HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 09-03/
OSHKOSH COMMITTEE ON AGING (COA) MINUTES
September 3, 2013
PRESENT: Peggy Bellin, Judy Richey, Lurton Blassingame, Claude Benedict, Xandy Kloeckl, Julie Hert, Kathryn Glander
EXCUSED:
Deanie Minniear, Clark Seibold
ABSENT: Deb Pahl
STAFF: Mark Ziemer, Senior Services Manager; Kathy Snell, Lead Office Coordinator
Peggy called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES:
Lurton moved to approve the meeting minutes as written. Kathy seconded. All in favor, minutes approved as written.
SENIOR SERVICES MANAGER COMMENTS:
Budget – once
again we are being asked to project the 2014 budget with a decrease of 5%. We will be proposing a budget with an increase in revenue vs. a decrease of 5%. This would allow us to not
project a loss of a position.
Staffing – Amanda will shortly be on maternity leave and Carrie has only a few weeks with us as well before she begins her maternity leave. Steve has
accepted the role as the Interim Fitness Coordinator in Amanda’s absence to cover classes and assessments. Paula Seeley was hired a few months ago as the Interim Health Project Manager
in place of Paula Stephen’s position and Jane Wells, formerly our Volunteer Coordinator, accepted the position of Activities Coordinator following Judy Brewer’s retirement. We will
be interviewing for the Volunteer Coordinator position in the coming week.
Judy R. mentioned the conversations around seniors who have undergone surgery being referred to the Seniors
Center once they have completed their rehabilitation to continue their fitness and wellness regiment. Mark stated with Paula Seeley’s help we will continue building these relationships
with physicians, and therapists.
Night on the River – was held on Summer Solstice. We had approximately 300 in attendance. It was a great opportunity to show off our great waterfront
property. We will continue to build on this event in the future.
Fall Family Fun Fest – we are moving towards all of our fundraising dollars being handled through the Friends organization.
We will again have a golf cart available for
individuals in the parking lot to make getting to the event easier with regards to parking.
Boat Launch Parking Signs – we recently updated the signage in the Parks parking lot. Now
the trailer stalls may be used on a first come first served basis during our building’s operating hours.
Recognition Tower – has been completed and will continue to be updated annually.
ADVISORY
BOARD REPORT:
Xandy stated the Board discussed the reduction to the budget and asked for the Committee on Aging members to be thoughtful around any revenue generating ideas as well.
NEW
BUSINESS
None.
OLD BUSINESS
Municipal Code Suggestion Changes
Mark reported nothing has changed as of today.
Discussion around future changes since nothing has moved forward yet.
Mark
stated he did have a conversation with City Manager Rohloff about the Committee on Aging’s purpose. City Manager Rohloff recommended the committee stay intact and determine a direction
to follow that is representative of the community. The Oshkosh Seniors Center Advisory Board is really focused on the day to day of the Center and not necessarily focused on the issues
facing the community.
Lurton stated that he agrees with that statement. He has received a call regarding the new bus routes recently and feels it is up to this committee to be having
that conversation.
Mark suggested that perhaps in the future this committee looks at its representatives attending other community committee meetings to represent the senior population
when issues such as transportation surface.
In regard to the number of members on this committee, it was suggested that perhaps this committee could function with a small body.
Mark
also suggested that perhaps one focus might be to have Chris Kniep, UW Extension come in to discuss the model of Senior Friendly Communities and determine if this is something Oshkosh
should / could embrace.
After much discussion it was determined to:
Invite Chris Kniep to the next meeting to hear more about Senior Friendly Communities (Mark will contact Chris for
the October 1 meeting or the November 5th meeting; whichever is more convenient for Chris)
Redefine the purpose of this committee / revisit our Municipal Code recommendations
Discuss
a community wide survey of the senior population and how best to coordinate (one suggestion was to work with United Way in their efforts with the Life Study done every 3 years)
Discuss
Community Preparedness around seniors in the community
Evaluate number of committee members
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS/CONCERNS:
Mark reported that Dimension IV will be in next week to meet with the staff and building Ad Hoc committee to review the drawings they have come up
with
Public Meeting will be held on September 24 at 4 p.m. to show the drawings
Lurton suggested that perhaps one way to increase funding would be to up the minimal support level for
Friends.
Judy reported the Senior Directories are out this week.
NEXT MEETING:
To be determined.
ADJOURNMENT:
Meeting was adjourned at 9:07 a.m.
Respectively Submitted,
Kathy Snell
Lead
Office Assistant, Senior Services