Village of Arlington Heights Senior Citizens’ Commission met April 17
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Viecelli called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. ROLL CALL
Present: Sue Viecelli, Chair
Tim Carter
Fred Feldman
Sharon Adams
Tem Williams
Fred Vogt
Also Present: Tracey Colagrossi, Liaison
Mitch Juliussen
Absent: George Motto
Roberta White
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes from March 20, 2023
CHAIRPERSON VIECELLI PROPOSED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED AND CORRECTED. COMMISIONER FELDMAN MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE AND COMMISSIONER VOGT SECONDED. ALL APPROVED THE MINUTES OF MARCH 20, 2023.
IV. REPORTS
Senior Impacts Reports
A. Chairperson
Chairperson Viecelli thanked the Village and Kirk School with the delivery of flowers in recognition of Volunteer Week. She thanked Sharon Swanson, Volunteer Coordinator. She inquired if anyone attended the celebration for outgoing Village Trustees Mary Beth Canty and John Scaletta. Commissioners Williams, Feldman, and Vogt attended.
B. Senior Center Manager
Manager Colagrossi reported that Health and Human Services Director James McCalister toured the new Village Trustees, Wendy Dunnington, Scott Shirley, and current Trustee Robin LaBedz, around the Senior Center and partner agencies.
The Patio area will have three new garden beds installed soon, regardless if we are awarded the AARP Community Living grant. The Forestry Department will help with the installation, which will not interfere with any program.
The Hersey High School Service Over Self Senior Olympics was canceled due to scheduling conflicts with the instructors proctoring state testing. Therefore, the event will not be rescheduled.
The Volunteer Fair occurs on Wednesday, April 19, from 3 to 5 pm. Hands-on Suburban Chicago will present a Volunteer Workshop to those not sure where or how they would like to volunteer. Following the workshop, attendees can interview the various participating agencies. The Commissioners have a table at the event. Each table will have a series of questions for attendees to answer. Agencies will sign the attendee’s card when the question is answered correctly. Attendees must visit at least five tables to qualify to participate in a drawing for a $125 gift card to Palm Court, courtesy of Jim Tobin (CC).
Commissioner Vogt will participate.
Health and Fitness Day is May 31 from 9 to 12. The Commission will have a table promoting Age Friendly. The Keynote Speaker is a motivational speaker, Jeanne Roppolo.
Chairperson Viecelli asked what questions the newly elected officials were asked. There were some questions on the Program Plan and Modernization study and the qualifications to be eligible for specific programs. They were surprised at how much was offered at the center. Chairperson Viecelli asked what the status of the remodel is. Manager Colagrossi noted that funding is addressing the infrastructure of pipes and sewers. The next time funding would be available would be in 2030. The Chairperson expressed concern that the center would be too small by then. The manager stated that the Village is always exploring places and considerations of a center if something should come along. As items need repair in the future, the Village will continue to maintain the senior center.
Conversations about the survey responses were requests to have the center in a centralized location of the Village or have the senior center stay where it is currently located and to add those questions to the AARP Survey.
C. Not for Profit Corporation
The Celebrating Independence Expo (Live Well, Age Well) is on Thursday, June 29, from 11 am to 1 pm. The Toasty Cheese Food truck will serve BBQ during the event. The free event is open to all.
The capacity for vendors is around 52. In addition, collaborating agencies and the Commission will have a booth at the event promoting Age-Friendly.
They are also planning a Pickleball Tournament at Dryden Courts on Saturday, September 9.
D. Senior Center Advisory Council
The Council had its well-attended Diversity event encompassed China and Italy. The next event is in June with the Hot Dog Cook Out. Unfortunately, the newsletter has been delayed at the printers.
The Council is reviewing its by-laws.
E. Legislation
Commissioner Feldman reported that he contacted Adam Ballard of AARP on any legislation the office was watching that affects older adults. AARP does not track individual bills but has its legislative agenda. Mr. Ballard will contact Mr. Feldman to identify the corresponding bills on their agenda. Most of what they watch has to do with the industry.
Commissioner Feldman contacted the Legislative Reference Bureau. They also need a list of pending bills in the General assembly. They referred him to connect with the Illinois Department on Aging Legislative Liaison, who was out. He spoke with Deputy Chief of Staff Selma de Sousa, and would check the legislation affecting older adults and will get back to Mr. Feldman. Commissioner Feldman added that he was told that very little is happening with older adult issues.
