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Home My WebLink About2000-09-14 Council on Aging SummaryCOUNCIL ON AGING September 14, 2000 10:00am Call Meeting to Order Agenda Approval Minutes from Prior Meeting Scheduled Public Comment: Central Area Rural Transit System (CARTS) Presentation Old Business: 1. Assisted Living Rates New Business: 1. Discussion - Carport Raising 2. Discussion- Senior Rentals .3. Computer Lab for Seniors "4. United Way Kick-off Persons Wanting to be Heard: COUNCIL ON AGING SEPTEMBER 14, 2000 10:00 A.M. KENAI SENIOR CENTER ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER/is ROLL CALL Chairman Earl Jones called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. Present: Absent: Others Present: Hollier, Huddleston, Jones, Jurgensen, Enfield, Nelson, Meeks and Wilson Fields City Clerk Freas, Councilwoman Porter, Senior Director Kelso ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL There were no changes to the agenda. ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- June 29, 2000 There were no changes or corrections to the minutes of June 29, 2000 and they were approved as presented. ITEM 4: SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT Cristin Lambert -- Central Area Rural Transit System (CARTS) Update Lambert reported the final plan, determining availability of resources in the area, transportation plan, etc. was available for review. She noted the program was a brokerage system and not a bus system. Other information included: funding for the program is from the federal government; ride requests must be made in advance; drivers could be from an agency (taxi) or a volunteer (who is reimbursed through the program grant funding); their newsletter is on their webpage at www.ridesalaska, org; their program is being used as a model; a grand opening celebration is scheduled for September 29 and rides will begin on October 2; because it is not a door-to-door service like a taxi, the ride policy is a 1/2 hour pick-up window for initial pick-up and for return ride; the CARTS program is in concert with the "Welfare to Work" program; modifications to the program will probably be made as they progress; the program has lots of local support; standards for operating, drivers, riders, vehicles, etc. were reviewed and an informational brochure was distributed; a conceptual chart for fare zones was distributed and it was noted a one- way fare within one zone will be $2.50; crossing into each additional zone will cost an additional $2.50, i.e. $10 for a one-way ride from Kenai to Soldotna; because no cash may be used between the driver and rider, punch cards will be available for purchase by individuals and by groups and can be donated back to CARTS for distribution to anyone or specific groups of people; their Phase II plan is to have a shuttle system between Kenai and Soldotna with opposing loops which has been approved in their transit grant, however it will take a year to get the vans and time is wanted to operate the brokerage first; funding includes purchase of child car seats and cell phones for drivers; customer service and safety most important their facility is situated in the old Carver bus barn; their computer system, copier, etc. were provided by the Mental Health Trust; the Alaska Dept. of Transportation supports the program and hopes it is an answer for rural Alaska transportation. ITEM 5: OLD BUSINESS 5-a. Assisted Living Rates -- Senior Director Kelso explained a presentation at the last meeting regarding assisted living facilities in Alaska prompted this current discussion. She referred to rate information included in the packet which was collected from a survey and forwarded by Kay Branch, Alaska Division of Senior Services. Discussion followed in which the members agreed an assisted living facility is seriously needed in the area to serve the surrounding communities as facilities such as Heritage Place and Pioneer Homes offer more nursing home-style care and are very expensive. It was suggested an effort be made to contact businesses already involved in developing and administering assisted living facilities and discuss the possibility of building such a facility in the area. The membership suggested Kelso meet with other senior facility directors from the area to discuss the matter. Councilwoman Porter stated the need for and concept of an assisted living facility being built on city property as a standalone facility (that doesn't compete with Vintage Pointe) from the Senior Center needs to be enthusiastically discussed with the city council. She also impressed that efforts should be made to promote the Kenai area as a site for an assisted living facility with a management company already in the business. Porter also offered to work on a local committee toward this effort. COUNCIL ON AGING MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 14, 2000 PAGE 2 MOTION: Member Jurgensen MOVED to develop a committee selected by the Chair and include Pat Porter and Member Nelson SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. Chair Jones appointed the committee to include himself, Pat Porter, Joanna Hollier, Betty Nelson, and Kellie Kelso. The first meeting was scheduled for September 15 at 9'00 a.m. in Kelso's office. ITEM 6' NEW BUSINESS Discussion -- Carport Raising Kelso reported the bid for the entryway roof to be raised was approved at the last city council meeting. The roof will be raised enough to accommodate the new senior van. Heating the sidewalk may be included in the next budget. Discussion -- Senior Rentals Kelso reported a policy issue was developing due to requests from seniors to use the dining room of the Center for private parties at no expense. She noted, when the room is used, the senior takes over the responsibility to leave the Center clean which has been a problem in some instances. She suggested it be required the senior hire Tom English to clean the Center at his rate of $100. Kelso also noted a $50.00 deposit is also required if the kitchen is to be used. MOTION: Member Hollier MOVED that seniors be charged a $100 cleaning fee for use of the dining room for private parties and the normal $50 kitchen deposit if the kitchen is to be used. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. Discussion -- Computer Lab for Seniors Kelso suggested a counter be built on a wall in the green room and used to house four or five computers for seniors' use. She explained, Representative Phillips indicated used computers are available which have been donated from businesses for this type of use and three of the computers will be received next month. However, because costs will be incurred to hook up the computers with the internet and to insure compatibility, she wanted to bring the matter to the membership first. COUNCIL ON AGING MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 14, 2000 PAGE 3 Discussion followed and some concern was expressed in that the room size will be diminished with adding the counter, however the consensus of the membership was that it would not be diminished to a great extent and to go forward with the project. 6-do Discussion -- United Way Kick-Off Porter reported the United Way Kick-Off would be held on September 14 between 5:30 and 7'00 p.m. at the Senior Center. She encouraged the memberShip to attend as the SeniOr Center is a recipient of United Way funding. She noted, computers are also available through United Way at no cost. ITEM 7: MEMBERSHIP COMMENTS Concern was expressed that the wellness clinic was no longer available at the Center. Kelso explained the nurse who ran the program had some health problems and would be back in December. ITEM 8: ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Member Nelson MOVED to adjourn the meeting and Member Jurgensen SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:26 a.m. Minutes transcribed and prepared by: Carol L. Freas, City Clerk COUNCIL ON AGING MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 14, 2000 PAGE 4