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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-01-2009 SCAC Minutes r ` CITY OFDUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE » MINUTES OF O, D (:)-jow Call to Order Chairperson CM Baron called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. Roll Call: Committee Members (CM) Present: Martin Baron, Delilah Vanderpool, Al Edge, Tim Pedersen and Diane Bonetti Parks and Community Services Commission Liaison Present: Rich Guarienti Staff Present: Paul McCreary, Assistant Director of Parks and Community Services; Anna Hudson, Recreation Coordinator; Diane Guenther, Office Assistant Oral Communications Guests Dan Swinback, Resident Services Manager for Eden Housing, and Sue Cervantes, Event Coordinator for senior activities at The Groves Senior Apartment Complex, introduced themselves to the Committee. Swinback gave the Advisory Committee an overview of Eden Housing, which has 80 properties in the Bay Area; approximately half are for seniors. Informally he said conducted a quick survey to find out how many of the residents from Wicklow Square come to the Senior Center. He said he identified approximately 41 Wicklow Square residents frequent the Senior Center, which equates to 62% of the residents. Beginning in January Wicklow will host one of the Senior Center's programs such as the diabetes class in their facility. Wicklow has also partnered with Senior Support to offer an exercise program. CM Edge asked about a comment made by Senior Support at the last Advisory Committee meeting that Section 8 was no longer available. Swinback indicated that Wicklow is a tax credit program and that Section 8 is much harder to get. Cervantes stated the Groves is a mixed-blend program with about one- third being Section 8. The Groves also has tax credit properties, bond properties and several other programs. It was noted that Section 8 is at capacity and is not open to new people, but there are various offshoots available. CM Vanderpool asked about the application criteria to live at Wicklow Square and the Groves. Swinback said that Wicklow applicants must be 62 or older and must participate in an elaborate selection process that involves a point system. He stated that demand for low income housing far exceeds supply. Cervantes indicated applicants for the Groves must be 55 and over, and that they are managed by FPL properties. Swinback noted one of the trends they are seeing in their properties are senior children are residing at the same property as their parents. Guarienti commented that there is a need to understand their demographics when planning programs for seniors. Cervantes commented that she promotes Senior Center programs but has problems getting her residents to the Center; many do not have a personal vehicle. • CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 1,2009 PAGE 2 OF 4 Swinback promotes the Dublin Senior Center's programs to get the residents out of their apartments. CM Pedersen asked if some properties are available specifically for the developmental disabled; for Eden Housing there are in other cities. CM Baron asked if it would be appropriate to create a formal forum to meet with Swinback, Cervantes and Senior Support. McCreary noted that Staff is already meeting with these groups fairly regularly, and is developing a schedule of presentations by service providers for the Advisory Committee meetings. CM Baron expressed he feels there still needs to be a formal process to meet and develop ideas; possibly quarterly or every six months. It could possibly be part of one of the Advisory Committee strategies. CM Baron asked how to reduce the barriers of getting people to the Senior Center. Hudson indicated that the new Senior Center ride match program should help. Cervantes suggested using the Senior Center van possibly once a month to bring residents of the Groves to the Center for possibly lunch,bingo and a tour of the facility and services. Approval of the Minutes— CM VANDERPOOL MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 3, 2009 MINUTES; CM BONETTI SECONDED THE MOTION. THE COMMITTEE APPROVED THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 3,2009 MEETING WITH CM PEDERSEN ABSTAINING. Written Communication—None Unfinished Business—None New Business SUMMER 2009 QUARTERLY REPORT Hudson reviewed the report and discussed changes in attendance,programs and new classes. CM Pedersen commented how ping pong exercises the mind in addition to the body. He asked if the Center had enough tables. McCreary indicated currently there is only one table at the Center and that additional tables could expand capacity; however facility scheduling would need to be considered as the Ballroom is already used by many popular programs. CM Baron congratulated Staff on the programming. He commented how even less than a year ago that the greeter program, ride match, and Saturday programming were just seeds. Commission Guarienti commented that the report provides a history; an analysis of the positive. He noted some discrepancies in Attachment 1; Staff will resolve prior to presentation to the Commission. ADVISORY COMMITTEE HANDOUT Hudson provided the Committee with proposed types of