Committee for Seniors & Citizens in Need

MINUTES Commitee on the Elderly and Needy Ci�zens February 28, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. The Commitee on the Elderly and Needy Ci�zens (ENCC) met on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. in the Bel Air Police Department Community Room, 39 N. Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, MD. IN ATTENDANCE: David Anderson, Public Informa�on Officer, Town of Bel Air Liaison Vickie Bands, RN, Director, Upper Chesapeake Community Outreach; Vice-Chair of ENCC Chip Carter, Bel Air Police, LEEDS Coordinator Mary Chance, Town Commissioner Debra Hanley, Brightview Assisted Living Bari Klein, Execu�ve Director, Healthy Harford; Chair of ENCC Marge McCreesh, EXP Realty, Bel Air Downtown Alliance Charles Moore, Chief of Police, Town of Bel Air Pam Moore, Recording Secretary Kris�ne Reinhardt, Administra�ve Secretary Karen Winkowski, Administrator, Harford County Office on Aging Stephanie Zahn, Grants Coordinator ABSENT: Marcy Aus�n, Health Officer, Harford County Health Department Greg LaCour, Bel Air United Methodist Church Kate Ledford, EMS Captain, Harford County Ronya Nassar, Harford County Health Department Jasmine Stock, LCSW-C, Upper Chesapeake CTO 1. Welcome and Introduc�ons Ms. Klein called the mee�ng to order at 8:36 a.m. Par�cipants introduced themselves and their affilia�ons. 2. Review the Agenda Today’s agenda was distributed and discussed. 3. Vote and Approval of the Minutes – January 24, 2024 Ms. Bands moved and Ms. Winkowski seconded the mo�on to approve the minutes of the January 24, 2024, mee�ng. The mo�on carried. 1 4. Introduce Kris�ne Reinhardt, Administra�ve Secretary Ms. Reinhardt works with Michael Krantz, Director of Administra�on, and David Anderson, the Town of Bel Air Liaison to the ENCC. She requested a list of members and stakeholders to whom she should send agendas and minutes. 5. Introduce Stephanie Zahn, Grants Coordinator a. Update: Town applica�on for AARP Livability Grants It is too late to apply for the current round of AARP Livability Grants since applica�ons are due March 6, 2024; however, the ENCC can let Ms. Zahn know exactly what they would like to apply for in a Flagship Grant which is detailed below: • Flagship AARP Community Challenge Grant ($500 - $50,000 range) – The average grant amount was $11,900. These grants focus on crea�ng vibrant public spaces, improving transporta�on and mobility op�ons, housing op�ons, diversity/equity/inclusion, digital connec�ons, community resilience, civic engagement, community health, and economic empowerment. Ms. Klein noted that AARP looks for long-term change, built environment, and permanent physical improvements rather than funding ongoing programs or events. AARP also emphasizes integra�ng genera�ons; they encourage spaces to be more mul�-genera�onal, such as making playgrounds accessible for seniors as well. Ms. Klein suggested keeping a list of possible projects throughout the coming year, and they can finalize their choice as next year’s deadline approaches. Ms. Zahn said the AARP Community Challenge Grant applica�on was not too daun�ng; however, ENCC would be compe�ng na�onally with many other contenders when applying for this grant. ENCC needs a strong project and applica�on to submit. Ideas proposed for considera�on for next year’s AARP grant applica�on: • Walkability on Main Street, mile marker signs or benches on the street for seniors to rest • “Walk With a Doc” is a na�onal program currently happening in Bel Air and Joppatowne/Magnolia; a doctor or medical professional (cardiologists, endocrinologists, chiropractors, etc.) speak for a few minutes, people ask ques�ons, then everyone walks together. It’s possible to combine “Walk With a Doc” with Senior University, Main Street walkability, and blood pressure checks to apply for an AARP grant. • Having farms and/or the Farmer’s Market donate fresh fruits and vegetables to vulnerable popula�ons as part of Walk with A Doc. • Placing public AEDs along Bel Air streets. 6. Topics for Discussion a. Amending Town of Bel Air Code: Chapter 10: Boards, Commissions, and Commitees, § 10-20: Memberships, terms of office 2  i. Name Change – Review of proposed changes to Town Code to reflect name change and update language about Commitee’s mission and purpose The winning choice for the Commitee’s new name was Livability Commitee for Seniors and People in Need. There is another Bel Air Ordinance with the word “livability” in it and Mr. Krantz was concerned there might be some confusion if two Ordinances contained the word “livability.” In looking at that Ordinance, it seems like their use of “livability” really meant “habitable” in regard to HVAC systems, building codes, etc. Though it might not be an issue, Ms. Chance and Chief Moore will discuss with Mr. Krantz changing the word “livability” in the other Ordinance. An issue was raised as to whether seniors would take offense at the word “and” in the new commitee’s name, implying that seniors are also people in need. It was