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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil on Aging-Disabilities 06-16-02ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Clarence (Buck) Malick, Chairman St. Croix County Board FROM: Richard Peterson, Chairman COMMITTEE TITLE: Council on Aging DATE: Thursday May 16, 2002 TIME: 8:30 a.m. LOCATION: County Board Room CALL TO ORDER AND INTRODUCTIONS OF NEW MEMBERS ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: June 21, 2002 ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES INTRODUCTIONS UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Volunteer Recognition Senior Celebration NEW BUSINESS: New Member Orientation Appointment of Nominating Committee Dining Site Issues Summary Census Data Staff Reports Site /Center Updates ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: ADJOURNMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order) SUBMITTED BY: Sandy Gehrmann DATE: May 2, 2002 COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE COUNTY CLERK NEWS MEDIA /NOTICE BOARD COMMITTEE MEMBERS COUNCIL ON AGING MEETING May 16, 2002 St. Croix County Government Center CALL TO ORDER Chairman, Rich Peterson, meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. called the ROLL CALL Members present were: Clarence Malick, Dr. Glenn Hoberg, Gerald Peterson, Irene Burch, Marguerite Sumner, Carolyn Weisenburger, Mary Lou Smith, Florence Patrick, Bette Norman, and Ralph Bader. Also present were: Mary Louise Olson, Dianne Rhein, Sandy Gehrmann, Tracy Davis, Janice Thompson, Betty Jordahl, Gladys Ellefson, Donna Lamson, Karen Wells and Cindy Ahrens. Doris Teigen and Sylvia Heller were excused. Introductions were made. New Council members, Gerald Peterson and Clarence Malick were recognized. A moment of silence in memory of Barb Blaisdell took place. ADOPTION OF AGENDA A motion was made by Marguerite Sumner, and seconded by Mary Lou Smith to adopt the agenda as printed; motion carried. DATE OF NEXT MEETING A correction to the Council on Aging May agenda regarding the date of the next meeting was noted. The next meeting will be held on June 20th, 2002. ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES A motion was made by Irene Burch and seconded by Florence Patrick to approve the minutes as printed; motion carried. Council on Aging Page 1 06/06/02 UNFINISHED BUSINESS Volunteer Recognition: On Recognition dinner was held were in attendance. April 25 the annual Volunteer at Garfield's Valley House. 168 In 2001, the Department's 319 registered volunteers recorded close to 14,000 hours. Forty of those individuals volunteered over 100 hours. Valuing those hours at a part time wage, their efforts totaled approximately $130,000.00. This dollar amount is greater than the Department's annual county allocation. County Board Chairman Clarence (Buck) Malick summarized his words spoken at the dinner, reiterating Wisconsin's budget woes and praising the model of volunteer supported services offered by Department on Aging. Senior Celebration: 160 people attended the annual Senior Celebration on May 9 at the United Methodist Church in Hudson. The 2002 Outstanding Senior Citizens Awards were presented to James and Donna Tilly from New Richmond. The Silent Auction of donated items raised over $1700.00 dollars for the Faith in Action program. NEW BUSINESS: New Member Orientation: The "Aging Network History" overview, including the 1992 Wisconsin Elders Act was distributed and reviewed. The Council on Aging Page 2 06/06/02 definitions and requirements of "The Aging Unit ", including its governance and statute 46.82 were detailed. Dianne Rhein of AgeAdvantAge overviewed the demographic changes that have taken place in the United States over the last century and projections into the year 2020. The handout "An Educational and Evaluation Tool to Measure the Aging difference in a County Aging Unit" was distributed and reviewed. County Board Chairman Malick addressed the Council regarding the recent motion passed by the finance committee. In summary, whenever a first or second tier county management position becomes vacant in existing county departments, the administration committee, with other identified committees, study any possibilities for combining, merging, or job sharing to "create economies and improve functionality". Presently, in St. Croix County, there are two such positions. One, a recently created, Health and Human Service Deputy Director position and the position vacated by the death of Barb Blaisdell. Since the loss of the Assistant Director, the Department on Aging has been examining creative and cost effective options to meet the job responsibilities of that position. Copies of the 2002 approved levy requirements were distributed. Discussion reaffirming the Department on Aging's efficiency and the possibility of cost savings within other departments followed. Copies of a resolution passed by the County Board in 1984 to maintain the independence of the Aging unit were distributed. Council on Aging Page 3 06/06/02 Concerns about the effect of a merger upon the older people of St. Croix County were voiced. Ralph Bader commented that in his years of experience with this county's government, mergers and consolidations always result in cost, not savings. Appointment of Nominating Committee: Rich Peterson requested that Marguerite Sumner, Ralph Bader, and Gerald Peterson serve on the nominating committee for the election of Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Council on Aging. Recommendations of the committee to be reported at the next committee meeting. Dining Site Issues: Evaluations for services received at