AD HOC Senior Facility 2005 04-04-05 Page 1 of 4
APPROVED WITH CORRECTIONS 5/2/05
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
SENIOR FACILITY AD-HOC COMMITTEE MEETING
Monday, April 4,2005
4:00 PM
City Conference Room
Present:
Mayor Art Prochaska
Alderwoman Rose Spears
Parks &Rec Director Laura Brown
Tony Scott, Kendall County Record
Lloyd Johnson, K.C. Food Pantry
Cecelia Sanders, Salvation Army-Golden Diners
Major Mark Litherland, Salvation Army-Golden Diners
Rosie Battista, St. Joseph Cabinetry
Allecia Vermillion, Beacon News
Kathleen Ramsey, OSAC
Madonna Bialek, Alzheimer's Assn.
Joan Parker, Salvation Army Retired
Pete Murphy
Tom Zerante
Max Malone
Bette Schoenholtz Senior Services Association (Arrived 4:48 pm)
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 pm by Mayor Art Prochaska.
1. Minutes for Approval/Correction: March 14,2005: The minutes were
approved as written.
2. Update Regarding Senior Services Location (any new development with
Harold Oliver): Mayor Prochaska stated he spoke with Bette Schoenholtz and
basically has learned there are a couple options out there that Harold Oliver has
given her. There is a place in Mason Square or he could try to build her
something too. The building option would be hard to make happen due to timing
issues. The other issue is that they would still have to pay rent irregardless. Bette
Schoenholtz did state she would like to remain a presence in Yorkville to stay
centrally located for the residents to have access. Bette Schoenholtz was not
present at this time in the meeting to make a statement on this item.
3. Updating of the Proposed Changes with Salvation Army Hot Meals Program
and Location of the Deli: Major Litherland stated they are looking at the strong
possibility of combining the program that is in Beecher Building with the Deli
program that is in Countryside. They can no longer support two separate sites in
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Yorkville. Mayor Prochaska stated that this would leave one food site in
Yorkville. Alderwoman Spears asked how the first day of catering service went.
Major Litherland responded that it went well. He said it was a bit of a change for
the seniors,but all was great. She also asked if the Salvation Army had diabetic
menus available. He responded that now that they are working with the Caterer it
is available. The diabetic meals just need to be ordered ahead of time. They can
also substitute juice or skim milk for the milk they provide. He stated lastly that
the consolidation should take effect approximately towards the first of May and
will be going to the Beecher Building.
4. Short-term Options and Solutions:
a. Recommendations: Mayor Prochaska reminded all present that whatever
recommendations do come out of this Committee,Alderwoman Spears
and be then have to take to City Council for consideration. Bette
Schoenholtz also has to take these suggestions to her board for
consideration as well.
Mayor Prochaska went on to say that Bette and he went through the Beecher
Building to see if this could be a place to be used as a short-term solution. The
Beecher Building would be available for little to no rent from the City. Laura
Brown stated that the Salvation Army does pay the minimal charge for use of the
Beecher Building to help pay for clean-up. Mayor Prochaska stated that this
minimal charge could be worked out with an agreement, but it still would save the
Senior Services Association money. He went on to state that the layout of the
building would work without interference with the Parks and Rec offices located
there. Bette did hope to have a reception area put in place using paneling.
Alderwoman Spears questioned how it would work with their caseworkers.
Mayor Prochaska stated they would be looking into the tall paneling for privacy
and they would be inquiring with Harold Oliver and his partners to see if they
could help with the cost.
They discussed the impact on the Park and Rec department's events with the
Senior Services using Beecher Building. Laura Brown stated the biggest impact
would be on the preschool program. They are currently looking for alternative
locations to hold all of those programs in the community.
Alderwoman Spears questioned at this time if the people that attend the Golden
Diners facilities would have a choice between the catering, the deli or how it is
set-up now? Major Litherland stated this is a decision the Salvation Army will
have to make due to the lack of funds available for two locations; if the deli
moves over, it will be the home-cooked meal, and they are still toying with the
idea of offering the catered meal or not.
