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1989-10-20 CITY OF ENCINITAS SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION MINUTES Meeting Date: October 20, 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, Vice Chairperson Wessel, Commissioners Hartley, Searle and Motley. Absent: Commissioners Rudolph and Ash. Also Present: James Ellis, Recreation Superintendent and Jacqueline Reynolds, Office Specialist. 2 . PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3 . ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Oral comments (maximum of three minutes) will be heard from people who submit a speaker' s white slip to the Recreation Superintendent. No action may legally be taken on such non- agenda items. 4 . CLOSING AND ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDARS A. Approval of Minutes for September 15, 1989 . COMMISSIONER HARTLEY MOVED, SEARLE SECONDED TO APPROVE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 15, 1989 . MOTION CARRIED 5-0 . S. PRESENTATION BY LENORE AVERILL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO COUNTY SUPERVISOR JOHN MCDONALD Lenore Averill, the Administrative Assistant to County Supervisor John McDonald, spoke to the Commission about the history of Senior Services in the Encinitas area. Ms. Averill told the Commission volunteers from the San Dieguito Family Service Community Advisory Board organized the Senior Center in 1974 . to offer services to persons 60 and over living in the San Dieguito area, Del Mar to Leucadia. The Center was to provide seniors with information on how to access various systems with data on medical care, financial aid, Social Security, legal aid, transportation and various other services available in the Encinitas area. In January 1975 a nutrition program was added. At 1: 15 p.m. Commissioners Rudolph and Ash arrived after r. /VP _1 representing the Commission at the North County Senior Citizen Meeting. Ms. Averill told the Commission the Senior Center was relocated to St. Andrews Episcopal Church and is partially supported by the Older American Act Funds awarded by the San Diego County Department of Area Agency on Aging. The balance of funding is dependent upon donations from local organizations and individuals, special grants, fund raising activities and participants. Commissioner Wessel asked Ms. Averill how senior citizens in need could be located in the Encinitas area. Ms. Averill commented networking with other agencies in the area is the most effective way to find seniors in need of assistance. She went on to say a good way of getting information to seniors would be through the use of flyers placed in doctor' s offices, banks and libraries in the area as well as publications -such as Senior World and Health +55 . She estimated that there are 15, 000 seniors in the Encinitas area. Chairperson Quinn recognized David Wigginton, Community Services Director, and invited him to address the Commission. Director Wigginton advised the Commission not to be concerned about the lack of attendance by senior citizens to Commission meetings. . He explain that it takes time for the community to become familiar with the Commission and its work. He added as issues come to the surface people will attend the Commission meetings. Director Wigginton asked Ms. Averill if there is any money available under the Older Americans Act that the City of Encinitas or the Senior Citizen Center would be eligible for? Ms. Averill answered no, and went on to explain 3 years ago there was funding through the Title 3B program for a Social Day Care Program. However, the Senior Center did not apply for this money. Director Wigginton asked Ms. Averill if there is any money available under the Senior Citizen Act that can be used for recreation and social activities for Senior Citizens in conjunction with the Nutrition Program? Ms. Averill explained Title 3 money can be used for social services, outreach, transportation, information and referral, however the emphasis is on -the Social Day-care Program. The Commission thanked Ms. Averill for taking time from her busy schedule to address the Commission. -z Chairperson Quinn welcomed Commissioner Ash to the Senior Citizen Commission. She was appointed to replace Betty Whigam who resigned August 20, 1989 . Chairperson Quinn reviewed the subcommittees and added Commissioner Ash' s subcommittee assignments. The subcommittees are as follows: 1) Alive & Well Chairperson Quinn, Commissioners Searle and Ash 2) Housing .Chairperson Motley, Commissioners Wessel and Quinn 3) Opportunities for Participation Chairperson Ash, Vice Chairperson Motley and Commissioner Wessel . 4) Transportation Chairperson Wessel, Commissioners Hartley and Ash 5) Services Chairperson Hartley, Commissioners Searle and Rudolph An update of the Commissioner's addresses and time of appointment was verified by the Commission. 6. A REPORT ON ACTIVITIES FOR SENIORS ON ENCINITAS DAY Commissioner Wessel gave a report on activities which will be available for seniors at the Encinitas Day celebration on October 28th at Oakcrest Park. Commissioner Wessel requested that each Commissioner take 2 posters and arrange for these to be displayed in a prominent place in the community so that the event will be well advertised. Commissioner Wessel explained that the celebration will begin at 7 : 30 with the following activities: 3 mile stride Pancake breakfast Food Booths Craft Booths Music Senior Fair will consist of the following: Blood Pressure Test, Body Fat Test, Eye Exam, Scripts 55 information, Breath Test and mouth examination, ambulance display, Blood Sugar and podiatrist booth, square dancing and clogging demonstrations. Commissioner Wessel asked that the Commissioners attend the Opening Ceremonies at noon. Chairperson Quinn told. the Commission there will be a parade of 5 vehicles decorated to represent pumpkins in which City Council members will ride to the opening ceremonies. Commissioner Wessel asked Superintendent Ellis to tell the Commission about other activities taking place at Encinitas Birthday Celebration. Superintendent Ellis told the Commission Encinitas Day is a family oriented celebration. He explained there will be a Safety Fair with information for the Community sponsored by the Fire and Sheriff' s Departments. 7 . NEW BUSINESS 7A. A DISCUSSION ON A SENIOR EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM FOR ENCINITAS SENIOR CITIZENS Chairperson Quinn asked Superintendent Ellis to give a report on the Employment Program for Senior Citizens. Superintendent Ellis explained that Dan Laver, Director of the Area Agency on Aging, spoke to the Commission about services available for senior citizens. One of the services that Mr. Laver mentioned was the Title 5 Program which is an opportunity to provide employment for seniors. To qualify for this program an income level must be met and the person must be 55 years of age or older. Superintendent Ellis stated there is a possibility that the City of Encinitas could have a position under the Title 5 Program. There is 1 slot available and it would provide 10 to 20 hours of work per week. He explained that under this program the Federal Government would fund the senior citizens salary through Adult Protective Services and the City would provide the job site. Superintendent Ellis explained that the purpose of the Title 5 Program is to update senior citizen' s skills, assist seniors returning to the work force and extend services for non-profit agencies. Superintendent Ellis told the Commission, if they decided Title 5 is a desirable program for the City of Encinitas, the Commission would then recommend to City Council that application be made to Adult Protective Services for the Title 5 Program. Commissioner Ash told the Commission this program is primarily for low income senior citizens with clerical backgrounds and is aimed at bringing that person back into the work force. These jobs update the seniors skills so that they can go on to a permanent employment. Chairperson Quinn recognized Gail Hano, Encinitas City Council member, and invited her to address the Commission. Councilwoman Hano stated that the City has the opportunity to apply for a person under the Title 5 Program and the Senior Center also has the opportunity. She explained these are two i different organizations and each can apply for the one remaining slot. .Chairperson Quinn requested the Services Subcommittee study the Title 5 Program and report back to the Commission with a recommendation at the November 17th Senior Citizen Commission 'Meeting. 7B. A DISCUSSION ON DEVELOPING AN "ALERT" PROGRAM IN ENCINITAS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS Chairperson Quinn asked Superintendent Ellis to give the staff report on Developing an "Alert" Program in Encinitas. Superintendent Ellis explained Dan Laver, Director of the Area Agency on Aging, talked to the Commission about the "Alert" Program. Commissioner Rudolph requested that this Program be put on the agenda for discussion. Commissioner Rudolph told the Commission that she had talked to the Post Office which administers the Alert Program. This program is available to all residents. She explained the Postal Worker places an Alert request card in each mail box describing the program. Residents who wish to participate in this program are asked to fill out a card. To identify a participant a sticker is placed in their mail box. If mail is not picked up from the mail box the Postal Worker requests a check on the welfare of the resident. The Post Office informs the Sheriff' s Department who then investigates the residence. COMMISSIONER WESSEL MOVED, MOTLEY SECONDED THAT THE ALERT PROGRAM SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE FOR RESEARCH, WITH THE SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTING BACK TO THE COMMISSION ON THEIR FINDINGS. MOTION CARRIED. 4-3. COMMISSIONERS HARTLEY, SEARLE AND MOTLEY OPPOSED. 8. COMMISSIONER'S CORNER Commissioner Ash reported to the Commission on the first meeting of the Coalition of Private and Public Providers of Senior Citizen Services for North County which she and Commissioner Rudolph attended. She stated 40 providers attended this meeting. The following topics will be the goals of this organization and shall be addressed at the November 17th meeting: 1. Lack of information between clients and care-givers 2 . Resource information with providers 3 . Phone book information Commissioner Searle reported on the Lemon Grove Senior Center Grand Opening which he and Chairperson Quinn attended. He stated that the plans for the Center started in 1974. The facility cost $1 million dollars and offers a variety of activities including dances and bus trips. Commissioner Quinn told the Commission that the community furnished the center with donated furniture and- monies. The land was donated City Parkland. Commissioner Wessel asked the Commission for assistance in preparing Dial-A-Ride brochures for distribution throughout the community. Commissioners Wessel and Rudolph will need assistance folding the brochures at the Senior Center, October 23rd at 10 a.m. Chairperson Quinn asked the Commission to attend the October 25th City Council meeting. The Van will be presented - as a agenda item. Commissioner Hartley presented the Commission with a summary of new local legislation that will have an impact on seniors. This will be discussed at a future Commission meeting. Commissioner Searle stated that discount cards which entitle senior citizens to a 20% discount are available at the Sizzler and Long John Silvers Restaurants. Commissioner Searle gave each Commissioner a discount card. Commissioner Motley told the Commission the Housing Subcommittee has located the following senior housing in the Encinitas area: 1. 6 or 7 housing complexes 2 . 2 skilled nursing homes 3 . 22 low income housing units. Chairperson Quinn asked the Commission if they wanted to meet in December. THE COMMISSION VOTED NOT TO HOLD A COMMISSISON MEETING IN DECEMBER. MOTION CARRIED 4-3. COMMISSIONERS RUDOLPH, ASH AND MOTLEY OPPOSED. 9. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 3 : 25 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Friday, November 17 , 1989 ; at 1: 00 p.m.