The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutSC Minutes: 07/01/21SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Thursday, July 1, 2021 SENIOR COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING CALL TO ORDER — Commissioner Salter called the meeting to order at 4:01 pm. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Commissioner Salter ROLL CALL OF COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Michael Cao, Charlene Martinez, Marilyn Mazone, Kathrynn Penny, Nilo Salazar, Donna Salter, and Margaret Swope EXCUSED: None ELECTION OF OFFICERS Commissioner Cao made a motion to nominate Commissioner Salter as Chairperson, seconded by Commissioner Mazone. Commissioner Salter accepted the nomination and the motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Cao made a motion to nominate Commissioner Mazone as Vice -Chairperson, seconded by Commissioner Salter. Commissioner Mazone accepted the nomination and the motion carried unanimously. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None REPORTS FROM SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Cao introduced himself as Member at Large. Commissioner Cao reported he is a practicing Cardiologist and Physician in practice for 25 years with a private practice in Rosemead. Commissioner Cao said he wanted to get involved with the Senior Citizens Commission because the majority of his patients are senior citizens. Commissioner Cao has been a faculty professor at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine and holds several directorships. Commissioner Cao served in the US Airforce and served in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2003-2004. Commissioner Cao is excited to be a part of the Senior Citizens Commission and looks forward to serving the community, Commissioner Swope introduced herself as representative of the Friendship Club. Commissioner Swope said she is happy to have been selected to be a part of the Senior Citizens Commission and to give back to the community. Commissioner Swope has been coming to the Community Center for over 20 years. Commissioner Swope reported the Friendship Club is not meeting yet. Commissioner Mazone introduced herself as representative of the Travelers Club. Commissioner Mazone has lived in Arcadia for over 63 years and has four children who all attended Arcadia schools. Commissioner Mazone retired as a legal secretary and currently volunteers her time working with the Travelers Club. The Travelers Club offers day trips and extended trips for senior citizens at a reasonable price. The office opened up again on July 5. Commissioner Mazone reported on the following upcoming trips: Neil Diamond Tribute Show on July 20, tour of the SoFi Stadium on August 16, Big Bear Lake on September 9, and Balboa Park in San Diego on September 29. There are many more trips available and advertised in the monthly Connection Newsletter. Commissioner Mazone mentioned that travelers must be fully vaccinated in order to attend day trips. Commissioner Martinez introduced herself as representative of the Assistance League. Commissioner Martinez reported the Bargain Box is open only on Wednesdays from 10am to 1 pm with the anticipation of opening back up to normal hours by September. Donations for the Bargain Box can be dropped off from 9am to noon every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Chairperson Salter introduced herself as Member at Large. Chairperson Salter has been on the Senior Citizens Commission for two years. Chairperson Salter has lived in Arcadia for 33 years, retired from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and currently working part-time at a law firm in Burbank. Chairperson Salter is also a member of Las Alas, an auxiliary of the Assistance League. Chairperson Salter is happy to be a member of the Senior Citizens Commission and reported that her mother also attended the Community Center for senior programs and classes for many years. Commissioner Penny reported she has been working for Parks and Recreation with the City of Los Angeles for 22 years. Before working for the City of Los Angeles, Commissioner Penny was a schoolteacher, taught music, performing arts, and physical education at a Catholic School. Commissioner Penny reported due to the pandemic, the Department of Recreation and Parks, Balboa Sports Complex has turned into a vaccination site. They have administered over 100,000 vaccinations, close to 1,000 vaccinations daily since January 2021.The Balboa Sports Complex has a wonderful support team with up to 50 Public Health Department staff, a paramedic team, and more. Commissioner Penny said she looks forward to winter camps when she returns back to work. Commissioner Salazar introduced himself as the representative for the Golden Age Club. He retired from the State of Illinois, Children's Memorial Hospital Finance Department. Commissioner Salazar moved to Arcadia seven years ago to be close to his family