HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_COA_09.18.2017Minutes of the
Georgetown Commission on Aging
City of Georgetown, Texas
September 18, 2017
The City of Georgetown Commission on Aging met on September 18, 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, 't'cxas Government Code 551.)
A. Call to Order
Chairman Gene Jantzen called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Seven Board members were present,
with Board members Dan Bonner and Ginny Hahn absent, thus constituting a quorum. Also present
were Fire Chief John Sullivan, Support Staff Liaison; Linda White, Staff Liaison Office Specialist;
Arlana Bryant, Medical/Health Coordinator with the Georgetown Fire Department; and Patrick
Lloyd, Community Resources Coordinator with the City Library.
Legislative Regular Agenda
B. Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes of the meeting held on August 21,
2017. Tiffany Enos moved to approve the minutes from the meeting held on August 21, 2017.
Bernie Farkas seconded the motion, which the Board approved unanimously. (7-0)
C. 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. Mr. Farkas introduced Judy Berndt. Mrs. Berndt explained
the Gospel Justice Initiative and a group of Georgetown residents, which include Eric Lashley
(Director, Georgetown Library), Ron Swain (Minister, Georgetown Ministerial Alliance), St.
Vincent DePaul members, have worked hard to create the Georgetown Gospel Justice Center, A
Chapter of Gospel Justice Initiative. The Gospel Justice Initiative is a faith -based non-profit legal
firm (5 01 c3) that tries to be an advocate for the rights of widows, assist the fatherless, speak up for
the rights of the poor, and intervene in circumstances of exploitation and abuse. The gospel Justice
Initiative assists with applications for Social Security as well as controversy issues with the IRS.
The Georgetown Gospel Justice Center has been created to advise and assist anyone if their
household earns less than 250% of the United States Federal Poverty Guidelines. People of every
faith and no faith are welcome. Currently the Georgetown Chapter uses the Georgetown Public
Library, Research Room on the second floor. On the third Saturday of each month, from 9 a.m.-12
noon, on a first come, first serve basis, there are a few lawyers volunteering their time to offer legal
aid to assist residents who qualify for this type of service. On Saturday, September 16'h was the first
opportunity available for those needing legal aid. The morning proved to be very successful. The
Georgetown Chapter plans to offer more advice and support to the under -served. In order to
Commission on Aging September 18, 2017
accomplish this, the assistance of Texas -licensed attorneys will be needed and perhaps pick up one
pro bono case a year. Gospel Justice Initiative provides malpractice and liability insurance to
anyone working with the organization. Bernie Farkas, Commission on Aging, and Patrick Lloyd,
Community Resources Coordinator with the City Library, will update the Commission on the
activities of the Georgetown Gospel Justice Initiative Chapter.
D. Presentation and possible action to formulate an Advisory Committee to develop plans for a
Georgetown Senior Expo Event — Virginia Lazenby, Commission on Aging. Virginia gave an
overview of various ideas pertaining to planning of the Senior Expo Event: seek the aid of the
Georgetown Chamber of Commerce; seek participation of non-profit vendors; search for speakers;
consult with the Georgetown Sheraton to use as the venue. Discussion occurred as to formulating
an Advisory Group. Chairman Gene Jantzen called for a show of hands of all who were in support
of the Commission on Aging supporting the formation of an Advisory Group. The Commission
indicated their support by a show of hands, 5-0. Commission on Aging members volunteering
for the advisory group are Tiffany Enos, Ginny Hahn and Fire Chief John Sullivan. Suggested
contacts of those who might be interested in participating on the advisory group were: Ron Swain,
Ministerial Association; a representative of the SE Community Council; and a representative of
Faith in Action. Virginia will update the Commission during the October monthly meeting.
E. Discussing of the Priority Initiatives: Communication, Transportation, Dental Care,
Affordable Housing, Mental Health — Gene Jantzen, Board Chair. Town Hall Meg tin un City:
Chair Gene Jantzen speaking on behalf of Ginny Hahn, shared that Ginny was participating with the
planning and activities of the "Senior Fair" which is to be held in Sun City on October 25, 2017.
ommunicatio - Resource Guide: Ginny continues researching ways to create a simplified guide
listing of non -profits who provide services for seniors, their family members, as well as health care
providers. Virginia Lazenby mentioned that during the early beginning of the Commission on
Aging, she had created a simple Resource Guide based on resources for child care, and she could
share this knowledge of a simplified Resource Guide with Ginny Hahn. Comm nication - 211 Hot
Line: discussion continued regarding researching the creation of a 211 Hot Line. Transportation, —
Dennis Dalrymple shared that Faith in Action continues the search for additional drivers to provide
transportation services in order to meet the increased demand from seniors needing transportation
services. Mr. Dalrymple stated that Faith in Action is currently reassessing the entire organization
as it is trying meet its purpose, goals, growth, and demands. Chairman Gene Jantzen asked Mr.
Dalrymple, if at some time in the near future, if Faith in Action needed a written support letter from
the Commission on Aging, to please share this need with the Commission. Le_ eml Aid: Bernie Farkas
will continue being the Commission on Aging liaison to the legal aid services program associated
with Patrick Lloyd and Judy Berndt. Mr. Lloyd shared the need for Community Based Case
Managers. Houu-in : Virginia Lazenby the "Accelerating Affordable Housing for All" held on
September 16, 2017. The first meeting was held in August, entitled "Georgetown Affordable
Housing Conference". The Georgetown Affordable Housing Coalition is the organizer of
addressing the lack of affordable housing in Georgetown. Their charge is to meet to talk about the
challenges facing the Georgetown community and help develop solutions. The coalition is
sponsored by Georgetown Fellowship of Churches, Southeast Georgetown Community Council
(SEGCC), St. Helen Catholic Church and Courageous Conversations of Georgetown, Texas.
Currently the coalition is trying to formulate itself by getting people involved, develop good
dialogue towards affordable housing, becoming aware of available resources, and studying social
economics surrounding affordable housing. Virginia will be providing the Commission on updates
as the coalition continues to meet.
Commission on Aging September 18, 2017
F. Discussion of future agendas and priorities — Gene Jantzen, Board Chair. 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, October 16, 2017, at 6:00 p.m., at the Public Safety Facility,
3500 DB Wood Road, Georgetown, Texas.
The meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m. on a motion by Ron Brandon, seconded by Virginia Lazenby, which
the Board approved unanimously. (7-0)
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Commission on Aging September 18, 2017