1991-01-01 - Committee on Aging - Notice , , • � L/ ITEM XIV. (C)
T0: WILLIAM R. BALLING
FROM: LEE SZYMBORSKI
DATE: JANUARY 9, 1991
SUBJ: JOINT SENIOR CITIZEN PROGRAM WITH BUFFALO GROVE PARK DISTRICT
This report follows up on discussions between the Buffalo Grove Park
District and the Village Board at their joint workshop held October 29, 1990
regarding Senior Citizen Programming. Provided here is some background on
recent Village history regarding senior citizens and discussion about the
Park District's proposal. Also discussed are funding concerns that Village
staff has and finally, some recommendations.
Background
Buffalo Grove's senior citizen population comprises 5.17 of the
Village's 1988 Special Census count. For demographic purposes older adults
are defined as persons aged 65 and over. This percentage is up from the
1.527 posted in 1980. Figures are not yet available from the 1990 Census but
it can be reasonably assumed this percentage will increase. Using these
figures as a backdrop, the Village has undertaken within the past four years
a number of efforts concerning senior citizens.
In 1987 the Transportation Commission undertook a Senior Citizen Transit
Service Survey. Surveys were distributed throughout the local Senior Centers
and houses of worship along with several housing developments with
significant senior populations. 113 surveys were returned. The survey
focused on the issue of public transportation utilization and "found
seniors. . .using existing public transportation" but not all needs were being
met. Borne out of the report was the Senior Citizen Taxicab Program.
In September of that same year President Clayton established a Blue
Ribbon Committee on the Concerns of Older Adults. That Committee's charge
was to: Conduct an older needs assessment; identify short and long range
programming for seniors; and recommend future directions for the Board as it
concerns senior citizen issues.
Arising out of its charge to conduct a needs assessment, the Committee
conducted a mail survey. The focus of the questionnaire was on issues of
housing, health, transportation and recreation. It was concluded from this
survey of which 127 of the Village's older adult population responded - and
for the purposes of long range planning "young" older adults, those aged
55-64, were allowed to participate in the survey - that seniors were
generally in good health and financially secure. Best stated is the
conclusion summarized by the Blue Ribbon Committee's report: "A profile one
can draw from the survey results is of a Buffalo Grove senior who is well
educated, relatively financially secure, a resident-homeowner who has lived
in the Village five years or less. This Buffalo Grove senior does not
perceive him/herself to have a problem in the areas of health care, housing,
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transportation, age discrimination, employment opportunities, crime or
nutrition. This senior is, though, looking for opportunities in which to
spend free time."
Among the Committee's recommendations are two items which have brought
this issue full circle and serve as one basis for the Park District's
recent recommendaton. Given the results of the assessment pointing to
recreational needs wanting to be filled, the Blue Ribbon Committee suggested
the Park District as the appropriate entity to pursue this demand. The
Committee further recommended, with the much-debated and often unconcluded
subject of a senior center facility as the framework for discussion, that "in
light of the Committee's suggestion that the Park District establish a Senior
Citizen's Commission and since expanding the Park District's senior
programming will require funding, the Village should, on a time limited
basis, financially assist the Park District with the expansion of senior
activities and in their development of an older adult facility."
Park District Proposal
Based on their growing senior program, the Active Agers, which picked up
the role cast to them by the Blue Ribbon Committee's recommendation, the Park
District, at last October's Joint Workshop, suggested the following:
1. Establish a jointly sponsored Senior Citizen Commission based on the
thought that planning would expand beyond leisure services into social
services.
2. Share, on a 50/50� basis, both operating and capital expenses. Using
Park District estimates, building renovations, capital equipment and
transportation purchases combined would require a Village allocation of
$94,238. Annual operating expenses would exceed $23,000 in the first
year.
The Park District pointed to five communities which have in some form or
another shared senior programming. They include Wheeling which built a
senior center supplemented by Park District staff for recreation programs.
Rolling Meadows committed $10,000 per year for the first five years of a Park
District effort to convert a school building to a senior center. Des Plaines
contributes $3,000-4,000 per year along with a $800,000 commitment for a
senior citizen wing to a community center the Park District will be building.
