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1989-07-21 CITY OF ENCINITAS SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSION MINUTES Meeting Date: July 21, 1989 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL -Chairperson William Quinn called the meeting to order at 1: 00 p.m. Present: Chairperson Quinn, vice Chairperson Wessel, Commissioners Hartley, Motley, Searle and Whigam. Absent: Commissioner Rudolph. Also Present: Mayor Omsted, Mayor of Encinitas; James Ellis, Recreation Superintendent and Jacqueline Reynolds, Office Specialist. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3 . ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Omsted welcomed the Commissioners into the newly formed Senior Citizen Commission and requested that the Commission provide for City Council information and lists of services that are needed by senior citizens. Mayor Omsted stated that when this information and lists are given to Council with comments from the Senior Citizen Commission it is her intention to have a work-shop for City Council members so that Council can stay up to speed with the information that the Commission produces for City Council. Mayor Omsted encouraged constant communication to ensure that Council will understand the information that the Commission produces for Council. 4. CLOSING AND ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDARS A. Approval of Minutes of June 16, 1989. COMMISSIONER MOTLEY MOVED, SEARLE SECONDED TO APPROVE MINUTES OF JUNE 16, 1989- MOTION CARRIED. 6-0. B. Approval of Minutes of July 6, 1989 . COMMISSIONER HARTLEY REQUESTED THAT THE MINUTES -BE CHANGED FROM "SHOULD BE THE SENIOR CENTER'S TO READ "THE FOCUS OF THE COMMISSION SHOULD NOT BE THE SENIOR CENTER" ON PAGE 2, ITEM SA-5. COMMISSIONER WESSEL MOVED, WHIGAM SECONDED TO APPROVE THE CORRECTED MINUTES OF JULY 6, 1989 . MOTION CARRIED. 6-0. S. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 5A. Dial-A-Ride Commissioner Wessel, Chairperson for the Dial-A-Ride and Van subcommittee, requested that the subcommittee title be changed to Transportation. This change allows the committee responsibility for all transportation issues. The Commission agreed and Wessel will remain chairperson for this committee. Chairperson Wessel handed out copies on available transportation for seniors. Commissioner Wessel asked Superintendent Ellis to summarize the information available on the Dial-A-Ride program. Superintendent Ellis explained that staff was asked to look into a portion of the Dial-A-Ride Program and clarify the use of TDA funds. Superintendent Ellis explained that there are two types of Transit Development Act Funds, Article 4 . 0 and Article 4 .5. Transportation that is to be subsidized by T.D.A. must be available for wheelchair access and the handicapped. All TDA Funds are administered by North County Transit Board. Commissioner Quinn, explained that Dial-A-Ride can be handled on a coupon basis with the City subsidizing the program, such as Solana Beach and Del Mar. This program is monitored through the City Managers office. Commissioner Wessel explained that North County Seniors in Action (NCSA) have a Dial-A-Ride taxi program that utilizes Bill ' s Taxi Service where Senior Citizens can ride for free for medical purposes. Commission Quinn allowed the following citizens from Seacrest Village who had arrived late to voice their concerns about the Dial-A-Ride program. Julius Schatsky, 211 Saxony Rd. , #166, Encinitas, stated that he feels a Dial-A-Ride program is needed for senior citizens. Jack Ross, 211 Saxony Rd. , Encinitas, told the Commission that he had been involved with transportation for senior citizens for 15 years. Ross stated that the number one need for senior citizens is transportation and that the program should be inexpensive and easy to use. Rose Domnitz, 211 Saxony Rd. , Encinitas, asked the Commission to establish a Dial-A-Ride program for senior citizens. COMMISSIONER QUINN MOVED, WHIGAM SECONDED THAT WE ACCEPT DIAL- A-RIDE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS OF ENCINITAS. Discussion followed: Commissioner Hartley questioned that we may need to get more information and organize it before we go to City Council. Commissioner Whigam explained that Life-line was complicated expensive and that it was necessary to make reservations for this transportation service. Whigam stated that there is a need for Dial-A-Ride because it would provide immediate transportation service for senior citizens. Commissioner Hartley requested clarification of services provided by Life-line and Dial-A-Ride and how it would be administered. Superintendent Ellis explained that North County Transit Board that covers all the transportation in this area including the bus system. Life-line is a contracted service primarily for medical needs. Since Dial-A-Ride Taxi voucher is not wheelchair equipped it is not funded by NCTB. It is funded by each city. In Encinitas Bill ' s Cab Company would be willing to take this program using coupons for this service: Commissioner Hartley asked that perhaps the Commission should be responsible for setting standards for Dial-A-Ride if the City is going to be responsible for administering this program. Superintendent Ellis explained that if the Commission recommended Dial-A-Ride to Council and Council approves this program it would then go out for bid as a written contract. Commission Quinn stated that Solana Beach' s Dial-A-Ride uses a coupon book and is subsidized by the City. The book sells for $5. 00 and is sold at several places. Bill's Cab Co. has three cabs available at all times which would supplement the senior citizen van service. FOLLOWING DISCUSSION BY COMMISSION MOTION WAS WITHDRAWN BY COMMISSIONER QUINN BECAUSE IT WAS NOT WORDED PROPERLY. COMMISSIONER MOTLEY MOVED, HARTLEY SECONDED, THAT THE COMMISSION ACCEPT AND PRESENT COMMISSIONER WESSEL'S REPORT ON TRANSPORTATION FOR SENIOR CITIZENS IN NORTH COUNTY WITH THE RECOMMENDATION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL SUPPORT A PILOT DIAL-A- RIDE PROGRAM WITH $3,000 INITIAL FUNDING. MOTION CARRIED. 6-0. 5B-1.VAN TRANSPORTATION Commissioner Quinn reported on the status of the van that Red Richie Ford wishes to donate to the City for use by the senior citizens. Insurance has become a problem proving more expensive than first anticipated. The van program will need to be subsidized by the City with $3 ,700. Commissioner Wessel cautioned that everything presented to the Council must be worded correctly and clearly. She also suggested that a letter is needed from Family Services Association of San Diego County, who is the controller of the San Dieguito Senior Center in Encinitas, itemizing why this money is needed and how it will be allotted. Commissioner Whigam expressed concern that San Dieguito Senior Center would not be able to support the expense of operating the proposed van. Commissioner Hartley requested a. letter from Red Richie stating exactly what he is giving to the Senior Center. Commissioner Wessel stated that when the Commission goes to the City Council with a proposal an itemized list must be be included. With the proposed van it is necessary to included a clarification of who will be responsible for driving the van and who will be responsible for all van expenses. Commissioner Wessel also questioned why the City was involved with this gift to.the San Dieguito Senior Center. Commissioner Quinn responded that he had suggested to Red Richie that he might like to donate a van to the City for use by senior citizens. Commissioner Hartley stated that we are asking the City to fund the operation of the van so that the Senior Center can • accept the van. Commission Wessel requested that Superintendent Ellis would advise how the Commission should proceed with this issue. Superintendent Ellis suggested that the subcommittee rethink this project. Commissioner Wessel restated what questions have to be answered: 1) How much money will be requested from City Council, 2) itemization of how money is to be spent, listing insurance, tax, license and gas, 3) a letter from Red Richie with all conditions and services, 4) request that Mr. Carmichael of Family Services combine letters of 7/14/89 and 7/19/89 and clarify intent and 5) a 12 month contract from Red Richie. r COMMISSIONER WESSEL MOVED THAT TRANSPORTATION CHAIRMAN WESSEL AND CHAIRMAN QUINN WILL REQUEST A LETTER FROM MR. CARMICHAEL AS SO DISCUSSED AT THE COMMISSION MEETING OF 7/21/89 AND ASR SUPERINTENDENT ELLIS TO HELP PREPARE FURTHER DOCUMENTATION SO AS TO APPROACH COMMISSION. Commissioner Hartley asked Superintendent Ellis if Commission will have to continue this discussion at the next Commission meeting. Superintendent Ellis explained that the subcommittee will have more information after they meet. This information can then be presented as a report at the next Commission meeting. Commissioners discussed what would happen in the event that several Commissioners were on vacation and unavailable for a _ Commission Meeting. Superintendent Ellis explained that for the Commission to hold a meeting a quorum of four people present is needed. Ellis cautioned that it is important that everyone is not gone at the same time. COMMISSIONER WESSEL WITHDREW THE MOTION THAT TRANSPORTATION CHAIRPERSON WESSEL AND CHAIRPERSON QUINN WILL REQUEST A LETTER FROM MR. CARMICHAEL, in order for the sub-committee to gather for information on the Van. Commissioner Hartley suggested that the subcommittee' s should aim at having all reports finished ten days prior to Commission Meetings. Commissioners agreed that this was appropriate. The Commission is referring the Van study to Chairpersons Wessel and Quinn. SB-2 .METHOD OF FINDING SENIORS IN CITY TABLED BECAUSE OF COMMISSIONER RUDOLPHS ABSENCE. SB-3 .ESTABLISHING A LIST OF SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR SENIORS Commissioner Hartley asked if everyone had gotten a copy of this report. The report was mailed to the Commissioners as part of the agenda packet for July 21st Commission meeting. Hartley then read his report which included listing categories of services available for seniors. These categories included: Recreation & Fitness, Health, Nutrition, Housing, Transportation, Legal, Financial & Family Service, Counseling, Community Involvement, Education and Employment, Protective Services and Referral & Outreach. COMMISSIONER HARTLEY RECOMMENDED, SEARLE SECONDED THAT "DIRECTIONS", a publication of United Way,.-BE PURCHASED AS THE FIRST BOOR FOR A SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION RESOURCE LIBRARY AND KEPT IN STAFF OFFICE. Commissioner Wessel asked how to pay for this $58 . publication. IT WAS AGREED BY THE COMMISSION THAT THE BOOK SHOULD BE PURCHASED. Superintendent Ellis will research how this publication will be paid. COMMISSIONER WESSEL RECOMMENDED THAT COMMISSIONER HARTLEY'S LIST OF CATEGORIES OF SERVICES BE COMBINED AND ASSIGNED TO PRESENT SUBCOMMITTEES. IT WAS AGREED BY THE COMMISSION. Commissioner Motley would like to see the Commission publicize meetings using flyers so that more senior citizens would come to the Commission meetings and state what it is that they want. Commissioner Wessel asked Superintendent Ellis if a flyer could be printed inviting citizens to Senior Citizen Commission Meetings. Superintendent Ellis suggested that the Commission should stay focused and not get too many projects going at once. 5B-4.ESTABLISHING A LIST OF HOUSING FOR SENIORS Commissioner Motley summarized her report on Housing for Seniors and suggested a hot-line be established for housing • needs. Commissioner Quinn stated that in some cities churches provide a phone information service listing available housing in the area. Superintendent Ellis stepped up to the easel and suggested to the Commission that the subcommittees had as their purpose, 1) to make a list, 2) decide how this list will be used and 3) define what is the problem. He further suggested that the subcommittees should be focused and that the task is to get the information for a possible solution. Commissioner Hartley asked why this information was needed. i Superintendent Ellis emphasized that the assignment of the siub=committee is to establish a list of housing. The Commission needs to stay focused on completing the list then we can move on to making a recommendation. We need to narrow down. what we are doing in a step by step manner. This will prevent the Commission from being spread too thin. Commissioner Motley agreed that we need to get information first. Commissioner Quinn also stated that Mayor Omsted would like to see a list of what has been done in each category that the Commission has been working on. 6. NEW BUSINESS None- 7 . COMMISSIONERS CORNER Commissioner Hartley commented that the Commission shall continue building lists. Commissioner Searle suggested that perhaps the Commission should try to complete some of these projects before starting other projects. Commissioner Wessel handed out copies of "Process to Decision" . 8. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 4: 00 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Friday, August 18, . 1989 ; at 1: 00 P.M. 1