the senior dining sites were handed out for distribution at the sites. Center Board appointed Council members are to be responsible for the distribution and return of the reports before the next meeting. Rich Peterson encouraged County Board members to visit the sites. Discussion of the new Nutrition Policies for the sites will be postponed until next month. The policy changes will be highlighted for discussion. Summary Census Data: The older population in St. Croix County continues to grow. Council on Aging Page 4 06/06/02 Though this County is a wealthy County, 17 % of the population over 75 in this county are at or below the poverty level. The Benefit Specialist, Sue Kramer, gave examples of the types of issues her clients, many of them poor, encounter. STAFF REPORTS Sandy's Report: The three year Aging Unit County Plan required by the Older Americans Act, including a separate budget, inkind and all donations, will be due November. It will emphasize the "Aging Difference". The Senior Farmer's Market Program, coordinated through West Cap, will take effect in July. Last year approximately 60 qualifying seniors each received $100.00 in vouchers. More information on this program should be available for the next Council meeting. SITE /CENTER REPORTS BALDWIN Bingo, foot care, blood pressure and cards continue to go well. Eric Johnson, District Attorney, will be visiting the site on the May 22n to speak on Scams that seniors need to be aware of. DEER PARK Thanks for the Volunteer Banquet and Senior Celebration were given. Seniors visiting the site have increased. The Deer Park Center Board has been unable to meet for sometime. HAMMOND /ROBERTS This year's card tournaments were very much enjoyed by the Hammond- Roberts participants as they Council on Aging Page 5 06/06/02 took first place. Thanks were given for the wonderful Volunteer Banquet and Senior Celebration. A van trip in June is planned. GLENWOOD CITY: The card tournaments were enjoyed by all. New Center Board members are being sought. Foot Care is going well. The site hopes to sponsor the Fifty -five Alive class in the future. The trip to the Emerald Dairy earlier this year, will take place in June. HUDSON Marguerite Sumner reported in Sylvia Heller's absence. On May 5 th a Mother's Day celebration with entertainment and prizes was held. On May 11, 49 attended the monthly birthday party with entertainment provided by the Pahhandler's. NEW RICHMOND: Cards and bingo continue to go well. On May 13', 34 participants were entertained by the Knapp Senior Jammers. A shopping trip and lunch to Amery is planned for May 24 th . RIVER FALLS: Bette Norman reported that she has been busy as the new site manager. Foot clinic will be held on June 19 Cards continue to go well. Complete schedule for June will be in the SCAN and the Pierce County newsletter. SOMERSET The raffle of the homemade wagon for the van transportation fund continues to go well. A donation in excess of a thousand dollars was received from the United Way Payroll Deduction Fund. Funds may be used to purchase a copier. The St. Anne's fourth graders are coming on May 28 to do crafts and play bingo. A lunch out is planned for June. WOODVILLE Bingo and cards continues. A trip to the Cardinal Glass Factory and the potato chip factory in Menomonie is planned for May 22. Woodville will be celebrating Syttende Mai this weekend. Dianne Rhein mentioned the Elder Abuse training to be hosted by Council on Aging Page 6 06/06/02 Y St. Croix County on June 10` formed across the state. Betsy Center is doing the training. The Western Wisconsin Transportation Summit to be held June 28' at UW Stout. The Center for Independent Living is spearheading the Summit to address the transportation needs in rural areas. Consumers, volunteer drivers are urged to attend to attend this free meeting. A motion was made by Clarence Malick, seconded by Ralph Bader, to approve the five upcoming van trips; motion carried. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE The first installment of the United Way Center Board Grants arrived. Hammond Heartland Days tickets are now available. Once again, a portion of the proceeds received from the sale of the tickets will be donated to the Department on Aging. Last year's monies were applied to the medical transportation program. The plant received from Fortis in memory of Barb was noted. Sandy conveyed the thanks that Barb expressed before her death for all the kindness' shown to her in her illness. Mary Lou Smith expressed her appreciation for the services offered by the Department on Aging and her hope that any study would recognize the importance of those services to the seniors of St. Croix County. Intervention teams are being Abramson from the Elder Law Irene Burch raised the question of the cost of such a study. Council on Aging Page 7 06/06/02 r Chairman Malick stated that no consultant would be hired and that the study would likely to be conducted by members of various committees. Burch also expressed her opinion that the any study recognize the commitment and service provided by Department on Aging volunteers. Discussion on the importance of volunteerism followed. Ralph Bader expressed the importance of the Woodville Nutrition Site to the residents of Woodville's low income senior housing units. POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: Ideas for future agenda items were solicited. The Aging Unit Plan, and the consolidation of Departments to be included. The nominating committee will also present its recommendations. A motion was made by Ralph Bader and seconded by Irene Burch to adjourn the meeting; motion carried. Council on Aging Page 8 06/06/02