Special Meeting of the “Commission on Seniors” April 29th at 10am Commission on Seniors to be held April 29th at 10am with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (April 28th, by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the April 29th Commission on Seniors Meeting, residents must: •Call or email Halana Kaleel, 512-972-5019, Halana.Kaleel@austintexas.gov no later than noon, April 28th. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 30 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Halana.Kaleel@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live COMMISSION ON SENIORS APRIL 29TH, 2020 AT 10AM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Janee Briesemeister, Chair Peter Varteressian, Vice-Chair Erica Garcia-Pittman Martin Kareithi Jacqueline Angel Patricia Bordie Karen Grampp Adam Hauser Natalie Cagle Billy Jackson Fred Lugo Emily De Maria Nicola AGENDA CALL TO ORDER There may be discussion and action on any of the following items: Amy Temperley Sally Van Sickle Diana Spain I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE COMMISSION ON SENIORS MARCH 11TH, 2020 REGULAR MEETING II. ANNOUNCEMENTS III. NEW BUSINESS IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Discussion and possible action regarding COVID-19 and resources needed for Older Adults. B. Discussion and possible action regarding FY2020-2021 budget recommendations. A. Update and review Commission Work Plan – Standing Item B. Updates and review from Working Groups – Standing Item i. Age Friendly Action Plan Implementation Working Group ii. iii. Transportation, Housing and Outdoor Spaces Working Group Social Participation, Respect and Social Inclusion, Civic Participation and Employment Working Group iv. Community Support and Health Services Working Group C. Update …
COMMISSION ON SENIORS RECOMMENDATION 2020429-03B (ii) Support for LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission Recommendation 20200408-2A(2) to Utilize Community Organizations and Nonprofits to Achieve Strategic Direction Outcomes Date: April 29, 2020 Subject: Support for LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission Recommendation 20200408- 2A(2) to Utilize Community Organizations and Nonprofits to Achieve Strategic Direction Outcomes Grampp Seconded By: Angel Motioned By: Recommendation The Commission on Seniors supports LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission Recommendation 20200408-2A(2) to Utilize Community Organizations and Nonprofits to Achieve Strategic Direction Outcomes. Description of Recommendation to Council See attached recommendation Rationale: The Commission on Seniors was created to advise the City Council on issues related to the quality of life for seniors in Austin. LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission Recommendation 20200408- 2A(2) recommends innovative ways to improve quality of life for all Austinites, including older adults, while recognizing constraints on the city budget. Vote For: Briesemeister, Varteressian, Angel, Bordie, Cage, Garcia-Pittman, Grampp, Hauser, Kareithi, Nicola, Van Sickle, Spain Against: none Abstain: None Absent: Jackson, Lugo, Temperley Attest: Page 1 of 2 Janee Briesemeister, Chair Page 2 of 2 LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20200408- 2A(2) Budget Recommendation to Utilize Community Organizations and Nonprofits to Achieve Strategic Direction Outcomes WHEREAS, the City Council has adopted a plan for focusing resources on the most important priorities known as Austin Strategic Direction 2023, and WHEREAS, the Strategic Direction recognizes the need for a city government that works effectively and collaboratively for all of us and that is equitable, ethical and innovative, and WHEREAS, city staff has asked that City Commissions be cognizant of the limitations that recent state legislation places on the City’s financial resources and include in their recommendations opportunities for departments to increase efficiencies, improve effectiveness and attain more equitable service delivery, and WHEREAS, Austin has a wide variety of community organizations and nonprofits with objectives similar to those in the City’s Strategic Direction, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends that the City Council direct staff to explore additional opportunities for utilizing community organizations and nonprofits in achieving the outcomes set forth in the Strategic Direction for the benefit of the community as a whole such as, • Coordinating with community nonprofits who can expand existing efforts while offsetting costs through donations and volunteers such as the job fairs provided by AustinUp; • Utilizing city staff to organize volunteers to provide …
1 RECOMMENDATION Commission on Seniors Recommendation Number: (20200429-03A) COVID-19 and Resources for Older Adults WHEREAS, the Commission on Seniors was created to advise the City Council on issues related to the quality of life for seniors in Austin; and WHEREAS, older adults are the most at-risk population due to the COVID-19 crisis with recent data from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) showing that of confirmed COVID-19 fatalities in Texas to date, 76% were Texans 65 and older ; and WHEREAS, the City is using a portion of its budget reserves to assist residents, including through the Relief in a State of Emergency (RISE) Fund for direct aid programs and health care services and related equipment; and WHEREAS, the City will need to direct additional resources in the current budget and the FY 2020-21 budget to provide relief in the form of health aid, housing, food aid, and other forms of assistance to those whose health and finances have been put in jeopardy due to the spread of COVID-19; and WHEREAS, the COVID-19 crisis has caused the City, service providers, and the private sector to innovate in providing needed services to older adults, including online recreation and socialization programming from Parks and Recreation, no charge home delivery of groceries from HEB, wellness calls to seniors from providers and volunteers, collaboration between the health and social services sectors, and many other examples; and WHEREAS, COVID-19 warnings directed at older adults have resulted in a shrinking of the volunteer pool, as it is often the “young” seniors in their 50’s and 60’s who volunteer in programs serving “older” seniors who are in their 70’s and above; and WHEREAS, even as the social distancing and other restrictions begin to be lifted, older adults will remain vulnerable and we expect older adults will be cautioned to limit their social interactions for many months longer than the general population, and many will continue to need assistance during that period; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission on Seniors recommends the City Council to direct the City Manager to address the following needs of older adults during the COVID-19 crisis and any subsequent time period during which older adults and those with underlying health conditions are required, cautioned or advised to limit social interaction: • Mobile testing for COVID-19 for homebound persons • Age Friendly and ADA compliant transportation to testing sites …
