Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> some feedback and then we do have some questions too. And we'll talk about this again assuming that we're going to move forward with it next year too about um presentation style communication, all that kind of fun stuff. But I just to throw a proposed event format at you, um we talked about streamlining the schedule. So instead of having it be a week, but really focus it on a day. And again, um one of our suggestions is to keep it surrounding that Donut's and Victoria program. Um so it could be a Wednesday that we already have donuts, we already have that crowd that's uh used to that monthly program and hopefully then they'll stay for the rest of the series. Um so it would be a day schedule. We'd still do the morning presentations kind of focused on local topics, community resources, things like um the Carver County Environmental Service was a really huge hit. You could talk about transportation, things that are really localized um to the city of Victoria. Um the Victoria Library did a great presentation as well throughout that or during that week. Um and then in that afternoon you kind of have that more interactive social activities. So getting people the opportunity to connect each other with each other. So whether that's bingo or we do functional fitness again or combination of all of the ideas. Um we can offer that as kind of that afternoon part of the session. Um and then you can also pick apart those and communicate those separately too. So you people don't might might might not want to attend the presentations, but maybe they do want to come to bingo or the functional fitness class or whatever else we offer a pickleball tournament or something like that. Um and then all day similar to what we did is just have that informational booth um where you can provide resources and that's when you bring in external partners um to make sure that their resources are provided. So people are attending the programs, people are attending the activities, and then on their way in, on their way out, in between, they can grab the flyers, the informational resources that are available to them. Um I did skip this bullet point, but one of the things that we did talk about is also timing and what that might look like. Um May we didn't necessarily find it was a bad time frame. However, we could look at April doing it a little bit sooner in the calendar year um right when the snowbirds get back or potentially like an October, November um right before the snowbirds leave. We do find that a majority of our snowbird population usually leaves in December, January-ish and then comes back in March. [clears throat] Um So November was an option just because it's colder, people are looking for activities out inside, we're not competing with outside extracurriculars. Um so that's just an option that we wanted to present to the committee. Granted, these things can be determined later on, too, but we did want to provide that kind of idea brainstorming that we were having internally. Um so with that, that's really all I had for a recap and a presentation. Um what we'd really like to know as staff is what the committee thought about it, especially ones that attended. Um and I shouldn't not forget to thank all of you for doing that. Um that was great to just have you guys there and present and meet the folks that were there um and take out time out of your day to do that. So thank you, we really do appreciate that. Um and so did the residents that were there, too, was having that other connection other than just with city staff. Um so again, I will pass it back to the committee to um provide some feedback. Um we're open to all of it. >> That's why I attended and I thought it was great. And I appreciate your hard work and and everybody who who is into it. I have positive comments about the proposed event format in the future. I would say just generally speaking, you know, being as the first event, I wouldn't, you know, throw the baby out with the bathwater and like it didn't, you know, it just it's going to take time. Water cooler talk, people can engage in telling each other to build up, you know, so whether it's a one-day event or maybe it's just a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. I think that would be just, you know, maybe leave out the Mondays and Fridays, but could be a two-day event, one-day event or a three-day, but either way I know it'll continue to to grow and grow and grow and perhaps, you know, more freebies or the more types of content perhaps, you know, estate planning or things that might be more relevant or signing up for Medicare or understanding AARP perhaps might get some other people to want to to join as well. But we can always talk about topics and agendas later, but overall I think your proposed event format sounds great and that was a good event for the especially for the very very first one. >> I was only there on Monday, but I'm curious, did do you think that the attendance got better as the week went or not even related to the day just >> It definitely was related to that Wednesday donuts and Victoria appease. So Tuesday was a little quieter as well and then Wednesday it picked up because we did have that additional program on layered into it. And then that continued on into Thursday. >> Maybe it's the donuts. Maybe we need to have donuts every time. >> [laughter] >> We did do donuts and and coffee every day as part of the program, but I think it was just people are part of that repetition and they're used to that. They know. >> Yeah. >> And and donuts and Victoria probably didn't start off, I mean it had to grow too, right? Now it has kind of a following, so. >> I mean, to Kyle's point, this was our first effort at this, and >> Feedback. >> Um I'm wondering if like you see all the local restaurants that are excited to have their food tasted at the car shows and things like that. I'm wondering if they wouldn't enjoy sponsoring a day and having a light lunch, so people could um just get a taste for what [clears throat] they make. >> That's a a great