February 13, 2025 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 13, 2025 (Thursday) 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Minutes

1. Roll Call

   • Board Members

     • Attended

       • Kay Broderius, Susan Collins, DeAnn Cure, Chair-Nancy Haffner, Father Steve Karcher, Vice-Chair-Alan Kress, Ruth Leitel, Commissioner Peppler, Aaron Sanchez, Anne Curry Sanchez, Gillian Smith, Jami Shepherd, Diana Vasquez, Lynn Young

     • Absent

       • Valeria Ortiz

   • AAA Staff

     • Attended

       • Tami Grant, Department of Human Services Deputy Director
       • Kelly Morrison, Home & Community Supports Division Director
       • Meredith Skoglund, Community Outreach Manager
       • Michelle Roper, Administrative Assistant

   • Guests

     • Tess Jones & Darlene James, Cycling without Age

2. Approval of Minutes

   • Motion made by Chair Haffner to approve the minutes from January 9, 2025. Member Collins made first approval and Member Young made second approval. All approved.

3. Program

   • Cycling without Age

     • Cycling without Age originated in 2012 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The program is currently in 41 countries with 3,500 chapters and more than 6,000 trishaws. Each chapter has its own administration and registers as a 501c3 non-profit organization. The Weld County chapter was created under the umbrella of the Poudre River Trail Corridor, Inc. The first ride on the Poudre trail was in May 2021 and in the 2024 season, 17 trained pilots pedaled nearly 1,200 miles serving more than 700 passengers.
     • The 5 guiding principles are:
       
       • Generosity – offering and giving willingly to others - enthusiastically and with a smile.
       • Slowness – traveling slowly and safely and stopping to appreciate natural features and signs of wildlife along the trail.
       • Storytelling – engaging our passengers to hear their stories, memories and wisdom.
       • Relationships – building bridges in our communities to provide the program’s healthy benefits to seniors and those with cognitive or mobility challenges – expanding the world of our passengers, bringing joy to their day.
       • Without Age – recognizing that age is not a limiting factor in whether we laugh or share or marvel at nature from a bike.
     • The program is funded primarily by fund-raising events and public donations. Those funds are used to purchase trishaws, general bike maintenance, operating expenses, and insurance. ALL rides are free!
     • Anyone can be a passenger and family, or friends are invited to ride along on their own bikes. The program is intended to provide social engagement. 3 days advance notice is required to schedule a ride, and rides only happen on weekdays as the trail can be very busy on the weekends.
     • They provide services for many different senior facilities for 2-12 riders. So far, 18 facilities have utilized their services. The larger groups take 10–15-minute rides and the smaller groups can ride for an hour. There is an area for groups to do a picnic ride if they choose. The trishaws are very easy to access for individuals that are in wheelchairs, but an aide is required to assist as the volunteer pilots are not qualified to lift riders.
     • One of the goals of Cycling without Age is to get information about their services out to the community so that more people can participate. Since all the rides are free and most of the funding comes from donations, there will be a fundraiser this year. Money is never discussed with riders and tips are not allowed, only donations to the program.
       
       • S: Member – It’s a wonderful experience and each person should try it at least once.
       • Q: Member Collins – Where you get volunteers and are they of all ages?
         
         • A: Cycling without Age – Yes, the volunteers are all ages. There is an application on the website. Recently added 4 new pilots that waited for a year due to positions being full. They are required to stay engaged with the program all the time to ensure safety measures are followed.
       • Q: Member Curry Sanchez – Do you have any Spanish speaking pilots?
         
         • A: Cycling without Age – Not at this time but we encourage that riders are paired with someone that they can converse with. Nature and sightseeing are a universal language.
       • Q: Member Curry Sanchez – Do you present at many organizations, locations or churches?
         
         • A: Cycling without Age – Will be going out this season to more churches and clubs than in the past.
       • Q: Staff Member Roper – What is the cost for a trishaw?
         
         • A: Cycling without Age – Each one costs $15,000 and there is additional cost for maintenance and insurance each year.
       • Q: Member Collins – Who builds the bikes?
         
         • A: Cycling without Age – The bikes are built by a company in Copenhagen, Denmark.
       • Q: Chair Haffner – Is there an area for a group of 10 to have a picnic?
         
         • A: Cycling without Age – Yes, there is an area.
       • Q: Member Sanchez – How long does the battery last, has it ever died?
         
         • A: Cycling without Age – The battery lasts for 38 miles and the pilot always has a backup battery with them. A one-hour ride is approximately 5 miles. The distance is dependent on the terrain and the weight of the passengers which is up to 310 pounds.
       • Q: DHS Deputy Director Grant – Are you looking to purchase more bikes in the future?
         
         • A: Cycling without Age – Only if there was an influx of passengers. Possibly looking to purchase another one in 2026.
       • Q: Member Collins – Will there be a demonstration and rides at your upcoming fundraiser this year?
         
         • A: Cycling without Age – Yes, we want people to see how easy it is to get on and off the trishaw and how comfortable it is.
         • S: Member Collins – Has taken a ride and found it to be very comfortable, feels like you are flying.
       • Q: Member Curry Sanchez – What is the best way for people to get in touch with Cycling without Age?
         
