2019/01/17 Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Minutes SENIOR CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, January 17, 2019
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 12:30pm.
1. SENIOR CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION—CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Vice Chair Abbott called the meeting to order at 12:30pm, the notice for which being noted
on January 14, 2019.
Present: Lorreen Abbott, Commissioner
Cheryl Burton, Commissioner(Late Arrival)
Gary Coffman, Commissioner
Caryl Sherman, Chair
Absent: Phyllis Transue, Commissioner
Staff Present: Director of Public Works and Community Services McArthur, Community
Services Manager Bagley, Community Services Program Coordinator Foley.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The pledge of Allegiance was led by Vice Chair Abbott.
3. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF MEETING AGENDA POSTING
Community Services Program Coordinator Foley acknowledged posting of the regular
meeting agenda in the required places per Brown Act requirements.
4. Installment of New Commissioners
Jennifer Sedna installed Commissioner Gary Coffman.
5. Nomination of New Chair and Vice Chair
a.) Vice Chair Abbott requested the nomination of Commissioner Sherman for the position
of Chair. Commissioner Sherman seconded the motion. Vice Chair Abbott called for the
vote to elect Commissioner Sherman as Chair of the Senior Citizens Advisory
Commission. The vote was carried with the following 2-1-2 vote.
b.) Vice Chair Abbott requested a nomination for Vice Chair. Chair Sherman nominated
Vice Chair Abbott. The vote was carried with the following 3-0-2 vote.
6. Approval of Minutes
The minutes for the Senior Citizen Advisory Commission regular meeting on September 20,
2018, and special meeting minutes on November 26th were approved on the condition of
correcting the spelling of Vice Chair Lorreen Abbott's name. Chair Sherman made a motion
to approve the minutes as amended. Vice chair Abbott seconded the motion. The motion was
carried with the following 3-0-2 vote.
7. Brown Act Refresher
a.) The City Clerk was unable to attend the meeting. The Brown Act refresher will occur at
the next meeting.
8. Public Safety Report
a.) Commander Nicks provided an update on the homeless situation that had been
surrounding the Senior Center. Nicks reported that the collaboration with Public Safety
and Community Services has heavily mitigated the situation. Commander Nicks reported
Public Safety will be teaming up with COTS to find an outreach worker to help Rohnert
Park address the problem. Rohnert Park has also partnered with Catholic Charities, who
has as team of individuals who are assigned to the County. Once a month they are
scheduled to walk the creek paths and shopping centers alongside Public Safety. Chair
Sherman asked if Rohnert Park will have a homeless shelter. Mayor Belforte responded
stating homeless shelters are centered around Santa Rosa as Rohnert Park's population is
under 50,000. Mayor Belforte also mentioned Rohnert Park has provided $250,000 to
COTS Rapid Rehousing program. Vice Chair Abbott brought up concerns about families
pan handling. Commander Nicks encourages residents to always call Public Safety.
9. Senior Center Report
a. Community Services Coordinator
i. BINGO Update
Community Services Program Coordinator, Foley reported the Friends of the
Rohnert Park Senior Center Friday Night BINGO game has made $16,719.83
between September 2018 and January 2019.
ii. Council on Aging Dining Site Update
Foley reported Council on Aging has been serving an average of 25 people
per day in the Senior Center dining room. A $4 donation is recommended per
person, however on average they are receiving $1.70 per person.
iii. Upcoming Senior Trips
Foley reported there is a day trip on February 7th to take the SMART Train to
San Rafael as well as a San Francisco Harbor Cruise on May 9th
iv. Senior Prom
Foley reported the Senior Center will be hosting its first ever Senior Prom on
April 6th and encouraged the commissioners to attend.
10. Senior Center Art Mural
a. Mural Completion and Mosaic Update
i. The mural was competed by Artstart on January 13th. The non-profit
organization will return once the weather dries up to complete the mosaic on
the bench.
11. Parks & Recreation Commission Liaison Report
Parks and Recreation Commissioner, Canterbury reported the homeless situation is going in
the right direction. Commissioner Canterbury also reported new park equipment will be
installed at M park for inclusive play.
12. City Council Liaison Report
Mayor Belforte announced a new Mayor and Vice Mayor were selected. Gina Belforte is the
new Mayor and Joseph Callinan is the Vice Mayor.
13. Community Services Manager & Director Report
a. Senior Center Improvements Projects Update
-Director of Public Works and Community Services, McArthur reported the water
proofing has been completed on the roof, the HVAC units are installed and the
shingles are to be put down next week.
b. I Heart Rohnert Park
Community Services Manager, Bagley shared I Heart Rohnert Park will be happening
on February 10th from 2pm-5pm at the Community Center. Any business in Rohnert
Park is allowed booth space. Bagley also shared the event will incorporate A Taste of
Rohnert Park where restaurants such as Mary's Pizza Shack and Sol Azteca will be
giving away samples. Bagley also shared the event will have a talent showed called
Rohnert Park's Got Talent.
14. Communications
-Commissioner Coffman requested a 4ft round table for the drop in area to make playing
cards with a group of people more accessible.
- Chair Sherman inquired about the coffee bar getting a microwave. Community Services
Coordinator Foley reported she had talked to coffee bar volunteers, and due to many different
circumstances, the general consensus was not to have a microwave.
-Commissioner Burton inquired about having a SRJC class about computer literacy.
Commissioner Burton also inquired about the possibility of the computer lab being open past
12pm.
15. Matters to/from Commissioners
None
16. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Sherman adjourned the regular meeting of the Senior
Citizens Advisory Commission at 1:29pm.
Caryl She4 an, Chair Amanda Foley, Recording Secretary