A-1. Joint Meeting with Senior Commission
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.c;.chanhassen.mn.us
A-1.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
FROM:
Sharmeen AI-Jaff, Senior Planner
()~
DA TE:
April 14, 2008
SUBJ:
Discussion Topics for Joint City Council/Senior Commission Meeting
The following are the Commission's Accomplishments, Goals and Objectives for
2008:
1. Identify Issues Facing Senior Citizens and Present Them, With Possible
Solutions and Recommendations, to the City Council:
The Senior Commission will hold its fourth annual open house in September
2008. The focus of the open house will be "Wellness". This program will be
sponsored jointly with the Senior Advisory Board.
2. Transportation: This is an ongoing goal for the Senior Commission. Staff and
the Commission held meetings and conducted research on this matter. In 2007,
Carver Area Rural Transit (CART) provided 9,076 trips for residents in the City
of Chanhassen. Of those, 4,800 trips were to and from Summerwood.
In September 2008, Carver County Office of Aging will begin studying transit
throughout the County. Representatives from the Senior Commission, City staff,
CART, and SouthWest Transit will represent Chanhassen.
The City Council and Senior Commission received a petition from residents in the
community to purchase a bus to provide rides for seniors. This option has been
evaluated by the Senior Commission on numerous occasions. A bus requires
maintenance, insurance, driver with a special license, etc. As the senior
population grows, so will the transit needs. Rather than the City providing these
services, it is best to work with transit agencies.
3. Senior Center: The number of attendees at the Senior Center continues to
mcrease.
4. Veterans Monument: The Senior Commission is still committed to building a
monument to honor the veterans of our community. The American Legion is
aware that the members of the Commission are available to assist as private
citizens.
The City of Chanhassen · A growing community with clean lakes, quality schools, a chanming downtown, thriving businesses, winding trails, and beautiful parks. A great place to live, work, and play.
Chanhassen Senior Commission
Goals and Objectives 2008
April 14, 2008
Page 2
5. Maintain close relationship with Carver County Health Partnership (CCHP): CCHP
recently completed a county wide master plan on aging. Chanhassen was represented by
Senior Commissioners who serve as liaisons between the City and the County.
The creation of the Office of Aging and the decision to locate it in the Public Health Division
were based on a recommendation from the Carver County Health Partnership's Senior
Commission. The Carver County Senior Commission recently completed a "Master Plan to
Create A Community for a Lifetime in Carver County" based on the work of eight Design
Teams conducted over the past year. As a result of the Master Plan on Aging, each city within
Carver County has established a Senior Commission.
The Master Plan on Aging addresses Housing and Adaptive Reuse of Housing,
Transportation and Mobility, Health and Long-Term Care, Civic Engagement and
V olunteerism, Parks and Recreation, Education and Learning, Home and Community Based
Services, and Safety.
The Chanhassen Senior Commission hosted a county wide Senior Commissions meeting that
allowed for the exchange of ideas, challenges, triumphs, etc. This has evolved into a quarterly
meeting to provide support to each other.
Carver County is the second largest county in the state of Minnesota in terms of senior
population. Scott County has the largest senior population. The current Carver County senior
population is 5,000. In 2030, the senior population in Carver County is expected to increase to
20,000.
6. Communication:
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 Commission 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 rectify itself as the
".com" generation ages. This program has been very successful.
Educate Future Generations of Seniors: Increase awareness of the opportunities and
challenges that face seniors in Chanhassen.
Lifetime Learning: The Senior Center Coordinator has introduced lifelong learning
presentations offered through Augsburg College, the College of the Third Age. KleinBank
Chanhassen is sponsoring this series of presentations.
Chanhassen Senior Commission
Goals and Objectives 2008
April 14, 2008
Page 3
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.
Volunteer Opportunities for Seniors: The Senior Commission is working to coordinate
and develop partnerships for volunteer opportunities for seniors at the library, schools, city
events such as Arbor Day, computer training, senior center duties, etc. One group that the
Commission wishes to see get more involved in the Senior Center is the Baby Boomers.
Joint meetings with Senior Advisory Board: The Senior Commission began holding joint
meetings with the Senior Center advisory Board to discuss issues such as transportation,
Congregate Dining, Senior Wellness Day-Open house, Ice Cream Social prior to concerts in
the park, Senior Center Name Change, and community involvement of Baby Boomers
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7. Senior Parking at Public Buildings: O~going. The Senior Commission contacts local
businesses and requests the installation of "Senior Parking" signs in their parking lots.
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8. Support:
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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.
Chanhassen Heritage Preservation: Continue to promote and preserve Chanhassen's
history. !
Food Shelf: The senior center is a drop-off location for non-perishable food items.
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Minnesota Operation Nice: The senior center is a drop-off site for items to be packed and
shipped to active service people serving in the Middle East.
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Inter-Generational Activities: Work with the schools on joint activities between seniors
and students of all ages, i.e. storytelling', sharing experiences, etc.
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9. Have an Annual Joint Work Session Bbtween the City Council and Senior Commission to
Present the Goals and Objectives for th'e Year and Ensure that the Council's Vision and
their Expectations of the Senior Commission Will be Met: The Senior Commission
Chanhassen Senior Commission
Goals and Objectives 2008
April 14, 2008
Page 4
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 2008.doc