01-11-23 MinutesMINUTES OF A MEETING OF
THE SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS
January 11, 2023
The regular meeting of the Cypress Senior Citizens Commission was called to order at 3:03 p.m. on
Wednesday, January 11, 2023, in the Cypress Senior Center Conference Room, 9031 Grindlay Street,
Cypress, California.
PRESENT: Commission Chair Osman, Commission Vice Chair Machal, Commissioners
Button, Heins, Ramirez, Skorupinski, and Stein.
ABSENT: None.
Also present: Jeff Draper, Director of Recreation and Community Services; Ian Kokot, Recreation
Manager; Shayna Gutierrez, Recreation and Community Services Supervisor; Alexis Corral, Recreation
and Community Services Coordinator; Taylor Burtle, Recreation Specialist.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The pledge was led by Commissioner Machal.
INTRODUCTION OF COUNCILMEMBERS DAVID BURKE AND BONNIE PEAT
Councilmembers David Burke and Bonnie Peat introduced themselves, and spoke on the importance of
improvements for the Senior Center and senior transportation issues.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Limited to 30 minutes – three minutes per speaker, unless extended by
the Commission)
Jon DeCesare spoke of visiting the new Huntington Beach Senior Center, and suggested billiard and
ping pong tables for the Cypress Senior Center.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approve Minutes – Meeting of November 9, 2022
It was moved by Commissioner Button, and seconded by Commissioner Stein, to approve the minutes
of the meeting of November 9, 2022.
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
7 COMMISSIONERS: Button, Heins, Machal, Osman, Ramirez, Skorupinski, and Stein
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONER: None
2. Senior Center’s 30th Anniversary Celebration
Supervisor Gutierrez provided background, informed that the event will be in June, and asked if the
Commissioners want to form an ad hoc committee to assist staff with the celebration.
Commission Vice Chair Machal asked if there is a budget for this event.
2
The Director responded that there is not technically a line-item in the budget, but that it can be included
in mid-year budget adjustments.
Commission Stein asked about expenditures for the 25th anniversary celebration, and are corporate
sponsorships going to be pursued.
Supervisor Gutierrez responded that those figures can be provided to the Commission.
The Director responded that staff is working on acquiring sponsorships.
It was moved by Commissioner Ramirez, and seconded by Commissioner Heins, to approve the
establishment of an ad hoc committee for the Senior Center 30th anniversary celebration.
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
7 COMMISSIONERS: Button, Heins, Machal, Osman, Ramirez, Skorupinski, and Stein
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONER: None
It was moved by Commissioner Button, and seconded by Commissioner Ramirez, to approve the
selection of Commissioners Button, Machal, and Skorupinski for the Senior Center 30th anniversary
celebration ad hoc committee.
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
7 COMMISSIONERS: Button, Heins, Machal, Osman, Ramirez, Skorupinski, and Stein
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONER: None
3. Senior Mobility Program
Supervisor Gutierrez reported that Cypress receives $50,000 each year from SMP for community-
based senior transportation services, and those funds must be spent within three years of receiving
them.
Recreation Specialist Burtle provided background on the nutrition and taxi voucher programs.
Commissioner Stein asked how many participants in each program, and suggested promoting the
program.
Recreation Specialist Burtle stated there are 30 taxi voucher participants per month and seven active
nutrition taxi participants per month.
Supervisor Gutierrez stated that staff is recommending: (1) removing income requirements for the taxi
voucher program per OCTA’s recommendation; (2) increase the number of vouchers from six a month
to up to ten a month; (3) explore more marketing opportunities to increase participation.
Commissioner Button asked if the removal of income requirements will be temporary and stated that he
is in favor of keeping income verification in place so that more vouchers can continue to be provided for
those most in need.
The Director responded that staff is in favor of permanently removing the income requirements.
3
Commissioner Heins asked if the taxi vouchers are good for anywhere in Orange County, if they have
an expiration date, and spoke in favor of expanding the program.
Recreation Specialist Burtle responded the taxi vouchers are good for up to four miles and that there is
an expiration date.
Commissioner Ramirez asked if the goal is to spend the funds or increase participation and spoke in
favor of eliminating income requirements and increasing the number of monthly vouchers.
The Director responded the goal is for both.
Commissioner Stein asked if the same people utilize the program every month and if there would be
increased demand if the income requirements were eliminated.
