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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-03-13 Council on Aging Summary:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: .................................... :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: COUNCIL ON AGING Call Meeting to Order Agenda Approval .................................. i Minutes from Prior Meeting ............................ ::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Old Business: March 13, 2000 10:00am New Business: 1. Legislative Issues 2. Election of Officers 3. Coats in the Dining Room ":": ': .~,'"~<,,'::~i' "' ' ' · :~ .;..." Persons Wanting to be Heard: .. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 1. Land Surrounding the Senior Center 2. Coordinated Transportation COUNCIL ON AGING ANNUAL MEETING MAR~H 1~, 2000 10:00 A.M. KENAI SENIOR CENTER ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER/h ROLL CALL Vice Chair Joanna Hollier called the meeting to order at 10'00 a.m. and the roll was taken as follows' Present: Absent: Also Present' Hollier, Jones, Meeks, Wilson, Fields, Wiese and Jurgensen Enfield and Nelson Council Member Porter, Director Kelso, City Clerk Freas, Sylvia Johnson, and Representative Hal Smalley ITEM 2' AGENDA APPROVAL Hollier requested the Election of Officers and Legislative Issues be moved forward and heard immediately after the approval of minutes. There were no objections to the amended agenda. ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- November 17, 1999 MOTION: · Member Jurgensen MOVED to accept the November 17, 1999 minutes as presented and Member Jones SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 6: NEW BUSINESS Election Of Officers Chair -- The floor was opened for nominations for chair of the Council on Aging. No nOminations were offered and Vice Chair Hollier asked Member Jones if he would be the chair of the Council on Aging. Jones stated he would. There were no objections from the membership. SO ORDERED. Vice Chair-- MOTION: Member Meeks MOVED to nominate Member Jurgensen as vice chair. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. Legislative Issues Representative Hal Smalley reviewed efforts of the Legislature to decrease the state budget an additional $30 million. He added, because suggested cuts had already exceeded the $30 million goal, it was hoped funds cut from the longevity bonus made last year would be reinstated in next year's budget. Smalley also reviewed several bills that could have a negative impact on senior services; the ability to tax properties owned by seniors or veterans and cuts to municipal assistance and revenue sharing (which would mean cuts to the local governments and to senior programs supported by the local governments). Smalley noted a bill had been introduced to counteract the property tax billo Smalley also discussed efforts to develop a long-range fiscal plan, i.e. Mackey Plan (paying a one-time $25,000 Permanent Fund Dividend and then ending dividend program) and House Bill 411 (a three-phased plan which would not impact the dividend program, but could incorporate a state income tax or sales tax, or a combination of both). Kelso asked if the weatherization and energy assistance programs would be impacted by the cuts. Smalley answered, the weatherization program would and the energy assistance program had not yet been reviewed by the Legislature. Hollier left the meeting at 10:25 and Jones assumed the chair. A general discussion followed regarding cuts, fiscal plans, sales tax/state income tax versus the dividend program. Smalley noted 50% of the House and Senate membership, both Republican and Democrat, supported the institution of either a state sales tax or income tax or a combination of both. He also noted, it was necessary for the state to acquire more revenue-producing programs (gas pipeline, etc.). School funding was also discussed and it was noted the cuts in teacher positions made recently were because of reductions in student enrollment. Smalley encouraged the membership to contact him if they had questions through his office or the Legislative Information Office. He noted, information on bills impacting seniors would be forwarded to Kelso for review. ITEM 5: OLD BUSINESS 5-a. Land Surround the Senior Center -- Kelso reported the property in front of the Senior Center had been sold to Dr. Zirul who would be constructing a medical clinic on the property. Porter explained she didn't think anything would develop on the FAA property in the near future as clean-up efforts would have to occur first. Discussion followed regarding the development of an assisted living facility in the community. Comments of disappointment the latest plan did not develop were voiced. Porter suggested a committee of representatives from the area senior centers be formed to investigate the acquisition of available funds from the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation to build an assisted living facility. She noted, the committee would have to convince another entity to acquire the funding and build the facility. Porter added, the need for such a facility was already documented. Council on Aging Meeting Minutes March 13, 2000 Page 2 5-b. Coordinated Transportation -- Kelso reported the transportation committee met with the city council to review their proposed program and requested a $25,000 donation from the city for the effort. Kelso also noted the committee would come to the Council on A§in~ to request a financial donation as well as participation of the senior vans for the program. She added, she and other city administrators had reservations to donating the use of the vans because of the extra wear and tear on the vehicles. Porter noted, the committee would have to make a formal request at the city's budget hearings for the $25,000, and with all the other budget concerns the city was facing, it was unknown if the request would be favored. She also mentioned the city council would not consider donating the use of senior vans without approval of the seniors since they earned the money to purchase the vehicles. ITEM 6: NEW BUSINESS -- Continued 6-c. Coats in DininE Room -- It was noted Sylvia Johnson requested this item be included on the a§enda. Johnson explained her concern that coats were being hung on the backs of chairs in the dinin§ room which made it hazardous for the servers and others to maneuver around the room. It was suggested the seniors be reminded to use the coat rack in the entryway of the Center. Kelso stated she would include the information in the next newsletter. ITEM 7: COMMENTS FROM THE FLOOR Fields -- Requested additional sanding of the Center and Housing parking lots. Johnson -- Stated her concern trash was being blown around by the wind and not picked up and placed in the dumpster. She also noted, the sidewalk between the housing facility and the Center had not been sanded, making walking hazardous. Johnson explained she had spoken to the property manager and the concerns were not resolved. Kelso is to investigate the concerns. ITEM 8: ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Member Meeks MOVED for adjournment and Member Jurgensen SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:25 a.m. Minutes transcribed and prepared by: Carol L. Freas, City Clerk Council on Aging Meeting Minutes March 13, 2000 Page 3