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CITY OF LYNWOOD
SENIOR CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD
GENERAL MEETING
LYNWOOD SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER
CONFERENCE ROOM
11329 ERNESTINE AVENUE
LYNWOOD, CA 90262
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AGENDA
Wednesday, June 6, 2007 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 05/02/07
Senior Building Fund Report
12:40 p.m. New Business
Alma C. Vega - iCaminamos! UCLA Geriatrics Study
Committee Report -Bylaws
Appointment of Officers
Discussion of Pageant/Fashion Show
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, July 11, 2007
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.
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Senior Citizen Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes
May 2, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 12:30 p.m. by President Loreno Reed. The agenda was duly
posted as prescribed by the Brown Act.
Pledge of Allegiance: Member Irene Garcia
Invocation: Member D, Joyce Edner
Roll Call: Cecilia Amezquita -Minutes Clerk
Present:
Margaret Araujo
Cecelia Dove
D. Joyce Edner
Irene Garcia
Alfred Kilts
Marie Lindsey
Willie McGill
Julio Mendoza
Lorene Reed
Lien Stringfield
Absent:
Melziner H. Pierce
Corrections:
Member D. Joyce Edner -There was no response in public orals to Josephine in regazds to her
water bill.
Member Margazet Araujo - I did mention a$er talking with her that I did contact the Mayor. The
mayor was going to take Gaze of it. I told her to meet me at the City Managers office and it was
taken care of.
Member D. Joyce Edner -For clarification on page 5 there is a response for member Aranjo "I
misunderstand _ o~u" what did she misunderstand?
President Lorene Reed -That was about the pageant and I thought that it took place after we
adjourned the meeting. We started to discuss the pageant. It was not on the agenda, Member
Araujo wanted to give a committee iepoit and my response was what committee'? I did not know
that a committee had been formed. We want to show that she wanted to give a pageant committee
report and I questioned the committee in its entirety.
Cecilia Amezquita - I listened to the recording but I did not hear anything regarding that matter,
but I will listen to the recording again.
Vice-President Irene Gazcia Motioned, 2'"~ Member D. Joyce Edner, by unanimous consent
minutes stand as Corrected.
Senior Building Fund Report:
President Lorene Reed -The current balance of the Senior Building Fund is $2,038.56. This
shows a list of what was purchased: 5 plasma TV's, 5 mounts, 2 sewing machines, ballerina bar
and mirrors, lockers for the senior exercise class, bingo machine. Dces it come with all the
equipment that it's supposed to have? It's going to be delivered later this week and its going to
go in the main room. Now that's going to be the big one right?
Cecilia Amezquita - No, it is going to be a small console. h's a nice machine
Member Margaret Araujo - We bought two sewing machines for $389.70, when we could have
bought four for less than that. If they had gone and bought them when we had given the
suggestion we wouldn't have spent so much money. I called and I had six brand new lockers
sitting in my yard ready to be picked up and delivered here to the center. They were never picked
up so they were given to someone else.
Member Cecilia Dove -Who did you call to have them picked up and why were they not picked
up? Ls that because of staff or what?
Kenneth Khan -What you do is call staff and we try to come the same day. I never heard about
the locker issue. I do not know exactly who you spoke to in terms of the locker issue. About the
sewing machines, they were on clearance that time we talked, at Wal-Mart. The city process to
get everything funded and get a check is not as simple as it sounds. We have to get finance
approval, City Manager's signature and so forth but on the other hand we want to have
commercial strength machines. The sewing machines we have now are good quality and we aze
going to buy two more. At this point if there is anyone that wants to donate, give me a call
directly and we will go from there.
President Lorene Reed -All future donations go directly through Kenneth Khan. Crive him a call,
let him arrange the pick-up and he can delegate it, but we need to speak directly to Mr. Khan.
Member Atanjo -- I did tell Mr. Khan directly that I had lockers and he told me I will come by
and look at them. My husband moved them from the backyazd into the front. I said if you like
them just take them. I put them right where he can get them and I did mention that to him. I know
I am not crazy or cynical or have dementia. When the lockers were gone I asked my husband
what happened to the lockers because I thought they had come by to pick them up. He said no,
they never came so [got rid of them.