Recreation Specialist Burtle responded that monthly participants are a mix of current and new.
Supervisor Gutierrez reported that Yellow Cab is fine with increasing the number of vouchers.
The Director responded that the funding the City receives from SMP will accommodate new
participants, and recommended a one-year review with the Commission in case further adjustments
need to be made to the program.
Commission Vice Chair Machal asked what is the current monthly income requirement and spoke in
favor of eliminating income requirements and increasing the number of monthly vouchers.
Recreation Specialist Burtle reported the income requirement is $2,712.00 a month.
Commissioner Skorupinski spoke in favor of eliminating income requirements and increasing the
number of monthly vouchers.
It was moved by Commissioner Ramirez, and seconded by Commissioner Skorupinski, to approve: (1)
removing income requirements for the taxi voucher program; (2) increasing the number of vouchers
from six a month to ten a month; (3) exploring more marketing opportunities to increase participation.
Commissioner Heins asked that a one-year review by staff to the Commission be added to the motion.
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
7 COMMISSIONERS: Button, Heins, Machal, Osman, Ramirez, Skorupinski, and Stein
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONER: None
Commissioner Ramirez asked if updates on the SMP can be a regular addition to the agenda.
The Director responded that the timeframe for the year review will be March of 2024, but staff can
update the Commission when the program summaries are presented twice a year.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Five minutes per speaker, unless extended by the Commission)
Joe Pak, Senior Field Representative for Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, informed that the
assemblymember now represents the 67th District, which encompasses Artesia, Cerritos, and Hawaiian
Gardens.
4
STAFF REPORTS AND DISCUSSION
Recreation Coordinator Corral reported on the following: Holiday Sing and Tree Lighting; Holiday
Celebration Dining Event; Holiday Volunteer Party; Grace Lachina applications available until February
17; tax appointments not being offered at Senior Center this year due to shortage of volunteer tax
preparers; City of Cypress closed January 16 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Recreation Specialist Burtle reported on the success of the Senior Holiday C.A.M.P.
The Recreation Supervisor informed that the Senior Center interior improvements project should being
summer of 2023.
The Recreation Manager reported that the Non-Profit Grant Request applications are due by 5 p.m.
Friday, January 13.
The Director reported on the snowy owl presentation on Thursday, January 19 at the Cypress
Community Center.
OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS
Commissioner Button: Veterans Day luncheon; Holiday Celebration dining event; Volunteer
Celebration; December and January City Council meetings; Senior Club meetings. Praised staff on the
programs offered.
Commissioner Heins: Veterans Day luncheon; Thanksgiving Feast; teaching “Games for Brains”
classes; meeting with Captain Revere regarding senior issues.
Commissioner Ramirez: Veterans Day luncheon; Volunteer Celebration; Holiday Celebration dining
event; “Mind-Body Connection” forum. Spoke of the positive effect the Senior Center has on
participants.
Commissioner Skorupinski: Veterans Day luncheon; Thanksgiving Feast; Volunteer Celebration;
Holiday Celebration dining event; December City Council meeting; weekly cribbage; delivering
Woman’s Club kindness bags to meal delivery recipients. Spoke of using the exercise equipment on a
more frequent basis.
Commissioner Stein: Veterans Day luncheon; Thanksgiving Feast. Praised staff on the programs
offered.
Commission Vice Chair Machal: Veterans Day luncheon; January Youth Action Committee meeting.
Spoke of Community Festival committee members wanting to do more outreach to seniors.
Commission Chair Osman: Veterans Day luncheon; Volunteer Celebration; January Youth Action
Committee meeting; meeting with Captain Revere regarding senior issues. Reported that the Cypress
Woman’s Club adopted four families and the Senior Commission adopted one family for the holidays.
Suggestion Box: Commission Vice Chair Machal read a letter in which someone tried to register for the
Senior Holiday Camp and of the program being full.
Commission Button asked if that program could be increased.
The Director responded the Senior Camp has proven to be a very popular program and that staff is
looking at the budget to be able to increase the amount of times the event is offered.
5
ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Commissioner Stein, and seconded by Commission Chair Osman, to adjourn the
meeting of January 11, 2023, at 4:35 p.m. to the regular meeting of February 8, 2023, to be held in the
Senior Center Conference Room at 3:00 p.m.
_________________________________________
CHAIR OF THE SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSION
ATTEST:
_______________________________________________
SECRETARY TO THE SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSION