Minutes 2000-03-08MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE
CYPRESS CiTY COUNCIL
HELD
March 8,2000
An adjourned meeting of the Cypress City Council was called to order at 5:03 p.m.
by Mayor Plercy in the Conference ROom at the Cypress Senior Center, 9031 Grindlay
Street, Cypress, California.
PRESENT: Councilmember Keenan, Mayor Pro Tern McGilI, Mayor PiercV
ABSENT: Councilmembers MCCOV and Sondhi
JOINT MEETING:
Mayor Plercy Indicated that the Cypress CiW Council was conducting a Joint
Meeting with the Cypress Senior Citizens Commission at this time, for the purpose of
discussing the four agendlzed topics.
ROLL CALL: Commissioners Carruthers, Christopher, Crow, Flfield, Mclver,
Alternate Commissioner Narain, Vice Chairperson Hooven and Chairperson White.
AlSO present were staffmembers Liu, DeCarlo, RUiz, Clark, Espinosa and Hellen.
COUNCILMEMBER MCCOY ARRIVED AT 5:15 P.M.
Because it had been a long time since the City Council last met with the Senior
Citizen Commission, Mayor PiercV asked that everyone in the room introduce themselves.
ITEMS OF DISCUSSION:
1. Senior Transportation.
Commissioner Mclver presented the report regarding Senior
Transportation. Queries regarding the need for Senior Transportation in the Tanglewood
Development originally resulted in no response, but the requirement for assistance in this
area was subsequently identified. This need is anticipated to increase substantially within
the next 20-year period, as the population continues to age.
Many seniors are reluctant to rely on the public transportation system, as they are
(1) unfamiliar with how it works; (2) find It difficult to read the maps provided; and (3) are
unused to this type of transportation.
Commissioner Mclver contacted the new Adult Day Care Center on Lincoln
regarding the sharing of that organization's van for senior transportation needs. That
organization was either unable or unwilling to do so.
The Commission was recommending that a feasibility study be conducted to
determine the need and requirements for senior transportation.
After Mrs. Mclver's presentation, Councilmember Keenan provided information
regarding OCTA'S future plans for its bus system. The current restructuring of the routes
is geared toward keeping them on main avenues, ensuring that the routes are straight
("straightlining"), maintaining simple routes, and conducting frequent trips. All these
measure should appeal to the senior population, and make the system easier to use.
councilmember Keenan observed that creative methods of funding Senior
transportation could be developed, and mentioned the possibility of establishing a joint
venture; perhaps with neighboring cities.
Councilmember McCoV observed that a need has been identified in the
community for senior transportation. He suggested that steps be taken to fulfill that
need. Councilmember MCCOV reported that equipment is being donated to cities from
the Navy base in Long Beach, including buses, and that source should be investigated. He
also suggested that once the senior transportation methods had been established, clear
guidelines to determine the allowable distances the transportation methods will travel
must be implemented.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 8, 2000
At the conclusion of the discussion, Mayor Piercy suggested that prior to
authorizing a feasibility study for senior transportation, the Senior citizens Commission
utlllze all possible ways of reaching the communlty's senior population in order to receive
responses regarding this issue, such as the City's cable channel, various organizational
newsletters, and church bulletins.
2. Affordable HOUSlng.
Commissioner Fifield reported that a definite need exists in Cypress for Senior
Affordable HOUSing. He was not certain of the number of affordable dwelling units
required, but was certain that the need will only increase as the population ages. He
asked what the future plans were for providing affordable housing, what the established
requirements were for making such housing available, and where the affordable housing
was located.
Ida Ruiz, Redevelopment/Economic Development Director, and Steve Clarke,
HOUSing Coordinator, made a joint presentation regarding affordable housing in Cypress.
MS. RUiZ explained the four items in place defining and regulating housing; these included
(1) the Housing Element of the City's General Plan; (2) the Regional Housing Needs
Assessment (STAG); (3) the Implementation Plan (updated every five years); and (4) the
Strategic Plan.
COUNCILMEMBER KEENAN LEFT AT 5:50 P.M.
Mr. Clarke advised that the Home Equity Loan Program and the Home
Enhancement Loan Program were the City's two housing assistance programs currently
available. A home rehabilitation program is also available through the County of Orange.
Mr. Clarke identified Cypress Park Senior Community, (124 total units) 9021 Grindlay
Street, Cypress Pointe Senior Community (110 total units), 5120 Lincoln Avenue, and
Cypress Sunrise Apartments (75 total units), 9051 Grindlay Street, as the senior housing
complexes in the City of Cypress.
Possible future programs to be established in the City for the purpose of assisting
homeowners and providing affordable housing include a rental deposit guarantee
program, a "neighborhood clean-up" program, and the possibility of establishing mixed-
use housing.
3. Annual Senior Recognition Week.
Chairperson White reported that the Commission was recommending a "senior
Recognition Week" be established In the City of Cypress, to be observed annually during
the month of May. A second recommendation was that a plaque be presented to a
deserving senior, In recognition of his or her efforts on behalf of the Cypress community.
The Commission was also requesting that a plaque be installed in the Senior Center Lobby,
with the name of each years "Outstanding Senior of the Year" award recipient being
added on an annual basis. It was felt that awarding these awards when the recipients
were alive was preferable to awarding them posthumously.
The City Council concurred that this was a worthwhile project, and will
recommend that the item be placed on a future City Council agenda for formal approval.
4. Recommendation from City Council for Project for the Senior Commission
Involvement.
The fOllOwing items were identified by the City council as areas for the Senior
citizen commission to focus on in the coming year:
FOllOW-Up on the need for senior transportation;
Monthly updates regarding senior health care issues;
Education efforts in the community regarding senior issues.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
chairperson White commended the Youth Commission on an excellent job done
during the previous year.
Commissioner Mclver reported that Nancy Hooven had been selected as the new
Chairperson for the Cypress Senior Citizens Commission.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 8, 2000
ADJOURNMENT:
AS there was no further business to consider, at 6:08 p.m., the Mayor adjourned
the meeting to Friday, March 10, 2000, at 5:30 p.m. in the City of Cypress City Hall Board
Room.
ATTEST:
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS
CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS
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