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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_COA_06.20.2016Minutes of the Georgetown Commission on Aging City of Georgetown, Texas June 20,2016 The City of Georgetown Commission on Aging met on June 20, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Facility, located at 3500 DB Wood Road, Georgetown, TX 78633. The City of Georgetown is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require assistance in participating at a public meeting due to a disability, as defined under the ADA, reasonable assistance, adaptations, or accommodations will be provided upon request. Please contact the City Secretary's Office, at least four (4) days prior to the scheduled meeting date, at (512) 930-3652 or City Hell at 113 East 8's Street for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. Regular Session (This Regular session may, at any time, be recessed to convene an Executive Session for any purpose authorized by the Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code 551.) A. Call to Order Gene Jantzen, Chairman of the Board, called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. Seven Board members were present, with Ginny Hahn and Donna Livingston absent, thus constituting a quorum. Also present was Staff Liaison Office Specialist Linda White. Statutory Consent Agenda The Statutory Consent Agenda includes non -controversial and routine items that may be acted upon with one single vote. An item may be pulled from the Consent Agenda in order that it be discussed and acted upon individually as part of the Regular Agenda. B. Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes of the meeting held on May 16, 2016 — Gene Jantzen, Board Chair. Valerie Nicholson moved to approve the minutes from the May 16, 2016 meeting. Bill Dalton moved to second the motion, which the Board approved unanimously. (7-0) Legislative Regular Agenda The Commission will individually consider and possibly take action on any or all of the following items: C. Presentation and discussion regarding the Americans with Disabilities Accessibility Transition Plan for the City of Georgetown, particularly concentrating on the 60+ aging population — Dawn Jennings, ADA Chair and Nat Waggoner, Transportation Board Liaison. Additional ADA Advisory Board members in attendance were Bea Kinney and Anya Juan Risco. Ms. Jennings explained that the ADA was enacted on July 26, 1990 and provides comprehensive rights and protections for individuals with disabilities in areas of employment, public accommodations, state and local government services, and telecommunications. The ADA covers individuals with physical or mental impairments, and with laws designed to ensure that persons of all abilities have equality of opportunity, economic self-sufficiency, full participation in American life, and independent living. Ms. Jennings also explained that Title II of the ADA requires state and local governments to make their programs and services accessible to persons with disabilities. The City of Georgetown City Council adopted an ADA Transition Plan in March of 2014. The City of Georgetown is committed to ensuring that its programs, services and activities are Commission on Aging June 20, 2016 accessible to persons with disabilities in compliance with Title II. The city's Transportation Services has conducted sidewalk studies and various improvement projects resulting in significant improvements to sidewalks, curb ramps, street parking and intersections throughout the City to facilitate accessibility and access to persons with disabilities. The city's Support Services ensures application of ADA Standards for Accessible Designs to all new construction, remodels, renovations and alterations of public buildings and public parking areas. The city's Parks and Recreation Department's Capital Improvement Plan identifies park renovation projects to provide ADA compliance. The City is committed to maintaining an effective means of communication with the public through public media, public meetings and project notification. D. Presentation and discussion regarding The Caring Place programs to assist older adults with a focus on dental needs and services. — Erin Becnel, Client Services Director with The Caring Place. Joining Ms. Becnel was Rebecca Orozco, Case Manager with The Caring Place. Ms. Becnel explained that The Caring Place is a local, faith -based non-profit organization that addresses the basic human needs of people within its service area, and collaborates with community partners to improve the quality of life of every client. Their services are provided based on documented crisis, not income. The Caring Place provides services to 5,444 individuals, of which 2,060 are unique families, living in Georgetown and rural Williamson County (Andice, Bartlett, Florence, Granger, Jarrell, Jonah, Schwertner, Walburg, Weir and the Hutto area within the GISD). Of clients served, 77% are Georgetown residents, with 13% over the age of 65. The Caring Place (TCP) has provided assistance with basic human needs for those in Georgetown and rural Williamson County for over 30 years. TCP assistance is provided primarily in three areas: 1) direct financial assistance for rent and utility bills, prescriptions, medical, dental and optical procedures, and specialized emergency transportation