HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-20-2014 Senior Center CommissionThe
Center
IOWA CITY/JOHNSON COUNTY SENIOR CENTER
Agenda
Thursday February 20, 2014
4 p.m. — 5:30 p.m.
Room 205
Time
4 — 4:20 p.m.
1.
Introductions—Honohan
2.
Minutes (February 6, 2013)
3.
Public Discussion
4.
Commission Assignments—Honohan
✓ Commission Visits
Board of Supervisors—????
Call in advance to be placed on the agenda
1. Thursday February 30, March 6 at 9 a.m.
City Council—????
All meeting dates are tentative and should be checked prior to attending
1. Tuesday, March 4 at 7 p.m.--????
4:20
—4:45 p.m.
S.
Report on Ad Hoc Committee - Honohan
4:45
—4:50 p.m.
6.
Steering Council Report —Mitchell
4:51—
5:15 p.m.
7.
Operational Overview—Kopping
✓ Staff Reports
5:15
— 5:30 p.m.
8.
Commission Discussion—Honohan
✓ Board of Supervisors Report—
✓ City Council Report—Honohan
Meeting Packets:
1. Agenda: Thursday, February 20, 2014
2. Minutes from Thursday, February 6, 2013
3. Minutes from Thursday, January 9, 2013
Steering Council Meeting
4. Staff Reports
Preliminary Minutes
February 6, 2014
MINUTES
SENIOR CENTER COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 6, 2014
ROOM 205, IOWA CITYIJOHNSON COUNTY SENIOR CENTER
Members Present: Jay Honohan, Chuck Felling, Kathy Mitchell, Mark Holbrook,
Rose Hanson, Jack Hobbs
Members Absent: Margaret Reese
Staff Present: Linda Kopping, Michelle Buhman, Kristin Kromray, Craig
Buhman
Others Present:
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
As Commissioners, we believe it is within our role to offer the following
recommendation: As a first step in evaluating senior services, the Senior Center
Commission recommends that the Senior Center be authorized to proceed with a
professionally conducted, statistically valid assessment of the needs and
interests of all community members 50+ years of age with particular attention
focused on populations currently under -represented as participants in city -
provided services.
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Honohan at 4:00 PM.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JANUARY 30, 2014 MEETING:
Motion: To accept the minutes from the January 30, 2013 meeting. Motion
carried on a vote of 6/0. Hobbs/Mitchell.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None.
Preliminary Minutes
February 6, 2014
There was consensus among the Commission that if an Ad Hoc Committee was
needed it should follow a community wide survey which would indicate what
areas should be explored. Commissioners discussed ways to forward this idea
and their concerns to the City Council.
Honohan recommended that a short petition forwarded to the Council would be
more effective than a petition with a great number of details and information
regarding the activities of the Senior Center.
Commissioner Reese, by phone call, suggested that a short petition along the
lines recommended by Honohan be accompanied by an attachment regarding
the activities of the Senior Center.
Drafts of the two approaches were discussed and staff was directed to put them
in form as suggested by the commission for final approval by the commission
members on Friday. Approval of the draft to go to the Council would be by
approval of the majority of the commission.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion: To Adjourn. Motion carried on a vote of 6/0. Hobbs/Holbrook
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Memorandum ft2
Memorandum
To: Members of the City of Iowa City, City Council
Cc: City Manager
From: Members of the Senior Center Commission
Date: XXXXXXX
Re: Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
As a first step in evaluating senior services, the Senior Center Commission recommends that a that the
Senior Center be authorized to proceed with a professionally conducted, statistically valid assessment
of the needs and interests of community members 50+ years of age. This survey should target and
involve the populations currently under -represented as participants in city -provided senior services.
According to the Council resolution establishing the Senior Center Commission, Commissioners serve an
advisory role to the City Council. Other responsibilities include to encourage full participation by
senior citizens in the programs of the Senior Center; ensure that the Senior Center is effectively
integrated into the community and cooperates with organizations with common goals in meeting
the needs of senior citizens; serve in an advocacy role with regard to the needs of senior citizens
and make recommendations with regard to policies, rules, ordinances and budgets which affect the
programs and services of the Senior Center.
In an ongoing effort to improve the quality of our services, The Center staff conducted a survey in the
summer of 2013. It was a survey of people who were on The Center's mailing list by choice. It did
include members, former members and non-members, but each one had recently elected to be
maintained on the mailing list. This survey was completed by staff, with the assistance of a student
intern, on a limited budget.
Despite its limitations, the survey did point to some areas that The Commission, staff, and participant
leaders are concerned about and have been trying to address. The most significant being a lack of
income and racial diversity.
As Commissioners, we believe it is within our role to offer the following recommendation to explore the
delivery of senior services in the community.
As a first step in evaluating senior services, the Senior Center Commission recommends that a that the
Senior Center be authorized to proceed with a professionally conducted, statistically valid assessment
of the needs and interests of community members 50+years of age. This survey should target and
involve the populations currently under -represented as participants in city -provided senior services.
Respectfully Submitted,
Memorandum #2
Rose Hanson
Jay Honohan, Chair
Mark Holbrook
Chuck Felling
Kathy Mitchell
Jack Hobbs
Margaret Reese
Memorandum N3
Memorandum
To: Members of the City of Iowa City, City Council
Cc: City Manager
From: Members of the Senior Center Commission
Date: February 11, 2014
Re: Report and Recommendation Regarding the Creation of a City Council Appointed Ad Hoc
Committee to Consider the Provision of Senior Services
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
As a first step in evaluating senior services, the Senior Center Commission recommends that a that the
Senior Center be authorized to proceed with a professionally conducted, statistically valid assessment
of the needs and interests of community members 50+ years of age. This survey should target and
involve the populations currently under -represented as participants in city -provided senior services.
The Senior Center Commission
The Senior Center Commission is comprised of six City Council appointed commissioners and a seventh
Commissioner selected by the Council appointees to the Commission. The seventh Commissioner is a
non-resident of Iowa City who lives in Johnson County.
According to the Council resolution establishing the Senior Center Commission, responsibilities of the
Commission include the following:
• Serving an advisory role to the City
Council;
• Encouraging full participation by
senior citizens in the programs of the
Senior Center;
• Ensuring that The Center is integrated
into the community and cooperates
with similar organizations to meet the
• Serving in an advocacy role with
regard to the needs of senior citizens;
and
• Making recommendations with regard
to policies, rules, ordinances, and
budgets which affect the programs
and services of the Senior Center.
needs of senior citizens;
As Commissioners, we believe it is within our role to offer the following remarks and suggestions with
regards to the creation of an ad hoc committee to explore the delivery of senior services or the
reorganization of senior services in the community.
As a first step in evaluating senior services, the Senior Center Commission recommends that a that the
Senior Center be authorized to proceed with a professionally conducted, statistically valid assessment
of the needs and interests of community members 50+ years of age. This survey should target and
involve the populations currently under -represented as participants in city -provided senior services.
We make this recommendation based upon the results of a survey completed by the Senior Center in
June of 2013, the need for participant representation in the success of any venture of this sort, and the
Senior Center's longstanding commitment to change and diversification.
The June 2013 Survey
In an ongoing effort to improve the quality of our services, The Center staff conducted a survey in the
summer of 2013. This was not a community survey. It was a survey of people who were on The
Center's mailing list by choice. It did include members, former members and non-members, but each
one had recently elected to be maintained on the mailing list. This survey was completed by staff, with
the assistance of a student intern, on a limited budget.
Despite its limitations, the survey did point to some areas that the Commission, staff, and participant
leaders are concerned about and have been trying to address. The most significant being a lack of
income and racial diversity.
While the survey indicated the need for change, the direction, type, or extent of community -wide
change needed is unknown. Members of the Commission believe a community -wide needs and interest
assessment, targeting low-income and minority populations should be done. Further, this assessment
should be done professionally to produce statistically reliable and valid results and designed in a way
that targets and elicits the participation of low-income and minority seniors.
It is our considered opinion that creating a special committee to evaluate senior services is
counterproductive when there is a lack of solid information related to the needs and desires of the
particular groups of people the special committee would be set up to serve.
Participant Representation
Participant leadership has been a key factor in the 33 year success of the Senior Center. Seniors had
leadership roles in the creation of The Center, a majority of Senior Commission members are over 50
years, and 32 volunteers currently serve on leadership committees guiding the day-to-day direction of
the Center and its activities. In addition there are over 600 volunteers annually who help with
programming and services. Senior Center staff does not "do for' participants; they facilitate the
activities and interests of the participants.
The Senior Center has been successful for 33 years because it has responded to participant requests.
For a new system of services to work, the system needs to be built upon some valid and reliable
information about what the community wants. For our programs to be successful, the community
needs to be an active participant in the discussion.
Commitment to Change and Diversification
In 2010 the Senior Center Commission invited 23 people, including representatives from the staff,
Commission, City staff, and community to develop 5-year goals and objectives for The Center. Goal #3
is: To Increase cultural diversity among participants. Goal #4 is: To promote and environment of
inclusion.
Since that time many steps have been taken to increase diversity. Culturally diverse, intergenerational
and community programs are offered on a regular basis. The Center sponsors a regular Gay -Straight
Alliance Movie Series and is working towards recognition as a SAGE (Services and Advocacy for Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders) Affiliate. There is an ongoing effort to reach out to minority
populations with personal contacts and programs to encourage participation. This has included
attempts to offer some programs and services in Spanish and widespread promotion of the low-income
scholarship program.
Immediately following the completion of the Summer 2013 survey, the Commission supported two
departmental budget requests for FY15 to address issues identified in the survey. The first was a
request for funding to do a professionally conducted, statistically valid community -wide survey targeting
low-income and minority individuals to assess needs and interests. It was our belief that prior to
engaging in any program modifications or outreach activities, it was necessary to identify and work with
potential participants to identify needs and appropriate approaches. The second request was for a part-
time temporary program specialist. This person would be responsible for establishing connections and
working relationships in underserved neighborhoods, identifying neighborhood program sites (e.g.
churches, schools, and recreation department facilities), organizing and training volunteer instructors
and offering instruction at little or no cost to participants. Programming would be guided by the survey
results. Due to funding constraints, the first request was partially funded and the second was not
funded.
Working with available resources, Commissioners and staff continue to pursue goals of diversity and
inclusiveness. The staff has been asked to collect accurate demographic information from daily users of
The Center; conduct focus groups with current minority participants, and low-income senior housing
residents to discuss their experiences at The Center and identify their needs and interests; and to
explore program and service options targeting low-income seniors.
As Commission members we are proud to represent the Senior Center and the excellent work it is doing.
Still, we recognize that change is an essential component of a successful, forward looking and cost-
effective senior center. What does not change is the need to effectively and fairly identify the needs
and interests of the 50+ population and meet those needs with programs of excellence that are
delivered in a cost effective manner.
Members of the Commission suggest the logical first step in the assessment of senior services would be
to conduct an inclusive, professional, and statistically valid survey of people 50+ in our community. This
survey will be done by the end of 2014. With solid and valid information at hand we can make realistic,
workable action plans.
It is a reasonable first step that would lead to the provision of inclusive, and successful, senior services.
Respectfully Submitted, Date:
Jay Honohan, Chair Jack Hobbs
Chuck Felling
Kathy Mitchell
Rose Hanson Margaret Reese
Mark Holbrook
Minutes of the Senior Center Steering committee
January 9, 2014
Present: Kathy Mitchell, Chairperson; John Schmidt, Membership; Barry Bender, Outreach; Lorraine
Dorfman, Program; Linda Kopping, Staff Liaison; Michelle Buhman, Staff Liaison; Emily Light, Staff
Liaison; and Jeneva Ford, Secretary.
The meeting was called to order by Kathy at 10:45 A.M. The minutes of the last meeting were approved
as corrected.
Committee Reports
Membership Committee report by John:
• This committee did not meet this month due to the weather.
Outreach Committee report by Barry:
• This committee also did not meet this month.
Program Committee report for Lorraine:
• This committee did not meet this month, either.
