Senior Services Commission

Approved Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Senior Services Commission Village of Northbrook September 8, 2016 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Crestwood Place Senior Apartments, Activity Room. Present were Chairman Rosenberg and members Caldwell, Ganitopoulos, Hazaray, Lefkow, and Moore. Also present was Assistant Director of Finance Betsy Garibaldi, Realty and Mortgage (R&M) Co- President Hugh Rider, Interim Manager Dave Vaicaitis, and Recorder Anetsberger. Guests Village Trustee Robert Israel Review and Approval of Minutes A recommendation was made to make the following corrections: Third sentence under New Business, Doors at Crestwood: "Mr. Koller stated that Crestwood Place was commissioned before the ADA law went into effect and, legally, the ADA does not apply to the buildings. If we were to apply the ADA guidelines anyway, the door pulls and closers would not be in compliance with the 5 lb. pull limit..." Next to last sentence: "...ADA law, again, if it applied, would mandate a lever handle..." A motion was made and seconded to accept the July 14, 2016 Senior Services Commission minutes as amended with two corrections. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote. Chairman's Report Chairman Rosenberg reported that Manager Crane has resigned. Chairman Rosenberg extended the Commission's wishes for her future success. Chairman Rosenberg announced that Commissioner Forde has decided to leave the Commission. The Commission thanks Mr. Forde for his many years of service. Chairman Rosenberg welcomed David Vaicaitis as Interim Manager for R&M Realty. Budget and Finance 1) Review of June 2016 Financial Report There were no issues with the statement. Member Ganitopoulos, seconded by Member Lefkow moved to approve the June 2016 Financial report. On voice vote, the motion passed. 2) Review of July 2016 Financial Report There were no issues with the statement. Member Ganitopoulos, seconded by Member Hazaray moved to approve the July 2016 Financial Report. On voice vote, the motion passed. Old Business 1) Crestwood Liaison 1 A resident liaison for Crestwood Place is still needed. The position is open. 2) Update on Door Modifications and Estimate Mr. Koller expressed concerns at the Senior Services July 14, 2016 meeting concerning the accessibility and ease of entry for residents with walkers due to the narrow space between the door and the wall corner. At that time Mr. Koller suggested ways to remedy the issues with pulls, levers, locks and rekeying. The Commission obtained quotes from American Building Solutions. A report stated that 116 exterior door units would need to be modified along with an additional ten doors within the building that would require door knob/lever conversion modification. Chairman Rosenberg opened discussion within the Commission. Member Ganitopoulos asked if a visual of the product was available. None was available at tonight's meeting. Chairman Rosenberg stated that the lockset is a complete unit with lever handle on the inside and outside. Member Ganitopoulos asked if it was a two position lock. Realty & Mortgage (R&M) Co- President Hugh Rider stated that it was not a mortise lock. Chairman Rosenberg stated that Stanley and Sargent were the two manufactures of locksets that were being considered. Member Caldwell asked if the proposed new locks were residential or commercial grade. Mr. Koller stated that the current locks are commercial grade. Realty &Mortgage (R&M) Co-President Hugh Rider stated that a mid grade lock would be sufficient. Liaison Garibaldi stated that she thought the doors had closers that could be adjusted but Mr. Koller responded that the doors had no push strength adjustment on them. Liaison Garibaldi stated that she will confer with Public Works. Member Lefkow asked if there was money available to make the proposed changes. Chairman Rosenberg stated that the item would have to be placed in next year's budget and that the work might be done in increments. Member Lefkow asked to hear from the audience as in the past not many residents were interested in the upgrade. The meeting was opened to the audience. A resident reported that she was unaware that there was an option. A resident asked if they were approved by the fire department and building code. The answer was "yes". A resident stated that the apartments do not have dead bolts and that the locks are flimsy. Realty & Mortgage (R&M) Co-President Hugh Rider reported that the apartments do not use deadbolt or mortise locks but only passage sets. Chairman Rosenberg asked for a show of hands from the audience of those who have difficulty in turning the door knobs but not pushing the doors. Approximately 4 or 5 residents raised their hand, out of the approximately 40 residents present at tonight's meeting. Chairman Rosenberg stated that the issue seems to be the door closer tension vs. the handle. Chairman Rosenberg stated that no action would be taken at tonight's meeting but that the Commission will confer with Public Works and look at 2 the tension on the doors and the heaviness of the doors. The item will be placed on the agenda for the November meeting. Member Lefkow believed that under the ADA law, the Village is not required to do the upgrades but it makes sense to follow through with remedying the door closers and door handles. Member Caldwell stated