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Senior Citizen 2020/05/21 MINUTES SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION Teleconference May 21, 2020 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT: Paul Vicknair, Chair Wendy Hernandez, Community Services Supervisor Nicholas Yagar, Vice-Chair Beth Lapkowski, Administrative Assistant Sharon Linderman Janet Brown Emma Burns Ray Shah 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 Vicknair called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Brown led the Commission in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Chair Vicknair presented the minutes of the November 21, 2019 meeting. Hearing no objections, Chair Vicknair accepted the minutes as presented. 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None received. 5. NEW BUSINESS: A. Active Older Adult Program Update – Wendy Hernandez reviewed the actions being undertaken by the Community Services Department to assist Anaheim Active Older Adults during the COVID-19 pandemic such as Grab-and-Go prepared meals, delivery of prepared frozen meals for homebound seniors, and making over 6,700 welfare check calls to seniors. Chair Vicknair complimented the City on all the services they are providing for seniors and said they are much appreciated. Wendy noted that they are using postcards to contact those seniors that they can’t reach by phone. She also stated that the Anaheim Senior Mobility Program will continue, although transportation t o the community centers is not available at this time while the centers are closed due to the pandemic. Commissioner Linderman commented that the welfare check calls are very much appreciated and stated she knows some seniors who could benefit from the meal program. Wendy noted that she could refer those seniors to the Community Center for assistance. B. SCC Visit to Anaheim Community Centers – Vice-Chair Yagar thanked Commissioner Shah and Wendy Hernandez and her staff for their assistance with visits to the senior programs at the East Anaheim Community Center and Brookhurst Community Center and reviewed the report that was included in the Commissioners’ agenda packets. Senior Citizen Commission May 21, 2020 Page 2 A G E N D A A C T I O N T A K E N 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None. 7. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION ACTION ITEMS: None. Chair Vicknair asked Commissioner Brown to introduce herself and share her reasons for joining the Commission. Commissioner Brown stated that she is a founding member and President of the Anaheim High School Alumni Association, a field representative for Congressman Lou Correa with an assignment to make welfare checks on seniors, is involved with Orange County Office on Aging, and she hopes to be a voice for seniors. Chair Vicknair asked all commissioners for their ideas that they would like the Commission to do moving forward. His priorities include keeping facilities safe after reopening, matching seniors with health care facilities on a timely basis, and alternative ways to provide services to seniors with facilities being closed. Vice -Chair Yagar stated that transportation from east Anaheim is lacking and he would like to see the City of Anaheim work with OCTA to help provide better service to seniors in the area. Commissioner Shah stated the need for ease in acquiring medical assistance for seniors, especially those who are low income or living alone, during this pandemic. Wendy noted that they have staff available to assess client needs, both before COVID and now, and suggested they should contact the community center to speak with staff and get connected to community resources. Commissioner Burns asked if there is a place for seniors to get masks and gloves at no cost. Wendy stated she would investigate that request and look to see what resources are currently available. Chair Linderman stated she believes communication is essential so seniors know how to get assistance when they need it. Wendy provided the phone number to the Community Center as well as ways to find assistance through the city website for referrals. Commissioner Brown asked if the City’s magazine will be coming out again soon as it would be a good conduit of information, as well as in the utility bills. She inquired wh ether the city has money to purchase masks to provide to seniors when the facilities re -open. Wendy stated that she made note of the suggestions brought forward and will keep them in mind once the city becomes operational again. She suggested that the commissioners might be able to look for resourc es for mask donations through some of their own connections or partnerships. 8. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: - Chair Vicknair thanked the commissioners for the suggestions they shared and noted that seniors are more affected by COVID-19 than others in the community. 9. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Vicknair adjourned the meeting at 3:19 p.m. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2020, at 2:00 p.m.