07-12-23 MinutesMINUTES OF A MEETING OF
THE SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS
July 12, 2023
The regular meeting of the Cypress Senior Citizens Commission was called to order at 3:00 p.m. on
Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in the Cypress Senior Center Conference Room, 9031 Grindlay Street,
Cypress, California.
PRESENT: Commission Chair Osman, Commission Vice Chair Machal, Commissioners
Button, Croce, DeCesare, Heins, and Skorupinski.
ABSENT: None.
Also present: Jeff Draper, Director of Recreation and Community Services; Ian Kokot, Recreation and
Community Services Manager; Shayna Gutierrez, Recreation and Community Services Supervisor;
Alexis Corral, Recreation and Community Services Coordinator.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The pledge was led by Commissioner Button.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Limited to 30 minutes – three minutes per speaker, unless extended by
the Commission)
None.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approve Minutes – Meeting of June 14, 2023
It was moved by Commissioner Button, and seconded by Commission Vice Chair Machal, to approve
the minutes of the meeting of June 14, 2023.
Commissioner Heins pointed out it should be noted on Page 2 that Commissioner Osman is returning
for a second term.
It was moved by Commissioner Skorupinski, and seconded by Commissioner Croce, to approve the
minutes as amended of the meeting of June 14, 2023.
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
7 COMMISSIONERS: Button, Croce, DeCesare, Heins, Machal, Osman, Skorupinski
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONER: None
2. Reorganization of the Senior Citizens Commission
Commissioner Heins nominated Commission Vice Chair Machal for Chairperson.
Vice Chair Machal nominated Commission Chair Osman for Chairperson.
Commission Chair Osman declined to serve another term as chair.
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It was moved by Commissioner Heins, and seconded by Commissioner Button, to approve the
nomination of Commissioner Machal for Chairperson.
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Button, Croce, DeCesare, Heins, Machal, Osman, Skorupinski
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
Nominations were opened for Vice Chairperson.
Commissioner Heins nominated Commissioner Button for Vice Chairperson.
Commissioner Osman nominated Commissioner Heins for Vice Chairperson.
Commissioner Heins declined, stating she has previously served as Chair and Vice Chair.
It was moved by Commissioner Heins, and seconded by Commissioner Croce, to approve the
nomination of Commissioner Button for Vice Chairperson.
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Button, Croce, DeCesare, Heins, Machal, Osman, Skorupinski
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
3. Senior Commissioners Activities and Committee Assignments
The Director of Recreation and Community Services provided background on the committees.
Following discussion, the resulting committees were assigned:
Cypress Police Department Liaison—Commissioners Heins and Osman
Cypress Senior Center Programs—Commissioner Skorupinski primary, rotating when needed
Cypress Sunshine Club Liaison—Commission Chair Machal
Orange County Senior Advisory Council—Commissioner Osman primary, Commission Vice Chair
Button alternate
Senior Citizens Club Liaison—Commissioner DeCesare
Youth Action Committee—Commissioner Croce primary, rotating
It was moved by Commission Chair Button, and seconded by Commissioner Heins, to approve the
Commission committee assignments for Fiscal Year 2023/24.
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Button, Croce, DeCesare, Heins, Machal, Osman, Skorupinski
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
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4. North Orange County Education (NOCE) Ceramics Class
Recreation and Community Services Supervisor Gutierrez provided background: ceramics class on
hold due to the lunch program being moved into the Arts & Crafts Room during the Senior Center
interior improvements project; kilns are 30 years old and will not be functional for much longer; provided
copy of letter sent to Council by the ceramics teacher asking that the City provide a storage pod for
storing the students’ supplies and asking that the ceramics class not be cancelled.
The Director of Recreation and Community Services distributed an agreement from July 2016 between
NOCE and the Senior Center for educational programs conducted at the Senior Center; reported that
the District offered a Lexington Park storage container for temporary storage of the ceramics students’
equipment; the instructor wants the City to purchase new kilns and NOCE is not willing to assist with
the costs; the expense will be considerable for two new kilns plus the added costs of upgrading the
system to support them.