Kenneth Khan -You know I have a million things going on everyday. I think we talked about it
yesterday Margaret, we had somebody ready to come by and pick up your donations. We will
come and get your donations as soon as possible. As far as the lockers, I don't know what kind of
lockers they were but we need kind of built in lockers. It's a very small azea that we aze going to
have for you guys. I will take responsibility for the lockers. I don't recall the conversation but I
apologize on our behalf. ff there is anything else you want to donate just let us know.
President Lorene Reed - I know Mr. Mendoza is donating a piano, have we arranged a pick up ott
that?
Kenneth Khan -Yes, we are actually having public works contact him on that this week
President Lorene Reed - Mr. Kilts has books so we will need to contact Mr. Kilts.
Member Alfred Kilts - I also have a set of two or three crutches that might be a good idea to
have.
President Lorene Reed -Now believe it or not two or three sets of crutches. The other day Mrs.
Bradley we finally get to use the wheelchair. Believe it or not you know we may need those
things and it's good to have them on hand. So now we know to call Mr. Khan directly. Your
number is (310) 603-0220 ext. 225. Mr. Khan, so this is the announcement to the public of what
happened to the money in the building fund. So please everyone there was no misappropriation
we are looking at it.
Member Cecelia Dove - I know you said there was a difference but in looking at the form that
was sent to us from the bank statement as of March 23`d it was $27,666.62 and the form that we
just gat, the beginning balance was $24,141.17. You mean they went in and got something before
we got the balance?
President Lorene Reed -This came from finance.
Cecilia Amezquita -The bank statement we received from finance. The total that you have is
done through the purchasing department and that is what has been spent up to now and the
remaining balance.
President Lorene Reed -Let me make a comment to get it corrected because we should have
$5,563.91. We also had a few donations from the grand opening that we aze working on currently
We had a couple of letters that were faxed out yesterday. Let me ask staffto check with finance.
Kenneth Khan - We will reseazch that and get back to you in the neat Senior Advisory Board
Meeting.
President Lorene Reed - So that way our balance will go up. I talked to the City Manager
yesterday about hard money charges. The charges aze some type of service fees and he is
reseazching to find exactly what they are for. The City Manager said it could have been because
we didn't maintain a certain amount, within the next year we are going to try to change the type
of account that we have.
Senior Empowerment Luncheon:
President Lorene Reed -Last yeaz we had the Senior Empowerment Luncheon. We invited
Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, Area Agency on Aging and we want to do that again this month.
Short notice, but it can be done because we have the people in place. Phyllis Cooper-Lyons is out
ill and she was going to give us a report._The Senior Empowerment Luncheon involves Hector De
La Tone's Office, State Assembly Member and Congresswoman Linda Sanchez. The Area
Agency on Aging which is County and they get together with members ofthe City to put together
information for the seniors on knowledge is empowerment so they can share all this information.
We don't have a date yet on when it will be held because this is also Older Americans Month. We
have a lot that we are going to be working on for the month of May. Thankfully we have staffto
work on it for us.
Questions & Answers:
Member D. Joyce Edner -What date aze we looking at?
President Lorene Reed - h will be toward the end of the month. Last year it was around the
ha-enty something of the month and now it primarily depends on when marketing can put it
together. Hopefully we won't have to cancel it.
Senior Pageant Discussion:
President Lorene Reed - We really need to talk about the Senior Pageant because somehow there
was a misunderstanding. I asked member Araujo to meet with staff to determine weather or not a
committee would be needed. I wanted to know if the last pageant had any problems. I don't feel
that an individual should do it. So what I asked member Araujo to do was to meet with staffto
find out what role they wanted us to play as board members since we sponsored the event. The
pageant is a fundraiser and funds that we raise will go into the building fund. The fiords aze used
for every senior on this committee; it's not used for this board. It's just something that this board
established.
Member Lien Stringfield -This yeaz I would like to have a fashion show just like we had a
couple of yeazs ago. The pageant is too many problems. h would be more fun to have a fashion
show with no problems.
Member Willie McGill -That wouldn't be raising any money though.
President Lorene Reed - We could chazge. h was free the last time but we are getting away from
free. We aze going to start chazging and making money. We have to help maintain this building
and we can do that by chazging for various things.
