1991-01-18 CITY OF ENCINITAS
SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION
MINUTES
Meeting Date: January 18, 1991; 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, Taaff and Motley
Absent: Commissioner Rudolph
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- per person) will be
heard from people who submit a speaker's white slip to the
Recreation Superintendent. ' No action may be legally taken on
such non-agenda items, they will be referred to the Recreation
Superintendent.
4. CLOSING AND ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDARS
A. Approval of Minutes for November 16, 1990.
COMMISSIONER HARTLEY MOVED, TAAFF SECONDED TO APPROVE THE
MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 16, 1990. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
5. PRESENTATION BY SUE SORENSON, DIRECTOR OF SAN DIEGUITO SENIOR
CENTER
Chairperson- Wessel called for the staff report.
Superintendent Ellis introduced Sue Sorenson who gave the
Commission an update on services offered by the San Dieguito
Senior Center.
Ms. Sorenson handed out a packet to each Commissioner with
information on the Senior Center. She said the Center was
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opened. in 1983 as a nutrition site for seniors with funding
. from the Area Agency on Aging and Helen W. Woodward.
Ms. Sorenson told the Commission the Center has 10 staff
members and 80 volunteers. She said that approximately 50
meals per day are served at the Center at an average cost of
$2 .50 per meal with a typical donation of $1. 38. The Center
is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ms. Sorenson said the senior van provides an important service
for the community, however, she feels more advertising is
needed. She added that she endorses the NOCOSIA Dial-A-Ride
Program and hopes that it will continue.
Commissioner Motley commented that the van is difficult . for
some seniors to use because it lacks handicapped equipment.
Chairperson Wessel asked what type of duties are assigned to
volunteers.
Ms. Sorenson explained volunteers assist with clerical duties,
information and referrals, kitchen tasks, tax assistance,
instructing classes and conducting health checks.
Chairperson Wessel thanked Ms. Sorenson for speaking before
the Commission.
• Connie McIntire, 890 Balour, Encinitas, who is coordinator for
Meals-On-Wheels at the Senior Nutrition site, also addressed
the Commission. She said that the Taxi Voucher Program is a
very important service for Encinitas seniors.
Chairperson Wessel explained that the Taxi Voucher Program is
the next discussion item.
Chairperson Wessel recognized staff member Leslie Suelter who
requested an opportunity to address the Commission on the
status of . the Taxi Voucher Program.
Ms. Suelter gave an over view of the history of the Encinitas
Taxi Voucher Program and a comparison of how the City and
NOCOSIA administered the program. She gave the Commission a
statistical report and said because of operational and
qualification differences it was more costly to operate this
program outside the City.
Ms. Suelter suggested that a meeting be held with the Senior
Commission Transportation Subcommittee, NOCOSIA representative
John Burnett, Superintendent Ellis and herself to address
issues concerning this program.
Chairperson Wessel .commented that detailed statistics are
• necessary prior to making a recommendation to City Council.
She reminded the Commission that Legislator Lee Smith
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disclosed the senior population in North County has increased
• 70% since 1980. She asked Ms. Suelter if the City has funding
available to continue this program.
Ms. Suelter answered that she feels City Council is willing
to support this program by providing $600 per month funding
for the remained of this fiscal year. She added that John
Burnett of NOCOSIA can provided all necessary statistics on
this program.
Superintendent Ellis suggested that it is appropriate for the
Transportation Subcommittee to discuss this issue and prepare
relevant data for presentation to the Commission.. Chairperson
Wessel concurred.
Chairperson Wessel recommended a five minute recess to allow
Jim Baumann, editor and publisher of Encinitas Magazine, to
take pictures of the Commissioners. Mr. Baumann is providing
a special feature on seniors in the February issue of the
magazine.
Chairperson Wessel thanked Mr. Baumann.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
7A. ELECTION OF SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION OFFICERS
Chairperson Wessel called for the staff report.
Superintendent Ellis said that it would be appropriate to set
guide lines on how and when the Senior Citizen Commission will
conduct elections. He explained that if. elections were held
today there would only be three Commissioners eligible to hold
office.
Discussion followed.
COMMISSIONER HARTLEY MOVED,, ASH SECONDED THAT OFFICER
ELECTIONS BE HELD THE FIRST MEETING FOLLOWING THE JANUARY
APPOINTMENT. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0.
7B. DISCUSSION ON THE JANUARY 18, 1991 NORTH COUNTY SENIOR
COALITION MEETING
Vice Chairperson Ash said the January NOCOSIA meeting was
• presented by AAA on their Long Term Care Ombudsman Program.
This program has 80 volunteers in San Diego County serving 363
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long term care facilities. She said their emphasis is on
• elder care and that AAA is supportive of Durable Power of
Attorney.
Vice Chairperson Ash stated that an Ombudsman 6 week training
session will begin February 5th in San Diego. She encouraged
the community to become involved in this program. Information
can be obtained from Jean Stein by g callin 560-2507.
Chairperson Wessel thanked Vice Chairperson Ash on an
excellent report.
8. COMMISSIONERIS CORNER
Chairperson Wessel announced that AAA and the County Board of
Supervisors will be holding a Senior Celebration Day, February
10th, at the San Diego Marriott Hotel. She said that she has-
10 tickets for any Commissioner who would like to attend.
Chairperson Wessel gave the Commissioners information on the
Gateway Program printed by S.D.G. &E. She told the Commission
that she had received a letter from a senior in the community
who had not been granted a senior citizen discount at a local
car wash. Chairperson Wessel contacted the car wash and
assisted in resolving this issue. She said this is an example
• of a problem being handled by the Commission through the
Chair.
Chairperson Wessel announced that Director Wigginton will be
speaker at the February Commission meeting and will discuss
Oakcrest Park and the Needs Assessment. She added that
Commissioner Rudolph has been ill and will report on Durable
Power of Attorney at the next Commission meeting.
Chairperson Wessel asked Superintendent Ellis to report on the
status of the Needs Assessment.
Superintendent Ellis told the Commission that San Diego County
has approved the County Block Grant Funds for the Needs
Assessment. He said this will need to be formally approved
by the County Supervisors in February. After this endorsement
City Council will be approached for approval of the study.
Commissioner Hartley said that he received a call from Jack
Stephens, an attorney who specializes in Elder Law. He asked
to speak before the Commission on this subject.
Commissioner Hartley announced that the February issue of the
Encinitas Magazine has been dedicated to seniors.
Chairperson Wessel thanked Commissioner Hartley for working
• so hard to publicize -senior issues.
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Commissioner Taaff commented that he supports a meeting with
John Burnett to discuss the Taxi Voucher Program. He said he
would like it on record that he has a complaint reference the
City of Encinitas issuing a citation for an American flag
being flown.
Chairperson Wessel suggested that this be brought to the
attention of City Council and the .newspapers.
Commissioner Motley expressed a concern for errors in the
Housing section of the Directory of Services.
Chairperson Wessel said that she, Superintendent Ellis and
Commissioner Motley will meet and make the necessary
corrections. '
Vice Chairperson Ash told the Commission that she has received
a memo from NOCOSIA requesting that dues 'of $10 be paid by all
members. She added that Audrey Rant of the AAA Ombudsman
Program would like to speak before the Commission. Vice
Chairperson Ash would like Jean Stein of AAA speak at the same
Commission meeting.
Vice Chairperson Ash announced that NOCOSIA is having a
Valentines Party in Escondido February 14Th and encouraged the
Commissioners to attend. She added that NOCOSIA has scheduled
• a memorial service for Dr. Lutz and William Atwell January
25th at the Oceanside Senior Center.
Chairperson Wessel thanked staff for sending a condolences
note to the family of William Atwell on behalf of the
Commission.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 3 :20 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be Friday, February 15, 1991;
at 1: 00 p.m.