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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 BEGIN HERE ~~ ~l ~~ a~ ~~ ~r~A 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