Senior Citizens Advisory Commission

CITY OF HENDERSON SENIOR CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, September 13, 2023 I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Joanna Gerali called the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission meeting to order at 4:00 p.m., at the Heritage Park Senior Facility, 300 South Racetrack Road, Henderson, Nevada 89015, and introduced the newest Commissioner, Ed Long. II. CONFIRMATION OF POSTING AND ROLL CALL Anthony Rossa, Administrative Assistant III, confirmed the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission meeting had been noticed in compliance with the Nevada Open Meeting Law. PRESENT: Chair Joanna Gerali Judy Belanger Steve Boyce Ed Long Delwin Potter Roop Raich David Tulanian Favil West Audrey Woods ABSENT: Fran Smith (excused) STAFF: Corey Clark, Parks and Recreation Manager Michael Oh, Senior Assistant City Attorney Anthony Rossa, Administrative Assistant III Janet Sandifer, Deputy City Clerk III. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no public comments presented. IV. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA (For Possible Action) (Motion) Commissioner Favil West introduced a motion to accept the agenda, as presented. The roll call vote favoring passage was unanimous. Chair Joanna Gerali declared the motion carried. Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Meeting Page 2 of 7 Wednesday, September 13, 2023 - Minutes V. NEW BUSINESS 1 MINUTES SENIOR CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 9, 2023 PARKS AND RECREATION Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Meeting minutes of August 9, 2023. (Motion) Commissioner Audrey Woods introduced a motion to adopt the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Meeting minutes of August 9, 2023, as presented. The roll call vote favoring passage was unanimous. Chair Joanna Gerali declared the motion carried. 2 ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON FOR THE SENIOR CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION PARKS AND RECREATION Commission members will elect a chairperson for the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission. Chair Joanna Gerali opened the floor nominations for the Office of Chair of the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission. Commissioner Ed Long nominated himself. Commissioner Judy Belanger nominated Commissioner and current Chair Joanna Gerali, and she accepted the nomination. Corey Clark, Recreation Services Manager, explained the election process. Each of the above-mentioned candidates provided a summary of their experience and qualifications and were given the opportunity to answer questions from the Commissioners. There being no additional nominations, Chair Joanna Gerali declared the Chair nominations closed. Michael Oh, Senior Assistant City Attorney, explained the voting process and stated if the first motion receives the majority vote, it will carry, and the motion for the second candidate will not be required. Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Meeting Page 3 of 7 Wednesday, September 13, 2023 - Minutes (Motion) Commissioner Steve Boyce introduced a motion to elect Joanna Gerali for the Office of Chair of the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission. The vote favoring approval was unanimous. Chair Joanna Gerali declared the motion carried. 3 ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRPERSON FOR THE SENIOR CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION PARKS AND RECREATION Commission members will elect a Vice-Chairperson for the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission. Chair Joanna Gerali opened the floor nominations for the Office of Vice Chair of the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission. Commissioner Audrey Woods nominated Commissioner Ed Long, and he accepted the nomination. There being no additional nominations, Chair Joanna Gerali declared the Vice Chair nominations closed. (Motion) Chair Joanna Gerali introduced a motion to elect Commissioner Ed Long for the Office of Vice Chair of the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission. The vote favoring approval was unanimous. Chair Joanna Gerali declared the motion carried. 4 DISCUSSION ON THE PERCEPTION OF AGING SENIOR CITIZENS PARKS AND RECREATION The Senior Citizens Advisory Commission will discuss the topic of the community perception of aging senior citizens. Corey Clark, Recreation Services Manager, presented a summary of this item, and explained an informational video will be shown, titled “Millennials Show Us What ‘Old’ Looks Like – AARP.” Following the video, Commissioner Judy Belanger, shared and paraphrased information from an article related to ageism. Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Meeting Page 4 of 7 Wednesday, September 13, 2023 - Minutes A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the topic of the community’s perception of aging senior citizens; the various challenges many seniors are currently facing, which was not limited to but included in the workforce and when obtaining quality healthcare; the ways this Commission may be a better resource to the senior citizen community that needs assistance; and the possibility of a partnership with the Henderson Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Clark stated because this agenda item is for information and discussion only, he will bring this topic back on a future agenda as an action item. Mr. Clark stated staff will review the objective of the draft Age Friendly Action Plan (AFAP) to ensure it will help to highlight the issue of employment for senior citizens. He said the AFAP will be on the next agenda as an action item; however, that will not be an opportunity to reopen that part of the plan and said the draft AFAP will be advanced prior to the next meeting. Mr. Clark shared examples of senior citizen employees and volunteers that are instrumental in showing how inter-generational groups can benefit each other. 