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Home My WebLink About11-19-2020 Commission packetIf you will need disability related accommodations to participate in this program or event, please contact LaTasha DeLoach at latasha-deloach@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5225. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. Senior Center Commission Agenda Thursday, November 19, 2020 Electronic Meeting - 4 PM ZOOM MEETING PLATFORM 1. Introductions/Welcome—S. Finlayson 2. Minutes (August 20, 2020) 3. Public Discussion for items not on the agenda 4. Operational Overview—Staff  Senior Center operations update Electronic Meeting (Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8) An electronic meeting is being held because a meeting in person is impossible or impractical due to concerns for the health and safety of Commission members, staff and the public presented by COVID-19. You can participate in the meeting and can comment on an agenda item by going to https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIodOmpqT4vGtaRaVh5E7HZfSPIghTHeFmZ via the internet to visit the Zoom meeting’s registration page and submit the required information. Once approved, you will receive an email message with a link to join the meeting. If you are asked for a meeting or webinar ID, enter the ID number found in the email. A meeting password may also be included in the email. Enter the password when prompted. If you have no computer or smartphone, or a computer without a microphone, you may call in by telephone by dialing (312) 626-6799. When prompted, enter the meeting or webinar ID. The ID number for this meeting is: 965 3017 5502. Once connected, you may dial *9 to “raise your hand,” letting the meeting host know you would like to speak. Providing comments in person is not an option. If you will need disability related accommodations to participate in this program or event, please contact LaTasha DeLoach at latasha-deloach@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5225. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. 5. Commission Discussion— S. Finlayson  Senior Center Master Plan discussion  Executive Committee election discussion  Future Agenda Items 6. Adjourn **Next meeting is Thursday, December 17 at 4 PM ** Meeting Packet Contents: 1. Agenda: Thursday, November 19, 2020 2. Minutes: Senior Center Commission, Thursday, August 20, 2020 3. Community correspondence Preliminary Minutes August 20, 2020 1 MINUTES SENIOR CENTER COMMISSION August 20, 2020 ELECTRONIC Formal Meeting ZOOM MEETING Platform Members Present: Lorraine Dorfman, Zach Goldsmith, Angela McConville, George Nelson, Paula Vaughan Members Absent: Linda Vogel, Scott Finlayson Staff Present: LaTasha DeLoach, Kristin Kromray Others Present: None Electronic Meeting (Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8) An electronic meeting was held because a meeting in person was impossible or impractical due to concerns for the health and safety of council members, staff, and the public presented by COVID-19. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by McConville at 4:12 PM. RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE JULY 16, 2020 MEETING: Motion: To accept the minutes from the July 16, 2020 meeting. Motion carried on a vote of 5/0. Vaughn/Goldsmith PUBLIC DISCUSSION: None. OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW: DeLoach reported the September program guide will be available next week. She highlighted a handful of programs including 1840-1850’s buildings in Iowa City, a virtual ice cream social for grandparent’s day, “So You Think You Want to Talk about Race” book discussion, and programming for Latin American Heritage month. Preliminary Minutes August 20, 2020 2 The consultants working on the building assessment continue to assess the building and meet with staff. DeLoach believes in the next few months she will be looking for input from commissioners. DeLoach thanked the Commission for their letter of gratitude for the Senior Center staff. Nelson stated that he did not agree with the letter. He feels staff is doing a minimum of their jobs now that the Senior Center building is closed, and programming is virtual, and they are not doing a anything beyond what is expected of them. He stated he worked at the University of Iowa and no one ever wrote him a thank you letter for doing his job so therefore he would not extend that to Senior Center staff. Additionally, he felt that he was not consulted on the letter. Moreover, he feels decisions regarding the Senior Center are not asked of the Commission and DeLoach makes executive decisions and does not ask for the approval of the Commission. He was also