04-26-2019CHANHASSEN SENIOR COMMISSION MINUTES
April 26, 2019
MEMBERS PRESENT: Barbara Nevin, Jerry Cerchia, Mack Titus, Carol Buesgens, Lisa
Lyon, Ruth Lunde, Bhakti Modi, Dorina Tipton.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Sharmeen Al-Jaff, Mary Blazinin.
GUESTS PRESENT: Dawn Plummer, Carver County Office of Aging, and Holly Kranz,
Carver County Public Health.
Commissioner Nevin called meeting to order.
Approval of Agenda:
Commissioner Cerchia moved to approve the Agenda. Commissioner Titus seconded the
motion. All voted in favor.
Senior Commission Minutes:
Chairwoman Nevin called for approval of September minutes. Commissioner Titus moved
to approve. Commissioner Cerchia seconded the motion. All voted in favor.
Election of Officers:
Commissioner Nevin called for Chair and Vice Chair nominations. Commissioner Titus
nominated Commissioner Cerchia for Chair. Commissioner Nevin self-nominated for Vice
Chair. All voted unanimously in favor.
Approval of By-Laws:
Chairman Cerchia called for motion to approve By-Laws. Commissioner Nevin made a
motion to approve the By-Laws, Commissioner Tipton seconded the motion. All voted in
favor.
Appointment of Advisory Board Representative:
Ruth Lunde was appointed new liaison to Advisory Board.
July 4th events:
Staff prepared a list of typical tasks to prepare for the 4th of July Bingo event.
Commissioners volunteered to be assigned tasks such as:
Commissioner Buesgens: Number Calling
Commissioner Titus: Retrieve the numbers and hand them to Commissioner Buesgens.
Commissioner Modi: Assist with setup of microphone and speakers.
Any member available on the 3rd will assist in hanging posters or anything else that might
be needed.
Act on Alzheimer’s Update:
• Staff prepared a list of typical tasks to prepare for the 3rd of July Alzheimer’s table
which include:
o Reserve table
o Insure all brouchours and organized and ready for the event
o Organize the giveaway baskets
o ACT on Alzheimer’s Display packed and ready to be transported.
• Byerlys sponsored Health and Wellness Fair planning for June 22nd finalized.
Commissioner Tipton will tend to the table.
• Chanhassen Library Stand promoting Alzheimer’s Awareness finalized for
September, October and November. Commissioner Tipton will tend to the table.
• Chairman Cerchia and Commissioner Tipton are working with city staff Mary
Blazinin and Sharmeen Al-Jaff to plan a timetable for the opening of a memory café.
The opening is tentatively planned for late September/early October launch.
Recap of Goals and Objectives/Joint Session with City Council:
Sharmeen Al-Jaff received positive comments from City Council on Senior Commissions’
accomplishments.
Chairman Cerchia spoke of the communication issues in reaching seniors. Commissioner
Mohdi expressed a desire to be part of the initiative (yet to be developed) on senior
communication. No specific action was directed, as it was an exploratory discussion.
Chairman Cerchia spoke of the need to identify and help SOLO seniors. He addressed
Commissioner Lunde, who has current experience as a home companion, through Lutheran
Services. Chairman Cerchia asked her if she thought it would be possible, in the future, to
put together a team of volunteers, that could be properly vetted by Lutheran Services, and
work under her guidance to further expand the help reach to solo seniors. No specific action
was directed. It was an opening discussion on the topic.
Arbor Day Invitation:
2019 Arbor Day tree planting will take place at Rice Marsh Lake on May 4.
Memorial Day:
Memorial Day celebrations to take place on May 27 at City Center Park, followed by lunch
provided by Lions. Donations received will go to Diversion Court. Commissioners Nevin,
Lunde, and Tipton will participate.
Senior Commission Comments:
None
Adjournment:
Chairman Cerchia called for meeting adjournment. Commissioner Tipton moved to
adjourn; Commissioner Buesgens seconded the motion. All voted in favor.
Prepared by and submitted by Sharmeen Al-Jaff