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Senior Citizen 2019/09/19MINUTES SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION Downtown Anaheim Community Center, 250 E. Center Street, Anaheim, California September 19, 2019 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT: Paul Vicknair, Chair Wendy Hernandez, Community Services Supervisor Emma Burns Beth Lapkowski, Administrative Assistant Alden Esping Ray Shah VISITORS PRESENT: Nicholas Yagar City Council Member Denise Barnes Planning Commissioner Steve White COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Sharon Linderman (Excused) A G E N D A A C T I O N T A K E N 1.CALL TO ORDER: Chair Vicknair called the meeting to order at 2:02 p.m. 2.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Burns led the Commission in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. 3.WELCOME NEW COMMISSIONER SHARON LINDERMAN: 4.APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Chair Vicknair presented the minutes of the May 16, 2019 meeting. Commissioner Shah asked about the conclusions they presented from the Linbrook visit at the last meeting being highlighted; Wendy Hernandez explained that the minutes are meant to be brief information about the meeting but not detailed. She noted that the meeting recordings are available on the City of Anaheim website for anyone who would like to hear more details. 5.UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None. 6.SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None. 7.NEW BUSINESS: A.Selection of Chair – Chair Vicknair asked if there were any nominations for the position of chair. Commissioner Yagar nominated Chair Vicknair, seconded by Commissioner Shah; vote was all ayes. B.Selection of Vice-Chair – Chair Vicknair noted that Vice-Chair Ramey resigned his position on the Commission so he nominated Commissioner Yagar for the position of vice-chair. Commissioner Esping seconded the motion; the vote was all ayes. 8.UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Chair Vicknair asked if there was any unfinished business. Wendy Hernandez mentioned that Vice-Chair Yagar would like to follow up on the housing presentation. Vice-Chair Yagar followed up on questions that had been asked, specifically about the methods that the public have to apply for housing assistance in the City of Anaheim. He noted that Andy Nogal from Community & Economic Development stated that people can apply either in person or online and would be placed on the waiting list by category if they meet the criteria, with Anaheim residents taking priority. The waiting list can exceed three years at times. Another question was a clarification regarding the $450,000 per housing unit development cost; Andy verified that is accurate, and that the costs are rising. This development cost includes the housing units, common areas, parking spaces, recreational & fitness rooms, landscaping, etc. Commissioner Shah also spoke with Andy Nogal, who suggested that they follow up with Planning and Housing; also stating that this is a very long Senior Citizen Commission 09/19/19 Page 2 A G E N D A A C T I O N T A K E N process from start to finish. Commissioner Shah shared a news item from the Washington Post that indicated California has the worst record regarding sheltered and unsheltered homeless; he wonders why California couldn’t match New York in that regard. Chair Vicknair stated he has heard that New York has a housing-first policy and he believes it’s also a budgetary consideration. He also mentioned the issue of rents going up, as was presented by Rancho La Paz Mobile Estates at the last meeting, and that the governor just signed some legislation that hopefully will help keep rents under control and help the situation. Commissioner Burns noted that in addition to the high cost, another issue for seniors is the housing needs to be close to public transportation. Vice-Chair Yagar mentioned the mental health services in California are not readily available either. 9.PUBLIC COMMUNICATION ACTION ITEMS: Commissioner Esping asked how senior citizens receive information about services that are available in the City. Chair Vicknair stated that one of the recommendations that was made to City Council was for the preparation of an informational brochure, but they haven’t received any response to their recommendations. Wendy Hernandez stated that the programs offered at the City facilities are published on the City’s webpage and also are included in the monthly publication issued by the Anaheim Senior Citizens Club. There is also a publication that the Public Utilities Department prepared that includes City programs in addition to other services available through the County. Chair Vicknair asked Commissioners to contact their City Council members to request that they respond to the recommendations made by the Commission. Commissioner Burns asked how this information is going to be relayed to people; Wendy Hernandez stated that once prepared, the brochure would be shared with agencies providing outreach to the community. She also reminded them that one recommendation was for the addition of a link on the Public Utilities page to the Active Older Adult page of the City website. 10.INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: - Chair Vicknair provided an informational packet to each Commissioner. He reminded them to be sure to reply with their attendance status when they receive their agenda packets, and also noted that Commissioner Ramey has resigned from the commission. He provided information from Public Works regarding an upcoming traffic signal installation project at Anaheim Boulevard and Water Street. Chair Vicknair also provided a report of attendance by Boards and Commissions and noted that the Senior Commission attendance is between 80 and 100 percent. Additionally, he provided a list of events related to Anahei’m First, which proposes $250 million in spending over 10 years and stated concern that recommendations made by commissions may be superseded by Anahei’m First. Wendy Hernandez encouraged commissioners to go online and complete the Anahei’m First survey to provide input on needs in the community. Chair Vicknair shared information about the facility that AltaMed plans to open on the old Carl Karcher property. He would like to see a senior center included on this property and suggested the commissioners contact their City Council members to encourage their support. Vice-Chair Yagar mentioned that the senior centers are only used during the day and he questions whether there is enough demand by seniors to require a new senior center. Chair Vicknair agreed that there is a need for a needs assessment; Council Member Barnes stated the seniors she has met with are adamant that they need a larger facility and better transportation for seniors. She agreed that a strategic plan needs to be done and suggested the commissioners request that from City Council. She indicated that the Orange County Advisory Council would be willing to assist. Wendy Hernandez provided commissioners with the Community Service Department’s Fall Activity Guide, which has a two-page spread highlighting the active older adult programs. Chair Vicknair reported on the FRAN (Free Rides Around the Neighborhood) transportation program in downtown Anaheim, and recommended everyone gets their flu shots. Planning Commissioner Steve White announced that he attended the groundbreaking for the El Dorado Apartments, low- cost permanent supportive housing for seniors, at the site of the old Sandman Motel on Lincoln Avenue. 11.ADJOURNMENT: Chair Vicknair adjourned the meeting at 2:52 p.m. Senior Citizen Commission 09/19/19 Page 3 A G E N D A A C T I O N T A K E N NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. at the Downtown Anaheim Community Center, 250 E. Center St., Anaheim CA 92805.