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Senior Affairs Commission Page 3 <br /> Minutes of Thursday,April 12,2001 <br /> area of Redwood City. John Dempsey announced that the Housing Element, <br /> which is part of the City's Housing Plan, will be discussed at the public <br /> meeting on April 18 at 6:00pm at City Hall and invited everyone to attend. It <br /> was noted that Concerned Seniors is also working on this issue. <br /> -Public Awareness & Access to Services <br /> Commissioner L. Walsh stated that the campaign finance reform bill was <br /> passed by the Senate and it will go onto the House of Representatives. He <br /> stated he heard from Mayor Ruskin who reported that he had written to all <br /> mayors in San Mateo County and Representative Anna Eshoo regarding the <br /> HMO issue. <br /> Chairperson Harrison spoke with Senior Accountant Iry Weinstock regarding <br /> the 5% Utility Users Tax. She explained the tax began in 1983 and it has <br /> collected $5.5 million which is used to fund capital improvement projects in <br /> the City. The Commissioners discussed the editorial in the Independent <br /> concerning this topic and the suggestion of capping or reducing the <br /> percentage of the tax, or using this tax to help subsidize utility bills for those <br /> who cannot afford the increased costs. <br /> Chairperson Harrison contacted the Chief Executive Officer Frank Gibson of <br /> Sequoia Hospital District regarding the hospital district tax and was advised <br /> that these funds are being held in reserve. Sequoia Hospital became part of <br /> Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) in October 1996 and if CHW leaves the <br /> hospital, Sequoia Hospital will revert back to the hospital district and these <br /> reserves would then be necessary to operate the hospital. Chairperson <br /> Harrison stated the average tax per person per year is $50.00. Of the funds <br /> collected, $9 million dollars has been given to Sequoia Hospital and $3 million <br /> dollars went towards hospital renovation. She noted that Mr. Gibson agreed <br /> to meet with Commission members. <br /> Commissioner L. Walsh suggested that a committee be established to look at <br /> senior health care needs not being provided. He asked if the two adult day <br /> care providers in the community were sufficient to service Redwood City <br /> residents. Commissioner Borgens stated she attended a Commission on <br /> Aging meeting and has been researching legislation on adult day care <br /> services. She spoke regarding proposed adult day care legislation and was <br /> concerned that this legislation would not provide sufficient oversight of adult <br /> day care funding. Manager Griffith spoke about her experience in the adult <br /> day care field and expressed her desire to be involved with this committee. <br /> Chairperson Harrison, Commissioner L. Walsh and Manager Griffith will meet <br /> to discuss this issue and will then arrange to meet with Mr. Gibson. <br /> -Senior Luncheon <br /> The next luncheon will be held on Thursday, June 21 and SamTrans Director <br /> Michael Scanlon will be the guest speaker. <br />