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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-04-2004 SCAC Approved Minutes CITY OF DUBLIN ° SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES HAVE: Marcia 4,.2004 Call to Order:. Paul Silvas called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. Pledge Allegiance Roll Call Committee Members Present: Bielke, Gifford, Jennings, Payton, Silvas, and Commissioner Burr Cain Staff: Anna Hudson and Julia Abdala, City of Dublin Housing Specialist Change in the Order of the Agenda: New Business 7.1 Staff requested a change in the business order of the agenda so that Ms. Abdala could speak briefly on her housing presentation before the Approval of the Minutes. Staff reported that Eden Housing, Inc., a non- profit based organization, has received funding to build a 54-unit Low Income Housing Complex on Amador Valley Boulevard. This complex will be a three-story building that will include an underground garage area. A total of 53 single units will be available. Each unit will be 580 square feet for lease to one fully independent senior (or couple) who meet the income criteria. Each unit will consist of one bedroom, a living/dining room area, a kitchen, one bathroom, and a patio. In addition, the complex will have a community room, a library, a laundry room, an outdoor patio and terraced gardening area at the rear of the building. The 54`h unit will be a two-bedroom unit to house the manager of the complex. Commissioner Burr Cain asked if the current maximum income is based on social security. Julia Abdala stated that the criteria was determined by the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee. The rent is usually lower than the tax credit rent but may be slightly higher because they take out for utilities (gas and electric). Commissioner Burr Cain asked if the area median income in Alameda County was about $56,000. Although Julia was not sure of the exact numbers, she stated that the median income for a family of four was about$80,000,which makes the poverty standards higher than most counties. Cm. Silvas asked if the median income is based on the Bay Area Consumer Price Index. Julia Abdala stated that the income average is determined by the median of each perspective county. HUD uses the metropolitan statistical area, where as Oakland's medium income is used to formulate Alameda County's criteria. These standards couldn't be lowered because the housing project wouldn't be able to support itself and the investors wouldn't be able to receive the money they provided to create the project. Cm. Jennings asked what determines income. Julia Abdala stated that the senior income is based on retirement, social security, pensions, investments, assets and real estate. The rent is approximately 5% of the income. Cm. Bielke asked about Eden Housing and when applications would be accepted. Julia Abdala stated that she has been receiving about five calls a day about the Housing Project. When the building is closer to completion, Eden will set up a location and telephone. Application forms will be available at City Hall and on the City website in March of 2005. Although Dublin residents will be given preference, if the number of applications exceeds he number of units available, a lottery will be set up to determine who is selected. Other considerations that need to be determined are how to qualify parents of Dublin residents who don't necessarily live in Dublin or Alameda County. Cm. Gifford commented that a 580 square foot living quarters seemed a very small living area for one person to live and even smaller quarters for a couple. Ms. Abdala stated that the square footage for the Eden Housing, Inc. are typical of new developments and helps to maximize the number of available units. Ms. Abdala explained that since the funds for this project were made available sooner than anticipated, the construction of the housing unit would be completed during the summer of 2005. This housing project will utilize a combination of funding sources including tax credits, a loan from the City of Dublin, a Citibank loan, and home funds from the Federal government. Staff commented that the Eden Housing, Inc. in Dublin is an ideal location for seniors because it is located downtown within walking distance to many retail stores. The land will be leased to Eden for$1 a year. Eden is known for providing low-income housing for seniors. Commissioner Cain inquired about the Fairway Ranch housing complex that will be constructed in the eastern parts of Fallon area/Dublin and its criteria. Ms. Abdala stated that the Fairway Housing Complex, scheduled to begin construction in May, will include a 322 unit senior housing component and other non- senior based single rental units that will be mixed in with units for purchase. Fairway will include market housing, and the income qualifications will be very low to moderate which will be higher in comparison to Eden's standards. This is because many of the seniors, 65 year and older, are still in the workforce. The units in the Fairway Project for seniors will include one and two bedroom housing, and, double master suites that have more amenities and square footage. The first phase will be completed at the end of 2005. Oral Communications: None Approval of Minutes: CM BIELKE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS AMENDED, AND CM GIFFORD SECONDED THE MOTION. THE COMMITTEE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY THAT THE AMENDMENT TO THE MINUTES BE APPROVED AND CARRIED. Cm. Silvas commented that the March minutes were "well done". ■ Written Communications: None Unfinished Business: None New Business: - Fall 2003 Quarterly Report , _ Staff gave a'summary of the attendance and key programs and services offered at the Dublin Senior Center during the Fall 2003 quarter. Staff pointed out that the quarterly report attempted to focus on the benefits of the activities offered at the Senior Center as opposed to the attendance. Staff reported an increase in attendance, the number of activities offered including trips, and single workshop offerings. The Committee Members asked Staff to clarify the numbers due to some inconsistencies found in the Quarterly Report in comparison to the calculation found in Attachment 1. In reviewing the numbers, Staff reported that attachment 1 contained formula errors. Cm. Silvas requested that Staff aiphhetize the activities consistently throughout the document. Staff reported that the report could be easily sorted and alphabetized on Excel. Staff commented that the list is an alphabetized listing of activities offered weekly or monthly, and the activities below the Watercolor information were one-time offerings. The Committee Members suggested that the one-time offerings be reported separately under a separate heading. Cm. Payton asked if the Advisory Committee Members volunteer hours were included in the report. Staff stated that an average amount of time was entered by Staff, although Staff recommended that each Committee Member personally document their own individual volunteer hours on a Volunteer Log. Staff felt that the documenting of volunteer hours would improve with the new volunteer board display with the new name tags would be installed in April., However Staff reported that many volunteers still continue to forget or need be reminded to sign in and out each day. Commissioner Cain inquired about the computer statistics. Staff stated that computer attendance was based on the attendees who registered for a computer class but did not monitor the casual computer users. The Committee Members suggested that a log be developed and placed next to each computer to identify the number of walk-in users. Commissioner Cain asked if seniors use the City website to receive information. Staff couldn't verify if , senior users viewed the City website but stated that the website could be prompted to automatically be shown on the computer screen by a push of a keyboard key. Cm. Gifford felt that more seniors would use the computer if they were more visible and accessible to seniors. Staff reported that two of the computers were moved from the stage area to the Foundation room so that the computers would be more,accessible. Commissioner Cain asked if the computers would be more accessible in the new Senior Center. Staff stated that a reference computer station would be placed in the lounge of the new Senior Center. Staff thanked Committee for their suggestions to improve the Quarterly Report. Other Business Mary Lou Bielke and Barbara Gifford reported on the Groundbreaking of•'the New Senior Center and the Eden Housing project that was held the day prior to the Senior Center Advisory meeting. A banquet luncheon was held at the new Dublin Library immediately followed the ceremonies. Paul .Silvas also attended this event. Adjournment Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m. Respectfully submitted, - Anna Hudson Recreation Coordinator