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HomeMy Public PortalAboutA 2008-02-06 - SENIOR ADVISORY COUNCIL® 37 ~i~' CITY OF LYNWOOD CITYOFLYNWODD SENIOR CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD CITYCtFR~cs®~FICE GENERAL MEETING Ip~„ ~ ~ 2®(~ LYNWOOD SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER ~~ _ _.,..bMa~_;._ 11329 ERNESTINE AVENUE "j'8~9~1(ImUR]2a1r2F8t4~b;8 LYNWOOD, CA 90262 C:.~ e~ , . < ,nn„~„n AGENDA ^' Wednesday. February 6, 2008 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. Call to Order President Lorene Reed Pledge of Allegiance Invocation Roll Call Certification of Agenda Posting Approval of Minutes 01/09/08 12:40 p.m. Nathaniel Riddick, Head of the Speakers' Bureau -Role of the AAA Advisory Council/Update Public Hearing Correspondence -NAACP Complaint President's Report Committee Reports Staff Report - M. Cordova 1:05 p.m. Public Comments (2 minutes) 1:15 p.m. Board Orals (2 minutes) 1:30 p.m. Adjournment Next General Meeting on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 The Recreation Department, Senior Services Division does not discriminate on the basis of disability. Persons with disabilities may request accommodation services by calling (310) 886-0425 two-weeks in advance of the meeting. The facility providing this service is wheelchair accessible. ~~J Senior Citizens Advisory Board Meeting Minutes January 9, 2008 The meeting was called to order at 12:35 p.m. by President Lorene Reed. The agenda was duly posted as prescribed by the Brown Act. Pledge of Allegiance: Secretary Julio Mendoza Invocation: D. Joyce Edner Roll Call: Cecilia Amezquita -Minutes Clerk Present: Absent: Irene Garcia Marie Lindsey Melziner H. Pierce Julio Mendoza Cecilia Dove Willie McGill Lien Stringfield Lorene Reed D. Joyce Edner Alfred Kilts Margaret Araujo Introduction of Senior Social Services Manager: Marisa Cordova It is a pleasure to work for the City of Lynwood in the Senior Center. It is the perfect timing being my first meeting, the beginning of the New Year, new building, clean slate. I am excited there are so many things we can do. I am looking forward to establishing a relationship and working together We as a group, work together for the betterment of the community and senior center. So many things exist for us. We are working on the newsletter, creating something different and bringing more programs. This has been something the community has been asking for I definitely see the potential for more programs. [ am looking at our surrounding cities and finding out what else is out there and what we can bring to our senior center. There are a lot of changes right now to programs, the newsletter, workshops and trips. 1 hope that within the next couple of months we can put out a survey and start moving forward. My goal is for you to start seeing changes within the next three months. The first slight change you will see is in the newsletter. [f you have any ideas or newsletters from other centers, bring them to Lorene Reed or I, let us know what you would like to see. [t is very important to me to establish a good relationship with the Senior Advisory Board so we can work together as a unit. To be successful should be our priority. Vice President Irene Garcia - I would like to welcome you. President's Lorene Reed - We have had the opportunity to meet on several occasions. Marisa Cordova is a breath of fresh air and together we will be able to achieve many things. She is open to recommendations from everyone. We have to learn to exercise patience. We as seniors want things done and we want them done right away. We need to give staff time to work on some of our recommendations and suggestions. President Report: President Lorene Reed - [had the opportunity to meet with the Los Angeles County Area Agency on Aging. Two representatives came from the Los Angeles Area Agency on Aging. They met with Zelda Hutcherson, Senior Legislator, me as President of the Senior Advisory Board, Marisa Cordova as the Senior Services Manager and the City Manager. Marisa Cordova -The Area Agency on Aging through Zelda Hutcherson is approaching Lynwood on hosting a public hearing. Area Agency on Aging is mandated every four to five years to update their Area Plan. They have to go out into the community and hold a public hearing and the information from these meetings is gathered, compiled and submitted to the State. Usually it is due in April. We will be hosting the public meetings beginning in March here in the Senior Center. It is a great opportunity to display the center and hear from everyone. What are the concerns that we have? We are hoping to bring in seniors from the surrounding cities. It will be March 4, 2008 between 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. President Lorene Reed -The importance is for Lynwood to participate. We have not participated in the past and this will help us get