1990-07-20 CITY OF ENCINITAS
SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION_
MINUTES
Meeting Date: July 20, 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, vice Chairperson Ash,
Commissioners Hartley, Rudolph, Motley, and Taaff.
Absent: Commissioner Quinn.
Also
Present: James Ellis, Recreation Superintendent, and
Jacqueline Reynolds, Senior 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 June 15, 1990.
COMMISSIONER HARTLEY MOVED, RUDOLPH SECONDED TO APPROVE THE
• MINUTES OF JUNE 15, 1990 . MOTION CARRIED 6-0 .
5A. PRESENTATION BY BETTY SPRINGER SPECIALTY SENIOR LIVING WRITER
FOR BLADE CITIZEN NEWSPAPER AND FORMER CITY OF LOS ANGELES
SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR PERTAINING TO SENIOR SERVICES
Ms. Springer gave the Commission an overview of her ten years
as a Senior Center Director. She told the Commission that
the City of Los Angeles pioneered the concept of Multi-purpose
Centers. These centers were under rental agreements until
Block Grant Funds were secured and a building was purchased.
Ms. Springer informed the Commission that Federal funds are
' distributed by the state of California under the Area Agency
on Aging. These funds are shared by 32 area offices. She
explained that funding is a major concern when operating a
senior center. Ms. Springer said the following services are
provided to seniors by the Senior Centers in Los .Angeles:
- legal services
- nutrition program
- counseling
- travel
- classes through the local Community College
- arts and crafts classes
- exercise & dance classes for seniors
- referral service
- Alzheimer' s Day Care Center
Ms.- Springer emphasized that volunteers are essential in
.operating a senior center. She also mentioned that a senior
center is sometimes the only social contact for seniors.
Mrs. Springer said- that it is her opinion that a senior center-
is needed in Encinitas and. she would like to help make it a
reality.
Following questions from the Commission Chairperson Wessel
thanked Mrs. Springer for sharing her senior center
experiences with the Commission.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
6A. A FINAL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT ON TRANSPORTATION FOR SENIORS IN
ENCINITAS
Commissioner Taaff, Chairperson for the Transportation
Subcommittee, reported that transportation for seniors is
divided into two sections, transportation within the City and
transportation outside Encinitas. This report listed Dial-A-
Ride, the Senior Center Van and the Area Agency on Aging Van
all operating out of the San Dieguito Senior Center.
Transportation outside Encinitas is listed as NCTD bus service
and Lifeline.
Discussion followed.
COMMISSIONER ASH MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION ACCEPT THE
TRANSPORTATION REPORT AS IT STANDS. MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF
A SECOND.
Discussion followed.
COMMISSIONER HARTLEY MOVED, RUDOLPH SECONDED THAT THE
TRANSPORTATION SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED
WITH THE UNDERSTANDING WHEN A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY AND
NOCOSIA IS NEGOTIATED THIS BECOMES PART OF THE FINAL REPORT.
MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
6B. A REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THE SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION'S
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPATION SUBCOMMITTEE
Commissioner Rudolph, Chairperson for the Opportunities for
Participation Subcommittee, reported that volunteer
opportunities are excellent in Encinitas and employment
opportunities are available. The government employment office
serving Encinitas is located in Oceanside. The report also
covered Training and Education, and Consumer Information.
COMMISSIONER HARTLEY MOVED, TAAFF SECONDED THAT OPPORTUNITIES
FOR PARTICIPATION SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT BE ACCEPTED. MOTION
CARRIED 6-0 .
6C. A REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THE SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION'S
HOUSING SUBCOMMITTEE
Commissioner Motley, Chairperson for the Housing Subcommittee,
summarized by stating that housing for seniors in Encinitas
is inadequate and that a low income housing project for
seniors is needed in Encinitas.
COMMISSIONER HARTLEY MOVED, ASH SECONDED THAT THE HOUSING
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT BE ACCEPTED AND PRESENTED IN THE BOOR.
MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
6D. A REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THE SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION'S
ALIVE AND WELL SUBCOMMITTEE
Chairperson Wessel summarized the Alive and Well Subcommittee
report in the absence of Bill Quinn, Chairperson for the
Subcommittee. The report stated that there are several social
clubs and exercise and nutrition programs in addition to
medical and mental health counseling services available for
seniors in Encinitas.
COMMISSIONER HARTLEY MOVED, RUDOLPH SECONDED THAT THE ALIVE
AND WELL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT BE ACCEPTED, WITH THE STIPULATION
MADE BY CHAIRPERSON WESSEL THAT INFORMATION BE ADDED
CONCERNING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
Chairperson Wessel asked for the final recommendation on the
Directory of Services Available for Seniors in Encinitas.
Discussion followed.
COMMISSIONER RUDOLPH MOVED, ASH SECONDED THAT CHAIRPERSON
WESSEL PRESENT THIS DIRECTORY TO CITY COUNCIL IN AUGUST WITH
THE RECOMMENDATION THAT THE SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION
UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTS THIS DIRECTORY. MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
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The Commission requested Chairperson Wessel and Commissioner
Hartley, prepare the necessary information for City Council.
7 . NEW BUSINESS
7A. REOUEST TO INCLUDE DISABLED CITIZENS OF ALL AGES IN THE
ENCINITAS DIAL-A-RIDE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM FOR SENIORS
Chairperson Wessel told the Commission that a study on the
number of handicapped people in Encinitas is not available.
She reminded the Commission that the Senior Citizen Commission
is no longer in charge of the Dial-A-Ride Program.
Commissioner Hartley asked for more information concerning the
Dial-A-Ride Program and the NOCOSIA contract.
Discussion followed.
COMMISSIONER HARTLEY MOVED, TAAFF SECONDED THAT THE SENIOR
CITIZEN COMMISSION WRITE A LETTER TO THE MAYOR COVERING THE
FOLLOWING POINTS: 1) A GROUP OF DISABLED CITIZEN CAME BEFORE
THE COMMISSION REQUESTING THAT DIAL-A-RIDE BE MADE AVAILABLE
FOR DISABLED CITIZENS, 2) THE CONTRACT CURRENTLY IN EFFECT IS
ABOUT TO EXPIRE WITH FAMILY SERVICE CENTER AND THIS PROGRAM
WILL BE CONTRACTED TO NOCOSIA, 3) THAT DIAL-A-RIDE PROGRAM
WILL NO LONGER BE UNDER THE SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION, AND 4)
THEREFORE THE SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION RECOMMENDS THAT CITY
COUNCIL INCLUDE DISABLED CITIZENS OF ALL AGES AS ELIGIBLE TO
USE THE DIAL-A-RIDE PROGRAM. MOTION FAILED 5-1. COMMISSIONER
TAAFF, MOTLEY, RUDOLPH, ASH AND WESSEL OPPOSED.
Discussion followed.
COMMISSIONER TAAFF MOVED, MOTLEY SECONDED THAT A LETTER BE
• WRITTEN TO THE MAYOR STATING THAT SOME CITIZEN HAVE COME
BEFORE THE SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION REQUESTING THAT DISABLED
CITIZENS BECOME ELIGIBLE TO USE DIAL-A-RIDE. AT THE PRESENT
TIME THIS DOES NOT COME WITHIN THE POWERS OF THE SENIOR
CITIZEN COMMISSION, HOWEVER THE COMMISSION REQUESTS THAT CITY
COUNCIL TARE THIS UNDER ADVISEMENT. MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
7B. DISCUSSION ON THE JULY 20 1990 NORTH COUNTY SENIOR COALITION
MEETING
Vice Chairperson Ash told the Commission that the topic of
today' s NOCOSIA meeting was "Who Will Qualify for Medical
Assistance" . She said that providers and agency staff agree
that defining eligibility for medical assistance is very
complicated. It has recently been decided that each
application for assistance will be handled on a "case by case"
basis. Vice Chairperson Ash told the Commission that cases
for assistance which have been denied can be appealed by law.
Chairperson Wessel thanked Vice Chairperson Ash for an
informative report.
8. COMMISSIONER' S CORNER
Chairperson Wessel complimented Commissioner Rudolph on being
voted "Woman of the Year" for Cardiff for her outstanding work
in the community. Commissioner Rudolph also received this
award in 1985 for her charitable work for the good of others.
Chairperson Wessel told the Commission that a major health
bill has recently passed the Senate, Senate Bill Number 2868 .
This is the only bill offering full and complete medical care
for the elderly.
Vice Chairperson Ash told the Commission that the Area Agency
on Aging has a new office at 933 Hazard Way, Suite #100, San
Diego, CA 92123 , the phone number is 495-5885.
Commissioner Motley requested that S.H.A.R.E. , a food program,
be added to the reference director. She also told the
Commission that the Braille Friendship Group operates out of
the Oceanside Library and is there to assist citizens with
failing sight of all ages.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 4 : 25 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be Friday, August 17 , 1990; at
1: 00 P.M.