1998-11-19 - Committee on Aging - Minutes u �
Buffalo Grove Joint Commission on Aging
Meeting Summary
November 19, 1998
Chairperson Harriet Rubinstein called d�e meeting to order a[7:10 p.m
All Guests, Commission Members and Liaisons introduced themselves.
Members present:Harriet Rubinstein,Karolyn Swanson,Bonnie Factor,Gina Sheade,Lawa Werner,
DeAnn Glover,Larry Reiner,Plul Versten and Dan Schimmel.
Guests Present:Dolly Hein—AARP Chapter Director and BGPD Senior Advisory Committee member,
Fran Egan-Senior Advisory Committee member,Lorraine Kilarski-Senior Advisory Committee member,
Matthew Kilarski.
It was modoned by Bonnie Factor and seconded by Gina Sheade to accept the agenda as presented. Motion
carried by voice vote.
Dan presented a Meeting Swrunary of the September 10, 1998 meeting. However it was not an official
meeting as d�ere was not a quorum. Therefore a vote to accept was not t��ilcen.
There was no conespondence.
Old Business
I. Prepare to Be Safe—Harriet continues to work widi Officer Warnine and Fran Egan on edidng the
Prepare to Be Safe pamphleG It is ahnost ready for final review and formatting.
New Business
I. Phil's October 15, 1998"Interim Report on Senior Facilities"was presented to the Co�unission.
The Board of Trustees for d�e Village of Buff�ilo Grove had requested Pliil to study d�e funding
mechlnisms and how diese centers were managed. Phil visited several centers and executed a
survey to help him in dus study. Graciously accepting compliments on his report,Phil encouraged
the Commission to visit other locations as each faciliry is very different on how diey are funded
and how fl�ey serve their clientele.
II. Dan presented the documentation on senior participation and growtl�in program offerings since
1992. This information was generated as a response to tlie Foundation directive to generate
numbers showing growth in diese areas. The information included raw data,tab(es and charts
displaying program and participadon growth Dan also included a sample scl�edule of building
usage showing senior programming use. Seeking input on how to strengthen this information, the
Commission directed Dan to also detennine d�e limitations on what we can do and what we want
to do in die future. In addidon,Bonnie suggested diat trip infonnation should be broken out of the
rest of the data since it occurs"offsite".
III. Minutes of d�e Friends of die Park Foundation Meeting were included in die packet for
infonnation purposes.
IV. Brainstorming by seniors of needed and desired facilities occurred at the regular Senior Advisory
Committee meeting on November 11. In addition,Harriet had provided us wid�a listing diat she
had brainstonned. It was decided by die Coirunission d�at d�e Foundation should not rely upon the
Commission to brainstorm facility needs,but to let the seniors work tivough die needs. It was felt
that d�e seniors lrnow what diey want.
Senior Facilities Discussion—There was considerable discussion on what a senior facility should be and
the role of the Commission. Park Disvict Co�unissioner Larry Reiner stated that die Pazk District Board of
Commissioners is co►nmitted to working widi the Joint Commission on Aging,die Senior Advisory
Council and d�e Friends of d�e Pv�k Foundation on securing facilities for senior programs. He went on to
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say that a senior facility can not be built without a referendum and that a referendum will require broad
support throughout d�e community. Tl�erefore,the senior center should be a part of a larger community
center project. In this way, more people can support the referendum if they feel they will get something out
of a tax increase. Lany also suggested dtizt making U�e senior center portion of the project a joint effort
with the Village would go a long way in making d�is a reality.
More discussion to ciarify was held. In general tenns,d�e consensus appeared to be that: 1)a stand alone
senior center probably would not generate d�e support to pass a referendum,2)to be successful,we should
consider building a large senior wing d�at would be part of a larger community center project. Therefore
requiring the seniors and other interested groups to join together to mount a referendum campaign. This
wing would have mWti use facilities dedicated for senior use based on the needs and desires of our senior
focus groups. In addition,seniors would have access to od�er facilities within the center for other programs
and activities.
There was also considerable discussion about if the issue is to go to referendum,that parties must join
together in a positive working relationship to make diis a reality.
T1�ere was also some concem about what d�e role of d�e Joint Commission on Aging should be in this
process. Dan stated dtizt d�e Joint Commission is obligated,by its Bylaws, to undert��ilce studies regarding
senior issues requested of them by die Village and/or Pazk District,to review d�e plans of the Village and
the Park District as requested,and to serve as an advocate for seniors. There was no further discussion of
what"serving as an advocate"for seniors issues►night mean.
De Ann G(over mentioned diat d�e Village Board of Trustees and d�e Park District Board of
Commissioners were pl�uuung aJoint Worl�shop to discuss tlus issue. Final date is not set at this time. Dan
reminded die Commission of the upcoming Foundation Meeting sclieduled on December 1,4 p.m. at d�e
Alcott Center.
Senior Resource Library—Gina reported Uiat d�e file drawer had been simplified and catalogued. This
revision will make it easier to find materi�ils u�d easier to manage. She also hoped to get some signage on
d�e file cabinet to increase awareness and use of the materials.
BGPD Report—Dan reported d�at Terri was on full time now and fliat he was trying to encourage use of
non-traditional time slots and off site locations for programs. As Terri is able to spend more time at the
park district he expects open time slots on d�e building scl�edule to vanish.
Village Report—Phil reported on the Enhanced 911 system. Ttus system will require all office buildings
and multi-use facilities to cli�nge dieir pl�one systems so tl�at d�e locadon of a 911 call can be traced to the
room from which it was called.
Other—Bonnie reported tl�at she is working on a committee to help pr�m3te tl:e United Nations�omiisg of
Age Celebration. Tlus year-long event is designed to celebrate d�e many accomplislunents and
contributions of seniors across tl�e world. The focus is on digrrity, caring,service and volunteerism. She
encowaged d�e Village and tl�e Park District to draft appropriate reso(utions highligl�ting the positive
impact our seniors lklve on our worid and to plan acUvities cetebraUng their accomplisliments.
Based on d�e issues regarding d�e senior wing of a community center,Harriet suggested Uiat we return to a
monthly schedule. However,because of the holidays,our next meeting will be January 21,7 p.m. at die
Alcott Center.
The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.