and children. Commissioner Salazar reported there are no activities at the Golden Age Club at this time and happy to finally meet everyone in person. REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LIAISON Mayor Pro Tern Paul Cheng introduced himself as Senior Citizens Commission Liaison, Mayor Pro Tern Cheng said he is happy to report and answer any questions the Commission may have and will always try to answer or find the answer to all questions. Mayor Pro Tern Cheng reported during the pandemic, the Recreation and Community Services Department had a lot going on such as the toy drive and the 60-day meal train of feeding first responders. Meals were provided by residents who were thankful for the hard work on the Bobcat Fires. Mayor Pro Tern Cheng mentioned the City was fortunate to have access to vaccines in order to vaccinate our senior citizens. Mayor Pro Tern Cheng said he is thankful to Sara Somogyi, Gina Hernandez, and Candice Cheung for allowing to facilitate vaccinations at the Community Center. Mayor Pro Tern Cheng mentioned he stopped by the Homeless Resource Hub (HRH) and was impressed with all that the HRH has to offer to those experiencing homelessness. Some of the services provided are showers, laundry facility, restrooms, and case managers from Union Station Homeless Services. The HRH will be closed after July 29, 2021 as it was a short-term grant for the project. Mayor Pro Tem Cheng briefly spoke about the tiny shelter project. The City was exploring the option of implementing 15 tiny shelters to serve individuals in the area experiencing homelessness. The tiny shelter project would have been located at Peck Park utility access road. The project has not been approved and has been put on hold indefinitely. Mayor Pro Tern Cheng informed everyone the City's website has the latest information and FAQs regarding homelessness and the tiny shelter project. Residents may also submit questions to homelessness(aa-)arcadiaca.gov and or visit the Community Meeting Page. A discussion was held on the accuracy of individual homeless count. Recreation and Community Services Director (RCSD) Sara Somogyi briefly explained how people experiencing homelessness were counted, how the numbers changed, and the process. RCSD Somogyi mentioned there were areas not counted due to the safety of Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA) volunteers. RCSD Somogyi, said it is against the LAHSA rules to open tents or trespass in private encampments. RCSD Somogyi said all 88 Los Angeles County cities use the same rules and algorithm to take in account tents and encampments. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Regular meeting minutes of April 1, 2021. Recommended Action: Approve It was moved by Chairperson Salter, seconded by Commissioner Penny and carried on roll call vote to approve consent calendar item 2.a. AYES: Commissioners Martinez, Penny, Salazar, and Salter NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: Commissioners Cao, Mazone, and Swope REGULAR ITEMS a. Report of Recreation Supervisor Recreation Supervisor (RS) Gina Hernandez reported on programs held in April, May, and June 2021. Drive-in Bingo was held on April 2 and on June 11 with a total of 73 in attendance. Coffee and Treats has been a success during the past few months with 197 attendees. Cinco de Mayo drive -through lunch was held on May 5 with 120 participants. Summer virtual and in -person classes has over 1,140 participants registered. RS Hernandez was happy to report the Senior Lunch Program will open its doors again on July 6 with limited seating. Pre -packaged lunch will be sold on a first -come first -served basis. The cost will remain the same at $2 for seniors 55+ and $4 for those ages 50-54. b. Report of Recreation and Community Services Director RCSD Somogyi reported the Community Center is now able to open doors to the public, which includes the lobby area, ping-pong, and the billiards room following the Los Angeles County Public Health Guidelines. Also, the Travelers Club is able to open their office five days per week, appointments are no longer necessary. The Travelers Club may also hold their monthly general meeting with a limit of 100 people in a room. No coffee or food will be allowed at the general meeting. RCSD Somogyi mentioned if anyone needs masks, please contact Gina Hernandez. The Community Center partition walls will be replaced and completed before October. The Community Center Ballroom will be closed temporarily until the project is completed. RCSD Somogyi reported Concerts and Movies in the Park begins Thursday, August 5, at 6:30pm with Cold Duck as the guest band and The Croods, A New Age movie will be shown at dusk. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Salter adjourned the meeting at 5:30pm to August 5, 2021 at 4:OOpm in the Arcadia Recreation Conference Room located at 375 Campus Drive, Arcadia. Chairperson v Secretary Donna Salter Gina Hernandez