01-06-1998 - Senior Citizens Commission - Summary of Minutes - 12/11/97Q
0.
City of West Covina
Memorandum
To: City Council and City Manager
From: Community Services Department
SUBJECT: SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSION
SUMMARY OF MINUTES 12111 /97
I. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
AGENDA
ITEM No. B-2c
DATE 1/6/98
® PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
Gratz, H;arinath, Deniston, Markowitz, Pahner, Buckingham
II. COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Kowal
III. STAFF PRESENT
Bommarito, Collins, Repp
IV. OTHE
Diana
PRESENT
Ily
V. ' APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 11, 1997
Commissioner Gratz expressed concern over the clarity and detail of
minutes(;
VI. ACTION'ITEMS
Election of officers:.
Chairperson: Pahner
Vice -Chairperson: Markowitz
VII. SPECIA f ' ITEMS
I
Ms. Diana Kelly from the League of Women Voters spoke on behalf of
the Senior Task Force, Transportation Committee. The transportation
committee arose out of a summit meeting held at Mount San Antonio
College.Services available in the East San Gabriel Valley were
analyzed and it was determined that the three biggest areas of need
were: Alzheimer care, adult day care, and transportation.
1.
A transportation survey was given to seniors by nurses (through Citrus
Valley Hi alth Partners) while giving flu shots. The seniors using public
transportation were relatively happy with the services. Seniors who
had used public transportation while younger and healthy, continued to
do so as they got older. It was felt, however, that not enough seniors
were using the services.
Transportation services vary widely from community to community.
Services are funded by the sales tax initiative. Anyone may call an
800 number (RIDE INFO), tell the operator their destination, and the
operator will tell them the most efficient means of transportation
available;.
The long' -term goal of the Transportation Committee will be determined
in Januar - The meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. on January 15, 1998, at
Queen of the Valley Hospital.
VI11. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Commissioner. Buckingham expressed that Dial -A -Ride (DAR) drivers
are well-known for their patience and courteousness. A major problem
with the program is that some people make reservations, change their
plans, and don't call DAR to cancel. There were 500 "no shows" in a
one -month period. One driver sat in front of one house for 45 minutes
before being told that the caller was not using the service.
Commissioner Markowitz 'visited with Jeff and Isabel of the Senior
Center and .found that the biggest problem is the homeless population.
She had been reading about defibrillators and requested some research
into whether or not this ',would be an item that should be readily
available. The fire chief would be a good resource and may be able to
attend the next meeting. She also went on a ride along with the
Meals -on -Wheels program. She found the program well -organized and
the meals packaged nicely. The homebound were expectant of
delivery, and she and the volunteer were finished within one hour. The
person she rode with delivers meals two times per month. The wave
of the future is frozen meals delivered once a week.
IX. STAFF REPORTS
The attendance policy was distributed to commissioners. An ordinance
went to the Council which swill be in place beginning January 1, 1998.
Commissioners may not miss 3 meetings in a row, or 4 in one year..
Community Service staff will keep an attendance calendar, a copy of
which `will be attached to the minutes.
Cindy went to a School Board meeting on Tuesday evening. There is a
request for architects, next the user groups will be contacted for input.
This was approved by the School Board. The meeting with ,the user
groups will not take place until the end of January.
Cindy reminded Commissioners that nominations for volunteers are
due. In January, a volunteer will be selected for the West Covina
Beautiful Dinner to be held ;in February.
Support group meetings are held the first Thursday of every month at
the Senior Center at 2 p.m., in room 19. The support group talks about
issues that affect senior programming. They are the eyes and ears of
the community. Commissioner Markowitz volunteered to attend the
February 5 meeting.
A support group was asked to try the nutrition program offered at two
local sites. They preferred .the South El Monte (Huntington) nutrition
program. If this program were adopted, Pat's menu would be utilized
and prepared on site. Pat.would recommend that Huntington hire two
of her full-time staff; the other two would receive interviews for
placement at other locations.
The .Community Services office is getting a make over. An Open
House will be when everything is in order and all will, be invited to
attend.
A new Community Services Manager has been selected. This position
was redesigned after the previous manager retired. Some duties of the
new manager will include: 'working with the community, the non-profit
sector, and seeking new grants. There were interviews held, two
finalists chosen, and the position has been filled by Pat Bommarito.
X. COMMISIONER REPORTS'
Sally's a 1ticle, "Eye on the Senior Commission" will be in the January
1998 issue of the VOICE.
Vellore commented that the Breakfast with Santa on December 6
experienced a great turnout and was very nicely done.
SHOP (Seniors Helping Our Police) held their annual Christmas program
last week. There were 75,000 hours volunteered by approximately 50
seniors, utilizing .3. units. Lieutenant Schimanski was among the
attendees of the program.
Fred read several articles pertaining to seniors and would like to see
this information reported in the VOICE. He read about elder day care
programs, grandparents parenting grandchildren, and equipment which
helps surgeons choose correct equipment for hip replacement surgery.
XI. ADJOURNMENT - to the next regular Senior Citizens . Commission
meeting ion January, 8, 1998, at 3:0.0 p.m., Room 314, West Covina
City Hall
I
Cindy ,,gollins
Community Ser
Dec11
C
vices Director