[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6660201,"mediaKeyId","2437811-a734bf3103484e91dd95eb814e74fabd","parentId",2437811,"title","Carlsbad senior services report: program growth, transportation demand rises; meal contract to transition April 1","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1450000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2437811-a734bf3103484e91dd95eb814e74fabd&start=1450&end=1450","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2437811-a734bf3103484e91dd95eb814e74fabd/thumbnail_1450000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6660201/Carlsbad/San-Diego-County/California/Carlsbad-senior-services-report-program-growth-transportation-demand-rises-meal-contract-to-transition-April-1","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660201-91b6f5500fed325ba951e4dd189798b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142134&Signature=J0K7z6OcfxXLA35tYgF1tU9Hz3M5t3UnRsQOKsZ571wlARkbdphM9kYoBM-xkfidJAF~~d-bRSbJal4B2WTN5GwDncK63~~~5qfbHSBitqOIuvM1gPjBdhXa93RCnzmcjOjeA3SyhHzJ84cnVUVkqrYj5Pyy3kh665G-FDVlbAccLzdUingttDr5ujEKuDct6u93uqQWHYUKUhf5vo6U6MiDbOne2DiZIfyiPhIFyPfjqbfFSWBexbL0PXuHoXXlBP1y-R~hU4V7usZuXZ7uR2yw4zkFDRFfdX41ghNKa-CVaNjHAZpMPJ7UBOo-hz94m0PXNcKUecqlOeZSVvZ4pA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Carlsbad","date","2025-02-27T00:00:00Z","article","Carlsbad Parks & Recreation staff told the Senior Commission on Feb. 27 that senior programming enrollment and service demand have been steady or growing, transportation usage has risen sharply, and the city will transition its meal service contract effective April 1 to Meals on Wheels North County.

Recreation area manager Eric Bagan and recreation supervisor Andy Koehler presented the department’s 2025 senior-services report, which reviewed general programming, fundraising, and nutrition statistics. Staff reported a special revenue fund balance of $320,665.64, donations totaling $20, and miscellaneous revenue of $7,157.60 (fitness center fees and memberships). Expenditures in the reporting period were about $4,800, covering four courtyard concerts and a deposit for a June 2025 volunteer appreciation event.

On nutrition and meals, staff said the two meal programs (congregate and home-delivered) have been steady with a daily average of about 60 meals per program. Monthly totals vary; staff reported serving between 10 and 1,100 meals per month across both programs depending on days open. The contract for the current subcontracted meal provider is ending; staff issued a request for bids, received five responses, and reported that City Council approved a switch to Meals on Wheels North County. Staff said the provider transition is planned to take effect April 1.

Transportation demand has increased substantially, staff said: the program averages “in the 300s” for rides and recorded about 380 rides in January. The transportation service is tied to the nutrition program, is partially county-funded, and is provided free of charge to eligible Carlsbad residents (requests for voluntary contributions are accepted). Eligibility requires age 60 or older; home-delivered meals and transportation also require Carlsbad residency. Staff described a regular route that picks up roughly 10 people per day for lunch service and schedules later return trips for seniors attending special programs.

Staff highlighted popular programs and partnerships that connect seniors with the community: AARP tax-aide service (about 100 weekly appointments), weekly bingo with roughly 80 attendees, monthly courtyard concerts (recent performers included Daniel New Heizer, Don Jones, Dean Ratsman and Cora), intergenerational events with Jefferson fourth graders, excursions to Solana Beach Design District and the Gemological Institute of America, a qigong workshop that registered about 60 people, and a newly launched senior social club (staff received about 60 surveys indicating interest). Staff said holiday lunches drew about 100 guests each for Thanksgiving and Christmas and that some performances had roughly 350 total attendees across shows; the dining room capacity is about 100–120 people.

Staff also announced that Ashley Benson was promoted to Recreation Services Manager following a nationwide recruitment; Benson will assume facilitation duties for the Senior Commission and oversee recreation division programs, including senior services and aquatics.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about how transportation trips are counted (staff confirmed counts are single one-way trips), eligibility, and program sign-up. Staff said they will continue to monitor demand and reported they are exploring options to expand service capacity.

