HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_COA_08.21.2017Minutes of the
Georgetown Commission on Aging
City of Georgetown, Texas
August 21, 2017
The City of Georgetown Commission on Aging met on August 21, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at the Public Safety
Facility, located at 3500 DB Wood Road, Georgetown, TX 78633.
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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
Chairman Gene Jantzen called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Seven Board members were
present, with Board members Beverly Stehle and Dan Bonner absent, thus constituting a quorum.
Also present were Support Staff Liaison Fire Chief John Sullivan, Staff Liaison Office Specialist
Linda White, Medical/Health Coordinator with the Georgetown Fire Department Arlana Bryant,
and Community Resources Coordinator with the City Library Patrick Lloyd.
Legislative Regular Agenda
B. Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes of the meeting held on July 17,
2017. Bernie Farkas moved to approve the minutes from the meeting held on July 17, 2017.
Ginny Hahn seconded the motion, which the Board approved unanimously. (7-0)
C. Discussion and possible approval of a letter of support from the Commission on Aging for a
5310 grant application request from Faith in Action — Vickie Orcutt, Executive Director, Faith
in Action Georgetown. Ms. Orcutt explained the mission of Faith in Action Georgetown is to be
an advocate for seniors by providing volunteer services to help seniors maintain independence and
quality of life. Of all services provided by Faith in Action, the most requested type of service is
transportation. Ms. Orcutt provided statistics pertaining to population growth and trends for the
City as well as the County in reference to current and future transportation needs. Faith in Action
is applying for a 5310 grant application and is asking for a letter of support from the Commission
on Aging. Ms. Orcutt explained that the City of Georgetown has applied for the Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) FY 17 5310 call as a co-sponsor with Georgetown based non-profit Faith in
Action Georgetown. This grant application would facilitate Faith in Action's participation in the
Transit Working Group that include the City, Capital Metro and the Georgetown Health
Foundation and provide for mobility management to coordinate, schedule and administer
supportive transportation services for senior adults as well as implement a van program.
Discussion occurred. Chairman Gene Jantzen called for a show of hands of all who were in
support of the Commission of Aging writing a letter supporting Faith in Action's application for
the FY 17 5310 grant application. The Commission indicated their support by a show of
hands, 7-0. Chairman Jantzen will be signing a letter of support that will in turn be given to Ms.
Orcutt.
Commission on Aging August 21, 2017
D. Discussion of the impact of the new GoGeo Bus Service on the senior residents of the City of
Georgetown — Ed Polasek, Transportation Planning Coordinator, City of Georgetown. Mr.
Polasek gave a background history of the past five years leading up to the GoGeo Bus Services
that began in Georgetown today, August 21, 2017. Mr. Polasek then explained there are three
fixed -route buses traveling four routes, meeting at a transit hub at the Georgetown Public Library.
All buses have wheelchair accessibility. If any resident is currently riding the curb -to -curb
service, they will need to fill out an ADA Eligibility application to qualify to ride the new ADA
paratransit service and qualify for reduced rate fares on the fixed -route system. Other transit
services providing services in Georgetown are CARTS Community Transit Service and Faith in
Action. Discussion occurred.
E. Discussion of ADA accessibility to new commercial buildings being built in the City of
Georgetown — Ed Polasek, Transportation Planning Coordinator, City of Georgetown. Mr.
Polasek explained the procedures and regulations that the City has to follow with the Texas
Department of License and the Americans with Disabilities Act when building/improving any
structures/streets/sidewalks. Mr. Polasek discussed the current improvements being made to
several buildings and areas that the City is currently making improvements and bringing into
compliance: Grace Heritage Center, the Library, Founders Park, six intersections along
Williamson Drive and two intersections at Austin Avenue and Morrow Street. Discussion
occurred.
F. Presentation and discussion of mental health assessments for the aging population living in
the City of Georgetown — Ron Brandon, Commissioner, Commission on Aging. Police
Lieutenant Bert Witcher, works within the Support Services Bureau of the Georgetown Police
Department. Lt. Witcher explained that all beginning police officers are required to spend 24
hours in crisis level training, then 2-3 weeks accompanying another officer working with crisis
calls. With many calls, as police officers arrive on the scene of a call, they immediately try to
stabilize the situation, once stabilized, the officers then go into a "referral mode" with the officers
trying to determine person/agency who might serve this person(s) best. If the officers determine
there are some mental health issues at the scene, Williamson County Crisis Intervention Team will
be contacted and will arrive to begin their assessment and working with the individual(s). Lt.
Witcher mentioned several referrals available: Williamson County Crisis Intervention Team.
Williamson County Mobile Outreach Team, Georgetown EMS (make mental health assessments,
as needed with a call), Bluebonnet Trails, Adult Protective Program and the Georgetown
Behavioral Health Institute. Discussion occurred.
G. Presentation and discussion of a new legal aid initiative in the City of Georgetown — Bernie
Farkas, Commissioner, Commission on Aging, introducing Judy Berndt, Attorney for Gospel
Justice Initiative, Legal Aid Program. This item was tabled until the September 18"
Commission on Aging meeting.
H. Update on services and programs from Georgetown Fire/Medical —John Sullivan, Fire Chief,
Georgetown Fire Department. Fire Chief John Sullivan gave an overview of various medical
services needed and provided by the Emergency Medical Services staff over the past several
months. Discussion occurred.
I. Discussing of the Priority Initiatives: Communication, Transportation, Dental Care,
Affordable Housing, Mental Health — Gene Jantzen, Board Chair. Town Hall Meeting, Sun
Com: Ginny had shared during the July Commission meeting that there will be a Town Hall
meeting in Sun City on October 25, 2017, which is being designated as a "Senior Fair"
specifically pertaining to senior issues. Ginny asked the Commission if they would support the
efforts of the "Senior Fair". Chairman Gene Jantzen called for a show of hands of all who were in
Commission on Aging August 21, 2017
support of the Commission on Aging supporting the "Senior Fair". The Commission indicated
their support by a show of hands, 7-0. Senior Expo Fair: Virginia Lazenby had shared during
the .July Commission meeting her interest in developing a plan for a Senior Expo Fair during
spring 2018. Virginia distributed a sheet of information that basically outlined planning highlights
for a Senior Expo Fair. Discussion occurred. Chairman Gene Jantzen called for a show of hands
of all who were in support of the Commission on Aging supporting a Senior Expo Fair. The
Commission indicated their support by a show of hands, 7-0. mal Aid: Patrick Lloyd,
Community Resources Coordinator with the City, has previously shared in his updates with the
Commission, that Legal Aid is definitely one of the major needs of senior residents. Patrick stated
on Saturday, September 16, 2017, from 9 a.m. until 12 noon, Judy Berndt, Attorney for Gospel
Justice Initiative, Legal Aid Program, will be available to offer advice to senior residents. Cost
will be minimal.
Discussion of future agendas and priorities — Gene Jantzen, Board Chair. Judy Berndt, Attorney
for Gospel Justice Initiative, Legal Aid Program will present during the September meeting.
Virginia Lazenby will be updating and discussing the Senior Expo Fair. Continue discussions
pertaining to the Priority Initiatives during upcoming meetings.
Adjournment
The next Commission meeting will be Monday, September 18, 2017, at 6:00 p.m., at the Public Safety
Facility, 3500 DB Wood Road, Georgetown, Texas.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. on a motion by Ron Brandon, seconded by Tiffany Enos, which the
Board approved unanimously.
AGeantzen, airmtown Commission on Aging
Tiffany , Se tary
Georget6wn Co ission on Aging
Commission on Aging August 21, 2017