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SENIOR ADV COMM MIN 09-05-19CITY OF Federal way Centered on Opportunity SENIOR ADVISORY COMMISSION SUMMARY September 5, 2019 @ 2:OOPM Hylebos Conference Room Commissioners Present: Lana Bostic, Hope Elder, Sue Ellebrecht, Frank Fields (Alternate), Debbie Harvey, Lynette Karasuda, Kevin King, Dora "Pal" Leonard (Alternate), Catherine North, Cheryl Volheim Absent: None Staff Present: Deputy Mayor Susan Honda, Jeri -Lynn Clark, Councilmember Jesse Johnson, Councilmember Martin Moore, Sarah Bridgeford, and Pam Jones Citizens Present: Carolyn Ayers (former member) and Colleen Chinen (Pastor from Steel Lake Presbyterian Church). 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 2:02 p.m. 2. CITIZEN COMMENTS Pastor Colleen Chinen of the Steel Lake Presbyterian Church thanked the Commissioners for volunteering for the new Commission, and she is looking forward to seeing what the Commission will be addressing. She hopes to be able to attend meetings in the future and hopes the Commission will consider addressing caregiver issues, stating that caregivers often need help too. They can get so worn down that their health can decrease. She is hoping we can identify where caregivers can obtain the equipment they need to be able to assist as well as help educate caregivers as to the respite charges covered by insurance companies. Commissioner King said that 25% of Federal Way is 50 years of age or older. Commissioner Harvey asked if Federal Way has the services needed for seniors. Ms. Clark suggested that this is what the Senior Advisory Commission can identify and work on. Deputy Mayor Honda said that the Federal Way Community Center does provide many Senior Programs, and their Parks & Recreation Program Guide is mailed to every resident in the City. 3. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS None. Pagel of 8 11 W4101 IAi1F.&II:Q0I1.111%► I*7m A. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Harvey has lived in Federal Way since 1980 and worked for Weyerhaeuser for 17 years in Human Resources. She signed up to join the Commission because she wants to help seniors in Federal Way, particularly those who are struggling in their own home so that they don't need to move out of their home. Commissioner Sue Ellebrecht has been in Federal Way for 17 years and has spoken with many seniors. She hears that it is a struggle to be a seniors sometimes. When Social Security gets raised, it isn't enough to cover the increase in expenses. Some seniors are able to work part- time, but some can't. She feels that anything the Senior Advisory Commission can do to make it betters for seniors, is the reason she signed up to be on the Commission. Commissioner Karasuda has been in Federal Way for 12 years. For the past ten years she was a caregiver for her husband. There are many neglected seniors and she wants to make a difference for those seniors. Commissioner Bostic has lived in Federal Way for 39 years and has worked for Franciscan Health for 30 years, including working as a hospice nurse. She has been in many adult family homes in Federal Way, but now is retired. She would like to see a comprehensive guide published that can serve as a resource of senior services for the residents of Federal Way. She's hoping this guide help people who do not know where to look to find the services they need. She would like to help people age in place. She suggested maybe partnering with the schools and having volunteers for transportation for those seniors who no longer drive. She would like to prevent isolation by getting the resources to those people to see what it is that they need. She also teaches yoga at the Community Center. There are things for seniors to do, but they need to know what is available to them. Commissioner Leonard has lived in Federal Way for 40 years and feels there is a lack of communication with seniors. She is not computer literate and finds that most seniors are directed on-line for assistance, which doesn't help her, and she fears many seniors are like her. She would like to see accommodation made for seniors who do not have a computer, either through mailings or telephone calls. Commissioner Volheim has lived in Federal Way since 1980 and felt that all of the issues previously stated are why she signed up for this Commission. She is a widow who went through all of the hoops finding help for memory care. It was hard for her to find out where she could go for help, and she found out that advocates are really needed. She feels that the City can be a resource by way of publications, website, Federal/City/Public/Private/Church partnerships. We need to be able to tell people where to go to get ramps for free. We need a hub for this info. Commissioner King has lived in the City for 36 years and currently is working at Boeing and is a licensed mental health counsellor specializing in substance and family issues. We need to do our work so as to educate the community on senior issues. We can help match up the resources with the needs. Page 2 of 8 Commissioner Fields has been in Federal Way since 1983 and has worked with Sound Transit in Federal Way