A-1 Senior Commission Joint Meeting
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Administration
Phone: 952.227.1100
Fax: 952.227.1110
Building Inspections
Phone: 952.227.1180
Fax: 952.227.1190
Engineering
Phone: 952.227.1160
Fax: 952.227.1170
Finance
Phone: 952.227.1140
Fax: 952.227.1110
Park & Recreation
Phone: 952.227.1120
Fax: 952.227.1110
Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Phone: 952.227.1400
Fax: 952.227.1404
Planning &
Natural Resources
Phone: 952.227.1130
Fax: 952.227.1110
Public Works
1591 Park Road
Phone: 952.227.1300
Fax: 952.227.1310
Senior Center
Phone: 952.227.1125
Fax: 952.227.1110
Web Site
www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us
A-i
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
FROM:
Sharmeen AI-Jaff, Senior Planner
s~
fJ~'
DATE:
May 29, 2007
SUBJ:
Discussion Topics for Joint City Council/Senior Commission
Meeting
The following are the Commission's Accomplishments, Goals and Objectives
for 2007:
1. Identify Issues Facing Senior Citizens and Present Them, With Possible
Solutions and Recommendations, to the City Council:
The Senior Commission will hold its third annual open house in September
2007. The focus of the open house will be launching the program, "In Case
of Emergency (ICE)". The senior commission is working with Deputy Fire
Marshal/Emergency Management Coordinator Ed Coppersmith.
2. Transportation: This is an issue that has always been a concern to the
Senior Commission. Transportation has always been identified as a need
among seniors, yet when the service is provided, it is hardly ever used. At
the first Senior Commission open house, which was held on October 21,
2005, the attendees expressed a need for more public transportation. In
response to this request, staff contacted SouthWest Transit and provided
them with a city map reflecting all high density residential areas and major
points of interest in the city, such as shopping areas, clinics, library, etc.
SouthWest Transit began running a circulator bus at the beginning of the
summer of 2006. The fair was $0.50. The ridership was low . SouthWest
Transit decided to run the buses free of charge for marketing purposes. The
ridership increased, but not enough to justify continuing the service.
Councilwomen Bethany Tjornhom and Vicki Ernst attended a senior
commission meeting and offered to assist the commission with this goal.
They contacted local businesses and found that they would be willing to
sponsor transportation between senior residences and these businesses. Staff
is in the process of compiling survey questions to find desired destinations.
The City 01 Chanhassen · A growing community with clean lakes, quality schools, a Channing downtown, thriving businesses, winding trails, and beautiful parks. A great place to live, work, and play.
Chanhassen Senior Commission
Goals and Objectives 2007
May 29, 2007
Page 2
3. Senior Center: The number of attendees at the Senior Center continues to
Increase.
4. Veterans Monument: The Senior Commission is still committed to building
a monument to honor the veterans of our community. The American Legion
has been made aware that the members of the commission are available to
assist as private citizens.
5. Participate in Carver County Health Partnership (CCHP): The objective
of CCHP is to create a county-wide master plan on aging. Chanhassen is
represented by Senior Commissioners who serve as liaisons between the
County and the City.
6. Communication:
a. Computer Training: The commission presented this item to the City
Council at the May 2005 joint meeting. One of the most effective
means of obtaining information is through the web. Some seniors are
intimidated by computers. The Senior COI:nmission worked through
the Senior Center to begin 'a computer training program. Volunteers
have been recruited to provide one-on-one training to seniors. We
believe this problem will correct itself as the ".com" generation ages.
This program has been very successful.
b. Educate Future Generations of Seniors: Increase awareness of the
opportunities and challenges that face seniors in Chanhassen.
c. Life Time Learning: The Senior Center Coordinator has introduced
lifelong learning presentations offered through Augsburg College, the
College of the Third Age. KleinBank is sponsoring this series of
presentations.
d. Communication With Neighboring Senior Centers and Community
Education:
. Coordination of events.
. Transportation coordination with other senior centers and
community education.
. Work with communities within Carver County to assist in creating
senior-friendly communities.
e. Volunteer Opportunities for Seniors: The Senior Commission is
working to coordinate and develop partnerships for volunteer
G:\plan\sj\sc\SENIOR GOALS May 29, 2007.doc
Chanhassen Senior Commission
Goals and Objectives 2007
May 29, 2007
Page 3
opportunities for seniors at the library, schools, city events such as
Arbor Day, computer training, senior center duties, etc.
7. Senior Parking at Public Buildings: Ongoing. The Senior Commission
contacts local businesses and requests the installation of "Senior Parking"
signs at their parking lots.
8. Support:
a. Senior Expo: This goal gives staff and seniors an opportunity to learn
about issues facing seniors, what other communities are doing to address
these issues, and form partnerships with other agencies. The Expo is
held once a year and the cost for this valuable service is only $16.00 per
person.
b. Chanhassen Heritage Preservation: Continue to promote and preserve
Chanhassen's history.
c. Food Shelf: The senior center is a drop-off location for non-perishable
food items.
d. Inter-Generational Activities: Work with the schools on joint activities
between seniors and students of all ages, i.e. storytelling, sharing
experiences, etc.
9. Have an Annual Joint Work Session Between the Senior Commission and
the City Council to Present the Goals and Objectives for the Year and
Ensure that the Council's Vision and their Expectations of the Senior
Commission Will be Met: The Senior Commission members are actively
involved in the community. They listen and educate seniors on programs
available to them and hear the concerns and issues facing them. Through
this format, they are able to poll a representative sample and report the key
issues to the City Council.
G:\plan\sj\sc\SENIOR GOALS May 29. 2007.doc