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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-04-2007 SCAC MinutesCITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 4, 2007 Call to Order Chairperson Al Edge called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Roll Call: Committee Members (CM) Present: Al Edge, Martin Baron, Delilah Vanderpool and Diane Bonetti Absent: Beth Wood Parks and Community Services Commission Liaison: Rich Guarienti Staff Present: Paul McCreary, Parks and Community Services Manager; Anna Hudson, Recreation Coordinator; and, Diane Guenther, Office Assistant Oral Communications Dublin Senior Foundation Board Member, Burr Cain, introduced himself to the Committee. He reported that the Foundation Board has expanded from nine members to as many as sixteen members. The Foundation has approved the purchase of indoor wooden benches, outdoor iron benches, a bike rack and art rails for a gallery space at the Senior Center at an estimated cost of $11,200. The Foundation is looking for ways to become more involved in the Senior Center and wants to sponsor an annual anniversary event. CM Baron asked what qualifications are needed to become a new Foundation member. Cain responded by stating that the Foundation exists to raise funds for the Senior Center and members must be willing to help raise funds. Additionally Foundation members are autonomous from the City as the Foundation is its own non-profit organization. Unlike Committee Members they are not appointed by the Mayor. Commissioner Guarienti requested if the Foundation would make a presentation to the Committee annually on that state of affairs of the Foundation. McCreary noted that a joint Foundation-Committee meeting will be scheduled in the spring. Commissioner Guarienti reported the City will send out approximately 3,000 surveys to randomly selected Dublin households. McCreary shared the City will send them out in mid-October and expects approximately 800 to 1,000 surveys to be returned. Focus groups will also be formed, followed by an online forum and town hall meeting. Approval of the Minutes The September 6, 2007 minutes were amended reflecting that the amendment to the August 2, 2007 minutes on page 3 of 4, first paragraph, last sentence, should read that in regards to the Pareto Principle, the 80/20 rule implies that we focus 80 percent of our effort on 20 percent of the “the most used or popular services we offer” instead of “services we offer.” THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 6, 2007 MEETING AS AMENDED. MOTION BY CM BONETTI, SECONDED BY CM EDGE. Written Communication - None Unfinished Business - None New Business Summer Quarterly Report Hudson provided the Committee with an overview of the quarterly report. She stated attendance had increased slightly this year. She explained that the volunteer hours were higher in June due to the number of teen volunteers. CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 4, 2007 PAGE 2 OF 3 She noted that when the Center is not used for senior programs, a variety of other community classes and programs are scheduled at the facility. Many of the classes were formerly held at Shannon Center before it was closed. Additionally, during the summer quarter there were nine private facility rentals, which was a 50% increase compared to the summer of 2006. Foundation Representative Cain commented that if the Lunch Program served 100 people each day it may then pay for itself. He suggested marketing the lunch program to the senior housing complexes in Dublin and recommended the Groves use their van to bring residents to the Center. Commissioner Guarienti asked about the attendance of the Wednesday night extended hours. Staff responded that attendance is slowly growing. The Center is open for typical senior activities, and several workshops have been scheduled. Surveys were sent out with the October newsletter to determine customer interests in evening programs. Approximately 25 surveys were returned, mostly from non- residents. There was not a consistent theme from the responses. Commissioner Guarienti questioned if there is really a need for an evening program, and suggested that weekends may have a greater draw. Advertising Plan At the September Committee meeting, the Committee discussed the importance of planning for the use of the new advertising funds included in the Fiscal Year 2007-2008 Senior Center budget. The budget includes additional funds for a variety of promotional and advertising initiatives. Staff conducted a workshop with the Committee to discuss the potential priorities for advertising and promotion. The purpose of the workshop was to solicit ideas from the Committee on how to concentrate these new resources on the greatest opportunity to increase participation in the Senior Center programs and services. Staff reviewed the various strategic objectives and new programs that were part of the work plan for the current Fiscal Year, and discussed how each could possibly be supported by the new advertising budget. CM Edge suggested that local businesses should be informed of what the Center has to offer and that the Center needs to develop good communication with local media. CM Baron stated that if the Center advertises a program then we need to deliver and do things well. CM Baron believes that there are three things that are most important to people; finances, health and companionship; these are the areas where people want to make their connections. The Committee suggested that a movie matinee series on weekends would be a more effective way to bring people to the facility rather than a lecture series. Commissioner Guarienti felt that it would be a great social thing to do. CM Vanderpool and CM Bonetti agreed. CM Baron suggested collaboration with the Essany Theater in Niles. Cain suggested holding a Sunday afternoon event with doctors, dentists and accountants for working seniors. CM Edge felt the car show would be a major draw for the Center and suggested collaborating with the Chamber of Commerce. He also suggested incorporating this event with the August anniversary. CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 4, 2007 PAGE 3 OF 3 CM Baron commented that people connect with their memories and that the theme should be more than just cars; it needs to focus on the nostalgic feelings and memories people connect with their emotions. Security, safety and connectivity are what people think about. CM Edge believes the Center needs to offer as many of these events on weekends as possible; CM Bonetti agreed, indicating that weekends are the loneliest times for those who live alone. Commissioner Guarienti recommended advertising the special events in local newspapers, and that an electronic version of the newsletter be sent out to those who have email. He also recommended programs be advertised in the Independent News calendar section. Each Committee Member completed a ranking sheet prioritizing the potential advertising objectives. The following were ranked as the top three advertising priorities by the Members: 1) increase awareness of Senior Center programs and services (branding & positioning), 2) educate customers on how to use public transportation to access Senior Center services, and 3) create an ambassador program. Staff will consider this input when spending the advertising budget. Other Business CM Baron questioned what had happened with the rides initiative he had proposed last month. Hudson had done some preliminary research. A travel training program will be offered by Wheels using a similar scheduled format used by the AARP Mature Driving Course. She suggested transportation could be part of the Ambassador Program. CM Baron stated the Caltrans Ride Program is a good model. McCreary stated the rides program is not part of the work program for this Fiscal Year and that new programs would need to be proposed as part of the annual Council Goals and Objectives process. CM Baron stated he feels his role is to observe and drop seeds to create dialogue. He commented on a quality check if the Center is a warm and welcoming hangout. Cain feels that all new people who come to the Center should be escorted through the building. Hudson stated that a host is needed. McCreary stated this could be part of the Ambassador Program. Adjournment There being no further business the Committee adjourned at 11:19 PM. Respectfully submitted, __________________________________ Diane Guenther Office Assistant APPROVED: ___________________________________ Al Edge Chairperson