TO:City Council
FROM:Council on Aging
DATE:June 18, 2024
SUBJECT: Council on Aging Annual Report
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive Council on Aging (COA) Annual Report.
2. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Staff time and costs for coordination and preparation of the COA Annual Report are included in the Adopted FY 2023-24 General Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND:
The COA was established in 1974 and consists of nine members who are 60 years of age or older. On September 14, 2021, City Council approved Resolution No. 2021-046, rescinding Resolution No. 2010-081, establishing the following functions and duties of the COA:
•Review and provide input on any matters referred by the City Manager or their designee regarding a City departmental action, project, service, or development concerning matters which may directly affect older adults. •Provide outreach assistance to older adults for City projects or services as assigned by City Manager or their designee.
•Serve as liaisons to non-profit organizations or agencies that serve older adults as assigned by City Manager or their designee.
•Implement additional projects as assigned by City Manager or their designee.
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•Submit an annual report to City Council on Commission activities and any other periodic reports as assigned or deemed appropriate.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
In FY 2023-24, COA Commissioners accomplished the following functions and duties:
1. Review and provide input on any matters referred to the COA During the FY 2023-24 term, the COA Commissioners engaged with knowledgeable speakers from City departments and the community to establish relationships and provide input on referred projects and programs as they affect older adults. Meetings included:
Month Topic Presenter
September 2023 Brown Act Overview Noel Doran, Assistant City Attorney, City of Thousand Oaks
October 2023 City Communications Alexandra South, Strategic Communications and Public Affairs
Director, City of Thousand Oaks
November 2023
CRPD and Volunteer
Opportunities for
Older Adults
Tim Duerr, Conejo Recreation and
Park District and Julie Spivack,
Conejo Senior Volunteer Program
December 2023 City of Thousand
Oaks Transit
Mike Houser, Transit Manager and
Tyler Nestved, Assistant Transit
Planner, City of Thousand Oaks
January 2024 Civic Arts Plaza
Master Plan
Akbar Alikhan, Deputy City Manager
and Melissa Hurtado, Assistant to the
City Manager, City of Thousand Oaks
February 2024 Thousand Oaks
Library
Jennifer Patterson, Library Services
Director, City of Thousand Oaks
March 2024 Climate & Environ-
mental Action Plan
John Brooks, Senior Analyst, City of
Thousand Oaks
April 2024 Senior Concerns Andrea Gallagher, President, Senior Concerns
May 2024 Cancelled
June 2024 Community
Conscience
Robin Britt, Executive Director,
Community Conscience
2. Provide outreach assistance to older adults for City projects or services The COA Commissioners provided outreach assistance to older adults for City projects and services, as well as attended various functions to present COA information by doing the following:
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•The COA created the inaugural edition of the City of Thousand Oaks Resource Directory for Older Adults. The 30-page directory provides information on community resources, such as adult day programs, housing supports, food pantries, and caregiving services. It is available in large print and on the City’s website at toaks.co/olderadults. Almost 1,000 printed copies have been distributed throughout the community.
•The COA continued their work to increase awareness of the COA in the community. Accomplishments in this area included revamped fliers, updated monthly meeting notices, including the advertisements placed in the Goebel Gazette, increased social media presence, and sharing COA videos across social media.
•Last year, the COA Commissioner Guide Committee worked to compile a binder to serve as a commissioner handbook. The Commissioner Guide was provided at the first meeting in September 2023, and included the Resolution, meeting schedule, commissioner handbook, and other necessary information. Positive feedback was received from all commissioners.
•COA, along with various City departments, had booths at the January 2024 Wellness Fest at the Goebel Adult Community Center. All proceeds from that event support CSVP programs.
3. Liaisons to Organizations
In FY 2023-24, COA Commissioners served as liaisons to an array of organizations that serve older adults in the community. Each month commissioners deepen relationships across the community, as well as provide updates and information regarding these organizations at the COA meetings. A summary of the following liaison positions is provided in Attachment #1:
•Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) – Chair Patricia Lownes and Resident Representatives appointed by City Council, Stephanie Belding.
•Goebel Center Commission (GSCC) – Commissioner Jim Bruno and Commissioner Mary Jane Taintor
•Conejo Senior Volunteer Program (CSVP) – Commissioner Gail Ginell and Commissioner Nivedita Vaidya
•Community Conscience – Vice Chair Neary
•California Senior Legislature (CSL) – Commissioner Tony Gitt •Senior Concerns – Commissioner Tony Gitt and Commissioner Dorothy Hatfield
•Many Mansions – Commissioner Dorothy Hatfield
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4. Implement additional projects
The COA implemented the following additional projects:
•The COA focused on a commission project this year. The goal was to collectively select and execute a project that added value to the community.
The chosen project was to promote a healthy lifestyle among older adults and specifically to encourage older adults to use the outdoor fitness equipment located in the backyard of the Goebel Adult Community Center.
To accomplish this, the COA created a promotional video that has been shared across social media.
•Proclaimed the Month of May as Older Americans Month at the May 7, 2024, City Council meeting, as well as through special posts on social media to promote the work of the COA and representation of older adults. •Promoted the National Senior Health and Fitness Day on May 29, 2024, through special posts on social media.
In the FY 2024-25 program year, the COA will continue to proactively seek potential projects and activities that support the duties of the COA.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
B. Provide municipal government leadership which is open and responsive to residents, and is characterized by ethical behavior, stability, promoting public trust, transparency, confidence in the future, and cooperative interaction among civic leaders, residents, business representatives, and staff, while recognizing and respecting legitimate differences of opinion on critical issues facing the City.
G. Continue City's commitment to community and cultural programs and services (such as Performing Arts/Theatres, Libraries, TOTV, Visual Arts, Youth and Senior Programs).
PREPARED BY: Patricia Lownes, COA Chair
Whitney Luxenberger, Senior Administrative Specialist
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – 2023-24 COA Liaison and Committee Summary Report CMO:115-01\wl\H:\COMMON\City Council\Council Items\2024 Staff Reports\06182024\ Council on Aging Annual Report.docx