09-15-2021 Senior Advisory Comm Minutes
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SENIOR ADVISORY COMMISSION
SUMMARY
September 15, 2021 @ 2:00PM
Hylebos Conference Room
Commissioners Present: Chair Debbie Harvey, Vice Chair Lana Bostic, Sue Ellebrecht, Lynette
Karasuda, Kevin King, Cheryl Volheim, Frank Fields, Ken Pratt &
Margaret Lippert
Absent: Commissioner Catherine North
Staff Present: Council President Susan Honda & Jeri-Lynn Clark, Executive Assistant
Citizens Present: Rev. Colleen Chinen (Assoc. Pastor from Steel Lake Presbyterian
Church)
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 2:05 p.m.
2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
None.
3. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Fields shared that there are some moving companies are scamming people out
of their money. They will charge them with one price and then when the day comes, they
change the price to higher or they don’t show up and that leaves people stranded when they
have to move out. Please check the Better Business Bureau before selecting a moving company
to make sure they are valid. Commissioner Lippert suggested people call the local storage
company or senior housing for moving companies that they have had a positive experience
with.
4. COMMISSION BUSINESS
A. WELCOME NEW COMMISSIONER
Margaret Lippert shared that she is excited to be a part of the Commission and to make a
difference.
B. APPROVAL OF 5/19/2021 MEETING MINUTES
MOTION TO APPROVE THE 5/19/2021 MEETING MINUTES BY VICE CHAIR BOSTIC,
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER VOLHEIM. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
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C. SOUTH COUNTY SENIOR CENTERS & RESOURCES
Rescheduled to the next meeting.
D. PAMPHLET – UPDATE AND PURCHASE
Commissioner Volheim shared that Rev. Colleen Chinen (Assoc. Pastor from Steel Lake
Presbyterian Church) would like to sponsor $2000 again towards the printing of the
brochures.
Council President Honda shared that she passed out the brochures during National Night
Out and how everyone loved the brochures and really appreciated all of the information
located in one document.
Ms. Clark shared all of the different locations the brochures have been and could be
dropped off. Commissioners please email Ms. Clark to update the list with new locations.
Commissioners reviewed the updated brochure and they suggested to add in a note
section in the brochure, scams resources, and a few minor changes.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE REVISED BROCHURE AND THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE $2,000
PRINTING SPONSORED FROM STEEL LAKE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BY COMMISSIONER
KING, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER FIELDS. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
E. HOW CAN WE SUPPORT THE FW SENIOR CENTER?
Vice Chair Bostic shared that we can participate by being on the board, going to have lunch
and take a tour of the Senior Center. Vice Chair Bostic will follow up with the Senior Center
regarding board meetings and will report back at the next meeting.
F. POST PANDEMIC – WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SENIORS?
Chair Harvey shared that there will be a discussion about seniors and the banking system
going all virtual. Ms. Clark shared that Tim Johnson is working with banks for a conference
where banks come in to talk about how to help seniors navigate to the new banking world
on online only. He has been looking in to the ARPA funds and has not located any for seniors
that are not receiving assistance.
Chair Harvey shared many seniors cannot afford to buy food, prescriptions, getting to the
doctors’ appointments, etc. due to the price increases and no increase in their income. She
encourages everyone to write to your senators, state and county representatives about the
increase cost to seniors and the need for assistance to all seniors. We need a senior
advocate to speak for us.
Commissioner Fields shared that there is a huge increase in rents around the area. He
shared that in the past the rent would go up $50 and now $200 in a lot of places. Many
seniors are scared that they will be priced out of their homes.
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Reschedule to November 17, 2021 to have a presentation by Tim Johnson, Economic
Development Director.
G. CANCELATION OF NOVEMBER 17, 2021
In 2020 there was discussion that the Commission would cancel the November meeting,
after discussions, the Commission agreed to hold the November 17, 2021 meeting.
5. STAFF REPORT
None.
6. NEXT MEETING
Wednesday, November 17, 2021 @2:00 PM.
7. ADJOURN – The meeting adjourned at 3:57 p.m.
Attest:
Jeri-Lynn Clark
Jeri-Lynn Clark, Exec. Assistant to Council
Approved by Senior Advisory Commission: 11/17/2021