suggested “and” should be changed to “or.” Ms. Klein asked for a vote for the new Commitee’s name: Livability Commitee for Seniors or People in Need. All in favor. No absten�ons. The mo�on carried. ii. Assign Commitee members to dra� a mission statement - Ms. Klein wondered if a separate mission statement is needed or if § 10-19 “Purpose” is acceptable to members and adequately represents the ENCC. They do not need a Mission Statement since they are a commitee and not a non- profit organiza�on. Obviously, they will change “elderly” to “senior” to reflect the name change. There was discussion about §10-19. Purpose. D.: “Through a mutually agreeable arrangement, coordinate the Commitee’s ac�vi�es and recommend solu�ons with the Town’s Economic and Community Development Commission (ECDC).” There could be some overlap in the missions of both the ENCC and the ECDC, par�cularly if the ECDC is funding a facility for seniors, for example, however, that overlap would be limited. Members felt that the language in “§10-19. Purpose.” was acceptable as is and that “mutually agreeable,” “coordinate,” and “recommend” allowed room for the ENCC and ECDC to work together. It was agreed that a separate mission statement was not necessary. Ms. Klein suggested having someone from the ECDC speak to the ENCC once or twice a year about what they are working on; the rest of the year, the two commitees can read each other’s mee�ng minutes to keep apprised of current issues and events. In addi�on, she would like to have senior planner Kevin Small speak to the ENCC regarding his upcoming projects. iii. Expanding Commitee membership According to the current Town Code, the ENCC should consist of five (5) members. During commitee mee�ngs it was suggested that this should be changed to seven (7), nine (9), or eleven (11) members, and Ms. Klein brought that forward to the larger group for discussion. There will be staggered terms of two or three years. ENCC would like more diverse representa�on from the community including the library, faith community, and at least one or two members who are among the population being served – seniors and people in need. If the ENCC is changed to nine members, the quorum will be five. Everyone agreed to change the Code to nine (9) members. 3  Ms. Chance will need applica�ons from poten�al members. Ms. Reinhardt will email the applica�on link for members to share with poten�al members, and the ENCC applica�on link is also located on the Town website for the general public to complete and submit for considera�on. All applica�ons will be reviewed by the ENCC and poten�al candidates will be presented to the Town Commissioners for a vote of approval. Addi�onal topics of conversa�ons: • Specifying the composi�on of the Commitee - which groups should be represented among the nine (9) members? • Atendance – should it be required or defined? A�er the ENCC is up and running, should they meet quarterly or as needed? Atendance, according to the Ordinance, is that appointed person or a representa�ve of their group. However, if that person does not atend mee�ngs on a regular basis, their group is not represented, and that voice is not heard. Although this is a volunteer posi�on, there should be accountability and members should atend. Ms. Winkowski will pull up Office on Aging Advisory Board pre-set language to share with the ENCC regarding atendance. The group felt that ex officio members should also not be beholden for atendance. • If there are monthly mee�ngs as well as quarterly execu�ve mee�ngs, members must atend a certain number of both mee�ngs. Ad hoc mee�ngs should not count towards atendance. b. Developing short- and long-term goals and objec�ves - tabled to the next mee�ng. 7. Stakeholder Comments • Ms. Chance will ask the Manager of the ShopRite on Main Street, Bel Air to submit and applica�on, as well as someone at Park View. • Senior University - Four (4) week resource and educa�onal program for seniors, focusing on aging well. Session include: downsizing, financial, legal, aging in place, Medicare, etc. $10 admission includes dinner. To be held star�ng in May at Avondell. May be livestreamed or recorded which would be free. • Transi�on Learning Collabora�ve (TLC) - Professionals and community partners training community partners. Third Monday of every month from 9 a.m. – noon, the first session is March 18, at the Emergency Opera�ons Center. For professionals only. Presenters: Office on Aging, Adult Protec�ve Services, Medicaid, Housing. • Virtual Demen�a Tour – March 11, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. at Brightview Senior Living. “Come experience 10 minutes in the life of our residents.” This is a 15 – 20 minute presenta�on where people get to see and feel what it is like to have demen�a issues. • Mr. Anderson par�cipated in and recommended “Walk with a Doc.” Dates and �mes for this program are on the Healthy Harford Facebook page. 8. Adjournment The mee�ng adjourned at 9:47 a.m. Next mee�ng: March 27, 2024, 8:30 a.m. in the Police Department Community Room. 4