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.
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