         • A: Cycling without Age – Through the website or contacting Tess directly. When responding to inquiries, we send a lot of pictures.
       • Q: HCSD Director Morrison – Do you offer rides on the weekend?
         
         • A: Cycling without Age – No, because the trail is usually full, and we don’t want those guests to feel like we are taking up all the space due to the size of the trishaw at 42” wide.
       • Q: DHS Deputy Director Grant – What is the financial goal of the fundraiser?
         
         • A: Cycling without Age – The primary expense each year is maintenance at $400 which is $3,600 for the expected life of the trishaw. If we are to purchase another trishaw, we would be looking at $19,000 for the 10 year lifespan of the trishaw and $600 for insurance.
     • It was estimated that the hourly value of the volunteers is $25 and hour. The value to the passengers is $10 and volunteer $55 per ride. It is a huge value.
       
       • Q: Commissioner Peppler – Can you explain the insurance cost?
         
         • A: Cycling without Age – Our insurance of $600 is carried under the Poudre Trail insurance umbrella.
     • During the winter we dedicate 1 day a week to Independent Living facilities to build up that program more. We will be reaching out to 34 facilities during the winter.

4. Committee Overview, Sign-up, and Committee Reports

   1. Nutrition:
      • Member Young – Would like to join the Friendly Fork Advisory Committee.
   2. ADRC:
      • Staff Member Skoglund – Peggy Garcia with Connections will be presenting on the Transitions Program.
   3. AARP Livable Communities:
      • Staff Member Skoglund – Ernest from United Way has put the current committees on hold and evaluating the mission of the Collective Impact. Once the board has narrowed down the vision, they will re-organize and begin developing communities.
      • Q: Member Collins – What was the reason that AARP consolidated?
        • A: Staff Member Skoglund – United Way was spread too thin, need to narrow down to work on a common goal.
      • Q: Member Collins – Are they still doing collective impact?
        • A: DHS Deputy Director Grant – They are stepping out of direct service delivery and handing that over to other agencies.
   4. Fraud Updates:
      • Member Smith – Fast Trax Toll Fraud still happening and with-it being tax season be cautious of scams.
      • Member Young – receiving a lot of healthcare calls lately and not sure if they are scam calls. Received 18 in one day.
   5. Legislative & CCA:
      • Member Shepherd – There are 20 bills that are receiving support from CCA and more may be added. If anyone would like to testify or listen in on sessions, please let her know.
   6. 50+ Art Show:
      • Chair Haffner – Next meeting is on February 18th. Was not able to meet in January.
      • Member Leitel – Could fabric art (quilting) be considered for the next show?
   7. Beyond 60
      • Staff Member Skoglund – Still looking for articles. Runs weekly.
   8. Monitoring, Oversight, Request for Proposal
      • HCSD Director Morrison - Starting conversations about contract renewals. Anticipating a rate increase from UNC and a potential cut to some of our other core services. Will be looking at grant opportunities.
      • HCSD Director Morrison – The state auditor conducted a desk audit where no deficiencies were found and were recognized as best practices to be shared around the state.
        • Q: Member Curry Sanchez – Any idea if there will need to be cuts made this year?
          1. A: HCSD Director Morrison – Not yet currently talking about priorities.
        • Q: Member Leitel – Will cuts be made to meal sites?
          • A: HCSD Director Morrison – Not currently, the biggest expense is to-go containers. If guests came inside to eat, it would save money.
        • Q: Member Leitel – Can guests bring their own to-go containers?
          • A: Staff Member Skoglund – Yes but any outside to-go containers would need to be washed in the commercial washer at the site prior to food being served into it. The other option is that guests can take food off their plate and put into their own to-go containers at the table.
        • S: DHS Deputy Director Grant – It’s expected that costs will increase with the cost of food and minimum wage increasing.
        • S: Staff Member Skoglund – 81,000 meals were served in 2024
        • Q: Member Sanchez – What percentage of funds comes from the Federal Government?
          • A: HCSD Director Morrison – 50%. More details to be given.
      • Staff Member Skoglund – Provider audits will begin in April / May. Will send out a sign up sheet for those members that wish to participate.
        • Q: Chair Haffner – 60+ Transportation is under new leadership?
          • A: Staff Member Skoglund – Yes, they are considering setting up kiosks at Senior Centers but calling in to book a ride is still an option.
        • Q: Member Collins – Is there additional office staff at 60+ Transportation?
          • A: Staff Member Skoglund – Yes, there are 2 remote office staff members.

5. Board Participation Reports:

   • Member Sanchez – 60+ Transportation needs drivers.

6. General Agency Updates

   • Staff Member Skoglund – If you would like to be added to, switch or leave of a committee, please let her know.
     
     • Q: Member Collins – Are there current Board openings?
       
       • A: HCSD Director Morrison – Yes, 1 but possibly 2.

7. Upcoming Events

   • 50+ Art Show : September 24, 2025
   • Senior Symposium: TBA
   • Project Connect: TBA
   • Caregiver Appreciation Day: TBA
   • Greeley/Weld Senior Foundation: May 25, 2025

8. Adjournment

   • Motion to adjourn meeting. All agreed.

9. Next meeting

   • Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 9:00 – 11:00 am