Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: ALICE LOYA, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION PREPARED BY: AMANDA ARBISO, PARKS AND RECREATION MANAGER SUBJECT: SENIOR ADVISORY COMMISSION STRUCTURE AND PLAN
SUMMARY
Councilmember Zahra, supported by Mayor Jung, directed staff on January 17, 2023 to consider forming a Senior Advisory Commission to gather input from Fullerton seniors on Parks and Recreation programming and park improvement projects.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve one of the following two options:
Option 1: Direct staff to draft an ordinance to require filling one Parks and Recreation Commission at-large appointment with a Fullerton resident 60 years old or older. or
Option 2: Direct staff to create a seven-member Senior Advisory Commission comprised of five members appointed by City Council, one Fullerton Senior Club representative and one at-large member 60 years old or older.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
The City Council is provided with two options in the development of a Senior Advisory structure. In addition, the City Council could request we look at different options. I would recommend that if a Commission is established that the meetings be set at a minimum of once per quarter and could be more frequent if seen as preferable.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statement:
Fiscal and Organizational Stability.
FISCAL IMPACT
Option 1 has no fiscal impact to add a minimum age requirement to one of the at-large Parks and Recreation Commissioner positions.
Option 2 would generate an estimated $3,600 annual cost to administer the Senior Advisory Commission including staff time to attend and prepare meeting materials. Existing Parks and Recreation personnel would administer this commission, generating no additional budgetary impact. Staff would evaluate any requests for additional resources in subsequent fiscal years.
DISCUSSION
Council Member Zahra discussed the formation of a Senior Advisory Commission, supported by Mayor Jung at the January 17, 2023 City Council meeting. Staff researched local and statewide Senior committees and commissions and spoke with the management staff overseeing those bodies. Most cities held quarterly or monthly meetings in the mid-morning to early afternoon. They often cancelled meetings due to a lack of agenda items. Some committees oversaw a health and wellness fair or one community event. Some of the surrounding cities are dismantling their Senior Commissions and merging them with their Parks and Recreation Commissions.
The Parks and Recreation Department has actively partnered with the Senior Citizens Club of Fullerton (Senior Club), a non-profit social service organization, for over 30 years. The Senior Club works with staff to provide senior programming, excursions and a monthly newsletter. The Senior Club has offices at the Fullerton Community Center. The Senior Club board meets monthly to discuss to discuss business and their events. Parks and Recreation staff attend the beginning of each of their board meetings to answer questions, seek information and update the Senior Club on senior programs and any other pertinent information. The Parks and Recreation Manager and the Senior Programs supervisor meet monthly with the Senior Club executive team and interested club members to hear their concerns, ideas and programming recommendations.
Staff recommends two options to provide seniors an opportunity to advise City staff and participate in study and policy recommendations related to parks and recreation concerns, projects and programs based on the information and conversations with other cities regarding a senior committee/commission.
Option 1 proposes adding an age requirement of 60 years old or older to one or both of the two at-large Parks and Recreation Commission positions. Staff would draft an ordinance amendment for presentation to City Council to establish the minimum 60 years old requirement for one or two of the at-large positions. In addition, the Fullerton Municipal Code requires all board, commission and committee members have Fullerton residency. This change would give Fullerton senior citizens a representative as a liaison to receive and evaluate input from the community, including input from other individuals and organizations on issues relevant to senior citizen programming.
Option 2 proposes creating a separate Senior Advisory Commission. The commission could have seven members comprised of five City Council appointments, a Fullerton Senior Club representative and an at-large member aged 60 years or older. The Senior Advisory Commission could meet quarterly in February, May, August and November.
Either option would identify senior concerns, problems and needs in our local neighborhoods. This would also create an opportunity to have senior voices heard and input communicated directly to City Council. The Commission would make recommendations relative to older adults, including but not limited to education, recreation, housing, transportation, health and wellness and volunteer programs. All members of the commission shall live in the Fullerton per the Fullerton Municipal Code.
The Parks and Recreation Department has a strong partnership with the Senior Club and meets with the board and members on a regular basis. Staff recommends City Council select Option 1 to change the requirements for one or two of the at-large Parks and Recreation Commission seats to age 60 or older. This would provide representation for Fullerton senior citizens on the Commission and provide feedback to staff to assess the current and future needs of the senior citizen community.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – PowerPoint Presentation
cc: City Manager Eric J. Levitt
Senior Advisory Commission Structure and Plan
September 19, 2023 - Page PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT 2