funding. Paulette Bradley -What kind of issues will they be talking about? Marisa Cordova -The main topic is emergency preparedness for seniors. In addition to that any other concerns weather it be insurance or health. President Lorene Reed -They held it in Willowbrook and the topic was older women issues. Marisa and [are going to come up with a game plan to have people involved so that we can have adequate speakers. People who can get up and represent Lynwood in a positive way. Let the record show that Lien Stringfield has arrived. Senior Building Fund Report: Marisa Cordova - [n regards to the building fund I have been working with the Finance department to get a breakdown of our entire budget to figure out where everything is. I have not had anything given to me as of yei. Finance has a new program, the Eden System and they are in training. The person I needed to contact was not available. President Lorene Reed - We will move this to next month's meeting. We will discuss the senior building fund. A question was asked about bingo equipment money that was designated rumored to be misappropriated. Iwent to staff and requested a breakdown of money spent. We had a goal setting retreat and we know where the funds went. We approved certain items purchased for the senior center. We know what we purchased, we know we had very little money left if any, but we do know that we have been getting donations. At this point, we want to know about changing out [he bingo machine for one with a board and that is in the process. We want bingo to grow as it is an excellent way for us to make money. Membership Application: President Lorene Reed -During the month of October we solicited new members. We had two openings and we received two applications on time. These people are here today, Percy Brown and Charles Wood. The executive board met and reviewed and approved the applications. What we need to do is vote on the membership. I want to ask Percy Brown if he would like to address the board. We need people who truly want to be a voice to the seniors and help. Percy Brown - My big thing in life is living. I have seen too many young folks thinking life ends at a certain age. I am a person who believes living life like it is the last day of my life but planning it today as if I am going to live forever. I think we have the ability to do many things like pushing the extended hours. This is a senior citizens center it is not a retired senior citizens complex. We have to truly make it a senior center and extend the hours. I do not know what the requirements are as far as paid staff but somehow we have to reduce staff on some days and replace staff with volunteers. This is a place where many folks have fun. 2 Charles Wood - I was born in the Los Angeles district of Florence and raised here in Lynwood with the exception of being in the Navy for 21 years. Currently 1 am a member of the Veteran Affairs Council, the Lynwood Sports Association President and the Lynwood Baseball Boazd. I think the seniors are very important to the community. There is a lot of knowledge to learn from the seniors. I enjoy volunteering. 1 have five grandchildren living with me. President Lorene Reed - We have two people from the community who are interested in helping the seniors in the community. At this point, 1 would like to open the floor to discussion or motion to accept the applications. Vice President Irene Garcia motioned, 2nd Secretary Julio Mendoza. By unanimous consent motion passed. Library Committee Report: President Lorene Reed -There were three members assigned to the library committee; members Dove, Araujo and Stringfield. Member Margaret Araujo -Mrs. Dove and I went in the library and looked at what we need to do. We said that after the holidays we would start working on the library. We have books that are first addition: (Meeting was paused due to Vice President Irene Garcia receiving a phone call) There are first addition books that Mr. Kilts donated. We would like to suggest that a glass cabinet be set so people have to go [o the front desk to check books-in and out. The libraries have files for magazines as opposed to the magazines being cluttered we would like to have them filed. We would like to have a mini sale to get rid of the books that are [oo old and replenish them with new books. We would like to have a reading lamp for the library. President Lorene Reed -What is happening is that people come in through the back doors. They bring books straight into the library and we want to know who is bringing them in. Member Margaret Araujo - I would like to ask Ms. Cordova if she could put a sign in the library to drop the books at the front counter. Secretary Julio Mendoza -The top shelf would be good for books. If you go to the library, they have the running ladder that goes from one end to the other, to put books on the shelf. If you use the top shelf for something other than books then what are you going to do with the books? Vice President Irene Garcia -They also have the book grabbers to get books down. I wanted to make a comment in regards to the library. It was supposed to be to arrange books by categories, not to remodel. 