The LCOA distributes an Annual Report and Lynda Meyer pointed out some central figures included in the summary. The fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30 of each year. The next (currently in discussion) four-year plan will cover fiscal years 2020 to 2024. Funding for LCOA in Fiscal Year 2017-2018 is provided by: Federal and State Grants of $2.039 million dollars, Larimer County funding of $108 thousand dollars and other types of grants at almost $125 thousand dollars. Total funds for that period were at $2.272 million dollars. The Larimer County level figure includes the Federal level required State matching funds. Currently Federal and State funding is equivalent and, as mentioned, Larimer County contributes matching funds as required. Donations are encouraged. Lynda Meyer discussed funding decision-making. She explained that Federal and State Funds include a required funding formula and the State provides very specific program instructions. She also discussed that the LCOA has a four-year plan guides prioritization and that coincides with the Request for Proposal (“RFP”) period through the County purchasing department. In reply to Steve Backsen, Lynda explained that a county RFP committee and a county advisory COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT REGULAR MEETING 11/08/2018 – MINUTES Page 3 council make allocation decisions. Lynda further explained that there are long-standing grantee relationships, which leads to scant competition for funding dollars. The LCOA anticipates a “stay the course” policy in the near future. There have been huge shifts in recent years in the landscape of the populations served, the services provided and the delivery of those services. LCOA also tries to leverage funds with other programs that can receive funding in other ways. Lynda also mentioned that Federal funding experienced volatility in recent years. A local grantee example is the Loveland Meals on Wheels program and Volunteers of America has a similar program. Help for caregivers is a growing concern and the LCOA has several programs to address these needs. The Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults (“CASOA”) is found at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment page of Colorado.gov. The CASOA provides a statistically valid survey of older adults (60 plus) in communities across the USA. Its objectives include identifying specific needs of older adults, estimate community contributions, and determine the connection of older adults to the community. There is a Strategic Action Plan on Aging that originated in late 2016. This is an effort by the state to prepare for its aging population, which is growing at the third fastest rate in the nation. Colorado has been designated an age-friendly state. Lynda Meyer discussed that during their community focus groups (Berthoud, Wellington, Loveland, Estes Park, etc) transportation issues were among the most identified problems. Other issues identified are affordable and accessible housing, social isolation and loneliness, available information, care giving, technology training, household chores (lawn care, pet care, etc), and low cost case management for those with significant mental and physical health problems. An interesting matter is that the older adults and the millennial generation appear to be experiencing social isolation. Margaret Long acknowledged and explained the funding difficulties the LCOA faces in building operational programs. Lynda Meyer added that since Federal Funds have been volatile over the past few years the State has pivoted to a policy requiring final receipt of Federal funds before expenditure approval. Anita Basham is appreciative of the LCOA. She currently uses the available caregiver resources being a caregiver for her husband. She says finding appropriate respite care in assisted living facilities is difficult, noting that assisted living facilities may even require furnishings for empty rooms. Steve Backsen expressed surprise that ten thousand people reach elder age nationwide daily. Lynda replied that we could not forget the larger group of millennials following closely behind. Anita Basham added that, in general, there are less children and more aging adults. Steve Backsen expressed concern that many elderly are reaching retirement age without sufficient financial resources. Margaret Long said that the effects are readily felt at Larimer County Food Banks and shelters. She noted that so many elderly people have only Social Security to rely upon and that $1,200 a month is the average payment. Lynda Meyer notes that financial vehicles such as 401K programs are not widely available. Anita Basham laments that these essential programs sometimes face political pressures. Serena Thomas asked about wait lists for services. Lynda answered that yes, sometimes that is the case especially in in-home services. Thereafter Lynda Meyer concluded her presentation. Members of the CDBG thanked her for her time, as the information is useful to the CDBG mission. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT REGULAR MEETING 11/08/2018 – MINUTES Page 4 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Grant Process Update Adam Molzer reported to the CDBG that the City’s Budget has passed its first reading unanimously (7-0). The second reading is to occur within a few weeks. He said that new offers were included in the budget because of citizen advocacy. He also reported that the $100,000 Human Service-funding figure that the CDBG had recommended be brought back into “above the line” funding was included. He also said that the funds would be on-going for a two-year cycle and is a “locked-in” line item. Also, an additional $150,000 (of the $400 thousand advocated by Directing Change) is locked-in for the Spring of 2019 and 2020. These additional funds could be marked for de-funding beyond the next two budget years. Adam noted that this meant that there had been additional funding cuts elsewhere in the overall City budget. b. 2019 Meetings Adam Molzer presented the CDBG with a 2019-meeting schedule. He explained the differences in scheduling from prior years. He further explained that he had analyzed prior year schedules and workload, addressed the challenges of the past two years and together with the sub-committee and staff assistance made several improvements to streamline the grant process for 2019. The most notable changes were the suspension of Human Service applications presentations and improvements to the allocation rating process. He explained that the changes are adaptable and can be further refined in 2019 and in the following years. Adam and the CDBG members discussed possibly meeting on Saturday for the final deliberation meeting, which usually proceed until well into the late evening. The CDBG members debated the pros and cons of the concept, challenging both internal (processes) and external (applicants) factors. The discussion was wide-ranging, and after some time for reflection after this meeting, Adam said he would send a final survey to CDBG members regarding potentially convening the deliberation meeting on either a weeknight or Saturday morning. He also pointed out the advantages of a change in the regular meeting schedule in 2019 from Thursday evenings to Wednesday evenings at 5:30pm. c. 2018 Annual Report and 2019 Work Plan Adam Molzer passed out the 2018 CDBG Annual Report and 2019 Work Plan. After some review, the CDBG members thanked Adam for his work on the documents. Anita Basham moved to accept the 2018 Annual Report. Olga Duvall seconded. The vote passed unanimously (6-0). Margaret Long moved to approve the 2019 Work Plan. Anita Basham seconded. The vote passed unanimously (6-0). 8. COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS None. 9. STAFF REPORTS a. FY Human Services Grant Results Adam Molzer reported that all FY17 grants processes have completed and he forwarded a Summary Report to the Commission. An important figure is that 19,690 clients received agency COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT REGULAR MEETING 11/08/2018 – MINUTES Page 5 services in Fort Collins. Adam also noted that the Alliance for Suicide Prevention has a new Executive Director Marie Marchand and a new Program Manager Cecilia Reynolds. Also, D’Ann Lambert, Program Manager is no longer with the Health District of Northern Larimer County. 10. OTHER BUSINESS a. Joint Boards & Commissions Pilot Update Steve Backsen reports that December 5, 2018 is the meeting date for the Pilot Project. The scheduling challenge was coordination of so many interested parties. b. Grantee Client Story Adam Molzer recounted a story about the Northern Colorado Health District Dental Services. Dave has a history of stroke, is paralyzed and uses a wheelchair. He suffered great pain to significant dental issues, his teeth were not salvageable. This pain caused depression. Because of the Dental Services Surgery, he became healthy and well. His wife is very happy and says the program was an answer to her prayers. She extends thanks to all for the help received. 11. NEXT MEETING a. Thursday, December 13, 2018 – Holiday Celebration – No Business Agenda 12. ADJOURNMENT Meeting Adjourned at 7:47 PM.