1991 01 18
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SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION
MINUTES OF JANUARY 18, 1991
The meeting was called to order at 9: 30 a.m. in the Council
Chambers.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Emma St.John, Selda Heinlein, Betty Bragg,Jane
Kubitz, Barbara Montgomery, Bernice Billisonand Sherol Howard.
STAFF PRESENT: Paul Krauss, planning Director and SharminAI-Jaff,
Planner I.
All members introduced themselves, as well as staff.
Establishment of'a Monthlv Meeting Schedule
The Commission decided that themeetings will be held once a month.
The Commission will meet on the third Friday of each month and if'
there is a need for a special meeting, then it shall be on the
first Friday of the month. '
Discussion and Ado-ption of By-Laws and Minutes
Barbara Montgomery had prepared by-laws for the commission and they
are attached.
Paul KrausS suggested that the terms of Commission should be at 2
and 3 years so that not all members will leave at the same time.
Election of Chair and Vice-Chair
Emma st. John nominated Barbara MOrltgomery for Chair and Betty
Bragg for Vice Chair. Sherol seconded the motion. All voted in
favor and the motion carried.
Discussion of community ,Development Block Grant Funding Program
Larry Blackstad from Hennepin County was present and indicated that
the City will receive a block grant of approximately $35,000 to
$36,000 every year, of which $7,000 is sent to South Shore Senior
Center. There are limitations on spending. The program is such
that all of the money must be spent or lose it. The reason why
Chanhassen is eligible for this grant is because a small portion of
the city is located within Hennepin County. Dakota, Hennepin and
Ramsey Counties are all eligible for those funds.
Selda asked why the school grbup could not be called a center.
Paul indicated that this should be a f~ture agenda item for
discussion.
Larry Blacksta'a indicated that the city will receive $38,000
next year. Those allocations are based upon population- and
numbers are received through HUD. Fifteen percent of
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senior citizen Commission
Minutes of January 18, 1991
Page 2
allocation goes to public service.
As far as what other cities are doing, the COBG funds have paid for
Joanne Kvern and the cook I s salary for the South Shore Center. The
grant also paid 'to. install the kitchen, bring the building up to
code and the entire operation. To qualify for the grant, you must
1) have urgent community need, 2) benefit low income and
handicapped persons, and 3) eliminate slum and blight. The grant
also paid for the Westonka Director's sal~ry and transportation,
helped pay for the vents, some coordination of.. services..
Minnegasco provides transportation for Westonka. Other things that
have been done in the past is pay for planning studies,
transportation studies, transportation in general. Rent has not
been paid from the COBG fund but it could be.
Paul stated that he contacted a couple of developers in regard to
senior ~housing. TheHRA is not terribly. excited .about senior
housing but they have committed to do something for the seniors.
oiscussion of Work Program
The interim space to service the seniors is what the Commission
_ wished to concentrate on. The study that the'Senior citizen Task
~....... Force did, specified goals for the Commission. Because finding an
interim phase to service the seniors can be so complicated, Barbara
Montgomery moved to have those that are interested from the
Chanhassen Club to attend the next meeting on February 15th . Those
citizens are urged to attend the meeting. All voted in favor and
the motion carried.
Handouts shall be prepared and distributed by Selda a~ the next
ChanhassenClubmeetingto inform all the members of the importance
of the next meeting.
Newsletter
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The Senior citizen commission will be putting together materials
for the newsletter that goes out.for the city. Items that will be
included in the next newsletter will include the Oial-A-Ride
Service and the South Shore Center service to Chanhassen. Betty
Bragg indicated that Buffalo Minnesota has just opened a new Senior
citizen Center. It is a farming community, the population of
Buffalo increased rapidly and they built a senior center where the
old Legion was. This community could be compared to Chanhassen as
far as characteristics. The Commission voted to take the second
Friday of February which will fall on February 8th, to attend the
Buffalo Senior Citizen Center. The Commission also decided to
invite the City Council members to attend the field trip to
I Buffalo.
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senior citizen commission
Minutes of January 18, 1991
Page 3
Betty Bragg indicated that as long as there is a section on the
agenda Senior Fire Protection Program, she wanted to mentioned that
there is something called "Elder Alert " . The program is sponsored;
by the state of Minnesota. There is a tube that is kept in the
refrigerator. Inside the tube, a piece of paper is kept that
contains all important information about the health of the senior
that lives in that apartment. If therE! was a fire, the fireman
will go straight to the refrigerator to get the information that
might be necessary. The Commission was running out of time,
therefore, the meeting with Mark Littfin was rescheduled. The
\ Commission also wanted to invite Todd Hoffman to discuss. what . types
of recreation is available to.the seniors and what can be done for
them.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
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