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Senior CommissionCITYOF CHANE4SSEN Administration ::':-. Building Inspections 5'-:-:~: 5~! ii~ T:, ~,- - ''i ' Engineering ~ _. ?:, ~.Y-- · .- Finance _ . Park & Recreation " i~ ii~ ::, i'!ili- ;' ~ .: '%; :' ' ' ~z"',' ~i' -- '.~- -- - ... - ' 77i127 r.:, i"_-,_, 1i7 145: Planning & Natural Resources _ . _ Public Works --J" ::~" ~i:.; :.:,.~' i -i!'i Web Site ,',,',.', i ~' 2' ~i~ ....... ...' MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor & City Council FROM: Todd Gerhardt, City Manager DATE: September 26, 2002 SUBJ: Bi-Annual Joint Commission Meetings This past spring, the City Council and Commissions agreed to meet on a biannual basis. This will be our second meeting for 2002 and staff has asked each commission to provide some discussion topics or items of concern (see attachments). These discussion points will ensure that all items will be covered in the time allowed. I have also asked Department Heads to attend this meeting to assist with any questions that may arise or to provide suggestions on how information or procedures are being administered. Reminder: I will not be attending Monday's meeting, as I will be in Philadelphia attending the International City Management Association's (ICMA) conference. G:Madmin\tg\joint meetings.doc The City' of Chanhassen · ,:' c-,::.'.i;;c con::n::mw ,'.:'~h c!~?: ~,':* ,~'Ja :ty school, a r'h~rm;n~ downtown, thrh. qng businesses., ,indina trails, and beautiful p,~,-k* A g~at place to live. work. and pla},. Administration ?".:."~: (~52.£27.i i0:5 :z.,:: 952.2271110 Building Inspeclions -...~ r',; ~7 11'_ · 7 .'.r Engineering _ 7;, .-.: ' ~ - - Finance Park & Recreation Planning & Natural Resources ...... . . Web Site ',',,', ~..~"!~' "'2~5-?:': .... ..3 MEMORANDUM TO: Todd Gerhardt, City Manager FROM: Sharmeen Al-Jaff, Senior Planner DATE: September 26, 2002 SUB J: Discussion Topics for joint City Council/Senior Commission Meeting. The following are the Commission's Goals and Objectives for 2002 that were presented in March of this year. I have updated the goals and objectives. All new information will appear in BOLD: Mentif3, Issttes FacDzg Senior Citizens A~d Present Them, With Possible Solutions Azzd Recommezzdatio~zs, To The City Council: In 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001, the commission discussed the possibility of a "Senior Needs Study" with the City Council. This goal remains a priority for the commission. The study would be similar to that which was conducted in 1990, open ended with no preconceived ideas. The study would take place after the release of the 2000 census. The Metropolitan Council projections indicated a 45% increase in the senior population at the end of the decade. The 2000 census has been released and reflects seniors ages 55+ makeup 10.2% (2,071 seniors) of Chanhassen's population (20,321 persons). In 1990, they made up 9.2% (1,079 seniors) of the city's population (11,732 people). The senior population has doubled and the percentage of the overall population has increased by 1%. The city conducted a citywide survey to assess the needs of the community. The study concluded that senior needs revolves around lifecycle housing. The Senior Commission is requesting to conduct a senior focused needs study. Staff contacted Maxfield Research to get a cost estimate on such study. Maxfield's advice was not to delay the study beyond 2003 since the data from the census becomes outdated. As to the cost of the study, it depended on the depth of the study, but the range given was between $12,000 and $15,000. Should the City Council approve this request, staff will send out RFP's around January 2003. On May 17, 2002, a staff member from Senior Agenda for Independent Living (SAIL) attended the Senior Commission meeting and presented a survey that the city could use to assess the needs of the seniors. SAIL will process the survey and analyze it for a fee of $25.00. This will save the city $15,000. Copy of the survey is attached. The deadline for The City of Ctlantlassen .,: ::':.', :;s CC~r~ 'r,.'~ ,'.Ct:: z~:an/a",:~ quai?...' schoo!s, a c,armh~g downtown, thriving businesses, winding trails, and beautiful parks. A great place to i~ve. work. and pla!, Todd Gerhardt September 26, 2002 Page 2 completing the surveys and submitting them to SAIL is December 31, 2002. . Tranxportation: Transportation continues to be an ongoing challenge for seniors. Although seniors often express a need for transportation, we have been unable to pinpoint one effective method. The mission and objective of the commission is to help resolve senior transportation problems, and improve existing transportation service, i.e. Southwest Metro Transit and CART. This goal is consistent with Strategy 5, Encourage and promotes community connections; work with a variety of groups (commissions, other government agencies and private entities) to ensure that the public transportation needs of Chanhassen residents and businesses are met. Staff is cun'ently working with Southwest Metro Transit investigating fixed routes that will connect seniors w'ith commercial and medical establishments. The route that was discussed with tine transit provider extended the length of Coulter Boulevard and West 78th Street. Seuior Center: The number of activities and attendees of the center continues to increase. Some activities have been moved to the Recreation Center while others have a cap on how many may attend. The Senior Commission has requested the seniors be considered for the existing library space. The library space will not be vacated for at least three years. As planning for the space begins, please consider moving the senior center to that location. The additional space will make operations easier and parking more convenient. The commission also intends to encourage volunteers (other than seniors) to participate in serving and delivering meals for congregate dining and meals on wheels. Current driver volunteers include four (mother and child) teams, seniors, commission members, business owners in the community, and working non-senior adults. The total number of volunteers including food servers exceeds 60 people. 