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Home My WebLink About1997-09-09 Council on Aging SummaryCOUNCIL ON AGING September 9 10 AM ~genda Ao, roval Min,,,,,utes from Prior Meetinu _OO!d Business · . ~ iii Ill _Il 1. Rose of the Week New Bu,,,sines~s 1. Pet Issue/Vintage Pointe 2. Light Parade 3. Board Vacancy 4. Smoking/Deposit ...vintage Pointe 5. Appreciation BBQ/October 9th Pers ,o,n Wanting to be Heard COUNCIL ON AGING September 9, 1997 ***MINUTES*** Members present: Members absent: Others present: Joanna Hollier, Sam Huddleston, Arlene Enfield, Roger Meeks, Joyce Billings, Al Pease (arrived at 10:11 a.m.), Betty Nelson (arrived at 11:24 a.m.) Peggy Arness Councilwoman Swarner, Senior Center Director Pat Porter, Administrative Assistant Marilyn Kebschull Meeks called meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. No changes to agenda were noted. Meeks asked for changes or corrections to minutes. None noted. Minutes of June 10, 1 997 approved. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Rose of the Week Porter advised there are three recipients to date. Porter stated she thinks it has been well received. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Pet Issue/Vintage Pointe Porter advised a tenant had a visitor who brought a dog which was running loose. The tenant was advised by manager that pets were not allowed and the tenant was upset by this. Porter advised it is in the lease that there are no animals allowed. The tenant made the argument that the lease doesn't say that visitors can't bring pets. Porter asked if they wanted to discuss whether or not to add this to the lease. HUDDLESTON MOVED THAT VISITORS NOT BE ALLOWED TO BRING IN PETS BE ADDED TO THE PREVIOUS RULES. ENFIELD SECONDED MOTION. Council on Aging Minutes Page 2 September 9, 1997 Discussion on whether or not pets should be allowed. Billings noted that a sign may have been helpful a long time ago. Swarner asked about seeing eye dogs and Porter advised that is not a problem. Meeks noted he likes pets but that is not the issue. Porter noted that the tenant after being advised pets are not allowed has continued to sneak pets in. Porter stated the matter is for the board to decide whether or not to allow it. Porter noted they need to consider who will clean up after the pets, make sure they are up to date on shots, and added there may be individuals who are allergic to pets. Porter stated they had made the no pets policy but evidently it wasn't clear enough. Pease stated he didn't feel' it should be permitted noting they didn't have facilities or anyone to look after the pets. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Hollier asked who is responsible to see that pets do not come in. Porter stated that tenants will report it and it will be the responsibility of the tenant to see it doesn't happen. If they allow it to continue, the tenant runs the risk of being evicted. Porter advised that now that the policy has been made, it will be typed up in a bulletin and all tenants will be advised of the policy. Discussion on whether or not to have a sign on the door stating "No Pets." Decided to place a sign. 2. Light Parade Porter advised she is looking for electricians to help put together a small float with lights. Porter suggested they could use the rocket that Phillips made them. Huddleston advised he will be outside during October but would help when he got back in November. Pease advised he would help. 3. Board Vacancy Porter advised they have had three people apply. Huddleston asked if this was to take Georgetta Funk's place and Porter confirmed this. Applicants are: Stanley Lange, Pauline Gross, Sylvia Johnson Decision to take this up at next meeting. Council on Aging Minutes Page 3 September 9, 1997 4. Smoking/Deposit...Vintage Pointe Porter stated they need to decide if they want to charge a larger deposit for smokers. Porter noted they had to renovate an apartment recently that cost $5,000. Hollier stated that she would like to see no smoking allowed. Meeks noted they had tried to do that. Huddleston stated he felt smokers should pay the extra deposit. Johnson asked if the tenant had to pay for the damages. Porter stated she had asked the city manager if the should bill the tenant for the damages and was advised no because it doesn't say they can't smoke. Porter noted they are required to pay for damages such as a cigarette holes but not to clean up the smoke damage such as removing the carpet to get the smoke out. Porter noted that this was an extreme case. Hollier asked if there was a law stating they couldn't have no smokers. Pease noted that council disapproved it once. Meeks stated he felt there could be a policy of no smoking but it would be up to council. Huddleston stated they could vote again for a no smoking policy noting you would have to have grandfather rights for current tenants. Meeks stated they could recommend this to council. Hollier asked what you would charge for the additional fee, $5,000? Discussion on what amount would deter smokers from renting. Swarner stated that she personally felt that a no smoking policy would not pass but felt that the deposit should be increased. Swarner stated that she could speak in favor of the increased deposit. Huddleston suggested adding that they also pay for damages. Discussion that if someone passed away and there was no money to pay it was a moot point. Pease noted they should have the option to collect if the estate has funds. HOLLIER MOVED TO HAVE A DEPOSIT OF $2,500 FOR SMOKERS WHICH IS FULLY REFUNDABLE IF NO DAMAGE. HUDDLESTON SECONDED THE MOTION. Meeks asked if they shouldn't have that deposit for everyone. Hollier stated she didn't want to pay an increased deposit. Meeks asked if it was discriminatory and Porter advised it is not and she had verified this the city attorney. Hollier noted it would be for new tenants only. Nelson commented that since the smoker on the first floor below her moved that she no longer smells smoke. Huddleston stated that another thing they could do is not allow smoking on the first floor and then move up to the next. Eventually, then they wouldn't have any smokers. Nelson advised she felt there would be a Council on Aging Minutes Page 4 September 9, 1997 lot of objection. Swarner asked Porter if she knew how many people who have moved in in the last year smoke. Porter advised probably a couple. Swarner suggested passing the motion noting it would go before council. Swarner noted then that they would know what council thought. Porter noted that in addition to the cost of refurbishing you lose money because the apartment is vacant during that time. Nelson asked about damage not caused by smokers. Porter advised that they really haven't had much damage not covered by the deposit. Nelson asked what is considered damage noting there is normal wear and tear. Porter advised management assumes the responsibility for painting, cleaning carpets, and drapes. A permanent stain in the carpet would be an example of damage or a countertop burned. Nelson asked how often carpets would be changed in apartments. Porter stated it would be on a needs basis. Swarner asked if there was a replacement schedule. Porter stated no but there is an account that so much money is placed in that could be used for these items. Porter reiterated that as long as damage not caused by tenant, it will be paid for by the landlord. " Porter read the proposed deposit for smokers. VOTE: UNANIMOUS. Porter advised that Swarner would take this to council to decide if it should be implemented. 5. Appreciation BBQ/October 9~' Porter advised it is time to show appreciation for the city council, borough assembly, and legislators who support their program. Porter advised she is asking the Board to take responsibility for this event. Several members advised they would be unavailable on the 9t". Porter stated they could change the date. Porter suggested November 6th, Thursday. Decision to hold the BBQ on November 6t" at 6'30 p.m. Pease suggested that they have two entrees on the menu. PERSON WANTING TO BE HEARD: None. Council on Aging Minutes Page 5 September 9, 1997 COMMENTS: Porter advised she had copies of the budget and if anyone had questions, they should contact her. ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at approximately 10'50 a.m. ctfully, submitted: Marilyn ~11 Administrative Assistant