1 Senior Commissiono,
Senior Commission Discussion Points
1. What's working with the Commission?
All our commissioners are courteous and have a strong interest in Chanhassen,
especially the cares and concerns of our senior citizens. We strive to continue to
work on our goals. We all have a strong relationship with our fellow commissions.
For the past six months, the commission has been working with all the Carver County
mayors and township supervisors to form a service commission for all the towns
based on our Chanhassen Commission formula.
2. What is not working with the Commission?
We seem to have the same goals year after year, some we can do something about,
others we can't. For example, lack of control over affordable life cycle housing.
3. What would the Commission do to improve those things that are not working?
Some of the things that are not working are really out of our hands, such as affordable
housing, assisted living, transportation and more space for our Senior Center. Things
that are working include our new survey that focused on finding out the needs of our
senior community. One of our first projects will be a Senior Recourse Manual
describing the services available to our seniors.
4. what are the Commission's expectations of'the City C~uncil?" '
To be aware of what our goals are old and new. To realize we have a large
population of senior citizens who need affordable housing, assisted living, etc. so they
can stay in Chanhassen which has been there home for 50 years plus. We request the
city council to be aware of our needs for the Senior Center in allowing us the use of
the existing library. We hope to see members of the City Council attend the Senior
Expo on May 9, 2003. It is an excellent opportunity to get a comprehensive
understanding of senior needs and services.
5. How does the Commission define their role?
We are a group that strives to be aware of our senior citizen needs. We get involved
in Chanhassen, not only just as commissioners but in other areas as well. Our
commissioners all share a common interest for Senior Citizens in helping to make
Chanhassen a place where they can live out their life. We are also the liaison
between the City Council and the senior population.
SENIOR COMMW, SION
CITY OF CItANI~.~_~
BY-LAWS
The following by-laws are adopted by the Chanhaqsen Senior Commission to fadlitate the
performances of its duties and the exercising of its functions as a Commission established by the
City Council pursuant to the provision of Subdivision' 1, Section 462.354, Minnesota State Stam~
annotatexL
Section 1 - Duties and Responsibilities
1.1
The Senior Commission shall serve as an advisory body to the City Council in addressing
the special needs of the people over 55 living in Chanhassen. AH final deeisi~ are to be
made by the City Council.
1.2
The Senior Commission will consider and make recommendations to the City Council
regarding the special needs of seniors in the areas of ~on, information and
assistance, independent living in the home, social and recreational programs, senior centers
and senior housing, but will not be limited to these issues.
1.3
The Senior Commission will make recommendations to the City Council regarding funding
for special services to be provided for the citizens over 55.
1.4
The Senior Commission may pm~se needs studies of this age group where necessary and
make recommendations to the City Council according to the results.
1.5
The Senior Commission will coordinate services with other governments and private
agencies for this age group.
1.6
Public He~ngs. The Senior Citizen Commi~ion shall hold public heatings on issues
regarding special needs of seniors in areas of tran.~portation, information and assistance,
independent living in the home, social and recreational programs, senior centers and senior
housing, but will not be limited to these issues.
1.7
Establishment of Sub-Commi~. The Senior Commi~sion may, as they deem appropriate,
establish special sub-commi~ comprised of their own members and other cifiz.6-ns from
the community.
Section 2- Meetings.
2.1
Times and Place. Regular meetings of the Commission shall be held on the third Friday of
each month at 10:00 mm. at the City Council Chambers, 7700 Maflret Boulevard, unless
otherwise directed by the Chairperson, in which case, at least 24 hours notice will be given
to all members. Regular meetings shall have a curfew of 12:00 p_m_, which may be waived
at the discretion of the Chairperson. Ail unfinished business will be ca~ed over to the next
regular meeting. When the regular meeting day falls on a legal holiday, there shall be no
meeting.
2.2
Special Meetings. Special meetings shall be held upon call by the ChaLrpexson, or in her/his
absence, the Vice-Chairperson, or any other member with the eonomence of four other
members of the Commission and with at least 48 hours of notice to all members on the first
Friday of the month. Notice of all special meetings shall be posted on the official city
bulletin board.
2.3
Attendance. The Senior Commission members shall 8tt__end not less than 75% of all regular
and special meetings held during a given calendar year and shall not be absent from three
consecutive meetings without prior approval of the Chairperson. Failure to meet this
minimum attendance requirement shall be cause for removal from the Commission by
action of the City Council.
Section 3 - Commission Composition - Terms and Vacancies
3.1
Composition. The Senior Commission shall consist of seven voting members. Seven
members shall be appointed by the City Council and may be removed by the Council.
3.2
Terms and Vacancies. The City Council shall appoint seven members to the commission
for terms of three years. Vacancies during the term shall be filled by the Council for the
unexpired portion of the term. Every appointed member shall, before entering upon the
charge of his/her duties take an oath that he/she will faithhdly discharge the duties of hi~qher
office. All members shall serve without compensation.
3.3
Quorum. Four Senior Commission members shall constitt~ a quorum for the tmmacfion of
business. Whenever a quorum is not present, no final or official action shall be taken at such
meeting.
3.4
No two members of the same household may serve on the Senior Commission at the
same time.
Section 4 - Organization
4.1
Election of Officers. The first meeting in April of each year, the Senior Commission shall
hold an organizational meeting. At this meeting, the Commission shall elect from its
membership a chairperson and vice-eh~n. This shall be done by voice vote. Vice-
Chai~n shall be elected from the remaining members by the same proceeding. If the
Chairperson retires from the Senior Commission before the next regular organizational
meeting, the Vice-Chairpermn shall be Chairpe~on. If both Chairpe~on and Vice-
Chairperson retire, new officers shall be elected at the next regular meeting. If both
Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson are absent from a meeting, the Commission shall fleet a
temporary Chairperson by voice vote.
4.2
Duties of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. The Chairperson, or in his/her absence, the
Vice-Chairperson, shall preside at meetings, appoint committees from it's own membership
and perform other such duties as ordered by the Commission.
The Chai~ shall eondua the meeting so as to keep it moving as rapidly and efficiently
as possible and shall remind members, witnesses and petitioners to preserve order and
decorum and to keep comments to the subject at hand. The C-2haixpemon shall not move for
action but may second motions.
5.1
Procedure. Parliamentary procedure governed by Robert's Rules of Order Revised shall be
followed at all regular meetings. At spedal work session meetings, and when appropriate,
the Commission may hold group discussions not following any set parliamentary procedures
except when motions are before the Commission.
Section 6 - Public Hearings
6.1
Purpose of Hearings. The purpose of a hearing is to collect information and facts in order
for the Commission to develop a rational senior issue recommendation for the City Council.
6.2 Hearing Procedure. At hearings, the following procedures shall be followed in each case:
gl
The Chairperson shall state the ease to be heard.
The Chairperson shall call upon staff to present the staff report Requixext ~
from each city depamnent shall be submitted to the Senior Commission before each
case is heatrck
The Chai~n shall ask the applicant to present his/her case.
Interested persons may address the Commission, giving infomaation regarding the
particular pmtx~al.
Petitioners and the public are to address the Chairperson only, not staff or other
commissioners.
There shah be no dialogue among the Commissioners, giving inf~on regarding
the particular ~al. Cllle Senior Commission members may ask questions of
persons addressing the Commission in order to clarify a fact, but any statement by a
member for any other purpose then to question may be ruled out of order.)
After all new facts and information have been brought forth, the hearing shall be
closed and interested persons shall not be heard again. Upon completion of the
hearing on each case, the Senior Commission shall discuss the item at hand and
render a decision. The Senior Commission, ff it so de,sims, may leave the public
record open for written comments for a specified period of time.
h. The Ch~n shall have the responsibility to inform all of the parties of their
rights of appeal on any decision or recommendation of the Senior Commi~kqion.
6.3 Schedule. At meeting where more than one heating is scheduled, every effort shall be
made to begin each case at the time set on the agenda, but in no case may an item be called
for hearing prior to the advertised time listed on the agenda.
Section 7- MiscellaneOUS
7.1 Senior Commission Discussion. Matters for discussion which do not appear on the agenda
may not be considered and discussed by the Commission unless, when initiated and
presented by the staff and be placed at the end of the agenda.
7.2 Suspension of Rules. The Commission may suspend any of these roles by unanimous vote
of the members present.
7.3 Amendments. Amendments of these by-laws may be made at any regular or special
meeting of the Senior Commission but only ff scheduled on the meeting agenda in advance
of the meeting.
7.4 Review. At the first meeting in April of each year, these by-laws shall be read and adopted
by the Senior Commission.
Adopted this 17th day of May 2002.
Chai~n