that the levers would bring the doors up to ADA code. New Business 1) Shower Conversion Update An RFP was issued for fifteen shower conversions that will be installed by mid to late October 2016. Liaison Garibaldi stated that the nineteen conversions left, will be completed next year. 2) Subcommittee Report on Senior Services & Activities Chairman Rosenberg stated that he requested Members Hazaray and Moore to form a subcommittee to look at other senior communities within our area and identify resources that they provide for their senior citizens. Chairman Rosenberg shared with the audience that part the charge of the Senior Services Commission is to provide for the welfare of all the senior citizens living within Northbrook boundaries. Member Moore and Hazaray stated that they have looked at activities/services which are offered by other villages and chose to compare services of six communities within our area. A detailed chart will be presented to the Commission in the near future. The item will be placed on the November agenda and the subcommittee will report more fully at that time. Hear from the Audience A resident asked for a bedbug update. The Commission answered that the problem has been resolved. Rose Extermination reported as of this past week there was no evidence of infestation. A resident asked if additional parking could be added to the building as there are more handicapped residents currently living at Crestwood. The Commission answered that there is no additional space in the area that the Village owns that could be added for parking. A resident asked if the patio could be turned into parking. The Commission answered "no". A resident asked if residents could park in the adjoining strip mall parking by Domino's Pizza. The Commission answered that a resident who parks there might find their car ticketed or towed as it is a private lot. A resident asked if the Park District could offer some of their land across from Crestwood Place for added parking. The Commission answered that the land is Northbrook Park District property but that the Commission will follow up. 3 A resident stated at the time of moving to Crestwood, she was questioned if she owned two vehicles. It was stated that if a resident owns two vehicles, the Business Office directs that second vehicles be parked off site. A resident asked, "If a resident has a vehicle that is used for business, can that vehicle be parked in the resident lot?" The Commission answered they would have to look into the issue. A resident asked about caregivers and parking spots. The resident stated that some residents were giving caregivers their parking stickers enabling them to park in the resident parking lot. The Commission answered that residents should not give their parking stickers to their caregivers. Crestwood's Interim Manager will watch to see if violations are occurring. Caregivers should park off site. A resident stated that some residents that do not own their own vehicle, give their vehicle stickers to their caregivers. Chairman Rosenberg stated that Crestwood resident license plate registration file information should be updated. Realty & Mortgage (R&M) Co-President Hugh Rider stated that management will take measures to update information on car registration and insurance cards. A new resident stated that she was stunned by how many caregivers were parking in the areas that were designated for resident parking and that it was a disservice to the other residents. She also stated the north parking lot has potholes present. The Commission will ask Public Works to look at the area in question. A resident stated that the elevators in the building have expired certificates. Crestwood Interim Manager, David Vaicaitis will check all of the certificates. Liaison Garibaldi stated that there was a new State requirement that pit ladders be installed on all the elevators. She will look into the matter and report back. A resident asked if it was possible to get a public relations piece placed in the local newspaper highlighting the value of local residents moving into Crestwood. The Commission will look into the request. A resident asked if pets were allowed to visit residents in Crestwood. The Commission answered that only service animals were allowed in the building. A resident asked if a new resident is allowed to come to Crestwood with a caregiver, as Crestwood is not designated as an assisted living community. The resident further stated that new residents were not entering Crestwood on their own abilities. The Commission stated that Crestwood is chartered as an independent living facility. Any individual may require a caregiver during the day but should not require a caregiver living in the facility with the resident. Realty & Mortgage (R&M) Co-President Hugh Rider stated that by law, there is no difference in moving in with a caregiver or adding a caregiver later on as long as the caregiver was not providing around the clock coverage. 4 A resident questioned if activities in the Crestwood Activity Room could expand from the 9 p.m. curfew rule to 9:30 p.m. or 10 p.m. Management answered that due to the proximity of other apartment units, the 9 p.m. curfew was put in place but that Management will review the request. Adjourn A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2016, at 7 p.m. at the Northbrook Village Hall Terrace Room. /s/S. Anetsberger Recorder 5