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1992-03-20 ' 1 CITY OF ENCINITAS SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION MINUTES Meeting Date: March 20, 1992 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chairperson Ash, Vice Chairperson Taaff, Commissioners Hartley, Reaves, Brzezinski, Weikum and Black Also Present: Pamela Alexander, Recreation Superintendent, and Jacqueline Reynolds, Senior Office Specialist 2 . PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Helen Lindsley, 699-61 North Vulcan Avenue, Encinitas, is a member of Riviera Mobile Home Park Homeowners Association. Ms. Lindsley told the Commission she would like the Commission to support rent control in Encinitas. O August Anderson, 1916 Circle Park Lane, Encinitas, is a former member of the Senior Citizen Commission. Ms. Anderson welcomed the Commissioners and noted Encinitas senior citizens need the following assistance: information on services, affordable housing, health care and a senior center. John Satterthwaite, 204 La Mesa, Encinitas, would like to install a bench at the west 'end of Roseta Street overlooking the ocean. Mr. Satterthwaite presented pictures of the area and asked the Commission for assistance in obtaining City permission to construct and install a bench. Superintendent Alexander noted that staff will research this request. Pat Rudolph, 1942 Oxford, Cardiff, noted a bench in this area would be used extensively by seniors. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Approval of Minutes for February 21, 1992 . . COMMISSIONER HARTLEY MOVED, REAVES SECONDED TO ADOPT THE MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 21, 1992 . MOTION CARRIED 7-0. .O 1 S. PRESENTATIONS O A. Welcome and Introduction of New Commissioners Chairperson Ash introduced and welcomed Commissioners Black, Weikum and Brzezinski. B. Presentation by Jacqueline Thea on "Midlife and Older Women's Issues" Chairperson , Ash introduced Jacqueline Thea, Ph.D. , American Association of Retired Persons' Women's Initiative Spokesperson. Dr. Thea gave an indepth presentation on America's problems of drug and alcohol abuse as it applies to mid-life and older women. She noted there are 36 million women over 50 in the United States. She added ' seniors 65 and older purchase 31% of all prescription drugs which are often misused. Dr. Thea noted two-thirds of drug overdose and drug abuse deaths among seniors are women. Dr. Thea noted alcohol and medication abuse in older women is often a reaction to fear, grief, pain and/or loneliness. She added living alone is a powerful predictor of suicide and alcoholism. ODr. Thea also mentioned if a person looks or thinks like a victim he/she will be a victim and if he/she thinks like a winner, he/she will feel better about themselves. She encouraged everyone to use all their imagination, inspiration and intuition/wisdom. Dr. Thea distributed brochures on various women's issues and asked the Commission for any questions. Commissioner Hartley asked if one-on-one counseling or group counseling was more effective for the problems Dr. Thea discussed. Dr. Thea noted newly bereaved women find one-on-one counseling is more effective at first. Later, group counseling is beneficial because sharing is helpful. Commissioner Brzezinski asked how is group counseling found. Dr. Thea noted senior counseling can be found through senior centers, doctors and churches. Chairperson Ash and the Commission thanked Dr. Thea for Oher presentation. OChairperson Ash called for a recess at 2 : 05. The meeting resumed at 2 : 10. C. Presentation of Commissioner's Handbook Superintendent Alexander welcomed the new Commissioners and presented a Senior Citizen Commission Handbook to each Commissioner. The Handbook includes general information on the City of Encinitas, City Legislation on Commissions, responsibilities of Commissioners, tips on how to conduct a meeting, Commissioners' relations toward staff, Council and the public, and important phone numbers. Commissioner Hartley complimented Superintendent Alexander on creating a well organized notebook. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Discussion of Senior Citizen Commissioner's Goals/Objectives and Proposed Subcommittees Superintendent Alexander noted the three main O Subcommittees under consideration are Information/Publicity, Funding/Legislative, Services/Programs. She added other Ad Hoc Committee's will be created as needed, similar to to existing Senior Needs Assessment Subcommittee. Chairperson Ash noted at the recent City Council meeting Councilmember Omstead stated she would like to see a high priority on health and housing for seniors. Commissioner Hartley suggested subcommittees be linked to goals. Vice Chairperson Taaff asked if the new Commissioners had been given a copy of the Senior Needs Assessment report created by E.R.A. and a copy of the Senior Citizen Commission Directory of Services. Superintendent Alexander noted an orientation meeting was held last week for new Commissioners. At this meeting the new Commissioners received the Needs Assessment Report and an overview of the findings. She added the Directory of Services needs updating prior to distribution to new Commissioners. O i O MSC COMMISSIONER HARTLEY MOVED, REAVES SECONDED THE SUBCOMMITTEES BE ACCEPTED, WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS, HEALTH, HOUSING AND SOCIAL SERVICES BE TAKEN FROM THE SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE AND BECOME A SEPARATE SUBCOMMITTEE, AND THE OAKCREST PARK ADVISORY GROUP REPRESENTATION BE COMBINED WITH THE SENIOR NEEDS ASSESSMENT SUBCOMMITTEE. MOTIONED CARRIED. 