Seniors' Advisory Committee - Minutes

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Virtual
Present:
  • Lorraine Best, Seniors NL
  • Devonne Ryan, Public Representative (19-35)
  • Deanne Stapleton, Council Representative
  • Judy Tobin, Manager of Housing
  • Neil Hamilton, CARP
  • Ruby Constantine, Citizen Representative
  • Sharron Callahan, Chair (CARP)
  • Patsy Yetman, Citizen Representative
Regrets:
  • Glenda Reid, Citizen Representative
  • Sam Wells,Citizen Representative
  • Neil Moores, NLPSPA
Staff:
  • Karen Sherriffs, Manager of Community Development
  • Robyn Dobbin, Adult & Seniors Co-ordinator
  • Maureen Harvey, Legislative Assistant
  • Victoria Etchegary, Manager of Organizational Performance & Strategy
  • David Crowe, Roads Manager

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  • Moved ByNeil Hamilton
    Seconded ByPatsy Yetman

    That the agenda be adopted with the following addition:

    a. discussion about future meetings and the desired format.

    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
  • Motion
    Moved ByRuby Constantine
    Seconded ByDevonne Ryan

    That the minutes be adopted with the typographical error on the second paragraph of Page 3 corrected.

    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Victoria Etchegary will be present for this portion of the meeting.

Victoria Etchegary and David Crowe provided the group with an overview of the public engagement plan for sidewalk snow clearing and sought their input on what would be important to seniors in this conversation, how best to engage with seniors during this time and what we would need to know about the seniors community to guide the process.

Several suggestions were made including, but not limited to:

  • It is important to know how the city prioritizes the clearing of sidewalks.
  • Streets need to be designed for all different modes of transportation.
  • Use existing online tools to allow people to connect with seniors.
  • Have a conversation with Kelly Heisz at Seniors NL so they can guide people through the survey.
  • Use the Seniors Advisory Committee to act as a conduit for further engagement.
  • Committee would like more notice of meetings such as this.  

Victoria and David retired from the meeting at 11:00 am.

The Panel was informed that the number of applications to fill vacancies created by expired terms of office have been minimal.

Current committee members in attendance agreed to continue on until replacements are found.  Recognizing the current COVID-19 Pandemic and the traditional suspension of summer meetings, the Committee suggested that the City Clerk be requested to consider a deviation of the terms of reference regarding vacancies until the fall.   

This award recognizes a senior who has made significant contributions to the community through volunteering, helping others, or participating in activities such as music, sport, recreation, or art.

The Committee was informed that three applications are under consideration for Senior of the Year - two new applicants and one application brought forward from last year.  

The nomination process was extended by two weeks to Friday, May 15 at 4:00 pm.

Discussion took place with agreement that the sub-committee will meet on May 27th at 10:15 am to review the applications.  The award will be recognized during the City Council meeting on Monday June 8.

It was suggested that consideration be given to contacting NTV about doing an interview.

 

Recognizing the public health advisory in response to COVID-19 it was agreed that Seniors Day 2020 be cancelled.  Councillor Stapleton will inform Council at the next meeting.  It was also noted that Party in the Park scheduled for July is also cancelled. 

The Committee was informed that the province has established a Vulnerable Populations Task Group with a number of working groups looking at various issues from housing to food security to help during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Robyn Dobbin will represent the Seniors Advisory Committee on this Seniors working group and will provide the SAC members with relevant and up to date information when it becomes available.

The following organizations are associated with this task force :

• SeniorsNL

• NL 50+ Federation

• Connections for Seniors

• Seniors’ Coalition

• United Way

• Members of the Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors

• NL Seniors’ Advocate

• Seniors and Aging division staff from CSSD (Children, Seniors and Social Development

• The Town of Conception Bay South

Sharron Callahan is also a member of this Task Force.  Both representatives agreed to keep the Committee apprised of activities as they unfold.  Councillor Stapleton agreed to update Council on the status and effectiveness of this group.  

Discussion took place with agreement that MS Teams be used for virtual meetings with those who cannot access that platform will use a telephone to bridge the call.  The next meeting is scheduled for June 16th date at 9:30 am with the following meeting to be held on September 15, 2020.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:37 pm.