REGULAR MEETING of the COMMISSION ON SENIORS JULY 13TH AT NOON CITY HALL, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM 301 W 2ND ST AUSTIN, TEXAS, 78701 Some members of the BOARD/COMMISSION may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Halana Kaleel, 512-972-5019, Halana.Kaleel@austintexas.gov. CURRENT MEMBERS: Janee Briesemeister, Chair Amy Temperley, Vice-Chair Natalie Cagle Jacqueline Angel Martha Bauman Emily De Maria Nicola Erica Garcia-Pittman Martin Kareithi Sally Van Sickle Luz Lopez-Guerrero Henry Van de Putte Fred Lugo Diana Spain Peter Varteressian Patricia Bordie AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the May 11th, 2022 Regular Commission on Seniors Meeting and the minutes of the Joint Meeting with the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities on June 10th, 2022. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding Age-Friendly Austin Update, Tabitha Taylor, Age-Friendly Program Coordinator. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Presentation: Introducing Rainbow Connections ATX, Richard Bondi, Program Development Lead, Rainbow Connections Presentation: City of Austin's First Comprehensive Food Plan, Edwin Marty, Food Policy Manager, Office of Sustainability. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discussion and possible action on the Commission on Seniors Annual Internal Review and Report. WORKING GROUP/COMMITTEE UPDATES Update from Commission Work Plan Update from the Age Friendly Action Plan Implementation Working Group Update from the Transportation, Housing, and Outdoor Spaces Working Group Update from the Social Participation, Respect and Social Inclusion, Civic Participation and Employment Working Group. Update from the Community Support and Health Services Working Group Update from the Joint Inclusion Committee Update from the Ordinance and Bylaws Working Group WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS Discussion and Possible Action on recommendation to change name of Commission on Seniors, ordinance, and bylaws update by the Ordinance and Bylaws Working Group. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. …
RECOMMENDATION Commission on Seniors Recommendation Number: 20220713-13: Changing the Name of the Commission on Seniors to the Commission on Aging and Updating City Code Section 2-1-132 WHEREAS, the term “seniors” is falling out of use when describing older adults, as many find it patronizing and ageist. For example, The American Psychological Association recommends using the term “older adults” and avoiding “terms such as “seniors,” “elderly,” “the aged,” “aging dependents,” and similar “othering” terms because they connote a stereotype and suggest that members of the group are not part of society but rather a group apart (see Lundebjerg et al., 2017; Sweetland et al., 2017)”; and WHEREAS, the term “aging” brings to mind a dynamic process that leads to new abilities and knowledge that continues to contribute to the community; and WHEREAS, renaming the Commission on Seniors the Commission on Aging would be consistent with names of other similar commissions, and with the name of local, state, and national agencies and organizations addressing the needs of older adults, such as the Area Agency on Aging, The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, the UT-Austin Aging and Longevity Center, and the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging; and WHEREAS; other parts of the City of Austin are transitioning away from using the term “seniors”. For example, the Parks and Recreation Department is moving from the term “senior programs” to “Varsity Generation” programs and services after research and community feedback; and WHEREAS, the membership of the commission should be diverse and inclusive, reflecting all who live in the Austin community. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission on Seniors recommends the Austin City Council approve amendments to the city code and commission bylaws attached to this resolution. These amendments: • Change the name of the Commission on Seniors to the Commission on Aging • Replace the term “seniors” with the term “older adults” in the ordinance and bylaws • Include the goal for the commission to be inclusive and represent a diversity of ethnicity, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, socioeconomic status, and national origin and include older adults who are representative of our diverse community. Date of Approval: July 13, 2022 Record of the vote: 8-0 For: Briesemeister, Angel, De Maria Nicola, Garcia-Pittman, Kareithi, Lugo, Van Sickle, Van de Putte Against: None Absent: Temperley, Bauman, Bordie, Cagle, Lopez-Guerrero, Varteressian Attest: _____________________________________________ Janee Briesemeister, Chair
§ 2-1-132 - COMMISSION ON SENIORS AGING. (A) The Commission on Seniors Aging shall serve as an advisory board to the council concerning the quality of life for senior citizens older adults in the Austin area and to help ensure they older adults are productive, independent, and healthy. (B) The council shall appoint 15 commission members: (1) the mayor may nominate two commission members and each council member may nominate one commission member; (2) the Travis County Commissioners Court shall appoint one commission member; (3) the Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area shall appoint one commission member; (4) the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority shall appoint one commission member. (C) The commission should include members who are representatives of or sensitive to the needs of the senior older adult population. Members should have substantive knowledge on issues concerning senior citizens older adults including but not limited to health, affordable housing, basic needs, transportation, social engagement and inclusion, and caregiver support. The commission should strive to be inclusive and represent a diversity of ethnicity, race, and gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, socioeconomic status, and national origin; and include older adults who are representatives of the senior population Austin community. (D) The commission shall: (1) advise the council on issues related to the senior older adult population in the Austin area; (2) evaluate and recommend programs, policies, and practices that create a positive impact and reduce the burden on seniors older adults; (3) determine the needs of seniors older adults in the Austin community, and advise council regarding these needs; and (4) promote the contributions of seniors older adults to the cultural, economic, and historical value of Austin. (E) The council encourages the commission to hold periodic joint meetings with the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities.
