2a Senior Commission
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CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
690 City Cinter Drive, PO Box 147
Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317
Phone 612,937.1900
General Fax 612,937.5739
Ellgineering Fax 612.937.9152
Public Safety Fax 612,934.2524
\Vt>b www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us
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MEMORANDUM
TO:
Scott Botcher, City Manager
FROM:
Shannin AI-Jaff, Senior Planner
DATE:
May 11,2000
SUBJ:
Senior Commission Goals and Objectives for 2000
The following are Senior Commission Goals for Year 2000. The majority ofthem
are ongoing:
1. Identify issues facing senior citizens and present them with possible
solutions and recommendations to the City Council. In 1998 and 1999, 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 ofthe decade. Ifthe 2000
census confirms these projections, a larger percentage of the overall
population will be seniors, which will lead to larger issues and type of
services catering to seniors. The commission's goal is to be proactive and
prepare for these needs rather than react to them. This goal is consistent
with the City Council's action step to provide Quality Amenities,
Community Involvement, and assessing the need for more senior housing,
assisted living, and Long-term care nursing Home. The commission is
also asking for direction if they should start preliminary research and
gather data pertaining to assisted living such as sites available in the City
for such a facility, size of parcel, location requirements, general services
offered, meet with the owners of the hi!!:h density parcels to inform
them of the need for assisted livin!!:, etc.
2. Transportation: 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
ofthe 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.
Th, Citv o(Challhass",. A f'owinfCommunit'i with cl,oll lakes, lIualit'i schoob, a charmil" downtown, thrivinv busin,ss,s, and b,autifi¡l parks, A ?Teat Place to liv" work. and pia"
Scott Botcher
May 1\, 2000
Page 2
3. Senior Center; The number of activities and attendees of the center
continue to increase. Some activities have been moved to the Recreation
Center while others have a cap on how many may attend. The Senior
Commission realizes that the City does not intend any space/building
expansions in the near future, however, if and when an expansion takes
place, the Senior Center needs to be enlarged. This goal is consistent with
Quality Amenities. 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, council and commission members,
business owners in the community, and working non-senior adults. The
total number of volunteers including food servers exceeds 60 people. This
goal is consistent with the Cost-Effective Quality Services, Community
Involvement and giving businesses in the community the opportunity to
volunteer their time and services.
4. Communication:
a. Information And Referral/Senior Information Line: In 1999, the
Senior Center was rewarded a new computer arid software from United
Way. Staff continuously advertises the program and makes people
aware oCtile availability of the service. This goal also falls under
Cost-Effective Quality Services.
b. Educate future generations of seniors: Increase awareness of the
opportunities and challenges that face seniors in Chanhassen. A
subcommittee organized a slide show presentation, which was shared
with the City Council. It will be presented to the community and
schools. This goal falls under Community Involvement.
c. Communication With Neighboring Senior Centers and Community
Education:
· Coordination of events.
· Transportation coordination with other senior centers and
community education.
This goal is consistent with Cost-Effective Quality Services.
5. Senior Parking At Public Buildings: Ongoing. The Senior Commission
contacts local businesses and request the installation of the signs at their
Scott Botcher
May 1\,2000
Page 3
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parking lots. This goal is consistent with encouraging the participation of
businesses in community events.
6. 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 $10.00 per
person. It is a Cost-Effective Quality Service.
· Chanhassen Heritage Preservation
· Urgent Care Facilities
· Food shelf
· Inter-generational activities
This goal is consistent with the City Center Identity action plan and
History Preservation. In the past the Senior Commission members raised
money to buy a brick for the Chanhassen Depot and organized several
activities in the Senior Center to raise additional funds for the same.
7. Have an annual joint work session between the Senior Commission and
the City Council to present the goals and objectives for the year and insure
that the Council's vision and their expectations ofthe 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 tQ poll a representative sample and report the key issues to the City
Council.
8, Oider American Month: Celebrate the month of May as Older American
Month. Attached is a newsletter from Eden Prairie describing activities
and programs that they are sponsoring. The Senior Commission wishes to
implement a similar program in Chanhassen.
g:lplanlsalsclSEN10R OOALS 2000