City Council Agenda Report
TO: Mayor Clauzel and Members of the City Council
FROM: Ken Irwn, City Manager
BY: Nubia Goldstein, City Attorney
MEETING DATE: August 20, 2024
ITEM NO: 6.5
SUBJECT: Approve Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 874, reading by title only, waiving further reading, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Patterson, Adding a New Chapter 2.70, Senior Commission, to Title 2, Administration and Personnel, of the Patterson Municipal Code, to Establish a Senior Commission in the City of Patterson.
RECOMMENDATION
Motion to Approve Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 874, reading by title only, waiving further reading, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Patterson, Adding a New Chapter 2.70, Senior Commission, to Title 2, Administration and Personnel, of the Patterson Municipal Code, to Establish a Senior Commission in the City of Patterson.
BACKGROUND
The Senior Center Board of Directors was first established in 2005 and its roles and responsibilities were last revised in July of 2023, through Resolution 2023-07. The purpose of the Senior Center Board of Directors was to make recommendations to the City Council with regard to the programs, activities, and services at the Hammon Senior Center and for the senior citizen community in the City of Patterson (“City”). The City passed Resolution No. 2024-27, Dissolving the Senior Center Board of Directors, rescinding Resolution 2023-07, and directing City staff to prepare the necessary items for the creation of a Senior Commission in the City of Patterson, at the June 18, 2024 City Council meeting.
ANALYSIS
At the direction of the City Council, City Staff have prepared an ordinance to establish a Citywide Senior Commission. The purpose and mission of a new Senior Commission is to act as the voice for the City’s senior population on matters of City-wide concern, not just at the Hammon Senior Center. The Senior Commission would be tasked with advising the City Council on needs and concerns of all seniors on topics such as senior housing and social services, consulting with local groups and other public agencies on the needs of the senior community, evaluating available resources, and providing a forum for members of the community to participate. The creation of a Senior Commission would fill any void created by the dissolution of the Senior Center Board as the new commission would be tasked with providing recommendations and advice concerning all private and public services offered to senior residents within the City of Patterson, including those offered by the Hammon Senior Center.
The City Council introduced the proposed ordinance at the July 16th meeting, with changes. The proposed changes consist of adding a residency requirement to serving on the Senior Commission, and setting the date, time and location of Senior Commission meetings. These changes are incorporated into the current version for the Council’s consideration.
The Senior Commission Ordinance establishes the creation of a Senior Commission in the Patterson Municipal Code. The Patterson Municipal Code Chapter, Chapter 2.70, would structure the Senior Commission similarly to other commissions that advise the City Council, and bind the Senior Commission to the standards set forth in the City of Patterson Board, Commission, and Committee Member Handbook.
The Senior Commission would consist of five (5) members, serving staggered two-year terms, with a special requirement that all members be aged 50 years or older and residents of the city of Patterson.
In order to create a staggered term schedule, the first appointments will result in two (2) commissioners serving 1 one-year term, and three commissioners serving two-year terms. The Senior Commission would be tasked with holding regular public meetings on the third Tuesday of every month, alternating meeting locations between City Hall and the Hammon Senior Center to discuss recent findings and hear the input of the senior community; researching and reporting on the needs of the senior resident community; offering advice to the City of Patterson’s other commissions and boards regarding the needs of senior residents; and facilitating communication and improvements with regards to public and private services offered to senior residents within the City of Patterson.
The Senior Commission Ordinance would require the Senior Commission to select a chairperson and vice-chairperson at the first meeting in October every year. The Senior Commission Ordinance would also clarify the advisory nature of the Senior Commission, and its lack of administrative or legislative power, in order to prevent confusion on the nature of the Senior Commission.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
Attachment:
1. Ordinance No. 874