COUNTY COMMISSION ON AGING

TUESDAY, 3-4-08

COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING – ROOM 3212

1:30 PM – 3:45 PM

MEMBERS PRESENT: Charles Spiker, Chairman, Sharon Hampson,

Shirley Holman at 1:40 pm., Robert Machotka,

Dr. Edward Miner, Dorothy Wetterlin

MEMBERS EXCUSED:         Brad Pfaff

OTHERS PRESENT:   Noreen Kuroski, Director, County Aging Unit

                                      Tina Johsnon, Benefit Specialist

CALL TO ORDER

Charles Spiker, Committee Chair, called the meeting to order at 1:30 PM.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 2-5-08

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

the Minutes of 2-5-08. Pass unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

PLANNING FOR AGING FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES UPDATE

Noreen Kuroski reported a group of 50 citizens have met for the past three Wednesdays to hear from experts here and around the country, focusing on ways the region can become a better place to live for its older residents.  On Wednesday, 3-5-08, the group will discuss affordable housing, smart growth, better rural transportation, home-delivered meals, safe sidewalks, less age discrimination, holistic health and wellness centers, more farmer’s markets, better health promotion and more support services to better identify people’s needs.

Noreen Kuroski reported that the concept of aging-friendly communities has the support of city and county planners.  The initiative, led by the County Aging Unit and UW-L Gerontology programs will hold their first follow-up monthly meeting on Thursday, 4-10-08 from 2 to 4:00 PM in the UW-L Cleary Alumni and Friends Center. Plan what initiatives to undertake and to start the work.

TAX REBATE “STIMULUS PAYMENT” – Tina Johnson, Benefit Specialist

A copy of the 1040A Stimulus payment form was given to the Commission Board members.

Tina Johnson, Benefit Specialist for La Crosse County Aging Unit informed the Commission Board members that if a person doesn’t file a 2007 federal income tax return, they will need to file a 1040A in order to receive a check of $300 under the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008.

The rebate will be based on a 2007 tax return showing at least $3,000 in qualifying income such as earned income, social security benefits, certain veteran’s benefits and certain railroad retirement benefits. Supplemental Social Security income does not count.  Tax rebate checks will range from $300 to $600 for individuals and $600 to $1,200 for joint fliers. Taxpayers may receive $300 for each qualifying child younger than 17.  Tina Johnson stated that this rebate check will be non-taxable for state and federal taxes. Tina Johnson and Larry White

are assisting seniors in filing this stimulus payment.

RESOLUTION APPROVAL FOR DISHWASHERS UPDATE

Noreen Kuroski reported the authorization to purchase two dishwashers and transfer funds from Aging Undesignated Fund Balance in the amount of $7, 200 was passed at the County Board of Supervisors on Thursday, 2-21-08.

FIND-A-RIDE

A flier was given to the Commission Board members regarding “Find-A-Ride” that will help connect the person with the most appropriate ride that will cost the least.  Noreen Kuroski reported there will be a radio campaign and a jingle message with the phone number of

1-888-300-9796 for this program. Shirley Holman suggested that this flier be given to the churches for their bulletin board.  Dorothy Wetterlin would like to take 50 fliers to a meeting on Monday, 3-10-08 at the Asbury Methodist Church.

SHARED RIDE EXPANSION

Running Inc. transit services will be the vendor to provide Expanded Transportation service for the La Crosse County Aging Unit for the period of 3-1-08 to 12-31-08. The STRAP Grant funding is $111,484 and is used for public rural transportation service expansion and other services. The grant will be used to include a mobility manager, (Find-A-Ride), a toll

free number to call for ride information, educational campaign, and development of a  transportation website and expansion of Shared Ride services to several rural towns. Individuals will be able to travel in the current service area of public transit, Holmen, Onalaska and West Salem and the expansion areas of Town of Holland, Villages of Bangor and Rockland. The fares for one-way rides will range between $3.50 and $5.00 with free transfers to the MTU bus service in La Crosse. A 20% match will come from the 85.21 funding, plus $3,000 from 2 of the 3 towns for the Shared Ride services with a total cost for the project estimated at $148,500.

RECRUITMENT FOR NUTRITION PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Noreen Kuroski will be writing a job description for the above position starting next week.  The position will be for 20 to 22 hours per week.  Interviews will be given at the end of March or the first part of April. The new person would possibly start in the middle of April or the end of April.

MEAL SITES

MENU CHANGES

Noreen Kuroski reported feed-back from the site managers regarding the menu changes has been positive.

WORKING WITH CARROLL HEIGHTS MENU/HILLVIEW

Noreen Kuroski met with staff from Hillview regarding making changes for the Carroll Heights menu.  Some changes were accommodated by the staff and there will be future meetings regarding menu changes.

ENSURE

The liquid supplement Ensure has seen a tremendous increase for our program. December, 2007 there were 48 cases sold and 150 cases sold in January, 2008.  There are 24 cans in a case. 

RECRUITMENT/APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERS FOR THE COMMISSION

ON AGING BOARD

Chairman Spiker informed the Commission Board members that Robert Machotka has agreed his continuation to serve on this Board.  Chairman Spiker and Dorothy Wetterlin terms of office will expire in the month of April and will not be renewing their membership to this Board.

Dorothy Wetterlin recommended that Kathy Lucey be considered a member and Shirley Holman recommended Lyle Ostrander, a past Commission Board member to serve. Noreen Kuroski stated Pat Bogie was also recommended.

MINI BUS

No Report

REPRESENTATIVE FROM COMMISSION ON AGING FOR AGE ADANTAGE

Dr. Edward Miner reported that the Finance Board met and there are ten applications for the directorship. There will be a two day meeting at Black River Falls on Monday, 4-7-08 and Tuesday, 4-8-08.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Chairman Spiker stressed the continuation of having county board supervisors be made aware of our programs and to invite them to the nutrition sites throughout the year. Chairman Spiker stated these programs are vital for our seniors.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: Moved by Robert Machotka and seconded by Shirley Holman 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