COMMISSION ON SENIORS RECOMMENDATION 2020429-03B (i) FY 2021 Budget Recommendations Garcia-Pittman Seconded By: Angel FY2021 Budget Recommendations Date: April 29, 2020 Subject: Motioned By: Recommendation The Commission on Seniors submits the attached recommendations on the FY 2021 budget, using the “Root Cause Analysis” format requested by the Equity Office. Description of Recommendation to Council See each attached recommendation Rationale: See each attached recommendation Vote For: Briesemeister, Varteressian, Angel, Bordie, Cage, Garcia-Pittman, Grampp, Hauser, Kareithi, Nicol, Temperley, Van Sickle, Spain Against: Abstain: None Absent: Attest: Janee Briesemeister, Chair Jackson, Lugo none 1 of 7 2021 Budget Recommendation Outreach to Older Adults Root Cause Analysis Story: What did you hear from the community? One of the most prevalent comments from Commission on Seniors community outreach** is that older adults say they are often unaware of activities and services available to them from the city and city-funded providers. Respondents requested more promotion of services and activities (such as on TV, radio and utility bills), and some suggested having community navigators to help older adults who seek information. **The Commission on Seniors conducted extensive community outreach to inform our budget recommendations. More than 50 people attended the Commission’s February 4th Community Budget Engagement session at the Gus Garcia Recreation Center. In addition, the Commission drafted an Age Friendly Austin Community Feedback Survey that was provided online and in person to approximately 80 attendees at the AARP South Austin Chapter meeting at the South Austin Senior Center. The survey was available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. More than 300 online responses were received. Problem: What is the problem you identify? Older adults are not always aware of the services and programs available to them in Austin. Promotion through online and social media are not reaching many older adults. Older adults also seek more information and assistance in determining which services and programs are appropriate to their needs. How does the problem show up in your community? Who is most impacted by the problem? Without extensive survey research it is difficult to know who is not being served. It is striking that older adults who attended Commission-sponsored community engagement meetings or responded to our surveys consistently make similar comments about wanting more communication, more outreach, and more help. We can only assume that there are many, many older adults who feel the same way, but did not receive our survey or attend an engagement meeting. We …
COMMISSION ON SENIOR SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 29TH, 2020 The Commission on Seniors convened a Special Called Meeting via Videoconferencing. Board Members in Attendance: Chair, Janee Briesemeister, Vice Chair, Peter Varteressian, Adam Hauser, Amy Temperley, Diana Spain, Emily De Maria Nicola, Erica Garcia-Pittman, Jacqueline Angel, Karen Grampp, Martin Kareithi, Natalie Cagle, Patricia Bordie, and Sally Van Sickle. Board Members not in Attendance: Billy Jackson and Fred Lugo Staff in Attendance: Tabitha Taylor, Age Friendly Plan Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health and Halana Kaleel, Public Health Educator II, Austin Public Health Presenters: None Chair, Janee Briesemeister called the Board Meeting to order at 10am. The Commission introduced themselves. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION A. Zenobia C. Joseph, Title VI Testimony—Citizen Communication, COVID-19, and FY 2020-2021 I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE COMMISSION ON SENIORS MARCH 11TH, 2020 REGULAR MEETING A. The minutes for the Regular Meeting of March 11th were approved on Vice Chair Varteressian motion, Commissioner Cagle second on a 13-0 vote. Commissioners Jackson and Lugo were absent. II. ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Support Staff Taylor shared on the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) response to COVID-19 regarding Older Adults. i. There is wide partner sharing to address gaps in services, as well as what is going well for the Older Adults Taskforce as part of the Social Services Branch of the EOC. ii. Regular meetings have been occurring with Council Offices regarding needs of Older Adults during this time. B. Commissioner Kareithi discussed CapMetro is continuing free fares through the month of May. III. NEW BUSINESS Adults. A. Discussion and possible action regarding COVID-19 and resources needed for Older i. Recommendation approving Covid-19 and Resources for Older Adults were approved on Commissioner Nicola motion, Commissioner Van Sickle second on a 13-0 vote. Commissioners Jackson and Lugo were absent. ii. Commissioner Angel attended the District 10 Townhall on COVID-19 and strongly supported this recommendation based on what she heard at this townhall. B. Discussion and possible action regarding FY2020-2021 budget recommendations. i. The Commissioners reviewed three recommendations: FY2021 Budget Recommendations, Support for LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission Recommendation 20200408-2A (2) to Utilize Community Organizations and Nonprofits to Achieve Strategic Direction Outcomes, and Proposed Land Development Code Recommendation. ii. Recommendations approving the FY2021 Budget Recommendations were approved on Commissioner Pittman-Garcia motion, Commissioner Angel second on a 13-0 vote. Commissioners Jackson and Lugo were absent. iii. Recommendation approving the Proposed …
