HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-0430 Study Session MIN
CITY OF
ASHLAND
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
MINUTES
Monday, April 30, 2018
Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street
Mayor Stromberg called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM
Councilor Slattery, Councilor Bachman, Councilor Morris and Councilor Seffinger were present.
Councilor Rosenthal was absent.
1. Public Input (15 min)
Huelz Hutcheon- Ashland- Spoke regarding the speakers and monitor in the lobby not working.
He spoke regarding having solar panel roofs on old and new buildings.
II. Discussion of Senior Issues (45 min)
Councilor Slattery gave a Staff report. He spoke that it was discussed to create a study group to
discuss aging in Ashland and the services provided.
Councilor Seffinger spoke that she brought this issue up 4 years ago and that there have been
changes since that time. She gave Council a handout that she wrote up in the Ashland Daily
Tidings 4 years ago (see attached).
Items discussed were:
• Ageism
• Growing senior population
• Future senior issues
• Services for seniors
• Budget and Strategic Planning
• Installing a handrail at the Japanese Garden
• Senior Services Division in the Parks and Recreation Department
• The search for a Superintendent for Senior Services
• Creating a Senior Program Advisory Committee
• Poverty growth in seniors
• 46% of people in Ashland are over 50
• Homelessness in elderly individuals
• Housing for all ages
• Council and Parks role to this issue
Parking for seniors
0 Trails for seniors
• Transportation for seniors
It was decided to have Councilor Bachman and Councilor Seffinger work with Staff on
establishing a working group to discuss senior issues and bring it back to the Council.
III. Civic Donations Policy Review (30 min)
City Attorney, David Lohman gave a staff report. He went over the draft policy.
Council discussed whether or not to accept donations that have initial or ongoing costs. The
Council came to a consensus to look at these donations case by case.
It was decided that the policy would be revised and brought back to Council.
Interim City Administrator discussed the Look Ahead. It was suggested to move the selection of
Councilor Position #6 and the Approval of Employee Health Benefits Plan before the Public
Hearing at the Council Business Meeting tomorrow night.
Mayor Stromberg spoke regarding marijuana dispensaries staying open later than 7 PM. This
would need an Ordinance change. This was decided to bring back to the Council with more
information.
The Council adjourned to Executive Session at 6:41 PM for real property transaction, pursuant
to ORS 190.660(2)(e)
Respectfully submitted bey:
City recorder, Melissa Huhtala
Attest:
M yo Stromb rg
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this
meeting, please contact the City Administrator's office at (541) 488-6002 (TTY phone number 1-800-735-
2900). Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to
ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title I).
i
"It's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to
everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to
anyone."
- Andy Rooney
By Stefani Seffinger, City Counselor
Not coincidently, in recent years I have become interested in the social and
health needs of aging senior people. After all, aging is something none of
us can escape. And with advances in health care and technology many of
us will be living longer. Statistics bear this out:
• It is estimated that the number of people in Jackson County, age 80
and older, is expected to more than double in the next 20 years.
• Jackson County has a distinctly higher than average number of
elderly seniors than other Oregon metropolitan areas and almost 30%
of them live alone.
The World Health Organization along with AARP have developed programs
and guidelines to help cities prepare for the rapid aging of the U.S.
population by paying increased attention to the environmental, economic,
and social factors that influence the health and well-being of older adults.
Many cities in Oregon and throughout the United States have created
Commissions on aging to make their city more age friendly. These
commissions focus on the needs of the elderly including , transportation,
age friendly and affordable housing, and healthcare support. An example
of this are senior advocates that help seniors learn about services,
coordinate resources and identify gaps in service.
Senior advisory committees also support existing commissions to include
the needs of the elderly when recommending proposals to their city
Council. Examples of this would be in advocating for housing options like
single level houses, age-friendly design, multi- generational housing
development and a continuum of support housing, assisted living and
long-term care options. Someone turning 65 today has a 68% chance of
needing some form of long term care. Our community is lacking in these
facilities.
I
For many seniors losing their ability to drive has devastating
consequences particularly when there are few public transportation options
available. Ashland has limited bus service and valley lift provides service
only to those within a short radius of a bus stop. Riding a bicycle or walking
to town are not realistic options for many aging seniors. Social isolation is
a very significant cause of depression and decline in mental ability for
seniors so getting to a volunteer job or the senior center may be very
important. Other cities have worked to expand transportation options and
develop creative programs to connect seniors to rides.
Looking at the built environment and outdoor spaces through the eyes of
less mobile senior is another important role a senior commission can play.
Examples include keeping pathways well maintained and free of
obstructions and providing drop off areas that are safe and convenient for
both older citizens and our many older visitors to our city. A specific
concern that came to my attention recently was the entrance to the
Japanese garden in Lithia Park. The beautiful entry includes natural rock
stairs from the road up to the garden. Adding an attractive railing to help
navigate the uneven surfaces of the natural rock steps would greatly
increase the safety of this feature for unsteady older people.
There are many other roles that an Ashland Senior commission or Adhoc
committee might fill. These include an assessment of the city to identify
how to make if more age friendly. There are programs and checklists
available from the World Health Organization for this purpose. Other areas
could include a compilation of existing services and resources, looking for
grants for new and innovative programs that have a good chance to be
implemented, and working with with both the city and the Parks and
Recreation Commission to achieve city goal 6.3 which is to explore
expansion of the Senior Center and senior services in Ashland.
I recently participated in a television program the mayor hosted on needs
of seniors in Ashland which has reenforced how important it is to
understand and coordinate the needs of Ashland's aging population before
the need is critical. I think a senior commission would help fill this role.
" Source:Office of Economic Analysis, Department of Administrative Services, Oregon
Source: US Census