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2001-09-21 CITY OF ENCINIT AS SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION MINUTES Meeting Date: September 21, 2001; 1 :00 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chairperson Hartley called the meeting to order at 1 :05 p.m. Present: Chairperson Hartley, Vice Chairperson Vance (1: 15 p.m.), Commissioners Norling, Hentz, King, Small (1 :40), and Blaylock. Also Present: Recreation Superintendent Alexander and Administrative Secretary Dakovich. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. ~ CHANGES TO AGENDA None. 5. CLOSING AND ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of minutes of regular meeting July 27,2001. MSC COMMISSIONER KING MOVED, COMMISSIONER HENTZ SECONDED TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE JULY 27,2001 MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. 6. PRESENTATION A. None. The scheduled presentation was cancelled. Commissioner King suggested a presentation on Elder Abuse for the October meeting. Chairperson Hartley suggested a presentation on Senior Scams for the October meeting. He further noted the importance of receiving information on the presentation early enough to promote via flyers and local newspapers. SA-( 1 7. OLD BUSINESS ( \ ( \ cSA-2- A Status Report on Project C.AR.E. Recreation Superintendent Alexander reviewed the July and August reports, and advised that the current Project C.AR.E. Coordinator Joyce Munro had agreed to continue as the Project C.AR.E. Coordinator, when the program moves to the new Center. B. Status Report on Senior Facilities at Oakcrest Park. Recreation SuperintendentAlexander advised that construction was continuing at a good pace, with kitchen equipment being installed, landscaping/parking lot progressing. She noted that construction could be completed by the end of October or beginning of November, with a 45-60 day period to set-up and prepare the facility for a planned grand opening in January or February. She introduced Christie Goodsell, the recently hired Senior Center Manager, to the Commission and advised that Christie will be contacting Commission members on both the operations and senior programs sub-committees regarding meeting dates to discuss and provide input on these issues. Commissioner Norling asked if security guards would be necessary at the Center. Chairperson Hartley advised that the construction company was responsible for security of the project until turned over to the City, at which time further security needs could be addressed. Recreation Superintendent Alexander advised that City Council had approved the transition of the Aging Independence Services (AI.S.) lunch program to the new center under the operations of the City. She also noted that Meals on Wheels, a totally separate non-profit organization and program, will continue to operate out of the (old senior center) church kitchen. C. Update Report on Ad Hoc Sub-Committees (Outreach Information Program, Senior Housing Review, New Senior Center Operations Review, Transportation Review), and Representative Reports. Outreach Information - Commissioner King advised that he and Commissioner Hentz had visited the current senior center to investigate areas of concern among seniors and learned that the top two concerns are - Senior Abuse and Transportation. Commissioner Blaylock advised she was a volunteer speaker for the Better Business Bureau and would be happy to arrange a speaking presentation on senior scams. Commissioner King suggested that the presentation on elder abuse be given after the new Senior Center opens. 2 Chairperson Hartley emphasized the importance of advertising guest speakers with press releases and promotional material. He also suggested that he has found the most effective press release is one that is hand delivered to various local newspapers. Commissioner Hentz advised she will FAX promotional material to Recreation Superintendent Alexander for approval before submitting to the public and will also post approved material at the current senior center and local mobile home parks. New Senior Center Operations Review - Recreation Superintendent Alexander advised that the Sub-Committees on Senior Center Operations and Programs would be meeting soon to discuss furniture and equipment layout as well as senior programs. Chairperson Hartley offered to substitute for anyone who cannot attend upcoming Sub-Committee meetings. Transportation Review - Chairperson Hartley advised that the van, donated by the Senior Center Foundation, would be ordered soon and delivered for the Center opening and parked at the new Center. City Council accepted the donation of the van at the August Council meeting. He further noted there had been no recent meetings on North County transportation needs. Commissioner King noted that the Taxi Voucher Program (a senior transportation program) had not been well received by either taxi drivers or service users. The taxis arrival times are not reliable. Taxi drivers prefer long distance fares. Recreation Superintendent Alexander advised that City Council had also approved the Mileage Reimbursement Program, to assist with transportation needs, whereby volunteers would be reimbursed for driving seniors. Chairperson Hartley suggested that the Transportation Review Sub-Committee investigate the possibility of the merchants within the Encinitas Ranch Shopping Center providing a shuttle service during the Christmas Holidays that would pick- up passengers at the EI Camino Real bus stops and drive them into the shopping center to the various major stores, and then return them to the buses. Commissioner King advised he would follow up on the possibility of merchants providing a shuttle service at the Shopping Center, and also offered to poll seniors at the senior center on their interest in such a service. Commissioner Hentz advised that NCTD (North County Transit District) might have information on public bus usage to the Shopping Center. Commissioner Blaylock noted the importance of incentives to encourage the public to use the bus service. 3 5A-?J Chairperson Hartley asked if Commissioner Blaylock had an interest in joining the Transportation Review Sub-Committee. Commissioner Blaylock advised she would definitely like to participate on that Sub- Committee. Senior Housing Review - Vice Chairperson Vance advised he would have the Senior Housing Review Report ready for presentation at the October meeting. Commissioner Hentz advised that she had recently attended a Senior Coalition Empowerment Seminar, along with the new Senior Center Manager Christie Goodsell, and would provide the Commission with a written report on the meeting, where housing was discussed. Aging Independence Services Meetings - no report. City Council Contact - no report. Chairperson Hartley suggested making announcements of upcoming Senior Commission guest speakers at City Council meetings during the oral communications part of the meeting. New Senior Center Foundation - Chairperson Hartley advised that the Foundation would soon request that another Commission member become a Board member of the Foundation to replace Marie Mastro's position. Recreation Superintendent Alexander advised that a Commission member could be a Board member but not an officer on that Board. Chairperson Hartley briefly reviewed the history of the Foundation, their ability to accept gifts, donations, etc., and noted that Senior Center Manager Christie Goodsell will be putting together a need/want list for the Foundation to refer to as they continue to raise funds for the new Center. He also reviewed a County grant the Foundation had received to help supply the Center with crutches, canes, wheelchairs, etc. Recreation Superintendent Alexander noted that both the donated van and grand piano had been accepted by City Council. She further advised the Commission that gifts/donations over $1 0,000 must be approved by City Council; under $10,000 must receive City Manager approval; and $1,000 or less would require department staff approval. Chairperson Hartley also noted the ticket sales for an upcoming drawing to win $100, with all proceeds going to the Foundation. Pledges will be accepted for individual oak leafs to adorn a tree sculpture on the wall that will be in the Senior Center lobby, also sponsored by the Foundation. Pledges and donations will be used to help with Center needs. 4 SA"~ D. Review Encinitas Day Booth Participation. Recreation Superintendent Alexander reviewed the staff report and Commissioner's work schedule for Encinitas Day. Chairperson Hartley advised he would confirm with Margaret Black her attendance and the use of her canopy. Recreation Superintendent Alexander advised she would have senior information, including flyers, available for pickup on Thursday before the event, to be displayed at the booth. 8. NEW BUSINESS A Discussion on Holiday Parade Participation. Recreation Superintendent Alexander reviewed the staff report and noted the impact the current streetscape project may have on the parade route. Chairperson Hartley asked if the Commission would like to participate in the Holiday Parade. IN CONSENSUS, THE COMMISSION AGREED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PARADE. Commissioner Norling advised he would research availability of vehicles. Recreation SuperintendentAlexander asked how many Commissioners would be available that date to participate in the actual Parade and was advised that six Commission members would be available. 9. COMMISSIONER'S CORNER/ANNOUNCEMENTS A Commissioners Commissioner Blaylock advised she looked forward to working with the Commission on various senior issues. Commissioner Norling requested information on plans for the grand opening of the Community and Senior Center. Recreation Superintendent Alexander advised that the grand opening would be a three-day event, with a VIP reception on Friday night, a community day with ribbon cutting, entertainment, refreshments, and Center tours, etc. planned for Saturday, and a special Senior brunch and recognition ceremony scheduled for Sunday. SA-5 5 B. Staff Recreation SuperintendentAlexander noted the Volunteer Recognition Dinner, tonight at Quail Gardens, to thank the various Commissions for their efforts. She also noted the upcoming City Manager's Breakfast would be held October 9 or October 23 at 7:30 a.m., Coco's Restaurant, for Chair and Vice Chairpersons of City Commissions. 10. ADJOURNMENT 5 A- Cp Meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m. 6