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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-04-2008 SCAC MinutesPage 1 of 3 CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 4, 2008 Call to Order Chairperson Wood called the meeting to order a 9:00 a.m. Roll Call: Committee Members (CM) Present: B. Wood, M. Baron, D. Vanderpool, A. Edge and D. Bonetti Parks and Community Services Commission Liaison Present: R. Guarienti Staff Present: Paul McCreary, Assistant Director of Parks and Community Services; Anna Hudson, Recreation Coordinator; and Diane Guenther, Office Assistant Oral Communications – Lee Sandeman, volunteer at the Senior Center introduced herself to the Committee. Approval of the Minutes THE NOVEMBER MINUTES WERE AMENDED AS FOLLOWS; UNDER DRAFT PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES STRATEGIC PLAN “She noted the correlation between needed youth programs and the seniors program.” “She recommended offering more programs which seniors can bring children and grandchildren.” “For example, a good goal would be to reduce the number of people who would not use parks and community services from 42% to 30% at the end of 10 years.” UNDER OTHER BUSINESS “CM Baron stressed the need that safety is the most important issue to address.” CM BARON MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS AMENDED CM VANDERPOOL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 6, 2008 MEETING AS AMENDED. Written Communication – None Unfinished Business - None New Business FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM Hudson provided an overview of modifications made to the Food Distribution program. CM Vanderpool thought the program was wonderful. CM Bonetti thanked Hudson for a great job of organizing and that the transition went very smoothly. CM Edge commented the distribution was very well organized. CM Baron stated that the turnaround in the program over a two month period was great. GREETER PROGRAM Hudson presented an overview of the proposed plan for the Senior Center Greeter Program. CM Edge asked if Staff knew how many new people come in to the Center on a weekly basis. Staff indicated that with each new activity new people come in and additionally Las Positas classes always CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 4, 2008 PAGE 2 OF 3 bring in new people. McCreary indicated that the new intake card used for the Greeter Program would be a way to better track the number of new people that come to the Senior Center. CM Edge asked if there was any coordination with the senior housing at the Groves. Staff noted they do work with the Groves. CM Edge recommended that at any City event the Senior Center should be promoted. CM Baron thanked Staff for a good job and indicated the Greeter Program will help build bridges to other programs. He commented that in department stores one can be overly greeted as they move from department to department and that we will need to walk a fine line to not annoy people. Lee Sandeman, Senior Center volunteer, lives at the Groves stated she will talk with Groves about bringing residents to the Center. She commented that expecting people to fill out an intake form would be a mistake that there are other ways to get information about visitors. CM Edge suggested that the biggest help Sandeman could offer is as a liaison for the Senior Center to the Groves. Commissioner Guarienti suggested having a speaker go to the Groves and take our program to them. CM Edge asked about the possibility of having the Senior Center cook at the Groves one time. McCreary suggested that Staff will explore ways to expand communication and coordination with the Groves. CM Bonetti likes the Greeter Program concept. CM Wood noted the shift hours were Monday through Friday and asked if this was best considering recent comments for Saturday hours. She commented there was not a clear statement about the benefit of being a volunteer at the Senior Center and that volunteer benefits need to be part of the plan. Staff indicated that volunteer job descriptions are being rewritten and the benefits are included. Guarienti commented on a good job coordinating and organizing the report. He believes there will not be enough qualified volunteers at the start of the program. The greeter program should not just be for first- time visitors to the Center; but as a first stop to find out what is going on. He suggested Staff and volunteers should visit activities so they can talk about the programs offered. The greeters must know “what’s happening” so they can talk with everyone. It is important to have greeters who understand the Senior Center. CM Baron commented that the Committee meets less than a total of 24-hours in one year and what that demands is the day-to-day work is done by the greeters, ambassadors and volunteers. Other Business CM Wood asked if door stops had been installed. Staff indicated there is a larger project to address problems with the doors and the door stops will be looked at when that project occurs. Commissioner Guarienti made several comments to the Committee about the food that was available at the Senior Health Summit and the need to better coordinate logistics when there are free giveaways at future events. Commissioner Guarienti made brief comments on the Parks and Community Services Commission meeting. The construction of the Shannon Community Center is near completions and the opening date will be some time in February. CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 4, 2008 PAGE 3 OF 3 Commissioner Guarienti commented on viewing the San Ramon Senior Center Advisory Committee’s presentation to their City Council. They presented four subject areas to City Council; transportation, nutrition, disaster preparedness, and program and facility use. One of their goals is intergenerational programs. Much of their discussion with Council centered on their lunch program and how to get more people to the program. He suggested the possibility of the Committee doing a presentation on annual achievements to the Parks Commission and/or Council. CM Edge reported the Foundation has purchased a ping pong table for the Senior Center. CM Baron asked about the process used to request that the Foundation purchase the ping pong table as it had not been discussed by the Advisory Committee. McCreary indicated that during the summer the ping pong table was borrowed from the teen after school recreation program. During that time the table received significant use by Senior Center visitors. Therefore Staff requested the donation from the Foundation so that the program could continue when the table returns to the teen program. CM Wood asked if the Foundation is recruiting new members. CM Bonetti indicated there are currently 14 members and recruiting is a slow process. She commented on the need to continue to support the efforts to bring in people in the 55-65 age group and programs to attract those people. CM Wood informed the Committee that Senior Support has launched its transportation program.. The program is only available to existing clients of Senior Support at this time. CM Wood asked if Staff is on track for the goals for this year. Staff indicated yes, but planning for the carpool program is a little behind. The expansion of use of the City website is scheduled for late spring. CM Wood asked about the transition in January for the new Committee Members. McCreary indicated that orientation will be scheduled with new members and binders will be created for them prior to their first meeting. McCreary commended the Committee for their work over the last 2 years. CM Baron proposed a goal for next year that the Committee meet once at the Groves, Shannon Center and the Senior Center. This would reach out to the entire community. This item will be placed on a future agenda so that the Committee can take action. Adjournment Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m. Respectfully submitted, __________________________________ Diane Guenther Office Assistant APPROVED: ___________________________________ Beth Wood Chairperson