COUNTY COMMISSION ON AGING

TUESDAY, 1-8-08

COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING – ROOM 3212

1:36 PM – 3:45 PM

MEMBERS PRESENT: Charles Spiker, Chairman, Robert Machotka, Dr. Edward Miner, Brad Pfaff, Dorothy Wetterlin

MEMBERS EXCUSED:         Sharon Hampson, Shirley Holman

OTHERS PRESENT:   Noreen Kuroski, Director, County Aging Unit

CALL TO ORDER

Charles Spiker, Committee Chair, called the meeting to order at 1:36 PM.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 12-4-07

MOTION: Motion by Dr. Edward Miner and seconded by Robert Machotka to approve

Minutes of 12-4-07. Pass unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

GIFTED HANDS

Noreen Kuroski reported the County Aging Unit operates Gifted Hands located at 1300 Caledonia Street for the sale of crafts that are handmade by area seniors. There are no county dollars involved in the shop. Store hours are Monday thru Friday and Saturdays

9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Gifted Hands is staffed by three individuals in the Title V Older Workers Program, funded through Experience Works. A number of sale items were displayed from Gifted Hands at the Commission Board meeting. Noreen Kuroski talked about some of the area seniors that contribute their talents and skills to Gifted Hands. One of our biggest sale items is the “scrubby” for $1.25 and the participant has sold 223 for the month of December and received a check for $313.00. A Comparison of Total Sales from Year 2004 to 2007

was distributed. 

PLANNING FOR GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD TO GROW OLD IN

ANDREA HANSEN, UWL-GERONTOLOGY CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Andrea Hansen, Program Manager of Continuning Education & Extension from

UWL-Gerontology Department gave a presentation and distributed copies of an upcoming on-line free conference on “Creating Aging-Friendly Communities”; on-line conference dates are 2-20, 2-27, and 3-5-08. The conference is to help communities get prepared with the senior population that will double over the next 25 years.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT CON’T

PLANNING FOR GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD TO GROW OLD IN

ANDREA HANSEN, UWL-GERONTOLOGY CERTIFICATE PROGRAM CON’T

Andrea Hansen along with Noreen Kuroski reported a meeting was held with Charles Handy, County Planner, Scott Rieber and Larry Kirch from City Planning to discuss planning for the future. A hand-out “Exploring the Aging Journey through Film” was distributed.

The first aging film fest is scheduled for 1-25-08 from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Cartwright Center at UW-La Crosse.  Andrea Hanson distributed a hand out on population, housing facts, etc. for their information.

MEAL SITES

Noreen Kuroski reported that the site manager at West Salem has recruited two volunteers for the site. 

MINI BUS

APPROVAL TO RAISE ONE-WAY FARES FOR MINI BUS

Noreen Kuroski reported the MTU Paratransit Service has raised their transportation fares from $2.00 to $2.50 due to increase cost of fuel and operating costs. Due to the rate increase and because all riders qualify to ride the Mini Bus that currently has a rate of $2.00 they are switching over and using the Mini Bus service; total number could equal 300-500 additional rides per month. It’s anticipated by the end of the 2008 that the Mini Bus could have a deficit of $60,000 due to increased ridership. A hand-out was provided showing the impact of adding 11 additional hours per week of service to the Mini Bus Program.

Noreen Kuroski recommended one-way rate increase for the Mini Bus as follows:

Zone 1 – Serves City of La Crosse-80% of total rides - $2.00 to $2.60

Zone 2 – Serves Onalaska, Holmen and West Salem – $2.80 to $3.50

Zone 3 – Serves Rural - $3.30 to $4.00.

Noreen Kuroski reported that the Aging & Long Term Care Committee met on Monday,

1-7-08 and made a motion to increase Zone 1 to $2.50, Zone 2 to $3.00 and Zone 3 to $3.50.

After considerable discussion from the Commission on Aging Board members, a motion moved by Dr. Edward Miner and seconded by Robert Machotka to approve the one-way rate increases for Zone 1 to $2.50, Zone 2 to $3.00 and Zone 3 to $3.50.  Pass unanimously.

REPRESENTATIVE FROM COMMISSION ON AGING FOR AGE ADANTAGE

Dr. Edward Miner attended a board meeting in Warrens, Wisconsin on Friday,

12-7-07. Discussion on the modernization of Age Advantage, stress of the four multi-county agencies, budget and audit approvals, “Caregiving for the Caregiver” and a brochure was given to the Commission Board members. Noreen Kuroski will be interviewed on Monday, 12-17-07 on TV-19’s morning show on “Caring for the Caregiver”.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Creating-Friendly Communities Conference Meeting – 2-13-08
     

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: Moved by Dr. Edward Miner and seconded by Brad Pfaff to adjourn.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:45 PM.

Minutes may be approved, amended, or corrected at the next Committee meeting.

Ruth Hafner, Recorder