09-21-2022 - Senior Advisory - Minutes - FINAL`Federa I Vila
Centered on Opportunity
SENIOR ADVISORY COMMISSION
SUMMARY
Wednesday, September 215t, 2022
Hylebos Conference Room
Commissioners Present: Chair Lana Bostic, Vice -Chair Catherine North, Commissioner Cheryl
Volheim, Commissioner Frank Fields, Commissioner Sue-Ellebrecht,
Absent:
Staff Present:
Citizens Present:
1. CALL TO ORDER
Commissioner Vicky Foreman
Commissioner Kenneth Pratt, Commissioner Tammy Dziak
Deputy Mayor Susan Honda, Amy Glandon, Bill Vadino,
Councilmember Erica Norton (arrived 2:08pm)
Betty Taylor
The meeting was called to order at 2:01 p.m.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
Betty Taylor noted that she was there to approach a partnership with the Senior
Advisory Commission and the Senior Living Facility that she resides at. She said that
there are a lot of residents that are homebound, and that the facility has many rooms
and opportunities to get involved, although the residents don't. Commissioner Frank
Fields asked if there is an Activities Director at the facility, and was told there was not.
Commissioner Fields recommended utilizing the elevators to advertise and to get
residents on each floor involved. Chair Lana Bostic thanked Betty for her attendance
and her comments, and said that she would get back in touch with her to'see what
could be done.
3. COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS
Chair Lana Bostic stated that she would be going to the Senior Center next week on
Thursday for lunch and welcomed anyone to join her that would be available.
Commissioner Sue Ellebrecht asked whether the Senior Center was still accepting
donations, and Chair Bostic said that she would find out when she was there.
4. COMMISSION BUSINESS
A. APPROVAL OF AUGUST 17T", 2022 MEETING MINUTES
Chair Lana Bostic moved approval of the August 17th, 2022 Meeting Minutes as
presented; Vice -Chair Catherine North seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
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B. COMMITTEE UPDATES - COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND BROADBAND TASK FORCE
Commissioner Frank Fields noted that he went to the Broadband Task Force meeting
last week, and there was a discussion about sending out a survey to all the businesses
and community to see who has cable/internet and get the pricing on services.
Commissioner Fields noted that the survey has not been finalized, and Deputy Mayor
Susan Honda said that the survey was to map where there are missing services. Deputy
Mayor Honda said that they are drafting two different surveys: one that would be sent
to businesses, and one to the general community. She noted that there have always
been difficulties in reaching the community as a whole, and that there is not a
centralized information system other than the City's information page. Councilmember
Erica Norton asked whether utilizing the census could be of assistance, or whether
sending a letter to every single household would be cost effective. Deputy Mayor
Honda noted that she didn't know the answer to either of those, and Commissioner
Fields said that he would have more information at the next Senior Advisory
Commission Meeting as the Broadband Task Force has a meeting planned for next
week.
C. AIRPORT PRESENTATION / GUEST- BILL VADINO, POLICYADVISOR
Bill Vadino presented new information that was gathered from the recent meetings
regarding the airport noise control and pollutants. He said that he would be presenting
this information at the Land Use & Transportation Committee Meeting (LUTC) on
October 3rd. He reminded the Senior Advisory Committee to continue using the links to
sending information and complaints to the Port of Seattle. After the first of the year,
there is an expectation to receive a 30-day notice of a public forum that will be
discussing the Airport Master Plan, and will take into account all comments that are
made at that forum and online as well. He noted that there is evidence of harmful
pollutants in the air, and that the current elected officials have been trying to get
information from the schools and their HVAC systems to get information on how that
is effecting students. He noted that the current noise contour maps do not match the
experience of the residents of Federal Way, and they are trying to get that updated to
be more accurate. Airlines are looking at more efficient planes. These planes are quieter
and faster, but with the introduction of these planes, there has been an increase in
airplane traffic, so residents are not actually seeing an improvement. He noted that
SeaTac Airport will first be expanded as much as possible, but it is nearing its limit for
expansion. This has led the Commission to seek out alternative locations for another
airport. He handed out a graph showing the locations that were taken into
consideration, but at the end of the day it is about economics and passenger needs
based on their originating locations. Deputy Mayor Susan Honda noted that this was
coming from a State level, and is not coming from King County directly. Mr. Vadino
noted that King County Public Health (KCPH) is getting ready to release a study that
they have done on the particulates that are coming from the airplanes, and although
this has been acknowledged as possible from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),
they are saying it is possible that it's just coming from cars, trucks, and trains. Elected
Officials are taking the study seriously on behalf of their constituents, and that KCPH is
utilizing a previous study done by the University of Washington, which is considered
one of the best studies in the nation. Deputy Mayor Honda noted that the KCPH was
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commissioned by the Board of Health to do this study because of the complaints
received by the public and the request for assistance that they received. She said that
there was a study completed that showed that people living in South King County had
a lower life expectancy rate than those who lived in North King County, and KCPH and
the Board of Health believe these health concerns could be due to the airport and
airplanes. Councilmember Erica Norton noted that the planes appear to converge over
her home, and that it has only gotten worse. She said that the planes fly so low that she
can note all of the markings on the underbelly of the planes. Mr. Vadino said that he
would follow-up with the Commission and the Port of Seattle and let them know that
it was being observed and see if there is any way to make that change again.
