Senior Citizen 2024/01/18MINUTES
SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION
January 18, 2024
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT:
Janet Brown, Chair Brian Chwan, Community Services Superintendent
Denise Barnes, Vice-Chair Maureen Richardson, Community Services Supervisor
Sue Baltazar Beth Lapkowski, Administrative Assistant
Frances Noteboom
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Kandee Beas
Steve Brio
Victor “Vic” Real
A G E N D A A C T I O N T A K E N
1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Brown called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Brown led the Commission in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Chair Brown presented the amended minutes of the November 16,
2023, meeting. Vice-Chair Barnes made a motion for approval of the minutes, seconded by
Commissioner Noteboom. The amended minutes were approved unanimously.
4. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION:
A. Emergency Preparedness for Seniors – Brian Chwan introduced Alexandra Solana, Anaheim Fire &
Rescue Public Safety Education Specialist,who provided an overview of the program and
answered questions from the Commission.
5. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None.
6. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Justice in Aging Statement: Governor’s FY 24/25 Proposed State Budget – Chair Brown shared the
statement with the Commission and noted they reported that California is doing very well and is not
expecting reductions in their benefits.
B. Commission Name Change Proposal – Commissioner Noteboom suggested changing the name
from Senior Citizen Commission to Active Older Adult Commission. Brian Chwan stated that the
commission would need to vote on the topic, then it would be recommended to the Community
Services Director to then be brought before City Council to change the City Ordinance. Chair
Brown suggested postponing the discussion until the next meeting when all the commissioners can
be involved in the conversation. Brian Chwan will continue the name change proposal to the next
meeting.
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
A. Senior Services Website Upgrade/Discussion/Expansion – Maureen Richardson stated that the
website is up to date at this time and the changes requested have been incorporated. Brian Chwan
stated that Commissioner Brio has asked to have another steering committee meeting and they will
Senior Citizen Commission
January 18, 2024
Page 2
A G E N D A A C T I O N T A K E N
bring another report back after that. Chair Brown suggested that everyone visit the website before
the next meeting.
B. Anaheim Senior Citizen Strategic Plan – Chair Brown hopes to have some new information to share
at the next meeting.
C. Senior Center Signage Update – Maureen Richardson reported that they are in the process of
getting a plan drawn up. She explained some of the requirements to be met before they can go out
to bid. Brian Chwan will bring back a presentation for them to see the options at the next meeting.
D. Blue Zones & Aging – Chair Brown asked if there is a way to know how many centenarians are
living in the city of Anaheim. Maureen stated that they don’t always show up in the census due to
where they are living. They decided this item does not need to continue to be on the agenda.
8. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
A. Staffing Levels Update – Brian Chwan announced that they have two full-time staff who will be on
board at the end of the month and will be fully staffed soon.
B. Senior Center Building – Brian Chwan wanted to update the commission that there are advocates
for a stand-alone center and he encouraged them to advocate for that when the needs assessment
comes out.
C. Vice-Chair Barnes asked if it’s possible to get a list of people who have applied to be on the
commission, possibly to use the list to get volunteers for the senior center. She would like to have
that added to the next agenda.
D. Chair Brown asked about the possibility of having the Fire & Rescue Emergency Preparedness
presentation put on the city’s TV channel. Brian Chwan will inquire with Fire & Rescue about that.
Commissioner Noteboom commented that City Council Member Natalie Rubalcava asked the City
Council to consider holding all board & commission meetings at City Hall so they can be televised.
E. Maureen Richardson reported the next Senior Health Fair will be held on April 20.
9. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Brown adjourned the meeting at 3:41 p.m.
NEXT MEETING: The next meetingwill be held on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.