18. Dissolve Senior Citizens CommissionDEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
1 %~\ 1 CITY HALL
IL~~~1 10300 TORRE AVENUE • CUPERTINO, CA 95074-3255
C O P E RT I N O TELEPHONE: (408J 777-317 0• FAX: (408) 777-3366
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. \~ MEETING DATE: February 3, 2009
SUBJECT AND ISSUE
Consider recommendation from the Cupertino :ienior Citizens' Commission to dissolve the
Commission.
BACKGROUND
At its February 4, 2008 meeting, the Cupertino City Council appointed Senior Citizen Co**~mission
members and directed the staff to return in one year for Council review. The Council also asked
the Commission to meet at least six times a year.
DISCUSSION
Staff completed its evaluation of the Senior Citizen Commission and met with the Commission
on January 15 to discuss the staff evaluation. ~.s the new Parks and Recreation Director,
I have been reviewing all programs, commissions, and advisory committees. I am examining
effective and efficient use of community volunteer and staff resources, positive impact on the lives
of Cupertino residents, and how well the community understands what the department does.
On the specific matter of Cupertino senior citizen issues, I have found that having a Senior Citizen
Commission and a Senior Center Advisory Cotincil is not an effective and efficient use of volunteer
and staff resources. Having the two bodies also dilutes effective advocacy for senior citizen issues.
Cupertino has one senior center. The Cupertino Senior Center has very diverse programming that
is reflective of the needs of Cupertino seniors. Programs include:
• educational classes
• trips i s - i
• case management
• cultural events
• recreational activities
• immigration assistance
• health checks
• English as a second language classes
• computer classes
• tax programs
• and others
I have found that the Cupertino Senior Center offers a very comprehensive and diverse array of
programs and activities. I do not know of many centers that offer the programming choices that
Cupertino does. One of the reasons for this rich and comprehensive programming is the active
involvement of the Cupertino Senior Center Advisory Council. This active and energetic body is
comprised of volunteers who are not only keenly aware of senior issues, but are also active
participants in Cupertino Parks and Recreation programs. The Advisory Council has been active
for 44 years, is an independent 501 (c) (3) organization and successfully advocated for the building
of the Senior Center. There has been some tension between the two senior organizations since the
formation of the Senior Citizen Commission because of the overlap.
While the Senior Citizen Commission addressed a number of important issues, I found that some of
the issues addressed by this commission were being addressed by other commissions such as the
Planning Commission, the Housing Commission, or the Parks and Recreation Commission. I feel
that Cupertino could receive input from seniors just as effectively if not more so with one seniors'
advisory group.
At its January 15 Commission meeting, the Senior Citizen Commission voted unanimously to
recommend to the City Council that the Commission be dissolved. Also, the Commission took
action and voted unanimously on a motion that the Senior Center Volunteer Advisory Council be
restructured to broaden its role to become a Senior Citizen Advisory Council and that a Senior
Issues Forum (SIF) be established to look at the broad array of issues affecting seniors.
Staff met with the Senior Center Advisory Council on January 26 and presented the action of the
Senior Citizen Commission. The Advisory Council voted unanimously to support the
recommendation of the Senior Citizen Commission.
RECOIVIIVIENDATION
Staff supports the recommendation of the Senior Citizen Commission to dissolve the Commission.
is -z
SUBMITTED BY:
%~~~G%% ~
M k Linder ~
Director, Parks and Recreation
APPROVED FOR SUBMISSION BY:
~~~ Q.
David W. Knapp
G City Manager
18 -3
EXHIBITS
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HERE
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Cupertino Senior Center
Volunteer Advisory Council
Ja~zuarv 26, 2009, I1: 00 am to 12:1 S pm
Room Locatio~z: Bay Room
Next meeting: llfarch 16, 2009
Introduction
^ Call Meeting to Order
^ Introduction of Visitors
^ Review of Minutes from November 19, 2D08
Old Business
^ Senior Center Report
^ Picture Distribution
^ Baby Picture project
^ Projects for 2009
New Business
^ Proposed Restructuring of the
Senior Citizens Commission
Fran Von Schoeler, President
Fran Von Schoeler, President
Fran Von Schoeler, President
Linda Yelavich, Staff
Fran Von Schoeler, president
Lynn Irving, Vice President
Lynn Irving, Vice President
Julia Lamy, Senior Recreation
Supervisor
Committee Reports: Please Submit Your Writl:en Reports to the Recording Secretary.
Better Part TV Production
Bingo
Birthday Party (Monthly)
Card room
Desk Volunteers
Entertainment
Host
Kitchen
Needlecraft
Newsletter
Rhythmaires
Senior Citizens Commission
Special Events
SCC Council on Aging/ Senior Advocate
Members at Large
Billie Atwood, Ron Moore
Amanda Cuva
Wanyu & Chaoming Chang
Nancy Beavers / Arlette Leitzell
Helen Ho /Mike Mahoney
Dottie Schmid/Doris Sampson/Betty Low
Amanda Cuva
Amanda Cuva
George & DeAnne Tong
Jack Peters
Ralph Otte
Helen Ho/ Chaoming and Wanyu Chang
Richard Schuster
Marge Everitt, Pat McCaw
Comments from Board Members
Adjournment
2008-2009 Officers: Fran Von Schoeler, President; Lynn Irving, Vice President;
Melissa Yu, Recording Secretary; Barbara Burrel]'_, Corresponding Secretary/Treasurer
2009 Advisory Council meeting dates: January 26, March 16, May 18, July 20, September 21, and
November 16.
City of Cupertino Parks & Recreation Department Senior Center (408) 777-3150