1994 05 20
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AGENDA
CHANHASSEN SENIOR COMMISSION
FRIDAY, May 20, 1994
9:30 A.M. TO 12:00 P.M.
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Approval of Agenda
1. Approval of Minutes dated April 22, 1994.
2. Visitors Presentation.
3. Update on Goals and Objectives / Joint meeting with City Council.
4. Update on Senior Center Activities.
5. Update on Senior Housing.
6. Update on the Chore Program and Senior Linkage Line (SLL).
7. Senior Commission Comments.
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Adiournment
** FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO NEED TRANSPORT A TION TO THE MEETING,
CONTACT SHARMIN AL-JAFF AT CITY HALL (937-1900 EXT. 120) AND A
RIDE WILL BE ARRANGED.
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CHANHASSEN SENIOR COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 22, 1994
Chairwoman Howard called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Sherol Howard, Jane Kubitz, Bernice Billison, Albin Olson, Mark
Littfin Sr, and Selda Heinlein
MEMBERS ABSENT: Barbara Hedla.
ST AFF PRESENT: Kate Aanenson, Planning Director and Sharmin AI-Jaff, Planner II
APPROV AL OF THE AGENDA: Bernice Billison moved to approve the Agenda, Albin
Olson seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
APPROV AL OF MINUTES DATED MARCH 25. 1994: There was a correction on page 1.
Selda Heinlein was absent. The minutes were approved with this correction.
VISITOR PRESENTATION:
No visitors were present.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR 1994.
a. Presentation from Store to Door. Dan Siterella.
Siterella stated that he purchases groceries from Cub Foods and brings them to the home
of the owner. He pays for the purchases himself and brings the receipt to the customer.
He charges $5 minimum or 10% of the bill, which ever is greater. Commissioner Littfin
asked him if he would conduct his business at Festival for Chanhassen residents. Siterella
stated that he would unless instructed otherwise. He also stated that he will not purchase
alcohol nor tobacco. He left references with staff.
b. Update on Ure:ent Care/reports from Hedla and Howard.
Howard stated that there will be no change within the next year at Cross Roads due to
unavailability of Doctor's hours. There are Saturday hours in Chaska and Sunday hours
in Prior Lake for Cross Roads. This service will be necessary in the future however there
are no immediate plans to implement the service. Chanhassen Medical Center and
Waconia Hospital do not have any plans to provide Urgent Care services at the present
time either. Chanhassen Family Physicians is open on Monday, Wednesday, and
Thursday until 8:00 p.m.. They are looking at being open some hours on the weekends.
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4. UPDATE ON SENIOR CENTER ACTIVITIES.
Howard stated that there will be a trip to Halasik, a Twins game, a Carver County Trip, a
Luau on the 1st of May and there will be door prizes.
5. MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL
The Senior Commission decided to discuss the following items with the City Council at
their joint meeting which will take place on May 2, 1994.
1. SENIOR CENTER: Staff and the Senior Needs Commission actively searched for space
for the senior citizens to meet In July, 1991, the storage space on the lower level of City
Hall was identified as a possible interim location. The space was renovated using HRA
funding. The center is highly utilized and provides quality service to the senior
population.
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2. TRANSPORT A TION: Southwest Metro Transit is an opt-out transportation system which
serves Chaska, Chanhassen, and Eden Prairie. The system utilizes Dial-A-Ride, (a door-
to-door bus service). Express buses leave Chaska, Chanhassen, and Eden Prairie during
the morning rush hour to take residents to Minneapolis and express buses leave
Minneapolis during the evening rush hour to return resident back to their respective
communities. Reverse Commute is also available which provides the opposite function of
the Express Buss. The system is growing rapidly to accommodate deferent clientele.
Staff worked closely with the administrator of Southwest Metro Transit to improve service
for seniors. Saturday and evening services are now available to accommodate senior
needs. This is an ongoing goal and there will always be room for a better public transit
system.
3. INFORMATION AND REFERRAL / SENIOR LINKAGE LINE: A third need identified
in the Senior Needs Study was information and referral to serve the community. Staff
worked with the Senior Needs Commission and prepared a Senior Services Directory.
Unfortunately, some of the phone numbers were outdated as soon as the directory was
published. This prompted the Senior Needs Commission to think of other means to
provide accurate information to the senior community and staff was directed to research
alternatives.
In January, 1992, the Senior Needs Commission had a meeting to identify and establish
goals. The implementation of an information and referral service was identified as one of
its highest priorities. On March 17, 1992, staff began working with Ms. Julie Bentz, West
Metro Senior Linkage Line Coordinator. The Senior Linkage Line is an information and
referral operation, organized by Senior Resources and authorized by the Minnesota Board
on Aging. The Senior Linkage Line Network is a network of sites offering information
and referral services for seniors in the Metro Area as well as State wide.
