Senior Services Commission

APPROVED Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Senior Services Commission Village of Northbrook June 27, 2013 The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. in the Terrace Room of the Northbrook Village Hall, 1225 Cedar Lane. Present were Chairman Wax and Members Ganitopoulos, Rosenberg, Louis, and Stern. Members Forde, Bachrach, and Moore were absent. Also present were Liaison Kiraly, Realty and Mortgage (R&M) representatives Crane and Jaworski, and Recorder Martin. Review and Approval of Minutes from the May 9, 2013, Meeting Member Louis, seconded by Member Ganitopoulos, moved to approve the minutes of the May 9, 2013, meeting. On voice vote, the minutes were approved. Chairman’s Report Chairman Wax reported that Mitch Abrams was not re-appointed to the commission when his term expired in April of 2013. Anyone who wishes to suggest a person to fill the vacancy should contact the chairman. To date, neither the chairman or village staff have received any comments from senior citizens suggesting any unmet needs that could be addressed by the commission. Commission members are asked to solicit input from local seniors before the next meeting in order to determine what, if any, programs or services might be of interest to Northbrook seniors. Manager’s Report The FY2013-2014 budget for Crestwood Place included funding to convert ten bathtubs to walk-in showers. Walk-in showers are popular because tenants with physical disabilities find them easier to use than conventional bathtubs. All ten conversions have been completed. Tenants whose bathtubs have not been converted have requested that they, too, receive this upgrade. Currently, 53 of 117 apartments at Crestwood Place have walk-in showers. Crestwood Place is 100 percent occupied. Four vacancies recently arose, but replacement tenants were found. Vacancies are filled by consulting lists of those who have expressed interest. Northbrook residents and their parents are given first consideration. It usually takes less than one month to fill a vacancy. Liaison Kiraly reported that the village has two or three computers to donate to Crestwood. They will be installed as soon as possible. Crestwood currently has one computer with Internet access available to tenants in the community room. A few tenants also have computers in their rooms. They may arrange for Internet access at their own expense. The commission discussed the need and practicality of providing wireless (or wi-fi) access for computers at Crestwood. Interest in computers at Crestwood may increase in the future. Now, however, few tenants have them. The commission discussed whether building security is adequate at Crestwood Place. Manager Crane said that the single biggest threat to security is Crestwood residents who let strangers enter the building. Management has posted signs urging tenants not to do this, but to no avail. Fortunately, to date, there have been no incidents of criminal activity or trespass at Crestwood. Key Page 1 of 3 pads with codes could be installed, but they would be easily compromised if tenants give out the code. Liaison Kiraly said that security improvements could be addressed when next year’s budget is drafted. Park District Programs Update No one from the Northbrook Park District attended the meeting, so no report was given. Budget and Finance 1) Review of April 2013 Financial Report Chairman Wax said that the report is incomplete because the village has not provided certain figures related to debt service. Liaison Kiraly said that he would check with village staff to get the figures and find out why they were omitted. Member Louis, seconded by Member Stern, moved to defer consideration of the April financial report until the missing figures are provided. By a voice vote, the motion passed. 2) Review of May 2013 Financial Report Chairman Wax said that this report shows a healthy cash balance, but that some figures from April are missing. Liaison Kiraly said that the figures will be adjusted as needed for the June report. Member Stern, seconded by Member Ganitopoulos, moved to approve the May 2013 financial report. On voice vote, the motion passed. Old Business 1) Report on Tour of Park District Senior Center Chairman Wax said that, after touring three local facilities in recent months, he is convinced that there are plenty of opportunities for seniors to be active in Northbrook. Member Louis said that the North Shore Senior Center offers a lot of social services and that these ought to be publicized to residents. For example, the Community Care Program receives state funding and charges seniors for home health care on a sliding scale. Liaison Kiraly said that this information will be added to the village’s website. New Business 1) Discussion of Next Steps with Management Services Contract Chairman Wax said that the commission must decide tonight whether to negotiate a contract extension with Realty & Mortgage or to go out to bid for management services for Crestwood Place. He said that after tonight’s decision, the next step would be to decide what provisions should be in a renegotiated contract or a newly released request for proposals. Liaison Kiraly said that the village has no formal policy regarding how frequently contracts have to be re-bid. If the village is receiving good service at a competitive price, it may not be necessary. It costs money to go out to bid, especially if the quality of responses is poor and the process has to be started more than once. Liaison Kiraly said that Realty & Mortgage’s first contract with the village began May 1, 2010. It was renewed in 2012. Before 2010, the contract was re-bid every eight to ten years. Member Stern said that it may be wise to enter into a contract for more than two years, but to re-bid it every time it comes up for renewal. Not doing so means the village does not know exactly what its options are. The commission discussed the costs and benefits of both renewing the existing contract and going out to bid for a new one. Quality service may be Page 2 of 3  more important than price. Member Ganitopoulos moved, seconded by Member Rosenberg, to renegotiate a contract with Realty & Mortgage, which holds the existing contract to provide management services at Crestwood Place. Those voting Aye: Louis, Ganitopoulos, Rosenberg, and Wax (4). Those voting Nay: Stern. The motion passed by a majority of a quorum. Chairman Wax said that the village board is not required to accept the recommendation of the commission. Commission members will have an opportunity to discuss possible changes in the Realty & Mortgage contract at the next commission meeting. Hear from the Audience None. Next Regular Meeting Date: September 12, 2013 Adjourn Member Stern moved, seconded by Member Louis, to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. The motion passed by voice vote. /s/ C. Martin Recorder Page 3 of 3