During a recent city council meeting, discussions highlighted the pressing need for mental health services for seniors, particularly in light of the current economic climate. Councilor Ramessau brought attention to a proposed mental health counseling program for seniors, which was initiated after conversations with local senior center director Teresa LaCroix. LaCroix had already submitted a funding request to the city for eight hours of counseling per week, citing a significant demand for such services.

However, it was revealed that the city’s budget would not accommodate this mental health program, as the requested $125,000 was earmarked for other essential services, including homelessness programs and utility assistance. The councilor expressed concern over the limited funding available for mental health initiatives, noting that only $52,000 for the first year and $65,000 for the following year had been allocated for counseling services for low-income seniors in Shoreline.

Councilor Ramessau emphasized the importance of addressing this unmet need and indicated that he had support from another council member to push for additional funding to fulfill the request from the Shoreline Senior Center.

In addition to the mental health program discussions, Council member Robertson acknowledged the city’s effective financial management and expressed optimism about future investments. She flagged two items for future consideration: the printer lease and the Echo Lake Mural, suggesting a review of the city’s printing needs and a potential shift towards a more digital operation.

The meeting underscored the ongoing challenges in funding critical social services while also highlighting the council's commitment to addressing the needs of the community.