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2002 02 15 AGENDA CHANHASSEN SENIOR COMMISSION Friday, February 15, 2002 10:00 A.M. TO 11:30 P.M. CHANHASSEN COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1. Approval of agenda. 2. Visitor Presentation, Beth Hoiseth, Conduct on Premises-Rental Housing. 3. Goals and Objectives for the year 2002. 4. Congregate Dining & Meals on Wheels. 5. Update on Senior Center Activities. 6. Senior Commission Comments. Adjournment * The next Senior Commission meeting will take place on March 15, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. To: Senior Commission From: Sharmeen A1-Jaff, Senior Planner Date: January 18, 2002 Re: Goals and Objectives for the year 2002 It's that time again when the Senior Commission reviews their Goals and Objectives before meeting with the City Council. The following are the Commission's Goals and Objectives for 2001 that were approved by the City Council. The Commission may edit, add or delete goals, as they deem necessary. Each goal has either been edited or is followed by a comment from staff. These comments and additions appear in bold. Identify issues facing senior citizens and present them with possible solutions and recommendations 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. If the 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 high density parcels to inform them of the need for assisted living, etc. Update: The 2000 census have 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%. Detailed census information has not been released yet. Senior Commission Goals and Objectives January 18, 2002 Page 2 The city conducted a citywide survey to assess the needs of the community. The study concluded that senior needs revolve around lifecycle housing. Should the Senior Commission decide to pursue a senior focused needs study, staff will gather data on the cost of such studies. 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 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 currently working with Southwest Metro Transit investigating fixed routs that will connect seniors with commercial and medical establishments. The rout that was discussed with the transit provider extended the length of Coulter Boulevard and West 78th Street. 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. The commission wishes to move the senior center into the current library space. The rational is larger space and better parking. Senior Commission Goals and Objectives January 18, 2002 Page 3 4. Communication: ao Information And Referral / Senior Information 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. This goal also falls under Cost-Effective Quality Services. 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. 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. On going. o Senior Parking At Public Buildings: Ongoing. The Senior Commission contacts local businesses and request the installation of the signs at their parking lots. This goal is consistent with encouraging the participation of businesses in community events. On going. 6. Support: a. 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. b. Chanhassen Heritage Preservation c. Urgent Care Facilities d. Food shelf e. Inter-generational activities Senior Commission Goals and Objectives January 18, 2002 Page 4 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. On going. 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 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. On going. o Older American Month: Celebrate the month of May as Older American Month. Attached is a newsletter from Eden Prairie describing activities an~ programs that they are sponsoring. The Senior Commission wishes to implement a similar program in Chanhassen. On going.