06-19-2020CHANHASSEN SENIOR COMMISSION MINUTES
June 19, 2020
MEMBERS PRESENT via ZOOM: Jerry Cerchia, Bhakti Modi, Ruth Lunde,
Mack Titus, Lisa Lyon, Dorina Tipton, Linda Haight, David Crouch.
MEMBERS ABSENT: none
STAFF PRESENT: Sharmeen Al-Jaff, Mary Blazanin.
GUESTS PRESENT: none
Approval of Agenda:
Commissioner Titus moved to approve the Agenda. Commissioner Lyon seconded the
motion. All singly voted in favor.
Senior Commission Minutes:
Commissioner Titus moved to approve the Minutes. Commissioner Lyon seconded the
motion. All singly voted in favor.
Election of Officers: Mack Titus nominated Commissioner Cerchia as Chair.
Commissioner Tipton seconded the motion. All singly voted in favor.
Commissioner Tipton nominated Commissioner Lunde for Vice Chair; Commissioner
Cerchia seconded the motion. All singly voted in favor.
Appointment of Advisory Board Representative:
Current Commissioner Lunde stated that she wanted to give another Commissioner the
opportunity to work with the Advisory Board. Commissioner Height expressed
interest in the position. Chairman Cerchia appointed Commissioner Height as the
Advisory Board Representative.
4th of July Bingo Event:
Sharmeen Al-Jaff provided explanation due to COVID 19 pandemic 2020 Bingo Event
was cancelled. Decision was primarily due to popularity and difficulty in social
distancing. Additionally, it would be impossible to sanitize all bingo cards and keep
public safe.
ACT on Alzheimer’s Update:
a. July 3rd Promotional Table Cancelled – same reasons mentioned for cancellation
of 4th of July Bingo Event, the promotional table where significant interaction
with the public occurred and Alzheimer’s material sanitation would be difficult
to be contained.
b. Dementia Friends Training – Commissioner Tipton stated that she had
conducted two Dementia Friends Training sessions
1. March 12 at Union Place, Excelsior MN where 10 people participated
2. March 25 via ZOOM where 3 people from Centra Pro Painters
participated.
c. Memory Café – The Maple Corner Café officially cancelled all future meetings
during COVID 19 to ensure our vulnerable senior population was kept safe.
Mary Blazanin has been creating activity kits to distribute to caregivers and
other vulnerable seniors to ensure they are not suffering distress during their
isolation. Connecting with Caregivers and Vulnerable Seniors has been a high
priority and all Senior Commissioners have been involved in maintaining this
connection.
Commissioner Tipton mentioned that The Maple Corner Café was now listed in
the national Memory Café Directory. This will enable caregivers and anyone
with memory loss to attend/join meeting in person when memory cafés re-open
when it is safe following COVID 19.
2020 Goals and Objectives:
Commissioner Cerchia provided overview on how the senior commissions sets annual
goals and presents them to Chanhassen City Council where they are reviewed and
approved. He also spoke directly as to what our major focus will be ,,,Aging in place..
Draft Onboarding Document:
Sharmeen Al-Jaff distributed the draft Onboarding Document to ensure all new Senior
Commissioners are aware of Commission By Laws, how we operate together as a
team, how decisions are made collectively, the projects the commission members
participates in, and how we develop the annual strategic plan.
Senior Commission Comments:
None
Adjournment:
Chairman Cerchia called for meeting adjournment. Commissioner Titus moved to
adjourn; Commissioner Lyon seconded the motion. All singly voted in favor.
Prepared and submitted by Sharmeen Al-Jaff