Vice-President Irene Garcia - Irr regazds to a fashion show being materialized. Arn men as well as
women going to be a part of it?
Fresident Lorene Reed -Yes, everyone.
Member Cecilia Dove - I have a question about the Fashion Show. We need the money to
maintain the building, how would that work? I thought the building was taken caze of regarding
the purchasing and a11. What else do we need? Where would the money be going?
President Lorene Reed - We have a long list of things that we need: clocks, outside tables,
furnishings, plants. There is so much that the City is not going to buy for us.
Member Alfred Kilts - Is the building arranged for a library? I have books that I would like to
donate that are first addition. We can arrange to have the books brought over here.
President Lorene Reed - The_pageant has been bad news since 2004. So are we all in agreement
that we want to do a Fashion Show or try something easier or simpler and something where we
can raise money?
Member Julio Mendoza - Is the Fashion show much easier?
President Lorene Reed -It's much easier because you have a casual part and an evening part.
You don't have to have sponsors, there is a lot involved in the pageant verses playing music and
showing some clothing. We can get a store to let us have clothing on loan. Some ofthese seniors
have nice clothing they can model. So what we will do on the next agenda, we will start to plan
our Fashion Show.
Member Lien Stringfield - I make a motion to approve the Fashion Show. Motion died for lack of
second motion.
Member Julio Mendoza -Has anyone done this before?
Member Mazgazet Araujo - I would like to make a motion that a committee is set-up and given
the opportunity to do the pageant because what is in the past is In the past. I would like to suggest
that other people be given an opportunity with it.
President Lorene Reed -Margaret Araujo motioned to set-up a committee for a pageant, can I get
a second on the motion?
Member Cecilia Dove - I think two things aze running at the same time.
President Lorene Reed -The Fashion Show died because we couldn't get a second. Now I am
trying to get a second on the pageant.
Member Cecelia Dove - I didn't know the fashion show had died. I would have seconded it and
made a motion.
Member Julio Mendoza -What is the difference between a fashion show and a pageant?
Member Lien Stringfield - A fashion show is easier and a pageant is very difficult. You have to
get people to sponsor you. A couple of ycazs ago I had to go around to businesses to ask people to
sponsor me. I also had to sell tickets for the pageant. I believe it's more difficult.
President Lorene Reed -The one thing that we need to understand is whether or not we do the
fashion show or the pageant. Staff will be doing all the work. It's up to the board to make a
decision. The best way to do this is to vote by a show of hands.
Member Julio Mendoza - I still don't understand how do you start a fashion show? Who
participates? Who aze the models with the clothes?
President Lorene Reed -What ever senior wants to participate.
Member Julio Mendoza - It doesn't cost anything to put on a fashion show.
President Lorene Reed - No, you could put on your own clothes or we can get a store to let us use
the clothes on consignment.
Member.Mazgazet Araujo -Madam Chair I withdraw my motion.
President Lorene Reed -Your motion died. You didn't get a second. Perhaps what we need to do
is put it on the agenda for the next meeting. We will all have an opportunity to think about what
we would like to see. We will think about it and wme with ideas at next month's meeting.
Member Alfred Kilts - My idea is that a pageant is much more complicated then a Fashion Show.
I think the Fashion Show would be the easiest to handle.
President Lorene Recd - It would be easier, enjoyable and it would be more inclusive. We would
be able to include more people but we have to have a consensus against board members. We will
hold off and have it agendized.
Bylaw Amendment Discussion:
President Lorene Reed -Our Bylaws are in desperate need of amendment. We still have our
Council members receiving letters from former members about the Bylaws and our violation of
the Brown Act. We need to also put that on the agenda. We need to address the removal of the
two members that were recently voted off the boazd, Council recently received a letter stating that
we were in violation of the Brown Act. When we signed the totters we were not all in the same
place. We all have to be in the same room at the time of signing. We need to put it on next
month's agenda and we will have a draft letter and we will address it then.
Vice-President Irene Garcia -Would you agree to make an amendment in regards that anyone
member or members who have been removed in the past shall not have the opportunity to return.
Member Cecelia Dove -The comment that Mrs. Garcia made is almost like a rule. That is a
powerful statement that they won't be able to return again. You might want to consider a lead
way.
