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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-09-05; Senior Commission; MinutesMINUTES MEETING OF: DATE OF MEETING: TIME OF MEETING: 1:15 p.m. PLACE OF MEETING: S E NI 0 R C 0 MM I S S I 0 N (Re g u I ai- Me et i n g ) September 5, 1996 Carlsbad Senior Center CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairperson Zink called the Meeting to order at 1:17 p.m. <ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Zink, Chmiel and West. Commissioner Serrin arrived at 1 : 19 p.m. Absent: Commissioner Whittaker. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Vice Chairperson Zink. MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC: There were no requests to address the Commission on a non-agenda item. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On motion by Commissioner West, the Commission unanimously approved the Minutes of the August 1, 1996, Meeting, as presented. CONSENT CALENDAR: ACTION: On amended motion by Commissioner Chmiel, the Senior Commission unanimously approved the Consent Calendar, as follows: Senior Coordinator’s Report. Acceptance of a $1,000 anonymous donation to support “special activities” in the lunch room. September 5, 1996 SENIOR COMMISSION Page 2 VOLUNTEERS IN SCHOOLS. Commissioner Serrin reported that at this time the number of volunteers for the program is disappointing. He said the program will move forward and there is a meeting to be held next Wednesday, tentatively, to meet with the senior volunteers, clarify the assignments and determine the purpose and methods of assisting the schools. He said that following that meeting, the individual schools involved will be approached and the facilities will be set up with an administrator for the initial thrust of the program. He added that following today’s meeting, the plans for the meeting next week will be finalized. Commissioner Serrin stated that there are four pilot schools, and they had hoped for 12 volunteers. i Sue Spickard stated there are 8 volunteers at this time. Commissioner Serrin stated that part of the program will depend on the willingness of the volunteers to serve at a particular grade level. BOYS & GIRLS CLUB POOL. Sue Spickard stated that several people have requested permission to speak before the Commission today on this matter. Norma Estes, 3363 Tyler Street, Apt. #316, stated she was here on behalf of the seniors who are wondering whether the indoor pool at the Boys & Girls Club is going to be kept open for the seniors that depend upon that pool for swimming therapy. She said she had heard the City was trying to buy three acres to make a place for the seniors to swim and exercise. Ms. Estes said she also heard that the reason for closing the pool was to make more space for activities to keep the wayward boys and girls off of the streets. She said there is a lot of demand for that pool; not only from seniors, but from children and exercise classes for people with disabilities. She felt it is a necessity to keep it open. Ms. Estes said that quite a few of the seniors want to keep an indoor pool available, as they don’t want to swim in cold water and want a place to be able to shower. Ms. Estes stated that she also brought up the matter of the railroad tracks at Chestnut the last time she spoke here. She said that many people run across the railroad tracks there, and if they are caught, there is a $500 fine. She said that she would appreciate it if the Commission could do anything to help get a pedestrian ramp over the railroad tracks at Chestnut. Mary Smith, 2848 Jefferson #218, read a letter dated June 6, 1996, from a retired couple, Georges & Jacqueline Arie, 2535 Jefferson #15, regarding the closure of the Carlsbad covered swimming pool, and addressed to whom it may concern. September 5, 1996 SENIOR COMMISSION Page 3 BOYS & GIRLS CLUB POOL: (Continued) A copy of that letter is attached to the Minutes as part of the record. They were asking for the pool to be kept open and stated they use the pool three times a week by their doctor’s prescription. Tessa Silva, 3376 Garfield, stated she was here to answer any questions, and in reply to query regarding when this became an official act, she said that it was last December, but did not become public until the spring. Georgia Herman, 710 Anchor Way, suggested that since Carlsbad is growing and is becoming a tourist and worldwide known area, the service organizations in the area should be willing to take on the task of building a community center with an indoor pool that would serve the many seniors who would use it. She said that talking with the Boys & Girls Club may not do any