1 would also like to have the two minutes, it makes no sense to have a rule and not abide by it. President Lorene Reed -The two minutes is on the public comments and board orals. When we give reports, it is important that we take the time needed in order to discuss fully. It is going to take more than two minutes to discuss an item or report. (Lengthy discussion between board members and the public in regards to books, space, usage, condition, check books in/out, recycle and donations of books.) Member Margaret Araujo - We look at different aspects on how we can work it out for the seniors. Member Alfred Kilts - l recycled aluminum cans in the sum of $292.34 and donated the money to the Senior Building Fund. Bylaws Committee Report: Vice President Irene Garcia - In regazds to the bylaws committee, 1 submitted it to Mr. Jose Trejo. He was supposed to be here to bring it to review. Cecilia Amezquita -Staff, had to attend a seminar with the exception of Marisa Cordova so that is why he could not be here. President Lorene Reed -The Bylaws committee report will be moved to next month's meeting. Turkey Give-away Report: President Lorene Reed - It was successful. Dc Berry has been donating turkeys to the seniors for many years. He skipped a couple of years and he came back married with children. He is ready to get involved with the community and help the seniors. We had more seniors show up than we had expected. Dc Berry went out and stated no one is going to leave here without a turkey. When we ran out, he went to Smart & Final and got more turkeys. He wanted to make sure everyone received a turkey. I spoke with the Mayor and asked her to give him recognition from the City on behalf of the senior center and at the inaugural meeting. They recognized Dr. Berry for helping the seniors. Public Orals: Paulette Bradley - I just wanted to comment on the successful program here in the center. The sewing class has been one vehicle that has brought residents together and there has been some English learning along with learning how to read patterns and successfully completing garments. We made a dress worn in the fashion show. There are many things we can learn and share. Not only work skills but things that we can do for pleasure. This is a way to get the community to bond. President Lorene Reed - A special thanks to Mrs. Bradley, she spends countless hours helping in all areas: planning trips, assisting staff in any way that she can. She needs recognition for all the hours she spends here helping. Mrs. Bradley, any time I purchase anything I have to have the sleeves shortened or the pants hemmed and 1 pay five dollars. Could the sewing class start something like that in order to buy your notions? Paulette Bradley -This year we got started on fitting ourselves and that is part of learning how to sew and to be able to adjust patterns because we are all different shapes. Down the line, we can certainly consider it. Board Orals: Member D. Joyce Edner - It is good to see each and everyone after the holidays. The holiday activities at the center were beautiful. We had the tree trimming, Christmas party, and gift exchange. So many people were involved and they enjoyed it. The party was well-attended and beautifully decorated and in both cases, the food was delicious. Staff did a beautiful job in coordinating the activities for the seniors. Looking at the newsletter, 1 do see it is condensed. I noticed that they decided that the birthday list is out and I did have a senior say something in respects to that. I believe they should log the books in the library. We have so many in the storage room they really need to come out so the files in the storage area can be accessible. The big TV has sound but no picture (President Lorne Reed - 1 was made aware that a couple of days ago the picture went out.) That happens sometimes with the big screen televisions, the projection goes out. We called the donor Paul's TV and since it was a donation, it has no warranty. It is going to cost $350.00 to repair and with a bit of luck we have $350.00 in the building fund. Member Margaret Araujo - 1 would like to make a motion to vote to pay the amount needed to repair the television from the building fund. Members Margaret Araujo, 2"d Julio Mendoza. By unanimous consent motion passed. Member Marie Lindsey - 1 am glad to see everyone. Starting the New Year my family situation has changed. My daughter and granddaughter decided to move here with mommy. I got a chance to play your piano for the first time, it is nicely tuned. That type of piano is typical f'or a situation when it is going to be in one place. When you move a piano