Month 1999.11 November.


Day 1999.11.10CA


COMMISSION ON AGING
MINUTES –  REGULAR MEETING –  November 10, 1999
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1:30 P.M.

ITEM 1 - CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the Commission on Aging was called to order by Chair Locke at 1:30 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT:    Commissioners Evelyn Abbott, Laura Carlson, Kathleen Hull, Dorothy Locke, Garland Porter, Thomas Staples, Peggy Willson

MEMBERS ABSENT:    None

STAFF PRESENT:    Director Linda Celestre, Senior Citizens Coordinator Suzanne Greene, Recreation Supervisor Mike Christensen

STAFF ABSENT:    Recreation Manager Donna Fox

ITEM 2 - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ITEM 3 - APPROVAL OF MINUTES –  October 20, 1999

A motion was made by Commissioner Porter, seconded by Commissioner Hull, “ to approve the minutes as presented” .

ITEM 4 - APPROVAL OF AGENDA

A motion was made by Commissioner Hull, seconded by Commissioner Porter, “ to approve the agenda as presented” .  Motion carried.

ITEM 5 –  PUBLIC COMMENTS

Council member Clancy voiced her pleasure that Vacaville is setting a precedent for the protection of the senior population.  She commented that in the year 2025, 65% of our population will be seniors.  She thanked the commissioners for volunteering their time to serve on this commission.

Commissioner Porter stated how proud he is to be a member of the Commission on Aging and is looking forward to serving the senior citizens of Vacaville.

ITEM 6 - CORRESPONDENCE –  None

ITEM 7 - OLD BUSINESS –  None

ITEM 8a –  APPOINTMENT OF TWO COMMISSIONERS TO SERVE ON THE NEW “ SENIOR ROUNDTABLE”

Director Celestre asked for the appointment of two representatives from the Commission on Aging to serve on the newly-formed “ Senior Roundtable” .  Commissioners Abbott and Staples both volunteered to serve on the “ Senior Roundtable” .

Chair Locke introduced Assistant City Manager Van Kirk.  He spoke about the need to work on a way to entice people to participate.  Mr. Van Kirk suggested the possibility of having guest speakers as a way to attract people to the Senior Roundtable meetings.  Assemblywoman Helen Thompson, who is very interested in senior-related issues, will speak at the first Senior Roundtable meeting.  It has been proposed that the first meeting of the Senior Roundtable will be held in the afternoon in Conference Room A&B at City Hall.

Chair Locke suggested that Linda Terry, Director of the State Department on Aging, be invited to speak on senior-related issues at one of the Commission on Aging meetings.

A motion was made by Commissioner Hull, seconded by Vice Chair Willson, “ to appoint Commissioner Abbott and Commissioner Staples to the Senior Roundtable” .  Motion carried.

ITEM 8b  - UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF SENIOR CENTER EXPANSION PROJECT

Director Celestre briefed the Commissioners on the status of the Senior Center Expansion Project.  The completion date has been delayed by 2-3 weeks.  The anticipated move-in date is now scheduled for mid-March.

In response to a question regarding an “ open house”  from Commissioner Porter, Coordinator Greene stated that staff has been brainstorming the idea of having an open house to include in-house tours, entertainment, and demonstrations, but a scheduled date will hinge on the move-in date.

ITEM 8c –  BRIEFING ON ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH THE MCBRIDE SENIOR CENTER

Coordinator Greene thanked the Commission on Aging for allowing her to speak regarding the various activities, programs and services that are supported at the McBride Senior Center.  She gave accolades to her staff for all of their hard work.  She also presented a long list of services that are provided to the seniors of the community through the McBride Senior Center.  Some of those services include: free diabetic, foot, and hearing screenings, computer classes, medical and financial seminars, socials, weekly bingo and free tax assistance during February to April.  The Sunday morning pancake breakfast will be back by popular demand when the new Center opens.  Attendance has been consistent since the Senior Center has relocated.  Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are the very busy days.  Coordinator Greene clarified that anyone 50 years of age or older is consider to be a “ senior” .

ITEM 9 –  STAFF REPORTS

Coordinator Greene attended a conference for the California Association of Senior Services Centers.  She shared information from the conference.  She said it was an opportunity to discuss common issues with others in  communities who do the same thing on a daily basis.

Recreation Supervisor Christensen introduced himself to the members of the Commission on Aging.  He stated how proud he is that the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee has been elevated to a commission status.  One of the more successful committees borne out of the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee is the Intergenerational Sub-Committee.  The hope is that this Intergenerational group’ s activities will have a positive influence with breaking down age barriers and hopefully bridge the generational gap and make the Senior Center more “ user friendly”  to younger people.  Supervisor Christensen also commented on the state of the art technology involved with the re-opening of the Senior Center that will be implemented throughout the facility.

ITEM 10 –  DIRECTOR COMMENTS
Director Celestre talked about the challenges facing the Commissioners.  She anticipates that the Commission’ s main work will start after the first of the year in terms of the creation of use policies for the Senior Center.

ITEM 11 –  COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Hull stated that she will be leaving California and will only be available for one more meeting.  She was advised that it would be appropriate for her to write a letter of resignation to the Mayor.

Commissioner Porter recommended that Virginia Lloyd-Butterfield and Art Marquez be invited to come and report on upcoming legislation which would impact senior health care, transportation, housing, elder abuse and much more.

Vice Chair Willson talked about the activities that the Intergenerational Committee is working on. Currently, this group is working on the Senior Santa program.  She said that the Intergenerational Committee is also working hand in hand with the Vacaville Unified School District’ s Strategic Plan to continue development of a program for seniors and children working together in the community.

Chair Locke gave an update on the status of the Resource Directory.  As soon as delivery is made, Senior Legislator, Art Marquez, has offered to deliver the directories to all of the senior centers and city halls in the county.

A discussion to clarify term limits was held.  Director Celestre verified that the term of office for commissioners  will be two and three years and will expire in the month of March.  Those commissioners who drew a one in last month’ s drawing will hold two year terms, and those who drew a two will hold three year terms.

Chair Locke thought it might be worthwhile to look into the possibility of obtaining some grant money for the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program through the Relatives As Parents Program (RAPP).

Chair Locke stressed the importance of helping seniors to live in their own homes.  By becoming more involved with the Napa-Solano Area Agency and their MSSP Program, it may be possible to accomplish this goal.

An announcement was made regarding the Senior Advocate newsletter from the Senior Legislature.  The newsletter is available at the Senior Center.

Director Celestre updated the Commission on the progress of the Water Fitness Program.  Materials have been received for the correspondence course, and a full-accredited training has started.  The pool temperature is now posted each day.  Director Celestre is working on the Capital Improvement Project to refurbish the pool.  There is the also the possibility of using the pool at the VacaValley Sports Club for the program.

ITEM 12 –  ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:43 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by,


Yvonne Callan
Recording Secretary