upset that the Commission was not consulted in the decision to extend Senior Center membership expiration dates out two months. He feels the policies the Commission were asked to approve in previous months were only to protect the Senior Center from being litigated. He said the previous coordinator had shown him the policy handbook at one point and he believes her only motivation was to keep the Senior Center from being sued. He noted that he still feels this way but coordinator DeLoach did seem to have more interests. He is also disappointed in the City’s response to the storm collection and opposes having to bundle debris and cut tree limbs to a certain length. Lastly, he noted if the proposed renovations to the Senior Center are very expensive perhaps the building should be in a different location. McConville asked if Nelson would like his name removed from the letter. He responded that he would. McConville stated as an employee of North Liberty she could speak to her experience during the pandemic and noted that all procedures and normalcy were gone. She noted it is hard to work from home during this time and that there was nothing easy about it. Additionally, she noted her appreciation for Senior Center staff. Dorfman said she felt the letter was very nice and she agreed it was a positive way to thank staff. Dorfman also stated the role of the Commission is as an advisory board, not as an executive board. McConville noted the purpose of the Senior Center Commission can be found on the city’s website (https://www.icgov.org/city-government/boards/seniorcenter-commssion). McConville added another of the role of Commissioners is to speak about the Senior Center to City Council, the Board of Supervisors, and the public about the Senior Center. Preliminary Minutes August 20, 2020 3 Vaughn thought the letter was very well written and agreed with it. Goldsmith asked Nelson that even if he did not completely agree with how everything is done at the Senior Center wouldn’t he like to extend some kindness to the Senior Center staff during this difficult time. Nelson reiterated he would not like his name on the letter. Nelson raised concerns about the City’s budget and if this was the right time for the City to spend money on the Senior Center’s building plan. DeLoach noted that things could change in the future but at the moment the City is moving forward with getting a master plan together for the Senior Center building. Currently there is CIP money in place for some renovations. Depending on the cost of all renovations it will likely take many years to fulfill all priorities and changes to the building. DeLoach also noted that she is choosing to stay optimistic during this time. She wants to assist staff in moving forward with plans because she believes it is the best way to be a positive leader. Nelson noted he does not think he will renew his Senior Center membership since he cannot go to the building currently. He does not think the virtual programs will be good long term and that there are seniors who are unable to afford internet and devices. McConville noted there are other area resources to help people without internet. Additionally, she noted the Senior Center calling members at the beginning of the pandemic and having phone in ability on virtual programs. Nelson stated he had received two different requests for absentee ballots. Vaughn suggested he reach out to the county auditor’s office for clarification. DeLoach said she thought it would be a good programming idea to have someone from the auditor’s office do a program regarding the upcoming election. COMMISSION DISCUSSION: Commissioners asked that an update on the consults be added to the agenda each month. McConville asked if the Senior Center could send out information about the Solarize Johnson County initiative. Motion: To Adjourn. Preliminary Minutes August 20, 2020 4 Senior Center Commission Attendance Record Name Term Expires 9/19/19 10/17/19 11/21/19 12/19/19 1/16/20 2/20/20 3/19/20 4/16/20 5/22/20 6/18/20 7/16/20 8/20/20 Kenn Bowen 12/31/19 NM NM NM X -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Lorraine Dorfman 12/31/21 NM NM NM X X X NM X X NM X X Robert (Scott) Finlayson 12/31/20 NM NM NM X X X NM X X NM X O/E Zach Goldsmith 12/31/21 NM NM NM X X X NM X X NM X X Angela McConville 12/31/21 NM NM NM X X X NM X X NM O/E X George Nelson 12/31/22 -- -- -- -- X X NM X X NM X X Paula Vaughan 12/31/22 -- -- -- -- O/E X NM X X NM X X Linda Vogel 12/31/20 -- -- -- -- X X NM X X NM X X Hiram (Rick) Webber 12/31/19 NM NM NM O/E -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Key: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused NM = No meeting -- = Not a member