information that could be highlighted in a tri-fold handout designed to be distributed by Committee Members at outreach events for the Senior Center. CM Baron felt the key elements were present but that it will need the help of a graphic artist. CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 1,2009 PAGE 3OF4 Guarienti suggested that information should focus more on the Senior Center instead of being about the. Committee Members. He suggested using photos of the building and activities. CM Baron commented the brochure is promotional literature about the Senior Center and did not need to include information about each Committee Member. He suggested using color and placement, and that Staff is on the right track. Staff will use the input to finalize the design and present to the Advisory Committee at a future meeting. SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS AND COMMISSION PRESENTATION SCHEDULE McCreary reviewed the item as outlined in the Staff report for the Committee. CM Baron reviewed the history of the development of these Sub-Committees for the strategic goals. His vision was that once these goals are developed they would be transferred over to Staff. McCreary clarified the role of Staff in support of the strategies. He also indicated that new programs requiring Staff support would need to be considered as part of the annual City Council Goals and Objectives program. Guarienti commented that the first two strategies are the Committee's, and strategies# 3 &#4 needed to be supported by Staff to be accomplished. The Committee re-examined the strategies and goals and reviewed the status report on the accomplishments to date. Strategy #1: Expand availability of Advisory Committee Members to listen to the community about the recreational and social needs of older adults. CM Baron commented he is still working toward having Congressman McNearny hold a town hall meeting at the Senior Center. He would still like to conduct a second outreach event at Safeway (on Tassajara) and would also like to do another outreach at The Groves. CM Baron commented that it is important to get seniors more familiar with services in the City, such as the Fire Department, where parks are located, etc. He suggested possibly bringing the Dublin 101 program to the Senior Center. Strategy#2—Serve as Ambassadors and expand outreach to older adults in the community. Staff will provide CM Vanderpool with the promotional material and she will work on Strategy 2B; Expand distribution of promotional material to 12 social/charitable/philanthropic organizations (i.e. churches, women's clubs, etc.) and 12 businesses serving older adults. Cervantes likes the idea of a soup tasting at The Groves to increase interest in the Senior Center lunch program. CM Baron and Vanderpool will address this under Strategy 2D; Host a coffee or tea twice a year and make the presentation; and meet with Cervantes. The Committee Members further discussed and liked the idea of hosting a picnic at the end of May or the beginning of June at Bray Commons Park adjacent to The Groves. This could be in the place of the monthly special luncheon at the Senior Center. • CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 1,2009 PAGE 4 OF 4 Strategy 2E; Develop a handout and purchase a promotional item to support outreach efforts; this will be Staff driven. Strategy#3—Promote and support the proposed Saturday morning programs at the Senior Center. Staff will take the lead. Strategy 4:Making old adults feel valued in the Community. Strategy 4A, Provide opportunities at four Senior Center events for older adults to share their experiences (i.e. show and tell) Staff will take the lead. Strategy 4B: Provide opportunities iii each newsletter for an older adult to submit an interesting article, Staff will take the lead. Strategy 4C: Provide two opportunities each year for intergenerational activities, Staff will take the lead. Strategy 4DL: Implement an "Active Older Adult of the Year" Award program as part of "Older Americans'Month" in May to promote older adults' contributions to the community. CM Bonetti will take the lead. Strategy 4E: Provide ongoing method for letters to be submitted to remember or acknowledge an older adult and post submissions in the newsletter, at the Senior Center and on the webpage. CM Vanderpool will continue coordinating this strategy. The Committee Members agreed on the following Commission Presentation schedule for the rest of 2009. October 19, 2009 Diane Bonetti November 16, 2009 Al Edge December 14, 2009 Tim Pedersen/Diane Bonetti Other Business Guarienti gave a brief overview of the September Parks and Community Services Commission meeting and an update of City Council Goals and Objectives for the Parks and Community Services Department. He made a few brief comments on the Senior Games, the poetry event at Old St. Raymond's Church, and the first Saturday Walk and Talk at the Senior Center. Finally Guarienti encouraged everyone to watch the PBS show National Parks by Ken Burns. Adjournment Being no further business,the meeting was adjourned at 11:55 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Diane Guenther Office Assistant APPROVED: Martin Baron • Chairperson •