DATE: August 14, 2024
TO: PPACG Board of Directors
FROM: Carol McBroom, Finance Director
SUBJECT: PPACG Strategic Plan and Work Plan Progress Mid-Year update January – June 2024
ACTION REQUESTED: Information Only
SUMMARY
Area Agency on Aging
- Mobility Guide: “Guide to Getting Around the Pikes Peak Region” several rounds of printing and distribution across the 3-county region. Updates in process and prepping for another printing.
- Yellow Book: contracted with production designer to update and overhaul the Yellow Book.
- 4-Year Area Plan: Used the data and feedback compiled during this process to prioritize needs across the region.
- Funding: used above 4-year Area Plan, in concert with the TRS (Technical Review Subcommittee of the Regional Advisory Council) to distribute funding to 15 previous contracted providers and with a small, expected increase in state funding, added 3 additional providers.
- Volunteer Program: Hired Volunteer Program Manager and in process of developing Volunteer Program to support community needs across the region. This new program will support both internal volunteers and a new external facing community volunteer program.
- ARPA Funds: Tracking allocated funds to outside contracted providers. Projects range from low-vision training labs to investments in low-income senior housing. Funds are on track to be spent by the federal deadline of September 30, 2024. Specialized ARPA funding was set aside for CNA funding and approximately 108 CNAs will be awarded these scholarships. Internal projects included an update to the main conference room with new screens, microphones, cameras and tablecloths to insure a professional environment for hybrid meetings. The main conference room was also “looped”, providing Telecoil technology for those with hearing loss. The balance of the internal funds are being used to help offset the cost of the air-handling project at the PPACG building.
- Family Caregiver Support Center: Along with staff and community volunteers, produced the caregiver simulation in partnership with the UCCS Bethel School of Nursing.
- Mental/Behavioral Health: We have been supporting the start-up and operational costs for the Pikes Peak Elder Justice Center with Colorado Senate Bill 21-290 funding and expect that to be complete in the next month. In addition to ongoing monthly reporting as part of the reimbursement process, a report will be compiled and provided to the state at the completion of the funding process.
- Outreach: staff and volunteers have participated in many senior expos and opportunities across the region so far this year. Several more are on the calendar as we schedule out the rest of the fiscal year.
- Quarterly Provider meetings: hosted two meetings so far this year. The most recent was our new version of contract training for providers. Summarized regulations and expectations around program provision and reimbursement requirements.
- Legislative: worked with our PIO and Lobbyist, and others across the state to highlight funding concerns for AAA services. Testified before Health and Human Services Committee, as well as the JBC. Also spoke during the January Senior Caucus on Aging regarding funding.
Transportation
- In April through June, PPACG continued to develop the LRTP, including holding interviews with military and other regional partners and working with the FHWA to set up a federal lands access workshop. In addition, the GIS and modeling team created maps to support the LRTP document, developed projected the Land Use and Socioeconomic Forecast, including meetings with Colorado Springs Utilities and local jurisdictions, and integrated the draft 2050 LRTP projects the travel demand model for analysis.
- PPACG supported development of the MMT-led Regional Transit Plan and Specialized Human Services Plan and participated in two open houses and a virtual open house held in quarter 2.
- The Active Transportation Plan progressed as well, informed by member government staff interviews, stakeholder interviews, and a TAC workshop. This plan, which focuses on non-motorized travel throughout the region, is anticipated to be adopted in fall 2024.
- PPACG was awarded Year 2 funds of a CDOT Highway Safety Office grant intended to increase and improve regional efforts related to traffic safety education. This grant allows us to continue our regional safety champion’s efforts working with Drive Smart Colorado. In recent months, our safety champion supported the aging driver community at the Silver Key Summit, conducted car seat checks with Safe Kids Colorado Springs and the Colorado Springs Police Department, and facilitated traffic safety education with community partners in 9 area high schools and one middle school, including supporting the Fountain Police Department at the Welte Education Center. In addition, our safety champion serves as a central point of contact in the community, helping other agencies coordinate activities and resources to reach the community more efficiently.
- The Fiscal Year 2025-2029 Transportation Improvement Program was adopted by the Board of Directors in early 2024 and was approved by the governor in summer 2024. The TIP was also amended through the committee process to support execution of CDOT projects that are the top priorities approved by the PPACG Board.
- In early 2025 PPACG anticipates adoption of the federally required 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan.
- It is anticipated that PPACG will begin development of a Regional Freight Plan, funding provided by CDOT with federal SPR funding. Additionally, PPACG will develop, with consultant assistance, a regional complete streets strategy w/ toolbox to bring the region into compliance with federal requirements.
Military Planning
- Prepared and submitted funding request to the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation for a July 2024 through December 2025 Military Installation Resiliency Review grant that will include conducting two tabletop and critical infrastructure needs assessment around wildfire and stormwater/flooding.
- Organized and held the first Senior Leadership Group to help guide upcoming MIRR grant.
- Completed preparation of a pre-design study to address stormwater flooding and erosion issues on Jackson Creek, a tributary to Monument Creek immediately to the north of USAFA. The stormwater issues are affecting both critical infrastructure and endangered species habitat on USAFA property. The study will be funded in the 2024-2025 MIRR grant.
- Successfully developed and held Community Wildfire Education Event for Woodmen Valley and Peregrine neighborhoods in support of USAFA community relations.
- Organized and prepared REPI Challenge grant requesting $3.6 million for wildfire mitigation funds for the resilience of USAFA and Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station.
- Developed RFP and hired a consulting firm to prepare three Community Wildfire Protection Plans for the Woodmen Valley, Monument and Hwy 115 Fire Protection Districts.
- Developed proposed detailed scope of work, project approach and timelines for wildfire and stormwater/flooding tabletop and critical infrastructure needs analysis.
Environmental Planning
- Continued our collaboration with regions across the Intermountain West (Denver, the North Front Range, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Provo, Las Vegas, Reno and Boise) to address our “background” ozone air quality issues that we’re all facing. We convened in-person in Phoenix for an all-day strategy session on May 31, and as an outcome, we are preparing a specific request of EPA (coming from all of us) to develop a better scientific understanding of the sources of background ozone that we have no control over, and what the policy implications are for our part of the country. EPA to-date has not done that; this request will be submitted to them in August.
Legislative Advocacy
- Reviewed the 705 bills introduced in the Colorado General Assembly in 2024 and updated the PPACG Legislative Committee and Board of Directors regularly throughout the session. PPACG took positions on 51 bills during the session.
Administration
- Migration of the website and online platforms to meet state accessibility requirements ahead of the July 1, 2024, deadline.
- Updated PPACG Employee Handbook.
- Received a clean FY2023 Fiscal Audit from external auditors.
- Building Automation System replacement project began in July.