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Home My WebLink About05-07-2009 SCAC MinutesCITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF MAY 7, 2009 Call to Order Chairperson Baron called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. Roll Call: Committee Members (CM) Present: Martin Baron, Delilah Vanderpool, Al Edge and Jeanette Villegas Absent: 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 The May meeting was held at the Groves, a senior apartment complex located in east Dublin. At the start of the meeting the Committee Members and Staff introduced themselves to the audience. McCreary provided a brief overview of the Committee’s purpose. Oral Communications – None Approval of the Minutes – CM VANDERPOOL MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE APRIL MINUTES AS PRESENTED; CM VILLEGAS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 2, 2009 MEETING. Written Communication – None Unfinished Business – None New Business PUBLIC INPUT WORKSHOP There were ten people from the Groves in the attendance who participated in a short “ice breaker” exercise at the beginning of the workshop. Participants were asked to pair up and discuss the following questions and then introduce their partner to the group. 1) How long have you lived in Dublin? 2) Where did you live previously? 3) What is your favorite recreational activity? For the workshop, participants were asked “For those who have not been to the Dublin Senior Center, please describe your reason(s). They summarized by noting either transportation issues or busy being involved with family. Participants suggested the following programs/activities/outreach for the Senior Center: • A “Welcome Wagon” class or program • Activities that keep the wheel turning before it’s too late • Opportunity that creates a sense of purpose and to give back the community • Provide diversified programs attracting all ages • An Open House with transportation to and from the Groves • Outreach using other methods than printed materials • Create a welcome packet that includes senior services information CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF MAY 7, 2009 PAGE 2 OF 3 • Deliver copies of the Dublin Doings to The Groves • Transportation assistance • An international event that addresses the growing Asian/Middle Eastern population • Create a film about the Dublin Senior Center • Create a Newcomers Club • Create a Dublin Senior Center bulletin board at the Groves • Develop an “Urban Explorers” club CM Edge recommended a representative from the Groves attend the monthly Senior Center Advisory Committee meeting. CM Edge also suggested the Groves use their bus to bring people to lunches at the Center. UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER Hudson provided an overview of the planned events offered at the Senior Center for the next few months through December 2009. Included are special luncheons, Crossing Cultures luncheons, Information and Resources Fair, Winter Holiday Event and the upcoming Car Show, BBQ and Line Dance on June 4th. SENIOR CENTER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAMS McCreary provided the Advisory Committee with a brief description, history and overview of the program and its purpose. The Advisory Committee had proposed Staff expand the service hours for the lunch program to increase participation by providing more flexibility for customers. Staff is not recommending expanding the hours of the lunch program. Staff has not received any requests from the public to expand the lunch hours and the current hours are meeting the needs of existing customers. The Advisory Committee had also suggested expanding the food service programs to include a café –style foods and some breakfast and dinner events. Expanding the food service program would result in additional costs to the City. Based on the current economic conditions, Staff does not recommend expanding the program. CM Baron asked if there had been any negative comments about the program. Hudson indicated although the majority of the comments are positive and supportive of the lunch program, the Center occasionally receives evaluations that are not always positive. The comments are generally subjective based on taste preferences. Suggestions have included heating the plate before food plated and served, serving the soup hotter, or commenting the food not spicy enough, or too salty. Baron asked if Staff is responsive to comments and noted that it is important to monitor comments. Hudson said the Cook attempts to make the necessary, reasonable improvements. Guarienti asked if Staff knew the break even point of the lunch program and how many participants could the current staff and volunteers handle. McCreary indicated that a breakeven analysis had not been completed. Hudson indicated that an attendance of 50 would probably be the capacity of the existing staff and volunteers for the regular lunch program. Audience members noted transportation barriers. It was also suggested that Staff better promote the fact that for two dollars you can buy a bowl of homemade soup, or buy a sandwich with a free cup of coffee. CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF MAY 7, 2009 PAGE 3 OF 3 An audience member suggested a gourmet lunch program to attract a wider segment of the community. Commissioner Guarienti commented that the purpose of the lunch program is to provide a low cost meal for seniors and not to compete with local restaurants. CM Baron indicated he concurred with the Staff recommendation to not modify the program. However he believes that more can be done to promote the program and increase participation. CM BARON MADE A MOTION TO NOT MODIFY THE SENIOR CENTER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAMS AND REQUEST STAFF TO PREPARE A FUTURE AGENDA ITEM ON EXPANDING PROMOTION OF THE LUNCH PROGRAM; CM VANDERPOOL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION OTHER BUSINESS CM Baron asked about the status of the webpage update. McCreary indicated the target is still June 30th. CM Baron asked about the status of the volunteer coordinator. Hudson indicated Geneal Williams has been hired and will start work on Monday. She previously worked as the Volunteer Coordinator at Open Heart Kitchen. CM Baron asked if a date had been set for Congressman McNerney to conduct a Saturday workshop. Staff has not acted on this item and indicated it would need to wait until Saturday programming begins in the fall. Committee Members reported on the status of their strategies. • CM Baron - Strategy #1 - Expand availability of Advisory Committee Members to listen to the community about the recreational and social needs of older adults. Has contacted Safeway and scheduled to be there in July and September or October • CM Vanderpool - Strategy #2 - Serve as Ambassadors and expand outreach to older adults in the community. Scheduled and held the presentation at The Groves on May 6th. • CM Edge - Strategy #3 - Promote and support the proposed Saturday morning programs at the Senior Center. Will work with the Foundation to sponsor a Saturday Pancake Breakfast. • CM Villegas - Strategy #4 - Make older adults feel valued in the community. Has completed the first “Senior Spotlight” for the May/June newsletter and is waiting for Staff to provide additional names for the next Spotlight. Guarienti reported on the Parks and Community Services Commission Meeting highlights. He commented how well the Senior Center Volunteer Banquet turned out. He noted that the Foundation received a donation $3,700 by Intel who paid $10 for every hour Ed Osada volunteered at the Dublin Senior Center in 2008. The Foundation has honored Ed Osada’s request to purchase a GPS unit for the Trail Trekkers. CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF MAY 7, 2009 PAGE 4 OF 3 CM Baron suggested changing the start time of the Committee meetings from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. to remove barriers to attendance. Staff will look at options and report back to the Committee. Adjournment Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:25 a.m. Respectfully submitted, __________________________________ Diane Guenther Office Assistant APPROVED: ___________________________________ Martin Baron Chairperson