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NOTE: Action items are shown in boldface, and motions are italicized.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Cay Bettinghaus, Jackie Campeau, Nina Else, JoAnn Furay, Roice Horning, Barbara Kostner, Jean Kyle, Bob Lanky
CITY COUNCIL: Debbie Koop, Cheryl Wise
STAFF: Edie Richey
CULTURAL DIVERSITY COMMISSION LIAISON: Harry Cullis
GUEST: Peggy Jones, Lakewood Transportation Administrator
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by JoAnn Furay, Chairperson.
I. Approval of Minutes; Chair Notices - JoAnn asked that we all pause for a moment to acknowledge those who died in the September 11 tragedies and also those of us who still live. The minutes of the August 14, 2002 meetings were accepted, with one pen-and-ink correction: adding the title of Police Agent to Ken King's name.
II. Cultural Diversity Liaison Report - Harry Cullis reported that the Cultural Diversity Commission met to discuss a pilot bilingual program which just ended. It was five weeks long, free for Jeffco residents within a certain area. The organizers want to extend it and are looking for a location. Harry thinks it looks like a very good program.
Debbie noted that the Cultural Diversity Commission has had trouble with term limits and the feasibility of members serving extended terms until their replacements are selected. They also have had some questions about participating and voting via telephone when members cannot be present.
III. Communication Committee Report - Jackie Campeau reported that the committee has been working with Al Pinel on our brochure. Cathy Cable has been excellent about including items in "City Briefs" In Looking at Lakewood; for instance, see the recent item regarding Colorado No-Call List scams. The October issue, which will have an election theme, will include an article about transportation issues in relation to the upcoming elections, and will also include number to call for help in getting to polling places. Debbie suggested that with winter weather coming, a repeat of our article about walking places would be timely.
Roice wrote an article about LSCAC for Together, the Lakewood city employee newsletter, for the issue which will be published in the next couple of weeks. Edie will secure copies for us for our October meeting.
Edie and Jackie C. suggest we use the term 50-plus in future publications. Due to staff costs and production costs, the "50+" television program has been halted. The purpose of "50+" was to promote programs for citizens over age 50 and to provide information to them. The City will now be doing more targeted marketing and more public relations using more volunteers. There will also be more ads in larger newspapers, such as Denver West Shopper, Southwest Shopper and possibly the Sentinel The City will focus its program resources on police and fire needs instead of "50+." An ad was placed in Senior Marketplace, but Clements received only 2 responses as a result.
Edie distributed a copy of the information about LSCAC which is on the City web site. She also distributed an article which is planned for the October Looking at Lakewood, "Choosing Wisely About Senior Housing." The last issue of Looking at Lakewood also contained an article about housing.
Jackie told us that the Communication Committee did some brainstorming on ways to get our name out. Roice called the City Planning office to secure an e?mail list of approximately 165 neighborhood organizations in the City. The list includes contact names, e-mail addresses, ward numbers. Roice suggested it might be useful to put together a short program and offer to visit their meetings to explain what our Commission does, plus listen to concerns. The Communication Committee could spearhead putting together the material for a presentation of perhaps 5-10 minutes. The Committee agreed to work on developing this project, and Barbara will assist. The Committee will present a report at our November 13 meeting.
IV. Comprehensive Plan Update - Roice distributed a report summarizing the status of the Plan. Generally speaking, he said, the Planning Commission is midway through the process of reorganizing, clarifying and making the language of the document more understandable for citizens. A public forum for presentation of the revised Plan has been tentatively scheduled for October 30, but no details are firm yet. At Roice's suggestion, JoAnn will invite a member of the Planning Commission to our November 13 meeting.
Jean reported that the Lakewood Housing Authority is incorporated as a 501(c)3 entity, making it eligible for federal grants from HUD, Community Service Block Grants, Community Development Block Grants, and for state and private foundation special grants. The Board's five members serve for five-year terms. Senior housing concerns take up about 30% of their time. A large project between Pierce and 20th behind the JCRS shopping center is in the beginning planning stages. It is estimated that there would be 128 apartment units for low and middle income tenants, half seniors and half families. People in the community are aware of and attending meetings, but no seniors are involved in the planning. The next planning meeting is scheduled for 3:10 on September 19, Cabinet Room at City Hall. Bill Lundsford is in charge of the project. Jean distributed a copy of a resource booklet, "Retirement Living," which was prepared by the Jefferson County Council on Aging under Bob Lanky's direction a few years ago. Edie stated that her office has revised this booklet to update phone numbers and other contact information. Copies will be ready October 1, and Edie will bring a supply to our October 9 meeting.
VI. Transportation/RTD Report - [Note: We took this agenda item out of sequence to accommodate individual schedules.] Cay reported that RTD does not intend to have parking at its Garrison Street light rail station when it is built. There will also be no station at Kipling, so neighbors are concerned that this may increase Garrison traffic. Cay has seen nothing about possible condemnation proceedings, which may very well affect seniors in the area. Dave Hollis is an RTD employee who is handling the consultants and the process. Members of LSCAC voted by a show of hands to ask him to make a presentation of about 40 minutes at our October 9 meeting. Cheryl pointed out that only about 100 people live along the area affected by a 13th Avenue route for light rail. The railroad track along 13th Avenue was operable until about 1985 or 1986. Peggy suggested we ask Mr. Hollis to bring the RTD light rail schematics to show us. She says they are wonderful - colorful, easy to read - and will help us understand RTD plans.
V. Retreat Goals and Objectives - Roice suggested we change the word "issues" to "needs, services and concerns" throughout our Working Action Plan. All agreed. We will use this as a working document, and further changes may be made as we move along.
JoAnn noted that some members had brought up the concern that the reports we give should be more than merely information-sharing. We are receiving and sharing information, even though we might not be actively working on projects stemming from those reports. Jean stated that she would like new people coming onto our Commission to have some background and knowledge about the information that we've gathered, so that new members do not have to start from zero or re-do things.
Roice stated his observation that one of our roles is to influence policy. We then voted to add the word "public" to Goal #2, so that it now reads "To increase public awareness of the Lakewood Senior Citizens Advisory Commission as a voice for Seniors."
VII. Information Sharing and Updates
Cay announced that OASIS will hold its Southwest Plaza opening celebration
at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 17. Another OASIS location, this one in Lakewood,
is at The Inn at Lakewood, 555 S. Pierce.
Nina recognized Barbara for competing on the U. S. Team at the Duathlon Long
Course recently held in Austria (Barbara's reason for missing the last Commission
meeting). Barbara reported that this was a World Championship, with 38 countries
participating. The oldest U. S. representative was in the 75-79 age group. The
Duathlon consisted of 9 miles running, then 50 miles cycling through mountains,
then finishing up with a 5 mile run. Barbara completed the course in 5 hours,
30 minutes, placing 6th in her age category. We gave Barbara a round of applause
for her achievements.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Nina Else, Secretary
The City of Lakewood does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in the provision of services. For
disabled persons needing reasonable accommodation to attend or participate in
a city service program, call 303-987-4840 Voice/TTY, as far in advance as possible.
Alternative formats of this document available upon request.
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