This web site is currently being upgraded for an improved user experience. Several web pages will continue to retain the former user interface during this transition period.

April 2006 Minutes

Printer Friendly View

SAN MATEO COUNTY COMMISSION ON AGING Health Department, 225 37th Avenue, Room 100, San Mateo MINUTES April 10, 2006   PRESENT:  Bob Collins, Arline Elliott, Janet Hofmann, Ming Tak Leong, Treva Ludy, Jerry McCarthy, Sylvia Merkadeau, May Nichols, Annie Sadler, Aaron Straus, Leslie Wong, Kevin Worth   EXCUSED: Dorothy Borbidge, Rubelia Horton, Mary C. Pappas   ABSENT:  Fiona Wainwright, Claire Jun, Youth Commissioners   GUESTS: Elizabeth Furber, CoD Liaison; Michele Knapik, Peninsula Volunteers; Helen Loring, Marshall Loring, MTC/EDAC; Debra Owdom, RSVP; Lorraine Simmons, Supervisor Tissier’s office; Helen Yuen, Self Help for the Elderly; Michelle Knapik, Peninsula Volunteers; Marvin Goldman, CSL; Aki Eejima, PCC; Alan Yosef, Family Service   STAFF: Lisa Mancini, Director, Aging and Adult Services; Marsha Fong, Health Services Manager; Shea Muller, Community Program Specialist; Mary Robblee, Administrative Secretary     1. CALL TO ORDER:9:05 a.m. by Chair Elliott   2. CORRESPONDENCE:  None   3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Marshall Loring – MTC updated the Commission on what the MTC is working on. He would like comments regarding transportation problems so that any concerns can be incorporated into the MTC Transit Connectivity Plan.  Deadline to submit comments is Friday, April 14 by 4:00 p.m. Flyer distributed with more information.   4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:  M/S/C – Nichols/Galeno   5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:Approval of minutes from 3-13-06 with one correction.  Under Chair Report last bullet, change sentence to read: The Cultural Coalition is being formed to establish the “Eden Alternative” way of living for seniors in nursing homes. Commissioner Straus is also receiving information on this. M/S/C- Galeno/Sadler   6.  STAFF REPORT: Lisa Mancini reported on the following: Lisa Mancini introduced Marsha Fong, who will oversee the newly developed Community- Based Services Unit formed by the merger of the Public Authority and Commissions and Provider Services Unit.  Lori Sweeney will serve as the Community Services Coordinator for the new unit.  The creation of the new unit supports the division's efforts toward developing LTSSP, San Mateo County's long-term care integration project.    Marsha Fong introduced herself as the Health Services Manager for the newly developed Community Program Services Unit.  She reported on the following: ·       Provided background information about her years with the County and what she has been involved in (26 years). ·       Two vacancies on the commission. Currently have four applicants – interviews will be held on May 16 at 10:30.   ·       One-Time-Only Funds – currently proposals are being submitted by providers on how they would like to spend the extra money.  At this time, we have received about $84,000 worth of proposals with $64,000 requested for Meals on Wheels funding.   7. CHAIR AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT:  Chair Elliott reported on the following: The Meals on Wheels Media Event at Little House was a great success.  Four mayors from Central and South County were there.  Commissioner Wong was there as a member from Peninsula Volunteers. Attended Disaster Preparedness lecture given for Ombudsman volunteers and managers of skilled nursing facilities. Commissioners Worth, Straus, and I staffed the table at the South San Francisco Health Fair. Self Help for the Elderly held a banquet honoring “Super Seniors” on April 3.  Commissioner Ming Tak Leong and his wife attended for Ming who was an honoree. Four applicants for the Commission will be interviewed on May 3rd (dated was change to May 16).  If anyone has any recommendations, please let Arline know.  It would be nice to have a representation from the Hispanic community to replace Rachel Sanchez Parodi who resigned. Peninsula Volunteers has received a $200,000 grant from the Sovereign Order of St. John to remodel their kitchen. Jefferson Awards – County of San Mateo will participate in the local Jefferson Awards for Public Service program and asks that you take the time to identify and nominate an “Unsung Hero” that serves the San Mateo community – forms were distributed.   8. CALIFORNIASENIOR LEGISLATURE ELECTIONS:   No nominations from the floor were taken. Only one person, Marvin Goldman, is interested in the senior senator position. He is currently an assembly member.  A vote was taken – M/S/C-Nichols/Leong (4 abstentions).  Marvin Goldman will hold the senior senator position. Mr. Goldman spoke to the Commission regarding the CSL.  He provided an update on the CSL and the changes that are taking place.  By-laws have been changed so that newly elected people will need to serve four years.  He also asked the Commission to support Assembly Bill AB1249 (Alquist).   9.  DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: Recommendation from the Executive Committee for approval of: Approval of letter of support for Family Service Agency Transportation Project – M/S/C – Nichols/Galeno Approval of letter supporting county-wide policy guiding rental of public buildings – M/S/C – Merkadeau/Hofmann   10. COMMITTEE REPORTS: A. Community-Based Continuum of Care – Report Submitted ·       Help at Home Book has been updated and is at the printer.  Interactive version is in the process of being finished with a tentative completion date by the May general meeting. B.  Legislative/Advocacy – ·       Supported Senate Bill SB1609 authored by Simitian. ·       Senior legislative meeting will be held later in the year. ·       There are several bills the committee needs to review. C.  Minority Elders –Continue to plan the conference in June. The date has changed from June 20 to June 29.  Craig is looking for panelists.  He will email a copy of the brochure for Commission Black to post on the CoA website. D.  Nutrition Committee – ·       Completed 2005 Work Plan goals ·       Cheri Jackson will be contacting certified farmers' markets in San Mateo County to see whether they know of any seniors who have difficulty finding transportation to the farmers’ markets.  