HomeMy WebLinkAbout3-16-23 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
Thursday, March 16, 2023
4 PM
Senior Center Assembly Room
Agenda
1. Introductions/Welcome—A. McConville
2. Minutes (October 20, 2022)
3. Public Discussion for items not on the agenda
4. Public Policy Center Survey Presentation and Discussion – T. Heeren and E. Cooper
5. Operational Overview—DeLoach
Senior Center programming update
Senior Center master plan update
6. Commission Discussion— A. McConville
Senior Center master plan discussion
Nomination for Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary
Commissioner’s report of community correspondence
Future agenda Items
7. Adjourn
**Next meeting is Thursday, April 20 at 4 PM **
Meeting Packet Contents:
1. Agenda: Thursday, March 16, 2023
2. Minutes: Senior Center Commission, Thursday, October 20, 2022
3. Community Correspondence
Preliminary Minutes
October 20, 2022
1
MINUTES
SENIOR CENTER COMMISSION
October 20, 2022
Assembly Room, Iowa City Senior Center
Members Present: Tasha Lard, Angela McConville, Karen Page, Paula
Vaughan, Paula Vaughan
Members Absent: Doug Korty, Jeannie Beckman
Staff Present: Kristin Kromray, LaTasha DeLoach
Others Present:
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by McConville at 4:00 PM.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 MEETING:
Motion: To accept the minutes from the September 15, 2022. Motion carried
on a vote of 5/0. Vaughan/Vogal
PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
None.
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW:
DeLoach reported the feedback from the new logo and rebrand has been
positive. The commission discussed putting the word senior back into the Iowa
City Senior Center’s name. She noted that she and staff felt it was both important
to include the location since it is where we are located (but not limiting to who the
Senior Center serves) and to be descriptive. She also noted that many people
have thought that “The Center” was not descriptive enough. This change clears
up any ambiguity.
DeLoach noted the ongoing work in Senior Center programming related to
diversity, equity, and inclusion. Recently she has looked at offsetting cost for
programming to low-income members to make it easier for people to participate
in classes that might have associated costs for materials. DeLoach noted that
Preliminary Minutes
October 20, 2022
2
Tamarack school, located next to the Senior Center has been utilizing space in
the building recently. Next year a small Spanish language school for elementary
aged children will be renting space in the building.
Staff has been working on submitting the budget for FY24. The exterior building
renovations is in the planning phase and work is anticipated to begin late
spring/summer. The community wide survey discussed last month will be coming
out shortly. The feasibility study for a capitol campaign will begin in the spring.
Kromray reviewed the minor change to the policies in this month’s commission
packet.
Motion: To accept changes to the Budget, Revenue, and Expenses Policy.
Vogal/Page 5/0
Motion: To accept changes to the Code of Conduct Policy. Vaughan/Lard
5/0
Motion: To accept changes to the Community Use of Senior Center Space.
Vogal/Vaughan 5/0
Motion: To accept changes to the Discounted Parking Options and
Restrictions. Lard/Vaughan 5/0.
COMMISSION DISCUSSION:
McConville noted that there will be two commission terms expiring at the end of
the year. She encouraged people to reapply if they are interested in continuing
on the commission.
Motion: To Adjourn.
Preliminary Minutes
October 20, 2022
3
Senior Center Commission Attendance Record
Name Term Expires 11/18/21 12/16/21 1/21/22 2/17/22 3/17/22 4/21/22 5/19/22
6/16/22 7/21/22 8/18/22 9/15/22 10/20/22
Jeannie Beckman 12/31/22 X O/E X NM X X NM X X NM X O/E
Victoria (Susan)
Carroll 12/31/24 -- -- X NM X -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Lorraine Dorfman 12/31/21 X X -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Zach
Goldsmith 12/31/21 X X -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Douglas
Korty 12/31/24 -- -- O/E NM X X NM X O/E NM O/E O/E
Tasha
Lard
12/31/24 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- O/E X
Angela
McConville 12/31/24 X X X NM X X NM X X NM X X
Karen
Page 12/31/23 -- -- -- -- X O/E NM X X NM O/E X
Paula
Vaughan 12/31/22 X X X NM X O/E NM X X NM X X
Linda
Vogel
12/31/23 X O/E X NM X X NM X O/E NM X X
Key: X = Present O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused NM = No meeting -- = Not a member
To: Iowa City Senior Center Commission December 8, 2022
Re: Input regarding Senior Center Plans and Goals
In 1981, Bette Meisel and I helped to open the Senior Center after considerable input and
planning by the City of Iowa City, Johnson County Board of Supervisors and older community
members. The location had been carefully studied and met two important goals of the City and
Council of Elders, a representative advisory group. First, the Center would serve as another
key “anchor” venue in the downtown area, along with the Public Library, Robert A. Lee
Recreation Center, and the Ped Mall. These entities were envisioned as “destinations” for
residents of various ages that would promote greater interaction of diverse groups of citizens,
facilitate and increase use of the city-supported services and local businesses, and spur the
overall vitality of the downtown area. The transportation services, including the central
municipal bus exchange, the SEATS agency, and planned parking ramps, all were seen as
supporting the Senior Center and downtown revitalization. Importantly, housing for older adults
was being built in the downtown area (and still exists today) to further support the engagement
and contributions of older folks in their community.
The second goal, like the first, continues to be very relevant today. The downtown location was
intended to help keep older adults engaged and provide positive visibility in the larger
community. Too often, older adults are segregated, isolated, and limited as full community
participants. The Center’s proximity to the downtown and diverse populations contributes to
the City’s desired goals of inclusivity, citizen engagement, and a thriving community. Yes, the
so-called “Greatest Generation” that Bette and I served is dwindling fast, and “Baby Boomers”
are surging into that life stage. Needs, interests, and expectations are different, and the Senior
Center is working to adapt and respond. Consideration also should be given to the well-being
of Ecumenical Tower residents and other older adults living in downtown housing if the Senior
Center is relocated out of that area. What hasn’t changed, in my view, are the original goals
and vision that brought the Senior Center to its downtown location, and those are the reasons
it should remain there.
Lori Benz
2012 Dunlap Ct.
Iowa City, IA