Commissioner Frank Fields asked if things were getting better, and Mr. Vadino noted
that they were. Chair Lana Bostic thanked Mr. Vadino for his presentation, and Mr.
Vadino said that he would be back next month at the next Senior Advisory Commission
Meeting to give another update.
D. SENIOR OUTREACH UPDATE / GUEST COUNCILMEMBER ERICA NORTON
Chair Lana Bostic introduced Councilmember Erica Norton, and thanked her for coming
to the Commission meeting today. Councilmember Norton stated that she has been
working with a friend of hers from Waterman Architecture and City Planning Manager
Keith Niven to design a wheelchair ramp template to be used throughout the City. She
noted that she sees the need for ramps, and with her contacts with contractors and
architects, she believes this could help the City. Currently, they have a first draft, and
are looking for a senior citizen that could benefit from having a ramp installed to test
the design. Chair Bostic asked how to contact her if any of the Commission members
knew of a senior in need, and Councilmember Norton requested that they contact her
directly. Councilmember Norton noted that she had a lengthy meeting with Community
Services Manager Sarah Bridgeford recently about ways to help with community
services and raising funding to be able to do more for the community as a whole. They
discussed that there are two major funds that Community Services pull from: the Human
Services General Fund, and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). She also
noted that there has been $3 million that has been set aside from the American Rescue
Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and Councilmember Norton is hoping to increase the funding
amount. Councilmember Norton reminded the Senior Advisory Commission that there
is a Special Meeting to discuss the ARPA funds on Friday, September 23rd, 2022 in the
afternoon in Council Chambers. She said that there are infrastructure things that as a
City need to be taken care of, but there are also a large portion of the community that
needs services, not just low-income persons. She said that she is looking into rent,
utility, gas, and grocery vouchers to start. She said that if the Senior Advisory
Commission had any additional ideas, to send them to her. Commissioner Frank Fields
noted that rent is the number one thing that affects seniors directly. He said that
communities without rent control or long leases are increasing rent on a monthly basis
without the income of the person being taken into consideration. Chair Bostic seconded
Commissioner Fields' statement, stating that her rent had increased by $100, although
her Social Security payments did not. Councilmember Norton noted that it isn't just
seniors that are being hurt. She said that prioritizing low-income should not be the only
factor taken into consideration for assistance. She wants to keep people in their homes
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regardless of the income level. She said that she and Mrs. Bridgeford discussed adding
financial planning services into each portion of aid being given out. Deputy Mayor
Honda noted that the ARPA Special Meeting would be a discussion only, as Council is
unable to take action at a special meeting, however, she is hopeful that they will be able
to come together to create a package that can hopefully be voted on'at the next City
Council Meeting. Chair Bostic thanked Councilmember Norton for her time, and
reminded the Commission if anyone knows of a senior in need of a ramp to contact
Councilmember Norton directly.
E. SENIOR RESOURCE FAIR
Deputy Mayor Susan Honda opened the discussion with the question of the date to
Vice -Chair Catherine North. Vice -Chair North noted that when she contacted the
Performing Arts and Events Center (PAEC) regarding the date that was chosen, it was
no longer available. Vice -Chair North mentioned the Auburn Senior Fair coming up on
September 22"d, 2022, and asked how many commissioners were planning on going.