Highland Park Park District gives the city $30,000 for the City of Highland
Park's Senior Center. The Village of Deerfield contributes to the Park
District an annual subsidy of $18,000. Further research by Village staff
reveals that three other municipalities in the northwest suburbs provide some
support ranging from in-kind services, e.g. public relations or staff
support, to an annual monetary contribution for social service programming.
Funding of Requests
In exploring ways to fund the Park District's recommended Village
capital contribution of over $94,000, staff first looked at this year's
budget for possible surplus revenues. None were found. As you know building
revenues and fees comprise a significant portion - 10� or $1.13 million - of
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the Village's revenue picture. Due to the economy's downturn, the Village's
revenues from building fees will not meet expectations. This year, any
surplus in capital will be committed to the completion of Fire Station 27
with the first-most goal in mind of not tapping the fund balance. As staff
prepares the FY91-92 budget, projected revenues are anticipated to be
considerably lower than this year's. Regardless of the State Income Tax
surcharge's continuation, funding of present operations alone will prove to
be a challenge given reduced revenues.
The Village currently funds a host of intergovernmental relationships in
an amount of approximately $159,038. This includes memberships or
contributions to the following organizations: The Northeastern Illinois
Plan Commission; Northwest Municipal Conference; Lake County Municipal
League; National League of Cities; Illinois Municipal League; Senior Citizen
Taxicab Subsidy Program; Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County; Omni
Youth Services (not including this year's one time contribution of $15,000);
NORTRAN; and Elk Grove Village Park District for cable TV programming.
Assisting the Park District as they recommend would increase our
intergovernmental commitments in FY91-92 by over 607.
Recommendations
1. Seek direction from the Village Board on whether to tap the fund balance
for a one time contribution to the capital needs of the Park District's
facility development at Alcott. The Park District has identified the
building renovation and equipment for that expansion costs to be
$140,477. Our share, as recommended by the Park District, would be half
of that amount. Utilizing the fund balance is not advisable but the
only available source to be considered at this point outside of
developing a new funding source altogether.
2. The Park District has identified transportation needs for expanded
senior citizen programming that could be met by the purchase of a mini-
bus. Again, using the Park District's recommended 50/507 split of
costs, a projected $24,000 would be the Village's share. Village staff
recommends that as an advisory board (discussed below) specifies its
transportation needs it should look to area merchants, businesses and
perhaps the Chamber of Commerce to contribute to a vehicle which could
be used for shopping excursions and inter-Village shuttling.
3. Indeed, if Village funding is dedicated to senior programming, a joint
board is appropriate. Park District and Village staff have already
discussed its makeup and parameters. Organizationally, a Commission
should be comprised of no more than seven members with three appointees
reserved for Village appointment and approval. A Trustee and staff
liaison should also be appointed as ex-officio members. Because there
already exists great interest from the Active Agers, an advisory board
to the Connnission should be established. However, Village staff
believes a joint board needs to first articulate its mission and
programming needs before the Village makes a financial contribution. As
now proposed by the Park District all operating expenses are for leisure
service programming. If the Village's purpose of joining this effort is
due to future social service programming expectations, before any money
is spent those social service needs ought to first be identified and
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then programatically developed. A pre—requisite to this would be to
charge the advisory board with identifying current resources available
to seniors. With the multitude of services offered through the two
townships and counties, along with the area agency on aging, any
advisory board should be cautioned to fully explore and catalog existing
services so as not to duplicate them. Again, staff is reminded of the
results of the Village's 1988 older adult needs assessment pointing to
recreational services being seniors' greatest concern. To be sure,
populations change as do their needs. A joint advisory board will need
to carefully assess these issues prior to allocating and spending public
dollars.
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LEE Z BORSKI
Assistant Village Manager
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January 18, 1991
Mic'hael Rylko
Buffalo Grove Park District
530 Bernard Drive
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
Sub�ect: Joint Senior Citizens Program with the Buffalo Grove Park District
Dear Mike:
I am pleased to report that on Monday, January 14, 1991 the Village
President and Board of Trustees advanced efforts for a Joint Senior Citizen
Program between yourselves and the Village of Buffalo Grove. Specifically,
the Village Board directed staff to work with you to establish a �oint
Village/Park District Board on senior affairs. Lee Szymborski has provided
the parameters of this plan which was endorsed by the Board which includes
the following:
Organizationally, the Co�ission should be comprised of no more than
seven members with three appointees reserved for Village appointment and
approval. A Trustee and staff liaison should also be appointed as
ex-officio members. Because there exists a great deal of interest from
the Active Agers, an advisory board to the Commission should be
established.
