08-15-2025 COA MinutesChanhassen Commission on Aging, August 15, 2025
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Commissioner Camarata.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jim Camarata, Gwen Block, Jane Bender, Janet Dean, Phyllis Mobley, Barbara Solum, Bill
Monn
MEMBERS ABSENT: Beth Mason
GUESTS PRESENT: Linnea Fonnest, Chanhassen Library. Kara Cassidy, Carver County
Health and Human Services, Office of Aging; Linda Kerber, City of Carver resident.
CALL TO ORDER: Jim Camarata, Chair
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
The agenda was reviewed as submitted. Commissioner Block made a motion to approve the
agenda. Commissioner Mobley seconded. All members voted in favor; the motion was carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
June 20, 2025, minutes were reviewed. Commissioner Mobley made a motion to approve the
minutes. Commissioner Solum seconded. All members voted in favor; the motion was carried.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
4th of July Recap 4th of July Bingo was a success! Over 600 people participated in the free
Bingo event sponsored by the Commission and hosted by hosted by KDWB's Dave Ryan. Thirty
prize packages were created from the generous gift cards and givc-aways provided by local
businesses and organizations. This year’s fundraising efforts went to Senior Community Services
Tech Assistance Program and raised $1000 in donations.
Fall 55+ Health and Wellness Expo the Fall 55+ Health and Wellness Expo will be held
Wednesday, October 8th at the Chanhassen Recreation Center. This event highlights local
nonprofit programs and organizations and connects seniors with important resources.
Commissioner Check-In on Areas of Interest/Focus Projects –Commissioner Bender is
interested in working on marketing our resources for seniors better to the community, Patrick
Gavin will attend a meeting in September to discuss how City staff can help in that area.
Commissioner Mobley is interested in mental health and wellness; she will work with Mary on
future programs to offer on this topic. Commissioner Dean is interested in working with
Honoring Choices, related to health care directives and how to support seniors in creating them.
Commissioner Monn is interested better educating and connecting people to transportation
options in our community. Commissioners Block and Solum continue to assist as needed with
Senior Center programs and events.
Commission Sub-Committee Reports Commissioners Camarata and Mason continue to work
on resource guides and communications with local newspapers and magazines, with Camarata
posting regular articles related to housing issues.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS:
Chanhassen Senior Center Upcoming Programs Mary shared with the commission that the
Fall Connection is now out, it has all the upcoming programing that is being offered. She
touched on some of that programming, inviting the commissioners to join in. The move in date
for the new Senior Center is to be determined but Mary is prepared to stay at the Recreation
Center through October, or until the new space is available.
Kara Cassidy, Carver County Health and Human Services, Office of Aging Commissioner
Camarata presented on behalf of Kara Cassidy. The annual meeting of Carver County
Commission on Aging will be held on September 5th, from 10 am until 1 pm at the Arboretum.
Chanhassen Library Linnea Fonnest presented on upcoming programming happening at the
Chanhassen Library this fall.
DISCUSSION
Guest Linda Kerber shared that she is gathering information on the possibility of creating a
Commission on Aging in the City of Carver. Commissioners shared resource and contact
information with her for moving forward. Linnea Fonnest discussed the issue of food insecurities
in the senior population. Carver County is working on creating Resource Navigators to help
people find resource information.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Mobley made a motion to approve adjournment. Commissioner Dean seconded.
All members voted in favor; the motion was carried. Meeting adjourned at 11:19 am.
Submitted by Mary Blazanin, Senior Center Coordinator