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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-08-25 Council on Aging SummaryCOUNCIL ON AGING August 25, 1998 10 AM Agenda Approval Minutes from Prior Meetino i i Old Business N~w 1. Memorial Services at Center 2. Change In Residency Requirement/Vintage Pointe 3. Budget Review 4. Directors Resignation person Wantin~ to be Heard COUNCIL ON AGING AUGUST 25, 1998 10:00 A.M. KENAI SENIOR CENTER Chairman Sam Huddleston, Presiding ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER/k ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Chairman Sam Huddleston at approximately 10'05 a.m. Present were' Huddleston, Hollier, Enfield, Meeks and Arness Absent were' Wiese, Nelson, Billings, and Burton Staff Present' Director Pat Porter and City Clerk Carol Freas Others Present: Councilwoman Linda Swarner, Sylvia Johnson and Ken Tyler ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL There were no changes or objections to the agenda as presented. ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES There were no changes or objections to the minutes as presented. ITEM 4: OLD BUSINESS Porter distributed a newly developed brochure discussing preparation of wills and giving general information. She noted she developed the brochure and it was printed locally. ITEM 5' NEW BUSINESS Sa. Memorial Services at Center- Porter explained it has been a policy in the past to allow holding of memorial services for seniors at the Center at no cost if the senior used the Center. However, a concern was raised recently because a service was held and the person's body was brought to the Center. Some Center users felt this was inappropriate. She requested the Council on Aging discuss the matter and set a policy. Meeks stated he had no objection to holding memorial services at the Center, however he agreed having the person's body was inappropriate. He added, it is distressing to some to be reminded of one's longevity. Huddleston stated he felt the COUNCIL ON AGING MEETING AUGUST 25, 1998 Page 2 of 4 same. He added, the Center is primarily an eating and gathering place to enjoy. Having services with the body present can be hard for one to enjoy the facility later. Meeks noted, he was not against using the facility for memorial services. Enfield and Arness agreed. MOTION: Member Arness MOVED that the Center be used for memorial services only. Meeks S~2ONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. Member 5b. Change in Residency Requirement/Vintage Pointe- Porter explained, originally the residency requirement for Vintage Pointe was 65 years of age and an Alaska resident for one year. Then, because of federal requirements, the age requirement was changed to 62. Porter continued, in the recent past, there have been apartments available and no one on the active list or no one on the inactive list wanting to move into them at this time. Recently, she has received requests to move people into the facility who have not lived in Alaska for one year but have family who are long-time local residents and who would like to arrange for them to live at the facility. Porter noted, she discussed the matter with City Manager Ross and suggested to him the residency requirement be dropped. She suggested the people who were originally meant to be served by having the one-year residency requirement have been. She also suggested a different type of elder be attracted to the facility- those who have family living in the community who need a place for a parent. Porter suggested the residency requirement be changed to 30 days. Huddleston suggested the residency requirement be dropped to 30 days. Those on the list would still have first choice and if none are interested in moving into the facility, offer the vacancy to whomever wants to move into the facility. Hollier stated she was not in favor of that. Meeks stated consideration should be given to offering apartments to those who have an immediate relative in the area. However, he was not sure the apartments should be offered to just anybody. Enfield suggested the residency requirement be changed for a year and see how it works out, changing it back if necessary. Swarner stated she believed it would be difficult to go back to the one-year Alaska residency. Porter explained there are no names on the active list and no one on the inactive list wants to move into the facility at this time. Meeks asked if people are waiting for a particular apartment to become available. Porter answered no, they are told from the beginning there are no special arrangements made for specific apartments. However, after moving into the facility, one can request to move into another apartment when it becomes available. Porter added, it is to the Senior Center's advantage to keep the COUNCIL ON AGING MEETING AUGUST 25, 1998 Page 3 of 4 apartments occupied. An addition to the facility will not be built if there are vacancies. Additionally, funding to add to the facility would be hard to get if there are vacancies. Arness asked if a person on the inactive list would still have preference if an apartment becomes available. Porter answered, the person's name would first be placed on the active list and then the person would need to be ready to move when an apartment becomes available. If the person decided to move back to the inactive list, they would go to the bottom of the inactive list. Porter noted, it is a natural desire to protect the housing for people who have lived in Alaska for a long time. However, the facility has been operating for six years and it seems those local people have been housed. MOTION: Member Enfield MOVED to change the residency requirement to 30 days as long as there are not people on the inactive list that want it. Member Arness SECONDED the motion. VOTE: Meeks: Yes Arness: Yes Enfield: Yes Huddleston: Yes Hollier: No Wiese: Absent Billings: Absent Burton: Absent Nelson: Absent MOTION PASSED. Enfield suggested the rule requiting residents of the facility to not be gone for more than three months might need to be changed. She suggested this might encourage people to want to move into the facility or stay in the facility. Porter stated the original intent of that requirement was so the complex would be available for people who lived in Alaska, and not used as summer residences. Hollier stated the original rule required a person to sell their home. Porter noted, the apartment has to be the person's primary residence. 5¢. Budget Review- Porter included a copy of the Center's budget with the Aging packet for the members' review. She noted, more money was received from United Way this year. Also, the budget will have to cover costs related to the purchase of a new steam table, and dishwasher for the Center. She added, all the costS in regard to the steam table and one-half the cost of the dishwasher will be borne by the Center. However, because of the extra funds from United Way and donations from Exxon and Phillips, the budget should be okay. Discussion followed regarding rental of the facility. It was noted the income from the rentals is kept by the Senior program. Porter also reported on the concern voiced at the May meeting in regard to the Borough's financial support of other programs COUNCIL ON AGING MEETING AUGUST 25, 1998 Page 4 of 4 serving seniors in the Borough. She noted, the directors of the Borough's senior centers met with Mayor Navarre. They explained their fear of the funding now distributed to the senior programs being diminished with other programs in the Borough seeking the same funding. Mayor Navarre supported the recommendations of the area-wide directors to support start-up funding only. The Mayor is also to appoint a committee by September 30 to develop a new ordinance. Porter also noted the USDA reimburses their program for meals served at $.52 per meal. The budget reflects an estimate of the reimbursement. Sd. Directors' Resignation- Porter explained she submitted her intent to retire. However, her last day will be in mid-November as she has leave time to use. Porter reported the job description and advertisements have begun (local/state newspapers, The Senior Voice, and to other senior centers in the state). The hiring will be done by the city manager, however she may be involved with the initial screening of applications. There will probably be a panel of people conducting the interviews. The members were also informed they can request a copy of the job description from Klm Howard at City Hall. Also, after a new director is hired the board can let the city manager know if they have concerns of how the Center is being run. However, she noted the members should first take their concerns to the new director. Porter noted, the applications are to be submitted by September 16 and the new person should be hired by October 1. The members agreed Porter has performed her job beyond the call of duty and they are very appreciative. Se. Annual Council on Aging Board Meeting- Porter reported the annual meeting will be held on September 12 in Soldotna beginning at 5:00 p.m. Porter will call the membership of their intent to attend. ITEM 6: ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:00 a.m. Carol L. Freas, City Clerk