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HomeMy WebLinkAbout112398S CC Min CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP SESSION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1998 COMMUNITY BUILDING 6104 AUDEN 6:45 P.M. The City Council convened in Workshop Session in the Community Building (6104 Auden) on November 23, 1998, with the following members present: Mayor Fogler presiding, Council Members Neal, Davis and Starich. The City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Police Chief, Parks and Recreation Director, Public Works Director, Building Official, Senior Services Manager and Finance Director were also present. Council Member Sparkman was absent. AGENDA REVIEW: The City Council reviewed the regular meeting agenda and discussed items under consideration with the Staff. SENIOR CITIZEN NEEDS ASSESSMENT: The City Council discussed the Senior Citizens Needs Assessment. City Manager Sherman Yehl reported that the Department Directors from all City Departments met with Sharon Reusser, Senior Services Manager to discuss the senior citizens needs assessment and possible solutions to the problems identified. A copy oftheir response follows: 1. Continue to provide assistance. with the garbage and trash pick-up to those. elderly or disabled residents who request the service. Simplify the request process, if necessary. Use home visits if prudent to determine need. Continue to publicize the service so that those in need as well as caregivers know about it. A program to help those who can't take trash to the curb has been in place for many years. Housebound and frail residents call Senior Services who approves the request for back door pick-up. This information. is forwarded to Public Works. Some Seniors are helped on a regular weekly basis, some call only on an as needed basis. The biggest problem seems to be communication. Chief Brye used his Chief's Corner space several months ago and Senior Services received many calls. We will put another announcement in City Currents and will dedicate space in the next Activities Calendar coming out in December. 2. Take measures within City government to provide prompt responses to residents' comments, inquiries and complaints. Consider using a receptionist to greet callers and route calls. A consensus was reached in one Focus Group that no one in that group went to City Hall any longer because the City no longer responded. The Southwestern Bell Telephone government blue pages is to be expanded with more phone numbers listed. Department Heads agree that all attempts should be made that a human pick up the phone if the principle user is on another line and they recommend that volunteers, including Seniors, be requested to help answer the City's main telephone number. We would use City Currents to advertise for the help. City Currents will also be used to publicize a directory of names and numbers. 3. Address the issue of fire rating. It appears to be a major concern among seniors. Chief Stevenson reports that this is currently being worked on and agrees that this is a problem for all residents in the city. 4. Encourage the formation of neighborhood Care committees, perhaps under an umbrella organization such as the Neighborhood Watch, which seems to have a similar purpose of promoting communication and concern among neighbors. Continue to encourage intergenerational events such as block parties, neighborhood get togethers and city-wide events. Staff, members of the Neighborhood Watch program and Senior Volunteers will be creating a program whereby homebound Seniors will be visited on a regular basis by neighbors to provide contact and information. Chief Brye also has an automated telephone software program that he's researching that would call Seniors on a daily basis to check on their welfare. Presently, we have a volunteer who calls approximately 20 Seniors every Monday. Other welfare calls, welfare checks and home visits are made as needed by Volunteers, Police and Fire Departments and Senior Services staff 5. Be aware of the special difficulties for older Seniors that are caused by new construction, including driveways and streets being crowded by construction equipment and trucks, damage to lawns and curbing, and property trespass by construction workers that occurs when the new construction too closely borders existing houses and driveways. For residents of all ages, consider increasing space between houses to regain a sense of space and light, as well as privacy. More publicity is also an answer for this problem. Although builders are expected to notify all nearby neighbors of their rights and privileges during the construction period, we're not sure if the Seniors are paying attention. Therefore, when a home is being built, Public Works will give Senior Services the addresses which we will compare with our mailing list and we will make sure a second letter is delivered to the neighboring Seniors. We will use our volunteer drivers as the delivery service. Information regarding procedures to work with builders and contractors should also be printed in City Currents. 6. Consider including facilities and space in City parks for residents of all ages. Men participating in the needs survey suggested shuffle board, horseshoes and putting greens. Also suggested were stretching and exercise stations for walkers and joggers. Benches a distance from the small children areas and swings appropriate for all ages are also possibilities. Staff believes that The Parks and Recreation Board will consider expanded recreation opportunities for Seniors when new park sites are planned, especially at Colonial Park and the proposed YMCA site. 7. Consider additional funding for Senior Services so that; (a) A program for men planned by male residents could be started; (b) That a Jequested friendship center could be piloted; (c) That programs requested by the 55-64 year old group of seniors could be provided; (d) That a care givers support group and possibly workshops could be planned; (e) That night transportation could be provided for some activities; (f) That impact on existing programs and resources by residents from area assisted living centers could be addressed; (g) That a computer file of existing Harris County resources for senior and disabled residents could beset up and maintained with up-to-date data. Each one of these could be developed over time through small committees gathering additional data and working with Senior Services to develop a program or to modify one already established. For example: A. Men's programs - would like to start with a committee to discuss what activities are needed and how to recruit the new members. B. Afriendship center is something to be looked at carefully with an eye to the future demographics of Senior citizens, balancing nearby programs and cost to the city. Again, this should be addressed by a committee. C. While staff members at Senior Services are always looking for activities for all Seniors, if this age group would like to form a group to offer suggestions that would be fine. Individuals may also request activities at anytime. D. Have set up the third Monday of January through April (to start with) for a caregivers support group to be held from 2:00 - 3:00 in our building. (Times were suggested by several care giver agencies.) Will find speakers should the group desire. E. Have put an activity in the calendar for this coming February to "test the waters JJ regardingfuture evening events. F Studies on-going regarding alternative living centers near our neighborhood. We see a little overlap but have some mutual activities. G. Existing resources are available through several printed booklets and directories used by staff members. Additional computer information may be available from the Area on Aging and the Harris County Branch Library. It is the staffs recommendation that administrative changes be implemented immediately and that appropriate referrals be made to review and implement program changes. - ----'-,.-,F":l'Mff~Fr'lmlfff'F..,..,---- QUARTERLY REPORT: The City Staff presented the Quarterly Report. The City Council recessed the Workshop Session to convene in Regular Session at 7:30 p.m. The Workshop Session reconvened at 10:00 p.m. INQUIRIES. REQUESTS AND COMPLAINTS: The City Council reviewed matters received from the public and referred them to the appropriate department or agreed to place them on a future agenda for consideration or action. VISION 2020: The City Council discussed the Comprehensive Plan and pedestrian mobility. A motion was made by Council Member Starich, seconded by.Council Member Neal, to reject the concept of a pedestrian path through the City of West University Place as part of the Comprehensive Plan. A vote was taken on the motion with the following result: Voting Aye: Mayor Fogler, Council Members Neal and Starich Voting Nay: Council Member Davis Absent: Council Member Sparkman MATTERS RELATED TO PENDING OR CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION OR A SETTLEMENT OFFER: (1) 4130 Riley and requested zoning relief including litigation Closed Executive Session to be held under Section 551.071 , Texas Government Code. The City Council convened in Executive Session at 10:48 p.m. with the following members present: Mayor Fogler presiding, Council Members Neal, Davis and Starich. The City Manager, City Secretary and City Attorney were also present. The Executive Session closed at 11 :30 p.m. and reconvened in Workshop Session. 11 II, -:-W~l~ r,-- 11" 1 <1.,,1,1 i~.r, - ----------------,----!i"iHlWrefm'fI'r.:'rnlfff'IiO' ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to cOme before the City Council at this time, a motion was made by Council Member Starich, seconded by Council Member Davis, to adjourn. The Workshop Session adjourned at 11 :35 p.m.