Aging and Disability Public Hearing for the Wisconsin Statute Section 85.21 County Elderly and Disabled Transportation Assistance Program

public_hearing_11.20.19_minutes.pdf (366 KB)

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Public Hearing for the Wisconsin Statute Section 85.21 County Elderly and Disabled Transportation Assistance Program

Facilitator: Susan Blodgett

County Personnel: Dankert, Zomer

Public Present: Eileen Klepper, Karl Schulte, Janice Brown, Charles Spencer, Judy Ellington, Terry Wolkowski, Lori Rudolph, Art Carlson, JoEllen Waddell, Charles Whitsell, Lorraine Carlson

Blodgett called the Public Hearing to start at 10:15 a.m.

Blodgett reviewed the current Aging and Disability Resource Center Transportation Services:

• Volunteer Driver Escort Program

• Shopping and Fun day travel bus trips

• Taxi Subsidy Program

The Taxi Subsidy Program is for people over age 60 or disabled. ADRC is selling a one taxi card per month (with 10 punches) for half price for our clients who live in Baraboo, West Baraboo, Sauk Prairie, and Reedsburg. The Aging and Disability Recourse Center doesn’t sell Lake Delton or Wisconsin Dells taxi tickets because they charge per mile.  Blodgett informed that as of January 1^st, 2020 City of Baraboo signed a new contract with Abby Vans and we will be selling a taxi coupon books to our clients. Abby Vans Company will honor the unused taxi punch cards for our clients.

Advisory Council, Lori Rudolph asked: “How you are planning to notify the clients for this change?

Susan Blodgett: “We are publishing an article in our newsletter “ Add Life Today!” and mailing  a letter to our clients by the end of November notifying about the changes in the taxi programs. At this point we don’t know if the city of Baraboo will publish an article in the newspaper.”

Karl Schulte from Running Inc. stated that they will honor the already purchased 2019 taxi punch cards until the end of January 2020. He informed the public that his company is working until 6pm during the weeks, and open on weekend and Holidays. He stated that the clients can arrange trips in advance or they can call and schedule a ride whenever needed.

Blodgett will attend a meeting with City of Baraboo in December, 2019. Our Taxi Subsidy Program is very popular, as we are increasing the program cost with $5,000 each year.

Blodgett stated that ADRC is having annual increases in demand for services for seniors, the need of volunteer drivers, and wheelchair transportation. The demographics of Sauk County are changing and showing that the increases are coming, indicated by 2010 census. The Volunteer Driver Escort Program provides transportation to Managed Care Organization and private pay clients who live outside of the city limits.   ADRC is looking for more Volunteer Drivers Escort for Reedsburg and Baraboo.  Having more Volunteers will benefit our clients and we will be able to help more people in need of transportation. At this point we are not transporting clients from Nursing homes and Assisted Living Facilities.

Charles Whitsell, a County Board Supervisor commented that he is proud to be a volunteer driver and help people go to their medical appointments. His hope is that in the future more people would step up to help in our Volunteer Escort Program.

Transportation  Council, Terry Wolkowski suggested that ADRC should try to advertise the Volunteer Escort Program submitting letters to local churches, Rotary Clubs, and other organizations.

Blodgett informed the public that our Fun Day Travels and Shopping Bus Trips are getting more popular. We’ve received great feedback from our clients. Each client has an opportunity to fill out a survey and submit a request for the destinations they would like to visit in the future. The trips are reserved in advanced and we have a waiting list. ADRC is hoping to expand this service in the future.

Advisory Council Waddell suggested possibly increasing dates for Shopping Bus/Fun Bus trips.

Blodgett informed the public that ADRC is applying for 85.21 grant to continue these programs.

No other comments or suggestions were made and the Public Hearing was closed at 10:35 a.m.