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2004-01-23 CITY OF ENCINITAS SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting Date: January 23, 2004; 1:00 p.m. City Council Chambers 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chairperson Vance called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. Present: Chairperson Vance, Vice Chairperson King, Commissioners Harp and Tillotson. Also Present: Recreation Superintendent Miller and Administrative Secretary Dakovich. Absent: Commissioner Hentz. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. 4. CHANGES TO AGENDA 5. CLOSING AND ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of minutes for Regular Meeting October 17, 2003. COMMISSIONER HARP MOVED, VICE CHAIRPERSON KING SECONDED TO APPROVE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING, OCTOBER 17, 2003. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 6. PRESENTATION None. 7. OLD BUSINESS A. Status Report on Project C.A.R.E. 1 Recreation Superintendent Miller referred the Commission to the October, November and December Project C.A.R.E. reports, and noted seven new clients. B. Status Report on the Senior Center at Oakcrest Park. Recreation Superintendent Miller welcomed Senior Center Manager Christie Goodsell who distributed information, as well as flyers, on upcoming events at the Senior Center. She also noted the success of the Out and About Program, with eleven drivers serving 17 passengers. Commissioner Harp suggested that the Senior Video be made available for sale at the Senior Center. Vice Chairperson King noted the great programs currently being offered at the Senior Center and asked how program needs are determined. Senior Center Manager Goodsell advised that program selection is based on demand and interest and noted there are currently 50 programs being offered. Chairperson Vance asked if senior usage of the Center has continued to grow or had reached a plateau. Senior Center Manager Goodsell advised that senior participation in the various programs had recently leveled off, however, new seniors come in everyday. Chairperson Vance asked what percentage of the local senior population was using senior services at the Senior Center and was there a greater need than what was available. Senior Center Manager Goodsell advised that approximately 3000 seniors per month are participating at the Senior Center in various programs and while some classes were full, there was still available space in others. She further advised that while many seniors may be homebound, only fifty (50) Meals on Wheels are delivered to homes in Encinitas. Chairperson Vance requested that the Senior Center Manager provide him with historical/statistical information from the Meals on Wheels Program on their senior services. Senior Center Manager Goodsell discussed trends and noted the need to look at Baby Boomer programming. Commissioner Harp referred to the 2000 Census and advised at that time there were 7,800 seniors 60+ and approximately 15,300 in the 50 and over group living in Encinitas. 2 Chairperson Vance noted the real estate market in Encinitas seemed quiet, with few people selling and moving. Senior Center Manager Goodsell advised that many people participating in Center programs do not want to be considered seniors. Commissioner Harp asked if AARP Bingo was growing or had reached a plateau. Senior Center Manager Goodsell advised most seniors seemed to prefer the local casinos with the chance of winning greater amounts, and suggested the need for more marketing of the AARP Bingo program. Chairperson Vance thanked Senior Center Manager Goodsell for providing the updates on Senior Center programs. Recreation Superintendent Miller recognized and thanked the Encinitas Senior Foundation for providing a Holiday tree and decorations for the Senior Center. C. Update Report on Ad Hoc Sub-Committees (Outreach Information, Transportation Review, Senior Housing Review and Representative Reports). Outreach – Vice Chairperson King noted that the Senior Citizen Commission was the only City Commission represented at Encinitas Day and asked why other Commissions did not participate. Recreation Superintendent Miller advised that the Parks & Recreation Commission participates in the Earth Day Celebration; Commission for the Arts participates in other activities; and although the Youth Commission does not have a booth, they attend and volunteer in the Fun Zone at Encinitas Day. Recreation Superintendent Miller asked if there was a Commission interest in participating in another Senior Commission Forum at the Senior Center, and advised it could be promoted in the March/April Golden Years Newsletter, and would provide a great opportunity to show the new Senior Video. Commissioner Harp suggested there may be more requests by seniors for the video rather than the DVD. Transportation – no report. Recreation Superintendent Miller did advise that the Out and About Program was growing, and that Gail Dupler was doing a great job. MAYOR HOULIHAN AND GIRL SCOUT TROOP 1437 ENTERED THE MEETING AT 1:45 P.M. THE COMMISSION TOOK A FIVE MINUTE BREAK TO HEAR GIRL 3 SCOUTS ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT SENIORS, AS PRESENTED BY THE MAYOR. Senior Housing – Chairperson Vance reported on a meeting he attended December 2003 hosted by the Area Agency on Aging. Attendees included government agencies, senior-housing services, and affordable housing providers. He noted there are serious senior housing issues in downtown San Diego. He also shared information on a tour of a low-income senior housing project. Council Contact – None. Senior Foundation Review – Commissioner Harp distributed the Foundation Newsletter and provided information on the upcoming Follies to be held February 15 at La Paloma Theater. Nutrition Site Council – Recreation Superintendent Miller advised that seniors attending the lunch program had requested an area where they could socialize before or after the lunch program. She further noted the Lunch Program is averaging 60-80 people per day with heavier attendance (120) on special days, and since there are spaces available, staff is researching a marketing plan to encourage senior citizens to attend this program. D. Evaluation on Holiday Parade Participation. Recreation Superintendent Miller reviewed the staff report and requested Commission input. Vice Chairperson King noted three Commissioners attended (Chairperson Vance, Vice Chairperson King and Commissioner Tillotson). He also advised the event was well organized, however, signage was needed for the vehicle. Chairperson Vance suggested two magnetic signs with lights for the vehicle. Recreation Superintendent Miller reported that the parade was a huge success with 20-25,000 in attendance. 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Report and Discussion on Senior Survey Results Recreation Superintendent Miller recapped the survey taken at the 2003 Senior Information Fair, noting several areas of interest, including suggestions for Senior Center programs. 4 Chairperson Vance suggested that the Senior Survey be a regular part of the Senior Information Fair. He also noted he is concerned that (per the Survey) more seniors were not using the Project C.A.R.E. Program. Recreation Superintendent Miller advised the lack of seniors using the Project C.A.R.E. Program is due to the fact our community is more active and affluent than other North County cities. Commissioner Harp noted that the community includes several senior assisted living centers, where services are provided, as well. Recreation Superintendent Miller asked if the Commission had any suggestions for the survey, any areas for further research. Chairperson Vance suggested contacting the Area Agency on Aging for senior survey suggestions. Recreation Superintendent Miller advised she would create a memo to City Council on survey results, per Senior Citizen Commission goals for 2003-2004, and have ready for review at the February meeting. B. Status Report on Senior Commission Appointments Recreation Superintendent Miller reviewed the staff report and noted the names of those residents who had filed an application for the Commission. She encouraged Commissioners to contact any interested parties to apply before the deadline January 26, 2004. C. Discussion on 2004 Senior Information Fair. Recreation Superintendent Miller reviewed the staff report and Attachment A. She advised that Mike Pacheco had accepted the Special Events position and had been working on the Senior Information Fair flyer, which she displayed for the Commission, asking for their comments. Vice Chairperson King volunteered to be the Senior Information Fair Commission liaison with staff. Commissioner Tillotson made several suggestions to improve readability of the flyer. Several other Commissioners advised they preferred last year’s flyer, which was easier to read and not so cluttered with information and to make this year’s flyer clearer. Recreation Superintendent Miller thanked the Commission for their comments. 5 D. Discussion and Update on County-wide Senior Commission Meetings. Recreation Superintendent Miller reviewed the staff report and requested Commission comments. Chairperson Vance noted the meetings did not have a purpose or focus, however, there may be a future need for such meetings and that need could be addressed at that time. Recreation Superintendent Miller advised she would prepare a letter from Commission to the El Cajon Commission on Aging and inform them of Commission’s interest when the group has a focus and purpose. She further noted she had contacted Aging Independence Services (AIS) to discuss their possible interest in County-wide Senior Commission Meetings, but they were not interested at this time, to assist with administration of the meetings. Chairperson Vance noted that these meetings need to have a meaningful agency administer them in order to be productive. Chairperson Vance called for a 5-minute break at 2:30 p.m. Chairperson Vance called the meeting to order at 2:35 p.m. E. Discussion on Meeting Locations for Senior Citizen Commission Regular Meetings. Recreation Superintendent Miller reviewed the staff report, noted the importance of consistent meeting sites as well as available technical support at City Hall. She suggested the Commission continue to have regular meetings at City Hall, with the Senior Forum and Special Meetings held at the Senior Center. Vice Chairperson King suggested holding Commission meetings at the Senior Center every other month. He also asked if other Commission meetings have a greater attendance. Recreation Superintendent Miller advised attendance at City Hall meetings depends on the issue being addressed. Commissioner Harp noted the Commission is looking at various venues to reach a larger senior audience. Recreation Superintendent Miller suggested the need for a marketing plan to increase attendance at Commission meetings. 6 Chairperson Vance agreed with the need for a marketing plan and suggested the Commission hold a special meeting at the Senior Center in March, and plan to hold special meetings at the Center twice a year. He stated further, If attendance grows the Commission could address this issue at that time. Recreation Superintendent Miller clarified that a Commission Special Meeting would be held in March rather than the Senior Forum. Chairperson Vance confirmed that a special meeting be held at the Senior Center in March. Recreation Superintendent Miller advised she would cancel the regular March meeting and schedule a special meeting at the Senior Center (will need to check room availability). She noted newly appointed Commissioners would attend this meeting. IN CONSENSUS, THE SENIOR COMMISSION AGREED TO HOLD THEIR MARCH MEETING AT THE SENIOR CENTER. (4-0) 9. COMMISSIONER’S CORNER/ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Commissioners Commissioner Tillotson advised she was participating in the Encinitas Seaside Church ministry. Commissioner Harp encouraged support for the upcoming Senior Foundation Follies. 10. ADJOURNMENT A. The meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m. NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD FEBRUARY 20, 2004. 7 1