11-08-23 MinutesMINUTES OF A MEETING OF
THE SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS
November 8, 2023
The regular meeting of the Cypress Senior Citizens Commission was called to order at 3:00 p.m.
on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, in the Cypress Senior Center Conference Room, 9031
Grindlay Street, Cypress, California.
PRESENT: Commission Chair Machal, Commission Vice Chair Button, Commissioners
Croce, DeCesare, Heins, Osman, and Skorupinski.
ABSENT: None.
Also present: Ian Kokot, Recreation and Community Services Manager; Shayna Gutierrez,
Recreation and Community Services Supervisor.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The pledge was led by Commission Chair Machal.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Limited to 30 minutes – three minutes per speaker, unless extended
by the Commission)
None.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approve Minutes – Meeting of November 8, 2023
Commission Vice Chair Button referenced the amendment to the August 9 meeting minutes and
clarified that he was asking if the number of taxi vouchers issued had increased and, if so, by how
many.
Recreation Supervisor Gutierrez responded the numbers of taxi vouchers issued have increased,
but did not have an exact number.
Commission Vice Chair Button referenced Page 2 of the September 13 meeting minutes and
asked if the 2022 survey conducted by the commission had been distributed to all of the
commissioners.
The Recreation Manager responded he would speak with the Director about sending the survey
out to the commissioners.
It was moved by Commissioner Croce, and seconded by Commissioner Osman, to approve the
minutes as amended of the meeting of September 13, 2023.
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
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AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Button, Croce, DeCesare, Heins, Machal, Osman,
Skorupinski
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
2. Establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee to Review the Grace Lachina Outstanding Senior
Recognition Award Nominations
Supervisor Gutierrez provided background on the contest; displayed the new nomination form;
reported the application is on the Recreation website, the City’s social media, “The Progress” and
“Along the Way;” asked if the commission would like to form an ad hoc committee to review the
nomination forms.
Supervisor Gutierrez spoke of sending the nomination forms electronically to the commissioners if
they would want to distribute them.
Commissioner Heins suggested she would reach out to the Event-News Enterprise.
It was moved by Commissioner Skorupinski, and seconded by Commissioner Osman, to approve
the selection of Commissioners Croce, Heins, and Osman to the ad hoc committee to review the
Grace Lachina Outstanding Senior Recognition Award nominations.
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 Center Interior Improvements Updates
Supervisor Gutierrez reported on the Phase III part of the interior improvements completed; Multi-
Use Room to be finished next week; new carpet, lights, ceiling tiles, some cabinetry upgrades in
final phase.
Commission Chair Machal asked if there will be any changes to the kitchen and if there has been
any food insecurity during the interior improvements project.
Supervisor Gutierrez responded that the floor has been resealed, drains repaired, modernizing of
the cabinets, painting, new lighting, and ice machine; and that no food insecurity has occurred
during the rehab.
Commissioner DeCesare praised the remodeling, and submitted an example of signage taken from
a retail establishment and suggested that could be placed over both entrance doors of the Senior
Center.
Supervisor Gutierrez spoke of the congregant lunch program returning to the Multi-Use Room early
December and of most programming to resume the week of January 8.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Three minutes per speaker, unless extended by the Commission)
None.
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STAFF REPORTS (NO ACTION OR DISCUSSION REQUIRED)
Supervisor Gutierrez provided a recap of the October events and thanked the Woman’s Club for
their sponsorship of the senior walking group.
Supervisor Gutierrez: Halloween lunch, Veterans Day, Volunteer Holiday Ugly Sweater Party,
December 12.
Recreation Coordinator Position
The Recreation Manager reported the recruitment for the Recreation Coordinator position closed
November 3, with 117 applications received, and that the position for Senior Center Recreation
Specialist should soon be filled.
Commission Chair Machal inquired of the different positions within Recreation.
The Recreation Manager responded the positions are Recreation Leaders, Coordinators,
Supervisors, Manager, and Director.
City Approved Holiday Closure
The Recreation Manager announced the City will be closed starting December 25 and reopen
January 2.
Supervisor Gutierrez: Holiday Sing and Tree Lighting on December 5; Kiwanis to provide hot dogs
for the event.
The Recreation Manager: Community Center HVAC project started November 7; the Community
Center roofing project starting May of 2024; entry submission for Holiday Decorating Contest
starting week of November 13.
Commission Chair Machal asked if the same people enter every year.
The Recreation Manager responded that many of the same homes are entered every year.
Senior Scams
Supervisor Gutierrez reported Mayor Mallari suggested bringing up this topic with the Senior
Commission and that presentations on scams will resume when the Senior Center reopens.
OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS
Commissioner Croce: Youth Action Committee meetings, 5K Run/Walk registrations, worked the
Cypress Police Department booth at the Community Festival, State of the City, Women’s
Conference. Asked if staff is still doing photo displays of Senior Center participants who have
passed away.
Supervisor Gutierrez responded that staff posts pictures if someone requests it.
Commissioner DeCesare: Ad hoc committee meetings for Senior Center program enhancements.
Spoke of Meals on Wheels participants who have lost spouses. Suggested benchmarking
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Huntington Beach and Mission Viejo senior centers for best practices. Recommended doing an
action list, with five items at a time to accomplish.
Commissioner Heins: Cypress Festival, State of the City, volunteering at the Senior Center,
teaching “Games for Brains” class, Alzheimer’s support group, Police Department open house,
Red Cross volunteering, Youth Action Committee meeting. Suggested moderated panel
conversation with YAC members and older adults to discuss intergenerational issues.
Commissioner Osman: City Council meetings, State of the City, Women’s Conference,
volunteering at the Senior Center. Announced the Orange County Senior Citizens Advisory
Council is changing its name to Orange County Older Adults Advisory Commission. Reported that
Woman’s Club had discussed moving the Women’s Conference to a different month.
Commissioner Skorupinski: State of the City, Orange County Older Adults Advisory Council,
Cypress Chamber of Commerce breakfast, St. Irenaeus Fiesta.
Commission Vice Chair Button: Community Festival, State of the City, grocery program at the
Senior Center, Council meetings, Youth Action Committee meeting, Police Department Open
House. Suggested spreading out events so that October is not so busy.
The Recreation Manager responded that there have been discussions on this, but that staff can
always make it work.
Commission Chair Machal: Community Festival, State of the City, volunteered at Senior Center.
Praised the State of the City reception. Praised staff for their assistance with the Community
Festival.
The Recreation Manager reported hearing from many community members who did not know
about the State of the City and suggested utilizing the commissioners to help publicize next year’s
event.
ADJOURNMENT
Commission Chair Machal adjourned the meeting of November 8, 2023, at 4:15 p.m. to the regular
meeting of January 10, 2024, 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