Augusta Matters

AUGUSTA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMITTEE

MINUTES

Third Meeting – Augusta as an age-friendly community

Monday, February 4, 2019 at 6pm

Fort Western Learning Gallery at City Center

Call to order at 6:03pm.

In attendance: Heather Pouliot, Kevin Lind, Brad Sawyer, Duane Scott, Katie Smith, Bill McKenna, Bob Corey, Justin Frank, Karen Foster, Kim Silsby, Matt Nazar, Dave Rollins, Patrice Wehner, Cecil Munson, Delaine Nye, Sammee Quong, Stan Koski, Kalies Hess, Wayne Emington, Roberta Record, Chris Clarke, Kevin Judkins, and Sarah Grant.

Welcome remarks and committee introductions:

The Augusta Comprehensive Plan Committee will meet at Augusta City Center. Members of the public are welcome to share their ideas regarding the future of the any aspect of the city as it relates to being an age-friendly community.

Age-friendly or livable communities have walkable streets, housing and transportation options, access to key services and opportunities for residents to participate in community activities. The program, coordinated through the AARP, encourages states, cities, towns and counties to prepare for the rapid aging of the U.S. population by paying increased attention to the environmental, economic and social factors that influence the health and well-being of older adults. By doing so, these communities are better equipped to become great places, and even lifelong homes, for people of all ages.

Welcome remarks by Mayor Dave Rollins.

Overview of the 2007 comprehensive plan as it relates to age-friendly matters by Matt Nazar:

The 2007 comp plan did not expressly identify an age-friendly community, however, the plan is woven with many aspects of the age-friendly commitment: quality of life, livability, respecting taxpayers, and supporting adult education programs.

Presentation by the Augusta Age-Friendly Committee by Duane Scott and Sarah Grant, Chair of the Augusta Age-Friendly Committee (a copy of the action plan was provided):

• The committee is in its process of updating its action plan.
• Age-friendly is really a benefit for all ages.
• It has created partnerships with the city, UMA, ADA, MDOT, and others.

• Some initiatives from the Age-Friendly Committee include:
  • Sand bucket program;
  • Public benches at downtown and Mill Park;
  • Snow shoveling program;
  • KVCAP pilot program with the senior housing complexes;
  • Branding – logo;
  • Crossability – roads, sidewalks and bicycles. Particular concern with the roundabouts;
  • Social media – resource guide;
  • Outreach programs such as the shredding event;
  • “Are you OK?” program – APD and AFD conduct wellness checks;
  • Business/organization certification program; and
  • Life skills mentorship.

• The goal is to be able to age-in-place.
• Looking ahead, the committee is considering:
  • Public transportation needs;
  • Pedestrian safety (especially at the roundabouts);
  • Volunteer driver program;
  • Home repair/modification program; and
  • Intergenerational opportunities (possible partnerships with the Boys and Girls Club, Lithgow Library, Buker, and Senior College).

• Committee strives to bring awareness, create partnerships, and implement programs.
• Livability and funding are challenges.
• There is a “missing middle” housing issue.
• Knox boxes.

• The committee is considering a community survey – perhaps in conjunction with the comp plan?

• Age-friendly access – stairs, doors, etc.
• Universal design.
• Certified aging-in-place specialists.
• Pickleball.
• Knitting/sewing/cooking opportunities.
• Community mailer/newsletter.
• Clearinghouse for information.

Committee discussion on Augusta as an age-friendly community, for all residents and other related items.

Public opportunity to identify concerns/suggestions that they want addressed within the comprehensive plan:

• Roberta Record: lives in westside neighborhood; Lithgow events; culture for our neighborhoods.
• Kalee Hess: lives on eastside; 211Maine is a great resources.
• Delaine Nye: CTV7 is now on channel 1301 and that is an issue; the city cable channel is underutilized; should encourage establishments to give senior discounts.
• Cecil Munson: issue of an aging housing stock; could use housing associations to help with yard maintenance, plowing, etc. Farmington has a housing development that could be an example.
• Many comments supported the idea of having mixed housing developments – homes with small retail shops that compliment each other.
• Kevin Judkins: ward 2 city councilor; Windy and Glen Street housing developments are a good example; technology is changing and improving; there are too many inconsistencies with all the sidewalks and crosswalks throughout this city; that is unacceptable.
• Wayne Emington: since 2003, there have been 8 pedestrian fatalities and 137 serious injuries; MDOT will be updating all traffic signals in the city; we should work to comply with ADA requirements in all improvements and design standards for public way.
• Dave Rollins: Mayor; lives in Ganneston; the recent council goal session talked about improving city communications and marketing; possibly creating a marketing position to bring activities to the forefront and partner with other groups.
• Sammee Quong: lives on eastside; draw in younger people; used example of a skit put on young people to see how they envision being older; many older people would like to spend time around younger people, not just in senior housing.
• Chris Clarke: ward 2 school board; we need to give youth a reason to stay here; talked about Detroit “rising from the ashes” as an example.

Other committee matters:

• There were none.

Next meeting:

• Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 6pm at Lithgow Library to discuss arts and culture in the community.

Adjourned.