HomeMy WebLinkAboutSC Minutes: 09/05/2024SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 5, 2024 SENIOR COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING CALL TO ORDER — Chairperson Bolster called the meeting to order at 4:00pm. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Chairperson Bolster ROLL CALL OF COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Cris Arzate, Robert Bolster, Ethel Laczko, Joyce McGregor, Joyce Platt, Cynthia Salazar, ABSENT: None EXCUSED: Steve Sherman A motion was made by Vice -Chairperson Platt seconded by Commissioner Swope and unanimously carried to excuse Commissioner Sherman. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS - None 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS Sheila Henke attended the meeting to inquire about free coyote whistles for seniors who would like to go for their daily walks. Sheila reported coyotes are roaming the streets day and night and suggested the whistles would be good for seniors to carry with them. Deputy Director of Recreation and Community Services, Candice Cheung (DDRCS) said she would inquire about the whistles and report back to her. REPORTS FROM SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSIONERS Vice -Chairperson Joyce Platt introduced herself and will be representing the Arcadia Travelers Club. Vice -Chairperson Platt reported the Arcadia Travelers Club office is open during the week from 9am to 12:30pm except on holidays. Each month during their general meeting there is a guest speaker, coffee, and discussion on senior trips. Vice -Chairperson Platt reported on upcoming December trips. On December 5, participants will be heading to the home of Johnny Cash in Casita Springs for a tour followed by lunch. Participants will also visit the Ojai Valley Museum with a quick stop at Bart's Books Bookstore in Ojai. On December 12, participants will begin their day trip with lunch at the popular Spaghetti Factory followed by a bus ride to Newport Beach for a cruise of bayfront estates to watch the beautiful holiday lights display. On December 29, participants will visit the Equestfest in Los Angeles where they will watch beautiful horses and riders perform drills. On January 1, 2025, participants will start the new year at a concert at the Hilton Hotel in Orange County where they will see William Florian, a former singer with the New Christy Minstrels perform song of the 60s. Commissioner Cynthia Salazar introduced herself and will be representing the Golden Senior Club where she currently serves as Secretary. Commissioner Salazar reported there are two new members who have joined the club. Commissioner Salazar reported that one of their members just celebrated her 100th birthday. Commissioner Salazar reported the Golden Senior Club meets on Thursdays at the Assistance League building. The Club members enjoy many activities including singing, music, bingo, exercise, Mahjong, and special guest speakers. Commissioner Salazar said anyone 50 years or older is welcome to stop by and join. Commissioner Arzate introduced himself as Member at Large and said he is happy to be part of the Senior Citizens Commission. Commissioner Arzate reported his family has lived in Arcadia for the past few years. Commissioner Arzate said his children have participated in some of the recreation programs the City offers. Commissioner Arzate works for the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles as a Resident Services Manager. Commissioner Arzate has experience and training in state and local governing boards, public affairs, technology, non-profit management, and technology. Commissioner Swope introduced herself and is representing the Senior Friendship Club. Commissioner Swope said she is happy to report new members have joined the Senior Friendship Club. Commissioner Swope reported the Senior Friendship Club meets on Wednesdays at the Assistance League building at 1 lam. Each week the club offers fun things to do such as music, food, guest speakers, and everyone's favorite game of bingo. Commissioner Laczko introduced herself as Member at Large. Commissioner Laczko is a retired National Board -Certified Schoolteacher. Commissioner Laczko reported she was awarded an outstanding service award from the Harvard Club of Southern California. Commissioner Laczko reported she served for ten years as a Commissioner on the Arcadia Beautiful Commission. Commissioner Laczko reported she has lived in Arcadia for 35 years. Chairperson Bolster introduced himself as Member at Large. Chairperson Bolster has lived in Arcadia since 1981. Chairperson Bolster is passionate about the City's Wilderness Park and is looking forward to the opening of the park. Chairperson Bolster said he will continue to speak and inquire about Wilderness Park. REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LIAISON Mayor Dr. Michael Cao introduced himself as the new City Council Member Liaison for the Senior Citizens Commission. Mayor Cao reported he was on the Senior Citizens Commission from July 2021 through December 2022. Mayor Cao reported the Annual Moon Festival will be held on Saturday, September 14, from 5 to 8:30pm, on the Arcadia City Hall Lawn. Mayor Cao reported on the monthly City -Wide Health Education Series, hosted by the Arcadia City Health Committee. The monthly health seminars are held each month and are free with medical professionals as guest speakers. The next seminar will take place on Wednesday, September 25, at the Arcadia Public Library with guest speakers Dr. Alexander Chen and Dr. Jeffrey Lin, both from USC Arcadia, Keck Medicine of USC. The topic on this seminar is Managing Chronic Pain through Alternatives to Opioids. Mayor Cao looks forward to serving the community, our senior citizens, and Veterans. Mayor Cao reported that the City held its first successful Community Health Fair on Saturday, August 10. Mayor Cao said he looks forward to next years Health Fair and hopes that everyone will attend. Mayor Cao reported the City has the Military Banner Program to honor and recognize living military individuals. The banner application and guidelines are available on the City's website. The banners will be displayed along Huntington Drive and Baldwin Avenue. The banners are free on a first come first serve basis as long as the guidelines are met. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Regular meeting minutes of August 1, 2024. Recommended Action: Approve It was moved by Vice -Chairperson Platt, seconded by Chairperson Bolster, and unanimously carried on roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Item 2.a. with the following correction. Commissioner Laczko is from Lima Peru. AYES: Bolster, Laczko, Platt, Salazar NOES: None ABSENT: Sherman ABSTAIN: Arzate and Swope 1. REGULAR ITEMS 2. Re ort of Recreation Su ervisor Gina Hernandez RS) Recreation Supervisor, Gina Hernandez (RS) reported the Sing -Along program with James Iranfar is increasing in attendance, from just a few people at the start of the program to now over 142 participants per month. James Iranfar plays guitar while attendees sing to popular songs. The program is a great mood booster and seniors love it. RS Hernandez reported the annual sold -out senior beach trip took place on August 15 with 108 participants. The program includes an all -day excursion to and from Doheny State Beach, a morning snack and coffee, lunch, refreshments, fruit, afternoon snacks, board games, bingo, music, raffle prizes, and s'mores. RS Hernandez reported the City of Arcadia along with the City of West Coving and the City of Duarte collaborated for a special pool day event at the Duarte Community Pool. The event was geared towards seniors 50 years of age and over. The event included lunch, a dessert truck, music by a live DJ, and swimming. RS Hernandez reported the next Bingo program will be held on Friday, September 6 and Taste the Town program will be on September 19, at Cafe Fusion in Arcadia. RS Hernandez reported Recreation Coordinator Jessica Mancilla will oversee many of the senior programs and events along with Recreation Coordinator Brian DeLeon. RS Hernandez reported the Matter of Balance class is available every year and will begin on September 17. The class is geared toward individuals who use walkers, canes, if their balance is not good, or for a loved one who continues to call 911 because they keep falling. Commissioner Laczko asked if there are excursions provided by the department. RS Hernandez answered and said there are excursions such as the Shen Yun Performance which took place in March, the Senior Doheny Beach Trip in August, and Pageant of the Masters in August. Lastly, RS Hernandez reported this will be her last meeting as she will be transitioning into a new role. The new Recreation Supervisor, Annie Sumioka, will be present and attending the meetings starting in October. 3. Report of Recreation and Community Services Director (RCSD) DDRCS Cheung reported the City of Arcadia has contracted three case managers to be available seven days per week from the Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol & Drug Abuse (L.A. CADA). The case managers can be contacted if you see or know someone who is experiencing homelessness. DDRCS Cheung provided their business card to everyone. The case managers will drive around to outreach and provide people experiencing homelessness with resources, clothes, job training, phones, food, and much more, all on a case -by -case basis. Chairperson Bolster asked how City's count of homeless people on the streets are managed and how to avoid duplicate counts. DDRCS Cheung responded by saying there is a Point -in -Time (PIT) count in January where every City in the Service Planning Area 3 (SPA 3) will count on the same day and night. DDRCS Cheung reported that mooncakes will be made by each individual who attends the Moon Festival on Saturday, September 14. The mooncakes will be easy to make with mochi and rice flour on the outer part and red bean paste and lotus paste on the inside. There is no need for baking and guests will be able to enjoy their mooncake immediately. DDRCS Cheung reported the Fall Buzz Peacock Buzz Brochure is now available online and registration is open. DDRCS Cheung said there are classes available for all ages. DDRCS Cheung answered a question she was asked regarding the duties of a Senior Citizens Commissioner. The duty of a Senior Citizens Commissioner is to act in an advisory capacity to City Council on items pertaining to senior citizens. If a commissioner has an idea, the Commissioner will have to contact the Director of Recreation and Community Services Department, Sara Somogyi or the Deputy Director of Recreation and Community Services, Candice Cheung to discuss the idea further. If there is an item that needs to be talked about as a commission in a meeting, there will have to be majority votes for the item to be added to the agenda. Mayor Cao also added that the City Council Liaison's role on a City Commission is to hear what is being discussed and to report on what is going on in the City that may be important or pertain a commission. Mayor Cao reiterated that the Council Liaisons cannot give an opinion as they are an independent advisory body. ., ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Bolster adjourned the meeting at 5:05pm to Thursday, October 3, 2024, at 4:OOpm in the Recreation Conference Room, 375 Campus Drive, Arcadia. Chairperson Robert Bolster W1101111rLIM111111. �, N___ im