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1999-09-17 CITY OF ENCINITAS SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION MINUTES Meeting Date: September 17, 1999; 1 :00 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chairperson Hartley called the meeting to order at 1 :00 p.m. Present: Chairperson Hartley, Commissioner Kathleen Vance, Mastro, Norling, Small (1 :50 pm). Also Present: Recreation SuperintendentAlexander and Administrative Secretary Dakovich. Absent: Vice Chairperson Lee Vance 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Andy Kean, 548 Forrest Bluff - owner of 4.8 acres at Northeast corner of Rancho Santa Fe and Encinitas Boulevard - spoke on his plans to develop property as an assisted living facility. He noted the site was zoned for this type of development and felt this facility would provide much needed services for seniors. CommissionerVance asked if fees had been discussed. Mr. Kean advised the fees per unit would run approximately $3,000 per month. Commissioner Norling asked how many seniors the facility would accommodate. Mr. Kean advised the facility would be comprised of approximately 77 units for 91 residents. Chairperson Hartley asked if any plans were available for review. Mr. Kean advised that a complete set of plans was presented to the Olivenhain Town Council last year and the consensus reached by the Town Council at that time was the project was too large for the site. The plans have been scaled down and a complete set should be available in two weeks. Chairperson Hartley asked if the facility would provide levels of care, and if Mr. Kean was aware of any other assisted living facilities in the City. +A- ~ ( Mr. Kean advised the facility would not provide levels of care, just assisted living, however, would have a section for Alzheimer patients. He further noted there were several assisted living facilities in the City. Commissioner Mastro asked if the facility would contain a rehabilitation center. Mr. Kean advised there would be a rehabilitation center for residences only. Recreation Superintendent Alexander asked if Mr. Kean could return next month and make a presentation to the Commission, which would include revised plans. Mr. Kean noted he would look forward to making a presentation to the Commission. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A Approval of minutes of regular meeting July 16, 1999. MSC COMMISSIONER MASTRO MOVED, COMMISSIONER NORLING SECONDED TO APPROVE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JULY 16, 1999. MOTION CARRIED. 4-0. 5. PRESENTATION None. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A Status Report on Project C.ARE. Recreation Superintendent Alexander reviewed the July and August Statistical Reports and noted the upcoming County-wide Project C.AR.E. meeting at the Aging and Independent Services offices in San Diego, which Project C.ARE. Coordinator Linehan plans to attend. B. Status Report on Senior Facilities at Oakcrest Park. Recreation SuperintendentAlexander gave an Ad Hoc Sub-Committee status report on the meetings held during August and September, which involved various parking lot issues. She further advised staff and the Design Review Sub- Committee were working on final details for the Center, which included a color scheme, which she displayed. She also noted the recommended color scheme would be presented to City Council on October 13 for approval. Chairperson Hartley requested time frame for needed approvals. 4A.2- Recreation Superintendent Alexander advised that 100% plans should be ready the beginning of October and will be forwarded to various City departments for final review; plans will then be submitted to the Planning Commission Sub-Committee for review and any needed changes and could be finalized in November, and out to bid, with construction tentatively scheduled to start in January. Commissioner Norling asked if anything had been done on the property. Recreation Superintendent Alexander advised the new road into the Center parking lot and the school is currently under construction. She also noted she had met with the architect, kitchen consultant, Dee Larson of the Encinitas Senior Center and completed the kitchen design review. Chairperson Hartley distributed a revised Ad Hoc Sub-Committee list to Commission members. C. Update Report on Ad Hoc Sub-Committees (Outreach Information Program, New Senior Center Operations Review, Transportation Review), and Representative Reports. Outreach Information - no report. Commissioner Kathleen Vance noted there was no Housing Ad Hoc Sub- Committee. Chairperson Hartley advised there used to be a Housing Ad Hoc Sub-Committee, however, the Sub-Committee was discontinued as it was no longer effective. He suggested that the Outreach Ad Hoc Sub-Committee might research local housing needs. Recreation SuperintendentAlexander suggested contacting our staff Housing/GrantsAnalyst for information on local availability. Commissioner Kathleen Vance expressed her interest in participating on a Housing Ad Hoc Sub-Committee and noted housing was a major concern among seniors. Chairperson Hartley suggested that Commissioner Kathleen Vance contact Vice Chairperson Lee Vance for further information and return to the October meeting with a proposal for a Housing Ad Hoc Sub-Committee. New Senior Center Operations Review - Recreation Superintendent Alexander advised that she had met with Chairperson Hartley and Vice Chairperson Lee Vance to review the survey on Senior Center program needs, to be distributed to 1A-3 seniors at Encinitas Day, and has been distributed to both the Senior Center and AARP. She further noted she had copies available today for distribution to mobile home parks. Chairperson Hartley noted the reason for the survey was to update current information on senior needs. Recreation SuperintendentAlexander noted the time frames for recruitment for Community Center staff would begin six months priorto opening. Transportation Review - Recreation SuperintendentAlexander distributed information on the City of Vista Program "0ut and About" and reviewed information on a recent transportation meeting Community Services Director Wigginton had attended. Chairperson Hartley noted "CA TS" reviews and makes suggestions for senior transportation needs, and that their interests appear aimed at frail seniors and provision of curb-to-curb, and door-to-doorservices. Commissioner Mastro noted the City of Vista has a very worthwhile senior transportation program in operation now. Chairperson Hartley noted that many agencies are offering senior transportation, however, do these programs provide the services seniors need. He further noted the upcoming transportation meeting September 29 and 30 on senior transportation needs. Mastro advised that transportation needs would depend on the frailty of the person. Chairperson Hartley asked if information was available on disabled seniors in the community and their needs. Recreation Superintendent Alexander suggested contacting staff's Housing/Grant Analyst for this information or Meals on Wheels. She also shared information on a program called "Transit Buddies", which assists seniors in the transit process. Commissioner Kathleen Vance suggested a continuous shuttle service on Leucadia Boulevard when it opens, and also the need for emergency transportation during the night other than ambulance. Chairperson Hartley suggested a shuttle service within Encinitas Ranch, (merchant supported) which could include stops and pickups at nearby bus stops. He suggested that Commissioners Mastro and Kathleen Vance report back to the 4-A-1 Commission in October, with ideas and suggestions for local senior transportation needs. Council Contact Review - no report. New Senior Center Foundation - Chairperson advised that an Encinitas Ranch restaurant called "Ladles" will provide a 10% discount on your food bill, as well as a 10% donation to the Foundation, during the month of October on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, however, you must present a flyer. He then distributed flyers to the Commission. He also advised the Foundation is selling tickets for a drawing for $1.00 each, or 6 tickets for $5.00 and the prize is a $100 bill. D. Review Encinitas Day Booth Participation. Commissioner Norling reviewed the questions and answers usually asked by seniors concerning the Community and Senior Center, that can be provided for the upcoming Encinitas Day Senior Citizen Commission booth, in an effort to be responsive to public inquiry. He also reviewed the list of Commission responsibilities and time frames for the Day. Recreation SuperintendentAlexander stated she would review these for inclusion into the current question and answer sheet. 7. NEW BUSINESS Commissioner Mastro asked to be excused from the meeting. A Discussion on Holiday Parade Participation. Commissioner Norling cannot provide vehicles for the Commission this year. He further noted he does not look forward to just riding in a van and asked for suggestions from the Commission. He advised that he will fill out the Parade entry registration form and submit to the Special Events Coordinator. B. Discussion on Improving the Community's Perception of Seniors. Chairperson Hartley had requested this agenda item because of his reaction to an article in the Coast News. He noted that the recent article encouraged him to look for ways and means to improve the image of the Senior Citizen Commission and the senior community. He does not want anyone to think that the new Senior Center is a home for aged and wants the community to know that many active seniors will be involved with the Center. He asked for suggestion on how to handle this misconception, perhaps a letter to the editor, or an article about what is happening with seniors and the Center - where we are and where we are going. 4A-s Commissioner Small shared her concerns about the article. Chairperson Hartley noted that the author of the article did not talk to anyone other than Community Services DirectorWigginton regarding this article, that what is stated are the opinions of the columnist, who did not have current information. Recreation Superintendent Alexander noted she had spoken with the Encinitas Senior Center Director regarding the possibility of bringing the new model of the Community and Senior Center, along with the final plan and timelines to the Center for a presentation. Commissioner Small suggested also doing a presentation at AARP, who meet the first Monday of each month, at 1 :00 p.m., at San Dieguito Methodist Church, and would be happy to call and make arrangements for the presentation. Recreation Superintendent Alexander and Chairperson Hartley liked the suggestion and will plan a presentation to AARP in November. 8. ANNOUNCEMENTS A Commissioners None B. Staff Recreation Superintendent Alexander read a letter from the Oceanside Senior Citizen Commission, who wrote to request that they be placed on our agenda distribution list for Commission meetings. She further advised the Senior Directory is being up-dated and the new directory will be available soon. She also noted the application process for the Senior Citizen Commission vacancy had no applicants, thus, the process will begin again in December. She asked how many had received the City Newsletter, with the brochure insert, and she shared two letters she had received; one from John Burnett, North County Council on Aging, dated August 1, advising that their United Way funding had been cut by 61 %, which will decrease their ability to provide vital services, and they requested a donation. The other letter she received was from North County Lifeline stating they were in the process of an organizational restructuring. 9. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m. 4A-0