02-21-2025 COA Agenda1.10:00 A.M. - CALL TO ORDER
2.APPROVAL OF AGENDA
3.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3.A Approval of Minutes dated January 17, 2025
4.GENERAL BUSINESS
4.A Committee Updates: Communications - Jim Camarata, Beth Mason, Bhakti Modi; Age Well
Discussion Group Report - Gwen Block
4.B Commission Applicants Update - Kara Cassidy
4.C Senior Center - Volunteers needed. Luncheon, Monday, March 17, 10 am - 1 pm.
5.VISITOR PRESENTATION
5.A Carver County Health and Human Services
5.B Chanhassen Library
5.C Senior Community Services
6.DISCUSSION
6.A 4th of July Bingo Event Updates
6.B Goals/ Strategic Plan and COA On-Boarding Updates
6.C Other (as needed)
7.ADJOURNMENT
AGENDA
CHANHASSEN COMMISSION ON AGING
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2025
CHAN REC CENTER, 2310 COULTER BLVD
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Commission on Aging Item
February 21, 2025
Subject Approval of Minutes dated January 17, 2025
Section APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Prepared By Kate Vogt, Admin Support Specialist
01-17-25 COA Minutes
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Chanhassen Commission on Aging, January 17, 2025
The meeting was called to order at 10:03am by Commissioner Cassidy.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Gwen Block, Jim Camarata, Kara Cassidy, Ruth Lunde, Beth Mason, Bhakti Modi
MEMBERS ABSENT: Phyllis Mobley
GUESTS PRESENT:
Danielle Schmidt, Senior Community Services, Kara Cassidy, Carver County HHS, Linnea
Fonnest, Chanhassen Library, Mary Blazanin, Chanhassen Senior Center Manager.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
The agenda was reviewed as submitted. Commissioner Camarata made a motion to approve the
agenda. Commissioner Block seconded. All members voted in favor; the motion was carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
December 13, 2024 Minutes were reviewed. Commissioner Mason made a motion to approve the
minutes. Commissioner Block seconded. All members voted in favor; the motion was carried.
GENERAL BUSINESS: Communications Committee Updates:
Newspaper Articles: Commissioner Camarata reported Chanhassen Neighbors Magazine
published his article on transportation. Mary Blazanin reported an article on Helping Senior
Neighbors was to be published in The Sun Sailor in February. Camarata has been approved as an
official contributor to the Carver County Online Local News. He commended Commissioner
Modi for her co-leadership on the paper, as well as her ongoing volunteer work with its team of
editors. He recommended Commissioners subscribe to it. Commissioner Cassidy offered to assist
with submitting Senior Center events on the website.
Resource Guide: Commissioner Mason provided updates on the Chanhassen Senior
Resource Guide. She requested permission from Victoria to repurpose the guide with a
Chanhassen focus. Victoria agreed. Commissioners were asked to review and recommend
additions or edits. Linnea Fonnest offered to review. Mary noted that once all the information is
ready, the City’s Communications Team will format it for publication in Chanhassen. Mary
offered to find local sponsors to help with printing costs and will report back to the Commission
on progress.
Carver County Local News: Commissioner Modi gave an overview of the online newspaper
started and run by local volunteers as an unbiased, free news source to Carver County residents.
She explained the intake process for press releases, news tips, obituaries, story ideas, school
sports, and local events. The paper needs new submissions and is currently encouraging
Chanhassen organizations to participate more. The paper will be adding a “senior” category for
submitting programs and events, and adding an advertising, partners, and sponsor section. They
never allow pop-ups. She praised the leadership, ethics, professionalism and hard work of the
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online team. New volunteers are welcome to join. The paper has over 1100 subscribers, with
over 3,000 regular views. Bhakti is willing to present to groups about utilizing the online paper.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS:
Danielle Schmidt, Senior Community Services. Danielle provided as update on local
caregiver support services, including their online speaker presentations this winter. Senior
Community Services also offers many other resources for seniors. Call or go to their website for
more information.
Linnea Fonnest, Chanhassen Library. Linnea provided updates on several Library
programs for adults, including Winter Reads, Book Bingo (a very successful program), Puzzle
Swaps, Author Interviews (hosted by Linnea), Craft Swap (May 17), and Communities of
Belonging gatherings. She highlighted many events with speakers and projects for older adults.
People can stop in, call or find more information on the library website
Kara Cassidy, Carver County Public Health and Office of Aging. Kara provided updates
on virus spread and noted most are at peak levels. RSV is still on the rise. Flu and Covid vaccine
clinics continue to run at Carver County Government Center. Contact them for dates and times.
She will be planning another Annual Conference for Aging Commissions in Carver County in
2025. She has been training as part of the Emergency Preparedness team. She will continue to
share ideas on senior related issues as she meets with other communities.