If so, we'll work on finding resources for them to get to the farmers' markets. ·       Discussed holding healthy cooking presentations at senior housing facilities ·       Discussed what kind of nutritional information to post of the website. ·       Kevin Worth has jointed the committee. ·       Next meeting will take place today at 11:00 a.m. in the Diamond Room.        E.  Housing – ·        Making plans for the next housing forum to be held on April 20 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 100 entitled “Home Repair/Safety Modification.” F.  Sunshine Committee – Card was sent to Mrs. C.W. Roddy, past commissioner, who has been ill.   11. LIAISON AND AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS: Ad Hoc Arts Poetry – Continue to plan for Poetry/Photo contest in June. Winners were chosen and letters sent.  We have a total of 63 entries, which includes four youth poems. Ad Hoc Arts Photography – Delivery date/deadline to submit photography is April 26.  Judging to take place on May 1st.  Both judges are from the College of San Mateo Photography Department. Commission on Disabilities- CoD Commissioners met with election staff from Warren Slocum’s office to discuss voting alternatives and locations to accommodate people with disabilities. At this time, the County is planning on renting equipment because the manufacturer cannot provide enough of the accessible voting machines for each polling site by the June election.  As an alternative, 8-10 Universal Voting Centers with accessible voting machines will be established throughout the County.  These centers will be open a few weeks prior to the June election for people with disabilities and the general public to cast their votes. Implementation Coordination Committee – meets quarterly -next meeting on April 20. In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority –Continue to plan the Caregiver Appreciation Day on 9/30 in Room 100 from 10:30-1:30 p.m.  There are two openings on the Advisory Board.  Nominations for the Jefferson Awards can be sent directly to the address on the flyer. Legal Aid – Next meeting will be held on May 10. Legal Aid’s HealthConsumerCenter– No Report Meals on Wheels (MOW) – No Report Adult Abuse Prevention Collaborative – Report Submitted o      San Mateo County “Fraud Fest” where agencies come together to inform seniors about fraud will take place later this year. Contact Debra Owdom, Mills-Peninsula RSVP, 696-7661 for more information.  She will be helping to coordinate this event. New Beginning Coalition – An overview of the Strategic Plan 2006-07 was presented. The Plan update is also being completed with a due date of May 1. Committee continues to work on “cultural competency” targeting seniors and people with disabilities.            Paratransit Coordinating Council (PCC) – Report Submitted o      Still need another person to attend May meeting at SamTrans.   o      Commissioner Nichols will attend the C4A Leadership Conference in Concord with a scholarship provided by the County. CaliforniaSenior Legislature (CSL) – Reported under Item 8.              Triple-A Council of California(TACC)   - o      A presentation by the CA Foundation for Independent Living Centers was given.  This is a consumer-driven organization.  In CA 42.2% of the consumers are seniors, with 85% of seniors limited in one way or another. o      We also had a presentation by a non-profit franchise called ITN – Independent Transportation Network.  Similar to the pilot project in So. San Francisco – funding available. o      Revocable Transfer on Death Beneficiary – 77 year old lawyer trying to get this into law for house rich seniors who are cash poor. o      Much discussion on CSL elections.  Several counties have unfilled positions. o      Next meeting will be held on April 24 in Concord.  o      County scholarship for attending the C4A Conference on April 25-27 was given to Commissioner Nichols. Housing and Community Development Committee – Committee to review applications for groups seeking funding for various housing projects. Youth Commission – No Report Ombudsman – No Report Website – ·       Website is up-to-date ·       Commissioner Black will attend Nutrition Meeting to discuss what to post on the website regarding nutrition for seniors. ·       Working to include the 2006-07 Help at Home interactive version on the web. 12. OTHER:   Reminder that Poetry Contest will be held beginning at 10:30 a.m. following the general meeting in May. Committee Chairs are asked to provide written reports ahead of time to Mary Robblee because time will be an issue with the meeting being only one-hour long. 13. ANNOUNCEMENTS:  v    May 2 – Board presentation in honor of Older Americans Month beginning at 9:00 a.m. at San Mateo County Board chambers in Redwood City. v    May 5 – Central County Day will be held at the San Mateo Senior Center on May 5 from 9:30-2:00 p.m. v    May 6 – Northern California Chapter of Hearing Loss of America will hold a “Walk for Hearing” event beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Crissy Field, Presidio, Golden Gate Rec. Area. v     May 7 – Peninsula Volunteers will hold an “open house” of the agency which will include a brief tour of the Meals on Wheels Program. v    May 15 – Deadline to sign-up for Medicare Part D.  Contact HICAP for more information 1-800-200-0268. v    May 20 – Soul Stroll will be held at Coyote Point.  There will be one, three and five mile courses. Registration is $15.00 and includes a meal, t-shirt and a medallion.  Guest speaker is Jamie Williams, former 49er. Contact Commissioner Sadler at 571-6817 for more information. v    August 5 – County Fair Senior Day & 27th annual My Fair Lady Pageant for seniors 62 years or older.  Volunteers are needed.  Admission is free to seniors on this day. See Commission Straus for more information. v    May as Asian & Pacifica Islander American Heritage Month – Taking nominations for outstanding senior citizen awards. Commissioner Collins nominated Commissioners Ming Tak Leong and Andre Belarmino – nomination forms were completed for both and mailed. ADJOURN:   10:40 a.m. Next Meeting                                                  May 8, 2006   9-10:00 a.m.General Meeting (10:00-10:30set-up) 10:30-1:00 p.m.(Poetry/Photography Contests)