good, since that is a private organization. Sue Spickard stated that this item was placed on the agenda today after there were several speakers last month who spoke during the Matters from the Public period. She stated that she would remind the Commission of their task; which is to make recommendations to the City Council with regard to matters that relate to the senior activities in the City. She said that the Boys & Girls Club is a private, non-profit agency, with which this organization would not have a great deal if influence. She said the Commission could express their feelings and what they would like to see done, but as far as having any impact, she would not feel that it would. They would only be expressing their views as their responsibility to the seniors in Carlsbad, as a whole. Commissioner Serrin stated that he was concerned due to the extent of Block Grant Funds that were given to the Boys & Girls Club. He said that as a Member of that Committee, it would have influenced his decision, if he had known that the pool there would be closed. He said he felt the seniors do have a vested interest in what occurs. Vice Chairperson Zink stated she was on that panel one year, and the Boys & Girls Club did get a large amount of Block Grant Funds, and one reason she . agreed to that, was because of the use of the swimming pool by the seniors. Sue Spickard stated that she would draft a letter to the Boys & Girls Club from the Commission expressing their concern about the impact on the seniors if the indoor swimming pool is closed. Commissioner West stated that although there are exercise classes here at the Center, some people cannot use those classes and must use a swimming pool to perform the exercises they need because of disabilities. She felt a letter would be one way to let them know how the seniors feel. I September 5, 1996 SENIOR COMMISSION Page 4 BOYS & GIRLS CLUB POOL, (Continued) Ms. Silva stated that it is a matter of money, and the Boys and Girls Club said they would sell the facility for $350,000. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Serrin, the Senior Commission directed staff to draft a letter to the Boys & Girls Club expressing their concerns for the seniors who need that pool as part of their exercise programs. AYES: Zink, Chmiel, Serrin and West LUNCH PROGRAM. Sue Spickard stated that Commissioner Whittaker had requested this agenda item, and since he was not present, she did not have any report to make. She said she knew he did want some kind of a program to encourage seniors to not sit at the same seat in the dining room all the time. Vice Chairperson Zink stated that the seniors like to sit with those they know when having lunch at the Center. Commissioner Serrin suggested that perhaps one day a week there could be a “get acquainted day” where the person taking the reservations would assign each new person to a certain table, with it being a #1 person assigned to table #1, and #2 assigned to table #2, and so on. Then on the other days, they could go back to their regular table. Sue Spickard stated she had spoken with Marilyn, and she felt it was not the issue it used to be. She said that part of that is due to the fact that fewer luncheons are served and some of the tables are blocked off at different times. She said there is a Nutrition Council, and she felt that any suggestions should be discussed with them before any action was taken. She said she would take the suggestion by Commissioner Serrin to the Council and discuss it with them. She said that they are well-aware of the challenges presented with seating in the dining room. Ms. Spickard said this item will be on the agenda next month in order to have Commissioner Whittaker’s input. Commissioner Chmiel stated she eats in the dining room every day, and feels that it is a happy place and that the system in place now is working very well. She stated she did not feel that anyone should be forced to move to another table at any time. She said that those people there feel that their friends at the table are like an extended family. September 5, 1996 SENIOR COMMISSION Page 5 LUNCH PROGRAM. (Continued) Ms. Spickard stated that she knows that people come there to have lunch and be with their friends, and that just adds to the challenge. Commissioner Chmiel stated that there is a hostess who takes care of strangers and welcomes them. She said that a few people are unfriendly, but in order to have a friend, you must first be a friend. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Suggestion Vice Chairperson Zink stated there is no report this month. Nutrition Proiect Liaison Report Commissioner Chmiel reported on the August 9, 1996, Nutrition Council meeting, with total congregate meals served in July, 3,083, with a donation average of $1.72; total home meals delivered in July, 931, with the average donation $2.18. Their current balance of funds from dances, white elephant sales and bake sales is $4,028.15. She reported on activities and discussions that were reported at the meeting. CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT: None. ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA: Lunch Program School Volunteers Update Volunteers Party ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of September 5, 1996, was adjourned at 1:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ha r r i et t B ab b yt t Minutes Clerk September 3, 1996 TO: SENIOR COMMISSION FROM: Senior Center Coordinator COORDINATOR'S REPORT Approximately 30 seniors attended the August 5 presentation by Nathan Polinsky from Elderhostel. Unfortunately, the newspaper misprinted the presentation time and 20 additional people came at the wrong time. We will reschedule a presentation by Elderhostel again this winter. We were pleasantly surprised at the large turn out for our special movie's event "Monday Mysteries." We showed classic movies. For example, one of Alfred Hitchcock's first, "Rebecca" was shown. We will schedule more as time and space allow. "Image Enhancing by Midge" was attended by 15 participants who received information tips on flattering clothing styles, colors and more. Rather than summarizing the upcoming events for September, I have included the monthly calendar compiled for distribution. Nutrition Proqram News 225 people attended the Luau on August 23. Our Hawaiian Dance Class performed and the Golden Tones provided the musical entertainment. On the recommendation of the Nutrition Project Council, the suggested Senior donation for lunch is increasing to $2.25 starting September 3. On September 16, Mexican Independence Day will be celebrated in the dining room with a special menu item, "the flying saucer" - also known as a tostada suprema. Make reservations early for this festive event. It's that time of year again for the Annual Gerico's/Koko Beach Golf Tournament and Dinner Ticket Sales. The tournament will be held Saturday, September 28. Volunteers are needed to secure prizes and to sell dinner tickets. The $5 dinner tickets, with proceeds going to the Senior Center, are redeemable throughout the month of October at KoKo Beach Restaurant. SUSAN SCHULTZ SPICKARD attachment SUGGESTION REVIEW September & October 1996 Present: Peggy Savary Linwood Van Myra Zink Sue Schultz Spickard WHY DOESN’T THE LOUNGE HAVE DECAF? Justin L. Decaf is provided in the dining room through the generosity of the Carlsbad Senior Citizens Association. This is the first request we have received for decaf in the lounge. We will continue to monitor the situation and if we receive other requests, and the budget will allow, we will consider serving only decaf in the lounge. PLEASE HAVE JACQUELYN SILVER, “THE HEALING POWER OF MUSIC” AGAIN. Madelyn; Mary Smith; Hilda Dwyer; Tessa Silva Thank you for your comments, we will pass them on to the programming &. UTILIZE SENIOR CENTER BUS TO BRING PEOPLE TO EXERCISE IN THE MORNING. Tessa Silva Unfortunately with budget limitations and the need for the drivers to pick the food up in Vista, we can not accommodate morning appointments or bringing people to morning activities. We would suggest that you make your interest known and perhaps one of the participants in the exercise class lives in your neighborhood and wouldn’t mind bringing you along. COUPONS SORTED INTO BOXES WOULD BE USEFUL FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT TAKE A PAPER Ann Leede When we were located on Hading we had a coupon exchange box, udortuuately there wasn’t anyone who took responsibility for it and coupons were mostly expired. If you would be interested in taking on the responsibility for maintaining the box we would be pleased to work with you. I WAS TOLD I COULD PAY FOR LUNCH BY THE WEEK. PERHAPS A PUNCHED EACH DAY. Sue Kennedy You can donate for the lunch meal in any manner you are most comfortable. However, by law, it is a donation system and is to be anonymous. Therefore the regulations would not allow us to “sell” a card for so many lunches at a set value. BETTER WAY WOULD BE A PUNCH CARD SYSTEM - PAY $25 AND GET WE REALLY ENJOYED THE MUSICAL, WHY DON’T WE HAVE ANOTHER AMATUER CONTEST? Jessie Eastin We have scheduled two Amateur Contests since the first, unfortunately only one person signed up to participate. If‘there is enough people interested in competing we would be happy to schedule another.