11-20-2020CHANHASSEN SENIOR COMMISSION MINUTES
November 20, 2020
MEMBERS PRESENT AT THE SENIOR CENTER: none
MEMBERS PRESENT via ZOOM: Jerry Cerchia, David Crouch, Lisa Lyons, Ruth
Lunde, Bhakti Modi, Mack Titus, Dorina Tipton, Linda Haight.
MEMBERS ABSENT: none
STAFF PRESENT: Sharmeen Al-Jaff, Mary Blazanin
Approval of Agenda:
Chairman Cerchia asked to move Item #4. Annual Goals Review, to the November Senior
Commission meeting. Commissioner Titus moved to approve the Agenda with the change.
Commissioner Lyons seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Senior Commission Minutes:
The section of the minutes pertaining to Age Well at Home was amended to read “Age Well
at Home” Pat Lund from Habitat from Humanity presented Habitat’s mission, demographics,
how Habitat helps homeowners live longer in their homes, types of modifications and average
cost per project. Pat identified the Healthcare Partnerships and hoped Habitat could be
embedded with other Healthcare providers in future. Habitat can only consider
recommendation from current Healthcare partners at this time and only from individuals
whose income does not exceed $40K+ per annum. Habitat's Age Well at Home program
serves those whose incomes are up to 60% of Area Median Income. Sharmeen Al-Jaff
distributed a brochure of a Rehabilitation Loan Program that works with local lenders to
provide affordable home improvement loans to low-income homeowners. This brochure was
distributed to inform the commission members of the availability of the program and because
it defines low-income.
Commissioner Haight moved to approve the Minutes. Commissioner Titus seconded the
motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
New Process for Vetting/Interviewing future Senior Commission Applicants:
Draft Criteria/Qualities for Senior Commissioners were tabled. Commissioners were asked
to discuss and become prepared with recommendations and potential questions during the
December meeting. Final document to be used by Sr Commission interviewees and by City
Council to be asked at future interviews for Sr commission interviews in January.
Annual Goals Review:
Discussion was moved to December meeting.
Commission Task Force report on recommendations for driving the “Information,
Education and Outreach” goal.
Commissioner Crouch, Modi and Lyons reported that they are still preparing their
recommendations and will provide updates as soon as all information to be included on the
website is available for review. The resources and information will continue to be updated
as this will remain a “live” document and new information surfaces and requires inclusion.
Commissioner Modi stated that she will start digitizing materials as she receives them from city
staff.
Housing Options for Seniors:
Commissioner Lunde presented and educated the Sr Commission on various housing
available in Carver County with special emphasis on Chanhassen. Commissioner Lunde
spoke about “Need”, “Seniors Blue Book” and “Housing Opportunities” to be considered in
the future. Given the statistics available through Census and other resources, the role of the
Sr Commission is to encourage City Council to understand the housing options for seniors in
the future.
Chairman Cerchia initiated a “Housing Options for Seniors” task force that will be headed
by Commissioner Lunde, and also include Commissioners Titus and Haight.
Their job will be to bring ideas and recommendations to the team for moving and shaping
this initiative.
Senior Commission Comments:
Commissioner Titus asked whether the Sr Commission can request Chanhassen City Council
to inform us the survey results. Sharmeen Al-Jaff provided the commissioners with the
survey information.
Sharmeen Al-Jaff reminded commissioners of their role when speaking with the public. We
can communicate as private citizens, but we cannot communicate on behalf of the Sr
Commission. That is the role of City Council.
Adjournment:
Chairman Cerchia called for meeting adjournment. Commissioner Titus moved to adjourn;
Commissioner Haight seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Prepared and submitted by Sharmeen Al-Jaff