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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-02-01; Senior Commission; MinutesMINUTES Meeting of: SENIOR COMMISSION Time of Meeting: 1:15 p.m. Date of Meeting: February 1, 1990 Place of Meeting: Carlsbad Senior Center - - c I- \ COMMISSIONERS CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Van called the Meeting to order at 1:15 p.m. ROLL CWI: Present: Chairman Van, Commissioners Heard, Savary and Ritchie. Absent: Commissioner Maggio. Staff Present: Sue Spickard, Senior Coordinator Mayor Lewis addressed the Commission, stating that Council Members will be explaining to the various Boards and Commissions how the Council feels about the work they are doing. He said that this Commission was doing an outstanding job and will be establishing policies that will be held in place for many years to come. Mayor Lewis further stated that if any of the Commissioners have any concerns about anything going down or they need help from the City Council, he asked them to go through staff and have them call the Council Members about the situation. He concluded, stating the Council appreciates the Commission and this Center is the result of the work of the people serving on it. MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC: There was no one to address the Commission on an off-agenda item. APPROVAL OF MI”ES: The Minutes of the Meeting held January 4, 1990, were approved as presented, with pages 4 and 5 to be reprinted to re-align the voting columns. ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS. The Senior Commission accepted donations in the amount of $1,051 toward the Fieldstone “Community Challenge”. HISTORIAN APPOINTMENT. Sue Spickard stated that at the previous Commission meeting, Dr. Castner had expressed concern about appointing a Historian. She distributed copies of the documents and folders that have been kept by staff with help from Mrs. Hoskin, with includes an ongoing log of newspaper articles and the Minutes of Commission meetings, since the Commission was appointed. She said she felt this was a good history of the Carlsbad Senior program and wanted the Commissioners to see it before a decision was made whether or not to appoint another committee for this. Van Heard Ritchie Savary Van Heard Ritchie Savary \ \ MI N UTES COMMISSIONERS +- February 1, 1990 SENIOR COMMISSION Page 2 Commissioner Ritchie stated that her comments made at the Center Dedication were taken directly from the Association Minutes and you cannot re-write history. She said she reviewed the Association Minutes from 1975 to 1985, and all her comments were from those Minutes. This Commission has no control over what was done by the Senior Citizens Association Board. This Commission has no control over it and it is not in this Commission's purview to write any history of that. Commissioner Heard said he had reviewed the history as Commissioner Ritchie had presented it, and he felt what was being suggested was for a historian to review the same record and in light of that, give it further consideration. He said he was unclear about the objective Dr. Castner had in mind. He personally thought his statements were trying to correct the record as to who got credit for what actions, what times, and he was not certain where these views related to the Senior Commission. Commissioner Heard concluded, stating he supported Commissioner Ritchie's view and expressed a lack of understanding of the basis for the proposal made at the last meeting. Commissioner Ritchie stated the Senior Commission came into being in 1985. At that time, the Association was greatly reduced in responsibilities--reduced to the Senior Newsletter and bingo--more or less. What happened before then was done by a volunteer board and this Commission has no control over that. These are two different functions. Commissioner Ritchie said the discrepancy was that certain people thought it was not correct to say this was Jim Smith's five-year plan. She said that Smith and two others were part of a committee that developed a five-year plan. These people did not build this Center and were not part of the Architectural Design Committee, but these people, as part of the Association Board, were the people whose idea acted as the catalyst for everything that came after. That Association Board developed that five-year plan and part of it was to hire a new Director. Sue Spickard was hired in 1985. Another element of that was to create a five-member Commission and the City to take over the senior activities- -which the City Council did. The final item on the five- year plan was to build a new buildilng. At that time, the five-year plan called for razing Harding Street and building a new Center there. That was not feasible, and as part of this Commission's responsibilities, a committee was appointed to find a new site. Commissioner Ritchie reiterated that there is no way anyone can change history. This plan was developed by the Association Board, and in 1985 this was sent to the City Council, who accepted this. Then all these other things fell into place. Jim Smith and his committee took this proposal to the Association Board, who then took it to Council; Council accepted it and it all happened. They were the catalyst and Commissioner Ritchie stated she felt they should be given credit for putting the ideas into place and moving them along. MINUTES Sue Spickard asked the Commissioners whether they wished to appoint a historical committee or a historian. She said her primary concern was the development of a senior program from the day the City came on line and she tried to show the Commissioners the history that does exist. If the Commission feels that is an appropriate history, staff can continue in the same manner. If not, perhaps the Commission wishes to take further action. Chairman Van