to get more routes in here. When he first started riding the bus, there was only one bus in Federal Way, and sometimes it took a very long time for it to pick him up. One time, in the rain, the bus was so late that he went into Safeway, and a lady there gave him a ride home. He and a group of others started a group which met at the library to see about getting more bus routes in Federal Way. He lives at SHAG, and even there he has issues with additional costs for him to add safety grab bars and so forth. He also is exposed to leasing issues regarding lengths of terms of leases as well as rent increases. Commissioner North has been in Federal Way for 30 years and is a computer tutor. She agrees that there needs to be some resources for seniors. She brought in a paper she found on the City's website which showed a serious lack of information and some of which was not true. There are a lot of seniors who are isolated and live alone and not all of them are involved. She doesn't know how to reach those people, but maybe turning the empty Office Max into a Community Center would help for Federal Way Residents. There is a Community Center in Auburn. Commissioner Elder has been involved with Monday Night Community Suppers for 23 years as well as being a member of Steel Lake Presbyterian Church and on the Board of FUSION. The conversion of the hotel recently purchased by FUSION will be up and running next year. It is a God Sent. Half of the people who come in for the suppers are homeless, but a lot of seniors come for the dinners. After seniors pay for their rent and only have $600 left over, most of their money goes to medication, and there is little money for food. The need is there. Hope is also a member of the Caregivers Network and a former Deputy Mayor. Ms. Clark works for the City and administers the Housing Repair Program for low to moderate income folks. The program loans is a 0% interest loan up to $15,000 per home; work performed could be electrical, plumbing, roofs, water heaters, furnaces and ADA bathrooms. Mobile homes repairs are water heaters & furnaces. She is unable to do repairs on rentals. With her years of experience, she has become a resource for people who need help. She also has been a caregiver for her Mother for the past four and a half years and has some experience with the different programs for helping care for loved ones in the home. Ms. Clark also shared that 211 is a great phone number to call if in need, they have access to a lot of agencies that can help navigate resources. B. ROLES OF THE COMMISSION Ms. Clark shared that the role of the Commission is to help create the work plan and implement that plan to work on all of the topics that you shared. The Commission will need to put together a work plan with main items to focus on, timeline to achieve the goals, budget needs, and how it will be accomplished. This is a working Commission and staff is here to support to the Commission. Ms. Clark wanted to remind everyone that if go out and speak with people/businesses on behalf of the Senior Advisory Commission that you do not promise or commit the City of Federal Way to anything. Ms. Clark also shared that if you are at a Council meeting and speaking during public comment, please share that you are speaking on behalf of yourself and not the Commission, unless you are there to share information about the Senior Advisory Commission. Page 3 of 8 Deputy Mayor Honda shared that she was on the Arts Commission and Diversity Commission and both are working Commissions, if you have interests in doing something as a Commission, then you have to be willing to do the work to see it happen. Ms. Clark suggested that we narrow down what we want to share so it isn't a binder full, but more of a portable size. How do we share this information to citizens? Try to list Federal way and outlying area programs as much as possible, but if there is only a business in Seattle we will list it, but maybe try to get an agency to come to Federal Way due to a great need here. Deputy Mayor Honda asked the Commissioners to share where we need more bus routes in Federal Way and she will share it with the South King County Transportation Board that she is a member of. Commissioner Bostic shared the King County information guide; it has a lot of great information that is mainly for the Seattle area. It is a great piece of information to use to lead us in the direction for our program. There is a strong need for handyman services to help people change a light bulb, battery changed in smoke detectors, etc. Commissioner Bostic has a friend who has a business that helps people get on Medicare and off Medicare, etc. there are a lot of resources out there, but are very hard to find them. The library has a lot of information for the different resources available. Ms. Clark shared that Catholic Community Services has a handyman program to help seniors for free. Ms. Ayers shared that the Fire Department will come out and change your battery in your smoke detector for free. Commissioner Fields shared that the Fire Department will also come out and installs grab bars as they have time. You have to fill out a form to