Evanston Commission on Aging met Feb. 6.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
DECLARATION OF QUORUM
Chair Factor called the meeting to order at 4:15 pm once quorum was achieved.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES of December 5, 2019
The COA minutes from December 5th, 2019 were approved as written.
NEW MEMBER INTRODUCTION
Newly-appointed member of the Commission, Ms. Adrienne Allen, introduced herself and was warmly welcomed. Ms. Allen will be provided with a copy of the biographical sketches of current Commission members so that she can craft her own.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Long-Term Care Committee (LTCC)
1. LTCC Chair Litrea Hunter was not present for today’s meeting; however, Ms. Signatur noted that the LTCC convened in January and has already begun considering topics for the 2020 Fall Presentation. Commission on Aging, Draft
RELEVANT COMMITTEE REPORTS
Dementia-Friendly Evanston Initiative (DFEI)
1. Ms. Ramsey was not present to discuss most recent Dementia-Friendly meeting on January 14th. Chair Factor noted that at the most recent meeting, a subcommittee was formed to draft an application for membership as well as rules, the latter of which were adapted from the Commission on Aging’s own rules. The drafts will be discussed during the next meeting, scheduled for February 11th.
2. Attendees were encouraged to attend an upcoming event at the Evanston Public Library on March 12th from 1 to 3pm. There will be a screening of the documentary entitled, “Too Soon to Forget” with a follow-up discussion on the film and presentation on how to become a Dementia Friend.
3. Chair Factor noted that Northwestern University is actively recruiting individuals with memory loss to participate in a study for their swallowing program.
Affordable Housing (AH)
1. Chair Factor mentioned that AH has successfully made the transition to becoming a sub-committee of Joining Forces for Affordable Housing.
2. More information was disseminated to the Joining Forces Steering Committee about the Sawgrass feasibility study regarding housing needs of older adults.
3. AH intends to investigate whether there are any State waivers for supportive living facilities remaining.
4. Alderman Fleming’s next Ward meeting will include discussion of the development of a 12-story building that has already secured approval by the City but was initially slated to be nine stories tall. The changes have already garnered some negative feedback from community members.
5. Chair Factor described having difficulty getting in touch with the organization that manages the waitlist for affordable units in the Evanston area. More information on the centralized waitlist can be found on the City’s website:
https://www.cityofevanston.org/government/departments/communitydevelopment/housing-grants-division/inclusionary-housing-ordinance.
CHAIR REPORT
No Chair Report this month.
VICE CHAIR REPORT
No Vice Chair report this month.
STAFF REPORT
Newly-appointed Community Services Manager and current Regional Ombudsman for
the City, Ms. Audrey Thompson, provided the following information:
Commission on Aging, Draft
1. Ms. Thompson mentioned that Three Crowns Park representatives have met with City personnel (herself included) to discuss potential plans for a portion of the building that was closed last year, Pioneer Place.
a. Although the prospect of deconstructing the building is considered a “greener” option than demolition, and might appeal to those who argue that the building itself has historical significance due to its age, frequent renovations to Pioneer Place over the years might have emptied the space of items that could be considered “valuable” and worth recovering.
b. Ms. Thompson explained that Three Crowns has already experienced some pushback from neighbors on the tentative plans for new construction due to the loss of the historical building and the loss of green space that would be incurred should the new wing be developed. Some current residents might find that their views of the remaining green space become blocked by the new construction.
i. Because of these concerns, the City will likely impose additional “for public benefit” provisions to whatever plans are ultimately approved: the facility would have to promise something in return for the City approving certain aspects of the plan.
ii. Ms. Thompson reminded Commission members of a similar “public benefit” agreement Alden Estates made years ago when they were conducting renovations on their building. Although they initially agreed to set aside ten beds for Evanston residents who qualified for Medicaid, facility staff later asked for this number to be reduced
to five beds, to which the City ultimately agreed.
iii. Similarly, The Mather agreed to contribute $30M over ten years to individuals who required “financial assistance” when they were constructing one of their buildings. However, Ms. Thompson noted that the language in the approved plan did not describe specifically what was deemed “assistance” or how individuals were designated as needing financial assistance. For example, this could mean that residents of The Mather who ran out of money could remain at the building essentially on scholarship, or the money could be spent when The Mather sponsored community events for low-income Evanstonians. More alarmingly, there were no instructions about when, if, or how these expenditures would ever be audited or managed, so there is no way to tell how or even if The Mather adhered to the agreement.
2. Ms. Thompson advised attendees that registration for the Aging Well Conference is coming up. This year’s event will feature a keynote address by Ms. Loretta Anne Woodward Veney, author of Being My Mom’s Mom. A free lunch and book signing event will also be raffled off at the end of the Conference.
https://www.cityofevanston.org/government/agendas-minutes/design-project-review-committee
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