said that someone started an interest in seniors and it grew into what we have now. First, it was the Association, and now it is the Commission. The Rotary group started the seniors and it progressed. Commissioner Ritchie reminded everyone that before she could put a history together, the Association Board had given her six boxee of papers, which she took one year to go through. She said she had to iron some of the papers to read them, and she arranged them chronologically to make some sense out of what had gone on for ten years. No one could have done anything until those papers were put into some order, and she reiterated that it took her well over a year to do that. She said that no one had cared enough about the Association to do anything about their records, and that she put them in order to enable a history of the Association to be gleaned from them. There had been no interest in this, and Commissioner Ritchie stated that people who come along after the fact, do not have any validity. Again, she said that you cannot change what has already occurred. Commissioner Savary said that she thought someone should work with the history the Commission has now and let the past be the past. Sue Spickard stated that Rose Hoskin had been appointed as historian over a year ago. The Senior Commission reaffirmed the appointment of Rose Hoskin as Historian for the Commission. BILLIARDS COMMITTEE. Sue Spickard reported that she has been getting complaint from both sides of the problem, with some people saying to keep the billiard room locked and others saying to keep it open. That room in this Center is a very nice room and there is some very expensive equipment there that needs to be cared for. Ms. Spickard said that someone put hooks on one of the pool tables and nails on the end of the other table to hang the ball rack. That was done without approval, and she is concerned of what may come next! Ms. Spickard said she would like a committee of people who shoot pool to assist with setting the rules and regulations. She also felt that a ladies' pool instructor was needed to conduct a ladies' day with fair play. Van Heard Ritchie Savary MINUTES -February 1, 1990 SENIOR COMMISSION Page 4 COMMISSIONERS Joe Johnson, 3300 Belle Lane, suggested that perhaps the rules should say that the last one out should close the door, locking it. Sue Spickard had recommended that Chairman Van head the committee to make the rules and regulations for the billiard room. He is to select some others who shoot pool, and their recommendations will come before this Commission. The Senior Commission approved the formation of a Rules Committee for the Billiard Room, with Chairman Van as the Chair of the Committee. He is to select up to five other persons to serve on this committee. Commissioner Ritchie stated that the covers from the billiard tables are supposed to fit into the cupboards when folded, and she has found them on the floor. It should be part of the rules for players to fold the covers and place them in the cupboards. FACILITY UTILIZATION. Sue Spickard reported that the City Council is looking toward this Commission to assist and take a strong arm in what will happen in this Center. She said that the Commission will be asked over the next several months to clarify how the facility is to be used and establish guidelines. Ms. Spickard said that the rules and regulations will be completed over the next few months and will come before this Commission for approval and then to the City Council. In the interim, Ms. Spickard said that this building is "going wild". Requests are being made from all kinds of groups and people to do everything from A to 2. Ms. Spickard stated she would like to have it absolutely clear that her understanding is correct; that from 8:OO a.m., to 5:OO p.m., Monday through Friday, this Center is for the exclusive use of the seniors, with the exception that the City of Carlsbad and the Unified School District Administration could use the building if it is not previously scheduled for a senior event. The Commissioners concurred this is the understanding they have for the use of this building. The Senior Commission reaffirmed the understanding that the Senior Center is to be for the exclusive use of the seniors between the hours of 8:OO a.m. - 5:OO p.m., Monday through Friday, with the exception that the City of Carlsbad and the Unified School District Administration may use the facilities if no senior programs have been scheduled at that time . Sue Spickard continued, stating she needed a clarification for a specific group. There has been a request from a particular senior group, The Warblers. This is a singing group that has been active in Carlsbad for many, many years, and they would like to practice here at the Center. Van Heard Ritchie Savary Van Heard Ritchie Savary MINUTES -February 1, 1990 SENIOR COMMISSION Page 5 \ COMMISSIONERS Ms. Spickard stated that last week Chairman Van and she attended a meeting with The Warblers to discuss the issue. She said the Center is more than happy to have them practice here--but under certain guidelines. Under the present practice, any group such as this one are required to welcome all seniors to join their group--and no one would be told to leave any group. The Warblers were told this and agreed to allow anyone to join them. Wednesday mornings in the auditorium exclusively from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. However, the exercise class, through MFra Costa College will begin February 5, 1990, and is listed in the college bulletin as for seniors. They asked to practice on Staff went to Mira Costa College last September and asked whether they would be interested in moving the Senior Art Classee and Senior Exercise Classes to the new Center when it was finished. Mira Costa said they would move the classes at the start of the new