February 12, 2026 Minutes

Weld Area Agency on Aging - Advisory Board Meeting Minutes

Meeting Location: Zoom Invite & Area Agency on Aging, 315 N 11th Ave., Bldg. C., Greeley, CO
Meeting: Thursday, February 12, 2026 Minutes (Thursday) 9:00 am – 11:00 am  

1. Roll Call:

   • Board Members:

     • Attended:
       • Charlene Brown, Commissioner Buck, DeAnn Cure, Chair-Nancy Haffner, Margaret Hart, Father Steve Karcher, Vice-Chair Dr. Alan Kress, Ruth Leitel, Valeria Ortiz, Linda Quade, Teresa Schunter, Joyce Smock, Lynn Young
     • Absent:
       • Kay Broderius, Gillian Smith, Sarah Stadler, Diana Vasquez

   • County Commissioner:

     • Attended:
       • Commissioner Buck

   • AAA Staff:

     • Attended:
       • Kelly Morrison, Home & Community Supports Division Director
       • Meredith Skoglund, Community Outreach Manager
       • Michelle Roper, Administrative Assistant

   • Guests:

     • Sandra Kelly, Outreach Librarian – The High Plains Library District

2. Approval of Minutes:

   • Member Young motioned to approve the minutes from January 8, 2026. Member Smock seconded.
   • All approved.

3. Program:

   • The High Plains Library District – We Are More Than Just Books

     • In 1986 multiple independent libraries across Weld County came together to form a special taxation district called the Weld County Library District, which later
     • changed to the High Plains Library District. The district is paid for by a mill levy, and the libraries within the district share a collection of materials as well as an IT
     • and marketing department.
     • The High Plains Library District covers all of Weld County except the areas covered by the Windsor-Severance Library District and the City of Dacono. The district
     • serves over 246,000 residents of Weld County and parts of neighboring counties and covers an area of almost 4,000 square miles.
     • The High Plains Library District is comprised of nine branch libraries, bookmobile services, and nine autonomous member libraries governed by their own
     • separate board of trustees. Branch libraries share a single phone number and website. Members have individual numbers and websites.

   • The High Plains Library District Locations:

     • Branch Libraries
       • Carbon Valley Regional Library
       • Centennial Park Library
       • Erie Community Library
       • Farr Regional Library
       • Grover Library
       • Kersey Public Library
       • LINC
       • Mead Library (Coming June 2026)
       • Riverside Library & Cultural Center
     • Member Libraries
       • Eaton Public Library
       • Fort Lupton Public School & Library
       • Hudson Public Library
       • Keenesburg Public Library
       • Glenn A. Jones, M.D. Memorial Library
       • Milliken Library
       • Northern Plains Public Library
       • Platteville Public Library
       • Nantes Library
   • All questions can be answered through The Virtual Library by calling 1-888-861-7323 from 9am-8pm Monday through Thursday; 10am-5pm Friday and Saturday; and 1pm-5pm on Sunday. Staff of the Virtual Library are trained to answer questions about individual accounts, as well as general questions about the library and reference questions.

   • Having a library card offers:

     • Check out 50 items (15 media)
     • Books: 3 weeks check out
     • DVDs: 1 week check out
     • 200 print credits per month
     • 4-hours of computer use per day
     • Go to Mylibrary.us for information on library events, eResources, and specialty checkout.

   • eResources include:

     • Audiobooks
     • Books
     • Graphic Novels
     • Magazines
     • Movies
     • Music
     • Television

   • Recommended online apps to use with eResources include:

     • Libby:
       • eBooks and audiobooks.
       • 10 items out at a time, unlimited number per month.
     • Hoopla:
       • eBooks, audiobooks, movies.
       • 6 downloads per month.
     • Kanopy:
       • movies and documentaries.
       • 10 downloads per month.

   • Online Databases include:

     • Mango Languages:
       • Over 70 languages.
     • Auto Repair Source:
       • Available only in the library.
     • Ancestry:
       • Research your family history with Ancestry Library Edition, HeritageQuest and MyHeritage

   • Maker Spaces include:

     • 3-D printers, laser cutters and Cricuts at Erie, Carbon Valley and LINC Libraries. Additionally, LINC has sublimation printing, a UV printer, a full woodshop and a recording studio.

