1988/05/19 Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Minutes SENIOR CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION
111/ May 19, 1988
The Senior Citizens Advisory Commission of the City of Rohnert Park met this date
in regular session commencing at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall ,
6750 Commerce Boulevard, Rohnert Park, with Chairman Chase presiding.
Call to Order Chairman Chase called the regular session to order at
approximately 3:00 p.m. and led the pledge of allegiance .
Present: (4) Commissioners Jennis, Lyons, Kennedy and
Chairman Chase.
Absent: ( 1) Commissioner Dolby.
Staff present for all or part of the meeting: Senior
Scheduler Wendy Brazeau and Administrative Assistant
Caroline Fabio.
Approval of Minutes Upon a motion made by Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by
Commissioner Jennis, the Minutes of April 21, 1988 were
approved as submitted.
Unscheduled Public
Appearances Upon an introduction by Commissioner Kennedy, Mr. Carl
Rosenburg, 7345 Belita, spoke to the Commission regarding
a newspaper article in the May 10th Clarion which
1110 discussed funding for a swim center versus funding for a
hospital. In Mr. Rosenburg-s opinion, a hospital would
serve more people in the community than a swim center,
which he thinks would be a money loser. He added that if
a resident needs to go to the hospital, they have to be
transported to either Santa Rosa or Petaluma.
Commissioner Jennis suggested Mr. Rosenburg write the
Clarion to voice his complaints about the article. She
added that the choice is not between the hospital and
swim center. Funds allocated for the one cannot be used
for the other.
Chairman Chase indicated that he would like the subject
of the hospital put on the next meeting-s Agenda so that
the Commission may vote on whether or not to make its
position known to the City Council.
Announcements by
Chairman Chairman Chase read his letter to the City Council
regarding earthquake preparedness and his suggestions.
The Commission has not yet received a response from the
Council.
Chairman Chase read his letter thanking Buck Oates and
the Sonoma County Realtors for their generous donation.
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Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Minutes May 19, 1988
41, Regarding the meeting Senator Cranston attended, the
Commission agreed with the Senator's ideas for low-cost
housing and extended care facilities for seniors, and the
Commission was in support of Chairman Chase writing the
Senator indicating the Commission's support of his
proposals regarding same .
At present nursing homes can cost as much as $22,000 a
year. In addition, insurance is inadequate and costly
according to Chairman Chase. He believes that nursing
care should be an extension of Medicare and plans to
write Senator Cranston regarding the subject.
Earthquake
Preparedness Commissioner Jennis wants printed materials regarding
earthquakes to appear in the SCAN newsletter and a
separate mailing regarding the same to go to seniors on
the SCAN mailing list.
Chairman Chase thanked Commissioner Florence Jennis and
Ms. Betty Ferra for their work to inform and prepare the
public for disasters.
Picnic Senior Scheduler Wendy Brazeau discussed a picnic for
seniors that was just held at Alicia Park and was a
success with the 14 seniors who attended. The seniors
111 want to have a picnic every month. The City provided
hamburgers and hot dogs. Ms. Brazeau suggested that the
Commission consider using a part of the donation received
for advanced publicity of senior events.
Ms. Brazeau brought the scrap book of senior events and
pictures of the picnic for the Commission to review.
Older Americans'
Month Administrative Assistant Caroline Fabio indicated that
she would arrange for a party to celebrate Older
Americans' Month.
Drop-in Center Report Upon recognition from Chairman Chase , Commissioner Jennis
gave the Drop-In Center report. There were 25-1/2
working days in April and 1,959 visitors. The daily
average was 78 visitors with 11 new visitors for the
month. Ms. Jennis added that the daily average for the
month of March was 100+ visitors.
Blinds for the Drop-In Center have been ordered and
delivery is expected soon.
Commissioner Jennis invited everyone to attend the Tea
• Dances held the second Thursday of each month.
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Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Minutes May 19, 1988
4111 First Aid Commissioner Jennis would like to see a class for seniors
pertaining to first aid training. Over 200 booklets were
given out at Fun After Fifty regarding the subject. Also
of interest is a listing of everyday items that can be
used to assist people who suffer from arthiritis. Ms.
Jennis is trying to obtain this list to distribute to
seniors.
Donation The Commission did not decide how to distribute the funds
and decided to let the money draw interest until the
Commission decides on a worthwhile project.
Matters from
Commissioners
Name Tags Commissioner Kennedy inquired about getting name
pins/ tags for the Commission so that when the
Commissioners and Chairman attend functions, other people
will know who they are and perhaps get involved in
matters concerning seniors in the community.
Administrative Assistant Caroline Fabio indicated that
she will get the name tags for the Commission.
Stop Signs Commissioner Kennedy inquired about the possibility of
putting in stop signs at Camino Colegio and East Cotati
411 Avenue. Administrative Assistant Caroline Fabio
indicated that street lights are going to be installed.
Commissioner Kennedy also is concerned about the Snyder
Lane and East Cotati intersection.
Bicycle and Skateboard
Riding in Shopping
Centers Chairman Chase commented that he has noticed little
improvement in the situation and the Commission concurred
stating that lack of enforcement of the laws on the signs
is the problem.
Senior Activities Mr. Rosenburg, 7345 Belita , inquired about what can be
done to make seniors feel more like first-class citizens
in Rohnert Park. Commissioner Dennis responded that
there are many senior activities, Fun After Fifty and the
Drop-In Center available. Senior Scheduler Wendy Brazeau
noted Mr. Rosenburg"s name and address to make sure he
receives the SCAN newsletter in the future.
Senior Day Service A questionnaire regarding Senior Day Service was included
in the SCAN Newsletter. Seniors were asked to fill it
out and return it to the Community Center if they felt
there is a need for such a service in Rohnert Park. To
date there have been no responses.
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Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Mintues May 19, 1988
Meeting
Adjourned There being no further business and no one further
desiring to be heard, Commissioner Kennedy made a motion,
which was seconded by Commissioner Lyons, to adjourn the
meeting of the Rohnert Park Senior Citizens Advisory
Commission at approximately 3:47 p.m.
Chairman
ATTEST:
7 r
ecre terry
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