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Minutes 09-08-03MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD AT THE SENIOR CENTER, 1021 SOUTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2003 AT 3:00 P.M. Present Jeanne Hasty, Chairperson Lillian Bruzzese Elizabeth Jenkins Joan C. White Christine Wilson (arrived at 3:40 p.m.) Rose A. Love, (Alternate) (arrived at 3:40 p.m.) Betty Spinelli, Alternate Steve Lulkin, Recreation Supervisor I. Call to Order Chairperson Hasty called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. 2. Pledge of Allegiance Chairperson Hasty led members in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 3. Roll Call The Recording Secretary called the roll and declared a quorum was present. 4. Approval of Agenda Motion Ms. Spinelli moved to accept the agenda. Motion seconded by Ms. Bruzzese and unanimously carried. 5. Approval of Minutes Motion Ms. Spinelli moved to approve the minutes of May 5, 2003, which was duly seconded and unanimously carried. 6. Chairman's Remarks Chairperson Hasty announced that the Senior Center would be celebrating its fourth anniversary with a party on October 2, 2003. Ms. Jenkins announced that date was also her birthday. Mr. Lulkin noted that tickets would be distributed, but the cost is free. Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL September 8, 2003 Chairperson Hasty requested that members get the word out for people to go out and vote for the Bond Referendum that includes the additions to the Senior Center and the Library. 7. Old Business None 8. New Business Mr. Lulkin distributed the newest edition of the Senior Center Newsletter and Calendar of Events. Chairperson Hasty complimented staff on doing a wonderful job publishing the newsletter. Mr. Lulkin announced that the food program has been cut back and they are only receiving meals for 65 people. Chairperson Hasty inquired if this would only be in effect until October 1st and Mr. Lulkin stated that it would continue at this number until they are informed differently. As a result, Mr. Lulkin devised the Alternative Lunch Program at a cost of $1.50 per meal. The menu for the month of September was distributed. If a person wants to sign up for the Alternative Lunch Program, they are also required to call in the day before, which is the same requirement for the meals program; however, no forms are necessary. Mr. Lulkin felt it was important to initiate this program because so many people were being left out with the reduction in meals. The first week that the Alternative Lunch Program was initiated approximately 10 people participated. As the season begins, he expects this number to significantly increase. Both meals are served simultaneously. Ms. Jenkins reported that meals are being served at the Wilson Center. Currently, approximately 15 people are participating, but they are hoping that this will increase. Ms. White reported that the breakfast served on Saturday was very good and people attending the Senior Center on Saturdays are very appreciative to have the Center open. Breakfast is served between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. Mr. Lulkin reported that he attended the National Conference on Aging in August and obtained a lot of ideas and good information. He found out the name of the contact person at the Area Agency on Aging who is in charge of the food program. He will speak with his supervisor to determine if they would like to pursue this further. Mr. Lulkin felt that they are trying to bring the food program into minority communities, such as the Wilson Center, which has resulted in the cut back at the Senior Center. 2 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL September 8, 2003 Mr. Lulkin announced that the fire sprinkler system has been installed and should be operational very shortly. Also, staff is preparing the bid for the first part of phase 2 of the Senior Center. This includes the exercise room, computer laboratory and two offices. Ms. White inquired if the exercise room would be supervised. Mr. Lulkin said that anyone utilizing the exercise room must obtain permission from their doctor. The door will be locked and no one will have access unless a staff person opens the door. It is hoped that at some time there will be a person in charge of the exercise room that could set up an exercise program for persons wishing to use the room. The exercise room will be equipped with two treadmills, two bicycles, and a Universal gym with approximately six stations. This has been made available through a grant from the Lattner Foundation. The walls will be mirrored and there will be a front window. Also, the Senior Center has received a $25,000 additional grant from the Lattner Foundation that will be used for installing a surveillance system. Hopefully, if the bond issue passes, the remainder of the building would be completed, which would include changing the main entrance of the building. Also, the City would like to purchase the land across the street so that there would be more parking. There has been discussion about making the street all handicapped parking and closing it off to traffic. Mr. Lulkin noted that the quote for the surveillance system was only $12,000; therefore, there is $13,000 remaining. With these additional funds, it has been decided to add more cameras. They also will be contacting the Lattner Foundation to see if the money left over could be used to install automatic doors. At the conference Mr. Lulkin attended, he found out that there are only five accredited senior centers in the State of Florida. He is currently assembling all the necessary information to submit to the National Accreditation Board for accreditation of the Boynton Beach Senior Center. This should be completed very shortly. Since no other senior centers have applied for accreditation for 2004, it looks good for this Senior Center. Mr. Lulkin reported that at the conference he learned that Dade County was able to identify the "baby boomers" and the senior population throughout the entire County. Through this endeavor, they have determined where the seniors are coming from and where the majority of the "baby boomers" are living. This will assist that county in determining the areas that will be affected and what their future needs will be. Mr. Lulkin asked the Senior Advisory Board if they would like to take on this project and gather this same information as it pertains to Boynton Beach. Ms. White questioned why this information was not readily available through the census. Members discussed how they could gather this information. Mr. Lulkin stated that staff performed a study through the census, but it included the population of the entire City. He would like this done for just the senior population and to determine the most popular 3 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL September 8, 2003 areas where seniors live. Members felt that most of the "baby boomers" lived out west. Mr. Lulkin stated that the Senior Center is a City facility and the City needs to know to whom they will be providing meals in the future. Mr. Lulkin also felt that gathering this information would help identify people who are homebound and at this point in time, no one knows where these people are living. He suggested that the members could contact various agencies that might have figures available. Ms. White also thought that the local churches could be of assistance. Mr. Lulkin suggested breaking the City into six to eight grids and each member could check a grid. Members agreed to check into the available information and will report back their results to Mr. Lulkin. 9. Adjournment The next meeting will take place on Monday, November 10th at 3:00 P.M. at the Senior Center, which is a change from the original meeting date of November 3rd. There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 3:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (September 15, 2003) 4