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Minutes 01-05-04MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD AT THE SENIOR CENTER, 1021 SOUTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2004 AT 3:00 P.M. Present Lillian Bruzzese Steve Lulkin, Recreation Supervisor Denise Chamberlain Elizabeth Jenkins Christine Wilson Rose Love, Alternate Betty Spinelli, Alternate Absent Jeanne Hasty, Chair Olive Field Joan White 1. Call to Order In the absence of the Chairperson, Ms. Chamberlain acted as chair and called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m. 2. Roll Call The Recording Secretary called the roll and declared a quorum was present. 3. Pledge of Allegiance Members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 4. Approval of Agenda Motion Ms. Bruzzese moved to approve the agenda. Motion seconded by Ms. Wilson and unanimously carried. 5. Approval of Minutes Motion Ms. Bruzzese moved to approve the minutes as read. Motion seconded by Ms. Love and unanimously carried. Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 5, 2004 6. Chairperson's Remarks Acting Chair Chamberlain announced that Chairperson Hasty had undergone surgery and was not able to attend today's meeting. She also announced that Chairperson Hasty would not be seeking re-election as Chair. Acting Chair Chamberlain said that she would be agreeable to become Chair if the meeting dates were changed. It was agreed that this would be discussed further under new business. 7. Old Business Acting Chair Chamberlain inquired if any Board member had an update on the presentations being given at various communities and churches throughout the City to inform seniors what services are available to them. She also pointed out that the RSVP representative, Brenda Burbank, had been accompanying members on these visits. Acting Chair Chamberlain thought that arrangements had been made to visit Boynton Leisureville, Sections 1, 2 and 3 of High Point, Sterling Village and Village Royale on the Green. Acting Chair Chamberlain said that she would contact Chairperson Hasty to check on the status of the visits and whether Chairperson Hasty intends to continue this endeavor. Members discussed the various types of transportation that were available to seniors throughout the City that included Palm Tran. To arrange for transportation, Palm Tran must be contacted at 649-9838 and a person must meet certain guidelines. You must be at least 70 years of age, Iow income, or disabled. The cost is $2.00 one-way, and $5.00 roundtrip. 8. New Business Acting Chair Chamberlain referred to the survey that the Board had previously discussed undertaking. She reviewed the information that Mr. Lulkin had furnished her regarding the survey that was done in Dade County to identify the senior population in that county. She needed more information on how that county went about gathering this information so that they could obtain the same results in Boynton Beach. Mr. Lulkin said that he would try to obtain more information to assist the Board. Acting Chair Chamberlain felt that this would be an excellent project for this Board to undertake. Acting Chair Chamberlain referred to the minutes of the last meeting where Ms. Wilson mentioned that St. John's Missionary Baptist Church was going to address the shut-ins in their area. Ms. Wilson reported that a representative came to the Church to speak about the sick and shut-ins and there will be a banquet on Saturday for the homebound. Transportation will be provided. However, if people are unable to attend, the meals will be delivered to their homes. 2 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida 3anuary 5, 2004 Acting Chair Chamberlain felt that it was important that homebound people be identified in the City so that they could avail themselves of the services that are available. She felt that once Mr. Lulkin receives the information on how this was done in Dade County, it will assist the Board in doing the same thing here in Boynton Beach. She pointed out that there are a great many seniors that are unaware of the services that are available and it was important that this information be disseminated as much as possible. Acting Chair Chamberlain inquired if there was any other transportation offered by the City, and Mr. Lulkin stated that the City only has the Shopper Hopper for seniors. Acting Chair Chamberlain pointed out that this is only available to people who are mobile, and the Board should try to locate people who cannot get out of their homes and are in need of services. Ms. Bruzzese inquired if the City had any statistics on the ages of the population in the City, and Ms. Jenkins did not think that this was available. Mr. Lulkin stated that the census could be checked, but this would not be current. Acting Chair Chamberlain also noted that the census would not reveal if a person were homebound. Mr. Lulkin reported that the over 50 population is expected to grow by 18.3 million over the next 10 years, with the largest increase being in the 50 to 64 age group. Ms. Wilson inquired if the Mae Volen Center would be available for transporting the sick and shut-ins in Boynton Beach, since they do provide these services. Mr. Lulkin pointed out that Mae Volen receives a grant to provide transportation and food services in South Palm Beach County that extends to Hypoluxo Road. Acting Chair Chamberlain noted that the Mae Volen Center should have the names of persons receiving the Meals on Wheels that would help identify shut-ins. Mr. Lulkin did not think that this information could be disseminated publicly. He explained that since Mae Volen has the grant from the County, Boynton Beach is unable to provide these services. Acting Chair Chamberlain stated that the telephone number for the Mae Volen Center should be made available to the seniors of Boynton Beach so that they could call for transportation. Ms. Wilson explained that in order to avail oneself of these services, they must first make application. Mr. Lulkin said that these services are available in Boynton Beach, but because of their budget and staff size, Mae Volen can only serve so many people. He pointed out that the Meals on Wheels Program has been booked for the past three years. If anyone contacts the Senior Center, they are provided with the telephone numbers for both Mae Volen and Palm Tran, as well as the telephone numbers for the companies that charge for transportation. Mr. Lulkin stated that one of their goals is to obtain funding for a bus so that the Senior Center could also provide transportation for the seniors in the City to get to their doctor appointments. He explained that the cost of offering this could be very expensive because it would involve purchasing a bus, hiring drivers and maintenance of the bus. Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida 3anuary 5, 20~. Mr. Lulkin pointed out that if the number of people in need can be ascertained, this would supply justification for any grant application to show that it is a needed service. If these figures were furnished, they would more likely be eligible for a grant. Acting Chair Chamberlain said that they need to come up with a system to determine how many people are homebound in the City. Mr. Lulkin also recommended that people who are mobile, but do not drive, should also be included. Members asked Mr. Lulkin about the status of the expansion of the Senior Center. He reported that the contractor has been approved and as soon as the bond is furnished, a pre-construction meeting will be set and the contractor will have 120 days to complete the first portion of the project. This includes the exercise room, the new computer lab and the offices. Ms. Love recommended consulting the block captains in various communities to determine if there are homebound people in their neighborhoods. Acting Chair Chamberlain pointed out that the most important thing is to get the information to the shut ins after they have been identified. She recommended getting a packet prepared that could be distributed throughout the City. Ms. Jenkins suggested that the packets could be distributed through neighborhood associations. She recommended that the presidents of the neighborhood associations be contacted for this purpose. Ms. Love suggested inviting the presidents of the neighborhood associations to a meeting that could be held at the Senior Center. Acting Chair Chamberlain felt that this was a good idea, but thought it should not be done until the packets have been prepared. Mr. Lulkin suggested holding a community forum at the Senior Center and inviting all the neighborhoods. At the forum, the Board could explain what they are trying to accomplish and how they need their help. After all the information has been gathered, the Senior Center staff could put together a publication that would list all the services that are available. Acting Chair Chamberlain inquired how all the neighborhoods could be notified. Mr. Lulkin stated that the Boards are allowed to put information on the City water bills or could include an insert with the bill. After discussion, it was decided to set a goal to hold a neighborhood forum in June at the Senior Center. This would allow enough time to make the necessary arrangements regarding the water bills and to get the informational packets together. 8. New Business Acting Chair Chamberlain next brought up discussion on changing the Board's meeting dates. Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida 3anuary 5, 2004 Motion Ms. Bruzzese moved to change the meeting dates to February, April, June, October and December. The meetings would be held on the first Monday of the month at 3:00 p.m. Motion seconded by Ms. Wilson and unanimously carried. Therefore, the next meeting will be held on Monday, February 2, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. The April meeting will be held on Monday, April 5 and the June meeting will be on Monday, June 7. Acting Chair Chamberlain would like to have the wording finalized for the water bills by the April meeting so that the information could be included in the May water bills. She requested that the date for the community forum be scheduled after the June 7th meeting. Mr. Lulkin will check on the timing for the mailing and will also speak with Ginny Shea to come up with something appropriate for the water bill. Acting Chair Chamberlain also requested that the bus be available to pick up seniors that need transportation to attend the forum. Staff Report Mr. Lulkin distributed the January-February 2004 calendar of events. Mr. Lulkin announced that 220-230 people attended the Holiday Party on December 18th that was a big success. The event was totally sponsored by Donnelly Place of Lantana, and they requested to be the sole sponsor of the event every year. He also reported that holding the volunteer recognition breakfast at Donnelly Place is being considered. The automatic doors have been ordered and should be installed sometime this month. A new stage has been ordered and will be replacing the stage that was sold. The new stage will be higher off the ground and will provide a better view. The 2nd Annual Variety Show Fundraiser will be held on January 29th at the Civic Center from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at a cost of $12. Mr. Lulkin is in charge of fundraising and to date $400 has been raised. He estimates that $1,000 will be needed. PC for Seniors is in charge of the computer lab. They are providing more programs at a cost of $45 for three classes that are all held during the same week. Also evening classes are being offered. Mr. Lulkin announced that Ambassadors for Aging Day is scheduled in Tallahassee on March 30 and 31. If any Board members wished to attend, the Senior Center could provide a vehicle for transportation. The trip would involve a one-night stay at a motel at the cost of the Board member. 5 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida 3anuary 5, 2004 The Senior Center is planning a trip to Biloxi on March 8 through 12 and 47 people will be traveling. The trip is sold out and is the first out-of-state trip for the Senior Center. Acting Chair Chamberlain asked Mr. Lulkin when the cut off date was for the Tallahassee trip. Mr. Lulkin said that he would first have to find out if he could attend, since he would just be coming back from the Biloxi trip. If he can attend, he would be glad to have the Board members attend as well. The event is basically a pep rally for seniors. The National Conference on Aging will be held in Miami this year in August. 9. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 4:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (one tape) (January 6, 2004) 6