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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-02-15; Senior Commission; MinutesMINUTES MEETING OF: SENIOR COMMISSION DATE OF MEETING: TIME OF MEETING: 1O:OO a.m. PLACE OF MEETING: February 15, 1996 (Regular Meeting) CARLSBAD SENIOR CENTER CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Whittaker called the Meeting to order 'at 1O:OO a.m., and welcomed Mayor Lewis to the meeting. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Whittaker, Chmiel, West and Zink. Commissioner Serrin arrived at 10:08 a.m. Absent: None. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Chairman Whittaker, MA?TERS FROM THE PUBLIC: There were no requests to address the Commission on a non-agenda item. PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION: Mayor Lewis presented a Proclamation to Mary Jane and Charles Paschal honoring their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Mayor Lewis stated that he would like to have these presentations also made at City Council meetings and suggested this be done on the following Tuesday after the presentation at the Senior Commission meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On motion by Commissioner West, the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held January 4, 1996, were approved as presented. AYES: Whittaker, Chmiel, Serrin, West and Zink CONSENT CALENDAR: ACTION : On motion by Commissioner Zink, the Commission unanimously affirmed the action of the Consent Calendar, as follows: SENIOR COORDINATOR'S REPORT. The Commission accepted the filed the Coordinator's Report. February 15, 1996 SENIOR COMMISSION Page 2 Prime West The Commissioners stated they had visited the Oceanside Center and viewed the Prime West Activity Board at that location. Commission discussion determined that the general feeling was that this board would detract from the appearance of the hallway and entrance to the Center, and might seem as though the people advertising on the board were being endorsed by the Center. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Serrin, the Commission denied the application for a Prime West Activity Board. AYES: Whittaker, Chmiel, Serrin, West and Zink Barrio SDecific Plan Review Adrienne Landers, Senior Planner, was present to update the Commission on the Barrio Specific Plan and hear the Commission comments. Ms. Landers explained the process for initiating the plan and used transparencies to show the highlights of the plan. She explained that the plan has gone before the Parks and Recreation Commission, and now is being presented to this Commission. There is to be no action taken by the Commission on the plan, and staff will note the comments of the Commissioners. The plan will go before the Planning Commission and then to the City Council. Ms. Landers stated that staff went out to the community and held interviews, workshops and a community meeting. There was an orientation tour and a walking tour of the Barrio area, with publicity through the newspapers and flyers. She stated it is important to retain the existing property rights and the existing density, with no increase in the density. She stated that a community gathering place is to be provided. Ms. Landers explained the goals, objectives, policies and programs to be followed with this plan and stated the major programs are to include streetscape on Roosevelt Street from Carlsbad Village to Walnut, and a plaza has been recommended at the terminus of Walnut, with the location not determined at this time. She said that a gymnasium facility for the Northwest Quadrant has been recommended, with one proposal being in the Pine Elementary School site. Ms. Landers said that street lights, curbs, gutters and sidewalks will be installed, with emphasis on adequate street lights to provide a safe level of lighting. She stated there will be a program for seniors in the Barrio to encourage their participation at the Senior Center, since it is located in the Barrio area. She added that it is felt they do not participate in programs at the Center as much as they should, and need to be encouraged to do this. Ms. Landers said the public plaza would be integrated with the community center gym. She stated that if the Council approves, staff would do an analysis and pinpoint the location of the plaza. Commissioner Serrin stated he does volunteer 'work at the high school and there is a major concern among the teenagers of the Barrio that when the plaza is constructed that it might be a gathering place for the wrong people. They are also worried about police protection and the fact that non-Hispanic groups move into the area and drive out the Hispanics. Ms. Landers said that with increased street lighting and the gym, this will provide a place for the youth and she felt the community would self-regulate the plaza area. She said the Police Department does not see any problem. Commissioner Serrin said this would have to be highly regulated, as it would be next to the Senior Center, and he was not happy about that. February 15, 1996 SENIOR COMMISSION Page 3 Barrio Specific Plan Review (Continued) Chairman Whittaker welcomed Community Services Director David Bradstreet to the meeting, and Mr. Bradstreet stated he was here to answer any questions the Commissioners might have. He said the Pine Street School site would be a community park area, with baseball fields, soccer and other sports. The City would be purchasing seven acres to add to the portion of Pine School they now own, and the Continuation School and Maintenance would be re-located out to the Safety Center. He said the children would be re- located to the Jefferson School, and the City could purchase the rest of the land and put in the rest of the amenities. Mr. Bradstreet said that this is the only site for the community parWpotentia1 center, although he was not happy with the gathering place next to this Center. He added that there is no money available to purchase the school property at this time. Chairman Whittaker stated the amount of consideration the Senior Center was given is reflected in the number of times it is mentioned in this report--almost nil, and he said he was unhappy about that. He said there are more seniors in the City than Barrio residents. There is consideration for the Barrio-but injustice to the seniors of Carlsbad. He said that the Senior Center was promised years ago, that as the Pine School site became available, the Center would expand-but apparently that is not so now. He said that as Commissioner Serrin mentioned, what police protection would be supplied for the safety of the seniors? Will the seniors be threatened with gangs, skateboarders, and others in the plaza? Chairman Whittaker stated he felt like a non-participant in this plan and this is a very upsetting thing to face. The plan is done and it cost a mint of money to do and will be presented to the Planning Commission before the seniors can object or change it. This plan would take 21 parking spaces away from the Center, and that lot is over-crowded on three days of the week now. Where will those seniors have to park? Chairman Whittaker reiterated he is not pleased with the plan, Commissioner Serrin stated he is not either--as seniors start to be concerned with their well-being and