Loading...
Minutes 04-05-04MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD AT THE SENIOR CENTER, 1021 SOUTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2004 AT 3:00 P.M. Present Denise Chamberlain, Chairperson Steve Lulkin, Board Liaison Lillian Bruzzese Elizabeth Jenkins Rose Love, Alternate Betty Spinelli, Alternate (arrived at 3:45 p.m.) Absent Jeanne Hasty Joan White Christine Wilson 1. Call to Order Chairperson Chamberlain called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. 2. Pledge of Allegiance Members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag followed by a moment of silent meditation. 3. Roll Call The Recording Secretary called the roll and declared a quorum was present. Chairperson Chamberlain welcomed Commission McCray who was present to observe the meeting. 4. Approval of Agenda Motion Ms. Jenkins moved to approve the agenda. Motion seconded by Ms. Bruzzese and unanimously carried. 5. Approval of Minutes Motion Ms. Bruzzese moved to approve the minutes. Motion seconded by Ms. Love and unanimously carried. Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 5, 2004 6. Chairperson's Remarks Chairperson Chamberlain pointed out that four Board members' terms will be expiring. She telephoned the City Clerk's Office who informed her that the Board appointments would be on next month's agenda. She would like to have the two alternates moved up as regular members. Commissioner McCray informed members that a list is being prepared for each Board whose members' terms are expiring in April. He also pointed out that the Commission likes to move alternates up as regulars when the opportunity exists. Commissioner McCray thanked the members for doing an excellent job. Their work is not going unnoticed and Commissioners keep apprised of what is going on with the Boards by reading the minutes. He would like to see more outreaching to District 2 to encourage more participation of the seniors residing in that section of the City. Commissioner McCray offered to assist in anyway he could. He also remarked about the wonderful changes taking place at the Senior Center as a result of the expansion. 7. Old Business Chairperson Chamberlain noted that the main project of this Board is finding transportation for homebound seniors and distributing a packet containing current transportation opportunities for seniors. The Board's main objective is to apply for a grant to enable the City to provide its own transportation to seniors for medical appointments. She obtained a list of key contacts for all the City's neighborhood and homeowner associations so that the information could be disseminated throughout the entire City. The Board has yet to decide whether it would be done by furnishing flyers or requesting that a notice be included in their newspapers. Also, they had discussed including a notice with the City's water bill. Chairperson Chamberlain has obtained a copy of the Palm Beach County Transportation Guide and the schedule for the Boynton Beach Transit, as well as the Shopper Hopper, that will be included in the packet. The packet would be available at the forum where the Board is planning to disseminate all this information. She noted that Palm Tran provides free passes for any person over 85 years of age. Chairperson Chamberlain would like to invite Ms. Sandra Robie from Palm Tran to the forum. Commissioner McCray also recommended sending flyers to the local churches, to which Chairperson Chamberlain agreed. It was also noted that transportation would have to be provided for people who want to attend the forum. Mr. Lulkin stated that they could pick people up that wanted to attend the forum. Chairperson Chamberlain inquired if the forum were scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 5, 2004 would this provide enough time to pick people up and bring them home. Mr. Lulkin felt that 1:00 p.m. would provide sufficient time. Commissioner McCray recommended that the flyer also be produced in Creole and Spanish. He noted that City staff could assist with this. The Board needs to decide the following: a) When the associations should be contacted, b) When the flyer should be placed in the water bill, c) Going to churches and to Mae Volen. The Board must also select a date for the forum. Chairperson Chamberlain inquired if the Board felt January would be best. Also a place needs to be selected. Mr. Lulkin pointed out that the Senior Center could seat over 200 people. Chairperson Chamberlain recommended that a flyer or letter could be prepared along the following lines: The Boynton Beach Senior Advisory Board is sponsoring an informational forum on available transportation for all seniors, both mobile and homebound that will be held on 2005 at .p.m. at the Senior Center (or Civic Center). If transportation is needed for this meeting, please call the Senior Center at and ask for The key to having a successful forum is to ensure that all the plans are made well enough in advance; i.e., getting out the flyers, setting up the date for the forum, etc. Mr. Lulkin recommended holding the forum on a Wednesday afternoon. Ms. Bruzzese felt that January was too soon after the holidays and recommended holding the forum in February. Ms. Rose suggested getting the flyers out at the beginning of January for a February forum. Members also felt that if the notice were included in the City's water bill this should be done in January. Mr. Lulkin asked that the Board select a date. Once a date is selected, the flyers could be prepared well in advance. Commissioner McCray recommended that Wayne Segal, the City's Public Affairs Director, be contacted for assistance. Mr. Lulkin felt that the forum could be very informational and people attending could be specifically asked what help they needed. From that point forward, the Board would be better informed on how they could help. Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 5, 2004 After discussion, it was determined to hold the forum on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. Chairperson Chamberlain noted that the Board would be meeting on December 6th and she would like to assign the various tasks to Board members at that time. Mr. Lulkin stated that his department could take care of getting the flyers prepared. Commissioner McCray also recommended handing the flyers out during the Holiday Parade. Chairperson Chamberlain asked where she could obtain a list of the City's churches and was informed to contact Mr. Dan DeCarlo's office at City Hall. Chairperson Chamberlain inquired if there was a meals-on-wheels program in Boynton Beach and was told that Mae Volen runs this program. She recommended asking Mae Volen to deliver the flyers to those persons in the City that receive meals-on-wheels. Mr. Lulkin pointed out that Mae Volen is also in the business of transporting people, but he would ask if they would deliver the flyers. Chairperson Chamberlain stated that she would have available at the next meeting a list of tasks for Board members and staff. She will contact Mr. Segal regarding the water bill. 8. New Business Senior Center Fee for Non-residents Mr. Lulkin reported that the City Commission approved charging non-residents a $40 yearly membership fee for the Senior Center to begin January 2005. There will be no fee for residents. With regard to the meals program, there is no fee since this is a Federal program. Membership cards will be issued that should start in October. The equipment for this purpose costs upwards of $5,000. Chairperson Chamberlain inquired if the cards would be color-coded and Mr. Lulkin stated that there would be different colors for residents, non-residents, and volunteers. Persons only participating in the lunch program would also have a different color card. Mr. Lulkin reported that the system would be tied into their RecTrac system that tracks all their programs. They also may employ scanners so that every time a person comes to the Senior Center, their card would be scanned. This will provide information to staff on who is using the facility. Mr. Lulkin pointed out that there are a great many members who are non- residents that currently pay for some of the programs. He was not sure if these people would be willing to also pay a non-resident membership fee. However, since this is new, it is too early to know how people would actually react. Chairperson Chamberlain felt that this would be a good opportunity for more City residents to join if the Center became less crowded. 4 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 5, 2004 Commissioner McCray noted that it had been previously mentioned that over 600 people are registered for the meals program and inquired how the Center could accommodate this many people. Mr. Lulkin pointed out that actually only about 100 people a day participate. Not everyone eats at the Center every day. Mr. Lulkin explained that many people like to rotate and some may come only once a week. Also, there are many people that go up north for the summer. He noted that Mae Volen maintains all the records and the meals program is open to everyone 60 years and over. Mr. Lulkin reported that staff checked many cities throughout the County and most senior centers charge a fee. Commissioner McCray had concerns for people who had a hardship and could not afford the $40. He thought that this needed to be looked at again. Mr. Lulkin stated that there have been discussions that if people could not pay the fee they could provide volunteer hours instead. Status of Phase 2 of the Senior Center Mr. Lulkin reported that the construction of Phase 2 is 50% complete and the deadline for completion is May 20th. He stated that there is a possibility that it may be completed before that date. All the equipment has been ordered, but no date has been set for the grand opening at this time. There is a Commission Workshop on Capital Projects scheduled for April 19th and Phase 3 of the Senior Center will be discussed at that time. Mr. Lulkin announced that the Easter Party is scheduled for Thursday, April 8th beginning at 1:00 p.m. and there will be an Easter Bonnet Contest. The event has been totally funded by two sponsors, Parkside Inn and Hospice of Palm Beach County. There will be prizes, entertainment and cake and coffee. Mr. Lulkin pointed out that all their special events are free due to sponsorships. Accreditation They are moving closer to receiving accreditation. Chairperson Chamberlain inquired about the status of the doors. Mr. Lulkin explained that they have been unable to get a permit to install the doors because now they are required to install hurricane shutters, which is now required by code. The doors have been ordered, but cannot be installed until they purchase hurricane shutters. He has been having difficulty getting quotes for the shutters since it is a small job. They are in the process of planning the volunteer and recognition breakfast. Staff is currently looking for a place and they are having problems because the place must be large enough to accommodate close to 95 people. Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 5, 2004 9. Adjournment Next Meeting - June 7, 2004 Them being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 4:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (one tape) (April 6, 2004)