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1988/08/18 Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Minutes SENIOR CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES August 18 , 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 : (3 ) Commissioners Lyons , Kennedy and Chairman Chase. Absent : (2 ) Commissioners Jennis and Dolby. Staff present for all or part of the meeting: Senior Scheduler Wendy Brazeau, Administrative Assistant Caroline Fabio , Public Safety Officer Bill Martin , Public Safety Director Dennett , City Manager Peter Callinan and the secretary. Approval of Minutes Upon a motion made by Commissioner Kennedy , seconded by Commissioner Lyons , the Minutes of June 16 , 1988 were approved as submitted. 410 Announcements by Chairman None. Senior Center Chairman Chase recognized City Manager Peter Callinan who announced that the City Council has set aside $800 ,000 for a senior center in Rohnert Park . He stated that Mr. Hugh Codding suggested that the current location of the Senior Drop-In Center would be a good site. Mr. Callinan added that the City Council would like input from the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission and a list of senior citizen centers already in use in various cities within our area in order to look at for ideas in planning our own facility. All senior activities would take place at the center such as the senior nutrition program and the drop-in program. Chairman Chase thanked Mr. Callinan and the City Council for their wonderful support . Commissioner Kennedy suggested that the City Council take a look at the senior centers in Sonoma and Hayward. Mr. Tom Monaghan Chairman Chase recognized Mr. Tom Monaghan , insurance salesman with Pacific Coastal Insurance in -1 - Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Minutes August 18, 1988 411 Santa Rosa , who gave an overview of changes in Medicare and spoke on the benefits of extended care insurance. Mr. Monaghan distributed literature to those present , copies of which are attached to these Minutes . Basically , medical costs are going up and Medicare approval is going down. Nursing care can be as much as $2 ,000 to $3 ,000 per month in some cases. In Sonoma County the average is $1 ,800- $2 ,400/month. Mr. Monaghan explained the differences in intermediate and custodial care. Discussion followed. Mr. Monaghan suggested that people do their own research on insurance companies. There are brokers who specialize in the health needs of people 65 and over. Nursing home care is the biggest risk facing people 65 and over. Discussion followed on the division of assets when a spouse passes away. It was determined that real estate is not included in selling off assets to pay for medical bills. It is insulated as real estate rather than included as liquid assets . Chairman Chase recognized Mr. Carl Kim, 215 Fauna • Court , who spoke on State Bill 170. He stated health insurance is always evolving and distributed a letter to those present , a copy of which is attached these Minutes. Mr. Kim commented that socialized medicine is always blocked by the government . He urged the voters to draft an Initiative. In his opinion , there needs to be a national health plan. Currently there are only two ( 2 ) major industrialized countries that do not offer such a national health plan , those being the United States and South Africa. Discussion followed on the catastrophic health bill . Ms. Ana Roberts of "HICAP" was recognized and suggested that if people are interested in purchasing this Universal Life insurance , then they should speak with someone from her organization who does not also sell insurance. Ms . Roberts distributed a handout , copy of which is attached to these Minutes. Upon recognition by Chairman Chase , Ms. Dorothy Johnson , who provides information and referral for seniors at Burton Avenue Recreation Center , added -2 Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Minutes August 18 , 1988 • that insurance salesmen have been known to work an area , get people to buy their insurance and then leave town. She asked people to use caution. Earthquake Preparedness Public Safety Officer William Martin and Public Safety Director Robert Dennett were recognized and spoke on the City' s disaster plan - earthquakes in particular. Rohnert Park does have an emergency plan which is used every day to handle small as well as big emergencies. Mr. Dennett stated that Rohnert Park has an excellent public safety system , but that the City can always use good volunteers . He recognized the effort and dedication of Midge Ondes in Public Safety as a good example. Officer Martin stated that there is no system in place anywhere that could deal with a big earthquake . He added that people should expect to be on their own for at least 72 hours to care for themselves and others. Officer Martin explained that San Francisco still shows effects of the 1906 earthquake , and that if another large earthquake occurs , the damage could last decades. Estimates indicate that there would be 6-12 feet of glass in the streets from the highrise buildings , 14 ,000 to 20 ,000 people killed with 10 times that number needing hospitalization. If the financial institutions in California were closed for 3 days , California' s economy would be effected , and if the financial institutions were down for S days , our national economy would feel the impact . People need to know how to take care of themselves and others. Everyone should have a first aid kit and be trained in basic first aid. A 5-day supply of food and water is recommended. Officer Martin concluded that people are either part of the problem or part of the solution and that nothing positive ever comes out of apathy. He further informed everyone that there is a video tape available at Safeway on earthquakes and that Public Safety would be glad to organize some group showings. Once again , Officer Martin asked for volunteers with time and motivation. If there is an earthquake , most likely people will be separated from their families. Children who are at school , will remain at school and receive care there. Officer Martin -3- Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Minutes August 18 , 1988 recommends that everyone have an "am" radio and a family plan of where to meet . Water heaters should be secured. Gas should be shut off . Upon recognition by Chairman Chase , Ms . Betty Ferra , 433 Ave Avenue , appealed for a mass CPR class for the residents in Rohnert Park. Discussion followed. Chairman Chase complimented the SCAN Newsletter for its articles on earthquake preparedness. He pointed out that there are still a number of seniors who are not on the mailing list and do not receive SCAN. Mr. Chase urged Officer Martin to contact Judd Snyder at the Clarion to get articles published in that newspaper. Ms . Betty Ferra added that articles need to be published in the Press Democrat because of its higher circulation in the area. Officer Martin pointed out that the victims in the epicenter of a earthquake will receive the help first from outside agencies. Discussion continued on lutd faction in Rohnert Park and the adobe clay compaction and density. Concrete tilt-up buildings 410 are bad in earthquakes because the walls fall out and then the ceilings fall down. Mr. Kim mentioned the threat of fire after an earthquake , such as roof shingles catching fire. He recommends tile roofing. He also complimented the City for putting wires underground. Chief Dennett commented on what a valuable resource the Public Safety hand radios are because telephones usually go down in an emergency. Unscheduled Public Appearances Upon recognition by Chairman Chase , Ms. Hazel Brubaker of the Council on Aging voiced concern over lack of funds for drivers and the home delivered meals program for seniors. She requested to be put on the next agenda for the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission. Ms. Brubacker feels more seniors could be helped by the program if they had more funds . She thinks $1 ,000 would help immensely. Communications None. 411 -4- Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Minutes August 18 , 1988 Matters from Commissioners None. Commissioner Lyons At approximately 4:58 p.m. , Commissioner Lyons left the meeting. Meeting Adjourned There being no further business and no one further desiring to be heard, Chairman Chase adjourned the meeting of the Rohnert Park Senior Citizens Advisory Commission at approximately 5:00 p.m. Dl-112 c.-i Chairman ATTEST: �11 Secre ary -5-