President Lorene Reed - I need to get this on the agenda for next month. Right now we need to
review and amend all of our Bylaws. What we need to do is have a Bylaws committee.
Member Julio Mendoza -Reading Article 15 in regazds to general rules of safety and conduct.
Vice-President Irene Garcia - All that was carried out was with much tolerance before this came
too.
President Lorene Reed -The Bylaws were followed to a tee on that article. The letter was sent as
a courtesy and the letter had everyone's signature that I could contact. A couple of people were
out of town or away. Sometimes people aze so persistent you have to actin order to stop them.
We still have letters being sent to City Council. We still have comments being made at every
Council meeting regazding the Senior Advisory Board. The Senior Advisory Boazd follows the
$ylaws. We still have picketers, picketing the board members. I as President of the Senior
Advisory have been turned in to the District Attorney for violating the Brown Act. I have been
investigated for misappropriation of funds. The funds that I do not have access to but all ofthis is
a direct attack for being removed from this Boazd, when the Bylaws were followed. At this point
I would like to ask for volunteers to be on the committee to review and amend the Bylaws and
then bring the matter back to the body for approval. Do I have any volunteers?
Bylaws Committee -Members Cecelia Dove, Lien Stringfield, Irene Garcia & Julio Mendoza
President Lorene Reed - I am going to ask you to get together, choose a chairperson and review
the Bylaws Article by Article. When you have a finished drab you will bring it back to the body.
It takes three readings for us to approve amendments to the Bylaws. We are looking at a process
that will take some time.
Member Alfred Kilts -When we met with the City Manager a couple of yeazs ago if there was a
mistake at that time the City Manager or someone should have caught it.
President Lorene Reed -There aze some parts as far as the voting that needs to be tweaked it is
different Articles that need to be clarified. if the committee goes through Article by Article they
will have them at a point we can really work with them.
Public Orals:
Bob Nelson - I am a Line Dance Instructor and I have been here previously. We are starting a
class next Tuesday May 8"' from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. so please tell all your friends to join us.
Paulette Bradley -Good afternoon, I hope you have a copy of the letter I have written. This letter
is addressed to Waterworks for the Senior Center patio. I realized some of you aze new members
and are not aware of a very arduous schedule that we kept of many meetings to decide on a water
works for our center. I am proposing today that we go back to that point. Where we had a design
artist come out and look at our court yard. We went through several brochures and it was a rock
gazden or rock fountain that we decided because of our building being modern. I still have the
brochures. I can bring them back to the current board to review them and see where we were at
the time and reinitiate the project. We have had communication problems. We lost a very fine
pool table. Now it was in San Diego that would have been one day for a couple of staff to go in a
truck and get it. I j ust sold it in January because I couldn't get anyone to pick it up. I have other
items and I still don't have a date for pickup. I don't know what the problem is, it seems like we
have to go through too many people to get things approved.
Mazy - 1n regard to dre Senior Empowerment Luncheon how are the seniors going to get the
information. Will we get it in the mail?
Presidem Lorene Reed - We will do a press release, pass out flyers and put it in the Senior News
letter.
Kenneth Khan -This is the first meding held in the New Senior Center. I just warned to give you
guys a hand for working hazd in getting this together. h's a beautiful building and I know we
have some challenges but we aze going to get through this as long as we stick together.
President Lorene Reed - We will strive to improve on everything. Everyone's input is important
to the boazd. Paulette we aze going to get that fountain definitely. What I need you ladies to do is,
think of anyone that will give us a donation. I am going to Home Depot to see about getting a
donation of tables, umbrellas and benches for the patio. If you can think of anyone that will make
a donation we have a letter. They aze also working on getting a patio cover.
Board Orals:
Member Lien Stringfield - I just want to say we need clocks.