The commission will receive this departmental report as part of regular business; no commission action was required for the items reported.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Carlsbad - Senior Commission Meeting - Feb 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff reported steady congregate meal averages, a sharp rise in transportation rides (about 380 in January), a current special revenue fund balance of $320,665.64, and a council-approved switch of the meal provider to Meals on Wheels North County effective April 1.","taxTitle","Carlsbad, San Diego County, California","taxId",2843,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6660206,"Carlsbad Senior Commission approves minutes, elects 2025 chair and vice chair and requests Age Friendly Action Plan update",97,1765000,1862000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2437811-a734bf3103484e91dd95eb814e74fabd&start=1765&end=1862","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2437811-a734bf3103484e91dd95eb814e74fabd/thumbnail_1765000.jpg","/articles/6660206/Carlsbad/San-Diego-County/California/Carlsbad-Senior-Commission-approves-minutes-elects-2025-chair-and-vice-chair-and-requests-Age-Friendly-Action-Plan-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660206-1da6b744cfa76dec528c41bd4844d449/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142134&Signature=HpKovT4ONYZ174mGtIJCuQJ6zdPvDHCa3Z8jqrM~ivVhppJpSqKH267XprAdlrRqcciYjjD-z0o7zs1uQS8rLdmpnanwxlvZe9CKjpaQ6W0wASj7OeWMA54fuJ818G6zcGoahbcpi-cuRaVlMOqyGYLosDywv5TsYqqXRmqVki7IkrqleB54JlKzBuMpXRB91pJE4Zor8BIMya43vCiOVUo4nFiK7AFqhF-~CjxevMACq7eckWgq1W27aXSp4eYq8FR~fDJj8VGjovgF6V83k4Z~ylyPXTuKTQ-rE~AusA1ULkSbeuLP80xY1LB4Yb35tCDcpWlfEV-fcvKmzXgejg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Carlsbad Senior Commission on Feb. 27 approved the minutes of its Nov. 7, 2024 meeting, elected a chair and vice chair for 2025 and asked staff for an update on the Age Friendly Action Plan at a future meeting.

The commission approved the minutes as presented, noting Commissioner Fitzpatrick was absent from the Nov. 7 meeting and that newly seated Commissioner Dylan may vote on past minutes after viewing meeting video. Commissioners then accepted nominations and voted to appoint Kathy Rangel as chair for 2025. After that vote, the commission accepted nominations and unanimously appointed Commissioner Shuey as vice chair for 2025.

Commissioners later moved and seconded a request that staff provide an update to the Age Friendly Action Plan at a future meeting. Staff described the Age Friendly Action Plan as a regionwide initiative Carlsbad helped lead; the commission requested the update for the next meeting so commissioners could review implementation progress and how planned activities tie to the City Parks and Recreation Department work plan.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of minutes (Nov. 7, 2024): approved (unanimous; Commissioner Fitzpatrick absent). No roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.
- Appointment of 2025 chair (Kathy Rangel): approved (unanimous). No roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.
- Appointment of 2025 vice chair (Commissioner Shuey): approved (unanimous). No roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.
- Request for update to Age Friendly Action Plan (placement on future agenda): approved by majority/consent (no formal roll-call recorded).

The commission’s administrative actions were handled during the regular Feb. 27 meeting; no additional formal policy decisions were made during the appointments and minutes approvals.","At its Feb. 27 meeting the Carlsbad Senior Commission approved the Nov. 7, 2024 minutes, unanimously elected Kathy Rangel as chair and Commissioner Shuey as vice chair for 2025, and requested an update to the regional Age Friendly Action Plan.","actionData","errors"]

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Carlsbad senior services report: program growth, transportation demand rises; meal contract to transition April 1

Carlsbad Senior Commission approves minutes, elects 2025 chair and vice chair and requests Age Friendly Action Plan update