   • Specialty Checkout items:

     • Laptop computers, Hotspots, GoPros, portable DVD players, State Park Passes, telescopes and projectors at no cost. Must reserve through the website. Experience Passes are also available to check out and good for local attractions such as the Butterfly Pavilion and Colorado Model Railroad Museum, for free!

   • Senior Recurring Programs:

     • Centennial Park
       • Golden Years – 2nd Friday of Every Month
     • LINC
       • Senior Linc-Up – 2nd & 4th Thursday
       • Tech Help – 1st Thursday of Every Month
       • Riverside
       • Senior Social Circle – Every Monday
     • Erie
       • 2nd Monday of Every Month
     • Kersey
       • Tech Day – 2nd Thursday of the Month at the Senior Center
       • Senior Tai Chi – Every Thursday
     • Grover
       • Drop in Tech Help – 2nd Tuesday of Every Month
     • Carbon Valley
       • Ageless Grace – 2nd Monday of Every Month
     • Hudson
       • Prime Timers – Every Tuesday 10am-12pm

   • Book a Librarian 

     • Appointments are free, one-on-one help sessions on everything from job hunting to genealogy searches to technology assistance.
     • Appointments are available at every library. The Outreach Librarian can meet someone by appointment at a library, senior center or other public space.

   • Outreach Services 

     • The High Plains Library District provides Lobby Stop Services to a select number of Skilled Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities and Senior Apartment Complexes. In addition to bringing materials to check out, they provide several programs, including Arts & Crafts and Drop-In Tech Help.
   • Q: Member Schunter – Do you offer drive through services for individuals that are not able to walk into the library?
     • A: HPLD – Curbside delivery is an option, but not all locations offer it. The Services tab on the website will provide more information.
     • S: Chair Haffner – A friend recently had their family tree done through the LINC Library and it was remarkable.
     • A: HPLD – Appointments are required for this service at LINC Library.
   • Q: Vice Chair Kress – Libby is a fantastic app. Does the LINC Library allow individuals to bring their own print files to print on the UV Printer?
     • A: HPLD – Yes.
   • Q: Chair Haffner – Are volunteers needed for the read aloud program?
     • A: HPLD – Volunteers would be appreciated to expand. Background checks would be required.
     • S: Member Smock – Been on the HPLD Board for over 8 years. Another service they offer is professional pictures.
     • S: Member Cure – Eaton Library has a notary.
     • A: HPLD – Most libraries used to have notaries but that has been eliminated due to bonding.
   • Q: Member Ortiz – Are there any statistics on the number of Latino / Spanish speaking population that is visiting the libraries?
     • A: HPLD – There are no statistics, but it would depend on the location of the branch as to how many are visiting. There is a need for more Spanish speaking employees to accommodate more visitors.
   • Q: Member Leitel – Is there Spanish language material offered?
     • A: HPLD – Yes, there are Spanish language materials available.
   • Q: Member Karcher – With the projected growth, will more libraries be built to accommodate?
     • A: HPLD – The new library in Mead will be completed by June. Renovations are being done on existing buildings, and an expansion was done on the Erie Library. No new plans for any new buildings in the future. A workforce development mobile computer lab vehicle was purchased and will be ready in October 2026.
   • Q: Member Leitel – Do all branch libraries check out tools?
     • A: HPLD – There has been discussion about having tools for checkout. Some branches have seed libraries. Northern Plains in Ault has specialty cake pans that can be checked out. Different sites have different things to offer. UNC might have hand tools that can be checked out but not power tools.

4. Committee Reports

   • Nutrition:

     • Member Cure – The last meeting was in Pierce and no complaints.
     • Member Schunter - Described the Friendly Fork senior meal program for new members and reminded everyone that the meals are at a mere suggested donation of $5.00 per meal.
     • Staff Member Skoglund – Meal sites are run by volunteers.
     • Member Cure – Food is prepared at the UNC kitchen and transported out to 22 meal sites.
     • Chair Haffner – Has participated in and enjoyed the Fresh Conversations program and found the AAA Registered Dietician to be very knowledgeable.

   • ADRC (Aging, Disability & Resource Center):

     • Member Leitel – Met last week at 8am at the Blue Mug and it was very well attended. The presentation was conducted by Rechel Pinkston, City of Greeley Homeless Outreach Team who serves Greeley and surrounding areas.
     • Member Schunter – Would like to be included in the ADRC meetings.
     • Staff Member Skoglund – Will forward to all members the committees they can choose to be on.

