HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-06-10 Council on Aging SummaryCOUNCIL ON AGING
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10 AM
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Minutes, f ,rom,, ,,P, ri0 r,, Meetin~
Old Business
1. United Way Grant Award ·
2. Kenai Peninsula Borough Funding"
3. Alaslm Commission on Aging Funding
4. Meal Priee/ Visiting Seniors-Adult
New B,us. iness.
1. Rose of the Week
2. Report of Conference
3. Donor Program/Funding
4. Home Meal Monitor
5. Program with Kenai Native Elders
6. Discussion of Directors transition
7.~ Parade/Fourth of July
Person, Wanti,,n~ go, be Hea, rd
COUNCIL ON AGING
JUNE 10, 1997
***MINUTES***
Members present:
Members absent:
Others present:
Joyce Billings, Georgetta Funk, Al Pease, Roger
Meeks, Peggy Arness, Joanna Hollier
Sam Huddleston, Arlene Enfield, Betty Nelson
Councilwoman Swarner, Senior Center Director Pat
Porter, Administrative Assistant Marilyn Kebschull
Roger Meeks called meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. Meeks asked if minutes
needed to be read. Porter advised everyone should have received a copy of
the minutes.
HOLLIER MOVED TO APPROVE MINUTES. MOTION SECONDED BY PEGGY
ARNESS. MINUTES APPROVED.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. United Way Grant Award:
Porter advised the grant review was good but was decreased by almost
$2000 due to revenue sources. Porter stated they did quite well with the
grant.
2. Kenai Peninsula Borough Funding:
Porter advised they received the same as last year, a little over $60,000
which is awarded according to the number of elderly in the service district.
Porter advised she will be writing thank you letters to the Borough and the
United Way thanking them for their funding.
3. Alaska Commission on Aging Funding:
Porter advised they meet next week in Anchorage. Porter stated that they
expect to receive the same funding as last year because they are on a two
year grant cycle. This would be about $118,000. Porter noted that next
year, in March or April, they will have to write a new grant and at that point
Porter advised they don't know what they will do. Porter advised she will try
to put a budget together so that a novice can understand it. Porter advised
that moneys received from all the agencies have guidelines on what they can
Council on Aging
Minutes
Page 2
June 10, 1 997
spend the funds on. Porter stated she will put together a form for their
review. Porter noted they will hold a meeting to review the budget. Porter
advised that they advertise the meeting noting that Meeks was the only one
who attended last year.
4. Meal Price:
Porter noted this had been discussed at the last meeting and the Council had
wanted it brought back up. Porter noted this was at Betty Nelson's request.
Hollier stated she knew that Nelson thought $7 was too high. Porter stated
that she didn't know how they felt about visiting seniors but added that
according to the Commission on Aging that they have to have a set, different
price for visiting seniors and visiting others. Porter noted that a visiting
senior from other areas can eat for free adding it is a suggested price.
Swarner commented Nelson's concern was that her sister will be visiting.
Hollier commented that was true and that Nelson's concern was that for $7
for each visitor and $3 for herself she could cook at home.
Porter explained that the state was coming from the fact that the Ninilchik
center had placed signs at campgrounds to encourage visitors to come to
eat.
Swarner how seniors get around feeling guilty if they don't pay. Arness
asked how many people don't come because of the fee. Arness asked about
the visitors. Porter stated a lot of visitors don't pay more than the $3.00.
Hollier stated she could understand but added if they put the fee at $7, they
feel they should pay. Porter stated that most centers charge non-seniors $5.
Hollier commented she felt that $5 was fair. Porter commented she liked the
$7.
Group discussion about what it costs to eat in town. Porter stated the point
is that they can go to town and eat adding that the center is not a place for
non-seniors just to come to eat. Meeks commented that at the center drinks
and dessert is included with the meal which doesn't happen in town.
Porter asked about going back to $5 for visiting seniors. Meeks commented
that they have never questioned people's incomes at the center. Pease
stated they needed to watch noting that they are getting money from local
sources to compensate the difference between the cost and the $3 they
charge. Pease stated that is why Ninilchik got in trouble. Arness asked
what Ninilchik does now. Pease stated the regular people buy their tickets
early before the tourist arrive. After the tourist arrive, all ticket prices are
Council on Aging
Minutes
Page 3
June 10, 1997
raised. Arness asked the price. Pease stated $5 is the minimum price.
Pease noted they were going broke every summer. Porter commented that
the state felt that the tourists don't contribute to the centers in any way.
Porter noted it is a suggested contribution, they cannot charge a senior.
Pease commented that Seward is completely different. Pease noted they
have a different price for out of the area people and they are treated like a
tourist.
Billings asked originally why they increased the price. Porter explained that it
was the reduction in funds received. For example, the Commission on Aging
used to provide $1 58,000 and now it is $118,000. Porter explained that
there is always a fluctuation in funding.
Pease noted there is no compensation for the cost of food adding the state
doesn't provide more funds to compensate for increased costs. Porter
agreed that as all costs increase, the state doesn't provide more funds.
Porter asked if they want to change it, leave it the same, etc.
Meeks asked for suggestions. Hollier noted it is $7 and ~3 now. Arness
clarified $7 for anyone not from this center. Swarner noted that Council
approves any changes in prices. Pease commented he felt it should be left
as it is a suggested contribution. Arness asked if they had tried it at $3 and
$5. Pease noted that even at $5 it doesn't cover the cost. Porter stated
they could have three amounts, seniors, visiting seniors, and non-seniors.
Swarner noted that no motion would leave it the same. Pease suggested
leaving it as it is. Meeks asked if anyone objected. None noted.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Rose of the Week:
Porter advised this is her idea adding she is willing to pay for the rose.
Porter explained that seniors would put a name in a box stating why they
want the person recognized. Porter explained they could draw once a week
and they would have 52 winners a year and a person could only win once a
year. Porter noted this would be a small way to recognize individuals for
what they do for the center. Porter noted that everyone likes to be
recognized. Porter added she didn't want this to cost the center anything
and she would paY for it. Meeks asked if they have 52 deserving people.
Porter advised that last year when she was writing the United Way grant
they counted up 101 people who had volunteered. Billings noted the
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Minutes
Page 4
June 1 O, 1 997
volunteer's dinner which recognizes the volunteers. Arness advised she felt
staff should be allowed to nominate people. Porter stated that would be fine
but would like seniors involved.
Funk asked who would be in charge. Porter advised it would just be a
drawing. Porter advised staff would keep track of the program on a
computer. Porter noted the nominations would require a reason and not just
a name.
HOLLIER MOVED TO ADOPT THE ROSE OF THE WEEK PROGRAM.
SECONDED THE MOTION. UNANIMOUS.
FUNK
2, 3, &4.
Report of Conference/Donor Program/Funding/Home Meal
Monitor:
Porter stated the conference was held outside of Portland for programs that
have meal programs. Porter stated it was wonderful and small with only
about 180 people attending. Porter advised there is a change that needs to
be made as soon as the funding is determined. Porter explained this is
keeping closer contact of the home deliveries. Porter advised they need to
weigh the people, see if they have problems with chewing, etc. or find out
what may be wrong. Porter stated they need a staff person to do this.
Hollier asked if that was what Dorothy did. Porter stated no. Porter advised
the state is requiring an extensive evaluation and they don't have the staff
for it; this includes things like can they brush their teeth, take care of
themselves, etc. Hollier asked if Home Health Care did that. Porter advised
they deliver meals to a lot of people who don't get Home Health Care. Porter
suggested the Council members come and ride with the home delivery bus.
Porter advised they don't receive any referrals from doctors even after she
wrote a letter a year and a half ago. Porter stated they are writing another
letter and this time sending a complementary meal ticket.
Porter stated she also went to training on fund raising. They were told they
had to get past the bake sales, garage sales, etc. They were told they have
to go out for big donations. Porter advised she is planning on making a
major staff change for ten hours a week to go out and begin to make
contacts for donations. Porter noted this will be the activity person. Porter
noted she nor Kelly have the time to do this.
Meeks asked if Porter had discussed this with the activity person. Porter
advised as part of her evaluation she had been asked for three goals and she
had included this as part of one of her goals. Porter noted that Mr. Ross had
liked this idea.
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Minutes
Page 5
June 10, 1997
5. Program with Kenai Native Elders:
Porter advised that the state has wanted the center to have more
involvement with the native elders. Porter advised they have been resistant
to involvement with the center. Porter advised they don't have a problem
with the natives who come to the center. Porter noted she had called Bonnie
Juliussen advising she wanted to get together with her and had gotten no
response so she wrote a letter and c¢'d her boss. She then called. Porter
advised there is a meeting today at 1 p.m. and Meeks, as Council president,
has been advised to attend. Arness asked which group this was. Porter
advised it is the Kenai Native Association. Porter advised they will continue
to try to work toward a program with the native elders.
6. Discussion of Directors transition'
Porter advised she wanted to share what she plans to do within the next
couple of years. Porter stated it is her goal to retire in the next couple of
years. Porter advised to do this and not leave a hole it will be necessary to
take less a role at the center and allow Kelly to take a larger role. Porter
noted that seniors don't take change well and she would like the transition to
go smoothly. Porter stated it is her goal to back off and to begin to allow
Kelly to do more. Porter advised that she doesn't know if Kelly will be hired
because the city doesn't work like that. The decision will be left up to the
city manager. Porter added that she feels that the manager will want to use
someone who is trained noting it takes a long time to train someone. Porter
advised she will be taking more vacations. Porter advised she had purchased
a Chamber membership for Kelly and she will be attending Chamber
meetings. Porter advised she will be going to the meeting in Anchorage only
to introduce Kelly. Porter reiterated she wanted the council to know why
she will be gone more. Arness advised she felt this was a smart idea.
Meeks commented that no matter how much training takes place that they
will miss Porter. Porter noted she loves her job adding she has been here
over 20 years. Group discussion about how the transition would take place
when Porter leaves.
7. Parade/Fourth of July
Porter advised she needs volunteers. Porter advised they will do the booth
and at the same time they will have the salmon bake. Porter advised she will
oversee the salmon bake and Kelly will take care of the Fourth of July
events. Swarner asked if this is a fund raiser or if they want to do this.
Porter advised she had debated whether or not they should do it but noted
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Minutes
Page 6
June 1 O, 1 997
that the general public is used to the events. Porter advised it could create
negative p.r. Porter explained how they will freeze pies in advance adding
they have had a trial run with frozen pies.
Arness asked about the salmon bake. Porter advised they have had the bakes
for the caravans in the past. Porter added that this year they will only have
one which will be here on the Fourth of July.
8. Light Parade:
Porter asked if they wanted to be involved in the parade. Meeks asked
when. Porter advised it is close to Christmas and Arness noted it was
around Thanksgiving. Hollier advised it was wonderful. Porter advised they
could discuss it at the next meeting.
PERSON WANTING TO BE HEARD:
Meeting adjourned at approximately 11 a.m.
ctful submitted'
M~ri'ly~ Kebschull --
Administrative Assistant