Advisory Council Meeting

March 8, 2012

Minutes

Held at 2573 Midpoint Drive, Ste. 108

Fort Collins, Colorado  80525

CALL TO ORDER

Judy Jones called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.

CONSIDERATION OF TODAY’S AGENDA AND MINUTES OF February 9, 2012

Minutes stand as presented.

OFFICE ON AGING PARTNER PRESENTATION:  Linda Rumney, ARCH

Linda Rumney gave a PowerPoint presentation on the ARCH program. 

CHAIR REPORT

Judy Jones stated that next month’s Council meeting will include a presentation by the Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center (SAVA) and May’s presentation will be about Kaiser Permanente.  Judy also announced that a postcard had been mailed to the people on the Special Needs Registry about Office on Aging services. 

UPDATE ON OFFICE ON AGING

Ruth Long reported that she, Katy, Linda and Tina Barker will be attending the American’s Conference on Aging (ASA Conference) in Washington, DC in April.  She also reported that many attended the City of Fort Collins Silver Tsunami meeting.  This latest meeting seemed to alert the local leaders that the senior tsunami is coming.

Staff Reports:

Lynette McGowan highlighted an upcoming event, the Eldercare Network Resource Day on March 31.  The cost is $10 for a half-day of presentations and resource tables at Timberline Church.  The focus of the presentations will be on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. 

Katy Mason stated that she knows first-hand how difficult it is to navigate the long-term care system.  She is trying to care for her parents in Florida.  Katy updated the Council members on the Senior Tax Work-off program:  148 people applied for the program and 108 people were hired.   

BIOGRAPHY

Helen Davis gave a brief biography.

SENIOR ADVISORY REPORTS

Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board Report (SAB)

Cherrie Thornton reported that there will be another community conversation on April 17.  It will be about the senior center expansion.  The SAB is hoping to give a complete report of all the community conversations by April 22. 

Loveland Senior Advisory Board (SAB)

Earl Stevens reported that the SAB is reviewing goals.  The SAB wants to become more aggressive in communicating to the City of Loveland. 

Foundation on Aging (FOA)

Mary Shultz reported that the FOA held its annual meeting in February.  The FOA Grants Committee has made an arrangement with the Lions Clubs to help clients to qualify for the eyeglass programs in Fort Collins and Loveland.   

Human Relations Commission (HRC)

Myles Crane reported that two awards ceremonies will be held in May.  One is sponsored by the Women’s Commission and the other is sponsored by the Human Relations Commission.  The HRC is also looking to sponsor an Elder Abuse Forum on October 22. 

Larimer County Commissioner

Steve Johnson stated that he had gone to the Office on Aging website to look at Assisted Living information.  He found the website very clear and helpful.  Steve reported that last November the Commissioners asked the voters to extend the Jail Sales Tax of $8 million to the end of 2015.  It was not approved.  The Commissioners have directed all heads of departments to come up with a three-year budget reduction plan.  Every department will be affected by this reduction.  A public input meeting will be held on April 3. 

COMMITTEE & STAFF REPORTS

Community Outreach & Education Committee

Carolyn Funk reported that the Committee discussed goals and a new name for the combined committee. 

Media & Public Relations Committee

Melissa Buckskin reported that the media committee is now part of the Community Outreach & Education Committee.  One project that will be moved into the new committee is the annual film festival.  No date has been selected for the film festival as yet.  The Committee will preview two feature films and two short films.  A sponsorship form and budget have been put together. 

Grantee & Partnership Development Committee

Ellen Pihlstrom reported that Mary Catherine Rabbitt from the state office attended the last Committee meeting.  She gave a very informative presentation about legal services. 

Public Policy & Advocacy Committee 

Helen Davis reported that Mike Bennett  and Ellen Stiener gave brief presentations to the Committee about the status of the Older Americans Act.  Helen reminded the group that Senior Day at the Capitol is on March 14.  Helen encouraged everyone to attend the commissioners’ meetings throughout the county. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

All committee meetings are now being held at 2601 Midpoint Drive, Ste. 112, Room 108. 

Tim Dolan gave a brief introduction of himself.  He is working with the Interfaith Counsel.  Ruth will be giving a presentation to them on June 7 at Lutheran Trinity Church.  The Interfaith Counsel would also like to give a presentation to our Council in the future. 

ADJOURNMENT                                                     

Judy adjourned the meeting at 3:26 p.m.