Loading...
1990-05-18 CITY OF ENCINITAS SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION MINUTES Meeting Date: May 18, 1990; 1:00 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL -CALL Chairperson Wessel called the meeting to order at 1: 00 p.m. Present: Chairperson Wessel, Commissioners Taaff, Hartley, Rudolph and Motley. Absent: Vice Chairperson Ash and Commissioner Quinn. Also Present: James Ellis, Recreation Superintendent, and Jacqueline Reynolds, Office Specialist. 2 . PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. 4. CLOSING AND ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDARS A. Approval of Minutes for April 20, 1990. COMMISSIONER HARTLEY MOVED, RUDOLPH SECONDED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF APRIL 20, 1990. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Vice Chairperson Ash arrived at 1: 10 P.M. 5A. PRESENTATION BY JOHN BURNETT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NORTH COUNTY SENIORS IN ACTION PERTAINING TO SERVICES PROVIDED FOR SENIOR CITIZENS Mr. Burnett had not arrived. Chairperson Wessel directed the Commission to continue to the next Agenda Item until Mr. Burnett' s arrival. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6A. A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE ORGANIZATION OF AN "ALERT" PROGRAM FOR SENIOR- CITIZENS IN ENCINITAS Commissioner Rudolph reported on the "Alert" Program meeting which was held today. Agencies present were S.D.G. &E. , U.S. Post Office, San Dieguito Water District, Olivenhain Water District and the Area Agency on Aging represented by Vickie Valesco. At 1: 08 p.m. A handicapped Senior Citizen arrived and requested to speak to the Commission. Chairperson Wessel asked Commissioner Rudolph if the "Alert" report could be interrupted to allow the request. At 1: 09 p.m. the meeting reverted back to Oral Communications. Mrs. Whalen, 1805 La Houd St. , Cardiff, told the Commission that she is 83 years old and is disabled. She explained that it is very difficult for her to move. She is requesting that the Commission allow her to send a check with Bill ' s Cab Co. to the Senior Center for the purchase cf a Taxi Voucher Coupon Book and deliver the book to her home. Chairperson Wessel told Mrs. Whalen that the Commission cannot take action at this time, however it will be taken under consideration. At 1: 11 p.m. John Burnett arrived. The Commission Meeting reverted to Mr. Burnett' s presentation. Mr. Burnett told the Commission that NOCOSIA was organized in 1975 with the intent of representing seniors in North County. The first service offered was Information Referral which was contracted through the Area Agency on Aging. He explained that he went to work -for NOCOSIA and wrote a proposal to provide In-home Supportive Services in 1983 . This program was also contracted through Area Agency on Aging. In 1988 a contract was signed with United Way providing a Case Management Program which was aimed at keeping seniors from being isolated or institutionalized. Mr. Burnett said that NOCOSIA targets people who are frail and low income. Mr. Burnett told the Commission that NOCOSIA. now acts as a council on aging and has developed a coalition with goals of education, advocacy and net working. ''"This coalition meets every fourth Friday at National University. A new topic is presented every month. The coalition is composed of 150-170 individuals representing many agencies. Mr. Burnett stated that a major N0008IA program is the Homemaking Program whose propose is to assist seniors remain independent as long as possible. This is a referral service which helps seniors find live-in assistance. This program maintains a Homemakers Registry composed of 470 people. The average cost for live-in assistance from this registry is $6.00 hr. Mr. Burnett explained that the Transportation and Case Management programs are also major programs. He told the Commission NOCOSIA contributes to the. Family Services Association which over sees the operation of the San Dieguito Senior Center. Mr. Burnett closed by saying NOCOSIA' s goal is to provide quality services for seniors. Chairperson Wessel thanked Mr. Burnett for taking time from his busy schedule to address the Commission. Chairperson Wessel said that the meeting would return to Commissioner Rudolph' s report on the "Alert" Program. Commission Rudolph continued her report on the "Alert" Program meeting. She