   • Fraud Updates:

     • Staff Member Roper – Be cautious of anything you need to move or pick up near your car. If you don’t have gloves to put on, it is advisable to just not touch anything. Recently someone had used my name, email and bank account information to open a line of credit but was able to catch it before any damage was done.
     • Vice Chair Kress – Has used google voice number for separating solicitation calls from important calls and uses Apple Wallet to create one time “ghost cards” to make purchases without having main card numbers compromised.
     • Member Hart – How would an at-risk senior that has had fraud committed against them deal with it?
       • Division Director Morrison – Calls should go to Adult Protective Services (APS) so they can evaluate if they need assistance.
       • Member Karcher – Is there defined criteria?
       • Division Director Morrison – There are but there are many different caveats to determine if they qualify. It is always best to call APS and make a report as they are the trained staff and will complete the appropriate assessments.
     • Commissioner Buck – Data breaches cause a lot of information to get out. LifeLock is a great service to ensure your data is safe.

   • Legislative & CCA:

     • Division Director Morrison – Former member, Jami Shepherd, sent out information that will be sent to the Board. Although she is no longer on the Board, she will continue to forward information. Any information that comes through regarding legislation will be brought back to the Board.
     • Commissioner Buck – You can go to Weld.gov to see the upcoming legislative session bills and what the commissioners are supporting and not supporting.

   • 50+ Art Show:

     • Chair Haffner – Met last month. The 2026 application and advertising have been created. The event is completely free with food, music & artwork.

   • Beyond 60

     • Staff Member Skoglund – An article runs in the Greeley Tribune weekly with articles provided by community members, staff and board members. Always in need of articles, recipes, etc. around 350 words.
     • Vice-Chair Kress – Will be sending an article

   • Monitoring, Oversight, Request for Proposal

     • Division Director Morrison – Contract amendments have been completed. Originally the State and Federal funds were provided at 75% of what was expected, so the original contracts were written based on those funds. After further review, State and Federal additional funds were released and contracts were amended to provide primary contracts with additional funding. We are not sure what next year’s funding will be.
     • Staff Member Skoglund – The State survey has gone out to all meal sites and providers. Surveys are due back by March 4th so that they can be entered into the database for review.

5. Board Participation Reports:

   • Member Schunter – Tax service will be done at the Greeley Active Adult Center for free. Appointments must be made in advance.
   • Guest Kelly – Tax service will also be offered at the Erie & Firestone Senior Center with an appointment. Tax forms will be available at all library locations or assistance can be offered to print forms.
   • Member Schunter – If you are eligible, please remember to vote in the upcoming Greeley election. There are 5 locations where ballots can be dropped. 63,000 people in Greeley are registered voters, with 22,000 ballots expected to be tallied.

6. General Agency Updates:

   • Division Director Morrison – We are coming up on discussions surrounding the 4-year plan. In the past, we relied on the CASOA report (Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults). Unfortunately, we did not receive sufficient funding for it this year. We did receive one grant, and it didn’t even cover 10% of the full cost of the Survey.
     • Member Leitel – Will additional grants be sought due to funding?
     • Division Director Morrison – There has been a lot of discussion about cuts, but they do not directly affect Weld County. We have been very careful about contract amendments. The Older Americans Act (OAA) serves individuals age 60 and older is baseline but is changing direction to those most in need. Will be looking at prioritization.
     • Member Karcher – Does this mean validating the criteria?
     • Staff Member Skoglund – We do not validate criteria, it is self-reported. We take their word.
     • Member Schunter – Has there been any consideration to partner with UNC to see if there would be a graduate student that could design and write a plan for widespread information gathering?
     • Division Director Morrison – There was discussion as a potential resource at the last Colorado Association of Area Agencies on Aging (C4A) meeting.
     • Member Leitel – AIMS College would be another resource to look at.
     • Staff Member Skoglund – AIMS College pays their students and they receive credit.
   • Division Director Morrison – Will be attending board meetings for other local counties to see how they do things and if there is anything we can implement here that works best for them. Overall goal is how do we best serve our community.

   • Upcoming Events

     • Greeley/Weld Senior Foundation: May 28, 2026
     • 50+ Art Show: September 22, 2026
     • Senior Symposium: October 1, 2026
     • Project Connect: TBA
     • Caregiver Appreciation Day: TBA

7. Adjournment:

   • Motion to adjourn meeting.
   • All agreed.

8. Next meeting

   • Thursday, March 12, 2026, from 9am-11am