3. Communication' b~formation and Referral/Senior h~formation Line: In 1999, the Senior Center was rewarded a new computer and software from United Way. Staff continuously advertises the program and makes people aware of the availability of the service. Todd Gerhardt September 26, 2002 Page 3 b. Educate Future Generations of Seniors: Increase awareness of the opportunities and challenges that face seniors in Chanhassen. C. Communication With Neighboring Senior Centers and Community Education: · Coordination of events. · Transportation coordination with other senior centers and community education. . Senior Parking At Public Buildings: Ongoing. The Senior Commission contacts local businesses and request the installation of the signs at their parking lots. 5. Support: Senior Expo: This goal gives staff 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 $15.00 per person. b. Chanhassen Heritage Preservation c. Urgent Care Facilities d. Food shelf e. Inter-generational activities o Have an Annual Joint Work Session Bel3veen the Senior Commission and the CiO, 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. This goal is consistent with Community Involvement. The Senior Commission members are actively involved in the community. Each member is assigned the duty of attending a senior activity once a month to listen and educate seniors on programs available to them and hear their 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. 7. Older American Month: Celebrate the month of May as Older American Month. What does the aging of our state mean for your community? Are we ready for the graying of Minnesota? The following survey is a tool that you can use to assess whether your community has the basics to help seniors remain in their communities. Navigating the community 1. Our ccmmunity's streets are clearly marked and identified by signs. 2. The signs are large enough to be read easily. 3. Street addresses of homes, apartments and businesses are well marked. 4. Sufficient parking exists near stores, downtown areas, etc. 5. Parking spaces are vdde enough and well marked. 6. Designated handicapped parking exists in appropriate areas (stores, offices, etc.). 7. Our community has sidcwal~, especially in thc busier downtown areas. 8. The sidewalks are maintained. (Snow is shoveled, cracks are repaired, etc.) 9. The sidewalks arc wide enough so two adults can walk side by side. 10. The sidewalk curbs are low and easy to access. 1 1. There are benches or resting areas near walkways. 12. Our community has a senior center or somewhere that seniors can gather for special programs or activities. 13. Traffic lights are programmed, so seniors have time to walk across the street. © Copyright Minnesota Board on Aging 2001 Ranking 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 '2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 i 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 i 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Transportation 1. Our community has a transit ser~4ce for seniors (bus, mini-van, dial-a-ride, etc.) 2. A transit service is available for: a. medical appointments. b. social engagements. , c. shopping or visiting a barber or hair stylist.- d. religious event. 3. Seniors can call and make arrangements to be picked up at their home. 4. The service is handicapped accessible. 5. The service is afibrdable for most seniors. 6. It is easy to get transit information (newspaper, phone call, etc.). Housing for seniors 1. There arc housing units Ibr seniors in our commtmity. a. Affordable senior hi~ rises or apartment complexes. b. Assisted living (Seniors have apartment-like rooms and may choose from a list of services, which may include 24-hour supervision.) c. Home sharing (A senior shares his or her home in exchange for help with home maintenance, seasonal work and, perhaps, rent or other services.) d. Nursing home (Skilled care) c. Adult foster care (A senior lives with another family and receives assistancc with activities such as grooming and cooking.) © Copyright Minnesota Board on Aging 2001 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 i 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 i 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Services for seniors 1. There are sep,'ices that can help seniors who need some assistance to remain in their homes. a. Information about services for older adults and referrals to services. b. Home delivered meals (Meals on Wheels). c. Heavy household chore services (laundry, window washing, etc.) d. Handyman services (someone who makes small home r~airs). e. Seasonal chore assistance (lawn mowing, snow shoveling, etc.) £ A "friendly visitor" program (volunteer who regularly v/sits x~4th homebound p~sons). g. Grocery, shopping sm, ice (~occrics arc delivered to the home). h. Pharmacy service (prescript/om arc delivered to the home). J_ Personal care services provided in the home (help wSth personal care tasks). j. A program or an agency will do an "in-home safe~, check" and help the senior identity possible safety issues (loose mg may cause a fall ora safeV rail is needed here). 2. Faith communities support older p~sons by sponsoring pro,ams such as the Befi-ienders or Parish Nursing. 3. A phone buddy pro.am exists so flail or ill persons receive at least one phone call a day to check up on them. Support families who are caregivers 1. Our community supports caregivers by offering mining and information (peer groups, a respite program, hospital-based careg-iver inslruct/on, etc.) . Our community offers caregiving respite (a volunteer,Mil come into the home for a few hours to allow the caregiver time away), adult day care, or other services that ~ve caregivers a break. 3. Our community has support groups for caregivers. 0 Co]4yrigh! Minnesota Board on Aging 200 /