F. Age Friendly Community Certification
I. Transportation Report
Commissioner Williams reported on Elk Grove Township’s Dial-a-Ride service. The Commissioner elaborated that transportation information should be better communicated with folks who do not go online. The Commissioner suggested that the transportation resources and the newsletter be available in doctor’s offices. Liaison Colagrossi reminded the Commission that the Transportation group created a flyer about local resources for transportation. Brochures will be available at the Expo, and Manager Colagrossi will collaborate with NCH.
Commissioner Feldman reported that one of the state awards for transportation enhancements was designated near Lake Arlington for left turn lanes and dedicated bike paths.
Last Wednesday, IDOT published an announcement for applications for transit grants to municipalities of $200,000; for May 24 for a shovel-ready project. Tracey will pass this along to the correct department to be aware of.
II. Communication Report
The Communications subcommittee had to cancel their last meeting due to a lack of quorum. They will try rescheduling for Wednesday, May 10, at 6 pm. Manager Colagrossi will email the group to see what would work.
a. 211-Metro Call Center
The Arlington Heights Senior Center is posted on the site. The other collaborative agencies will post with them separately. Chairperson Viecelli inquired if the Health and Human Services divisions are on the website. Manager Colagrossi will ask Director McCalister.
III. Affordable Housing Report
Chairperson Viecelli brought a copy of the Senior Housing Guide published by the Daily Herald. She added rentals for older adults was the Goedke Apartments on Miner. Chairperson Viecelli inquired about the status of the Inclusionary Housing Trust Fund. Manager Colagrossi mentioned that the Housing Commission recommended a priority list for the trust fund. Commissioner Vogt advised that the Housing Commission meets on April 19 after the Senior Citizen’s Commission meeting. He will attend and report back at the May meeting. Commissioner Carter asked about what a development pays if they do not have inclusionary housing. https://cms2.revize.com/revize/arlington/Departments/Planning%20&%20Community%20Development/Housing/Inclusionary%20Housing/IZ_Guidelines_v20__Janu ary%202023.pdf. Commissioner Carter asked about rental assistance. Manager Colagrossi noted that the Social Services Division of Health and Human Services has funds to assist folks needing rental help. Also, funds are used from the non-profit Arlington Cares. Much of the funds are used for rental assistance, especially since the pandemic.
Chairperson Viecelli inquired about the 425 Project near the Vail Parking Garage. Commissioner Vogt mentioned that he would inquire at the Housing Commission.
G Kenneth Hood Senior Service Award
Commissioner Vogt reported that he met with Commissioners Adams and Williams.
The applications were sent out on April 11. The commissioners will follow up with a phone call in the next few weeks. The due date for applications is June 1.
V. OLD BUSINESS
The Commissioners discussed the final revisions for suggestions for the Village Board.
• To have the Village (including commissions) view policies, programs, and decisions through an Age-Friendly lens.
• Focus on affordable housing exclusively for older adults should be considered in attrition to revisiting including Senior Housing into the Inclusionary Housing ordinance and expand the supply of affordable units in the Village.
• Establish a consortium of appropriate sister municipalities and units of local government to prevail on RTA, Metra, Pace, and other public transit agencies to improve and expand public transit facilities in the community for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, especially north of Euclid Avenue in Arlington Heights.
• Commence the recommended renovations at the Senior Center Before 2030 or evaluate its relocation to a more centrally located area of the Village.
• If an opportunity for obtaining public land occurs with the Arlington Park Redevelopment, to have consideration of a relocation of the Senior Center in that area.
The Senior Citizen’s commission goals are:
• Communication: to promote programs and services for older adults through the marketing plan to citizens of all ages.
• Increased communication amongst Commissions and Village Staff. Especially areas of common interests such as housing, planning, and transportation.
CHAIRPERSON VIECELLI REQUESTED A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATIONS SET FORTH FROM THE COMMISSION. COMMISSIONER CARTER MADE A MOTION AND WAS SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FELDMAN. THE MOTION WAS APPROVED.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
Chairperson Viecelli remarked that now we have a presence at the Metro 211 center, the Commission should have another “big idea.” Manager Colagrossi advised that possibly the collaboration with the Commission for Citizen’s with Disabilities to host a Transportation Summit is a big idea. The Chairperson directed that the Transportation Summit be added to the agenda to remain on target. The summit will be scheduled sometime in late August or early September.
VII. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Announcements/Correspondence
B. Citizens to Be Heard
Mitch Juliussen introduced himself as a neighbor of Commissioner Feldman and wanted to learn more about the Senior Citizen’s Commission.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
https://arlingtonheights.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/Meetingsresponsive.aspx
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