7-0. Discussion followed. Chairperson Ash asked if Councilmember Omstead should be consulted as to the priority of each goal. Commissioner Weikum commented that the Commission should be focusing on the present. Superintendent Alexander noted City Council expressed the Commission's prioritization of goals reflect the senior needs expressed in the Needs Assessment. Commissioner Hartley noted , Councilmember Omstead has asked the Commission to promote housing and health for seniors and to publicize this throughout the community. Councilmembers also stated the center should be referred to as a Community/Senior Center. Commissioner Weikum suggested Information/Publicity be a Onumber one priority. MSC COMMISSIONER REAVES MOVED, ASH SECONDED THE 1992 GOALS BE PRIORITIZED AS FOLLOWS, 1) INCREASE AWARENESS OF EXISTING SENIOR CITIZEN SERVICES AND PROGRAMS BY ENHANCING PUBLICITY AND PROMOTIONS TO SENIORS, 2) RESEARCH METHODS TO HELP SUPPORT MAJOR SENIOR NEEDS SUCH AS HOUSING AND HEALTH SERVICES, 3) PROVIDE INPUT ON THE DESIGN AND FUNCTIONS OF A SENIOR CENTER VIA REPRESENTATION ON THE OAKCREST PARK ADVISORY GROUP, 4) RESEARCH FUNDING OPTIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF A SENIOR CENTER, 5) PLAN AND COORDINATE A 1992 @'SENIOR SERVICES DAY" OR SIMILAR EVENT TO PROMOTE SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE TO SENIORS, 6) REVIEW AND ADDRESS OTHER ISSUES RELATING TO SENIORS IN ENCINITAS. MOTION CARRIED. 7-0. Chairperson Ash noted a letter will be sent advising the City Council on the Senior Citizen Commission's prioritization of goals. Superintendent Alexander will confirm if this needs to be presented at a Council meeting. MSC COMMISSIONER WEIKUM MOVED, BRZEZINSKI SECONDED THE SELECTION OF THE SUBCOMMITTEES BE MADE AT THE NEXT o COMMISSION MEETING AND THE COMMISSIONERS ADVISE SUPERINTENDENT ALEXANDER OR,THE CHAIRPERSON PRIOR TO THE y4 - �/ NEXT MEETING OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE OF THEIR CHOICE. MOTION _O CARRIED. 7-0. 7 . NEW BUSINESS A. Update on Oakcrest Park Master Plan Advisory Committee Meetings Chairperson Ash noted Commissioner Hartley had been selected to represent the Senior Commission on the Oakcrest Park Master Plan Advisory Group and asked for Commissioner Hartley's report. Commissioner Hartley told the Commission the Committee will hold five meetings. The meetings will review the conceptual design. After the conceptual design is accepted it will be presented to the Park and Recreation Commission, the Senior Citizen Commission, City Council, CAB, Planning and. Coastal Commission for review. Commissioner Hartley noted once this approval process is complete, construction drawings will be prepared. Commissioner Hartley noted the major elements to be included on the site are, community recreation building, senior citizen facilities, amphitheater, swimming pool and tennis courts. He noted the next meeting will be Oheld March 21, 1992 . Chairperson Ash called for a recess at 3 : 35. The meeting resumed at 3 : 40. B. Election of Senior Citizen Commission Officers The following nominations were made for Senior Citizen Commission Chairperson and Vice Chairperson: Commissioner Brzezinski nominated, Weikum seconded Commissioner Ash for Senior Citizen Commission Chairperson. Commissioner Ash accepted. There were no other nominations. Commissioner Ash was elected 7-0. Commissioner Hartley nominated, Reaves seconded Commissioner Taaff for Senior Citizen Commission Vice Chairperson. Commissioner Taaff accepted. There were no other nominations. Vice Chairperson Taaff was elected 7-0. 8. ANNOUNCEMENTS O1. Commissioners i Commissioner Hartley told the Commission the Encinitas OMagazine is now complimentary. Vice Chairperson Taaff welcomed the new Commissioners. Commissioner Weikum suggested the Senior Commission use the City Newsletter to publicize senior activities and programs. Chairperson Ash announced there will be a luncheon on March 25, 1992 at the San Dieguito Senior Center. All proceeds will go to the center. Chairperson Ash encouraged Commissioners to submit names of prospective speakers for future Commission meetings. 2 . Staff Superintendent Alexander told the Commission Oakcrest Park has a new pad area which will be the site of a resident park caretaker. Superintendent Alexander distributed applications for the caretaker position. 9. ADJOURNMENT O MSC COMMISSIONER HARTLEY MOVED, REAVES SECONDED TO ADJOURN THE N MEETING AT 4:00 P.M. MOTIOCARRIED. 7-0. B:\RA89