1989/11/16 Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Minutes SENIOR CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES
0 November 16, 1989
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: (5) Commissioners Kennedy, Lyons, Jennis, Jurgiel and
Chairman Chase
Absent: (0)
Staff present for all or part of the meeting: Carl Leivo,
Assistant to the City Manager and Secretary, Lillian Brooks
Approval of
Minutes Upon a motion by Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner
Jurgiel, with all present in favor, the Minutes of September 21,
1989, were approved as submitted.
Announcements
by Chairman None.
410 Unscheduled
Public
Appearances None.
Topics for
Discussion
Meals on
Wheels for
Pets Hazel Brubaker, Senior Nutrition Site Coordinator, was
recognized by Chairman Chase. Ms. Brubaker advised the
Commission that she was contacted by the Petaluma Meals on
Wheels program regarding a corresponding Meals on Wheels program
for pets. She felt at this time it would be impossible to start
such a program. It would take a considerable amount of time
working with FAIRE (Friends of the Animals of the Redwood
Empire) to put together a sufficient volunteer program to
solicit for pet food; in addition, there is nowhere to store the
food.
Ms . Brubaker said she is actively seeking volunteers and would
not consider starting a program with less than 2-3 months supply
of pet food.
Because of the lack of storage, Ms. Brubaker mentioned she would
• prefer donated coupons that have no expiration date on them.
Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Minutes -2- November 16, 1989
Congressman
Doug Bosco Congressman Doug Bosco was invited to visit the Community Center
and speak on Catastrophic Health Care Plan. A senior phone list
to alert all seniors who would be interested so they could be
personally invited was requested.
Youth Center Chairman Chase introduced Councilwoman Linda Spiro. Ms. Spiro
addressed the Commission concerning the Youth Center in hopes of
getting the support of the seniors. Ms . Spiro felt that,
ideally, separate quarters would be best for both the seniors
and the youth, but since that is not possible, she would like to
use this opportunity to test the setup over a period of three
years. She requested that the Commission not shut out the idea
of the Youth Center. Our youth need a place for groups, i.e. ,
children of alcoholic parents, support groups for battered
women, etc .
Commissioner Jennis felt two important issues that need to be
addressed are the extent of the activities and how will they he
supervised.
Councilwoman Spiro assured the Commission that there will be
supervision. Ms. Spiro stressed that the activities for the
youths will not cross over and interfere with the seniors . Ms .
Spiro expressed the hope that some of these young people might
• take to the seniors, especially those who never knew their
grandparents. Seniors may become involved or uninvolved as they
wish.
A Community Outreach Program for teens is so important, and
senior participation would be great.
Discussion followed.
Earthquake
Preparedness Chairman Chase reviewed for the Commission a letter he received
concerning earthquake preparedness and advised that he has
presented this before the City Council . Commissioner Jennis
advised that the schools have an excellent disaster program
which has been in existence for over one year, which covers all
types of catastrophies . Chairman Chase requested Councilwoman
Spiro's assistance in enacting this program throughout the city.
Are You OK?
Program Ms . Wendy Audiss, Recreation Coordinator, reported on the Health
Fair and various functions happening in the area. Ms . Audiss
advised that the "Are You OK?" program is moving along and that
the equipment has been set up at Public Safety's Northern
Station. Although the equipment is in place, it still needs to
be tested. Also, the seniors need to fill out the forms and
return them in order to be included in the program. If
everything goes according to schedule , the "Are You OK?" program
should be operational within 2-3 weeks. Volunteers are needed
for data entry.
Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Minutes -3- November 16, 1989
IIILyons left Commissioner Lyons departed the meeting at approximately 3:48
p.m.
Lyons returns Commissioner Lyons returned to the meeting at approximately 3:51
p.m.
Senior Center Carl Leivo, Assistant to the City Manager, was recognized by
Chairman Chase, and reported on the Senior Center. Mr. Leivo
informed the Commission that there was a meeting of the Task
Force a couple of weeks ago and that the architect made a few
changes to the design. The nutrition program will serve a
little less than 50 people at any given time . The activities
center is large enough to handle 124 individuals with a maximum
capacity of 149 seats. Mr. Leivo advised that the City Council
had hired architect Tom Whitson to design the senior tenter and
that Mr. Whitson will contact the Commission to discuss the
details further. Mr. Leivo advised that June or July was the
projected time frame for the seniors to occupy the senior
center.
MOTION A motion made by Commissioner Jennis and seconded by
Commissioner Lyons to not have a Senior Citizens Advisory
Commission meeting in December, since the scheduled meeting date
falls during the Christmas holidays, was unanimously approved.
IIICommunications None.
Matters from
Commissioners None .
Meeting
Adjourned There being no further business to discuss and no one further
desiring to be heard, Chairman adjourned the meeting of
the Rohnert Park Senior Citizens Advisory Commission at
approximately 4:15 p.m.
ate
Chairman
ATTEST:
74‘',&<.i,-)--)r'Y') 47
Secretary