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Senior Advisory Committee Update (Laura Armanino, Recreation Manager)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Parks and Recreation Commission receive an update on the formation of a Senior Advisory Committee.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
In August 2022, the City of South San Francisco recruited a diverse group of City staff, elected leaders, community stakeholders, organization representatives, and local residents who were interested in the well-being of older residents to serve on South San Francisco's first ever Age Friendly Community (AFC) Task Force. The task force discussed how their community could look at ways to improve the livability of their communities for their older adult residents and the process involved in planning, developing, and launching a new and effective AFC initiative. In May of 2023, the City of South San Francisco applied to be a part of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities and as result has received that designation. Age-Friendly Communities encourage and benefit from diverse citizen engagement by including residents in a process to identify the community's needs and develop and implement an action plan to address those needs. Participation in the network involves following a multi-step process of improvement.
The Parks and Recreation Department is interested in re-starting an advisory group to help support our Age-Friendly designation. A committee did exist up until the mid-2010s, when participation dwindled and amidst numerous staff transitions. The purpose of this advisory group is to help the City make informed decisions that improve the livability of the communities for older adult residents. The advisory committee will be guided partly by the recommendations in the Age Friendly Community initiative for South San Francisco as well as other points of information.
The advisory board will also generate open discussion about their experiences with the City of South San Francisco’s Parks and Recreation Department programs, services, and amenities and to identify areas of interest specific to seniors that reside in South San Francisco. This information may assist staff in facilitating responsive recreation planning while improving service delivery.
Residents of South San Francisco, or those who work in the City in the target demographic age of 55 and up will be prioritized. Nominees ideally will represent multiple constituencies and interests, can represent the unique needs of the five electoral districts within South San Francisco, and will be familiar with the needs and services in South San Francisco Parks and Recreation programs. Participants will represent the broader community. The group will be an ad-hoc group. The group is advisory in nature to solicit community feedback and does not have authority to recommend policy or procedural changes. Those duties will continue to be within the scope of the Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council. However, this committee can inform decisions made by staff and the Commission.
CONCLUSION
Staff welcomes feedback from the Commission. A representative from the Parks and Recreation Commission to sit on this body is also welcome.