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1998 11 20CHANHASSEN SENIOR COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING November 20, 1998 Chairwomen Sherol Howard called the meeting to order at 9:45am. MEMBERS PRESENT: Sherol Howard, Albin Olson, Dale Geving and Bobbie Headla. MEMBERS ABSENT: Bunny Billison, Jane Kubitz and Selda Heinlein. STAFF PRESENT: Sharmin A1-Jaff, City Planner II and Kara Wickenhauser, Senior Center Coordinator. VISITORS PRESENT: Linda Jansen, City Council Elect and Steve LaBatt, City Council Elect. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Commissioner Dale Geving moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Albin Olson seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion was carried. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Bobbie Headla moved to approve the minutes. Sherol Howard seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion was carried. VISITOR PRESENTATION: There was none. CONGREGATE DINING & MEALS ON WltEELS: The Congregate Dining and Meals on Wheels programs respectfully averaged 10 and 7 people per day for the month of September. Meals on Wheels continues to add new diners. We have had as many as 10 diners in one day. Kara Wickenhauser noted that a memo was sent to the Chanhassen Lion's Club to update them on the progress of the Meals on Wheels program. UPDATE ON SENIOR CENTER ACTIVITIES: An activity schedule for the Senior Center was handed out to the Senior Commission by Senior Commissioner Bobbie Headla. All activities were discussed. Concerns were expressed by the Senior Advisory Board about the cleanliness of the Senior Center. Many times the carpet doesn't get vacuumed and the kitchen floors rarely get mopped up. Sharmin A1-Jaff agreed to contact the cleaning agency the City contracts with to discuss this issue. UPDATE ON TRANSPORTATION SUB-COMMITTEE: Senior Commissioner, Dale Geving, gave an update on the progress being made by the Transportation Sub- Committee. John Kruegness, Marketing Representative, with Southwest Metro Transit, was present at the meeting. John discussed the services Southwest Metro Transit offers specifically to seniors, as well as services available for all other age groups. The sub- committee discovered that Southwest Metro Transit offers transportation to the airport, downtown Minneapolis, Southdale Mall, Eden Prairie Mall, Mall of America and offers dial a ride services (curb to curb service.) They were also informed that Southwest Metro Transit offers transportation Monday - Saturday from 6am - 6pm. After listening to John's presentation the sub-committee decided that they really needed to support the programs that were already in place within the community, instead of seeking means to purchase a private vehicle for the Senior Center. To help promote Southwest Metro Transit's efforts, Dale Geving made a suggestion to purchase $300.00 worth of tickets from Southwest Metro Transit to hand out at the Senior Center to use at Kara's discretion. It was decided that the Senior Commission budget would handle these costs. Commissioner Dale Geving made a motion to purchase no more than $300.00 worth of tickets from Southwest Metro Transit and Commissioner Sherol Howard seconded the motion. Along with this promotion idea the sub-committee also suggested that a Southwest Metro Transit representative escort a complimentary trip to the Old Country Buffet for Centennial Hills residents. This trip would hopefully familiarize residents with Southwest Metro Transit's services and make them more comfortable using their busing system. John Kruegness agreed that this was a good idea and offered to run this trip on Monday, January 18th. Overall the sub-committee decided that there needs to be more education and marketing available to seniors in Chanhassen to educate them about the services Southwest Metro Transit and CART have to offer. It was also suggested that Kara Wickenhauser include some information on these services in her next Senior Center Newsletter, as well as having it in the City Newsletter. This sub-committee will meet one more time on Monday, December 14th and will dissolve. SENIOR COMMISSION COMMENTS: The main discussion circled around the need to set new projects for the Senior Commission to work on. Project suggestions included the need to acquire land for future senior housing, offer more senior outings for the Senior Commission to attend (ex. visit local senior housing in the area), invite more speakers in to educate the Senior Commission on local services available to seniors and working on scheduling outings to local organizations to present the Senior Awareness Film. It was decided that the Senior Commission would like to present the Senior Awareness Film at the Holiday Party on Saturday, December 12th. Sherol and Dale volunteered to handle this responsibility. It was suggested that the Senior Advisory Board elect two members to assist the Senior Commission in all scheduled Senior Awareness presentations. Centennial Hills has a new manager. Sharon Benedict is no longer with Centennial Hills. Her replacement is Paul Nelson. The 1999 Senior Commission Meeting Schedule was set. The only revised date was in the month of February. The original meeting date of Friday, February 19th was changed to Friday, February 5th. Interviews of Senior Commission candidates will take place this meeting. ADJOURNMENT: Dale Geving moved to adjourn the meeting. Albin Olson seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Prepared and Submitted by Kara Wickenhauser, Chanhassen Senior Center Coordinator.