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Facts on how to provide an information and referral service in Chanhassen were
discussed. Ms. Bentz, with her Advisory Council, was supportive of the idea; however,
staff was informed that Senior Linkage Line provides services county wide only rather
than to individual cities. The Senior Needs Commission and staff began working on
gaining support for this program county wide. Numerous meetings took place with
seniors, city planners, administrators, senior citizen center presidents, church pastors, and
community leaders of cities in Carver County to demonstrate to the County
Commissioners the need for this service.
The program has been in existence for almost a year and has increased from about 19
requests to 30 requests per month. It is a successful example of a joint project that
required cooperation between the City of Chanhassen, Carver County, and the State of
Minnesota. As citizens continue to use and trust the system, the program continues to
grow. To keep the cost low to the city, existing equipment and facilities through the
Senior Center, are being used. Volunteer staff run the phone lines and City staff is
available to provide guidance.
4. SENIOR HOUSING: The fourth need that has been set as a goal for the year 1994 is
Senior Housing. A feasibility study was conducted that pointed out a need does exist.
Thirteen sites were identified and analyzed, and one must be selected.
5. CHANHASSEN HERITAGE PRESERV A TION: Rehabilitating the Train Depot.
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6. CHORE CORPS: This is a program designated to provide services to help seniors remain
independent and take care of themselves by assisting them with tasks that have become
too tough for them to manage on their own. A $50,000 grant was awarded to Mid
Minnesota SAIL to pilot this project of which Carver County will be the main
demonstration site. Senior Linkage Line is working in partnership with Chore Corps.
7. SENIOR PARKING at Public Buildings.
8. URGENT CARE FACILITIES.
9. TREE PLANTING along the entryway into the Senior Center to block the wind.
10. WHEELCHAIR RAMP leading to the Senior Center.
11. SENIOR GROCERY SHOPPING.
12. SENIOR NEWSLETTER EXPANSION.
13. COOPERA TIVE COMMUNICATION with neighboring Senior Centers.
a. Cooperative Communications.
b. Coordination of Events.
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c. Transportation Coordination with other Senior Centers.
. ~ UPDATE ON SENIOR HOUSING.
Aanenson stated that at the joint meeting between the HRA and City Council, the Senior
housing issue was discussed in detail. There was a presentation done by Denbarr. The
conclusion was that they wanted to see further investigation on Sr. Housing Financing and
alternatives.
7. UPDATE ON THE CHORE PROGRAM AND SENIOR LINKAGE LINE (SLL).
Howard stated that an informational meeting was heid to explain the role of the Metropolitan
Area Agency on Aging, Inc. (MAAA). She also stated that the people present were very
competent and had high qualifications. The other alternative is to have a joint powers
agreement between the seven county metro area to facilitate the program. This is the favored
alternative by the communities but the ultimate decision lies with the Metropolitan Council.
8. SENIOR COMMISSION COMMENTS.
There were non.
9. SENIOR EXPO
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AL-Jaff asked for the names of the commissioners that will be attending the Senior Expo in
order to make reservations. All will attend with the exception of Commissioner Littfin.
Kibitz moved, Bernice seconded to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor and the
motion carried. The meeting was adjourned.
Prepared by Sharmin AI-Jaff
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Chanhassen Senior Center
S
Senior Day-
Americana
Comm.Bank
Friday, May 20 from
1 : 0 0 - 4 : 0 0 pm...
All Seniors are invited
to corne and enjoy an
afternoon featuring:
*CHAN-o-laires
. performance
*Bingo wi th
Cash Prizes
*Refreshments
RSVP to...
Americana
Community
Bank by Wed.
May 18 at
937-9596
Flyers and poster with more
_formation are available at
e Chanhassen Senior Center
Hello Seniors!
This spring has been a busy one at the
Chanhassen Senior Center. We've enjoyed many
activities and trips such as Irish Night,
Hawaiin Night, Around the World Trip, Gourmet
Room and Planes of Fame Museum Trip, Mens and
Womens Clubs, Sweatshirt Making and Crafts,
Plant Buying, Get to know your County Trip,
Movie Day, and more. We also had legal and
tax assistance provided right in our Senior
Center.
Thankyou to everyone who has helped plan or
shared ideas-we appreciate you! We are looking
forward to a full summer as well, and hope to
see many new faces as people return from those
nice winter and spring vacations. Remember,
you need not be a Chanhassen resident to par-
ticipate in our programs.AII are welcome.
Corne visit us or call 937-1900 x145 for de-
tails on what is coming up.
Defensive
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Drl.vl.ng
Casino
Night
We had a full house in
April and will be
offering another
course through AARP
this Fall. Dates
will be posted at
the senior center
when
finalized.
Don't forget June 4,is
our next Saturday Night
Special.
Blackjack, Craps, and
more Casino Games from
6:00-8:30pm at the Chan
Senior Center. We play
with chips,no
money.Refreshments are
served. $7.00/person
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WE'RE CELEBRATING
OUR 1ST YEAR IN
CARVER COUNTY AND
WE'RE GIVING YOU
A PRESENT!!
It's a new free service from the
CARVER COUNTY
SENIOR LINKAGE LINE
Next time you call us, ask to hear
"The Bulletin Board".
Our friendly and helpful staff will
playa recorded message for you
that may include
* a health tip
* a joke
* an historical fact
* current happenings at senior
centers in our county
* and other tidbits we think
you'll find interesting.
The "Bulletin Board" is only
available during staffed office
hours of M-F, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.,
but you may call anytime with your
questions and leave us a message.
And of course, our regular
confidential service continues
which allows you to speak
directly to our staff about
information and connections to
senior services near you.
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/"1 In Carver County call:
~Ll~:l;) 937 -0095 or
1-800-278-8089
MINNESOTA ZOO (Apple Vaney) and DUNDEE NURSERY
Tuesday, July 12
9:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m.
$8.00/person, includes coach bus transportation, admission is free that day
Meet/return: Chanhassen Senior Center
ORCHESTRA HALL - SOMMERFEST - TALES FROM THE VIENNA WOODS
Friday, July 22
9:15 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
$26.25/person
Strausse's "Die Fledermous Overture," Offenbach's "Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld,"Brahm's
"Hungarian Dance No.6," and more. Time for lunch, a fashion show and browsing on the Marketplatz.
Meet/return: Chanhassen Senior Center
CEDAR LAKE FARM
Tuesday, August 9
9: 15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
$21.00/person
njoy a visit to this farm where you can go for a pontoon cruise, hayride, old fashioned 4-wheeled bike ride
or stroll through the farm buildings or by the lake. Delicious BBQ chicken dinner will be served.
Meet/return: Chanhassen Senior Center
MINNESOTA STATE FAIR
Tuesday, September 1
8:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m.
$9.00/person - Includes admission and coach bus transportation
Meet/return: Chanhassen Senior Center
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Chanhassen Senior Center Trips - Summer 1994
Sommerfest _
$26.25
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MN Zoo_
$8.00
Cedar Lake Farm _
$21.00
State Fair
$9.00
Name
~ess .
~ form with payment to:
Phone
Total Amount Enclosed $
Chanhassen Senior Center
690 Coulter Drive
Chanhassen, MN 55317
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Chanhassen Senior Center
The Best of Lerner & Loewe
"Loverly "
at Orchestra Hall
on June 10
Eighteen fantastic seats have been reserved for this unforgettable musical performance from the
song writing team of Lerner & Loewe. My Fair Lady, Camelot, Gigi, Brigadoon, Paint Your
Wagon, and all the best songs from those musicals. Performance is by the Cabaret Pops Singers
and the Minnesota Orchestra under the direction of David Bishop.
Fee: $29.00 includes ticket and transportation
ALLL9410
TIME: 10:00 a.m. -1:45 p.m.
MEET/RETURN: Chanhassen Senior Center
MAXIMUM: 18 people
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--The Best of Lerner & Loewe Registration Form-
Name:
Phone:
Address:
Amount Enclosed: $
City/Zip:
ALLL9410 Fee: $29.00
Please mail or drop off registration form and payment to the Chanhassen Senior Center, 690
Coulter Drive, Chanhassen, MN 55317. For more information, call 937-1900 exL 145.
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Chanhassen Senior Center and District #112 Community Education
St. Croix River
Paddleboat Cruise
Tuesday, June 21
Join us for this daytime adventure and lunch cruise on the Taylor Falls Princess. We'll enjoy
a fully guided tour of the river and a delicious chicken dinner with all the fIxings. Following
this 2 hour cruise, a stop at the Antique and Art Emporium for shopping or browsing will top
off the day.
MeetlReturn:
Chanhassen Senior Center - 9:15 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Fee:
$25 (includes cruise, dinner and coach bus transportation)
Pre-Registration required by May 20.
