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1991-05-17 • CITY OF ENCINITAS SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION MINUTES Meeting Date: May 17, 1991 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chairperson Wessel called the meeting to order at 1: 00 P.M. Present: Chairperson Wessel, Commissioners Taaff, Motley and- Hartley Absent: Vice Chairperson -Ash-, Commissioners Reaves and Anderson Also Present: James Ellis, Recreation Superintendent and Jacqueline Reynolds, Senior Office Specialist 2 . PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE n Commissioner Anderson joined the meeting at 1: 06 p.m. 3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS June Sirota, 304 Seacrest Way, Encinitas, Program Manager, Sam & Rose Stein Adult Day Center, invited the Commission to the dedication of the new facility on June 2nd. She explained that the Center is non-sectarian and-will provide services for people 55 and over. . This facility will be licensed by the Department of Social Services, Division of Community Care. Chairperson Wessel thanked Ms. Sirota for speaking to the Commission. 4. CLOSING AND ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDARS A. Approval of Minutes for April 19, 1991 COMMISSI.ONER HARTLEY MOVED, ANDERSON SECONDED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF APRIL 19, 1991. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. • 5. PRESENTATION A. Presentation by Karen Hendricks, Director of Community Relations, Scripps Memorial Hospital, Pertaining to Services Provided For Senior Citizens. Recreation Superintendent, James Ellis introduced Karen Hendricks, Director of Community Relations, Scripps Memorial Hospital. Director Hendricks distributed packets to the Commission and gave a background on the programs offered by Scripps Memorial Hospital. She said that during the past year the hospital has undergone an extensive expansion program making the Rehabilitation Center the core of the hospital. Ms. Hendricks reviewed the services Scripps provides, and noted that Barbara Eckberg, Director of Scripps . Health Plus 55, was also available to answer questions for the Commission. Commissioner Anderson invited ' Director Hendricks to participate in Senior Services Day to be held September 11, 1991. Director Hendricks said that she would be happy to • participate in the Senior .Services Day. Commissioner Motley asked who is eligible to use the hospital lending library or buy items in the Rehabilitation Store. Director Hendricks said that anyone in the community may buy items in the Rehabilitation Store as well as use the library. Ms. -Hendricks explained that the purpose of the Rehabilitation Center is to assist citizens who have suffered strokes or injuries. Vice Chairperson Ash arrived at 1: 30 p.m. Commissioner Hartley asked if there is low vision assistance available through the Rehabilitation Center. Director Hendricks said that low vision assistance is not available through the Rehabilitation Center, however, there are low vision services in North County. Chairperson Wessel thanked Director Hendricks for her presentation and asked Barbara Eckberg, Director of Scripps Health Plus 55, to address the Commission. Director Eckberg gave an indepth presentation on the . background of Health Plus 55, the senior membership program at Scripps Memorial Hospital. She explained that the program has been in existence for five years and is • available for people 55 and over. She reviewed the services Health Plus 55 provides, distributed brochures, and then asked the Commission for any questions. Chairperson Wessel opened the meeting to Commission discussion. . Commissioner Hartley asked what qualifies a person for membership in Health Plus 55. Director Eckberg explained that to qualify for membership if you are between the ages of 55 and 64 you need a qualified insurance policy. If you are over 65 you must have Medicare parts A and B and maintain a qualified supplemental insurance policy. Director Eckberg elaborated that membership is free and that this program is funded by Scripps Hospital. Commissioner Taaff commented that Scripps Hospital is well equipped and that Health Plus 55 is an excellent program for seniors. Commissioner Motley asked if physicians with Secure Horizons are listed with the Health Plus 55 referral service. Director Eckberg answered that the physician and service referral consist of Scripps and contract physicians, which includes Secure Horizons physicians. Chairperson Wessel and the Commission thanked Director Eckberg for her comprehensive presentation. 6. UNFINISHED BIISINESS None. 7. NEW BIISINESS A. Discussion on Senior Services Day Superintendent Ellis gave a brief overview on Senior Services Day, and then turned the meeting over to the Senior Services Day Subcommittee (Commissioner Ash, -Anderson, and Taaff) for an up-date. Vice Chairperson Ash requested Subcommittee reports and called for Commissioner Taaff's Subcommittee report. • Commissioner Taaff, Transportation Subcommittee, commented that plans are being made to contact public transportation providers and car dealers. • Commissioner Motley, g Housin Subcommittee commented that a letter needs to be drafted and' sent to seniors with information concerning Senior Services Day. . Vice Chairperson Ash has reviewed the Chamber. of Commerce Calendar of Events and arranged to have the Senior Services Day added to their calendar. She noted that she will also contact the Downtown Encinitas Main Street Association. Vice Chairperson ' Ash noted that Commissioner Reaves,. Opportunities for Participation Subcommittee, has agreed to be responsible for all advertising. Commissioner Motley commented that she has contacted several businesses in the area giving them information regarding the Senior Services Day and" asking if they would like to participate in the event. Discussion followed and it was decided that an introductory letter should . be drafted and sent to churches, businesses and service clubs requesting their