REPORT TO COUNCIL

SPECIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SENIORS

APRIL 26, 2002

CC File No. 3057-1

RTS No. 2700
Council: May 14, 2002

INFORMATION

1. Annual Report for 2001

The Special Advisory Committee on Seniors was created by a resolution of Vancouver City Council on July 23, 1983. A list of the current members is attached as Appendix A.

The Committee's mandates are to contribute to the well-being of the older citizens of Vancouver and to endeavour to improve their quality of life. The Committee
· advises Council on issues of concern to seniors,
· acts as a means of communication or liaison between Council, other Council-appointed bodies and other groups;
· provides support to groups endeavouring to initiate and develop projects assisting seniors,
· disseminates pertinent information obtained and evaluated by Committee members to appropriate agencies and groups throughout the City.

This annual report covers the year 2001.

Guest Presenters

Names of Presenters	Subject
Heike Roth, Planner	Congregate Housing for Seniors
Jeffrey Patterson, Downtown Transportation Planner and Doug Louie, Downtown Transportation Engineer	Downtown Transportation Plan
Dr. Michael MacEntee	Seniors and Dentistry
Names of Presenters	Subject
Dr. Jack Altman, Vancouver/Richmond Health Board	Status of Seniors Wellness Coordinators
John Robertson, Chief Building Official	Enhanced Accessibility for Residential (Apartment) Buildings
Joanne Taylor, Executive Director, Representation Agreement Resource Centre	Representation Agreements
Jeffrey Patterson, Downtown Transportation Planner and Doug Louie, Downtown Transportation Engineer	Downtown Transportation Plan
Brian Barber, Development Officer, Sunrise Development, Inc., Duane Siegrist, Integra Architecture Inc., and Eric Fiss, Planner, Urban Design and Development Planning Centre	CD-1 Rezoning - 7250 Oak Street (Sunrise Assisted Living)

Significant Activities

· Participated in the City of Vancouver's Sidewalk Task Force.
· Toured congregate housing facilities.
· Surveyed senior centres regarding fees and services provided.
· Attended the International Congress of Gerontology conference.
· Attended the Developing Affordable Supportive Housing for Seniors conference.
· Supported the establishment of a Passenger Loading Zone in front of a seniors' facility.
· Supported approval of the Development Permit for Louis Brier Home.
· Corresponded with TransLink, Coast Mountain Bus Company, and CAW Local 111 regarding the length of the Transit strike and its effect on seniors.
· Corresponded with Premier Gordon Campbell regarding the effect the current state of the health care system in BC is having on seniors.
· Corresponded with BC Housing regarding affordable supportive housing.
· Supported an end to the nurses' job action.
· Liaised with the Vancouver/Richmond Health Board.
· Supported the initiatives set out in the Disability Parking Space Requirements report to City Council.
· Supported staff recommendations contained in the Enhanced Accessibility for Residential Buildings (Apartment Buildings).
· Supported staff recommendations contained in the Congregate Housing for Seniors report.
· Reviewed and discussed the CD-1 rezoning at 7250 Oak Street (Sunrise Assisting Living) with the developer, architect and staff.
· Reviewed the TransLink Funding Shortfall report, dated October 10, 2001.
· Reviewed the 89 unit social housing project at 596 East Hastings Street.

Significant Topics Considered

· Health

· Representation Agreements
· Seniors and Dentistry
· Seniors Wellness Coordinators, Vancouver/Richmond Board of Health
· Effect that the current state of health care in BC is having on seniors
· Health and aging
· Aging in place

· Housing

· Affordability of seniors' housing
· Appropriate suite size for seniors' housing
· Enhanced accessibility for residential (apartment) buildings

· Congregate Housing Guidelines
· Disability Parking Space requirements

· Zoning policy
· 601 West 10th Avenue
· 1175 Broughton
· 7250 Oak Street (Sunrise Assisted Living)
· 596 East Hastings Street
· 1055 West 41st (Louis Brier)

· Sidewalk and pedestrian safety

· Sidewalk Task Force

· Transportation

· Downtown Transportation Plan
· Effect of transit strike on seniors
· TransLink funding shortfall

Future Directions

The Committee expects to pursue the following issues and areas of interest to seniors during the year 2002, subject to any direction which Council chooses to provide:

· Ensure architects, designers and developers incorporate a full range of "aging in place" features into their buildings, and heighten their awareness of the value of such featuresto the community at large.
· Sidewalk safety
· Continue efforts to encourage affordable, accessible transit services for seniors
· Participate in Downtown Transportation Plan
· Continue to work with City staff on Congregate Housing guidelines
· Health-related issues for seniors, especially those in care facilities
· Encourage more affordable supportive (i.e., congregate) housing projects for seniors

"Bruce Chown" "Mary Bosze"
Co-Chair Co-Chair

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The Special Advisory Committee on Seniors has completed a busy and productive year. Their input on housing guidelines for seniors, and on transportation, will continue to be helpful to staff and Council.

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APPENDIX A

Year 2001 Members of the Special Advisory Committee on Seniors

Mary Bosze (Co-Chair)
Bruce Chown (Co-Chair/Chair of Transportation Subcommittee )
Sophie King (Vice Chair)
Cynthia Ramsay (Chair of Health Subcommittee )
Gillian Watson-Donald (Chair of Housing Subcommittee)
Patricia Barrett
Agnes Campbell
Jacqueline Coinner
Wyn Gladman
Harry Lazar
Beatrice Leinbach
Josephine Mallek
Simon Oosterhuis
James Pau
Joseph Polisky
Carol Smith
Karl Taussig
Beverley Thomas
Anna Welbourn
Miriam Yu
Carmen Zajac

Council Liaison

Councillor Sandy McCormick

Park Board Liaison

Commissioner Christopher Richardson

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver