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Minutes 01-08-24 MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 8, 2024, AT 2:00 P.M. IN CITY HALL COMMISSION CHAMBERS 100 EAST OCEAN AVENUE, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Sandra Watson, Chair Brent Rolle, Recreation Supervisor James Czizik, Vice Chair (Arrived 2:04 P.M.) Mary DeGraffenreidt, Recreation Manager Ann Cwynar Frank Ireland, Recreation Supervisor Thomas Devlin (Arrived 2:04 P.M) Mary Jane Pacine James Watson, Alternate I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Watson called the meeting to order at 2:03 P.M> II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. III. ATTENDANCE The Minutes Specialist called the roll. A quorum was present. (Vice Chair Czizik and Mr. Devlin arrived at 2:04 P.M.) IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 1 . Additions, Deletions, Corrections Mr. Rolle suggested adding an Introduction of New Member to the Agenda. Vice Chair Czizik added another item, City Purchase of New Golf Carts. 2. Adoption Motion Mr. Devlin moved to approve the amended agenda. Ms. Cwynar seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 8, 2024 V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES This item was not addressed. VI. PUBLIC INPUT (Comments limited to 3 minutes and 1 Turn) None. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Review of Advisory Board Ordinances (emailed in advance) VIII. PRESENTATIONS TO THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD 1. Franklin Ireland — Sims Center 55+ Recreation Program Frank Ireland, Recreation Supervisor, Carolyn Sims Center, said he stopped by to introduce the Seniors Open Recreation for 55+ Program at the Sims Center. He explained that it was designed to create traffic flow as try to cater to different age groups. The program is on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M., and it provides seniors the opportunity to participate in recreational activities such as cards, pool, some arts and crafts, and to provide leisure activities that do not compete with activities at the Senior Center. He further advised that the men fellowship and play pool, dominos, listen to music, and watch YouTube videos. Mr. Ireland noted that the program is not a budgeted program, and that it was funded by sponsorships. He advised that they are trying to grow the program as five individuals participated on Monday and about 10 males on Wednesday, but they have not had a good Friday turnout. The first meeting was in October. He commented people in the community requested things to do and there were some requests to provide lunch and field trips, but staff was not looking to do that. He announced that they marketed the event on all social media platforms and posters delivered throughout the City, other places via email and on Facebook. It should also be under the City's Recreation site and in FunFare Magazine. He mentioned that they are not looking for specialty instructors at this time. Chair Watson asked what the Board can do to assist and Mr. Ireland suggested getting the word out and obtaining sponsorships. Chair Watson inquired if they have funding, if they could take day trips and learned staff was not looking to do that at this time. Chair Watson commented that they speak to the residents and that a lot of HOB residents attend a program in Delray as they have day trips. If they had something in Boynton they would not have to go to Delray. She said that they were not aware the City Manager allocated funds for senior activities that was approved in the budget, but it did not appear the residents would have day trips. She stated that they now have a program at the Carolyn Sims Center, but no trips, which is what the residents said that they want. She thought trips would have to be accomplished through the Senior Center. 2 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 8, 2024 Mary DeGraffenreidt, Recreation Manager, clarified that when they started the program, it was to generate interest. They offer every day activities for youth, and they wanted to opened up the Center to older adults. She said that she understood about the day trips, but it comes with planning and she noted that the Delray program is funded by the City of Delray. She pointed out that Boynton Beach has a Senior Center funded by the City and that most of the day trips have to be coordinated with the Senior Center. She commented that staff talked about trips to the museum and taking seniors to lunch and that they have been listening and that they plan to execute. Ms. DeGraffenreidt noted this issue came up after the fiscal year budget and she noted that the funds allocated were not allocated specifically for recreation programs at the Sims Center as the Sims Center is completely different. She stated that they are advocating for additional funding and that they try to offset costs to include everyone. She emphasized that staff is looking to do that, but needs proper planning and execution. Discussion ensued about the differences between the Delray and the Boynton programs for seniors. Motion Mr. Devlin moved with pictures and links to the Facebook page, that the Board do the best they can to promote it and to move on to the next item on the agenda. Vice Chair Czizik commented that he understood some residents prefer to go to Delray, but feedback comes to the Board and they do not know what is occurring. He suggested that they need to work in concert with staff to better understand and reach out to others to get some funding for initiatives. He said that he was contacted by two law firms asked him why he does not approach them as they will offer sponsorships for trips. Ms. DeGraffenreidt commented that moving forward, they will corroborate better and discuss the direction they want to move in as a whole. Chair Watson advised that all will work together to establish this initiative. Richard Nocar, a resident of Boynton Beach for two years, was present and stated that he is listening and seniors are complaining about transportation for seniors. He said that he sees Palm Tran buses for handicapped individuals all over, and questioned why not contract with them for a senior trip once every few months, within the County. Mr. Rolle responded that Palm Tran does not rent buses to the City. Mr. Rolle explained that he spoke to three Palm Beach County senior centers and that their transportation issues are the same as Boynton's. 3 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 8, 2024 Chair Watson inquired, if staff planned a trip, they knew how many were going and they did not need wheelchair lifts, but only needed handicapped assessible buses, if staff can investigate what the cost to contract a bus for four hours would be. Mr. Rolle stated staff was looking at going to a museum in Miami and they have to contract with a bus company, but they have to have to have a minimum, and the cost would be split with the number of attendees. If the minimum was 35 people, the cost would be divided by 35. Chair Watson requested that staff find out about funds allocated in a line item specifically for senior trips now, because she said she was told by the Mayor that they were allocating funds in the line item specifically for trips. Chair Watson suggested this item be tabled until the information is received. Ms. DeGraffenreidt commented that there are funds that were allocated and she will find out how the funds are to be used. 2. Heart of Boynton Unity Project Chair Watson commented the HOB was going to provide information about upcoming events with the City regarding the Unity Project. She said that the City received grant funds, with one from the Mellon Foundation and three others for about $170K for art and to fund Unity activities in Boynton She announced there will be a free Night of Joy event on January 27th, at St John Missionary Baptist, with food afterwards. There will be art through-out the City and especially in the HOB, and the community is partnering with St. John Missionary Baptist Church on February 15th for readings of letters by Anne Frank and MLK along with the Holocaust Committee. She explained that it is a live presentation with two actors, who will portray Anne Frank and MLK, and that at the February 20th City Commission meeting, they will be repealing Ordinances still on the books that instituted segregation, along with a Sundown Law that have been on the books for 100 years, and all City residents are invited to attend. At a February 24th event, every resident will receive a copy of the above Ordinances, which will be burned in a bonfire followed by festivities. She stated that a presentation by Palm Beach Memorial Park Funeral Home about what they have to offer due to lack of burial space in the City will be rescheduled. IX. NEW BUSINESS 1. Selection and vote for Chair & Vice Chair Ms. Cwynar moved to nominate Ms. Watson as Chair. Mr. Devlin moved and seconded the nomination. There were no other nominations for Chair and Ms. Watson accepted the nomination. The motion passed unanimously. 4 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 8, 2024 Chair Watson moved to nominate Mr. Czizik for Vice Chair. Mr. Devlin moved and seconded the motion. There were no other nominations for Vice Chair. Mr. Czizik accepted the nomination. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Discussion of forming a Senior Travel Club Chair Watson said that they will revisit this issue at another meeting when more information is received. Vice Chair Czizikk noted that if they put together a Travel Club, they need to have a process in place. He did not know if the Delray program used a lottery system to go on the trips or if it was on a first-come, first-served basis. Mr. Rolle commented that in order to take trips from the Senior Center, the only requirement to go is to be a Senior Center member. He explained how they have handled trips in the past. He explained that a monthly newsletter is sent to Center Patrons details monthly activities. Vice Chair Czizik thought that there are lose ends that need to be addressed to have an equitable program. He thought it should be based on the fact they are seniors, not where they come from and how they interact with the recreation community. Mr. Rolle explained that there is liability and Center patrons are eligible to go on Senior trips. Chair Watson suggested the SAB obtain applications for people to become a member of the Senior Center. Board could provide the applications, but they must be turned in to the Senior Center in person. If the individual is not a resident, the fee is $40 and they must bring proof of address and the application must be turned in to the Center in person. Membership is free for residents and only the application needs to be will be turned in to the Senior Center, also in person. 3. Review/Discussion of SAB goal for 2024 4. Request for Agenda items for February Meeting (February 5, 2024) Chair announced this item. 5. Develop Senior Advisory Board Action Items for (February 5, 2024) 6. City Purchase of Golf Carts. Vice Chair Czizik stated that he had discussions with Marketing and Events and the Community Services Liaison. He advised that the senior community loves coming to Friday events, but many seniors are frustrated with the parking and thought that a golf 5 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 8, 2024 cart to transport them from the parking lot to the event would be helpful. He thought they could approach the City to funds some golf carts to be used for this purpose when the City holds events. He noted that at the 4th of July event, parking was at a premium and they used shuttle buses. It was noted that several years ago, the City had a trolley and discussion followed they are needed at these events. Discussion ensued about golf carts and reinstituting a trolley just for special events and Ms. DeGraffenreidt suggested bring the issue to the attention of the City Commission. It was further noted that golf carts are not to provide door-to-door services for events, rather it is only to help transport seniors from parking areas to the event. 7. Introduction of New Member New Board Member Mary Jane Pacine said that she has lived in Boynton for seven years. She commented that she loves the Senior Center, and that Mr. Rolle does a great job. She applied for the Board when she met a City Commissioner in the park who suggested she apply and she said that she did so because she would like to be more involved in the community. She announced that she hoped she would be an asset to the group. On another matter, Chair Watson advised that she attended the Holiday Party at the Senior Center, and that it was a really good event. Mr. Devlin reported that he may be appointed to Recreation and Parks Advisory Board and if appointed, means that he will leave the Senior Advisory Board because individuals can only serve on one Board. X. NEXT MEETING February 5, 2024 Agenda items would be due by Thursday January 25, 2024. Chair Watson announced the next meeting. XI. Adjournment. Motion There being no further business before the Board Vice Chair Czizik moved to adjourn. Mr. Devlin seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 P.M. ja ,1-& diclkUi Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 6