12-19-2006 - Summary of Actions - Regular Meeting of Senior Citizens Commisison - 10/12/06s
City of West Covina
Memorandum
AGENDA
ITEM NO. D-2b
DATE December 19.2006
SUMMARY OF ACTIONS
SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSION
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
October 12, 2006
I. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Senior Citizens Commission was called to order by Chair
Hughes at 3:00 p.m.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE /MOMENT OF SILENT MEDITATION
Chair Hughes requested Commissioner Solis to lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and a
Moment of Silent Reflection
III. ROLL CALL OF COMMISSIONERS:
Commissioners Present: Hughes, Glenn, Perryman, and Solis
Commissioners Absent: Taylor
Staff Present: McNeill, Smilowitz, Carter, Landesman, and Headley.
IV. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL
A. MINUTES APPROVED
Approval was made of the Minutes of the Regular Senior Citizens Commission
meeting of May 11, 2006.
MOTION
Motion by Glenn, and seconded by Perryman to approve the Minutes of the
Regular Senior Citizens Commission Meeting on Thursday, May 11, 2006.
Motion carried 4-0. Taylor was not present.
B. Approval was made of the Minutes of the Regular Senior Citizens Commission
meeting of June 8, 2006 with Vice Chair Glenn requesting one correction. In
Article V.A, change the word "volunteer" to "people". Article V.A should read,
"Senior Center Supervisor Carter stated initially the. tree was to memorialize
people."
MOTION:
Motion by Perryman, and seconded by Glenn to approve the Minutes of the
Regular Senior Citizens Commission Meeting on Thursday, June 8, 2006 with the
one correction. Motion carried 4-0. Taylor was not present.
C. Approval was made of the. Minutes of the Regular Senior Citizens Commission
meeting on Thursday, September 14, 2006.
MOTION:
Motion by Glenn, and seconded by Solis to approve the Minutes of the Regular
Senior Citizens Commission Meeting on Thursday, September 14, 2006. Motion
carried 4-0. Taylor was not present.
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Senior Citizens Commission Minutes October 12, 2006
V. CORRESPONDENCE AND ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
A. Guest Royal Brown commended the staff for the upgrades at the Senior Center.
However, he suggested that maybe the card tables be moved to another part of the
Center or even the time moved to after lunch, to facilitate more table room for the
seniors at lunch time.
Chair Hughes said he would have staff look into this issue. Supervisor Carter
advised that the removal of the stage has made more room. She mentioned that
the LACO Consumers Affair did have a program recently, which provided them
with a challenge with the lunch following the event. However, a flyer was posted
well in advance informing everyone of the scheduled program that day.
VI. PRESENTATIONS
A. Coordinator Landesman spoke of a situation with some seniors not being aware of
needing different or more/less medications because of adverse reactions. She
asked Pharmacist Jonas Kim to make a presentation, since he is very active in
helping seniors already. Chair Hughes expressed thanks to Coordinator
Landesman for taking the initiative to invite Mr. Kim.
Guest Jonas Kim, owner of Tom's Pharmacy, 2686 E. Garvey Ave, South spoke
of offering his services and advice to seniors regarding their medications. Being
elderly people, many do not keep up with the changes and updating of their
medications. With the addition of supplements, herbs, & vitamins, many do not
realize the side effects caused with the combination of these, and their
prescription medications. Mr. Kim has over 20 years experience as a pharmacist.
Additionally, he carries a Liability Insurance Policy with State Farm Insurance.
Mr. Kim is willing to come to the Senior Center and help seniors by appointment
only. Most importantly, any changes or suggestions made by Mr. Kim, he will
make clear would be after the advice of their own personal doctor's orders.
Commissioner Taylor arrived at the meeting at 3:10 p.m.
B. Director McNeill recognized Marion Landesman by reading a Thank You card
received by the Chilson family at the Community Services Department. The
Chilson family was very grateful for the invaluable information regarding senior
care, service and assistance. They complimented Coordinator Landesman on her
courteous and helpful professionalism. Director McNeill thanked her personally
for a job well done. A round of applause was given to Coordinator Landesman.
VII. ADMINISTRATION
A. Council Staff Reports
Director McNeill stated that a Staff Report, slated for the City Council
Meeting on October 17'' requesting funding to Host a Halloween Event, has
been taken off the Agenda. The Community Services Department had
received direction from City Council to put together a Haunted House. The
cost of the program will be under $10,000, which only needs approval from
the City Manager.
• CS Director McNeill reported that the Staff Report for the Amendments to the 2006/07 CDGB Action Plan has already been publicly noticed.
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Senior Citizens Commis sion Minutes October 12, 2006
Chair Hughes asked if the Subcommittee already had a meeting on this
issue. Director McNeill stated that the Subcommittee met this past week,
and made a general review prioritizing where the monies would go. One
area is $1 million for affordable housing. It was advised by the Consultant
to wait for the Fair Housing Plan to come into effect, which would be in one
year. Z
IX. OLD BUSINESS
A. Furniture Replacement for Bridge Players
Supervisor Carter stated she spoke to the spokesperson of the Bridge players,
Larry Larson who agreed to discuss it with the Bridge Club, and get back to us.