way of saying it with the taste part of it, too. >> We did talk about that maybe there's a lunch involved if it's like a day-long program that usually does help drive traffic food, lots of food. Um so, it could be something where we do the donuts, and then um like a a light lunch in the afternoon. Um we did talk about doing sponsorship this year, but cuz it was a first-year event, that's always hard to do, but as a second year, I think that's something we will start looking in more into is do you have the business sponsorships where they sponsor a day, and it's a lunch or um even if it's a a business that doesn't do restaurants, but we just work with a local restaurant to do the catering, and someone else sponsors it. Yes, I think that's a great suggestion. >> think we'll end up being at the new fire station? >> We could. There's some benefit to having it at the recreation center if we have like multiple activities just cuz we have multiple rooms to host things, and then we can kind of pivot locations, whereas the new firehouse really only has one larger room for that kind of work. >> Fair. I was just thinking even if we sponsored something or something low-key where it's just you know, hot dogs or brats, you know, people always like something like that and encouraging people to come in throughout the day um regardless of age, even if this is a more of a senior um activity. You know, it's really Well, I guess this one isn't this on the the whole community, but you know, given the timeline, you know, people are working and parents are there's something that we could do. >> Mhm. I also see like such a huge turnout every year for the um fish fry. But a lot of it is just, you know, the marquee that we're all driving by for weeks, so we know it's coming. I wonder if, you know, if we had have some kind of signage for next year. >> Mhm. Yeah, I mean, cuz we don't have a newspaper anymore, so usually that was in there, those advertisements. >> Yeah, we can look at banner signage. We do that for some of our other events or whatnot, just depends on what it is, but yeah, absolutely. And it's our demographic at the fish fry, for sure. >> [laughter] >> It's wonderful. >> Never been. >> Oh, you have to go. >> No, next year maybe, but >> You can go into her at the fish fry. >> House restaurant, I don't know what that's going to be called. >> Right now, their liquor license is held by Harlan. >> I know. So, I mean, next year and then the new Mexican restaurant below, you know, maybe you can do a taste of Victoria. >> Mhm. >> For you know, new residents find out where all the for advertisement on those billboards. >> Love it. >> I've been quiet. Um just a a possible suggestion. Um I I think we have opportunities to capture more people by there the fitness classes are very well attended. Pickleball, there are a lot of people and I know I some people came from pickleball. Just because you have put up signs, they say in marketing somebody needs to read a message eight times before it you know, sticks with them. So, to have a focus on going to the exercise classes, other events there, pickleball people, personally invite them and tell them what it's all about. Maybe have during have somebody an OT or PT person come and do some pickleball stretches and pickleball readiness. They're pretty passionate people. But I I think possibly some way to [snorts] touch people personally rather than a sign because we know that people struggle with going to the website to get information and you guys did a great job posting some things on Facebook. So, um but there's I mean, the rec center gets a lot of use throughout the day and I know when I was in Chan, it took me years to build certain programs to get to a level. You know, we started with a picnic and by the time I left we had 200 people coming. You know, it's just because you have an event, people like that personal touch. And we had offered some really good things. So, and I I think a day is enough. You know, maybe like from 9:00 till 2:00. And um it just was a thought >> to >> try to hit them personally. >> Anything else, committee members? What else we got? How soon do you start planning for next year? Like how soon do you pick a date and how soon do you guys decide or we decide that it's going to be a one day versus a four day or a three day? >> What's the timeline? >> Yeah, great question. We're always trying to plan out a year ahead, which was also a I think a challenge as part of this program is we always love to do a full year in advance planning and have our entire Our goal is by the end of 2026 we have 2027 already planned and ready to go. Um for majority of things, meaning for donuts we have a full lineup already scheduled by November typically um for the entire year. So with that, I think by the end of this year um if not sooner, probably fall, we would like to have a full understanding of what this is going to look like for 2027, whether it's going to be in spring, April, May, summer or fall, we already have it kind of flushed out and we're already talking about presenters and who we want to bring to the table. So >> the general election in November? >> Uh it's always the I think it's November 4th this year. >> I heard You get a lot of people going voting. I mean if it were right after that, but you can't really hand things out during an election. >> Mhm. Okay, forget that idea. Good thought. >> Yeah. >> I like the idea of spring. I just feel like people are kind of getting back, you know, our snowbirds are back, they're looking for what to do and the weather's nice, people want to get outside and just go somewhere. I know that our event's inside, but just you know, people are more likely to want to go places. But you know. >> Agreed. >> Well, we can look at looking we can look at spring and to that point of being mostly inside, we could also look at some out the outside activities too, whether it's like walk around Eaton home and it can be a walking tour. Um we can look at those getting people outside activities. >> Yeah. to Sue's point, >> you talked about pickleball, maybe there is