Senior Services Commission

Approved Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Senior Services Commission Village of Northbrook Cook County, Illinois September 13, 2012 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chairman Wax in the Shermer Study of the Northbrook Village Hall. Present were Chairman Wax, Members Stern, Ganitopoulos, Abrams, and Louis. Also present were Liaison Kiraly and Realty and Mortgage representatives Crane and Jaworski, as well as Community Relations Commission members Montegna and Lozaro and CRC Chairman Wehr. Members Forde and Pesman were absent. 1. Review and Approval of Minutes from July 12, 2012 Meeting A motion was made to accept the minutes by Member Stern with minor corrections. With changes noted, this was seconded by Member Ganitopoulos. On voice vote, motion carried. 2. Chairman’s Report Chairman Wax introduced new Commissioner Fred Rosenberg and new Commission Liaison Phil Kiraly. Chairman Wax asked that a minor change in the agenda be granted to allow for discussion of item 7.1, Old Business: Presentation by the Village to Village Subcommittee, now rather than later in order to allow those members of the subcommittee to not have to sit through the entire meeting. 3. Old Business 1) Village to Village Survey Chairman Wax noted the timeline that he anticipated for this process. He indicated that tonight the Village to Village subcommittee (VVS) will make a report and the Senior Services Commission will make a recommendation. Following that recommendation, a joint meeting between the Senior Services Commission and the Community Relations Commission will be held, and a joint statement will be drafted based on the discussion at that meeting. The joint statement will be presented to the Village Board. Member Louis made a brief presentation to the Commission regarding the survey and the CRC members in attendance introduced themselves and explained the mission of the VVS. They explained the results of the survey and discussed pulling those items ranked as either a 4 or 5 together to highlight the items that were most important to respondents, culminating in the point that the highest priority is for seniors to be able to stay in their homes. The subcommittee members mentioned that there were a number of suggestions for action that the VVS could make to the Village Board, however, they could not agree on a particular plan. Minutes of a Regular Senior Housing Commission Meeting September 13, 2012 They determined it would be best to bring the report to the SSC and CRC for their input before going to the Village Board with a recommendation. Member Stern mentioned that the percentages of male/female responses did not add up to 100%. Member Louis noted that this was due to both husbands and wives filling out the surveys together. VVS Member Montegna noted that it was his belief that the VVS should offer some concrete proposals to the Village Board because the Board might not take action if they do not have a clearly articulated plan on how to do so. VVS Member Montegna stated that it was his recommendation that a “blue ribbon” panel be formed to hold community forums and delve more deeply into the survey data to determine what it is that seniors see as priorities. Chairman Wax thanked the VVS for their report and noted that their points are well taken. Chairman Wax suggested the following with regards to moving forward and determining the priorities of seniors in Northbrook: The Senior Services Commission is charged with the responsibility of dealing with issues important to seniors. A listing of services available to seniors is already on the Village’s website. It is clear that this has not been clearly enough communicated to the seniors in the community. Perhaps the Village can more clearly articulate this in the newsletter, etc. The Community Relations Commission should look at services that should be provided to other groups in the community. The “blue ribbon” panel is not necessary. This is already a responsibility of the Senior Services Commission. VVS Member Montegna asked about his recommendation of a community forum and Chairman Wax mentioned that the Senior Services Commission would look into it and determine the best way to move forward with existing resources. CRC Chairman Wehr mentioned that the CRC has developed a Community Resource Guide that should be made available on the Village’s website because it is more detailed than what is currently on the web. He also indicated that the CRC created the Community Resource Guide because many individuals in the community do not have access to the Village’s website. Member Stern noted that he believed that the Senior Services Commission should take ownership of senior issues. He articulated that the data from the survey provides a path for understanding what seniors want, but that the Village needs a database for the services that are available from as many different areas/channels as possible, including government, social service groups, civic groups, and houses of worship. Member Abrams mentioned that it would make sense for the Senior Services Commission to look at the data, determine what programs are available or not available, and if something makes sense, then make a recommendation to the Village Board, first coming up with an approach on how to pull together resources. 