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1989-08-18 CITY OF ENCINITAS SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION MINUTES Meeting Date: August 18, 1989;, 1:00 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chairperson William Quinn called the meeting to order at 1: 00 P.m. Present: Chairperson Quinn, Commissioners Hartley, Searle, Whigam and Rudolph. Absent: Vice Chairperson Wessel who is serving on jury duty and Commissioner Motley Also Present: James Ellis, Recreation Superintendent and Jacqueline Reynolds, Office Specialist. 2 . PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Rose Domnitz, 211 Saxony Road, Apt. ill, Encinitas, asked the Commission for an update on the proposed Dial-A-Ride voucher program. She then showed the Commission a Dial-A-Ride identification card and ride vouchers that she received from the City of San Diego. She spoke in favor of a Dial-A-Ride Program. Commissioner Quinn explained to the public that staff is still researching this program. The Commission will be ready to make their recommendation on this program to City Council after research is completed. 4 . CLOSING AND ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDARS A. Approval of Minutes of July 21, 1989 . COMMISSIONER HARTLEY MOVED, WHIGAM SECONDED TO APPROVE MINUTES OF JULY 21, 1989. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. It was noted that Commissioner Motley arrived and joined the Commission Meeting in progress. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 5A. Van In Commissioner Wessel ' s absence Superintendent Ellis spoke for the Van subcommittee. Superintendent Ellis explained that at the July 21st meeting the Commission requested that additional information was necessary to move forward on the issue of the van. The information requested was in the form of letters relative to the van for the San Dieguito Senior Center. The letters have been received from Mr. Carmichael, Family Services and Red Richie who is donating the van. The recommendation is that the Senior Citizen Commission determine what further action they wish to take. Chairperson Quinn told the Commission that if the vehicle is picked up in September or later Red Richie will update the year of the van from a 1989 to a 1990 vehicle. Chairperson Quinn stated that the Commission was finalizing its attempt to aid the San Dieguito Senior Center in getting another van. This van would be available to senior citizens through the senior center from 9 a.m. to 4 : 30 p.m. The Commission is recommending that the City fund the expense of gas, insurance and license for the vehicle. The drivers will be volunteers. COMMISSIONER MOTLEY MOVED, RUDOLPH SECONDED THAT WE FORWARD TO CITY COUNCIL OUR RECOMMENDATION FOR THE FUNDING OF $3,066 FROM THE UNAPPROPRIATED GENERAL FUND FOR THE OPERATION OF THE VAN WHICH IS BEING DONATED BY RED RICHIE FORD TO THE SAN DIEGUITO SENIOR CENTER. MOTION CARRIED. 6-0. 5B. SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR SENIORS Commissioner Hartley Chairman of the Subcommittee on Services Available For Seniors submitted an updated report to the Commission. The report included the current restructuring of the committees and the redistribution of . the work load. Combining information made available by Commissioners Rudolph and Hartley, and Directions, a United Way publication, a list of 5 categories were established. Commissioner Hartley felt that the Transportation category has been well researched and established. He stated that the four remaining categories need further work by subcommittees. Commissioner Hartley went on to explained the nine point recommendation at the end of his report. One of the key points being that the Commission establish a library of folders and helpful information. He suggested that the library could be located within the Community Services Department. Commissioner Whigam stated that the City of San Diego has an information hotline staffed by volunteers. She suggested that this might be developed with the cooperation of the San Dieguito Senior Center. Commissioner Hartley stated that the Commission needs to investigate and establish what is needed before an information phone line is established. Commissioner Motley asked if existing committees were going to research these categories. Superintendent Ellis explained that the categories have been redefined. He suggested that the task is to reevaluate who is on each committee and determine that the workload is properly distributed. He went on to explain that at the July 21st Commission meeting there was a motion to have the subcommittee on Services Available for Seniors further study and to regroup the categories. Now the Commission needs to decide if they will approve the new grouping of categories. He explained that if the categories are approved, the next step is to appoint Commissioners on each subcommittee. Consideration should be given to Commissioners currently working on similar subcommittees. Commissioner Motley stated that she is Housing Chairperson and feels that the Home Chore and Home Maintenance should not be part of Housing. She said that it should come under Services. Commissioner Whigam suggested that these services could be cross-referenced under the Alive and Well category. Chairperson Quinn asked the Commission to study each category and determine how to assign groupings. Commissioner Motley felt the category Alive and Well should be changed to Fitness. Commissioner Whigam suggested a category titled "General" would be helpful in covering subjects reflecting general information. Chairperson Quinn felt that a hot-line similar to the City of San Diego Information Hot-line would be a desirable goal. Commissioner Rudolph reminded the Commission of the Community Resource Center in Encinitas. She explained that this Center has an excellent information and referral program. Commissioner Rudolph expressed concern of duplicating a service already available to the community. Commissioner Hartley explained that the Community Resource Center is a service for everyone in the community and senior citizens are a minor part of their service. Commissioner Whigam stated the Commission must remember that Mayor Omsted had requested Lists from the Commission. She felt if the Commission duplicates information it will still be helpful to senior citizen. Superintendent Ellis clarified that the Commission is moving into an implementation process, and that the Commission needs to: 1) define what services are available 2) as issues arise assign the proper subcommittee to study the issue and make a recommendation back to the Commission. Commissioner Hartley agreed to move forward quickly since it is necessary to get these categories approved and assigned to the proper subcommittees. Commissioner Rudolph informed the Commission that she had just visited the senior centers in Carlsbad and Oceanside. Both of these centers have an information referral system available for seniors. She suggested that we contact these centers and ask for help in establishing a similar program in Encinitas. Superintendent Ellis cautioned the Commission about getting side-tracked. He explained, that it is necessary to research a problem using subcommittees to gather information. Put that information on the agenda and then make a recommendation to the Commission. Superintendent Ellis also explained to the Commission that there is a need to prioritize. He reminded the Commission that the issue of Transportation was handled in this manner. The Commission decided that this was a top issue and worked on it first. Chairperson Quinn asked the Commission to approve the categories: 1) Alive and Well 2) Housing 3) Opportunities 4) Transportation 5) Services. COMMISSIONER MOTLEY RECOMMENDED TO MOVE HOME CARE AND MAINTENANCE FROM HOUSING. Commissioner Hartley stated that there are funds available for home care and maintenance from various agencies. Commissioner Motley informed the Commission that she has a list of senior citizen services which she refers to for assistance. This list is by organizations such . as North County Seniors in Action, Family Services Senior Center and Meals on Wheels. She went on to explain that Home Help is listed under Social Services. Chairperson Quinn told the Commission that the two categories in question could be changed at a future time. He stated that the Commission should move to approve the list of categories. Commissioner Motley' s recommendation failed for lack of a motion. COMMISSIONER HARTLEY MOVED, RUDOLPH SECONDED, THAT THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE CATEGORIES AS OUTLINED IN THE REPORT, SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR SENIORS. MOTION CARRIED. 4-2 . COMMISSIONERS MOTLEY AND SEARLE OPPOSED.. Chairperson Quinn stated that Commissioners would now be assigned to the approved subcommittees. Commissioner Whigam stated that she will be unavailable for the next few months. The_ approved subcommittees will be staffed by the following Commissioners: 1) Alive and Well Chairperson Quinn, Commissioners Searle and Whigam 2) Housing Chairperson Motley, Commissioners Wessel and Quinn 3) Opportunities for Participation Chairperson Whigam, Vice Chairperson Motley and Commissioner Wessel 4) Transportation Chairperson Wessel, Commissioners ern, Hartley and Whigam 5) Services Chairperson Hartley, Commissioners Searle and Rudolph. Chairperson Quinn called for approval of the above listed committees. COMMISSIONER WHIGAM MOVED, RUDOLPH SECONDED, THAT THE LIST OF COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONERS SERVING ON THOSE COMMITTEES BE APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. 6-0. 6. NEW BUSINESS None 7 . COMMISSIONER'S CORNER Commissioner Motley asked if any Senior Commissioner had attended yesterday' s meeting involving the master plan for Oakcrest Park. She went on to explain that there is a senior center on this master plan. Commissioner Rudolph answered that she had attended. She told the Commission that there has not been an official decision to build a senior center. Commissioner Rudolph stated that a bond issue is involved. Commissioner Rudolph stated that she had not gone as a representative of the Commission, that she had gone as a private citizen. She said that she was the only senior citizen present at the meeting. Commissioner Rudolph went on to say that as a senior citizen she felt that the senior citizens of this community need to become involved in order to get a senior citizen building. Commissioner Motley asked if the Commission should become involved in planning what will go into this senior center. Commissioner Rudolph. felt that as senior citizens the Commission should be involved in this proposed senior center. Commissioner Whigam read Vice Chairperson Wessel ' s report on the Transportation subcommittee. This report included letters from Mr. Carmichael and Mr Richie and the statement that further information is forthcoming. Commissioner Rudolph informed the Commission that the Post Office has a new "Alert Program" . This program operates with the aid of the mail carrier being alert to delivered mail which is not picked up from the citizens mailbox. The Postal Department then notifies the police who will check on the welfare of the citizen. Commissioner Motley stated her concern for the need of low income housing in Encinitas. She asked if the Commissioners should attend meetings of the Planning Commission to request more low cost housing. Stuart Schillinger, Community Services Management Analyst, briefed the Commission on the rules that Commissioners and staff must adhere to when discussing the bond issue and the senior center. He explained that the Commission can request staff to prepare a report on the bond issue. Schillinger stated that as a Commission they are allowed to vote to endorse or not indorse the issue. Schillinger suggested that the Commission could take a vote on items they would like to see included in the bond issue. He explained that the three main items discussed for Oakcrest Park are the pool, the community center and the senior center. Schillinger stated that these items should be prioritized by the subcommittee. He explained that, as ' the Senior Citizen Commission, a recommendation can be made regarding what the Commission feels is most important for the Oakcrest Park Project. Commissioner Rudolph asked what price would be put on the sale of these bonds? Schillinger explained that this would be decided at the next City Council meeting. Commission Hartley asked if there was anything in the bond issue for low income housing. Schillinger replied that the bond issue was for parkland development and acquisition. Commissioner Hartley requested that the Commission be given more information from other Commissions within the City. Commissioner Motley stated that she prefers Low Income Housing as a category to Homeless. She asked if the City of Encinitas has any low income housing. Commissioner Rudolph informed the Commission that the City is now being sued for lack of low income housing. Commissioner Hartley would like the Commission to be given an agenda and minutes for the meeting involving the Oakcrest Park Project. Chairperson Quinn stated that he would like Oakcrest Park to be on the September Agenda. Commissioner Searle asked what is being done for entertainment at the Senior Center. Chairperson Quinn informed the Commission that the first entertainment activity at the senior center will be on August 29th at 1: 30 p.m. He explained that there will be entertainment each month and requested the Commissioners to attend. Commissioner Hartley stated that he hopes that each subcommittee will have a report for the September Commission meeting agenda. Chairperson Quinn asked Superintendent Ellis just how this should be done. Superintendent Ellis explained that the subcommittee should meet and prioritize the categories. Then rank which category will be handled first. At that point, staff will help write an agenda report on what transpired at the meeting. The qA - report will be presented to the Commission as an agenda item. 8. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 2 : 35 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Friday, September 15, 1989 ; at 1: 00 p.m. L