some pickleball clinics that we bring outside to get people used to the courts or um we do something utilizing the courts. Um I know the Victoria Lions has talked about doing some sort of tournament in the future, so maybe we coordinate with them. >> That's a good idea again given Sue where you're at and I think there's probably a I don't know how big the population size is, but people might not know what pickleball is, but are curious. And so maybe it could be for beginners. >> You know, and like pickleball 101. >> And it's just a quick tutorial on how the game is played and and allowing some people just to slowly get into it versus maybe feeling intimidated like I've never done this before. Um just like a lot of things, right? Um but maybe that's something we could uh include as part of the agenda. >> May I add a >> and can't do in the kitchen. >> I was going to say stay out of the kitchen. >> kitchen. >> [laughter] >> May I add one suggestion for an outdoor activity is uh Chanhassen usually does their senior expo in the fall. And one of their most popular outdoor activities is uh try an e-bike. And so they get a local uh bicycle vendor to come and people can take a ride on an e-bike around uh a secure or safe area. >> That's a great idea. >> We've had that for years. Plus another thing that they've done is a who garden or who what's that? Right up by Methodist Hospital. Although Carver Park might have it up. Um Nordic walking where they bring the poles and go for a walk through the park and there's a lot of short locations right by the Rec Center. And you know, that's a fun event for people. >> Carver County Parks does Nordic walking. >> Do they have the poles? >> Mhm. >> You know, that suggestion for e-bikes what would be a good idea too is um whatever the you know, there's a a of misconception with e-bikes and the other the motorbike. So, some of them are on our walking biking trails and they don't belong on them. >> I don't think you'll find many older people on those little motorbikes cuz they go pretty fast. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. But, they kind of need to know the rules and >> [clears throat] >> some cities have you know, they've commented on them, but how are we going to I think if you have one of those e-bike sessions, it would be good to have something or someone there that gives an idea. You have to be 15. You What is Each city is different. Some are 10 mph, some are 15. >> Yeah, just trail etiquette. >> Yeah. The trail and walking cuz I've seen people on our walking trails with dogs mostly. It upsets the dogs if you don't acknowledge on your left or some that you're coming up behind them. The dogs just kind of get excited and pull their walker. So, I mean, if there were some instruction on it if they have an e-bike event like that. >> Yeah. I think it would be helpful. >> One thing and I know it's a hard thing. One thing that Victoria, when you talk to people, some of the things they love about Victoria is the access to all the trails. And um Yeah, I mean, the rec center would be a perfect location to hook up on a trail or come down here. Um but, Highway 5 and the trails Uh that shouldn't really matter cuz you won't go that far. But, people, the parks and the trails and access to the trails are what a lot of active people and e-bikers like. I rode with some friends last week. We went 28 mi. And it was [snorts] easy and fun. So, and we can get anywhere on our on our bikes. So, that's a great idea for the e-bikes. >> And then you could have a topic that is access to the trails and >> Right. >> Explore our parks and trails. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> I like that. >> A walk in the park. >> Sounds like a perfect empty nester activity. I love this. Thank you all for your feedback. Um, we can talk about it again, but we'll plan for spring and start with that and we'll touch base again in the fall, too, just to confirm that's where the committee is feeling and presentation topics feel like we're on the right path. Um, but awesome. Thank you again so much for your help on this and looking forward to next year already. >> Can I add one thing? The staff that was there were wonderful, everyone. So, thank you. >> Oh, yeah. >> At the rec center, you mean? >> Yeah. >> Feel this because it's on my mind right now. Perhaps um, just as a note, it doesn't have to be a presentation topic or maybe just a side conversation, just emerald ash borer. You know, what the city's doing, what's the responsibility of the homeowner, what to do if you see some, you know, once at risk of falling on somebody's street or something of that nature, but maybe that's just a topic that seems to be I know it's continuing. >> Yeah, that's a great um, note committee. Um, just to note, we did bring in uh, tree care last year for donuts. We didn't bring them in for 2026, but it was a really well-attended donuts presentation, um, hosted by Rainbow Tree Care. That's who the city uses for their emerald ash borer treatment. So, they're such a great partner, um, related to that and they talk about tree care in general and what to do in situations and what to look [clears throat] for. So, that's another great one that every single year, but like in every other year, is kind of a a good repetition for those that are, you know, um, really well attended. The only one that we try and bring back every year is transportation. Especially right now. >> [laughter] >> Another topic. >> Possible idea, um, is when we talked about possibly bringing food vendors and having lunch. How about lunch with the mayor? We used to do dinner with the mayor. People really love to hear the mayor and what's going on in the city. So, that possibly could be something incorporated. >> I think Chanhassen did that. Still does that for lunch where they're are their senior expo. >> Yeah, and then yeah, and the dinner with the mayor right before a concert is a big thing. So, but so, that might be good. >> Another thing I think would be a great topic is, um, to have like an adaptive contractor, um, come in and talk about home safety