DISCUSSION
- Mary Blazanin updated the Commission on vacancies for 2025, including the application
process. There are four 3-year commissioner positions for 2025-2028, and one 1-year position
for 2025-2026.
- Commissioners were made aware that 4th of July Bingo planning starts soon. Mary will be
organizing volunteer tasks for that event, along with letters/lists for collecting prize donations.
- Updates to the Goals/Strategic Plan and the On-Boarding documents are being worked on for
April. These will be presented to the Commission for discussion and approval.
- Commissioners questioned parking space availability at the new City Center. Mary was
unable to confirm details. The current goal is to move into the new space late by summer, 2025.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Block made a motion to approve adjournment, Commissioner Camarata
seconded. All members voted in favor; the motion was carried. Meeting adjourned at 11:22am.
Minutes compiled by Mary Blazanin, Senior Center Manager and COA Staff Liaison
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Commission on Aging Item
February 21, 2025
Subject Committee Updates: Communications - Jim Camarata, Beth Mason, Bhakti
Modi; Age Well Discussion Group Report - Gwen Block
Section GENERAL BUSINESS
Prepared By Kate Vogt, Admin Support Specialist
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Commission on Aging Item
February 21, 2025
Subject Commission Applicants Update - Kara Cassidy
Section GENERAL BUSINESS
Prepared By Kate Vogt, Admin Support Specialist
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Commission on Aging Item
February 21, 2025
Subject Senior Center - Volunteers needed. Luncheon, Monday, March 17, 10 am -
1 pm.
Section GENERAL BUSINESS
Prepared By Kate Vogt, Admin Support Specialist
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Commission on Aging Item
February 21, 2025
Subject Carver County Health and Human Services
Section VISITOR PRESENTATION
Prepared By Kate Vogt, Admin Support Specialist
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Commission on Aging Item
February 21, 2025
Subject Chanhassen Library
Section VISITOR PRESENTATION
Prepared By Kate Vogt, Admin Support Specialist
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Commission on Aging Item
February 21, 2025
Subject Senior Community Services
Section VISITOR PRESENTATION
Prepared By Kate Vogt, Admin Support Specialist
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Commission on Aging Item
February 21, 2025
Subject 4th of July Bingo Event Updates
Section DISCUSSION
Prepared By Kate Vogt, Admin Support Specialist
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Commission on Aging Item
February 21, 2025
Subject Goals/ Strategic Plan and COA On-Boarding Updates
Section DISCUSSION
Prepared By Kate Vogt, Admin Support Specialist
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Commission on Aging Item
February 21, 2025
Subject Other (as needed)
Section DISCUSSION
Prepared By Kate Vogt, Admin Support Specialist
Feb 2025 Senior Center report to Commission on Aging
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Commission on Aging
Senior Center Summary Report, February 2025
Submitted by: Mary Blazanin, Senior Center Manager
During January and February the Senior Center has been busy planning for 2025 programs and events.
We have a long-standing, positive partnership with the Chaska Lodge in planning day trips and some
larger, combined events.
Mary has been working on 2024 annual report numbers, which will be included in the Parks and
Recreation Annual Report and published late April 2025. She is also helping with preparations for the
move to our new Senior Center space in late summer, 2025 which includes discussions of a possible
name change, and selecting furniture, room layouts, and storage cabinets with the design team.
Although annual report numbers are still being compiled, here are some initial highlights:
Senior Center Programs Summary
• 11,423 Participants / 79+programs
• The Chanhassen Senior Center offers a wide variety of activities for active adults who are 55
and older. These activities include weekly and monthly social and game groups, day trips, large
special events, informational classes, educational speakers, health and wellness assistance,
emotional wellness support, local first responder information talks, and defensive driving
courses. Every year the Center adds more topics, activities, resources and opportunities for
building a strong 55+ community in the City.
2024 By The Numbers
• 11423 cumulative program participants in 2024
• 5672 meals delivered by 30 volunteers to homebound patrons
• 1140 miles traveled on 14 adventure trips
• 3393 people taking part in parties, classes, trips & programs
• 250 gallons of coffee served
• Over 2900 phone calls fielded
Timely Help Highlights
Helping patrons with needed resources continues to be a top priority as they seek critical tech device
help, tax assistance, foot care, Medicare information, and health related services.
• Cub Pharmacy provided 70 immunizations during our annual Free Flu Shot Clinic
• AARP Volunteers prepared and filed income taxes at no cost for 96 limited income clients – a
nearly 50% increase from 2023.
• Senior Community Services (SCS) volunteers gave 48 hours of free tech help to 74
individuals with their smart phones or laptops.
• Medicare changes continue to create an increased need for RN Foot Care. Local nurses
provided 337 low cost, individual foot care sessions, marking a 33% increase in services
from 2023.
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