participation. Commissioner Hartley, Services Subcommittee, asked who will be responsible for developing an invitation list. He added that the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce has a mailing list which is available for Commission use. Vice Chairperson Ash told the Commission that the American Legion has donated $50 to defray the cost of mailing. Superintendent Ellis reminded the . Commission that a general outline is needed which should contain a budget and a roster of who has been contacted. He added that a list is also needed which would include people or agencies who will provide a service in addition to a list which indicates those who are willing to make donations. Commissioner Anderson, Alive and Well Subcommittee, provided a diagram of the floor plan. of the San Dieguito United Methodist Church Meeting Hall as well as available outside covered areas. Discussion followed. Vice Chairperson Ash asked if a contract had been signed with the Church for this event. Superintendent Ellis explained that the City has reserved September 11th for the event and that as soon as a • Certificate of Insurance is obtained through the City Risk Manager a commitment can be made with the Church. Commissioner Taaff reminded the Commission that a `commitment must be made to the Church two months prior to the event to ensure use. of the meeting hall. Commissioner Anderson suggested that each Subcommittee put their "to do list" into writing for the Senior Services Day Committee to review. Discussion followed. The Commission agreed that each Subcommittee Chairperson will submit their Subcommittee report, with a "to do list, " to Vice Chairperson Ash before noon on June 7th. B. Update on the Status of Senior Needs Assessment Superintendent Ellis gave a brief overview on the Status of the Senior Needs Assessment, and then turned the meeting over to Chairperson Wessel for an up-date. Chairperson Wessel noted that the Senior Needs-Assessment • Subcommittee has met several times for the purpose of studying three proposals. She explained that questions have been developed in order to rate each proposal. Interviews will be held May 30th. Commissioner Anderson asked if the Subcommittee will report back to the Commissionon with a recommendation. Chairperson Wessel explained that the Subcommittee will make a recommendation to the Commission, at which time the Commission will vote to decide who will be awarded the contract. She noted that upon approval by the Commission this recommendation will go to City Council. Chairperson Wessel asked Superintendent Ellis to elaborate on this procedure. Superintendent Ellis explained that a system had been set up to rate each proposal. The proposals will be rated on service, funding, and basic proposal requirements. He added that a prime concern is to verify that the proposals are stating what the companies can actually accomplish. • 8. COMMISSIONER'S CORNER Chairperson Wessel announced that Roger Krauel, Encinitas City Attorney, will be holding a meeting May 18th at 9:00 a.m. to discuss Commissions and Boards. The following Senior Citizen Commission representatives have agreed to attend, Chairperson Wessel, Vice Chairperson Ash, Commissioner Anderson and Superintendent Ellis. Commissioner Hartley asked if anyone had information on why both vans at the San Dieguito Senior Center are not in use. He explained that he had a prior commitment and asked to be excused from the Commission meeting. Chairperson Wessel excused Commissioner Hartley and he left at 3 : 00 p.m. Chairperson Wessel noted that a recent issue of Senior World Magazine published an article on insurance which included supplemental information on Medicare. She announced that Vice Chairperson Ash will be honored at the Annual NOCOSIA Dinner to be held June 6th at 7: 00 p.m. at the Shadow Ridge Country Club. She asked that Commissioners mark their calendars and plan to attend. • Commissioner Taaff commented that the van at the San Dieguito Senior Center is being used to transport seniors. He asked Superintendent Ellis to explain the City policy regarding the gift of monetary assistance to the Commission. Superintendent Ellis explained that the City has a Donation and Gifts Policy and that a special account has been established to handle such funds. He added that checks should be made out to the City of Encinitas, Senior Citizen Commission. Commissioner Anderson commented that she is concerned with the failure of health care in America. She compared the system in the United States with the socialized medicine system that Canada provides it citizens. Commissioner Anderson emphasized that the City of Encinitas needs a Senior Citizen Center to provide services and classes. She added that it is critical that a site be located. Commissioner Anderson commented. that it is often difficult to reach her by phone. She suggested that Commissioners contact her at her work phone number. Commissioner Motley commented that she can be reached at home before 9 : 30 a.m. and after 4 : 00 p.m. She requested that callers let her phone ring more than 4 times. Vice Chairperson Ash reported that the speaker at today's NOCOSIA meeting was Douglas Waldo of KPBS-TV "Seniors Speak Out" . She said that he cautioned that Health Care may be rationed in the future. It was also advised that everyone • should obtain Medicare part A. Vice Chairperson Ash noted that national insurance is needed now. She said that Lee Smith, Senior Legislature for California, is working on two California Health Care bills. She commented that the United States does not have. "health care insurance" it has "illness insurance" . Discussion followed. Superintendent Ellis reminded the Commission that the Senior Citizen Commission Library is available -Is the Westlake Annex office.' 9. ADJOURNMENT COMMISSIONER TAAFF MOVED, ANDERSON SECONDED. TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 3:30 P.M. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0. The next regular meeting will be .Friday, June 21, 1991 at 1:00 p.m. r b:\ra68 r