Senior Commission

7725 W. North Avenue Wauwatosa, WI Wauwatosa, WI 53213 Senior Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, September 16, 2024 4:00 PM Wauwatosa Health Department Conference Room and Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89993052063, Meeting ID: 899 9305 2063 Regular Meeting CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 4:00 pm by Kathy Causier. ROLL CALL Non-voting Members: Laura Laurishke, Carmen Pangilinan, Kosta Zervas Guests: Vanessa Harris, Eras Senior Network and Dr. Demond Means, Wauwatosa School District This was approved. Present 10 Commissioner, Chair Kathy Causier Commissioner Dain Maddox Commissioner Patricia Bruce Commissioner Dianne Dagelen Commissioner Kristen Hecht Commissioner Michael Meier Commissioner Julia Murphy Commissioner Elise Riepenhoff Commissioner Jeanne Sidner Commissioner Michael Savic Excused 1 Ex-Officio - Alderperson David Lewis APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of July 15, 2024 minutes 24-1254 RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Michael Meier SECONDER: Dain Maddox NEW BUSINESS 1. Discussion - Recommendations for “Options for Easing Seniors’ 24-1255 Property Tax and/or Rental Expenses” - Pat Bruce and Dianne Dagelen Pat Bruce and Dianne Dagelen conducted research on programs that exist in other cities throughout Wisconsin which support older adults with their property taxes. From this research they propose the following recommendations which may be voted on at a later date. 1) The Wauwatosa Senior Commission actively supports Wauwatosa School Page 1 of 3 Senior Commission Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 District’s plan to enact a STEP system for seniors as a stipend program. 2) The Wauwatosa Senior Commission strongly encourages the Wauwatosa Development Department to initiate a program similar to Madison’s Property Tax Assistance for Seniors (PTAS) program. 3) The Senior Commission urges the Common Council to provide financial resources in their 2025 budget request to initiate both a STEP program and a PTAS program within the Development Department. 2. Discussion - Dr. Demond Means, Educational Referendum and STEP 24-1256 program Dr. Means provided the group with a fact sheet about the November referendum, as well as a fact sheet about the School District’s proposed STEP program. Dr. Means stated that should the referendum pass, the plan is to implement the STEP program through the school district. The group discussed both the proposed operational and capital referendums as well as the proposed STEP program. 3. Discussion - Community Dialogue October 4, 2024 24-1257 Dr. Means confirmed his planned attendance at the event which is being held at City Hall in the Lower Civic Center on October 4 at 1:30pm. Also confirmed are Rep. Robyn Vining, Sen. LaTonya Johnson, and Sen. Rob Hutton. An invitation will be extended to the district’s CFO as well. 4. Action - Approval of up to $75.00 for snacks for Community Dialogue 24-1258 Dain Maddox made a motion to approve. Jeanne Sidner seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Dain Maddox SECONDER: Jeanne Sidner REPORTS 1. Eras Neighborhood Outreach 24-1259 Eras was chosen as a highlighted agency for the 2024 United Way Kick-off campaign. The Santa Run/Walk fundraiser will be held on December 7, 2024 at Frame Park in Waukesha. There is a fall open house being held at St. Camillus, 10101 W Wisconsin Ave. Meet staff and hear updates about Eras and St. Camillus. 2. Senior Center/Senior Club 24-1260 Kosta shared registration is at 765, which is the highest it has been in a very long time. It is estimated that Hart Park Senior renovations will be completed by the end of the year. 3. Police Department 24-1261 No updates. 4. Health Department and Age-Friendly Tosa 24-1262 Tosa Tech Time is back, next offering is September 27 and will be held on Fridays from Page 2 of 3 Senior Commission Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 10-1 in the Library. Senior Planet courses are ongoing. The agency recommendation for the affordable housing communications campaign will go in front of Financial Affairs on 9/17 and the full Council on 9/24. Once the vendor is approved, work can start on the campaign. 5. Joint Housing Coalition 24-1263 The group is working on recommendations to the City and trying to get some recommendations integrated into the City’s Comprehensive Plan. They want to work collaboratively with other groups, including the Senior Commission, to advance the recommendations. No report from Common Council. NEXT MEETING DATE: Monday, October 21, 2024, 4:00 PM. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 pm. Page 3 of 3