Senior Citizen Advisory Commission Meeting
December 15, 2016
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FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR BOROUGH
SENIOR CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
A regular meeting of the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission was held on Thursday, December 15, 2016, at 12:00 p.m., in the Big Dipper Ice Arena Conference Room.
Commissioner Lal called the meeting to order at 12:00p.m.
PRESENTALSO PRESENT
Banarsi LalKaren Deal, Parks & Recreation Admin Assistant I
Barbara Sevier Tiffany Corrigan, Adapt/Senior Program Coordinator
Art Delaune
Karen Wood ABSENT/EXCUSED
Christine Schut James Hunter II
William Sanderson Diane Fleeks
Sonja Younker
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
CommissionerWoodmoved to approve the agenda as written. Commissioner Delauneseconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
CommissionerWoodmoved and Commissioner Sandersonsecondedthe motion to accept the minutes as written. Motion passed unanimously.
APPEARANCES & COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioner Lal presented communications from the Commission on Aging identifying the legislative priorities. The primary talking points for discussion with representatives were also provided. Representatives Guttenberg, Kawasaki and Wilson are on the House Finance Committee.
STAFF REPORTS
Tiffany Corriganreported on the Borough’s Senior Program. She announced that Commissioner Hunter declined a reappointment to the Senior Commission, leaving a vacant position. The Transit Department is requesting addresses for participants in the various senior programs, in an attempt to coordinate services. The cold weather and the absence of seasonal seniors is affecting participation in the senior program. Recommendations for someone to give a prayer or be Master of Ceremony at Senior Recognition Day are being requested. Several options were discussed.
OLD BUSINESS
Access to the Commissioner’s Borough email accounts was discussed, and referred to Steve Taylor at next months’ meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
None
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CHAIR
Commissioner Lalrecommended that the Commission hold a Power of Aging forum on a quarterly basis, inviting the public as well as assembly members and mayors. He suggested finding community partners and discussing the power of the aging demographic. Seniors in the state of Alaska contribute over a billion dollars to the economy each year. A variety of potential partners were discussed. He will talk with Assembly Members, Mayors and Legislators about the proposed forum. CommissionerDelaune suggested that the Commission hold one meeting per quarter at the various Senior Centers and invite the public. Suggestions for partners included: discussion with the OLLI group, the FRA quarterly outreach meetings, and birthday lunches with the North Star and Santa Senior Centers.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS & COMMENTS
Commissioner Schut – Noted that David Roth from Avalanche Bereavement Hospice conducts free support groups for grief and survivors.
Commissioner Delaune–Questioned the Commission of Aging stance on Mental Health issues. Applicants have been nominated for an oversight committee The State House has approved a legislative audit. He is appreciative of the Commission on Aging’s support of caregiver issues.
Commissioner Sanderson - none
Commissioner Sevier –The grant for improvements to the Santa Senior Center has been submitted. The budget for fuel has been reduced.
Commissioner Lal – none
Commissioner Wood–Meals on Wheels is down $14,000 in funding, and is making an effort to replace the loss. Will talk with Interior Providers about speaking at the next Commission Meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS– None
FUTURE MEETING SCHEDULE
The next scheduled meeting will be January 19, 2016, at 12 pm in the Big Dipper Conference Room.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Lal adjourned the meeting at 1:00 pm.
Submitted by,
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Karen Deal, Administrative Assistant I
Parks & Recreation