Mayor Prochaska stated that there is still a question if the food pantry would be
able to run out of the Beecher Building as well. He stated that there is a
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possibility, but this depends on how the building is used. Before this is
determined, all would have to sit down and layout everything out. Senior
Services will need 2 offices and a reception area in Perkins Room. Laura Brown
stated that the old office at Beecher Building is currently used for storage, so they
would have to relocate the stored items to use that room. She went on to state that
Mayor Prochaska and her have discussed the idea of making storage area in the
Perkins Room and giving Senior Services the old office for privacy with putting
in glass doors.
There was discussion of the possibility of adding on to the Beecher Building. It
could be added on in three directions with ample parking still available. Mayor
Prochaska stated that this could be discussed as part of long term options for the
community. Mr. Lloyd Johnson questioned if the Beecher Building was built
with specific uses in mind. Mayor Prochaska stated that the original purpose of
this building was for use as a Community Center with no restrictions on additions.
It could not be used for political rally(can hold meetings),religious or any use
with alcohol based on the will of Mr. Beecher. The funds used to purchase some
of the kitchen items (grant obtained for senior portion) at Beecher Building were
for the purpose of serving seniors in the community according to the grant the
funds came from. This is the ideal location then to relocate Senior Services if
only short-term. Due to the heating, cooling and electrical systems in Beecher
Building would not allow for building up.
Mayor Prochaska brought up that there is a company to do a facility plan for the
City. Before it is finalized,he would like this group to look at the plan for farther
ideas for the senior activities. Right now, he believes the minimal cost is Beecher
Building for Senior Services, as long as space is found for the Parks and Rec
Department.
Alderwoman Spears stated that she has spoken with seniors from the community
and it seems that Route 47 is the farthest east most are willing to drive for these
events. Yorkville is the most central for all the Kendall County towns where the
seniors are traveling from. She also asked to keep the seniors that are involved in
these activities in mind when making changes. Right now one issue that has been
discussed is carpeting is hard for them to walk on and move chairs in and out on.
Make sure wherever is chosen, safety issues and food options are kept in mind on
their behalf.
Mayor Prochaska stated that if the eventual goal is to build a Senior Center,he
does not want to waste time and money on trying to find something unworkable
for short term use for Senior Services. Laura Brown stated that one of the things
the Mayor had brought up earlier in making the Beecher Building work is the cold
storage building garage located by the riverfront and if any money could be used
to retrofit that for the daytime programs. This would help because the building
could be divided into 3 rooms.
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The idea of the Hoover Center as a possible solution was brought up for
discussion as well, but this would not be able for 2-3 years which would not help
now.
Mayor Prochaska asked the group at this time how they all felt about them
continuing with the idea of use of the Beecher Building and sitting down to work
on a plan of how the building would fit all activities. All present were in
agreement that Mayor Prochaska,Bette Schoenholtz, Major Litherland, and Laura
Brown to go through Beecher Building and working out how all could use it and
keep all programs going.
Bette Schoenholtz entered the meeting at this time and stated that she is
comfortable with trying to make Beecher Building work as well. She stated they
do not have to be out of their current location until a proper setting is found. She
also needs to work with the auditors still on the financial end and has not met with
Harold Oliver yet. She feels the distance is the drawback from trying to find a
location in Oswego.
The Committee was in agreement to move forward with the idea to create a plan
for the Beecher Building to work. From here this idea will move on to the Senior
Services Board and City Council for discussion with both of those groups. When
the short-tern solution is determined this Committee can move on to focusing on
the long-term plan which is crucial. City Council will look this plan over in May
at some time. The Salvation Army will be working out of Yorkville regardless of
what happens with Senior Services according to Major Litherland. Beecher
Building was found not to be the long-term solution for this issue at hand.
5. Additional Business: none
6. Set Next Meeting Date: Meeting set for Monday, May 2, 2005 at 4:00 pm.
This meeting was adjourned at 5:15pm.
Minutes by: Sheila Teausaw
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