REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution to Join the World Health Organization’s Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities and Authorize the Submission of Application Materials
Report
BACKGROUND
On March 28, 2017, the City Council approved a study issue to pursue membership in the World Health Organization’s Global Network Of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC) (Attachment 1).
Communities that actively demonstrate a commitment to foster the full participation of older people in community life and that promote healthy and active aging are invited to become members of the Network and receive formal designation as an “Age-Friendly City”. To join the Network, cities must:
a. Complete an application form;
b. Submit a letter from the Mayor and City Manager indicating a commitment to both engage older adults in a baseline assessment of the City’s age-friendliness in eight domains (outdoor spaces and buildings; transportation, housing, social participation, respect and social inclusion; civic participation and employment, communication and information and community support and health services) as well as develop a three-year action plan to address issues identified in the assessment; and
c. Commit to share their experience, achievements and lessons with other communities.
The purpose of this report is to outline the progress made to date towards fulfilling the requirements for membership and to request that the Council adopt a resolution in support of the City’s formal application (Attachment 2).
EXISTING POLICY
Goal CV-1 Community Participation and Engagement
Goal LT-5 Effective, Safe, Pleasant and Convenient Transportation
Goal CC-12 Maximum Access to Recreation Services, Facilties and Amenities
Goal HE-5 Equal Housing Opportunities
Goal SN-3 Safe and Secure City
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Applying for membership in this group does not constitute a “project” with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378 (b) (5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
DISCUSSION
In approving the study issue to pursue membership in GNAFCC, the City of Sunnyvale has joined a county-wide effort led by the Seniors’ Agenda of Santa Clara County, Department of Aging and Adult Services, to pursue designation as an “Age-Friendly City” by all 15 cities in the County prior to the end of the fiscal year.
While the issue of age friendliness will cross a variety of departments, the Department of Library and Community Services will serve as the lead department for both the application process as well as for the development of the required three-year action plan.
The following actions have been taken to date:
• At the recommendation of the County, the Center for Age-Friendly Excellence (CAFÉ) provided technical assistance and guidance on both the application process as well as community facilitation during the assessment process. CAFÉ is a project of the Los Altos Community Foundation whose mission is to create vibrant, sustainable, supportive and inclusive communities for all generations.
• To begin the baseline assessment, two focus group meetings were held on April 24, 2017. One meeting was focused on users of services while the second on providers of services. Participants in the user focus group included:
1) Ralph Kenton, Parks and Recreation Commission;
2) Norine Krueger, Senior Advisory Committee;
3) Peggy Gin, Senior Center User;
4) Nancy Wu, Senior Center User;
5) Elinor Sheldon, Community Member; and
6) Tara Martin-Milius, Community/former Council member.
Participants in the provider focus group included:
1) Fremont Union High School Adult Education;
2) Encore;
3) Sunnyvale Community Services;
4) Project Sentinel;
5) Sunnyside Gardens Retirement Community;
6) Sunnyvale Host Lions Club;
7) Valley Medical Center Clinic; and
8) Catholic Charities.
Both meetings were facilitated by CAFÉ which also assumed responsibility for scribing for the meeting and recording of the minutes.
• Based on the initial input of the focus groups, an on-going task force will be assigned to further evaluate opportunities for becoming more age-friendly and to develop a three-year action plan that can be implemented within the City’s available resources.
• While completion of the baseline assessment is not required prior to the submission of the application for membership, cities are asked to identify how they hope to advance age-friendliness in their community. Based on the focus group input, the initial recommendation is to advance two initiatives:
o Increasing older adult access to evidence-based programs citywide; and
o Improving the ability of older adults to maintain and improve their health and wellness through the placement of fitness equipment in Sunnyvale parks.
Next Steps
As noted earlier, one of the requirements for membership is the submission of a letter from the Mayor and City Manager indicating our City’s commitment to engage older adults in both the discussions related to age-friendly needs as well as the outline of a three-year action plan. As such, it is recommended that the City Council approve the enclosed resolution, authorize the Mayor/City Manager to submit the appropriate letter of support to the World Health Organization and authorize staff to submit the formal application prior to June 30, 2017.
It is important to note that the submission of the application materials to receive Age-Friendly designation is only Phase I of the overall Age-Friendly Study issue. Because the eight domains identified as areas for age-friendly initiatives cross multiple departments and could potentially have significant workload impact, going forward staff will identify a working group charged with the completion of the baseline assessment and the development of a three-year action plan. One of the initial milestones for this group will be to complete an assessment of workload implications related to the three-year action plan so that Council can provide direction on the scope of any proposed initiatives.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with being designated an age-friendly city, and the ongoing implementation, monitoring and evaluation can be absorbed in existing resources. If related projects are identified in the future that require additional resources, they would be brought to Council for consideration.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a resolution to join the World Health Organization’s Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities and authorize the submission of all application materials.
Staff
Prepared by: Gerard Manuel, Community Services Manager
Reviewed by: Daniel Wax, Superintendent of Community Services
Reviewed by: Cynthia E. Bojorquez, Director, Department of Library and Community Services
Reviewed by: Walter C. Rossmann, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. March 28, 2017 Staff Report on 2017 Proposed Study Issues
2. Resolution