safety when they go places, since they are not as agile or resistant to unsavory activities experienced in some places in Carlsbad. He said the seniors may be reluctant to visit this facility if they start to see that type of activity here where it is relatively non-policed now. He said that residents in some areas live in fear and he is concerned that could impact the seniors in this area. Chairman Whittaker stated he is sympathetic to the problem of where to have the plaza, and he realizes the Center is in the Barrio. He felt the area east on Walnut could be used with adequate parking lots, and not take any of the parking from the Center. He said there could be a wall built there so the cars in the parking lot would not be vandalized. Commissioner Zink concurred with Chairman Whittaker. Commissioner Chmiel stated she was not aware of fear in the Barrio. but a recreation center might add activities in a positive way for the teenagers. Commissioner Zink stated that the youth in this area have been given a lot of things to do and took the bulk of the CDBG funds last year. Chairman Whittaker said the youth are not being ignored, and they should have a gym and recreation center to work off their energy to avoid getting into trouble. February 15, 1996 SENIOR COMMISSION Page 4 Barrio Specific Plan Review (Continued) Commissioner Serrin said that the residents and homeowners have problems: as the teens that do not use these facilities are the Year factor". He inquired that once this is built by the Senior Center, what will be done to control it? He said he felt the youth need "controlled" facilities. Mr. Bradstreet said new recreational programs are being outlined at this time to draw children who are not participating now. He added that the Commissioners' comments will be given to the Planning Commission and City Council. Mr. Bradstreet said they can't take something away from any group to put in a plaza. Chairman Whittaker said they could put a jog through the lots so there would be no speeding, and it would still be a possibility for the Center to grow. Ms. Landers said a community group would be involved in choosing the park site, and the seniors would be included in that group. Mr. Bradstreet said the seniors would be included in the outreach program to design the facilities: however, he said this is the first time he had heard of any interest to expand the Senior Center. Chairman Whittaker stated the Planning Department did a lot of work on this report, and this Center is in the Barrio. He said the seniors do read these reports and staff did a good job for the Barrio--too bad they did not do the same for the seniors. The Commission received and filed this report. Acceptance of Donations ACTION : On motion by Commissioner Zink, the Commission received and accepted the following donations: $ 500 Hughes Employees GO Club 900 Home Savings for purchase of video recorder 5,000 Isabel Brittain Trust - AYES: Whittaker, Chmiel, Serrin, West and Zink Recoqnition of Donations Chairman Whittaker stated the Commissioners had visited the Ecke YMCA in Encinitas and viewed the donation recognitions there. He asked for Cornmission comment. Commissioner Zink stated the donation tree would take a large amount of space, and this Center does not have that much space. Commissioner Chmiel stated the donation tree could cost $25,000 or more, and is too large for this Center. She added that she loves the paintings that are displayed in the hallway now. She had made a list of donations from last April, and this could become very cumbersome. She felt the letter that is sent now is sufficient and would recommend continuing with that. February 15, 1996 SENIOR COMMISSION Page 5 Recosnition of Donations (Continued) It was noted that in the case of Gerico’s, whose donations are significant, they were given a plaque by the Commission, and that is proudly displayed at the restaurant. Commissioner Serrin said the one display at the YMCA seemed appropriate, but he would recommend that perhaps some kind of a display could be put in the hallway when the Center is working on a special project, and this would explain the project and encourage donations. Chairman Whittaker stated he has a problem with plaques and does not favor having anything in the hallway. He said he liked the idea of a donation.plan for special projects. Commissioner Serrin said this would be on each project and would be there only while they were working on it. Sue Spickard stated the Council wants direction from this Commission as to what they want to have. She said the Center does send letters, and it is a very nice letter. Commissioner Zink stated that for the time being, she would prefer to keep the policy just as it is. ACTION : On motion by Commissioner Chmiel, the Commission recommended that the present policy of sending a letter of appreciation to anyone making a donation to the Center be continued. This item could be reconsidered in the future. - AYES: Whittaker, Chmiel, Serrin, West and Zink Volunteers in Schools Commissioner Serrin distributed copies of the Proposed Program for Senior Citizen Volunteers in the Schools and stated this is the update and all other material should be discarded. He asked the Commission to consider sending a letter recommending this program and requesting action be taken by the schools to implement this program as quickly as possible. Chairman Whittaker recommended taking action on this at the next meeting, giving the Commissioners time to read and study this new draft of the program. By consensus, the Commission agreed to postpone action on this item until the next meeting. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Suaaestion Committee Commissioner Zink gave the report as follows: Suggestion: Please turn off the air conditioner in the card room. Answer: The air conditioning/heating in the back rooms is always an issue. The control is by a main computer to which staff has no access. The company will be advised to make adjustments, but no room can be totally shut off from the system. People are asked to bring a jacket or sweater just in case it is too cool. Also, keep staff posted, so that they can continue to advise the company that it is not corrected. February 15, 1996 SENIOR COMMISSION Page 6 COMMITTEE REPORTS: (Continued) Suggestion: Breaded pollack, ugh!! Answer: A survey has been circulated to determine the likes and dislikes on the menu. The comments will be passed on to the Nutrition Project Council and the Menu Committee. A reminder was given to everyone that suggestions not signed will not be provided a response. Nutrition Proiect Liaison Commissioner Chmiel gave the reports for November and December, 1995, with the December balance $3,998.74; funds that are raised from dances, bake and white elephant sales. She reported on special events and discussions held at the meetings. Chairperson's Report: Chairman Whittaker stated he felt the Planning Department got the message about the Commission's feelings about the Barrio Plan, and think they will realize that the seniors do read things. Item for Next Auenda: Volunteers in Schools By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of February 15, 1996, was adjourned at 11 :16 a.m., with the next meeting to be held in April. ,fiespectfully sypmitted, , ,,xC Minutes Clerk