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Lakewood Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
July 13, 2005 Minutes
Commission Members Present: Roice Horning, Joanne Ruzzo, John Lasswell,
Lisa Thompson, Bill Minard, Carolyn Evans
City Council: Carol Kesselman, Barbara Martin
Staff: Edie Richey, Tami Fischer
Cultural Diversity Commission
Liaison: Harry Cullis
Heritage, Culture & the Arts
Liaison David Wiechman
Guests: Shae Olson, Villa Manor
Meeting called to order by Chairman, Roice Horning at 4:04 p.m.
Introductions: Shae Olson from Villa Manor was introduced. She is Nan Johnson's replacement.
Minutes: Minutes were reviewed by commission members. It was noted that page 2, second item under potential budget cuts should read "The Clements Center will be closed two out of five days in 2006 and 2007". "All senior classes and programs will be eliminated in 2007" should be stricken from the minutes. Motion made by John Lasswell and seconded by Bill Minard to approve minutes as revised. Motion approved unanimously.
Commission Business:
City Council Sales Tax and Budget Decision Timeline: Carol said Council discussed
proposed ballot ideas and they will be voting on ballot language. The budget
retreat will be August 29th. Two versions of the 2006 budget, one with cuts
and one without the proposed cuts, will be addressed. Barb Martin said there
was Council consensus to place a 1% tax increase on the ballot. The tax will
not apply to food for home consumption, prescription drugs, and areas where
there is currently a PIF. The vote for placing it on the ballot will be August
8th. Harry Cullis asked if any public opinion polls or surveys have been done.
Carol said an independent telephone poll/survey is being done.
Roice asked how the funds would be allocated and if all cuts would be reinstated. Tami indicated that the $16M increase in revenue would have the potential of restoring the $10.5M in projected budget cuts, if this is how Council chooses to use funds. Carol said a portion will be applied to reserves. The current reserve is at 10%, or $8.5M. Tabor requires 3% of the general fund to be held as reserves.
Barb Martin said there was Council consensus that 50% of the increase, above the amount needed to restore the potential cuts, be allocated to Public Works, or approximately $3M. The balance would be allocated to the general fund. A 1% sales tax increase, not applied to food for home consumption, prescription drugs, and current PIF areas, will result in a $16M increase which will restore City services to the original 2004 budget.
There was discussion on why the 1% tax increase will not be applied to the PIF areas. Some contracts prohibit the City from doing that, if it increases the average tax for the region resulting in Lakewood retail areas becoming less competitive. Since one or two of the contracts has this language, it was decided not to apply it to all three PIF areas rather than discriminate. The three PIF areas, which include Belmar, Colorado Mills and Walmart, are less than 10% of total revenue.
John asked about PIFs being applied to the proposed new St. Anthony Hospital facility. PIFs apply only to retail. The hospital has its own funding through the national organization, and RTD will be funding the transit portion of that development. According to a meeting attended by Carolyn, the hospital plans to break ground in 2006, with both the hospital and RTD being operational by 2009.
Resolution: Roice drafted a Resolution supporting a tax increase, with anticipation the commission would vote on it and then decide what involvement the commission would take in its support.
Carol suggested the addition of "providing services that would maintain property values". Barbara Green recommended this resolution be submitted for the July 25th meeting. It was also recommended to change the wording on the number and ages of the senior population to reflect Lakewood demographics at "30,900+ older (over 55) residents"; to change the wording of 81,806 incidences of direct services to 81,806 direct services; to change the "2212 contacts with this office to secure services" rather than referral services; and state the Resolution is "endorsing a 1% sales tax increase (not applicable to food for home consumption or prescription drugs).
John Lasswell made a motion to accept the Resolution with suggested changes, seconded by Bill Minard. The motion approved unanimously by those in attendance and proxy votes.
Roice entertained discussion on involvement of the Commission in supporting the passage of the sales tax for the benefit of the senior population. Dave Weichman suggested the Commission consider the City prohibition on taking a position once it is on the ballot. Also the Commission cannot use city money or resources to advocate in support of the tax increase.
Roice recommended supporting the tax increase at a table at Lakewood on Parade and voter registration at the senior center. Carol recommended Roice and Tami speak with the City Attorney to get legal feedback on Commission support activities. As an alternative, she suggested partnering with an independent citizens group that will be working in support of the tax increase. The contact person is George Valik, Alameda Gateway Commission.
The Commission members agreed not to act until the legal issues are addressed and more information is acquired on the independent citizens group. Roice and Tami will meet with the City attorney for clarification. Roice will call George Valik for more information on the citizens group. Tami also recommended Commission members educate themselves on city services if they want to speak in the community.
Committee Reports:
Legislative Committee: John discussed the benefits of passage of Referendum
C and D..
Communications Committee:. Carolyn discussed George's concerns on press releases not being published after approval. Carol K., Roice, George, and Joni will meet to discuss proper procedures, etc.
Staff: Tami indicated she had nothing additional to report. Edie also had nothing to report.
Cultural Diversity Commission: Harry Cullis said the consensus on the partnership survey was it did not provide the feedback they were looking for and felt it was marginally useful. There was a recommendation that the Commission work with the Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for possible assistance.
Heritage, Culture and the Arts Commission: Dave Wiechman said the nonprofit, HCA Alliance, has been approved by the IRS as a foundation that accepts donations to support City arts.
State Conference on Aging: Richard, George, Roice and Lisa attended the conference. All voiced disappointment in the conference's lack of opportunity for interactive feedback.
Announcements: Dave Weichman made a couple of announcements.
· St. Anthony's Hospital will have an open house to provide information
on the new hospital.
· Citizens for Lakewood's Future will meet 7/14 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm.
Adjournment: A motion to adjourn was made by Lisa Thompson, seconded by Joanne Ruzzo. Meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Secretary
The City of Lakewood does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability in the provision
of services. For disabled persons needing reasonable accommodations to attend
or participate in a city service program, call 303-987-4840 Voice/TTY, as far
in advance as possible. Alternate formats of this document available upon request.
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