He requested that the table and chairs be similar to the ones at Walnut Senior
Center. Staff has not been over to Walnut to see what they look like yet.
B. Chair Hughes inquired about the Air Conditioning bid. Director McNeill
explained that the Staff Report was pulled from the Agenda. She stated that even
though we are reporting on this, Public Works is in control of the bidding. Public
Works is trying to ascertain if this was approved for a CIP project in this fiscal
year, or approved for the next fiscal year, or called forward for a special CIP Item.
Finance is still working on it also. Chair Hughes mentioned how people have
complained that they are either too hot or too cold. He would like to see some
movement. Director McNeill said we will agendize it.
X. INFORMATION
A. . City Sponsored Events
C SGV NAACP Dinner Banquet honoring City Manager Andy Pasmant -
Chair Hughes stated that the City Manager was a terrific person for
helping a destitute family out.
C Social Gathering with West. Covina City Council Members — Chair
Hughes double checked that the date has been moved to the 23`d of
October. Commissioner Taylor asked why it was moved to the same time
as the BKK Dedication. Director McNeill explained that the
groundbreaking would be fairly short, and it was Mayor Herfert who
requested both events on the same evening.
C C.E.R.T. Training — Commissioner Taylor asked if this training was open
to anyone. Director McNeill answered yes. Chair Hughes advised that it
was at Fire Station No. 3 on Puente Avenue.
C. Rotation of CDBG Subcommittee Members — Director: McNeill explained first,
from a previous question of Chair Hughes, the rotation of the Commission, in
which she read from the Code, "...At its first meeting in May, each Commission
shall elect one Chair, and one Vice Chair to serve for a one year term..." Director
McNeill then went on to state that staff has confirmed that rotation of CDBG
Subcommittee Members does not require Council action.
XI. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS/COMMENTS
A. Vice Chair Glenn stated that he attended the CDBG meeting, and he agreed
with Director McNeill's details of the meeting. He also mentioned the $1
.million for affordable housing is not anywhere enough. Guest Royal Brown
informed the meeting that RDA has $9 million set aside for affordable
housing. Chair Hughes asked if that was part of the Home Improvement
Loans that Community Development Commission offers. Vice Chair Glenn
stated that during the CDBG meeting, consultant Castenanda indicated that
low-income people who pay more than 30% for housing are eligible for funds.
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Senior Citizens Commission Minutes October 12 2006
B. Commissioner Taylor thanked Director McNeill and her staff for giving her
the opportunity to go to the Taste of West Covina. She spent $300 on the
silent auction. She also attended the Gender Equity training. She thanked the
City again for the tickets to the Banquet for SGV NAACP. Commissioner
Taylor further spoke on the Housing issue. stating that it is federal law that you
are eligible if you pay more than 30% of income for housing, and it is also
based on your needs. She also stated that while the housing authority still
issues Housing Vouchers, they no longer issue Section 8 Vouchers.
C. Commissioner Perryman mentioned that he attended many of the City's
functions in the last month, and one he especially enjoyed was the dedication
in the park. He said how surprisingly big the area was. He then thanked the
staff for all the invitations.
D. Commissioner Solis thanked the Commission, the Community Services staff,
and the Senior Center for the warm thoughts and prayers for the passing of her
father. Then she shared some stories about her father with the Commission
and staff.
E. Chair Hughes stated he attended West Covina Day at the Fair, and he and his
son rode on the Fire Engine with the young girl, Arianna Masten, who lost her
arm saving her little brother during a car accident. He said she was a
sweetheart, all smiles, and a lot of personality. He attended the Taste of West
Covina, which was really great. He thanked staff for the tickets. Chair
Hughes than reminded everyone of the MDA Christmas event, on December
3rd, and how they need turkeys; and unwrapped gifts. He then spoke of a
young man in a motorized wheelchair, and how he needed lifts for a van, but
couldn't afford them. The Elks Club donated $1,000, and Chair Hughes and
some of his friends donated the other $750 to purchase the lift.
Chair Hughes asked the status of the Memorial Tree. Supervisor Carter
advised that Public `Works Project Supervisor Mike Shott said the carpenter
was just finishing up the support base. It should be ready in a week. Chair
Hughes thanked Supervisor Carter for her great work here at the City, and
stated that everyone will miss her. Supervisor Carter thanked everyone also,
.and said this was a wonderful city to work in. Commissioner Taylor
presented Supervisor Carter with a plant from all the Commission and staff.
Coordinator Landesman reminded everyone of the going away party for
Supervisor Carter on Wednesday, October 18th at the Senior Center.
MI. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Solis, and seconded by Perryman to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
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