Versión en español a continuación. Special Meeting of the Commission on Seniors September 21st, 2020 Commission on Seniors to be held September 21st, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (September 20th by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the September 21st Commission on Seniors Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at Halana Kaleel, +1 (512) 779-1162 or Halana.Kaleel@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). 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 15 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 Reunión del Commission on Seniors FECHA de la reunion (September 21st, 2020) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (September 20th, 2020 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los residentes deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en Halana Kaleel, +1 (512) 779-1162 or Halana.Kaleel@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. • Una vez que se haya llamado o enviado por correo electrónico una solicitud para hablar al …
Commission on Seniors Resolution 20200921-03D Lugo Seconded By: Grampp Date: September 21, 2020 Subject: Reallocation of Austin Public Library funds serving older adults Motioned By: Recommendation The Commission on Seniors recommends the reallocation of funds, awarded to Austin Public Library in fiscal year 2020 in the amount of $11,000. The original intent of funds was to develop educational and cultural programs for older adults. Due to COVID-19 older adults are experiencing greater social isolation and digital divide. The recommendation supports reallocating funds for the purchasing of technological devices, such as, software, hotspots, related training and support to reduce social isolation among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. To the extent appropriate and practical APL should partner with the efforts of the Austin Social Isolation Task force. Description of Recommendation to Council The Commission on Seniors supports APL reallocating funds previously designated to serve older adults through technology needs that will help reduce the social isolation among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, including: • Devices and software • Mobile hotspots • Training and support for users Rationale: Preliminary data conducted by the Austin Social Isolation Taskforce suggests that almost half of the survey participants (49%) do not have broadband internet access; 60% of people who currently use technology, said they still needed someone to help them. Almost all of the survey participants (91%) said they’d be unable to pay for digital literacy training or devices without assistance. Agencies serving older adults in the Austin area have reported that the social isolation of older adults is of growing concern during the COVID-19 shut downs. More and more services and programs have moved online, including programming directed at older adults from PARD and other city departments. Yet as the survey shows, many older adults lack access to devices, internet connections and skills to take advantage of online programming. Vote 11-0 (4 absent) 1 of 2 For: Briesemeister, Varteressian, Cagle, Grampp, Hauser, Kareithi, Lugo, Nicola, Temperley, Van Sickle, Spain Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Angle, Bordie, Garcia-Pittman, Jackson, Attest: Janee Briesemeister, Chair 2 of 2
COMMISSION ON SENIOR REGULAR MEETING MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST, 2020 The Commission on Seniors convened a Regular 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, Fred Lugo, Karen Grampp, Martin Kareithi, Natalie Cagle, and Sally Van Sickle. Board Members not in Attendance: Billy Jackson, Jacqueline Angel, and Patricia Bordie. Staff in Attendance: Halana Kaleel, Public Health Educator II, Austin Public Health Presenters: Chair, Janee Briesemeister called the Board Meeting to order at 1:02pm. The Commission introduced themselves. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE COMMISSION ON SENIORS AUGUST 12TH, A. The minutes for the August 12th, 2020 Meeting were approved on Vice-Chair Varteressian motion, Commissioner Van Sickle second on a 11-0 vote with minor edits. Commissioners Jackson, Angel, Bordie, Garcia-Pittman, and Lugo were absent. B. Commissioner Lugo entered the dais. None 2020 MEETING. II. ANNOUNCEMENTS A. None III. NEW BUSINESS A. Resolution Reallocation of Austin Public Library Senior Programming Funds i. Commissioners discussed resolution. ii. Resolution of Reallocation of Austin Public Library Senior Programming Funds was adopted on Commissioner Lugo motion, Commissioner Grampp second on a 12-0 vote. Commissioners Jackson, Angel, Bordie, and Garcia- Pittman were absent. B. Commissioner Garcia-Pittman entered the dais. C. Presentation was given on the 2019 State and Federal Legislative Update by Brie L. Franco, Intergovernmental Relations Officer, City of Austin. D. Presentation was given on Austin Social Isolation Taskforce Overview presentation was given on behalf of Jennifer Emerick, Co-Founder, Heart and Soul Taskforce by Serita Lacasse, Senior Access. E. Presentation was given on Seniors and Law Enforcement Together committee (SALT) by Veronica Saldate, Office of Community Liaison, Austin Police Department. IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Commission Work Plan – Standing Item i. No discussion currently. B. Updates from Working Groups – Standing Item i. Age Friendly Action Plan Implementation Working Group ii. Transportation, Housing and Outdoor Spaces Working Group • No discussion currently. • No discussion currently. iii. Social Participation, Respect and Social Inclusion, Civic Participation and Employment Working Group • No discussion currently. iv. Community Support and Health Services Working Group • No discussion currently. C. Update on Joint Inclusion Committee – Standing Item (Janee Briesmeister) D. City of Austin Budget – Standing Item (Janee Briesmeister) E. Update on the Equity Action Team – Standing Item (Emily De Maria Nicola) i. No discussion currently. i. …