St Croix River Cruise - Tuesday, June 21
Name(s)
Phone
$ Amount Enclosed
Address
Return form with payment to Chanhassen Senior Center
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Chanhassen Senior Center - 937-1900 ext. 145
SUMMER 1994
All meetings take place from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
MENS CLUB
June 6
Regular meeting
June 20
Leo Meloche, speaker
Minnehaha Restoration
Project
July 4
No meeting
July 18
Dave Huffman, speaker
Former Minnesota Viking,
Chanhassen resident
August 1
Regular meeting
August 15
John Huber, speaker
Huber Funeral Homes
August 29
WOMENS CLUB
June 13
Regular meeting
June 27
Julie Taintor, speaker
Presenting & Organizing
Your Photos
July 11
Regular meeting
July 25
Kitty Sitter, speaker
Carver Co. Senior
Linkage Line
August 8
Regular meeting
August 22
Nancy Lenhart, speaker
Food Preservation/Safety
and the New Nutrition Label
Joint Meeting - Mens and Womens Club
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:rWOLOCAL SENIORS, Helen Nielsen-Eckstein, left, and Fred Prinz, right, answer the phones for the Senior J
'-'in1utge Line, a data base ofinfonnation relating to senior citizen concerns. Kitty Sitter, middle, is the coord i- f
nator,oftbe program run out of the Chanhassen Senior Center. Other volunteer phone operators include Betty
Bragg and Lola Kagol. (Staff photo by Dean Trippler)
Don't know where to turn?
Senior Linkage Line has the answers
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By Dean Trippler
In the basement of Chanhassen
City Hall, at the Chanhassen Senior
Center, a friendly voice is there to help
those with senior-related problems
and questions.
Up for nearly a year now, the Se-
nior Linkage Line is a high-tech data
base run by volunteers who are con-
cerned and willing to help out fel]ow
senior citizens and their families and
friends.
Kitty Sitter, who is the coordina-
tor of the program, said there are three
senior volunteers and one paid aide
who man the telephones and take up
to 30 calls each month since the line
opened last June. The callers may be
local seniors, those with elderly par-
ents or other agencies searching for
answers or at least a point in the right
direction in finding answers to basic
questions. Calls have been for medi-
cal information, chore services, trans-
portation, adult day care, legal issues,
tax assistance, defensive driving
classes - anything related to grow-
ing older or having a parent or loved
one grow older.
"We determine their needs, and
once we find out what they're look-
ing for, we'll do the research ti}rou&h
our data base," Sitter said'o'fth'e"c6rrt:
puter that lists hundreds of agencies
and programs available for senior citi-
zens. After fmoing out where seniors
or family members can call for their
'particular need, the staff at the Senior
Linkage Line relays the information.
A follow-up call is usually made to
find out if, in the end, the initial ques-
tions were answered.
An enhancement due to debut
soon on the system will be a bulletin
board feature. A pre-recorded mes-
sage on health tips, jokes, and senior
events will be accessed by calling the
Senior Linkage Line and asking for
the bulletin board. That service is set
to start sometime this month, Sitter
said.
"We really want to have someone
talk to a caller in person," Sitter said
of the lack of voice mail on the sys-
tem. "We want to keep that human
element, and we're trying to be more
than the Yellow Pages. We're trying
to get the personal touch in it."
Another new feature of the Senior
Linkage Line will be a partnership
with Chore Corps, a group of private
businesses that offer volunteer ser-
vices for seniors, such as raking yards,
washing windows, etc. No date has
been set for that alliance, though.
"We got involved because of se-
nior requests," Sitter said of the data
base service. "The seniors are con-
cerned about each other and want a
,service like this."
Sirriihirly, the volUnteers at'the
Senior Linkage Line get a satisfaction
from helping others.
"Seniors can get a lot of help in a
lot of different ways," said Helen
Nielsen-Eckstein who answers phone
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calls for the Senior Linkage Line, "It's
satisfying to know you're helping
somebody."
And for Fred Prinz, a volunteer, I
the same can be said. I
"I'm giving back to society a I
litt]e," he said. "I've got the time .,
now."
The Senior Linkage Line is a co- ;,1
operative effort of Carver County 1
Social Services and the city of ;II
Chanhassen. The city provides the n
space within the Chanhassen Senior 1
Center and equipment, while the !
county distributes funds to project I
from the Minnesota Board of Aging. 1
The Senior Linkage Line is a program ' (
of Senior Resources and the St. Paul t
United Way made possible through a
grant from the Metropolitan Area .,,1
Agency on Aging, under a plan ap- .',1
proved by the Minnesota Board on .[.1
Aging. "il
Sitter said the data base is updated"
every two to three months. The coor- ):1.
dinators of the program keep in touch i:'
with other service providers to ascer- 1)
tain what services are needed by se-
niors. ~il
"People think (the Senior Linkage 1
Line) is o. nly for senio.rs, but. .we en- "
courage friends and family to call,
too," she said. ',.. \dl .
You can reach the Senior Linkage 1
Line by calling 937-0095 or 1-800-
278-8089. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 1(;
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p.m. Monday through Friday. .,~
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