HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/05/1989 AGENDA
MAPLEWOOD HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Tuesday, September 5, 1989
7:00 p.m.
Maplewood City Hall
1. Approval of Minutes
2. Update of Grievances
3. Old Business
* Essay Contest
* Human Rights Award
* League Annual Meeting - October 6-7; League Activities
* Other
4. New Business
* Response to Department of Human Rights - Special Event
* Invitation to New Brighton HRC Open House
* Ad Hoc Committee Representative:
Seniors/Special Living Needs (Attached)
* Personnel Policies Review
* Investigate Discrimination Complaint
5. Reports
* Budget Update
6. Adjournment
MEMORANDUM
TO : City Manager
FROM: Associate Planner , Kenneth Roberts
SUBJECT : Action Plan for providing services and housing
opportunities for seniors and people with
special living or care needs
DATE : August 7 , 1989
SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
As its population continues to grow older with the "graying" of
the baby-boom generation and people living longer , the City of
Maplewood will soon be facing a populace with changing needs and
demands . Because of this , the City needs to start considering
the future service and housing needs of seniors . Additionally ,
the physically handicapped , the chronically ill , and developmentally
disabled people will probably be requiring more "de-institutionalized"
housing and services in the future . It appears that many of these
people will be placed in group homes , the location of which may
become a policy matter that the City will need to address .
DISCUSSION
In addition to their changing needs , the aforementioned groups will
have a number of other issues which cities will , at least in part ,
be expected to address . These include :
1 . Helping disabled or elderly people maintain their independence
by having transportation , in-home services and a variety of
housing options available .
2 . Having available a visible point of contact where people can
get help , information or a referral when requested .
3 . Making resources accessible to all people , regardless of
income or health status .
4 . For those people most in danger of losing their independence ,
having available special help or support .
5 . Having a system to address housing and service needs unique
to the community .
To help cities address these issues , the Metropolitan Council , in
conjunction with a number of area communities and officials , put
together a handbook in September 1988 called "Blueprint for Local
Action : Housing and Service needs of Elderly and Disabled People
in the Community" . The handbook is a planning tool to assist
local governments in addressing the needs of the elderly and
disabled people who need care over a long period of time .
The handbook was written to be a "blueprint for action " . That is ,
it is intended to be a practical guide and framework to help local
governments develop their own plans , using a community based
process for their formation . This process is intended to be :
1 . Future-oriented - It is to look at the needs of today and
anticipate the needs in five years or longer .
2 . Comprehensive - It is important for cities to consider how
the needs of all population groups in their jurisdiction
will be changing .
In review of the handbook from the Metropolitan Council , it
appears that many of the ideas suggested in it should be
considered by Maplewood . Staff has summarized the action plan from
the handbook in outline form in a separate document (attachment 1 )
so that if it or a similar approach is pursued by the City , it is
readily available for use .
To determine what plan of action would be most appropriate for the
City to pursue , staff suggests that representatives from groups
that might have an interest in the formation of an action plan for
seniors and other people with special living needs be brought
together for a meeting . This meeting would be to review the plan
outline , to develop ideas and strategies for a plan for Maplewood .
The committee should be charged with forming the plan of action
regarding seniors and others with special living needs for the
City. Once a draft of the plan is prepared by the committee , it
should be reviewed by the HRA and HRC . The final step in the
formation of the action plan will be its review , revision and
adoption by the City Council .
RECOMMENDATION
The City Council should appoint a committee to determine needs and
to develop an action plan for providing services and housing for
seniors and other people with special living needs . The committee
should be made up of representatives from the HRA , HRC , City
Council and seniors groups .
Attachments :
1 . Action Plan Outline
snrpinmemo