SAC MIN 2016-06-09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 2 ITEM 3—Commissioners'Reports Commissioner Cooperman attended an interesting fair housing forum in April sponsored by Project Sentinel,a non-profit fair housing agency that provides information about fair housing laws to tenants and landlords and helps those affected by housing discrimination. She also attended a dissertation by the director of the Institute on Aging about senior suicides,which is happening more than most people realize and is due mostly to isolation. A'friendship line' has been developed and is now available as a support line,for people who are not necessarily suicidal, but perhaps depressed and in need of someone to talk to. Commissioner Britschgi reported that sidewalk safety is a concern that has been brought to her attention by other seniors. Commission James volunteered his assistance to those with issues about sidewalks and asked that they contact him. Commissioner Britschgi is also interested in having a general safety tips presentation, perhaps with her service club, because of a rise in neighborhood burglaries. She also reported that the sesquicentennial committee has recommended the Fair Oaks and Veterans Memorial Senior Center's shared meal be planned as a picnic, not on the Square,on May 20,2017,since so many other activities will be happening then. Commissioner Paley reported that the Chase the Chill project is moving forward. It is handmade scarves available free,to anyone in need of a warm scarf. The Peninsula Hills Women's Club, Parks&Arts Foundation and many other groups are on board with the idea. Donations of yarn are coming in, knitting and crocheting refresher classes are being organized. The scarves will be collected in October for distrFbution around the City in November. She also reported that Art on the Square will be on Friday, June 17t''. The van will be available to transport seniors to the event. The sponsors of the event provide at least 2 booths to non-profit organizations to present information. One of the organizations present on June 17th is Before Our Eyes. They will spread awareness of human trafficking. She also reported that there will be a presentation for a public art policy for developers at the June 13t''City Council meeting as well as the swearing in ceremony for the commissioners. Commissioner lones reported that Susan Houston,the director of Fair Oaks Adult Activity Center would like to attend the October SAC meeting to make a presentation about'Seventy Strong'a new partnership with Peninsula Family Service and Sequoia. She also reported that Fair Oaks had a very successful Mothers' Day event and is now preparing for their Fathers' Day celebration. Stress management,yoga,Tai Chi and chair exercise classes and gardening are offered. Fair Oaks Open House is on June 30th, 10:00 a.m.to 12:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend. Commissioner James has been travelling as a pedestrian since his injury accident. He served as a road safety monitor for a recent bike ride at the San Gregorio General Store. His recent activities have been as an end user of various services including the ambulance service and the Stanford clinics where he saw more seniors in waiting rooms than ever before. He applied for Redi-Wheels and was evaluated with physical trials. He was deemed capable of using the standard transit systems and thus rejected from Redi-Wheels. He attended a Sierra Club sustainable land use committee meeting. Vice Chair Draeger reported that he receives watch reports from the Redwood City Police Department and has recently seen referrals to Adult Protective Services for seniors who were abused. The RCPD is very aware of elder abuse and pro-active in handling those situations. ITEM 4—Farewell Kay Watanabe The Commissioners and staff all expressed their thanks and good wishes to Chair Watanabe and presented her with flowers and a card. Kay stated how much she enjoyed working on the commission. She thanked everyone for their enthusiasm and commitment to seniors and wished good luck to all.