Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

Commission on Aging Regular Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 12th, 2025 The Commission on Aging convened in a regular meeting at City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room, 301 W 2nd St, Austin, Texas, 78701 and remotely. Chair Bondi called the Commission on Aging Meeting to order at 12:04pm. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Chair Richard Bondi, Vice Chair Gretchen Flatau, Henry Van de Putte, Jacqueline Angel, Jennifer Scott, Martin Kareithi, Preston Tyree, Suzanne Anderson, and Teresa Ferguson. Board Members/Commissioners not in Attendance: Marianna Gonzalez, Austin Adams, and Gloria Lugo. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the January 8th, 2025, regular Commission on Aging Meeting. • The minutes from the meeting of January 8th, 2025, were approved by Vice-Chair Flatau’s motion, Commissioner Scott’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Gonzalez, Adams, and G Lugo were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion and review of Commission on Aging expiring terms (February 28th, 2025), the 60- day holdover period, and reapplying with appointing bodies for continued service. • Chair Bondi reviewed expiring commissioner terms, and processes to renew membership, the importance of maintaining quorum for budget recommendations in March 2025, and to please be mindful of attendance, and aware of the 60-day holdover period. 3. Discussion and update on communications with the City of Buda’s Commission on Aging. • Public communication: Commission on Aging in Buda, Chair Kaufman, he discussed their progress in writing their Age Friendly Action Plan. 4. Update on the Joint Inclusion Committee initiatives as it relates to the Commission on Aging. • The JIC is currently coordinating budget recommendations that are going to Austin City Council. 5. Request for and discussion on potential budget recommendations from the Commission on Aging for the FY26 City of Austin Budget. • Commission on Aging budget working group is currently requesting ideas for budget recommendations. • Reach out to Chair Bondi if you need assistance writing. 6. Update on the Commission on Aging 2025 Community Service Awards. 1 • Support Staff Halana Kaleel has sent out the nomination form for the 2025 Community Service Awards. • Nomination form will be open until the end of March 2025. 7. Discussion and update on collaboration with Austin Indigenous groups about input into City of Austin processes. • Chair Bondi is still leading these efforts. • Will provide more information and detail at the March 2025 meeting. 8. Update on the outreach and timeline on the Quality of Life Aging Study, Nirali Thakkar, MSSW- MPH, Engagement Consultant, Cortez Consulting. • Nirali Thakkar from Cortez Consulting provided an update on the current status of the Quality of Life Aging Study. • Currently focusing on outreach and engagement. This includes focus groups, photovoice, survey, and newsletter. 9. State Legislative Update on items related to Older Adults. • Staff Liaisons provided a document highlighting the current legislation being proposed that is related to older adults. • Commissioner Fred Lugo would like to follow up about Texas Silver Legislation. 10. Discussion on current status of the Age Friendly Austin Action Plan. • Chair Bondi provided an update on the Age Friendly Action Plan. • Including a current addendum being worked on and current Age Friendly initiatives. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 11. Discussion and possible action on the 2025 Older American’s Month Proclamation language and development. • No action currently taken will be revisited at the March 2025 meeting. 12. Discussion and possible action on a budget recommendation to include an older adult focus at City Job Fairs. • Recommendation that the Commission on Aging encourages the Austin City Council to direct the City to add one or two speakers to each job fair that would cover informational topics for older adults approved on Commissioner Anderson’s motion, Commissioner Van de Putte’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Gonzalez, Adams, and G Lugo were absent. 13. Discussion and possible action on a budget recommendation for translation services funding for Boards and Commissions. • No action currently taken. Tabled for March 2025. 14. Discussion and possible action on a budget recommendation for funding prepared meals for older adults. • No action currently taken. Tabled for March 2025. 15. Discussion and possible action on a budget recommendation for Pedestrian Safety Initiatives. • No action currently taken. STAFF BRIEFINGS/ANNOUNCEMENTS 16. Staff Briefing regarding Age-Friendly Austin including update on the Age Friendly Austin Action Plan and the Older Americans Month Conference: Aging with Power, Nicole Howe, Age Friendly Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health. • AFA Program Coordinator Nicole Howe gave update on the AFA Action Plan and the current conference being planning for Older Americans Month activities. 17. Re-Introduction of Commissioner Fred Lugo, Travis County Representative. • Commissioner Fred Lugo has been reappointed to the Commission on Aging representing Travis County. 2 18. Staff Briefing regarding Winter Weather Preparedness, Sara Henry, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, Homeland Security & Emergency Management. • Interim Chief Administrative Office Henry discussed cold weather shelters and activation triggers, the winter 2024-2025 shelter management strategy, warming centers, and emergency public information resources. • Highlighted the Emergency Language Access Plan including new processes introduced since Winter Storm Uri. • Currently there are no threats to program funding or concerns around program disruption. • All shelters are based on where existing facilities are such as Parks and Recreation facilities and City of Austin Libraries. 19. Recognition of Commissioner Angel’s service on the Commission on Aging. • Commissioner Angel was recognized for her long time service to the Commission on Aging. This will be her final term. WORKGROUP UPDATES 20. Update from the Budget Workgroup on the status of proposed budget recommendations as it relates to working group goals (Workgroup members include: Chair Bondi, Vice-Chair Flatau, and Commissioners Van de Putte and Scott). • Current budget recommendations being considered: increased space at Dittmar Recreation Center, increase sidewalks in area frequented by older adults, and additional funding for the Homeless Strategy Office. 21. Update from the Age Friendly Austin Domains 1-2 Workgroup on their last workgroup meeting and the upcoming March 2025 Summit: Austin Older Adult Mobility Summit as it relates to the working group goals (Workgroup members include:(Vice-Chair Flatau and Commissioners Kareithi, Anderson, Gonzalez, Tyree, and Gloria Lugo). • Commissioner Flatau discussed an upcoming summit being held regarding senior transportation. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Budget recommendations • Request from Commissioner Kareithi for CapMetro to present in May or June 2025. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:36 pm without objection. The minutes were approved at the March 12th, 2025 meeting on Commissioner Flatau’s motion, Commissioner Anderson’s second on a 9-0 vote. 3