semester. Since November, the Mira Costa exercise class starting in February has been scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Center. However, Mira Costa has to allow younger people to join the class, and if it becomes predominantly below senior age, then the space here would not be available for the class. Ms. Spickard said The Warblers were asked about another time, but they said these seniors have their weeks planned out. Chairman Van recommended that a written proposal be made to The Warblers that after discussion with the Commission, and before the auditorium is scheduled for any other purpose, Tuesday and Thursday mornings would be available. If this is not satisfactory with them, they are to let Sue Spickard know. Jean Dellenbach, 3090 Jefferson Street, commented that bingo starts at 12:30 p.m., in this room, and there are several seniors who come in here to wait for the game to start. She was concerned that they would not have any place to sit, and Ms. Spickard replied that there is a lounge for such use. In answer to query, Ms. Spickard explained that this exercise class is a seniors program and Mira Costa supplies the instructor. She said Carlsbad is very happy to have Mira Costa involved, as the City would not allow a program of that magnitude because of the insurance. Exercise is a "high hazard" and the Risk Manager does not approve of the City being responsible for such programs. Mira Costa supplies the instructor and the insurance--alone, Carlsbad could not have the class. Ms. Spickard said she had no idea that the building would already be "bursting at the seams". Commissioner Ritchie said the on-going senior programs have preference over new groups requesting space, and they must organize around the on-going programs. Staff indicated The Warblers would want to be an on-going program. MINUTES COMMISSIONERS -February 1, 1990 SENIOR COMMISSION Page 6 The Senior Commission affirmed the policy that all existing City-sponsored programs have preference in this Senior Center. New programs will be scheduled as the facilities allow. Sue Spickard cautioned against using the term "on-going", and recommended there be no on-going groups in the Senior Center unless they are programs sponsored by the Senior Center. She said that if groups, e.g., such groups as AAFtP, Parkinson's.Braille, etc., are allowed to meet on-goingly and they are not sponsored by the Center, that limits staff's ability to plan and schedule new programs, as the rooms are filled with other groups. Ma. Spickard asked for the Commission's feeling on scheduling on-going outside groups in the facility. She said there is nothing in writing to date, and they are still following the Parks and Recreation rules at this time. Every action by this Commission will go into a letter to cover the actions of staff until all the rules and regulations are put together and presented to this Commission and the City Council for approval. In the interim, any group that is not satisfied with staff's decision, has the ability to come before this Commission and the Council. The Senior Commission determined that any on-going group which is not sponsored by the City of Carlsbad Senior Program, and is requesting facility utilization, must bring that request before the Senior Commission for consideration on a case-by-case basis. Sue Spickard stated that she is getting requests to rent the facility, and at the present, the Parks and Recreation fees are being charged. A fee study will be done in the near future, as the present fees do not cover the use of the equipment, etc. She said that it was her understanding that the dining room furniture was to remain there and not be removed. A request has been received to bring their own equipment into the dining room, and Me. Spickard said that staff would recommend only the Center's equipment be used in the rooms. She said if the dining room tables were moved in and out, she hated to think what a beating they would take. Also, if people are allowed to bring in their own equipment, the Center would lose control of the seating capacity requirements. The Senior Commission determined that groups using the Senior Center are not to exceed the legal capacity and utilize the Center's equipment only. Commissioner Ritchie inquired about the Rotary Club meeting here at 7:OO a.m., in the morning, and Sue asked her to have them fill out a facility application and staff would determine the fees. Sue Spickard said the Arts group would like to have staff go forward again this year and try to get a grant for the artist-in-residence program, and she added that staff recommends that this facility be used for that program, as it is a senior program. The Commissioners all concurred. Van Heard Ritchie Savary Van Heard Rit c hie Savary Van Heard Ritchie Savary MINUTES February 1, 1990 SENIOR COMMISSION Page 7 ,-- \ COMMISSIONERS -. Sue Spickard reported that the air conditioning and heating problems had been conquered (as far as she knew), and the tile floors have not been sealed yet. The sealing and cleaning of the floors is out to bid at this time. She said she hoped all the leaks had been corrected, with the major one in this auditorium due to a clogged drain. The partitions have arrived and will be used by the tax program. Us. Spickard said that hat racks are being purchased for every room, and more dining room tables, in a middle size for card playing. Chairman Van commented on a problem in the men's room, stating the equipment must have been purchased for midgets. Ms. Spickard reported on the problems with the front desk, stating that it is very cold out there in the hallway and they are checking into what can be done. At night, the staff has to carry all the documents into the other offices, and they are considering the possibility of enclosing that area. Chairman Van added that Us. Spickard has