request them to come out. Commissioner Fields would like to have a webpage with all of this information. Ms. Clark replied that they will post all of the information that the Commission gathers on the web page and have a link from the Senior Advisory Commission page to the Senior Information page. Commissioner North shared that she teaches free computer classes at the library. Commissioner Bostic shared the flyer for her class and commented that this is the information that needs to be shared. Ms. Clark asked Commissioner Leonard to think about places that would make the most sense to put information for those who do not have computer access. C. SELECTION OF CHAIR & VICE CHAIR Ms. Clark discussed the roles of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Commission. The Chair runs the meetings, keeps the meetings on track, works with staff on the agenda, and present to the City Council on behalf of the Commission. The Vice Chair is backup to the Chair and would run the meeting if the Chair is unable to attend and is included in emails and communications with staff. Page 4 of 8 Ms. Clark opened nominations and asked those in attendance to raise their hands if they wished to be considered for Chair. The three candidates were Commissioner Harvey, Commissioner Bostic, and Commissioner Elder. Each Commissioner had the opportunity to share why they should be selected as Chair of the Senior Advisory Commission. Commissioner Harvey said she would like to be Chair because she has an interest in this direction and would like to help to get something done for seniors in the Community. She has H.R. experience and is passionate to find what people need and then helping them connect with their benefits. Commissioner Elder reiterated her background as a volunteer. She was chair of the City Council before the City reached cityhood. Commissioner Bostic has worked in the health industry and is very excited at what this Commission can achieve as an effective group. The result of the vote was Commissioner Harvey — 6, Commissioner Elder — 0, Commissioner Bostic — 2. Commissioner Harvey was voted in as Chair. Ms. Clark opened up nominations for Vice Chair. Commissioner Bostic volunteered. Commissioner Bostic was elected unanimously with eight votes. D. MEETING SCHEDULE Chair Harvey opened discussion on what day of the week and time of day works the best for everyone. It was decided that the meetings occur every month on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 2PM in the Hylebos Conference Room, beginning October 16, 2019. Ms. Clark will check room availability and confirm the dates and times. E. TOP 4 ITEMS FOR THE COMMISSION TO WORK ON Ms. Clark said that once items are identified as goals of the Commission, sub -committees will be set up consisting of about four people. The sub -committees will meet separately from the Commission and will report back to the Commission at its regular meeting. The top four items so far mentioned already are transportation, communication, help with rental renewals and increases, and Resources. Every Commission has a work plan and those work plans are posted on the City's website. Commissioners are encouraged to look at those different work plans. Regarding costs, appearance, what services to list, and where to go for resources all listed in a pamphlet, what would the cost of putting something like that out there for Seniors be? Who will print it? Where will it get done? How do we get it out to seniors? All of these items will be worked on by the Sub -committee. Page 5 of 8 Councilmember Moore said that the Commission will present the work plan to the Parks, Recreation, Human Services, Public Safety Committee, and once approved, the Committee will present the work plan to the City Council, and the Council will vote to approve the work plan. All this is on track to go before the Parks, Recreation, Human Services, Public Safety Committee in December and then to the City Council for Approval in January. Commissioner Volheim asked if grants can be used if there is a need for costs, and she was told, "Yes." Deputy Mayor Honda said that not all Cities have a Senior Advisory Commission, and many of those cities who have commissions often deal with providing events for seniors. Our Commission was set up more to assist the senior needs in Federal Way. Vice Chair Bostic asked if we could partner with the Senior Center in Auburn. She doesn't know what they do there, and if she doesn't know, there are many other seniors in Federal Way who don't know what to do either. Deputy Mayor said that Auburn is a part of the $1.5 Million grant, probably receiving about $50,000 per year. They provide lunch every day. Vice Chair Bostic will check it out, but pointed that out that if there is not a bus for that purpose, then it will be difficult for some seniors to get there. There is Hyde Shuttle, but that might take time, and sometimes the wait can be long and don't work on the weekends. Commissioners are encouraged to visit the Senior Center before the next meeting. The Commissioners were concerned about how to get seniors in touch with benefits, particularly if they don't go to church, are