SAC MIN 2017-10-12 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 3 Commissioner Britschgi reported that she had met with a council person who encouraged the Senior Affairs Commission to speak out to the transportation group about a shuttle. She stated that more seniors are not driving, are still active, but not going downtown because of the traffic and lack of parking. She stated that publicity is very important. The operation details of the program need to be figured out with more discussion. She stated that this is an issue to address. Commissioner Jones stated that 70 Strong has a transportation service to doctor appointments. Commissioner Britschgi commented that with a membership in The Villages, transportation to various locations is available to seniors. She said her concern is to bring seniors back downtown. A shuttle may take a while to catch on but ‘start slow and build toward’. Vice Chair Paley advised that this is a project that requires a lot of work and will not be figured out quickly. She recommended talking about it at the January SAC retreat and perhaps forming a 2 person subcommittee willing to devote the time to research all of it and then present it to the Commission and then to Council. She reiterated that it took a large citywide group 4 years to get the previous shuttle into service and then it was not utilized by the public. Bruce commented that the same thing happened to the Scoot program in San Carlos. Vice Chair Paley stated that a shuttle is not necessarily the answer. It is an issue to address again. It may require the Commissioners to do a lot of outreach themselves by presenting to groups, clubs, schools and PTAs. She reminded that Redwood City is not ‘Deadwood City’ anymore. Parking is available downtown, perhaps not for free and right in front of the destination, as it used to be, but within a block of it. Bruce reported that the transportation funds from City Council have been used to take Fair Oaks seniors to and from the farmers market for the past few months. No one ever requested a van ride to the Friday night concerts. Bruce has been working with Avenidas and the Sequoia Healthcare District on a plan for Redwood City seniors to be able to call a Lyft dispatcher to arrange for ride from their home to medical appointments anywhere in San Mateo County including Stanford Hospital for $4 each way. They hope to begin the program in January 2018. Commissioner Reports Commissioner Turk reported that the Alzheimer’s Association annual Walk to Remember in San Jose is Saturday, October 14, 2017 and in Walnut Creek on Saturday, October 21, 2017. The event is free to attend. It is about raising funds and awareness. She also inquired about intergenerational programs like Project Read at the VMSC. Bruce replied that different groups have attempted it but most of the seniors were not interested. They were intimidated because the children did not read with books anymore but with computerized readers that they were not familiar with. He said there is always a timing issue as well. By the time the children get out of school in the afternoon, the seniors have gone home for the day. There are some programs in the schools earlier in the day but that is when seniors who attend the VMSC are at the center. Only one senior did it and said she was nervous every time because there were so many kids. Vice Chair Paley mentioned a program called ‘5 Books a Home’ that has tutors go into the home. They usually work with preschoolers and are often bilingual. Commissioner Britschgi encouraged the Commissioners to attend or watch the City Council meetings on television or on their computers. She also mentioned a local site called Voca.vote. A weekly survey question is posted to Redwood City residents and the results are then presented to City Council.