hired a part-time Facilities person. VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION. Sue Spickard stated she would like the Commission to think about one annual recognition event, and recognize all volunteers at that time. She will present a proposal at the next meeting for recognizing individual volunteers. SENIOR COORDINATOR'S REPORT. Sue Spickard reported that the facility itself has been requiring a lot of her time. As she said before, it is "bursting at the seams", and one of her goals had been to eventually walk through at 3:15 p.m. and have an activity in every room, that happened last week. She reported that the Nutrition Program is turning people away every day-- probably more than 30 per meal. The Mayor, the Council and the Commission are concerned about this. Ms. Spickard said they are trying to get more funds and thinking about a second seating and a variety of things. Any action would come before this Commission before it goes to Council. She said that this is the snow bird time and right now there are a lot of "lookie-lous", due to the newness of the facility. Commissioner Savary said that it had been suggested to look into any existing law that would say that Carlsbad residents only be served on the Nutrition Program. Sue Spickard said that the program is Federal money and says that anyone 60 years or older must be served. Sue Spickard said there will be a Financial Seminar on February 8, 1990, and there are 40 people signed up. The 55 Alive Program for February is full, and will be held again in March. free to the public, and a fishing trip February 27. There will be a Valentine's Dance on February 9, \ MINUTES February 1, 1990 SENIOR COMMISSION Page 8 - y\\\ COMMISSIONERS Sue Spickard reported on new programs starting this month; the Art and Exercise classes; Needlecraft class started yesterday with a maximum capacity; Crafty Crafters Class is full; New bridge group of party bridge on Friday--and they turned people away, the Wednesday morning bridge class is expanding into Wednesday afternoon. An aerobic dance class is starting and in February there will be movies in the lounge once a month, in the afternoon, with popcorn. There is coffee in the lounge and arrangements are being made to get donuts. Taxes are starting, and Me. Spickard has prepared the budget for the next year. She has aeked for an increase of $56,000 for the increase to staff. A full-time front desk person is needed, with a clerk-typist title. Me. Spickard said she appreciates the volunteers and needs more of them, but for the front desk, a regular employee is needed. The Recreation Specialist is in charge of facility scheduling, cleaning, etc., as well as revamping the transportation program when the new mini-bus arrives. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT. Chairman Van reported on the two thank-you cards given to the City Council and the Unified School District, and said they are each on display. Supervisor MacDonald paid a visit on January 25, 1990, and saw people being turned away from the noon meal. He will try to see about more funds for this program. Chairman Van said the Mayor had emphasized that if he sees something important that he feels the Mayor should know about, to come see him. He explained about visits of seniors from other cities and commented that Commissioners Maggio and Savary's terms will be up in September. They should let Sue Spickard know by August whether or not they want to be re-appointed. Chairman Van commented on a letter in the January 31 1990 Carlsbad Journal. He said this was the same person who wrote back in November 1988, complaining about the Senior Center, but later said that referred to another Center, as this one was not built. This letter was complaining about the design problems in the Carlsbad Center. ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA. Volunteer Recognition Nutrition Regulations Senior Center Update ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Meeting of February 1, 1990, was adjourned at 3:07 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Minutes Clerk February 8, 1990 TO: MAYOR LEWIS MAYOR PRO TEM KULCHIN COUNCILMEMBER LARSON COUNCILMEMBER MAMAUX COUNCILMEMBER PETTINE FROM: Senior Commission SUMMARY REPORT OF FEBRUARY 1, 1990, COMMISSION MEETING 1. 2. 3. Historian ApDointment A motion was made that Rose Hoskin be asked to continue as Historian to work with staff keeping an on-going record of the Commission minutes and publicity. The motion was approved. Billiards Committee A motion was made and unanimously accepted that Linwood Van be appointed Chairman for the rules committee governing the rules and regulations of the Billiards room. He was asked to select his committee from the group of Seniors who play billiards. Facilitv Utilization A motion was made that all existing City sponsored Senior programs have preference in the Senior Center. New Senior programs will be scheduled as the facilities will allow. The City sponsored Senior programs will be scheduled between the hours of 8:OO am and 5:OO pm Monday through Friday. An exception to the above being the use of the facilities by City management and school administration management on a not-to- interfere basis. Any group of Seniors may use the facilities as space is available, but all Seniors must be welcome to the group. This motion was accepted unanimously. A motion was made that any request to use Center space from an on-going outside group (i.e., A.A.R.P., etc.) not sponsored by the Carlsbad Senior program, be brought before the Senior Commission on a case-by-case basis. A motion was made that renters of the facility rooms must use only Center equipment and not exceed the legal capacity for each room. This motion was carried unanimously. p Scribe c: City Manager Assistant City Manager Parks &I Recreation Director Department Heads