Commission on Aging Special Meeting

City of Galt MINUTES COMMISSION ON AGING GALT PARKS & RECREATION OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM 610 CHABOLLA AVENUE, GALT, CA Thursday, Jun 27, 2019 10:00am Chairperson: Bob Balliet Commissioners: Alvin Roberts, Andrea Johnson, Pennie Niemeyer, Marie Hall 1. Call Meeting to Order – Bob called meeting to order at 10:00AM. 2. Roll Call: Bob Balliet, Alvin Roberts, Andrea Johnson, Pennie Niemeyer, Marie Hall – all present. Advisor: Monica Lopez 3. Public Comment: Under Government Code Section 54954.3, members of the audience may address the Commission on any item of interest to the public or any agenda item before or during the Commission’s consideration of the item. Speakers shall restrict their comments to issues that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission and limit comments to a maximum of five (5) minutes. Bob read statement. 4. Acceptance of Minutes: Approve Minutes of May 23, 2019. Niemeyer made motion to approve, Roberts seconded, approved unanimously. 5. Guest Speaker: Mr Mike Selling – Public Works Director, City of Galt, will be addressing the Sewage Fee issue and answer questions that may arise. Mr Sellig addressed, thoroughly, the issue of Sewage Fee by mentioning the history and reason behind the fee increases. He answered questions both from members of the Commission and members of the public. The main concern was the effect these rates have on the low-income Seniors, especially those in Mobile Home Parks and if they were taken into consideration. The response was that the subject matter came up in the policy making discussions, but it was decided that these fees were reasonable. He did indicate that low income Seniors and any proposed future increases, beyond the current contract would be ‘on the table.’ Bob asked why the cities of Elk Grove and Lodi allow for subsidy to low income Seniors to help pay with the payment of utility bills, including sewage fee, and Galt does not. His response was that “State law prohibits such subsidies” to a group of customers, or words to that effect. Members of the public that were present: Al Lara, State Retirement system. Barbara Edge, resident of Galt Place. Pat McCormick, Senior Club President. 5. Old Business (1) Establishing a Senior Resource Center in Galt – (Bob) continued (Pennie and Alvin) Update on office floor, etc. & volunteer training (Bob) Parks and Recreation activity update. Carpet 80% installed – will be done before vacation, keypad on door, remove City’s doorknobs (2) Discuss and decide on proposed Letter of Introduction to Senior Care Homes re: visitations (Bob) Item was suspended by Bob until the July meeting. 7. New Business (1) The Galt Senior Resource Center (Bob) & discuss (a) Volunteers, (b) Hours of Operation, (c) Type of Center (either w/staff or w/o staff; (d) Invitation Letter (letterhead) of Invitation to Grand Opening Date – July 22, 2019; (e) List of people to be invited – send out by Jun 30 via e-mail or mail; (f) Name tags for Commissioners; (g) Letter with Letterhead for Donations to Grand Opening? (h) Finger foods: (i) Veggie tray, Fruit tray, Pinwheels (Andrea & Pennie), (j) cookies; (k) Share proposed Refrigerator Magnets, Pens, etc.… (Bob)  All the above items were discussed thoroughly by the commission, with some input from the public: (a) Volunteers: Pennie indicated the need for more volunteers and Bob indicated that notices asking for volunteers – have been send or are in process of being sent out into the community. (b) Hours of Operation – The Commission discussed cutting back on the days and hours of operation until we get this Center going, get more volunteers and customer traffic. The consensus of the Commission was that cutting back was appropriate, at this time, and it was suggested the new days and hours of operation should be Tue, Wed, Thu, except holidays – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. No motion was made to that effect at this meeting. (c) Type of Center: It was the consensus of the Commission that it should ALWAYS be a staffed center. (d) Invitation Letter (w/letterhead) of Invitation to Grand Opening on Jul 22, 2019 – Bob committed to taking care of that, in consultation with our Liaison M.L. Lopez & Dir Solis. (e) List of people to be invited – send out by Jun 30 via email or mail – Bob committed to taking care of that by Jun 30 or ASAP thereafter. (f) Name tags for Commissioners – Bob committed to taking care of that. (g) Letter with Letterhead for Donations to Grand Opening – Ms Lopez committed to forward such a tax-exemption Letter to Bob, who would then forward to Pennie and Andrea. (h) (i) (j) Veggie tray, Fruit tray, Pinwheels, cookies, etc… - Andrea & Pennie committed to take care of that. (k) Share proposed Magnets, Pens, etc… Bob committed to ordering and sharing those items at the Grand Opening and thereafter. Guests indicated seniors may still not be aware – Bob explained that the Grand Opening has been advertised in the local newspaper and the city public platforms. It was also suggested by a member of the public and by Alvin that the Commission should reach out to AARP to come out for taxes at GSRC – it was noted, but no commitment was made. (2) Update on Invitation to John Gordon, Youth Commission to work together to get volunteers of young people to assist seniors with yard work and possibly volunteer at Galt Senior Resource Center. (Bob) It was the consensus of the Committee not to seek volunteers under the age of 18 through the Youth Commission and instead contact one of the local colleges instead, including the matter of helping with yardwork. Bob indicated that he would make such a contact soon (when school resumes). It is the consensus of the Commission that this matter (i.e. involvement of the Youth Commission) is resolved. 8. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS: Bob indicated that our Volunteer Richard and he have been working at the GSRC the first week of its unofficial opening. Pennie indicated she would develop a ‘schedule’ for staffing the Resource Center. Bob made motion, seconded by Pennie to call for a Special Meeting on Jul 11, 2019 at 11:00 AM for the sole purpose of discussing the upcoming Grand Opening of the Galt Senior Resource Center – to tie up loose ends, etc… Motion passed unanimously. 9. ADJOURNMENT: Bob made a motion to adjourn and Andrea seconded the motion – the motion passed unanimously. Bob adjourned the meeting at 11:30 AM. MONICA LOPEZ, RECREATION SUPERVISOR: The agenda for this Commission on Aging Meeting was posted in the following listed sites before 5:00pm on the Monday preceding the meeting. 1. City Hall Lobby 2. U.S. Post Office 600 N, Lincoln Way 3. Chabolla Community Center, 600 Chabolla Avenue