5 SENIOR AUXILIARY PRESENTATION PARKS AND RECREATION Henderson Senior Auxiliary will give a report on the activities of the organization. A representative from the Henderson Senior Auxiliary was not present; therefore, this item was not heard. 6 AUTHORIZE PARTICIPATION BY SENIOR CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION MEMBERS AT UPCOMING EVENTS FROM SEPTEMBER 14, 2023, TO OCTOBER 10, 2023. PARKS AND RECREATION Commission members will discuss and approve whether Commissioners may officially attend or participate in upcoming community programs or events as a representative of the Commission for September 14, 2023, to October 10, 2023. Corey Clark, Recreation Services Manager, presented a summary of this item and provided information on the different upcoming events. A brief discussion ensued regarding staffing a booth for the Golden Years 50+ Health Fair Event on September 21, 2023, which is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Meeting Page 5 of 7 Wednesday, September 13, 2023 - Minutes Commissioner Audrey Woods stated she would be available from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.; and Commissioner David Tulanian stated he would be available from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Regarding other events that seniors may be interested in attending, Commissioners Ed Long and Favil West provided information for the 2023 4th Annual Gala for the Foundation Assisting Seniors, Inc., on October 7, 2023; and for the SCMR Charity Fun Walk on November 18, 2023. Both documents were added to the backup materials. (Motion) Commissioner Steve Boyce introduced a motion to accept the calendar of events, as presented, supporting the interest of any Commissioners to attend any of the upcoming events from September 14, 2023, to October 10, 2023. The vote favoring approval was unanimous. Chair Joanna Gerali declared the motion carried. (Motion) Commissioner Ed Long introduced a motion to request a booth for the Golden Years 50+ Health Fair Event on September 21, 2023, which is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and for Commissioner Audrey Woods to attend from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.; and Commissioner David Tulanian to attend from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The vote favoring approval was unanimous. Chair Joanna Gerali declared the motion carried. 7 STAFF REPORT PARKS AND RECREATION Corey Clark, Recreation Services Manager, will give an update on recent events at the Heritage Park Senior Facility and the Downtown Senior Center. Corey Clark, Recreation Services Manager, provided an overview of the Parks and Recreation Department’s Battle Born Kids program, which entertains and enriches youth with a variety of supervised activities when school is not in session. He stated Henderson pools are open and fully staffed, and he said the Commissioners will receive information regarding the upcoming Harvest Festival soon. Mr. Clark stated he will invite Ashley Elrod, Recreation Services Supervisor, to attend a future meeting to discuss the various events that are taking place at the senior centers. Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Meeting Page 6 of 7 Wednesday, September 13, 2023 - Minutes VI. CHAIRMAN\COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Steve Boyce stated he attended a Morning Meet Up Event, which is an invitation for residents to discuss community updates with Henderson City Council Commissioners. He said it was a small event and water conservation was a main topic. Commissioner Audrey Woods shared her experience with an event she attended with Councilman Jim Seebock. Commissioner Ed Long provided information regarding an AARP technology grant for seniors which has been added to the backup materials. He also thanked the City Clerk’s Office for granting him the opportunity of giving the invocation and leading the Pledge of Allegiance during a City Council Meeting. He encouraged his fellow Commissioners to volunteer to do that same. He also thanked the Mayor and Council for his appointment on this Commission. A brief discussion ensued regarding a collaboration the City has with AARP for technology based learning for seniors; however, it may not be through the above-mentioned grant. Chair Joanna Gerali thanked Commissioners Ed Long and Favil West for the gala they put on to recognize seniors, which she stated was nice. She also recognized Michael Oh, Senior Assistant City Attorney; and Bethany Sanchez, Assistant City Attorney III; for their Top Nevada Lawyers Award. Commissioner Ed Long commented many City departments were recognized during the City Council Meeting he attended, which is something to be very proud of. VII. SET NEXT MEETING The next meeting was set for Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no public comments presented. Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Meeting Page 7 of 7 Wednesday, September 13, 2023 - Minutes IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Chair Joanna Gerali adjourned the meeting at 5:04 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, /s/ Janet Sandifer Janet Sandifer, Deputy City Clerk