REPORT TO PARKS and RECREATION BOARD/COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Review and Provide Feedback to the City Manager to Approve the Age Friendly Action Plan
Report
BACKGROUND
On March 28, 2017, the City Council approved a study issue to explore the feasibility of obtaining an Age Friendly City designation from the World Health Organization's Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC). The concept of Age Friendly cities was initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) to address two major global trends - the rapid aging of the world’s population and increasing urbanization. WHO identified eight domains at the core of age friendly cities and developed a checklist associated with each domain that cities could use to assess their “age friendliness”.
Following the study issue, Sunnyvale applied for and received designation as an Age Friendly City in September 2017. As part of the Age Friendly designation the City of Sunnyvale is required to develop a three-year action plan. This effort is being led by the Department of Library and Community Services Senior Center staff. The age friendly initiative has helped staff evaluate the age friendliness of Sunnyvale, identify opportunities for continuous improvement and make adjustments to meet the needs of the City’s changing demographics. The Senior Center is also using this project as an opportunity to assess partner programs and identify gaps in operational efficiency.
The City Council is scheduled to consider this item on November 12, 2019.
EXISTING POLICY
The Age Friendly Action Plan aligns with the following City of Sunnyvale General Plan, Community Character Goals for Recreation:
• CC-10 High Quality Recreation Programming (CC-10.1, CC-10.5, CC10.6)
• CC-11 Prioritization for Recreation Programming
• CC-12 Maximize Access to Recreation Services and Amenities
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Approval of this service based action plan does not constitute a “project” within 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
The City of Sunnyvale Senior Center has developed an Age Friendly (Three-Year) Action Plan, a strategy document that includes actions promoting opportunities for older adults to live a healthier, safer, and more engaged life in Sunnyvale. The Action Plan is based on the World Health Organization’s eight domains of age friendly cities: 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. The actions in the Plan consider the wide range of municipal services making Sunnyvale more livable for seniors, including: transportation, housing, technology, emergency preparedness, and others.
An Age Friendly Survey was the first step in gathering public input for the Action Plan. The Senior Center received 388 responses to the survey and from those results, staff conducted 12 focus group meetings throughout Sunnyvale to gather additional feedback. Staff presented the findings to the City’s Executive Leadership Team and the Parks and Recreation Commission, and met with multiple City Departments to identify current age friendly actions.
The Age Friendly Action Plan identifies 11 goals and defines specific strategies, potential community partners, and metrics for each. While some of the specific strategies for these goals focus specifically on activities and resources at the Senior Center, other strategies call for collaboration with departments throughout the City as well as external partners.
City Management approval of this strategy document will set the stage for continual evaluation and expansion of Senior Center programs and services. Along with the Age Friendly Action Plan, an ongoing Age Friendly Advisory Council is proposed to be formed that will provide community engagement around the plan and its implementation.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no immediate fiscal impacts relative to the Action Plan. Some long-range goals (three years) may have fiscal impacts. Once these longer-term goals are developed further, funds will be requested and considered through the City’s project and operational budget cycles.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the Parks and Recreation agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board, on the City’s website, and the availability of the agenda and report in the Office of the City Clerk.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Provide feedback to the City Manager prior to approval of the Age Friendly Action Plan.
2. Recommend that City Manager approve the Age Friendly Action Plan with modifications.
3. Other recommendations as determined by the Parks and Recreation Commission.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1: Recommend that City Council approve the Age Friendly Action Plan.
Staff
Prepared by: Tracey Gott, Community Services Manager
Reviewed by: Damon Sparacino, Superintendent of Community Services
Reviewed by: Cherise Brandell, Interim Director, Library and Community Services
Reviewed by: Teri Silva, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Age Friendly Action Plan