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2015/05/21 Senior Citizens Advisory Commission MinutesSENIOR CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Thursday May 21, 2015 The Senior Citizens Advisory Commission of the City of Rohnert Park met this date at Rohnert Park Senior Center, 6800 Hunter Drive, Suite A, Rohnert Park, for a regular meeting to commence at 1:00pm. Call to order The meeting was called to order by Chair Sampson 1:00pm Roll Call: Present: Chair Sampson, Commissioners Ackerman, Barron, Burton, Garvey Absent: None Staff Present: Mitch Austin, Community Services Manager John McArthur, Director of Public Works and Community Services Kimberly Roberts, Part-Time Administrative Assistant Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chair Sampson Acknowledgment of Meeting Agenda Posting: Director of Public Works and Community Services John McArthur acknowledged posting of the regular meeting agenda at the required public places per Brown Act requirements. Public Comment: Chair Sampson requested that the public hold their comments until the corresponding topic is discussed. Approval of Minutes: None Item 1. Technical Advisor Report: Community Services Manager Mitch Austin introduced himself to the Commission and Public. Community Services Specialist Schieberl is away on vacation so Manager Austin will be assisting with the meeting on her behalf. Manager Austin noted some changes that have happen and that will be happening in the Community Services Department that effect the Senior Center. There has been staffing changes with the retirement of former Community Services Manager Guy Miller and Specialist Schieberl taking on more duties beyond the Senior Center, such as managing the aquatics department. DRAFT The Community Services Department will be adding staff members in the near future which will alleviate some of the current constraints due to limited staffing. With an increase in staff, there is a plan to host more senior trips. Manager Austin wanted the Commission to be aware that the format of the agendas will be changing effective next meeting. City Staff is working to make the agendas more uniform amongst all of the Commission and Committees. There will be some upcoming building improvements that City Staff is starting to plan for. These include improvements to the restrooms and the hallways at the Senior Center. Manager Austin also introduced Kimberly Roberts, the new recording security for the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission. Item 2. Activities Report 1. Senior Meals Program Manager Austin reported that the Senior Meals Program is doing very well. They serve an average of 128 meals daily, and they are the largest program in the county. 2. Income Tax Services Manager Austin shared that the two Income Tax Services offered at the Senior Center recently were a success. The AARP program advised about 543 people on their tax forms. The Earn It, Keep It, Save It program also did well and there are plans to expand it for next year. Item 3. Parks and Recreation Commission Liaison Report: Bonnie Black, the liaison from the Parks and Recreation Commission, introduced herself to the Commission and Public. She recapped the duties and responsibilities of the Parks and Recreation Commission. She shared that the Commission is focusing on planning for the future as well as settling in to some changes with a newly appointed Chair, Vice-Chair, and a recent resignation. Commissioner Black also shared a little about the recent event at Eagle Park celebrating the opening of the new tot lot at the park. Item 4. City Council Liaison Report: City Council Member Pam Stafford introduced herself. She welcomed the new Commissioners to the Senior Advisory Commission and shared that her role at the Commission is to answer general City related questions. She shared an update on the construction being done near Home Depot that will be a new Oxford Suite Hotel. She also shared that Snyder Lane is being widened, the apartment complex behind Costco is complete, and construction of the University District has begun and the first homes will be ready for sale March of 2016. Council Member Stafford and Director McArthur answered some questions from the public and the commission regarding general City business, such as inquiries regarding SMART, low income housing in the University District, and the Casino. Item 5. Recreation Services Manager Report: 1. Activity Room Floor DRAFT Manager Austin shared that there are plans to redo the Senior Center Activity Room floor. The current floor has quite of bit of wear and tear and is buckling in some places. The City has been talking to several architects and flooring experts regarding the project. It has been determined that vinyl flooring is the best type of flooring for the space. Manager Austin presented a set of sample vinyl flooring colors. The Public will be able to view and comment on what color they feel would be the most aesthetically pleasing. Manager Austin and Director McArthur answered questions from the Commission and the public regarding the flooring project. The floor will be the same as the vinyl floor at the Burton Avenue Recreation Center and it is very easy to clean. There is a seam where sheets of vinyl are glued together, but when it’s glued properly, the seam won’t be that noticeable. The new floor should last about 25-30 years. Chair Sampson commented that the final color decision shouldn’t be too much darker than what the floor is like now. She liked both of the examples that were in the middle of the two rows. City staff offered to look into acquiring larger samples for the Commission and Public to view. Manager Austin also shared that the chairs and tables will be replaced as well. 2. Coffee Bar, Fee for Coffee Manager Austin presented a brief update on the new Coffee Bar at the Senior Center. He shared that the Coffee Bar is doing well and it is an important amenity to the Senior Center. Staff has recently been reviewing the purchase of coffee and considering revising the payment policy for coffee. Currently, coffee is sold on a donation basis. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough donations being made to cover the cost of coffee. The City does not want to make money off the sales of coffee, but they would like to cover the cost. Staff is considering changing the donation to a fee and perhaps raising the cost from $0.50 to $0.75. Lengthy discussion between staff, the Commission, and the Public followed. Manager Austin reiterated the people seem to be ok with making the cost a fee rather than a donation, Staff needs to make sure the system is easy to understand and easy for volunteers to manager, and we should reach out to the community for possible donations. Action: Moved/second (Sampson/Barron) that the recommendation from the Senior Citizen Advisory Commission to City Council is to make the $0.50 a required cost fee for a cup of coffee plus one free refill. The price should remain $0.50 and signage at the Coffee Bar should be clearer on the pricing and number of allowable refills. Motion carried by the following 5-0-0 vote: AYES: Sampson, Barron, Burton, Ackerman, Garvey NOS: None, ABSENT: None. 3. Senior Center Hours of Operation Manager Austin explained that the current hours for the Senior Center are 9:00am-4:00pm. However, there have been some requests from members of the public wanting to access the Computer Lab earlier than 9:00am. Staff is considering changing the hours of the Senior Center to 8:30am-3:30pm and is looking for recommendation from the Commission. Discussion followed Commissioner Barron asked how the time change would affect staff? Manager Austin DRAFT explained that they would still have the same amount of hours; they would just need to come in and leave a half hour earlier. A member of the Public requested the addition of weekend hours. Action: Moved/second (Sampson/Burton) that the recommendation from the Senior Citizen Advisory Commission to City Council is to keep the operation hours at the Senior Center 9:00am-4:00pm. Motion carried by the following 5-0-0 vote: AYES: Sampson, Barron, Burton, Ackerman, Garvey NOS: None, ABSENT: None. Item 6: Communications Manger Austin acknowledged the letter Commissioner Burton sent to the City expressing gratitude for being selected as a new Commissioner for the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission. Manager Austin informed the Commission that the year round Farmer’s Market started has started. It occurs on Sundays from 10:00am-2:00pm at City Center Plaza. The regular Friday Party on the Plaza will begin June 5th. Item 7. Matters to/from Commissioners: Commissioner Burton wanted to thank the Commission and City for the opportunity to serve on the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission. She wants the Public to know that she frequents the Senior Center, is available, and welcomes discussion regarding concerns regarding issues relating to Senior Citizens. She’s looking forward to representing the public at the Commission meetings. Commissioner Barron also wanted to thank the City and Commission for the opportunity for her to serve her community. She is happy to provide her e-mail to the Public so she can be accessible. Manager Austin confirmed that Commissioners will receive a City e-mail that can be published in the SCAN (newsletter) so the e-mail addresses are available to the Public. Adjournment- There being no further business, Chair Sampson adjourned the regular meeting of the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission at 2:20 p.m. Elaine Sampson, Chair Kimberly Roberts, Recording Secretary