needs; 2) non-financial assistance in the form of food, clothing, household items, minor home repairs and renovations to accommodate persons with disabilities; and 3) referrals, counseling and education. TCP's client base consists of: individuals in need of one-time emergency support; those on public assistance who require non-financial support (food, clothing and housewares) to make ends meet; those who need professional assistance for a few months to address a serious medical problem or other issue that adversely impacts their lives; and those who have reached short-term goals, and are ready to take the next step to self-sufficiency. TCP has approximately 23 treatment plans on file to assist individuals with dental care needs. There are several specific plans for individuals 60 years of age and older. Currently there are approximately 40 clients waiting for dental services and of that number, 14 clients are in the age group of 60-70 years old. TCP will provide a gas voucher or CARTS pass so that transportation is not a barrier to receiving those services not provided at the outreach locations. TCP has four feeding programs which are The Food Pantry (qualifying individuals and families may receive a seven-day emergency food order once in a 30 -day period with each food order consisting of 30 pounds of food per person), Our Daily Bread (day-old bread and pastries donated daily from H -E -B), Fresh Food for Families (through partnership with Capital Area Food Bank in Austin, fresh fruits and vegetables are provided for distribution to area families on the 1", 31 and 5" Mondays of the month), HOPE (Healthy Option Program for the Elderly — available to low income individuals age 55 and over— receive a supplemental food order once per month—delivery available for homebound), and Holiday Meal Program (H -E -B gift cards to families). E. Status report from each of the Priority Initiatives: Communication, Transportation, Dental Care, Affordable Housing, Mental Health — Board members. Gene Jantzen, Chairman, shared Commission on Aging June 20, 2016 with the Board that as they are developing action plans for their particular Priority Initiative, to keep in mind how the Commission can best communicate these plans to our senior citizen residents. Dental: Bill Dalton and Patricia Strickland reported that they are currently working on a 10 - point plan to present to the Board possibly at the July Board meeting. Transportation: Dan Bonner asked Nat Waggoner, City Transportation Analyst, and Vickie Orcutt, Executive Director, Faith in Action, to update the Board. Mr. Waggoner reported that that CAMPO is accepting applications for the Federal Transit Administration's "Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities". The grant provides funds to serve the special needs of transit -dependent populations beyond traditional public transportation services and American with Disabilities Act complementary paratransit services. Faith in Action, through assistance from the city, has secured FY 2016 monies from Capital Metro as well as the required match from the Georgetown Health Foundation. Faith in Action will be using the FY 2016 money to build ride scheduling capacity. Faith in Action intends to submit an application for FY 2017 and has requested that the City of Georgetown be a co-sponsor. By partnering with the City of Georgetown, Faith in Action is able to access regionally available Transit Development Credits and meet the local match required; eliminating the need for a cash match and providing access to more than S100K in grant funding. This grant application would facilitate Faith in Action Georgetown's participation in the City led Transit Working Group and provide for mobility management for the coordination, scheduling and administration of supportive transportation services for senior adults. Dan Bonner moved for approval of a letter from the Commission on Aging endorsing Faith in Action's application for federal funding in support of transportation. Bill Dalton seconded the motion, which the Board approved unanimously. (7-0) Affordable Housing: Virginia Lazenby gave an overview of various developments occurring with affordability of housing for senior citizens. Speaking Engagements: Gene Jantzen, Chairman, gave an overview of the various organizations that he has introduced the Commission on Aging to and extended an invitation for their members to attend meetings of the Commission on Aging. Mr. Jantzen has spoken to the Kiwanis Club of Sun City, the Sertoma Club of Georgetown, and will be speaking in July to the Sun City Rotary Club. F. Discussion of future agendas and priorities — Gene Jantzen, Board Chair. Tiffany Enos will follow-up with a representative from Alzheimer's care for seniors to present during the July meeting. Tiffany Enos will contact Antoinette Griffin, Texas Seniors Guides, to present during the August meeting. Adjournment The next Board meeting will be Monday, July 18, 2016, at 6:00 p.m., at the Public Safety Pacility, 3500 DB Wood Road, Georgetown, Texas. The meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m. on a motion by Virginia Lazenby, seconded by Tiffany Enos, whch the B unanimously. ar pproved (7-0) 9 i Gert' ntzen, Chairman atricia Strickland, Secretary Georgetown Commission an Aging Georgetown Commission on Aging Commission on Aging June 20, 2016