Summary
The Leelanau County Senior Services Advisory Committee, chaired by William J. Bunek with Commissioners Jean Watkoski and Ty Wessell present, met to review committee structure, a proposed senior needs assessment, staff title/compensation issues, and the voucher program. The Committee voted to recommend that the Board of Commissioners pursue a Rotary Charities Planning Grant for a senior needs assessment and set its next meeting as a work session on Thursday, September 10, 2015, at 9:30 a.m., focused on Meals on Wheels and voucher policies.
Public Comments
Tim Kehl of Northport spoke on behalf of his 94-year-old mother, criticizing the poor quality of Meals on Wheels meals and asking the Committee to consider renewing or crediting unused snow-plow vouchers (about $40 worth). He also raised concerns that elderly residents are not checked on during emergencies, citing a storm years earlier when his mother went unchecked for four days. Director April Missias responded that Meals on Wheels is run by Northwest Community Action Agency under an Area Agency on Aging grant, that meals cost $6.96 each, and that Leelanau County is the only county without a Meals on Wheels waitlist due to its contribution.
Gery Zemaitis suggested the Committee meet four times a year with more public advertising, and raised concern about duplication of services among agencies like ShareCare. Judy Hoeffler, a grant writer for Leelanau Christian Neighbors, suggested that any Rotary Charities needs assessment include a national comparison of best practices for senior services. Eric Lind, the Area Agency on Aging liaison, asked about waitlists and noted no waitlist exists for prescription management, calling it a critical need since seniors average 26 prescriptions. Steve Mikowski questioned how many truly needy seniors exist in the County, criticized use of public funds to market services, and urged more accountability regarding duplication with other welfare agencies.
Infrastructure Projects
None discussed.
Other Business
Missias updated the Committee on the 24th Annual Senior Expo scheduled June 16 at Suttons Bay High School. Discussion covered employee title classifications: the Board previously approved new titles for Senior Services staff without changing pay, and Missias sought guidance on future reclassification needs. Bunek and Watkoski opposed reclassification, citing budget concerns. The Committee also discussed a proposed Grand Traverse Band 2% grant request routed through Leelanau Christian Neighbors food pantry to benefit seniors; Bunek expressed concern about verifying the percentage of senior recipients and protecting the County’s relationship with the Tribe.
Financial Summary
- Meals on Wheels costs approximately $6.96–$7.00 per meal; no cost to seniors.
- Dining vouchers: sold for $3.00, redeemable for $6.00; 12 per year per senior.
- Snow plowing vouchers: sold for $8.00, redeemable for $16.00; 10 per year per senior.
- Foot care vouchers: sold for $10.00, redeemable for $20.00; 6 per year per senior.
- Committee recommended (3-0) pursuing a Rotary Charities Planning Grant to fund a senior needs assessment, preferring grant funding over diverting Senior Services budget money.
Action Items
- Director Missias to research feasibility of a personal-visit/check-in program for isolated seniors, as requested by Zemaitis and Bunek.
- Missias to meet with Area Agency on Aging Director Bob Schlueter to coordinate a needs assessment and report back with an update at the next meeting.
- Committee to hold its next meeting Thursday, September 10, 2015, as a work session covering Meals on Wheels and voucher policies/procedures.
- Ongoing concern noted regarding verification of senior participation in the Grand Traverse Band 2%-funded food pantry grant involving Leelanau Christian Neighbors, with Bunek stressing the need to protect Senior Services’ standing with the Tribe.