2 Minutes of a Regular Senior Housing Commission Meeting September 13, 2012 VVS Member Montegna asked if there was enough expertise on the Senior Services Commission to know what is available to seniors. Chairman Wax stated that the Village and the Senior Services Commission do not have resources to start providing services to seniors in the way that the VVS may be suggesting. He restated that the Senior Services Commission should be the clearinghouse for determining and resolving the needs of seniors. Chairman Wax noted that the ability for seniors to live in their home is somewhat determined by the ability for the community as a whole to assist them, not necessarily the Village setting up and staffing a program. Chairman Wax made a motion, seconded by Member Abrams, that the following statement be the position of the Senior Services Commission: That the Senior Services Commission carry out the identification and resolution of the needs of seniors in the Northbrook community That a better way of communicating the resources currently available to seniors, wherever they are, be utilized. To not ignore the needs of the community that might be identified for elements of the community other than seniors, and that those be communicated to the Community Relations Commission. By voice vote, the motion passed unanimously. Members of the CRC/VVS excused themselves at this point. 4. Manager’s Report Crestwood Manager Crane reported that since the last report, five vacancies took place. However, all units have signed leases as of September 13. 5. Park District Programs Update No report. 6. Budget and Finance Committee 1) Review of June and July 2012 Financial Report Chairman Wax mentioned that in the July financials, there was a question as to the meaning of the capital outlay line item. Ms. Jaworski mentioned this was an accounting factor and will be resolved. Chairman Wax commented on the positive status of the reserve fund, which stands at $605,000, or an 80% fund balance reserve. A Motion to accept financials was made by Member Ganitopoulos, and was seconded by Member Stern. On voice vote, the motion passed. 3 Minutes of a Regular Senior Housing Commission Meeting September 13, 2012 7. Old Business (continued) 2) Commission Recommendation re: Use of Unit C-107 Chairman Wax began by stating that a report from Realty and Mortgage (R&M) would take place tonight on the viability of this unit for rental purposes. Manager Crane noted that staff has determined that there are other areas in the building that can be used for storage of the items currently in C-107, but that some additional costs would have to be incurred in order to build a partition wall. Liaison Kiraly passed out a memorandum from Fire Prevention Bureau Director Frangiamore that stipulated that the space was acceptable for use as a living unit. Manager Crane outlined the projected costs to renovate the unit, which amounted to approximately $15,450. This will include improvements to the kitchen and bathroom, but does not include the costs for the partition wall or a new bathroom door and bathroom fan motor. It was determined that the cost of these three items was estimated at $1,000, for a total cost of $16,450. Chairman Wax questioned whether R&M was suggesting rent for this unit at $411/month. Manager Crane noted that most apartments are rented at $595 or $604/month but that even at the reduced rate, it might be difficult to rent this unit because of its location. Chairman Wax questioned whether R&M believed this apartment would be difficult to rent at the rate of $411, and Ms. Jaworski indicated that she did not believe it would be. Member Stern asked where funds to renovate the apartment would come from. Liaison Kiraly responded that capital resource funds would be used. Member Louis stated that she was opposed to using the unit for living space due to concerns about safety. Member Stern indicated that he was favorable of renting the space, especially at the anticipated rent. Member Abrams indicated that he has lived in much worse conditions for much more rent. He anticipates a three-year break even, making the investment even better in his eyes. Liaison Kiraly suggested that rather than the Commission recommending to the Board that the renovations be completed, and then the unit marketed, why not market it first, sign a letter of intent with a renter, and then proceed with renovations at that time? R&M indicated that this would be very acceptable and that they would be able to show a similar space to prospective renters. Member Ganitopoulos questioned how long it would take to do renovations once a signed security deposit was received? Manager Crane said the renovations could be done quite quickly. 4 Minutes of a Regular Senior Housing Commission Meeting September 13, 2012 A motion was made by Chairman Wax, seconded by Member Ganitopoulos, that the Commission approve the conversion and renovation of Unit C-107 for rental in an amount not to exceed $16,450 subject to identification of a tenant and approval of funds by the Village Board. Yea: Abrams, Rosenberg, Stern, Ganitopoulos, Wax Nay: Louis 8. New Business Chairman Wax asked that R&M update the capital project list for discussion in November. Next Regular Meeting Date: November 8, 2012 @ Crestwood Place Adjourn On a motion made by Member Ganitopoulos, and seconded by Member Stern, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Phil Kiraly, Liaison 5