Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-04-27 Council on Aging Summary COUNCIL ON AGING April 27, 1999 10:00 A.M. KENAI SENIOR CENTER ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES ITEM 4: OLD BUSINESS Discussion-- Handicap-Accessible Vehicle ITEM 5: NEW BUSINESS Discussion -- City Survey Results Discussion -- Assisted Living Complex Discussion.-- United Way Grant Discussion --Alaska Commission on Aging Grant ITEM 6: PERSONS WANTING TO BE HEARD ITEM 7: ADJOURNMENT COUNCIL ON AGING MEETING MINUTES APRIL 27, 1999 10:00 A.M. KENAI SENIOR CENTER CHAIR PEGGY ARNESS, PRESIDING ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER &, ROLL CALL Chair Arness called the meeting to order at approximately 10'05 a.m. in the sun room at the Kenai Senior Center. Present were' Rosemary Wiese, Earl Jones, Betty Nelson, Joanna Hollier and Peggy Arness Absent were: Sam Huddleston, Arlene Enfield, Roger Meeks and Joyce Billings. Also present: City Clerk Carol Freas, City Council Member Linda Swarner, Senior Director Kellie Kelso, Sylvia Johnson and Ken Tyler. ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL Director Kelso requested a discussion regarding petitions be added as a New Business item. There were no other changes to the agenda. There were no objections to the agenda as amended. ITEM 3' APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Wiese MOVED for approval of the minutes as presented There were no objections. SO ORDERED. Arness questioned whether a student representative had been appointed to the Council. Swarner stated she was not aware of any interest shown in such an appointment. Arness questioned whether there was still a vacancy on the Council on Aging. Freas reported Mr. Jones had been appointed to fill the vacancy discussed at the prior Council on Aging meeting. Kelso reported, because the by-laws do not allow for an employee of the city to also be a member of the Council, Mr. Huddleston would have to resign from the Council on Aging. It was noted, persons interested in an appointment to the Council on Aging could speak to Clerk Freas or Director Kelso to make application. Freas explained, upon receiving an application, it is included in a City Council packet for their consideration and possible appointment. Hollier suggested Kelso announce the vacancy at senior lunches. COUNCIL ON AGING MEETING April 27, 1999 Page 2 Arness asked if any additional information was available regarding installation of automatic doors at the Senior Center. Kelso explained, Administration was waiting to be awarded some special funding. No decision had been made as to what type of doors would be installed, etc. It was noted, most seniors were satisfied with the current doors at the Center. ITEM 4: OLD BUSINESS Handicap-Accessible Vehicle Kelso reported a handicap-accessible vehicle bid had been awarded for a 12- passenger bus. She noted, the specifications requested a bid on three types of vehicles' a mini-van, raised roof van, and bus. Kelso added, the mini-van bid price was as expensive as the other type vehicles, due mostly to the rearranging of seats, etc. to accommodate wheelchairs. A 12-passenger, raised roof van was also bid, however when fitting it to accommodate two wheelchairs, it significantly diminished availability of other passenger seats. The bus was found to be the best choice for the amount of money and the long-term use it would have. She noted the bus would hold 12 passengers, plus two wheelchairs. The bus cost under the $45,000 available and should be delivered within two months. The only problem with the purchase was the bus would not fit under the covered entrance to the Senior Center. Options were being considered, such as extending the covered area out into the parking lot. ITEM 5' NEW BUSINESS Sa. City Survey Results -- Kelso explained the city conducted an opinion survey earlier in the year. She distributed a page from the survey findings which included questions regarding the senior programs, their use and how they were rated. She noted, the question of the use of the programs did not have a very good response, mainly because the survey was not-sent to only seniors. She noted, the highest percentage of the respondents rated the senior programs either excellent or good. Only one percent rated them as poor. Kelso noted, she was pleased with the results of the survey. 5b. Assisted Living Complex-- Kelso reported Leo Grasso had been working toward building an assisted living complex in Kenai, near the Senior Center. However, there had been problems in finding funding. She added, Grasso was now renewing his effort in finding funding to build a complex. Kelso noted, Grasso had been talking with Kay Branch of Division of Senior Services in Anchorage, who understands the need for such a facility in the Kenai area. COUNCIL ON AGING MEETING April 27, 1999 Page 3 Kelso added, Grasso was now discussing the possibility of building the facility with the Kenai Natives Association, Salamatof Native Association and the I<enaitze Indian Tribe. They are still considering the property near the Center, as well as the old Fish & Wildlife building area in Old Town, Kenai. She added, the facility would be for anyone with disabilities and needing everyday assistance. Kelso noted, she was encouraged by the interest given by the state and their understanding of the