The Village staff believes that the �oint board needs to first
articulate its mission and programming needs before the Village becomes
a financial contribution. As now proposed by the Park District, all
operating expenses are for leisure service programming. If the
Village's purpose in pursuing this effort is due to future social
service programming expectations, before any money is spent on those
social services needs ought to be first identified and then
programatically developed. A pre-requisite to this would be a charge to
the advisory board to identify current resources available to seniors.
With the multitude of services offered through the two townships and
counties along with the area Agency on Aging, any advisory board should
be cautioned to fully explore and catalog existing services so as to not
duplicate them. Again, staff is reminded of the results of the
Village's 1988 Older Adult Needs Assessment pointing to recreational
services as being the seniors greatest concern. The joint advisory
board will need to carefully assess these issues prior to allocating and
spending public dollars.
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TO: WILLIAM R. BALLING
FROM: LEE SZYMBORSKI
DATE: MAY 95, 9991
SUBJ: JOINT COMMISSION ON SENIOR CITIZENS
Pursuant to discussions held between the Village Board and the Buffalo
Grove Park District attached is an Intergovernmental Aqreement establishing
a Joint Commission on Aging. The Joint Commission is set up to serve as an
advisory board regardinq a varietz� of issues and concerns to senior
citizens. Its mission - to provide social and recreational outlets and to
assure that seniors' general welfare is considered within the framework of
legislative concerns - is broad and purposely so. One specific role of the
Commission is to inventory resources presently available to senior citizens.
This should provide a foundation by which seniors can determine service gaps
and base their work accordinqly. As designed, the Commission is responsible
to both the Village and the Park District.
The Joint Commission is set up as a 7-member hoard which shall meet on
a bi-monthly basis. Three appointments to the Joint Commission are reserved
for the Village.
Staff felt it was equally important to delineate within a Letter of
Understandinq the present and future obligations, responsibilities and
programs each unit of government has reqarding senior citizens. This letter
recognizes that certain programs, such as the Active Agers, are in place and
should not come under the purview of an advisory board. We have been
careful to insure that, similarly to any other commission or committee,
final policy and financial commitments rest with elected bodies.
The Park District Board reviewed this Agreement and Letter of
Understanding at its May 93, 1999 workshop and expressed concurrence with
the documents as now presented to the Village Board. The Park District wi11
consider passage at its May 28th meeting. The Board of Trustees'
endorsement is recommended.
,
S
LEE SZY O KI
Assistant Village Manager
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Attachments
cc Dan Schimmel
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VILLAG� O�' �• ' - '� " , BUF'F`ALO GrROV�
�i�ti�.i�'a�u��vQu�G. . � `�u�a.��zv.u�, � 60089-2�96
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS: LEE SZYMBORSKI, ASSISTANT VILLAGE MANAGER: 459-2518
DAN SCHIMMEL, SUPERINTENDENT OF RECREATION: 459-5700
Village and Park District Seek Applicants for
Commission on Aging
Applicadons are being accepted from Buffalo Grove residents interested in serving
on the newly formed Commission on Aging.
The purpose of the Commission, formed jointly by the Village of Buffalo Grove �
and the Buffalo Grove Pazk District, is to serve as an advisory body to village and park
district officials on matters pertaining to the general welfare of senior citizens in the
village. This includes promoting the needs and concerns of senior citizens, insuring
that older adults are regarded as responsible, productive, and contributing members of
society; and providing the opportunity for older adults to express their ideas and
advance their causes.
The seven member commission is slated to meet at least six times per year, with
appointments made by both the Village President (three appointments) and the Park
Board President (four appointments). Terms will run between one and three years.
Talent bank applications are available at Village Hall, 50 Raupp Boulevazd.
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