Deputy Mayor Honda told the commissioners that whoever goes should take pictures
or video to get some ideas from it. Vice -Chair North noted that she held a meeting with
two commissioners and two members of the community about different vendors for
our event. They pared down the list to a more manageable number (31 possibilities).
She said that the hard part about approaching vendors right now is there is no definitive
date for the event. She said that Rajiv Nagaich hosts his radio show on Saturdays, so
having the event on a Saturday might prove to be challenging. She also said that she
wanted a representative from the Community Center to be present at the event, but did
not believe that the City would pay to have an employee come in on their day off. She
said that she spoke with Brian Hoffman from the PAEC, and that the PAEC is not a free
rental, regardless of what the commission believes. She wants to make sure that
everyone is committed to the event before booking it. Deputy Mayor Honda told the
commission to decide on a date, and then we would review with the PAEC about rental
options. She said to come up with a back-up date just in ,case the one chosen falls
through so that the date isn't pushed back to the next meeting again. Vice -Chair North
noted that she doesn't believe having the event on a Monday or a Friday is a good idea,
and Deputy Mayor Honda noted that the Chamber of Commerce holds their monthly
luncheon there on the first Wednesday of the month, so that would not be an option
either. Commissioner Vicky Foreman said that a Tuesday or a Thursday would work best.
Vice -Chair North sent around a calendar for the commissioners to place their votes for
a first choice and second choice in order to book the PAEC. Deputy Mayor Honda noted
that a clear choice was made and the date chosen was Thursday May 11th, 2023. Vice -
Chair North then passed out the list of possible vendors and said to the commission
that if they know of someone at one of those places, or feels comfortable speaking with
them about being a vendor, to sign up for it. After speaking with them in person, the
commission would follow-up with an email, so to make sure to get their email address.
Chair Lana Bostic asked if Commissioner Tammy Dziak was still working on
sponsorships, which Vice -Chair North replied yes. Commissioner Foreman asked a
clarifying question about the cost of the vendor table, which Vice -Chair North replied
that it was $75 for a regular business/vendor, and $25 for a non-profit vendor. Deputy
Mayor Honda noted that the budget was presented to Council this week, and there was
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no money allotted for the Senior Advisory Commission part of it. She asked for $5,000
to be included to each year into the budget to help with the event and the brochure
printing. She also noted that if there is a vendor that is really desired, but they are
unable to pay the fee, to waive the table fee. Councilmember Erica Norton volunteered
to cover the table cost for a vendor that was unable to pay. Vice -Chair North
brainstormed some ideas for the vendors and presentations, and Deputy Mayor Honda
asked whether they were interested in having a keynote speaker. Vice -Chair North said
that they would have to look at all the options once they have a vendor list.
**Betty Taylor thanked the commission for allowing her attend, and left the meeting at
3:26pm.**
Vice -Chair North stated that Cheryl Hurst was in attendance at her meeting, and that
she is willing to help with vendors as well. Deputy Mayor Honda noted that having the
vendors provide a small door prize or raffle prize would allow the commission to have
prizes throughout the event to aid in interest. Commissioner Sue Ellebrecht asked for
the time of the event, which Vice -Chair North said would be from 10:OOam to 2:OOpm.
She noted that she could see this event becoming an annual event alongside the
brochures that are printed annually. She said that she would contact the PAEC regarding
the dates available. Deputy Mayor Honda noted that many businesses are already
budgeting their sponsorships for next year, so approaching them sooner rather than
later will aid in a higher chance at receiving the financial support from them. Amy
Glandon recommended to Vice -Chair North that in her communication with the PAEC,
to be open to any possible Thursday to make sure there is a date available.
S. STAFF REPORT
• Deputy Mayor Susan Honda reminded the commission that there is an opening for 1
voting member, and 3 alternate members. She said that many hands make for light
work, so invite people tojoin the commission. She did say that the Special Meetings
for Council where commission interviews are held were tied up until November
(approximately), but that applications can still be submitted online to the Clerks Office.
6. NEXT MEETING —Wednesday, October 19t", 2022 at 2:OOpm in the Hylebos Room.
7. ADJOURN —The meeting adjourned at 3:51 pm.
Amy Gfon,xecutive Assistant to Council
Approved by Senior Advisory Commission: I IJI I. "I I p W_
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