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Home My WebLink AboutSC Minutes: 03/06/2025SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES March 6, 2025 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, Shirley Curley, Ethel Laczko, Joyce Platt, Cynthia Salazar, Steve Sherman, and Margaret Swope ABSENT: None SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS - None 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None REPORTS FROM SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSIONERS Vice -Chairperson Joyce Platt reported the trip scheduled for March 6, to the Santa Ana Zoo was cancelled due to the rain. The trip was rescheduled for April 4. Vice -Chairperson Platt reported on the following upcoming day trips: On June 10, participants will visit Catalina Island with Curt Tucker who will lead the tour. Participants will be able to eat, shop, and enjoy the City of Avalon. After lunch, everyone will enjoy an open-air tram tour of the beautiful sights of the island. On June 24, participants will visit the original Farmers Market followed by a tour of Paramount Studios for a behind -the -scenes experience where they will explore all the magic Hollywood has to offer. Participants will also explore sound stages, historic backlots, and more. On October 22-24, 2025, participants will visit the City of Cambria for a three-day, two -night trip. There will be plenty to do, and they will be able to enjoy the Scarecrow Fest. The next general meeting will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025 at 10am. The guest speaker will be Ed Andersen from the Arcadia Historical Society. Commissioner Cris Arzate reported he attended the Lunar New Year celebration at Le Meridien Hotel in February and was impressed with the entertainment and performances. Commissioner Shirely Curley reported the Assistance League will be celebrating its 70th birthday this year. Commissioner Curley reported the Assistance League completed their annual February book drive where books are collected for distribution through the Operation School Bell program where they are also partnered with Chase Bank. Commissioner Curley reported the month of March is "Our Links to Learning Program", where second graders from Garvey School District will receive their own books. Commissioner Ethel Laczko asked if there was information on the upcoming free sewing class that will be provided by Pasadena City College (PCC). Recreation Supervisor, Annie Sumioka (RS) reported the class will be starting in the fall. Commissioner Cynthia Salazar reported the Golden Senior Club is doing great and will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day with lunch and refreshments. Commissioner Salazar reported there will be a physical therapist guest speaker on March 20, 2025, who will talk to the members about knee and back problems and how to treat them. Commissioner Steve Sherman reported that the Men's Club members meet every week from 9am to 2:30pm at the Arcadia Community Center to play pinochle. Commissioner Sherman reported a new person stopped by to play cards with them and they are currently at six members who play each week. Commissioner Margaret Swope reported the Friendship Club is doing well. The Friendship Club meets every week on Wednesdays at 11 am. During their meetings, Club members can celebrate birthdays, have snacks, play Bingo, and more. Chairperson Robert Bolster reported he contacted Public Works for an update on Wilderness Park. After speaking with Carmen Masud, Chairperson Bolster was informed that the Park remains closed and although the Public Works Services Department would like to begin restoring the park, it will take some time. REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LIAISON Mayor Dr. Michael Cao reported that the Arcadia Fire Department Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance service program assists the community during peak hours. The program will now operate Monday through Sunday from 8am to 8pm. The BLS program also serves as a secondary transportation source for the City of Monrovia and the Los Angeles County Fire Department when needed. Mayor Cao reported he will be presenting the State of the City on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Le Meridien Hotel in Arcadia. The presentation will begin promptly at 4pm and light refreshments will be served. Mayor Cao asked those who would like to attend please RSVP by calling the Arcadia Recreation and Community Services Department by March 6. Mayor Cao reported that the office of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tern is filled automatically by rotation among City Council Members every nine months and his term as Mayor will end April 15, 2025. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Regular meeting minutes of February 6, 2025. Recommended Action: Approve It was moved by Commissioner Sherman, seconded by Commissioner Arzate, and unanimously carried on roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Item 2.a. AYES: Arzate, Bolster, Curley, Laczko, Platt, Salazar, Sherman, and Swope NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None 3. REGULAR ITEMS a. Senior of the Year Selection Senior Citizen Commissioners received 25 nominations for the 2024 Senior of the Year. After a group discussion and careful consideration, a vote was made. RS Sumioka announced the honoree for the 2024 Senior of the year is Arlene Weiss. The City Council will present Arlene Weiss with a plaque at a City Council meeting in May. Chairperson Robert Bolster, RS Sumioka, and a guest of Arlene Weiss will meet for a special lunch. Additionally, the Los Angeles County Commission on Aging hosts an annual Older Americans Recognition Day Awards luncheon to honor senior citizen volunteers which Arlene will be invited to with a guest. Deputy Director of Recreation and Community Services (DDRCS) Candice Cheung added that a news release will be out soon to announce the 2024 Senior of the Year and will also be advertised with her photo in the monthly Connection Newsletter. Lastly, Arlene Weiss will have her name plaque added to the Senior of the Year City Plaque located at the Arcadia Community Center. b. Report of Recreation Supervisor Annie Sumioka (RS) RS Sumioka reported on the following events and programs that took place during the month of February. On February 7, participants attended Bunco with a valentine's sweetheart theme. The program includes three rounds of Bunco, a light lunch, and raffle prizes. On Friday, February 14, the annual Lunar New Year lunch in partnership with the Arcadia Chinese Association was held at the Arcadia Community Center. The event was a success and included traditional Chinese food, entertainment, red envelopes, and much more. RS Sumioka reported on the upcoming programs and events. On March 7, the popular sold -out Bingo program will be held with a Shamrock theme. On Thursday, March 13, there will be a Billiard Tournament held in the billiards room from 11 am to 2pm. On Friday, March 21, from 4pm to 6pm, a new event will be held, A Night at the Rodeo, where participants will enjoy a nice dinner, music, and plenty of line dancing, which is very popular with our senior patrons. The event will also include a dance competition with wonderful prizes. Recreation line dance instructors Willard (Bill) Berry and Pam Wagoner will be leading and teaching line dance moves and will also be judges for the line dance competition. c. Report of Recreation and Community Services Director (RCSD) DDRCS Cheung handed an invitation to each Commissioner for the upcoming Volunteer Dinner where Arcadia volunteers, board members and commission members will be honored for their outstanding volunteer work throughout the year. The dinner will be held at Le Meridien Hotel on April 3, 2025, starting at 5:30pm. DDRCS Cheung asked everyone to RSVP on or before March 21, 2025. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Bolster adjourned the meeting at 4:46pm to Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 4:00pm in the Recreation Conference Room, 375 Campus Drive, Arcadia. Chairperson Robert Bolster SecrEwry Annie um a