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Senior Citizen 2021/01/21MINUTES SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION Teleconference January 21, 2021 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:STAFF PRESENT: Nicholas Yagar, Chair Wendy Hernandez, Community Services Supervisor Emma Burns, Vice-Chair Beth Lapkowski, Administrative Assistant Janet Brown Sharon Linderman Ray Shah Paul Vicknair COMMISSIONERS ABSENT Alden Esping (Excused) A G E N D A A C T I O N T A K E N 1.CALL TO ORDER: Chair Yagar called the meeting to order at 2:01 p.m. 2.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Yagar led the Commission in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. 3.APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Chair Yagar presented the minutes of the November 19, 2020 meeting. Commissioner Vicknair made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Commissioner Brown; minutes approved unanimously. 4.PUBLIC COMMENTS: None received. 5.NEW BUSINESS: A.Anaheim Public Utilities Presentation – Wendy Hernandez noted that this presentation is in response to discussions by the Senior Citizen Commission regarding the need for distribution of information to seniors in Anaheim, and she introduced Public Utilities Communications Supervisor Melissa Seifen. Melissa Seifen reviewed some of the various programs offered by Anaheim Public Utilities and introduced Andrew Markis and Sandra Marsh from the Community and Sustainability Program. She explained that they publish six newsletter inserts per year in utility bills and try to focus on important informational messages for the residents. They also worked together with former City Council Member Denise Barnes to put together a brochure with information specifically for seniors which had been available at the Senior Centers and Community Centers in the City before COVID caused them to close. At this time they plan to prepare a newsletter for seniors to be mailed out in the spring and they plan to publish it twice per year. Andrew Markis discussed some discounts that Public Utilities has available to income-qualified residents and the COVID-19 program for those affected by the pandemic. Wendy also noted that the winter newsletter that has been included with the December, January and February utility bills includes information about food distribution and other services being provided at the Community Centers. B.Coronavirus Vaccine Distribution & Scam Alert – Commissioner Brown discussed the insert provided with the meeting packet regarding the Coronavirus vaccine and a number to call to report a scam. She spoke with a resident who reported that the telephone mailbox is full and she asked if there was a way Wendy or Senior Citizen Commission January 21, 2021 Page 2 A G E N D A A C T I O N T A K E N her staff could contact the resident for assistance. Wendy provided additional information regarding the vaccine rollout and specifically vaccines for seniors being offered at Anaheim’s Senior Centers in addition to the vaccine super-site at Disney. Commissioner Shah expressed some concern about the recent problems with the Moderna vaccine in San Diego County; it was explained that it was one batch which was taken out of use and it doesn’t affect the remaining batches. Commissioner Linderman offered to volunteer to assist in any way she is able; Wendy thanked her and will let her know if an opportunity arose. Commissioner Vicknair suggested she could send an invitation for assistance out to all commissioners. C.ASCC Recognition of Organizations Providing Resources – Commissioner Brown asked for an update on thanking organizations that have donated resources; Wendy Hernandez reported they will be recognized by the City at the department’s annual Volunteer Recognition event, which is currently in the planning stages. She reminded commissioners to keep her updated on mask donations so she can include them in the totals for recognition. D.AARP Age-Friendly Communities Status Update – Commissioner Brown asked to have the AARP application included in the packet as an informational item for the commissioners who may not have been aware of it. Wendy provided a brief synopsis of the AARP Age-Friendly Communities program and how it can help Anaheim become more age-friendly. E.California Master Plan for Aging – Commissioner Brown also included this item for informational purposes for the commissioners. F.Anaheim Senior Mobility Program – Wendy Hernandez shared that the Senior Wheels Transportation Program began service with a new transportation provider this month; seniors will be able to use the service for non-emergency medical appointments and visits to shopping centers. The cost is $2 per one- way trip and seniors need to call ahead to be registered and purchase vouchers. 6.UNFINISHED BUSINESS: A.Senior Citizen Commission Collection & Distribution of Face Masks – Chair Yagar thanked Commissioner Brown for helping acquire mask donations; last week approximately 300 masks were distributed to seniors. He also thanked commissioners for their assistance with the distribution of the masks. 7.PUBLIC COMMUNICATION ACTION ITEMS: None. 8.INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Chair Yagar noted this is the last meeting for Vice-Chair Burns and Commissioner Linderman and thanked them for their service. 9.ADJOURNMENT: Chair Yagar adjourned the meeting at 3:28 p.m. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2021, at 2:00 p.m.