Council of Albany Neighborhood Associations

Meeting Minutes June 1, 2005

Albany Public Library

1)     Introductions

·        The representative of the Albany Public Library announced that the library has purchased the Book Mobile.  It will be converted to a cyber-mobile.

·        The representative of Mansion Neighborhood provided information about the upcoming House and Garden Tour

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2)     Guest Speakers -  Services for Older Americans

Patty Smith Wilsey – Albany County Department for Aging

The Albany County Department for Aging funds and coordinates the provision of a variety of services to seniors and the disabled who are 18 years or older.

·        Expanded In-Home Services (EISEP):  Home care attendants assess and tend to personal health needs.  Residents 60 years of age or older and those who are over 18 and disabled qualify for this service.  Fees are based on a sliding scale.  The program is now consumer-directed, meaning clients have direct input into selecting caregivers.

·        Skilled Nursing:  1,100 clients receive at-home nursing care.   This program is self-directed as well.

·        Adult protective services

·        Legal interventions

·        Adult Day Care Services:  Social, recreational, and therapeutic activities in a supervised setting.  Includes transportation and meals.

·        Dining Services:  Hot meals provided at several sites.  Available to residents 60 or older or their spouse.  Contributions suggested.

·        Home Delivered Meals (Meals-on-Wheels) in cooperation with Senior Service Centers:  Delivers one or two meals daily and provides nutritional counseling.  Recipients must be incapacitated, lack support from family, and be without the means to prepare meals.  Contributions suggested.

·        Assistance with code enforcement issues

·        Assignment of guardians when necessary

Cindy Kather – Senior Services of Albany

Senior Services of Albany was formed 53 years ago and presently operates facilities at West View, Delaware Avenue , and South Mall Towers .   A variety of services are available.

·        Nutrition services:  Meals-on-Wheels and community dining

·        Enrichment and socialization:  Senior Services Centers, Senior Wellness Program, congregate meals at Corning Senior Center , North Albany , South Mall Senior Center and Westview Senior Center

·        Senior resource centers and elder source line

·        Community Care:  Resources and referrals, community education, home visits and shopping assistance, transitional case management, weatherization assistance

·        Health and Wellness programs

·        Weatherization assistance

·        Transportation to and from medical appointments and senior centers

·        Caregiver support:  counseling and respite for caregivers and educational presentations in the community

Tanya Zelman – Neighborhood Health Advocate Program

Offices for this program are located at Clinton and North Lake Avenues.  In cooperation with the West Hill Ministers Fellowship, it provides advocacy services to senior citizens who reside in the West Hill Neighborhood.  No hands-on services are provided; seniors are linked to a variety of resources by volunteers that include social workers and social work students, nurses and nursing students and lay advocates who are trusted by residents because they have been active in their community for many years.  The program’s philosophy is to allow seniors to age graciously and empower them to lead healthy lives.   

3)     Committee Reports

·        Zoning Committee:  Will meet the week of June 6

·        Codes Committee:  Monthly meetings scheduled with Nick DiLello to address (1) a systematic approach to problem resolutions rather than reaction to individual problems; (2) recommendation that codes issues be posted on the city’s website; (3) recommendations about complaint forms; (4) history of 5 specific buildings; (5) print outs of complaints received

·        Budget Committee:  There have been several e-mail exchanges between members but no recent meetings.

4)     Other

·        Albany Department of Development and Planning - Rebecca Brownell provided information regarding neighborhood brochures.  Revised brochures were sent to neighborhood association presidents and most responded in some way.  Several have been consolidated and there will be 17 rather than the original 29.  Her office is working with the brochures as part of a plan to market the city.  A consultant has been hired to reformat the City’s website and information about neighborhoods and associations will be included in the new site.  Site visitors will be able to print brochures.  Neighborhoods should be able to add information about special events and meetings.  The City has applied for a $100,000 grant to develop a city living campaign and neighborhood information will be incorporated into that campaign.  The new site will also have a link to the CANA site.    A draft PDF will be sent to the CANA chairman for review.

·        Capital District Association of Rental Property Owners - Judd Feinman presented information about this volunteer association of rental property owners.  The organization meets the second Thursday ten months of the year at the Clairion Inn at Exit 6 of the Northway; annual membership dues are $43.00.  The Association provides support and assistance to Capital District rental property owners in the form of newsletters, financial advice, information sharing, landlord training and seminars, and a number of other issues.  Members believe that code enforcement can improve the quality of life in the region’s cities and that Albany judges need to act more swiftly in cases of impending eviction as is done in the City of Troy where independent marshals are paid by landlords to enforce evictions.  The drawn-out process of eviction in Albany as well as the requirement that buildings owned by LLC’s be represented in the proceedings by attorneys, are costly for landlords who would rather invest that money for building improvements, etc.  The Association’s telephone number is 433-7377.     

5)     Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 8:56 PM      

Submitted by

Deanna Colfels

CANA

June 1, 2005

Meeting Attendees