Diversity Committee report by Diane:
• There was no reportforthis committee.
Commission Report by Kathy:
• Perhaps the 'penultimate' alcohol policy has been developed; a final version is anticipated in
2014. Jay requests a one-year test of the current version, subject to modification if results are
not as desired, with alcohol available only for member activities.
• The new vice chair is Chuck Felling, replacing Michael Lensing, who asked to withdraw.
Linda reported:
• She met with the City Council on Saturday, January 41h.
• The Center did not receive requested funding in the budget for 2014.
• The City Council will appoint a task force to study optimum methods to deliver senior services.
Michelle reported:
• Erin Robinson, a PHD candidate, will work with the Center for 10 hours a week this Spring.
• The program guide for Spring is progressing but has been sidelined lately due to pressure of
other matters.
• On March 251h, we will welcome a visit by Colin Milner, from the International Council on Active
Aging (ICAA). His area of interest is "age -friendly environments." He will speak on "Redefining
Aging."
• Volunteers met again concerning the project initiated by Tom Pickering to gather brief senior
stories in their own words. It is agreed that these will be vocal only, recorded, and made
available for the senior to share with family and friends. The volunteers will meet again in
February to refine the details and work on interviewing skills.
Michelle and Emily have been interviewing the subjects of the "Images" project.
Emily reported:
• Starting on January 21", Ashley Vreugdenhil will begin her internship. She will work on
coordinating the health screening event which is scheduled for April.
• Income Tax services will be available through AARP to seniors in the general public, beginning in
February in Senior Center Room 209.
With no old business brought forward, nor new business, nor items not on the agenda, the meeting was
adjourned at 11:35 A.M. The next meeting will be on February 13, 2014, at 10:45 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeneva Ford, Secretary
02/19/2014 11:05 (CITY OF IOWA CITY IPG 1
KKromray YEAR TO DATE REPORT glytdbud
FOR 2014 08
ACCOUNTS FOR:
ORIGINAL
REVISED
AVAILABLE
PCT
10570100 Senior Center Administrations
APPROP
BUDGET
YTD ACTUAL
MTD ACTUAL
ENCUMBRANCES
BUDGET
USED
336110
Johnson County
-59,215
-59,215
-29,612.00
.00
.00
-29,603.00
50.0%
346400
Lessons
-3,183
-3,183
-597.00
.00
.00
-2,586.00
18.8%
346500
Entry Fees
-2,220
-2,220
-55.00
.00
.00
-2,165.00
2.5%
346600
Membership Fees
-50,570
-50,570
-38,179.00
-1,973.00
.00
-12,391.00
75.5%
346700
Special Events
-454
-454
.00
.00
.00
-454.00
.0%
348900
Charges for Services
-16,698
-16,698
-2,036.75
.00
.00
-14,661.25
12.2%
356200
Permit Parking
0
0
-18,270.00
-360.00
.00
18,270.00
100.0%
362100
Contrib & Donations
-40,000
-40,000
-39,336.38
-254.00
.00
-663.62
98.3%
363910
Misc Sale of Merchandise
-12,491
-12,491
-4,787.44
-30.54
.00
-7,703.56
38.3%
369100
Reimb of Expenses
-27,500
-27,500
-2,227.88
-120.08
.00
-25,272.12
8.1%
382200
Building/Room Rental
-403
-403
-440.00
-180.00
.00
37.00
109.2%
382400
Locker Rentals
-1,136
-1,136
-1,036.00
-68.00
.00
-100.00
91.2%
383320
Permit Parking
-22,000
-22,000
.00
.00
.00
-22,000.00
.0%
384200
Vending Machine Commission
-299
-299
-166.89
.00
.00
-132.11
55.8%
393910
Misc Transfers In
-2,500
-2,500
.00
.00
.00
-2,500.00
.0%
TOTAL Senior Center Administratio
-238,669
-238,669
-136,744.34
-2,985.62
.00
-101,924.66
57.3%
TOTAL REVENUES
-238,669
-238,669
-136,744.34
-2,985.62
.00
-101,924.66
Current Members as of 2/19/2014 = 1588