HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-21-23 Commission PacketIf you will need disability related accommodations to participate in this program or event, please contact
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Senior Center Commission
Thursday, December 21, 2023
4 PM
Iowa City Senior Center
Agenda
1. Introductions/Welcome—A. McConville
2. Minutes (October 19, 2023)
3. Public Discussion for items not on the agenda
4. Visiting Nurses Association Presentation– Sara Caven and Sara Krieger
5. Operational Overview—L. DeLoach
Senior Center programming update
Senior Center facility update
6. Commission Discussion— A. McConville
Senior Center master plan discussion
City owned lot on Linn St update
Johnson County Board of Supervisors Presentation
Executive Committee Nominations and Voting
Commissioner’s report of community correspondence
Future agenda Items
7. Adjourn
**Next meeting is Thursday, January 18 at 4 PM **
Meeting Packet Contents:
1. Agenda: Thursday, December 21, 2023
2. Minutes: Senior Center Commission, Thursday, October 19, 2023
Preliminary Minutes
October 19, 2023
1
MINUTES
SENIOR CENTER COMMISSION
October 19, 2023
Assembly Room, Iowa City Senior Center
Members Present: Lee McKnight, Warren Paris, Jay Gilchrist, Nancy Ostrognai,
Angela McConville
Members Absent: Susan Mellecker, Tasha Lard
Staff Present: Kristin Kromray, LaTasha DeLoach, Sarah Gardner
Others Present: None
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Gilchrist at 4:00 PM.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE SEPTEMBER 21, 2023, MEETING:
Motion: To accept the minutes from the September 21, 2023. Motion carried
on a vote of 5/0. Gilchrist/McKnight
PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
None.
CLIMATE ACTION COORDINATOR PRESENTATION:
Sarah Gardner discussed several of the Climate Action office’s initiatives and
programs including Iowa City’s greenhouse gas audit, partnership with Americorp
for home energy audits, Spot the Hot, Energy Blitz, Solar initiatives on public and
private buildings, EV charging station grants focusing on apartment buildings, the
fare free pilot for buses, and the Climate Action newsletter. Gilchrist asked about
energy audits for the Senior Center. Gardner noted that as a historic building it
was one of the lowest ranking buildings in the City. Upcoming exterior projects
are anticipated to help with this. McKnight asked when the entire bus fleet will be
electric. Currently the City has 4 electric buses and soon due to grant funding will
increase to 8. The City is planning a new bus transit hub which will take some
years to complete, but it will be a zero carbon site and will allow for all buses to
be electric. Gilchrist asked about community solar. Gardner stated that it is not
Preliminary Minutes
October 19, 2023
2
currently allowable by the state and discussed ways to communicate the desire
for this type of solar.
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW:
DeLoach noted the pre-bid for the exterior work occurred this week. The exterior
work has been split into two parts due to the bonding of the CIP funds. Masonry
work and tuckpointing will occur first. The second bid will be the buildings
windows.
The Senior Center purchased a balance machine and is partnering with the VNA
on working with members on using it to measure their balance.
There will be a new member lunch on November 8th. Commissioners were invited
to attend.
The Senior Center is starting a new volunteer program called Senior Center
Ambassadors. These volunteers will be greeters, give tours, and distribute
program guides.
The Senior Center has been given the go ahead to pilot evening and weekend
hours. There are currently two hourly positions being advertised. The extended
hours will potentially start in December.
DeLoach reported the music groups have grown significantly in recent months.
Additionally, the Queer Elders and Original Mature Groovers are continuing to
meet regularly. The Original Mature Groovers will be hosting a Black Iowans
Gala on February 3rd at the Senior Center. The inaugural Friends of the Senior
Center pickleball tournament held last month was successful.
Heather Shane was hired as the part time Development Specialist and started in
September.
COMMISSION DISCUSSION:
Gilchrist asked where the funds for the exterior project are coming from.
DeLoach stated that the exterior funds are all public funds through bonds or
funds the City has set aside for these projects. It is possible that there will be
fundraising for interior projects down the road.
Ostrognai reported that a community member approached her about the
possibility of the Senior Center utilizing the City owned vacant lot across the
street from the Senior Center. DeLoach noted the City Council will ultimately
decide what happens with that property. Ostrognai asked if it would be helpful to
encourage community members to write to the City Council. DeLoach said that
would be an option and stated that Commissioners could also choose to come to
Preliminary Minutes
October 19, 2023
3
a consensus for a suggestion and submit a memo to City Council. As a staff
member DeLoach noted that she does not have an opinion on this, but her role is
to support the Commission in this type of matter. Ostrognai stated that the idea of
the lot remaining green space is appealing and would like the Commission to
consider this. McConville asked Ostrognai to do research into what the City
Council is currently thinking regarding that space and report back. Once
additional information is collected Commissioners can discuss and consider a
formal suggestion to City Council. Paris noted the City will be using that location
as construction staging for the Senior Centers exterior work and other downtown
construction projects in the short term.
McConville noted Commission terms will be up at the end of this year for
Ostrognai and Melleker. According to the by-laws they will make up the
Nomination Committee for the Commission executive committee. Voting for
these positions should be put on the December commission agenda.
Meeting Adjourned.
Preliminary Minutes
October 19, 2023
4
Senior Center Commission Attendance Record
Name Term Expires 11/17/22 12/15/22 1/19/23 2/16/23 3/16/23 4/20/23 5/18/23 6/15/23 7/20/23 8/17/23 9/21/23 10/20/23
Jay
Gilchrist
12/31/25 -- -- NM NM O/E NM O/E X X X X X
Tasha
Lard
12/31/24 NM NM NM NM X NM X O X O X O
Angela
McConville 12/31/24 NM NM NM NM X NM X X X O/E X X
Lee
McKnight
12/31/24 -- -- -- -- X NM O/E X X X X X
Susan
Mellecker
12/31/23 -- -- NM NM X NM X X X O/E X O/E
Nancy
Ostrognai
12/31/23 -- -- -- -- -- -- X OE X X X X
Warren
Paris
12/31/25 -- -- NM NM O NM X X X X X X
Key: X =Present O =Absent O/E =Absent/Excused NM =No meeting -- = Not a member