MINUTES

COMMISSION ON AGING

Wednesday, June 19, 2002

South Berkeley Senior Center

2939 Ellis Street, Berkeley, CA  94703

1. Meeting called to order by Commissioner Vice-Chair Betcher at 1:35 p.m.  Members Present: Commissioners Charles Betcher (Vice-Chair), Harold Heath, Margo Norman, Gene Scott, Fredia Smith and Allen Stross.  Members Absent: Eleanor Gibson (Chair) and Annette Goldberg.  Staff: Secretary Lisa Ploss and Constance Wiggins.  Public, other City Staff and Invited Guests: Peter Hillier (Assistant City Manager of Transportation), Council Member Kriss Worthington, Debbi Bellush  (Bayer Corporation), Clelia Baur (Bayer Corporation),  James Coles (Resources for Community Development), Lenora Young (former COA member) and Chris Nichols (Berkeley Daily Planet).  

     

2. Public Comment – None.

     

3. Discussion about transportation and traffic issues that impact older adults – Peter Hillier, Assistant City Manager of Transportation, City of Berkeley explained that his new department consists of traffic engineering (from Public Works) and transportation (from the Planning department).  The transportation element of the general plan is being looked at in terms of mid- and long-range plans.  The 1^st phase of bus shelters is completed and the 2^nd phase will be completed this summer.  There is a ballot measure in November regarding traffic.  Accessible pedestrian signals are being added in certain intersections.

    

4. M/S/C (Heath/Stross) That the minutes of May 15, 2002 be approved. Ayes: Smith, Norman, Stross, Heath, and Betcher. Absent: Gibson, Goldberg; Abstain: Scott.

    

5. Announcements

    

   Commissioner Norman announced that Seniors in Motion is moving to Walnut Creek.  In addition, Commissioner Norman announced that she contacted the city and had the overturned bench replaced in front of Harriet Tubman.  Commissioner Smith is working with the League of Women’s votes to bring information about election issues to the senior centers, advisory councils and senior housing facilities. Commissioner Scott is volunteering with the Berkeley Cougars this summer in addition to taking food to Harrison House.  Commissioner Stross is working on the Senior Center brochure for the Solano Stroll.  Commissioner Betcher is working on the AC Transit and BART fare increase issues including the proposal to abolish reduced fee transfers in addition to attending the Alameda City Council meeting to discuss the lack of adequate bus stops in the city of Alameda.  Secretary Ploss announced the Senior Injury Prevention Program collaboration with the City of Berkeley fire department.  She also discussed the dearth of volunteers in Meals on Wheels during the summer months and asked that everyone get the word out that volunteers are desperately needed to package and deliver meals for that program. 

    

6. Discussion of Commission’s position on the use of Baytril® and drug policies in developing countries – Debbi Bellush and Clelia Baur from Bayer provided information on who to contact within Bayer for Baytril®  issues and offered to help locate the appropriate departments within their company for any future issues. 

    

7. Jubilee Homes presentation re: HUD funding for housing – James Coles from Resources for Community Development presented a project summary of Jubilee Senior Homes that is being proposed at 2577 San Pablo.  This project is a partnership between Jubilee Restoration, Inc. and Resources for Community Development (RCD).  The building will be affordable housing for low-income seniors consisting of 28 units (5 studies and 23 one-bedrooms).  They are in the process of design review hearings and seeking HUD funding.  Construction is projected to begin in the Fall of 2003.

    

   Action taken: 

   (M/S/C)  (Stross/ Scott) That the City Council support Resources for Community Development’s application for HUD funding.  Ayes: Heath, Scott, Norman, Stross, Betcher, and Smith.  Absent: Goldberg; Gibson. 

    

8. Proposal that the COA honor individuals for contributions to senior well-being – Commissioner Betcher discussed the idea that the Commission on Aging honors one to two individuals each year that work with seniors or positively contribute to issues impacting older adults.  Criteria for nominations and selection will need to be developed. 

    

   Action taken: 

   (M/S/C)  (Smith/ Stross) That the COA honor 1 – 2 people/year for contributions to senior bell-being based on a criteria yet to be established.   Ayes: Heath, Scott, Norman, Stross, Betcher, and Smith.  Absent: Goldberg; Gibson. 

    

   Harold Heath noted that Esperanza Garmendia from the Over 60 Clinic and Maeve Gannon from the Center for Independent Living have been helpful to seniors.

             

9. Adjournment at 4:15. M/S/C (Stross/ Norman).  Ayes: Unanimous; Absent: Goldberg; Gibson. 

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