Commissioner Heins reported that this instructor teaches ceramics classes in other cities; stated the
Senior Center should not be hosting this class if NOCE is not willing to contribute funds for the kilns;
NOCE should be made aware of how the instructor addressed staff in her letter to Council.
Commissioner Skorupinski spoke in agreement, stating that the full responsibility for the kilns should
not be placed on the Senior Center
Commission Chair Machal spoke in agreement, stating that the ceramics class needs to end if NOCE
not willing to help with the kilns.
Commission Vice Chair Button spoke in agreement, and asked what would be done with the space
currently being taken up by the kilns.
Recreation and Community Services Supervisor Gutierrez informed that space could be used for
Senior Center storage.
Commissioner DeCesare asked about the attendance of the ceramics class.
Recreation and Community Services Supervisor Gutierrez responded that registration for the class is
done through NOCE, and that the majority of the participants of ceramics only attend that particular
class and do not participate in any other Senior Center programs.
The Director of Recreation and Community Services informed he will take the Commissioners’
consensus to Council, and asked if the Commissioners want to make recommendation for staff to
approach NOCE about assisting with the kilns, or, if they are unwilling to allocate funds, assisting
NOCE with relocating the class to another site.
Commission Vice Chair Button made a motion to recommend exploring cost sharing with NOCE and to
terminate the agreement for the ceramics class if there’s no interest from NOCE to help with funding for
the kilns.
Motion failed for lack of a second.
It was moved by Commissioner Heins, and seconded by Commissioner Osman, to discontinue offering
the ceramics class due to the expense of replacing the kilns.
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The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Button, Croce, DeCesare, Heins, Machal, Osman, Skorupinski
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
The Director of Recreation and Community Services informed that Council can accept, refuse, or make
changes to the Commission’s recommendation.
Commission Vice Chair Button asked if staff has scheduled a time for removal of students supplies
to a Lexington Park container.
The Director of Recreation and Community Services informed that staff will meet with NOCE for a
timeline.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Three minutes per speaker, unless extended by the Commission)
None.
STAFF REPORTS AND DISCUSSION
Recreation and Community Services Supervisor Gutierrez: thanked the Commissioners for their
assistance with the 30th anniversary; Recreation Specialist Teena Tomlinson retiring July 13; interior
improvements starting week of July 17, with estimated completion mid-January 2024.
Recreation and Community Services Coordinator Corral: Father’s Day luncheon; Resource Fair;
Concerts on the Green; Salute to America; Senior Camp
OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS
New Commissioners Croce and DeCesare introduced themselves and provided background.
Commissioner Croce: Attended Resource Fair; Salute to America.
Commissioner DeCesare: Meals on Wheels. Spoke of sponsorships and of elevating the experience
for the participants of the home delivered meals program.
Commissioner Heins: Senior Center 30th Anniversary; Resource Fair; June 26 Council meeting;
Concert on the Green; taught “Games for Brains” class; Alzheimer’s support group.
Commissioner Osman: Father’s Day luncheon; Senior Center 30th Anniversary; Resource Fair; Salute
to America; Concert on the Green; June 26 and July 10 Council meetings.
Commissioner Skorupinski: Father’s Day luncheon; Senior Center 30th Anniversary; Salute to America;
June 26 and July 10 Council meetings; “Games for Brains” class; Wednesday cribbage.
Commission Vice Chair Button: Senior Center 30th Anniversary; Resource Fair; Salute to America; July
10 City Council meeting.
Commission Chair Machal: Senior Center 30th Anniversary; Concert on the Green; July 10 Council
meeting.
Commission Vice Chair Button read from the suggestion box: miniature golf and bowling.
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ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Commission Vice Chair Button, and seconded by Commissioner Skorupinski, to
adjourn the meeting of July 12, 2023, at 4:40 p.m. to the regular meeting of August 9, 2023, to be held
in the Senior Center Conference Room at 3:00 p.m.
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
7 COMMISSIONERS: Button, Croce, DeCesare, Heins, Machal, Osman, Skorupinski
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONER: None
__________________________________________
CHAIR OF THE SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSION
ATTEST:
_______________________________________________
SECRETARY TO THE SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSION