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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. v Ll A- 3 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.