and, um, you know, fall prevention. And I know of several, but not any local. If you know of any that do like >> in place >> place contractors, yeah. Um, because I think that's something that I know just a lot of my clients just don't even know like how simple it is to install grab bars and, um, you know, handrails and stuff. >> Incorporated into donuts. I mean, doesn't Well, the new M triple A, they have a balance >> Yeah. >> session and how to fall, how to get up, how to maintain strength. >> Yeah. And our fire department did host like a home fit program as part of the session this year. However, it they don't go as in detail as like actually doing installation in your work. They talk more general about things that you look for and how do you, you know, do some sort of prevention, but not as much detail. That was a good a program and we're glad to have them do that. >> One class I went to with one of them I went to with Leanne, one of the functional fitness. She focused on all things that strengthen getting up, balance, you know, all those functional things that are really help you should you fall and maintain your balance as you age. She did a great job. >> I'm curious as well. I know we've partnered with some other local health care organizations. Would they ever do free eye exams or hearing tests? >> I don't know. It's a great question. >> Just another opportunity to bring some people in and say, you know, we're going to do simple but maybe important screenings for seeing as well as hearing. I was at a presentation not that long ago and it's my understanding and don't take this for truth, so we have to research it, but caption call? Telephones, you know, that read off. Apparently that's free for individuals if they need it. >> CapTel. It's called CapTel. >> Yeah, and we're we're paying for it on your cell phone bills and other pieces, you know, from legislation. So, yeah, we've got somebody who didn't Yeah, so I mean that could be something for our people as well if they're having trouble hearing or seeing that, you know, they've got the the live caption on their telephone so they can interact more with friends and family, but >> And there's a wonderful man who will come and do presentations on the CapTel telephone. He did one at the Waconia Senior Center um about a year ago. And I have his contact information if you need it. I'll list it. >> Yeah, that would be wonderful Cara, thank you. Did not know that, thank you. >> I did not know that until last week either. I was at a very similar event at the Dinah W YMCA and he had a booth right across from me and it's free, we just have to turn it on. You can get it ordered and sent to the individuals homes and things to help with the installation which is very minimal. >> What else do we have? >> Anything else before we move on to the next item on the agenda? Okay. Uh with that we'll move on to reports and emerging issues. Committee members, does anyone have anything else to report? If not, staff, do you have anything else to report? >> I do, thank you chair. Uh just a couple things. Um this one was actually on the agenda cuz I wanted to make sure it was first and forward um but we do have a classic car night we have the senior resource booth that we've scheduled to go to that um on July 8th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. I do have a sign-up sheet on the table out over here if anyone wants to join me for that session. Um I'm just bringing all sorts of resources as well as everything that we had that um our our partners from the community connections dropped off. Bringing all those resources um with me um and going to bring the resource guide and talk about senior resources in the area as well as the senior committee. So, if anyone is interested in joining me for that, that would be great. Um and related, this is how we found Kyle to be part of the committee. So, um we do have an open seat. Uh we haven't figured out quite how the application process is going to go for David's seat, but I assume that we'll be trying to solicit for applications. So, it might be a really good way to to meet people and introduce them to the committee and the work. So, if you're interested in joining me for that, I do have a sign-up sheet here, but I will be there. And then my last item for you is along with the other tons of papers that I left for you, I do have this little sheet of paper. It's Zeller partnership uh voting slip. So, I don't talk about this very often, um which is my bad, but I do want to share with the committee. We do have a partnership um pun intended with Zeller Studios. Deb Zeller is a local resident of Victoria. She has her art studio in Main Street Hopkins uh downtown. If anyone's interested, she does have open hours for the public, but she uh brings a series of artworks to Council Chambers. It's a bi-monthly program, so every other month we switch out um artwork and different local artists, and people can come to Victoria Council Chambers anytime to come and check out the art. It is also for sale. Um and we connect people with uh Deb on the the selling of artwork, and we have sold a couple pieces. It's not like we're, you know, like the world's award-winning uh on [laughter] on selling artwork here, but every once in a while we do have people that are interested. Um so, what we do is kind of a fun thing is if anyone wants to vote on their favorite artwork, um we do that every, you know, every other month. So, I left the the voting sheet uh sheets with you, um and you can just give them back to me afterwards. You can fold them. It's anonymous. I'm not going to look, don't worry. Um but I do want to highlight that cuz I don't bring it up very often, but on that, I don't have anything else. Thank you. >> All right, members of the committee, there are no more items to come before the body this morning. Can I ask for a motion to adjourn? >> Motion to adjourn. >> Motion made by Kyle. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Alina second. All in favor? >> Aye. >> Aye. >> Motion carries. We stand adjourned. Thank you, and have a great rest.