explained to the Commission that the. program is now the "Gatekeeper" program. It is operated by the Area Agency on Aging and incorporates the assistance . of several agencies. Vickie Velasco of AAA has agreed to set up and publicize the program at no cost to the City of Encinitas. COMMISSIONER RUDOLPH MOVED, HARTLEY SECONDED THAT THE SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION ENDORSE THE "GATEKEEPER" PROGRAM FOR THE CITY OF ENCINITAS. Discussion followed. Chairperson Wessel asked what action needs to be taken to implement this program. Vice Chairperson Ash said that a letter should be written to the Area Agency on Aging, (AAA) confirming that Vickie Valesco had presented the "Gatekeeper" program. SDG&E, 2 water companies and the Post Office had agreed to participate. The* Senior Citizen Commission would like to endorse this program for the City of Encinitas. The letter should also state that it is understood that there will be no cost to the City of Encinitas and that AAA will set up and publicize the "Gatekeeper" program. Commissioner Ash stated that this program should be set up and presented to the Commission before it can be publicized. THE MOTION WAS. AMENDED TO ADD THAT A LETTER BE SENT TO THE AREA AGENCY ON AGING, ATTENTION VICKIE VALESCO, ADVISING THIS AGENCY OF THE COMMISSION'S ENDORSEMENT AND REQUESTING FURTHER DIRECTION ON HOW THE "GATEKEEPER" PROGRAM WILL BE IMPLEMENTED. MOTION FAILED 2-4. COMMISSIONERS HARTLEY, TAAFF, MOTLEY AND RUDOLPH OPPOSED. COMMISSIONER TAAFF MOVED THAT A LETTER BE SENT TO THE AREA. AGENCY ON AGING STATING THAT THE SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION HAS . CHECKED INTO THE OPERATION OF A "GATEKEEPER" PROGRAM AND THE COMMISSION IS REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY TARE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO IMPLEMENT THIS PROGRAM IN THE CITY OF ENCINITAS. THIS MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF A SECOND. VICE CHAIRPERSON ASH MOVED, COMMISSIONER HARTLEY SECONDED THAT THE ENCINITAS SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION WRITE A LETTER TO THE AREA AGENCY ON AGING, ATTENTION VICKIE VALESCO, ACKNOWLEDGING THAT AAA, SDG&E, OLIVENHAIN WATER DISTRICT, SAN DIEGUITO WATER DISTRICT AND THE POST OFFICE MET WITH COMMISSIONER RUDOLPH ON MAY 18TH TO RESEARCH THE 11GATEKEEPER" PROGRAM FOR THE CITY OF ENCINITAS. THE SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ENCINITAS ENDORSES THIS PROGRAM AND REQUESTS TO BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THIS PROGRAM. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Vice Chairperson Ash excused herself from the meeting. COMMISSIONER HARTLEY MOVED, TAAFF SECONDED THAT PUBLICITY CHAIRPERSON OF THE SENIOR .CITIZEN COMMISSION EXPLORE ALL POSSIBILITIES OF PUBLICIZING THIS PROGRAM. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COMMISSIONER HARTLEY MOVED, MOTLEY SECONDED THAT ALL REFERENCES TO THE "ALERT" PROGRAM IN THE SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION NOTES BE CHANGED TO "GATEKEEPER" PROGRAM. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 7. NEW BUSINESS 7A. DISCUSSION ON THE MAY 18, 1990 NORTH COUNTY SENIOR COALITION MEETING This report was delayed until Vice Chairperson Ash rejoins the Commission Meeting. 7B. RECOMMENDATION TO ENDORSE THE SAN DIEGUITO SENIOR CENTERS ° RE UEST TO CITY COUNCIL FOR COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT FUNDS Vice Chairperson Ash rejoined the meeting. COMMISSIONER HARTLEY MOVED, ASH SECONDED TO APPROVE THE COMMISSION'S LETTER TO THE MAYOR ENDORSING THE SENIOR CENTER IS REQUEST TO CITY COUNCIL FOR COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT FUNDS. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. COMMISSIONER HARTLEY MOVED, RUDOLPH SECONDED THAT THE COMMISSION PURSUE THE POSSIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A SENIOR FUND BEFORE THE BUDGET IS DETERMINED FOR FY 91-92. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Discussion followed. Chairperson Wessel told the Commission that the San Dieguito Senior Center is applying to the City for budget assistance. Commissioner Taaff said that the Commission needs to inform the City Council that funding for the Senior Center should be part of the basic City budget and that funding should not come from the Enhancement Fund. Chairperson Wessel said that the Commission needs to decide what steps need to be taken to accomplish this goal. Commissioner Hartley asked this be put on the June agenda. 7A. DISCUSSION ON THE MAY 18 1990 NORTH COUNTY SENIOR COALITION MEETING Chairperson Wessel asked Vice Chairperson Ash to report on this meeting. Vice Chairperson Ash told the Commission that today's meeting was slanted as -to how "seniors" are viewed by the younger population. The following are traits that will identify the "senior" of the future: 1. Seniors will be more diversified 2 . Seniors will be categorized as 74+ years old 3 . Seniors will demand and get more and better services 4 . Women will make up the major part of the senior population 5. Seniors will have more money 6, Senior population will be made composed of 50� white and 50% minority Chairperson Wessel thanked Vice Chairperson Ash for an excellent report. 7C. A REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THE SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSIONS SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE Commissioner Hartley gave the staff report and told the Commission that 75% of the work on the Services Subcommittee report is finished with the remainder to be completed by May 24th. Commissioner Hartley asked for a recommendation from the Commission as to what action should be taken when these reports are completed. Chairperson Wessel thanked Commissioner Hartley for his report. 7D. AN UPDATE ON THE SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSIONS SURVEY OF SENIOR CENTERS IN sURROUNDING COMMUNITIES s After the staff report Commissioner Hartley requested a continuation in order to work with staff to summarize the survey. He requested that this be put on the agenda for the June 15th Commission meeting. 7E. A REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THE SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION' S ALIVE AND WELL SUBCOMMITTEE Chairperson Wessel told the Commission that Commissioner Quinn is absent and asked that this report be put on the agenda for the June 15th Commission meeting. 8. COMMISSIONERIS CORNER Commissioner Taaff requested that the format of the agenda and the minutes be changed in an effort to save paper. Chairperson Wessel told Commissioner Taaff that the City has standardized the form for the agenda and minutes for quick reference. She said if Commissioner Taaff would like to develop a form the Commission would be happy to review it. Commissioner Motley said that the point of compiling reports is to make a priority list of action for the Commission. Chairperson Wessel asked Superintendent Ellis to comment. Superintendent .Ellis told the Commission that at the end of each report there is a section for comments and/or recommendations. The Commission acts as an advisory body who makes recommendations to the City Council. Commissioner Hartley stated that when all the reports are in and a conclusion has been reached, it is then summarized and a recommendation is made. Chairperson Wessel said that she would like to assist Ms. • Whalen by making it easier for her to obtain Taxi Voucher Books. Commissioner Hartley asked if guidelines would have to be changed to help Ms. Whalen. He asked Superintendent Ellis how this could be accomplished. Superintendent Ellis said the question the Commission should ask, "is the person mobile enough to use the Taxi Dial-A-Ride service"? Chairperson Wessel told the Commission she had received a letter from the Bowling Association of the U.S. She asked if anyone was interested in this activity. Chairperson Wessel added that she had contact with a new business called "Young. At Heart Services" . This is a business which offers various services to seniors with the exception of legal or medical services. Chairperson Wessel told the Commission there is a free oral cancer check available at the Senior Center for seniors who wear dentures. Superintendent Ellis thanked the Commission for all their hard . work. He asked that all meetings are scheduled through the Recreation office. Superintendent Ellis said that the Westlake Annex Conference Room is available for meetings and can be scheduled through Jacqueline. He reminded the Commission that their duty is to gather information, make recommendations to Council and try to get programs or services functioning. S. ADJOURNMENT - Meeting was adjourned at 3 : 35 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Friday, June 15, 1990 ; at 1: 00 P.M. Lf)1 - 7