like this, it is going to get out of tune a lot. Member Percy Brown - t only have one comment. Do not start anything you are not able to keep- up. Somebody mentioned the newsletter being out on time and that would be a good goal to get it out in advance. The one thing I felt particularly important was the one in September. The current affairs, the newsletter came after they held the trip. If we have excessive books for the library can we give them to a nursing home? I harassed Marisa at the end of the year, 1 went in to her office and informed her [did not get a new year's bash invitation. I knew it was an oversight so I came to pick it up. We do movies of the month-my personal opinion is that we advertise it in the newsletter including the name of the movie so people that enter can see that particular movie. Vice President Irene Gazcia - A suggestion regarding the newsletter if there are persons that want to sell something perhaps you can list two or three items a month. Julio and I met with Autra regarding posting regulations because we have had seniors solicited during lunch. I strongly believe that when seniors come here they should not be interrupted and there should not be any sales. They should have their lunch in a pleasing and peaceful environment. President Lorene Reed -The rules and regulations should have been on this month's agenda, they will be addressed on next month's agenda due to not being completed by staff. Also keep in mind that part of the delay is that we have a new Interim Director and we have a new Senior Services Manager. Secretary Julio Mendoza - In [he other places you worked, do they have the senior center open on Saturdays and Sundays? 1 believe some seniors would like to be here on the weekends and use the facility. Marisa Cordova -There are some that are open on the weekends. Lien Stringfield - No comment. Member Charles Wood - I contracted a case of shingles sis-weeks ago. 1 would suggest you contact your health care professional. They do have a shot for that. A friend of mine signed some papers. She did not realize what it was. Her house was foreclosed last month and she had to move. Beware of someone calling you up and saying if you are having trouble meeting your mortgage I will help you if you sign this. She lost her house, all the equity, and she has been in that house for thirty years. Member Margaret Araujo -The government is working on a program to assist people. If you contact the board of supervisors about concerns, they will help. There was an elderly couple that years ago lived in South Los Angeles. A person told them they could fix their roof and they signed over documents. The daughter contacted the board of supervisors and they got involved. The crooks that did them in went to jail and the elderly couple got their house back. We had the women's commission meeting yesterday. They gave information on abuse but they also left site services information on sexual assault. You have to be very careful. There are people dressing in police officer uniforms and gas company uniforms they are casing homes where elderly people live. When they see an elderly woman alone they go in and take advantage. 1 would like to ask that we send a thank you letter to ex-council member Fernando Pedroza for donating the Christmas tree. Paulette has been fantastic in organizing all these trips. She has put together these good programs. President Lorene Reed -Staff has taken care of all the thank you letters for the donors. Mrs. Johnson decorated the senior center and purchased gifts for all the seniors. Everyone has received a thank you letter. As far as movie day, we do not have to rent. 1 have hundreds of movies. If you want, come to me and I will bring you a movie. The Senior Advisory Board was excluded from dealing with the piano. That is how all the controversy came up about the misappropriation of the funds. They did not want any involvement from the Senior Advisory Board at all when it came time in examining that piano. The Guys & Dolls paid five hundred dollars for the piano. The problem that we have with the piano has nothing to do with the board. I want to welcome our two new members. We have needed them for quite some time. We are still going through some problems with previous members. The newsletter is refreshing. There are a couple of things we can add in here that we will be discussing. I would like to see the leadership committee group meetings start up. The President of the Guys & Dolls, Senior Advisory Board, Regal Red Hatters, Lynwood Golden Voices, it was all the seniors that were meeting together. This is where Mrs. Bradley volunteered to take care of the trips. I would like to see the meeting start up so we can take information to our various groups. Adjournment: Vice President Irene Garcia made a motion to adjourn, by unanimous consent, the meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.