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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-06-2008 SCAC MintuesPage 1 of 4 CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 6, 2008 Call to Order Chairperson Wood called the meeting to order a 9:00 a.m. Roll Call: Committee Members (CM) Present: Beth Wood, Martin Baron, and Diane Bonetti Absent: Delilah Vanderpool, Al Edge Parks and Community Services Commission Liaison Present: Rich Guarienti Staff Present: Paul McCreary, Assistant Director of Parks and Community Services, and Diane Guenther, Office Assistant Oral Communications – None Approval of the Minutes THE OCTOBER MINUTES WERE AMENDED AS FOLLOWS; UNDER 2008 SUMMER QUARTERLY REPORT “McCreary indicated attendance is less than 20 participants and did not justify adding another night.” UNDER PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES NEEDS ASSESSMENT RESULTS add, “He complimented staff for providing an overnight camping program and hopes it will continue” to replace the sentence “he suggested offering seniors an overnight camping program.” CM BONETTI MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CORRECTIONS, CM BARON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 2, 2008 MEETING AS AMENDED. Written Communication – None Unfinished Business – None New Business DRAFT PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES STRATEGIC PLAN McCreary provided the Committee with a presentation of the draft Strategic Plan as outlined in the staff report. CM Wood asked what Dublin’s current population is. Staff stated that the current population is about 46,000. CM Wood asked how many seniors make up the total. Staff indicated approximately 9% of the population is over 65 or about 4,000 people. CM Wood asked what would be the senior population if the age is bumped the age down to 55. McCreary indicated it is approximately 18% or 8,000. CM Bonetti asked how insurance would work for the carpool program. McCreary indicated Staff will be looking at how other cities are handling this issue. The carpool program will be a well thought out plan that protects the City, drivers and passengers. CM Wood asked if the City Survey provided data about grandparents taking care of grandchildren. McCreary indicated no. She indicated the direction of the plan is good and recommended that the different types of families be defined. CM Wood commented that survey indicated a need for more CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 6, 2008 PAGE 2 OF 4 programs for teens. She noted the correlation between having teen activities on Friday nights and Saturday evening programs for seniors be considered. Commissioner (CMR) Guarienti commented that first impressions are critical to retaining new customers. If you don’t start a new program successfully people will not come back. CM Wood noted that pilot programs should be more carefully implemented at the Senior Center. CM Wood indicated that many seniors have children and grandchildren who do not live locally. She recommended offering a program which seniors can interact with children. Commissioner Guarienti noted the demographics of the people who attended the recent Public Input Workshop at the Senior Center were not from the eastern part of Dublin, and that program planning needs to consider the different demographics in each area of the community. CM Wood discussed the need to have one place to announce all of the community activities and events being offered that day or upcoming week. It could be a webpage of “What’s Happening in Dublin Today”. She pointed out that cruise ships do a great job of getting out information about what is available on a daily basis. Commissioner Guarienti commented the Department should use several different methods to disseminate information such as email, website, banners and printed material. CM Wood suggested that as part of the Annual Progress Report show the programs offered and events accomplished each year. CM Baron thought the report was well organized and timely. He expressed concern that the goals were not all measurable. For example, to reduce the 42% number of people would not use parks and community services to be 30% at the end of 10 years. He noted there may be a need to refresh goals annually and to avoid the word “periodically.” CM Baron commented selecting and repeating a positioning statement is important; he suggested selecting a theme that states our uniqueness. He asked what if the Department could reach out to people in group quarters, such as the Santa Rita Jail and the Women’s’ Correction Facility. They could come to the Senior Center to speak about their experiences or share a talent or skill. CM Bonetti commented that Staff did an excellent job on the report; she thinks it will result in the growth of programs and participation. She voiced that she did not like the segregation of needs between the west and east Dublin. CM Baron asked if re-opening the Shannon Center would help unite the City. CM Bonetti responded people on the east side might not know the facility is there. CM Wood felt the report was terrific. However she did not see anything in the plan that indicates what differentiates Dublin Parks and Community Services from other organizations providing similar programs and facilities. She suggested crafting an image is the key component to differentiating Dublin. The phrase “connecting our community” is excellent. Dublin needs to have an image, if we are going to compete with San Ramon Senior Center, what differentiates us? McCreary indicated that could be considered as part of an annual promotions plan. CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 6, 2008 PAGE 3 OF 4 Commissioner Guarienti complimented McCreary on the report. He noted that after the last Foundation meeting he had been asked if our programs were just for seniors or if anyone could attend. He felt programs should be designed for seniors but open to all adults. The City should state on publicity that everyone is welcome to attend the programs held at the Senior Center. Commissioner Guarienti shared that one way the City can connect with the community is to conduct walks in the parks. It is another way to get people out to see the facilities and programs; another way to communicate. There are 16 parks where the Mayor, Council or other City employees could lead the walks. Other Business CM Wood noted the Committee had received a proposal for changes to the lunch program some time back from Burr Cain and wanted the Committee not to loose sight of this proposal. Staff indicated the lunch program is slated for review in the spring. CM Wood asked if we had responded to Cain to acknowledge his proposal. McCreary indicated a letter was sent on behalf of the Advisory Committee. CM Baron asked about the coffee program. McCreary indicated the Center has had some coffee donations and a possible lead for sponsorship of the coffee program. CM Baron commented that he had heard that food distribution now takes longer and encroaches on lunch. Staff will be coming back to the Committee with a report about changes made to the food distribution program. CM Baron noted safety for all is the most important issue to address. Commissioner Guarienti indicated the Foundation will be purchasing a ping pong table for the Senior Center. He attended their November Board Meeting and suggested they attend the Parks and Community Services Commission and Advisory Committee meetings. Commissioner Guarienti shared that Measure WW passed therefore the City should expect to receive over $2 million dollars for park and facility projects in Dublin. CM Wood asked about the Hometown Heroes Event and Staff provided a short overview. CM Wood asked about the status of the doors stops; Staff indicated maintenance out been out to the facility about this issue. CM Baron suggested not using powdered creamer for the Coffee Program, but replacing it with creamer dispensers. CM Bonetti suggested individual creamers. Staff commented that three Committee Member terms will be expiring and the process for filling those openings are underway. CM Wood asked if the City was assessing the budget impact of the economic slowdown. McCreary indicated a review is underway and the City expects decreases in sales tax. CM Wood asked if the budget would be modified. McCreary indicated the City always conducts a mid-year budget review and is uncertain if there will be changes until the review has been completed. CM Baron commented that McCreary did a great job on the Saturday workshop. He congratulated Commissioner Guarienti on the passage of Measure WW. CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 6, 2008 PAGE 4 OF 4 Adjournment Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:10 a.m. Respectfully submitted, __________________________________ Diane Guenther Office Assistant APPROVED: ___________________________________ Beth Wood Chairperson