Loading...
06/07/2005 . . . SEN!OR CENTER TASK FORCE MEETING M!NUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER June 7,2005 Present: Debra Shade Dr. William E. Haley Rachel Bryan Reverend Herb Freitag Dr. William E. Hale Mayme Hodges Lynne E. Robinson Ron Whitcomb Chair Vice-Chair - arrived 9:05 a.m. Task Force Member Task Force Member Task Force Member Task Force Member Task Force Member Task Force Member Absent: Evelyn R. Bethell Dolores (Dee) Fry Shirley Hill Moran David Nisivoccia Walt Schoenig Stuart Jonap Task Force Member Task Force Member Task Force Member Task Force Member Task Force Member Task Force Member Also present: Eleanor Breland Kathy Baird Dawn Lewellyn Brenda Moses Equity Services Director Senior Staff Assistant Recreation Supervisor - departed 10:47 a.m. Board Reporter The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. at the William E. Hale Activity Center, 330 Douglas Avenue, Dunedin. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 1 - Approval of Minutes of Mav 24. 2005 Meetino Task Force Member Freitag moved to approve the minutes or the regular meeting of May 24,2005, as submitted in written summation to each Task Force Member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 2 - Presentation: Oroanizational Structure and Financino of Senior Centers Peg Cummings, City of Dunedin Peg Cummings, with the City of Dunedin, reviewed the history of the William E. Hale Activity Center, a 3.2-acre 15,500 square-foot facility. She said Senator Latvala and Representative Crowwere instrumental in sponsoring a $600,000 grant for the center. She said the center was originally a shuffleboard court in 1939. In 1987, the facility was expanded through federal CDBG (Community Development Block grant) funds. In 1982, the City formed a Committee on Aging to study and assess senior issues. The center has four full-time employees, some temporary personnel, and an outstanding volunteer program. Thousands have used the computer lab. Task Force - Senior Center 2005-06-07 1 . The Leisure Services Department, a division of the City of Dunedin's Recreation Department, administers the center. The total proposed budget for FY (Fiscal Year) 2005/06 is $374,000 with revenues of $90,000. The facility is non-institutional in design and is a happy and welcoming place. Staff strives to ensure that the facility continues as an adult enrichment center with current programs and. activities. In response to a question, Ms. Cummings said the City of Dunedin had no budget to address senior issues prior to taking over the center in 1983/84. Prior to that, senior exercise and fitness programs were scheduled at mobile home parks and outreach centers. Jay Morgan, City of St. Petersburg Jay Morgan, City of St. Petersburg Office on Aging Manager, reviewed the history, administration, organization chart, programs, and services offered by the City of St. Petersburg's Office on Aging. He discussed community-based agencies, which support aging programs, and presented an organizational chart of that city's Recreation Department. . Mr. Morgan said the Senior Citizen Advisory Goals Committee, appointed in 1971, had recommended establishment of an Office on Aging, which was then established in 1973. The Office is a division of the Recreation Department under Leisure Services. The Office on Aging began as an information and referral office with two staff. When the Sunshine Center opened in 1977, staff expanded to 12. Later additions included the Pier Craft Shop, Sunshine Center courtyard expansion, and programs at the Enoch Davis Center, Azalea, Bay Vista, and Roberts adult centers. The Office of Aging lost several positions following the aftermath of September 11, 2001. St. Petersburg has been presented awards by the Florida Council on Aging's and the 2003 Eckerd Senior Expo. Mr. Morgan said currently, Office on Aging Community Services are offered at the Sunshine Center and at Enoch Davis. Both centers are designated as community focal points and have a primary focus to provide access to community services and social, recreation, and self-development opportunities. Both centers are located in lower income areas and most programs, activities, and services were designed for low cost and to maximize participation. Fees for classes are minimal or based on a sliding scale. He reviewed programs at the Enoch Davis and Sunshine centers. The Azalea Adult Recreation Center, Bay Vista Adult Recreation Center, and Roberts Adult Recreation Center, are located in higher income areas and primarily focus on fee generating classes and activities. . Mr. Morgan reported the Office on Aging sponsors/co-sponsors events annually which highlight senior opportunities and accomplishments including a job mart, Senior Hall of Fame Awards, Senior Center Promotion Bike Tour, Senior Computer Lab & Older Adult Computer Expos, etc. The Office on Aging offers a quarterly "Lunch & Learn" series and workshops on aging issues. Many participants are City employees with aging parents. The Office on Aging works with Federal, State, and local organizations to advocate for aging services programming. He reviewed Office on Aging responsibilities and staff participation in professional organizations. The Office on Aging is the liaison between City Administration and the Commission on Aging. In response to a question, Mr. Morgan said the centers rely on donations, as the City budget is insufficient to cover general operational expenses. The City budgets approximately $1.5 million annually for Office on Aging related expenses. He has an assistant and supervises five supervisors. Task Force - Senior Center 2005-06-07 2 . Mr. Morgan distributed organization charts for senior centers in Mesa; Arizona, and Chicago, Illinois. He recommended exploring other avenues for funds, in addition to city subsidies. The City of St. Petersburg has been very supportive of aging services. He recommended a neighborhood services department, rather than a recreation department, oversee an office on aging. Concern was expressed that locating senior services in the recreation department would create a perception that all related services are subsidized. Ms. Cummings said Dunedin's center offers resource information. That center's goal is provide a helping hand as well as social activities. Alzheimer support and bereavement groups also meet at the center. In response to a question, Mr. Morgan said the City of St. Petersburg has no statistics on the impact of senior service centers. Chair Shade reported that Neighborly Care Network statistics indicate that nutritional support and daycare keeps 65% of their clients out of nursing homes. Mr. Morgan said many lives have been extended by senior social programming and activities and many participants feel they have a second family. Concern was expressed that many do not want to attend senior center activities but prefer places that feel like a club. Some associate senior centers with adult daycare. Mr. Morgan said a national debate is considering what to call senior centers, as many do not know about all of the services provided. 3 - Report on June 2 City Council Presentation - Debra Shade and Dr. Halev . The Chair reported she and the Vice-Chair had presented the Task Force's recommendations to the City Council on June 2, 2005. She felt the City Council is supportive of the Task Force's role, but was unsure if they understood the Task Force's recommendation for an Office on Aging. The Vice-Chair reported the City Council did not comment on the recommendation. He said the Council needs to be educated regarding senior issues. The Chair said she had responded to a question by explaining the Area Agency of Aging's goal is to keep people from being institutionalized, and reported that a senior center could provide a host of services. Concern was expressed regarding the misperception that senior issues are addressed and are well-funded. It was hoped that an aging resource center could provide easy access. In response to a question, Equity Services Director Eleanor Breland reported she had received no feedback from the Council. She was directed to meet with Human Resources to start the process for a senior citizen staff position. Staff will have a job description developed in time for Council review during the budget process in July. The job description can be changed as necessary. Discussion ensued regarding the Task Force's meeting schedule. Concern was expressed that the City Council may not have enough information to determine if a senior center is needed. Task Force accomplishments were reviewed. It was noted funding is not available for an in-depth needs assessment of Clearwater's older population. It was commented that the Task Force cannot recommendation a location for a senior center until the city determines that there is a need for a senior center. Consensus was that the City of Clearwater needs an Office on Aging. . It was recommended if the Task Force supports a senior center, it must determine the type of center it should be and how it would be funded, etc. Task Force - Senior Center 2005-06-07 3 . Ms. Breland reported that staff must present cost estimates for an Office on Aging position and related costs, develop a job description, etc. before the Council considers the recommendation and makes a decision. Ms. Breland said the Task Force presented its. recommendation early due to the timing of the City's budget process. It was recommended that the Task Force educate the City Council regarding the types services offered by senior centers and eliminate any perception that addressing senior issues is easy if a recreation department exists. It was suggested the City could adopt the framework used by St. Petersburg, but that a central person is needed to manage the task. It was suggested that individual Task Force members forward information to Councilmembers related to aging issues, etc. and request the topic be agendaed. Ms. Breland said the Council wants as much information as possible, including Task Force input, before any decisions are made. Discussion ensued with comments that a needs assessment is necessary to know what taxpayers want, seniors are living longer, Clearwater does not consider itself an aging community due to its tourism, sports complexes, etc., the public is not informed about current programming, a senior center cannot be supported financially if it is not a priority, and people are unaware of this need. Concern was expressed that the Task Force is unsure if the City Council will financially support senior issues. It was suggested that a St. Petersburg Times staff writer be invited to meetings and be encouraged to write articles on senior population and issues. . Discussion ensued regarding the final report for the City Council. In response to a question, Ms. Breland suggested a senior center could be funded with Penny for Pinellas III funds. It was suggested if an Office on Aging brought together aii avaiiable resources, perhaps the City Council would support construction of a senior center. Ms. Breland said when the Mayor ran for office, he had indicated his desire to determine if a senior center is needed. It was remarked that the senior population provides a large economic impact. Task Force Member Freitag moved the Task Force's report be submitted with supportive documentation and information, and feature bullet points, and the Task Force's conclusions and recommendations. The motion was duly seconded. Discussion ensued regarding upcoming City Council procedure. Member Freitag amended his motion, adding that the Task Force would present a letter and report at the City COi.lncii Work Session and City Council meetings. The seconder agreed to the amendment. Upon the vote being taken, the amended motion carried unanimously. Discussion ensued regarding the report's outline. It was agreed that the outline will be developed on June 21, 2005. The final Task Force meeting is scheduled to finalize the report on August 2, 2005, at 11 :00 a.m. Task Force members can forward information outline, suggestions, etc. to Ms. Breland for distribution. 4 ~ Clearwater Parks and Recreation Senior Proarammina Statistics - Dawn Lewellvn . Recreation Supervisor Dawn Lewellyn departed the meeting prior to discussion of this topic. Task Force - Senior Center 2005-06-07 4 . . . 5 - Discussion/Questions 6 - Senior Center Tour 7 - Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 11 :26 a.m. A~ yj(L7n~ Board Reporter Task Force - Senior Center 2005-06-07 ~~ Chair / Senior Center Task Force 5