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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-02-2008 SCAC Minutes CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 2, 2008 Call to Order Chairperson Wood called the meeting to order a 9:00 a.m. Roll Call: Committee Members (CM) Present: Beth Wood, Al Edge, Martin Baron, Diane Bonetti and Delilah Vanderpool Committee Members Absent: None Parks and Community Services Commission Liaison Present: Rich Guarienti Staff Present: Paul McCreary, Assistant Director of Parks and Community Services; Anna Hudson, Recreation Coordinator; and, Diane Guenther, Office Assistant Oral Communications-None Approval of the Minutes— THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 3, 2008 MEETING. MOTION BY CM MARTIN BARON,SECONDED BY CM DELILAH VANDERPOOL. Written Communication-None Unfinished Business-None New Business 2008 SUMMER QUARTERLY REPORT Staff presented an overview of the Summer Quarterly Report. CM Baron asked about the Wednesday night activities and if it was popular enough to add an additional activity night. McCreary indicated attendance is less than 20 participants and did justify adding another night. Currently Wednesday night activities include games, ballroom dance classes, computer instruction, and special workshops. Staff will provide the Committee with a detailed report on the Wednesday night activities at a future date. CM Baron asked if Jazzercise would move back to Shannon Center when the new-Shannon Center re- opens. McCreary indicated Jazzercise will likely remain at the Senior Center. CM Wood thanked Staff for the inclusion of the "Other Use" section in the quarterly report and would like to see more detail in that section. CM Wood suggested a pie chart to show how much other groups are using the Center compared to seniors. She would also like to see if rental income is meeting projected expectations. McCreary indicated that for fiscal year 07-08 the revenue from rentals met the budget. CM Baron commented that the crowds participating in the food distribution program need to be better managed. CM Baron is concerned about the safety of both the volunteers and guests. CM Bonetti indicated that the increase in popularity and the number of people including non-residents have greatly impacted in the program. Bonetti suggested limiting the program to Dublin residents to reduce the numbers of participants each day. CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 2,2008 PAGE 2 OF 4 Hudson noted that recently some volunteers have voiced the same concerns. McCreary indicated Staff is in the process evaluating alternatives to address the problem and will report back at a future meeting. In the meantime, Staff will take immediate steps to establish better control of the existing participants to ensure everyone's safety. CM Edge asked how other Senior Centers handle food distribution programs. Hudson indicated that most Senior Centers only offer free bread. CM Vanderpool shared the procedures that John Knox Church uses for its Children's Emergency Food Service Program. The church provides groceries which are pre-bagged and distributed to each needy family with children. Commissioner Guarienti noted there are too many people for the amount of food available for distribution. CM Wood requested a report at an upcoming Committee meeting. PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES NEEDS ASSESSMENT RESULTS Staff provided the Committee with an overview the results from the Needs Assessment as outlined in the agenda statement. CM Edge asked what types of swimming programs are offered at the Dublin Swim Center for seniors. McCreary indicated there are discounts available for seniors but no specific times designated for seniors. CM Edge felt that seniors prefer not to be around small children at the same period of time. CM Wood was very happy with the study; it provided great data to move on to long range planning. She is concerned about costs due to the economic outlook and hoped that the strategic plan will help look to electronic marketing to reduce marketing costs. Guarienti suggested that the Committee should sponsor a booth at City events, such as Day on the Glen, to promote the Senior Center. He suggested offering seniors an overnight camping program to local parks to get people out of their homes and away from their computers. CM Wood asked if there will be a Strategic Plan developed specifically for the Senior Center. McCreary indicate that is not currently part of the work plan. She noted that we have been talking about marketing to different groups but that we still need to have a lower level operating plan that says this is how we are specifically implementing the Department Strategic Plan at the Senior Center; taking this strategic thrust would take us out of reacting to better plan for the future. Other Business CM Vanderpool asked about the status of the coffee sponsorship program. Hudson stated that Mr. Bean has donated decaf coffee and monetary sponsors are being pursued. CM Vanderpool asked if the fourth special event had been identified. Staff noted it will be an Ice Cream Social as recommended by the sub-committee. Guarienti provided the Committee with an overview of the Parks and Community Service Commission Meeting. The Commission had a discussion about potential bans of smoking in parks. CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 2,2008 PAGE 3 OF 4 Guarienti noted a proposed extension of the East Bay Regional Park District's Measure WW will be on the ballot; the benefit of the ballot is one quarter of the fees go to cities within the District. CM Baron inquired if Blue Star Moms will be part of the Hometown Heroes event. Staff did not have a commitment from the group yet. CM Baron asked how the Committee planned to market the November Committee meeting that will be seeking public input. He asked if any accommodations will be made for working seniors. CM Wood suggested an open forum with comments and structure on certain topics. She noted the voting at the end of the workshop does not work so well and possibly another method to determine priorities. CM Baron has observed that occasionally get well cards are posted at the front counter for seniors to sign. He asked if the Committee thought of creating a form of recognition for those who are ill or deceased. Hudson noted that a "Wishes for Wellness" program is currently in place. CM Wood asked if there could possibly be place where this information could be posted. Hudson noted that some seniors may not want this information made public and would prefer the more personal one-on- one program. • CM Baron suggested having a moment of silence at a luncheon or a Committee meeting. CM Wood suggested a blog that would provide a way to share information. CM Edge informed the Committee that the Foundation has made a budget policy on their annual spending and future requests. The policy states the annual budget to be spent for the calendar year should not exceed the annual income from the previous calendar year or$10,000 which ever is the least. CM Vanderpool noted that the Foundation has over$100,000 in reserves and questioned why there are no plans to spend it. CM Bonetti who also represents the Dublin Senior Foundation noted that the money is invested with the ability to draw on the interest annually,much like an endowment. CM Wood asked if there were plans for other fundraisers if fireworks go away. Staff indicated the Donor Wall was established to take in another$100,000 over the life of the program. CM Vanderpool has heard comments about the monthly calendar no longer being part of the newsletter and asked it be included again. Hudson stated that due to the change to a bi-monthly newsletter it has become too thick for the volunteers to fold with the inclusion of the calendar. The calendars are available • at the Senior Center. CM Edge has suggested that door stops be installed at the top of interior doors at the Center. CM Wood asked who will be attending the October Parks and Community Services meeting; CM Bonetti will attend October, CM Wood will attend November and CM Baron is scheduled for December. • CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 2,2008 PAGE 4 OF 4 Adjournment Being no further business,the meeting was adjourned at 10:55 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Diane Guenther Office Assistant APPROVED: Beth Wood Chairperson