Member D. Joyce Edner - It's a pleasure to be here in this new building. I was at the grand
opening ceremony and it was well attended. Walking through the building I did see a lot of
concerns. I am not a negative person. I sec a lot yet to be desired. In the dining room there needs
to be a decal or something on those windows. I walked into one. You mentioned about the
covering over the patio that is something that has to be addressed. I am not too fond of this purple
color. I don't know why it couldn't have been a softer color. The conference room is fine but I
believe there needs to be a bit more privacy in there. The high chairs in the billiards room, that's
not a segregated room it's male and female. I heazd someone say I liked it or we liked it. T think it
should be a friendly environment for everyone. If we don't keep up with the carpet in the dining
room it will look horrible. We have not had installation for the new officers. We should be done
with that because it's part of the procedures. 1 do believe that we progressed in making the
corrections and that this building will be friendly for all the seniors and all the needs that we had
on the wish list. We were supposed to have a stage or raiser in there for performances.
Member Margaret Araujo - I have a cousin who has cerebral palsy she is actually what they call a
handicap disabled advocate. She works for a program that does workshops to show people where
they can get services. The organization where she works is a program of introduction to peer
counseling Wednesday, May 9`h from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m, at Centro Maravilla Auditorium. She
brought me these fliers last night. I am going to ask madam chair if we can get a van to take the
seniors to this very informative meeting. Some of our senior center committee members didn't
get to cut the ribbon. I spoke with Laura about it. She said she would do another ribbon-cutting
ceremony. These flowers you see here were made by a senior with the ribbon that was used for
the ceremony. Fiesta Taxi is trying to get a contract with the City of South Gate. I would like to
know if anyone would like to speak at the Council meeting because people that are handicapped
do not want Fiesta Taxi in their City.
Member Willie McGill - I want to say I am glad to be here in the building. As far as the carpet on
the floor, it's safer for the older people instead of the slippery floor. I have another concern about
the bus stop, some of them don't have benches. It's not fun standing up waiting for the bus to
arrive. Sometimes it doesn't come by for an hour.
Vice-President Irene Garcia - In regard to the taxi I have had several experiences. A lady driver
that picked me up at Kaiser in Bellflower was lost. I had to call the number twice. When she
picked me up she got on the 105 FWY on tamp she never put her signal on, she just cut in and
almost hit another car. When we arrived at my house she said you owe me four dollars. I spoke
with the supervisor and she said I hope you didn't give her any money.
Member Julio Mendoza - I want to know how many staffmembers we have working the senior
center. My belief is that some of the seniors can volunteer their services. I don't believe any
senior should get paid if they're not an employee here. They should be volunteers.
Member Marie Lindsey - I would like to commend the opening of the center. I have a comment
for staff. I was here with the golden voices and we were in the billiards room and it was freezing
we asked Ilu to turn down the air. We eventually moved to the library because it was warmer.
Please have them check the air-conditioning.
Member Alfred Kilts - A few months ago at one of our meetings somebody asked me what my
ambition was and I said to see the Senior Center Snished and I did.
Member Cecelia Dove - I am really glad to be here today. I am happy that we are all united and
agreeing on things and making progress. I would like to make a formal apology for not attending
the grand opening. I am glad everyone had a happy time and God bless you all.
President Lorene Reed - ht the next meeting I would like to have a list of programs and services
presented to the board from staff. We already know that we want the letter regarding the previous
members, so that we can all sign it or decide we have to do it all in one place in order to satisfy
that complaint. The grand opening was fantastic In the next meeting 1 will be appointing a
secretary and a treasurer, I will cont<1ct these people prior to appointment. We want to do a press
release to solicit volunteers for our senior center. I would_like to have a meeting set-up with_a
representative from each senior organization. If possible staff can get a representative from the
Red Hat Society, Bingo Club, Golden Voices and any club that we have to meet. We want to
form a coalition in order to take care of this senior center. The last thing I want to review the
trolley route so it can stop right in front of the senior center. Cecilia reminded me that our
meeting in July is on the 4's do we want to meet that day or do we want to meet the following
Wednesday or the day before or after. We will meet the following Wednesday. Also on this
handout we show that Thursday and Friday hours of operation aze 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. That is not
going to work we want every day to go to at least 5 o'clock. The seniors want to have their movie
day. The other thing Mr. Mendoza said we are going to have plenty of senior volunteers. Just call
us. We will man the place. You don't have to pay anybody. We evill be here.
Member Alfred Kilts - I would like to thank madam President for this little donation.
Adjournment: Member Alfred Kilts made a motion to adjourn, by unanimous consent the
meeting was adjourned at 1:45 p.m.