living alone, or are not internet savvy. A suggestion was made to perhaps set up a Buddy Call Line to keep in touch with those who live alone or get volunteers from the schools. Ms. Clark cautioned that youth may not be equipped to help all seniors. Commissioner Fields asked if we could get the list of shut-ins from Meals on Wheels. It was asked if the hospital could provide lists of seniors who are recently discharged from the hospital. Deputy Mayor Honda cautioned that whatever the Commission does needs to be approved by the Legal Department before we can take action on all of this. If the Commissioners help someone at their homes and something happens, we need to know what our liabilities are. Ms. Clark stressed that we need to find the agencies that can help the seniors who need it. Commissioner North said that if we can identify the agency, then we can connect the senior with the Agency. F. STAFF REPORT Deputy Mayor Honda said that the Commission can request speakers to come to the commission meetings to speak for 10-15 minutes on their topic. Ms. Clark also said that the Commission needs to have a Mission Statement. The mission statement will lead the Commission direction. Commissioners are asked to think of a few mission statements and bring them back to the next meeting. Commissioners will want to Page 6 of 8 incorporate the top 4 items into the mission statement. Chair Harvey will bring in some samples of mission statements to the next meeting. Deputy Mayor said that while the 9th Position was filled, shortly after filling that position by Carolyn Ayers, Ms. Ayers found out that she was needed by family and would no longer be able to continue in the position. The Council has the ability to move one of the Alternates up to that position, but the Council will need to wait until January before doing so as there are other vacancies on other committees that will need to be filled first. Councilmember Moore and Councilmember Jesse Johnson have worked with the City to be able to move forward with a Rental Housing Inspection Program. The program will be administered by the Community Development Department and will look for mold, faulty electrical wiring, water heaters, etc. Meetings will start in November/December, and the first vote will go to the Council in December for a final vote in January. This program will be available for anyone who is a renter or landlord in Federal Way. Ms. Clark said that there will be a per-unit cost, and every unit will be inspected by staff. Community Development is working on how that will work and are having weekly meetings about it. While King County has done this already and can make recommendations, those recommendations are for those unincorporated areas in the County, and do not apply to Federal Way. Councilmember Jesse Johnson said that one of the unintended consequences that has come out of this is the effort is being able to identify all of the rental units in the city. According to Census figures, approximately 49% of citizens in Federal Way are renters. It was determined that since there will be items on the rental inspection program on the ballot; the Commission cannot talk about it now. Information can be found at "Stabile House Federal Way Website." At 3:45 p.m. Sarah Bridgeford, Community Services Manager, joined the meeting to discuss the Rental Inspection Program. This program will be able to establish landlord/tenant actions, as inspections will take place once every three year. Incentives will be offered for landlords by having fewer inspections. Most landlords will share the costs with the renters. There are a lot of renters who are happy for this program because this gives them hope that their problems will be fixed. The Program will also identify safety issues. Once it is determined that something needs to be fixed, there may be a re -inspection to determine that the work has been done. Commissioner Fields said that the washing machines on his floor do not work. Is there a time requirement for landlords to get something like this fixed? How can we get this resolved? Ms. Bridgeford said that washing machines might not fall in this program. She suggested looking into the lease agreement to see if washing machines are provided. But, ovens and water heaters are included in the Inspection Program. Inspections for safety such as mold, electrical, and flooring will take place. Some items become more of a legal matter. We will be able to connect them to the property resource. Page 7 of 8 Deputy Mayor recommended the Commissioners think about the top four goals they would like to see the Commission accomplish, and those goals can be included in their Mission Statement. Deputy Mayor Honda told the Commissioners that if they ever are not able to attend a meeting to let Staff or herself know because we need to be sure there will be a quorum present. Commissioner North and Vice Chair Bostic will bring snacks to the next meeting. G. NEXT MEETING Wednesday, October 16, 2019,@2:00 PM. H. ADJOURN - The meeting adjourned at 3:57 p.m. Attest: C��' Jeri -Lynn Clark, Exec. Assistant to Council Approved by Senior Advisory Commission: !� 16 (q Page 8 of 8