City of Lawrence

Retiree Attraction Task Force

January 4, 2012 Meeting Notes

MEMBERS PRESENT:	City Commissioner Hugh Carter; County Commissioner Jim Flory; Hank Booth; Kathy Clausing-Willis; Susan Esau; Doug Gaumer; John Glassman; Jerry Harper; Rebecca Holmes; Pattie Johnston; Judy Wright
MEMBERS ABSENT:	Rosemary Chapin
STAFF PRESENT:	Cynthia Wagner
PUBLIC PRESENT:	Chad Lawhorn; Carleen Roberts
GUESTS:

A meeting of the Lawrence/Douglas County Retiree Attraction Task Force was held at noon, January 4, 2012 at the offices of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce. Minutes of the December 7, 2011 meeting were approved unanimously.

City Commissioner and Co-Chair of the Task Force Hugh Carter opened the meeting with a discussion of the proposed structure for the task force final report and a timeline for completion of task force work. Task force members agreed that the document should include an overview and executive summary outlining primary task force recommendations with sections dedicated to an analysis of strengths, weaknesses and opportunities in each of the four sub-areas. Subcommittees will provide Cynthia Wagner with the analysis of the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities in most areas by February 24 (the medical services subcommittee requested additional time to complete this analysis and will have information submitted by March 16). Cynthia will then compile information for a first blush review by the entire task force at the March 7 and March 28 meetings. Recommendations by subcommittees will be submitted March 16.

Future meeting dates were agreed upon, with the task force planning to meet February 1, March 7, March 28, April 11, April 25 and May 9. A final report is still on target for completion in May for presentation to the City and County Commissions.

Kathy Clausing-Willis noted that perhaps it would be useful to refer to our work in a more positive way and suggested “Creating an Ageless Community.”

She then presented the report of the medical services, social services, healthy lifestyles and volunteer opportunities subcommittee. At their December meeting, the group had a presentation from David Eckert of KU’s social gerontology program and the work they are doing. The group is almost complete with their analysis of volunteer opportunities and is currently identifying what is available in the area of social services. The group has informally identified a weakness in the availability of mental health services. They have also noted that a major difficulty is communicating with the public to let people know what is available. In the medical services area, the group is looking at signage and has identified weaknesses in the availability of internists and gerontologists. The group is also having dialogue regarding healthy living and the proposed west side wellness center.

Susan Esau reported that the financial, legal, transportation and employment opportunities group has not met, but has been making headway in a number of areas. She has contacted representatives of employment firms to gain information on employment opportunities and in order to determine the types of opportunities which may be desired by retirees relocating to Lawrence. In general, if a retiree is affluent, there is not a desire for employment, more for volunteer opportunities. The topic of encore careers or downsizing careers was discussed, and the group discussed the fact that part time employment may be more appealing to retirees. It was also noted that the availability of jobs may be more important for family members relocating to Lawrence in order to provide care or be closer to aging parents. The local Society of Human Resource Managers has offered to do a survey of employers to determine availability of jobs for retirees. Review of financial services is basically complete. Doug Gaumer has been putting together a summary of tax burden in Lawrence and other Big 12 communities. Based on group discussion, addition of Fort Collins, Colorado, Iowa City, Iowa and Chapel Hill, North Carolina were requested.

The KU, educational services and cultural/entertainment activities group continues to review assets. Judy Wright reported that a member has created an extensive catalogue of cultural/entertainment opportunities for seniors. Cynthia will work with him to determine how to move the electronic files to a city server and determine how to make the best use of this information. The alumni association survey is anticipated to go out this spring, with results anticipated prior to completion of the task force final report. Subcommittees are requested to provide questions to Cynthia by mid-February to pass along to Rosemary. Earlier submissions would be appreciated and will allow an expedited timeframe for completion of the survey instrument.

John Glassman updated the group on progress of the housing subcommittee. Dennis Domer presented to the subcommittee on more detail relating to his research. Additionally, John met with planning department staff to review census tracts and where clusters of seniors may already be living.

Hank Booth reported that the Chamber Senor Council will be taking on the issue of transportation at their next meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 26 at 9:30 at the Chamber offices.

Doug Gaumer reported that he had been contacted by representatives of the current Leadership Lawrence class looking for a potential class project. The possibility of looking to this group for a partnership in marketing or branding was discussed.

Patti Johnston announced that the Secretary of the Department of Aging will be presenting information on the state of aging in Kansas from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, February 2 at the KU Visitor Center.

The next meeting of the task force will be February 1 at noon at the Chamber offices.

The meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.