Senior Citizen 2025/01/16MINUTES
SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION
January 16, 2025; 2:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT:
Janet Brown, Chair Brian Chwan, Community Services Superintendent
Sue Baltazar Maureen Richardson, Community Services Supervisor
Steve Brio Beth Lapkowski, Administrative Assistant
Frances Noteboom
Victor "Vic" Real
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Denise Barnes, Vice -Chair
AGENDA ACTION TAKEN
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 minutes of the November 21, 2024,
meeting. Commissioner Noteboom made a motion for approval of the minutes, seconded by
Commissioner Real. The minutes were approved unanimously.
4. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None.
5. SCHEDULED COMMUNICATION: None.
6. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Letter to City Council: New Senior Center — Chair Brown apologized that the letter isn't completed,
but she will have it ready for the next meeting.
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
8. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
a. OC Senior Resources — Free Mobile App — Chair Brown shared information about a free mobile app
from the Orange County Council on Aging, which is a helpful resource for finding services that are
available for older adults.
b. Blue Zones, Aging & Longevity — Commissioner Real reported that older adults are going to be in
dire straits, due to several reasons including a lack of doctors. He also reported that Singapore has
been added as the sixth Blue Zone city. His request for the Board is that they pay more serious
attention to the life expectancy of seniors in Anaheim. Chair Brown has discussed with City Council
Member Maas about potentially starting an Anaheim Aging in Place Assistance Program where
they would work with the Anaheim Community Foundation to provide grants to assist seniors with
household projects so they can stay in their homes.
c. Commission Name Change Update — Anaheim Older Adult Advisory Commission — Brian Chwan
reported that the City Clerk has asked that the word "Advisory" be removed from the name because
the City's Boards and Commissions are all advisory in nature. He asked Chair Brown to prepare a
letter to the Community Services Director, Sjany Larson -Cash, requesting the name be changed to
Anaheim Older Adult Commission.
Senior Citizen Commission
January 16, 2025
Page 2
AGENDA ACTION TAKEN
d. Brian Chwan announced that Commissioner Kandee Beas resigned her position today; she sends
her regards to everyone. The Board would like to send a card thanking her for her service.
Commissioner Noteboom also suggested sending a card for the passing of former Senior Citizen
Commission Chair Shirley McCracken.
e. Commissioner Noteboom would like to have a sign facing Center Greens for the Senior Center.
Maureen Richardson stated they are currently working to create a temporary sign.
f. Chair Brown inquired about volunteer opportunities for seniors at the City; Brian Chwan and
Maureen Richardson described what is available. Commissioner Brio suggested that it would be
helpful to have a "volunteer' button on the website. Chair Brown asked to place this on next
month's agenda for further discussion, as well as Aging in Place and the letter for the Commission
name change.
g. Maureen Richardson announced some upcoming events: Wellness boutique and health fair in
May, Mardi Gras and St. Patrick's Day, as well as crafts, games and a luncheon for Valentine's
Day. Also, beginning the first Monday in February through the end of March, tax assistance
sponsored by AARP and dedicated to working with older adults, will be available at the Downtown
Anaheim Community Center; information is available by calling (714) 765-4511. Brian Chwan
added that tax assistance is also offered at our Family Resource Centers through the VITA
Program, in partnership with United Way of Orange County; they can be contacted at
www.oranciecountvfreetaxprep.com or by calling 2-1-1.
9. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Brown adjourned the meeting at 2:37 p.m.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.