need. Discussion followed regarding the assisted living facility in Homer. It was noted, because the Homer facility had problems in finding residents because it was not designed in the best way to provide the level of care needed, it was impacting funding capabilities for a Kenai facility. Kelso also reported the City of Soldotna and Frontier Services received funding to perform a feasibility study for building a similar facility in Soldotna. Information she received was Grasso was considering building a 50-unit facility which she thought may be too large. Swarner suggested the size maybe needed to be 50 units in order to get a return on the investment. Council member Nelson inquired whether long-term insurance was available for this type of long-term care. A general discussion followed in which it was suggested this type of long-term care insurance was available, however it was expensive. Se. U~ited Way Gra~t -- Kelso reported she had submitted the United Way grant and made her presentation to the board. The grant application requested $22,000. No official notification had yet been received, but indications were the funding would be received. She noted, she had entered a lower amount in her budget because she was unsure all the requested funding would be received due to the economic downturn on the Peninsula. Sd. Alaska Commission on Aging Grant -- Kelso reported she completed the grant application and would be traveling to Anchorage to make a formal presentation to request the funds in June. She added, early indications were the Legislature had not touched these grants to this point. If changes were made, it would be a major impact to the senior budget. l~e. Petitions -- Kelso stated she brought this matter to the Council to request some policy direction. She explained, in the past people have come to the Center with petitions and requested signatures from the seniors. To her knowledge, there had never been any problems in allowing people to bring petitions in the past. However, recently a gentleman requested to leave a petition at the Center to acquire signatures for his concern and stated he would return in several days to pick up the petition. In reviewing the petition, Kelso stated, she found the subject of the petition to be inflammatory and decided a policy was needed in this regard. COUNCIL ON AGING MEETING April 27, 1999 Page 4 Kelso explained, she was concerned because some petition subjects may be inflammatory to some and did not want it to appear the Center endorsed a petition because it was left at the Center for signatures. She suggested a policy where petitions could be brought to the Center, however the petitioner would have to individually request signatures and not leave the petition and come back for it later. The Council discussed banning all petitions from the Center, but it was pointed out there were matters which would be appropriate and should not be kept from being brought to the seniors. Nelson noted she didn't mind being asked for her signature on a petition. She and others have the ability to decline. Consensus was to allow petitioners to be bring petitions into the facility, but people need to be asked individually for their signature. MOTION: Nelson MOVED that petitioners were welcome to bring their petitions to the Center, but the Center would not endorse a petition and the petitioner needed to stay with the petition, in the Center. Jones SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 6' PERSONS WANTING TO BE HEARD Nelson suggested the residents of Vintage Pointe establish a resident association (like a Home Owners Association) to discuss concerns, ideas, etc. The idea was met with enthusiasm. Swarner suggested Kelso discuss the matter with the city attorney in order to find out how to set an association up, legalities in doing so, etc. Kelso stated she would do so and report back to the Council. Hollier suggested association meetings could meet during their monthly potlucks. Councilwoman Swarner reported the first of the budget work sessions had been held on April 26. Nothing had been cut at that point and the next work session was scheduled for May 10 at City Hall at 6'00 p.m. Nelson asked if there had been any discussion regarding the loss of bluff on the Center/Vintage Pointe property. She added, she was concerned more was about to slough off due to undercutting taking place. Discussion followed regarding concerns others had with unsupervised children stepping out on the edge of the bluff during events taking place at the Center. It was suggested signs of caution or a fence could be placed. Kelso stated she would bring the matter to the attention of the city attorney. Johnson asked if the City Council had considered having the channel dredged in order to change the direction of the current. Swarner stated it had been, however the Corps of Engineers would not do the dredging and it was cost prohibitive for the city to contract out the work. Johnson noted, the long-term costs in losing buildings COUNCIL ON AGING MEETING April 27, 1999 Page 5 would also be very high. Swarner noted the city had contracted with Nottingham, Petratrovich &, Drage (engineering firm from Anchorage) to do a bluff erosion study. ITEM 7: ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:45 a.m. Minutes transcribed and p_repared by: Carol L. Fre~as, ~ty Clerk