Commission on Aging – Sept. 18, 2024: Approval of the minutes from the August 21, 2024 meeting

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MEETING MINUTES
PPACG COMMISSION ON AGING
August 21, 2024 3 – 5 p.m

Microsoft Teams (Video and Audio)
www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting
Meeting ID: 258 598 645 936
Passcode: HcsMfH

Phone (Audio Only)
Number: (929) 242-8427
Conference ID: 265 783 492

AGENDA ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER / ESTABLISH A QUORUM / INTRODUCTIONS

Chair Levy called to order at 3:02.  A quorum was present.

AGENDA ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL

Ms. Kathy Cerullo Smith motioned to approve the agenda, Mr. Dayton Romero seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

AGENDA ITEM 3: CONSENT ITEMS

These items will be acted upon as a whole, unless they are called up for discussion by a commission member or a citizen wishing to address the commission.

  1. Approval of the minutes from the July 17, 2024 meeting *  Ms. Connie Ryan motioned to approve the minutes, Ms. Kathy Cerullo Smith seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

AGENDA ITEM 4: PUBLIC COMMENTS/PRESENTATIONS

  1. Public Comments. Public comment can be made before or during the meeting. Public comment during the meeting is limited to three minutes and can be done at the meeting location or remotely by using the posted Microsoft Teams link. Individuals are encouraged to notify the meeting organizer at ppacg@ppacg.org before the start of the meeting with the agenda item they would like to comment on. Public comments can be submitted before the meeting via email to ppacg@ppacg.org for distribution to the committee members.

AGENDA ITEM 5: ACTION ITEMS

  1. Approve Bylaws – Jared Verner and Melissa Marts *.  Ms. Amy Mitchell motioned to approve, Mr. Dayton Romero seconded.  The  motion carried unanimously.

AGENDA ITEM 6: INFORMATION ITEMS

  1. Membership Committee – acknowledge PPACG Board approved City of Colorado Springs appointment of Erin Marruzzella.
  2. Policy Committee
    • Colorado Center for Aging (formerly Colorado Senior Lobby) – Commissioner Mitchell. State legislators will begin a special session to negotiate property tax on August 26, 2024.
    • PPACG Legislative Committee – Commissioner Mitchell. Mr. Jared Verner reported that they are supporting additional funding for Area Agency’s on Aging for the State.
  3. State Commission on Aging – Commissioner Cerullo Smith. Shared the CCOA will be hosting AAAs at their October meeting. Their goals are focusing on behavioral health, person-centered service and prioritizing economic security.
  4. PPACG Board Items. Mr. Jared Verner shared that the Long Range Transit Plan is open for public comment and that the building is striving to re-open on 9/3/2024.
  5. Chair Report. Chair Levy welcomed the upcoming discussion on social engagement and thanked all for joining.

AGENDA ITEM 7: PRESENTATIONS

  1. Roundtable discussion with senior centers and other entities providing social engagement opportunities for older adults.
    • Golden Bridge Network’s Rose Banzhaf shared that there are 13 member organizations supporting seniors in Teller county.  They support the Wodland Park Senior Center with dailty activities, two monthly trips, 160 members pay $20/year.  The Library has additional offerings and Aspen Mine Center does Aging Mastery.
    • Silver Key’s Adrienne Timmons shared that the Tri-Lakes Senior Center merged with Silver Key two years ago.  They host 4-8 services M-F from 9-4.  Their Colorado Springs location has a digital experience lab and serves lunch.  They manage two thrift stores to help with funding and would like to own a location in the Tri-lakes area.
    • Calhan Housing Authority Resident Council’s Wendy Purdue shared they are open only to their residents and host exercise classes, holiday meals, ice cream socials and movies.  They are working through leadership changes with Housing Authority Board and hope to engage more residents.
    • Fountain Valley Senior Center’s Mark Bowers shared they are celebrating 50 years in operation next year, open 5 days a week with over 40 activities, meals and one overnight trip annually.  They have a part time activities director and are always seeking funding to keep open.
    • Colorado Springs Senior Center’s Tom Lathrop shared they are celebrating 38 years of operation and are currently building a new center.  They are run through the YMCA and are currently hosting classes at the downtown Y and Westside Community Center.  They have over 150 classes and this will double with the new building.  They are seeking to rebrand as an active, vibrant senior center.
    • Falcon Senior Service’s Gary Miller shared their primary activity is a senior monthly lunch done in collaboration with the local high school culinary program.  They often have 60 seniors attending lunch and the activity after, often bingo or a speaker.  Their goals in their Articles of Incorporation are to establish a transportation service and buy a building.  They have a facebook site and would like to create a brochure and website.
    • Park County Senior Coalition’s Penny Everest shared they are celebrating 40 years in operation with a goal of raising $40,000.  They have 250 members that they support with a variety of senior services, not necessarily a senior center.  They do a brunch and education on the 3rd Monday.  They have offices in Fairplay and Bailey and partner closely with the Platte Canyon Senior Alliance to provide resources to seniors on that side of Park County.

Open discussion led to recognizing these groups have not know much about each other over the three county area and that they would be interested in a bi-monthly or quarterly meeting to share ideas.  There are needs around tech access with tying into Teller county library, OATS, dementia friendly phones and eventually the state coordination of digital equity coalitions.  Chair Levy reminded how the collaboration effort can be an asset with funders and fundraising.

PPCOA can help by encouraging and supporting an on-going resource meeting for the group and also passing on funding sources.

AGENDA ITEM 8: WORKING SESSION

  1. Work groups updates
    • Housing and Transit – Mr. Dayton Romero pointed out the overlap with digital equity.
    • Caregiver – Ms. Connie Ryan shared the group is exploring deeper the goals of the event.
    • Digital Health Equity – Ms. Penny Everest shared they are up and running in the Park County libraries.
    • Social Engagement – brought the senior centers and others to the meeting today.

AGENDA ITEM 9: DISCUSSION ITEMS

  • September in person meeting host a potluck

AGENDA ITEM 10: MEMBER ENTITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Chair Levy – Walk to End Alzheimer’s on 9/28 at Memorial Park.
  • Ms. Penny Everest – Park County Senior Coalition hosting their 40 Year Celebration lunch on 10/11/24.

AGENDA ITEM 11: MEETING SCHEDULE

  1. Commission Meeting – September 18, 2024
  2. Executive Committee Meetings – First Wednesday of each month at 8:00 a.m.
  3. Policy Committee Meetings – TBD
  4. PPACG Meetings

AGENDA ITEM 12: ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING

Share any updates from the senior center groups.

AGENDA ITEM 13: ADJOURNMENT

Chair Levy adjourned at 4:32.

The Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities. Meetings are available to join remotely via Microsoft Teams, and meetings include live transcription for remote and in-person attendees using automated software. Should you require any additional auxiliary aids or services to participate, please contact ppacg@ppacg.org or (719) 471-7080 x139 as soon as possible so that we can do our best to accommodate your needs.

Si necesita ayuda con traducción, llame por favor al (719) 471-7080 x139 o correo electrónico ppacg@ppacg.org.