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Home My WebLink AboutSC Minutes: 10/07/21SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Thursday, October 7, 2021 SENIOR COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING CALL TO ORDER — Chairperson Salter called the meeting to order at 4:OOpm. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Commissioner Swope ROLL CALL OF COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Michael Cao, Charlene Martinez, Marilyn Mazone, Kathrynn Penny, Nilo Salazar, Donna Salter, and Margaret Swope EXCUSED: None SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None REPORTS FROM SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Salazar reported the Golden Age Club held their meeting after a long pause. On October 28, the Club will be holding nominations for the new 2022 officers. Commissioner Salazar reported the Club will have a Halloween party with prizes and a light lunch. Commissioner Salazar reported Club member and Treasurer of 20 years, Toni Armenio, will be celebrating 100 years of age. Club members will have a special celebration for him in December. Commissioner Salazar said the Assistance League will be closed from December 19 through January 6. Commissioner Swope reported the Friendship Club has been meeting on Wednesdays. Members will be celebrating Halloween with pizza and refreshments. In November the Club will celebrate with Pollo Loco for their Thanksgiving celebration. In December, the Club will celebrate the holidays with food catered from Domenicos Restaurant. Commissioner Martinez reported the Assistance League Operation School Bell encourages literacy and reading and ensuring every child that comes through Operation School Bell gets to choose a book of their choice to take home and enjoy. There have been many book donations for all ages. Commissioner Martinez reported the Bargain Box is having their holiday boutique sale starting November 3 through November 6. There will be clothing, gifts, decorations, and lots of nice treasures. Chairperson Salter reported she donated blood at City of Hope for the Arcadia Police Association Blood Drive. She also reported the Las Alas met for the first time after a long pause. Vice -Chairperson Mazone reported the Travelers Club currently has 304 members signed up for 2021. In 2019 there were 436 members, and in 2018 there were 467 members. The Arcadia Travelers Club is working on promoting memberships for 2022. Vice -Chairperson Mazone reported the Travelers Club reported a job description is currently in the works for a Publicity Director to promote the Travelers Club and a job description is currently in the works. Vice -Chairperson Mazone escorted a trip to Balboa Park in San Diego on September 29. It was a long but fun day. After the park, everyone enjoyed a city tour which included the Gaslight District, Petco Stadium, the Midway Aircraft Carrier, Barrio Logan, and a few more places. Vice - Chairperson Mazone reported on October 14, there will be a chocolate tour where members will enjoy different samples of chocolate goodies. On October 27, members will get to experience their own chef in a restored Italian home in little Italy. Commissioner Cao reported he donated blood at City of Hope for the Arcadia Police Association Blood Drive. He said he is proud to have donated and thanked Mayor Pro Tern Paul Cheng for informing everyone about the blood drive. REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LIAISON Mayor Pro Tern Paul Cheng thanked those who donated blood. He reported Timothy Peabody was released from the hospital. The Arcadia Police Department staff plans to move forward with the blood donation. Timonthy Peabody is in need of O negative blood. Mayor Pro Tern Cheng reported the City Council made a motion in regards to the tiny shelter project issue at their last meeting. City Council have identified issues such as the concern for those who may be at risk of becoming homeless, the anti -camping ordinance that will be enforced, and a true census of homeless people in Arcadia, which will be conducted in six months. The purpose of the census is to have a more accurate number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Arcadia. Mayor Pro Tern Cheng reported within six months, the City will also be looking to partner up with organizations other than Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA). City Council will also be looking to partner up with other cities as well, cities who have actually done work and provided shelters for homelessness. The last step would be to inform the community with an update and more accurate data. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR 1 , CA 0 a. Regular meeting minutes of September 2, 2021. 2' Doano Recommended Action: Approve It was moved by Commissioner Cao, seconded by Vice -Chairperson Mazone and unanimously carried on roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Item 2.a. AYES: Cao, Martinez, Mazone, Salter, and Swope NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: Penny, Salazar 3. REGULAR ITEMS a. Guest Speaker Lt. Colonel US Air force (Ret) David Worley from Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW) Commissioner Cao invited guest speaker, Colonel Worley to introduce organization Operation Gratitude. Operation Gratitude is one of the largest nonprofit organizations for hands-on volunteerism in support of Veterans and first responders. MOWW has paired up with Operation Gratitude to help assemble and provide care packages in support of Military, Veterans, and first responder communities. Volunteers assemble care packages at a main facility and will ship them to deployed troops or hand deliver packages to other organizations who also contribute and volunteer their time to the cause. Colonel Worley offered to donate care packages to Arcadia Veterans. Packages vary depending on the donations received, including inspiring letters from children. Assistant Director of Recreation and Community Services (ADRCS) Candice Cheung thanked Colonel Worley for stopping by and for offering to donate care packages for the Veterans Lunch event on November 10. b. Report of Recreation Supervisor Recreation Supervisor (RS) Gina Hernandez reported the Arcadia Community Center ballroom partition wall project is complete. The ballroom is now open for vaccinated seniors to enjoy lunch indoors. RS Hernandez reported on September 17, the western themed drive -through lunch event was held. Participants received a packed lunch, dessert, beverage, and a surprise goodie bag. The Arcadia Rotary Club assisted by putting together all the goodie bags. RS Hernandez reported there were 17 participants in attendance for Walk & Talk on September 22. Everyone walked from the Community Center to Le Meridien Hotel for a special tour of the hotel main lobby, restaurant, bar, patio, event ballroom, the history of every artwork on the walls, and the hotels model rooms. RS Hernandez reported the Bingo event was held for the first time in a very long time with 52 happy participants. It was good to see the crowd with all of their good luck charms enjoying themselves. Mahjong will be back starting October 8 with limited space. The Boo Bash event will be held on October 29, with food, games, music, and a costume contest. RS Hernandez was happy to report the ticket sales for the Senior Lunch Program has been picking up. Proof of vaccination is now required in order to eat indoors. Those who do not have proof of vaccination or have not been vaccinated may have lunch in the patio area. RS Hernandez reported the senior clubs will be advertised in the monthly newsletter starting with the November 2021 Connection. c. Report of Recreation and Community Services Director ADRCS Cheung reported there will be a homeless census count within the next six months in the City of Arcadia. The City will be working closely with Arcadia Police Department, Arcadia Fire Department, and Foothill Unity will help provide lunch meals. ADRCS Cheung said the plan is to go out and get to know those experiencing homelessness, ask questions, make them feel comfortable with staff, and provide gift cards or goodies to keep them engaged. City departments are working out the logistics to be prepared for this project. ADRCS Cheung talked about the upcoming Veterans Lunch event on Wednesday, November 10, which will include a tour of the facility followed by a tour of the Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage. Veterans will receive a complimentary lunch. ADRCS Cheung reported the City will be honoring local veterans by offering a free Veterans lawn sign. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Salter adjourned the meeting at 4:45pm to November 4, 2021 at 4:OOpm in the Arcadia Recreation Conference Room located at 375 Campus Drive, Arcadia. � Q n I �1, a --A 11, �+� By: 1"4"Mih Chairperson ecretary 67 Donna Salter Gina Hernandez