Minutes 01-07-08
MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING
HELD ON JANUARY 7, 2008 AT 3:00 P.M.
AT THE SENIOR CENTER, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
Present:
Denise Chamberlain, Chair
Bernice Begleiter
Lillian Bruzzese
Susan Collins
Elizabeth Jenkins
Rose Love
Virginia O'Connell
Betty Spinelli, Alt. (arrived 3:38 p.m.)
Steve Lulkin, City Liaison
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 3:11 p.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The board recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
3. Roll Call
Chair Chamberlain noted the members present.
4. Approval of Minutes
Ms. Collins moved approval of the minutes of May 7, 2007. Ms. Bruzzese seconded the
motion that passed unanimously.
s. Approval of Agenda
Ms. Begleiter moved approval of the agenda. Ms. O'Connell seconded the motion that
passed unanimously.
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Meeting Minutes
Senior Advisory Board
Boynton Beach Florida
January 7, 2008
6. Chairperson's Remarks
a) Guest - Wally Majors - Parks and Recreation
Chair Chamberlain introduced Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director, who would
be speaking about Communities for a Lifetime.
b) Renewal of three (3) members
Chair Chamberlain explained three members of the board had their positions renewed.
The other members would be renewed in December and they would need to fill out the
application for Advisory Boards.
c) Need for one (1) Alternate
There was still a vacancy on the board for an alternate position. Chair Chamberlain
suggested passing the word around and interested individuals would be sent an
application.
7. Old Business
a) Letter sent to City Manager regarding Social Security Taxes
Chair Chamberlain explained a letter was sent to the City Manager regarding Social
Security. No response was received by him, rather Mr. Majors responded on his behalf.
Mr. Majors explained in reference to Social Security, the board had asked moving this to
the attention of the Palm Beach County Delegation. He explained the delegation,
primarily, deals with State issues. This was an important issue, and he suggested they
ask the City's lobbyist to keep an eye on the issue and bring back a report on the
federal level as it related to Social Security, so they can get insight from sources that
would be beneficial to them. Mr. Majors explained when the letters were received, he
asked to come before the board to answer them. He apologized to the board for the
delay.
Mr. Majors suggested the board endorse him investigating what the process would be
to initiate action with the City's lobbyist and then when appropriate, he could report
back to the board and advise them what was occurring.
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Meeting Minutes
Senior Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
January 7,2008
Motion
Ms. Collins moved the board request that Mr. Majors investigate with the City Manager
the possibility of using the City's lobbyist to keep the board apprised of Social Security
issues. Ms. Bruzzese seconded the motion that unanimously passed.
b) Letter sent to City Manager regarding "Communities for a Lifetime."
Chair Chamberlain explained a second letter about Communities for a Lifetime was
something the entire City was involved in. She asked if the Senior Advisory Board could
or should be involved in this effort. Mr. Majors thought the board should take the lead
and City staff would offer support to the board. The initiative created an awareness of
the services available to the seniors in the community. He did not want to go before
the Commission for their endorsement of the program until they had a plan developed.
He thought an Action Plan to give the program the credibility it deserved should be
provided by this board. The Action Plan and Auditing Services should be initiated by
the board with the City's support.
Mr. Lulkin explained the Department of Elderly Affairs advises the board pass a
resolution. Once that was done, they would send someone down to help set up the
program and advise what they have to do. They wanted the board to start the process
which would assess the City's services. It was discussed they could conduct the
assessment through a survey. Additionally, the resident surveys could be done through
the City utility bills. Mr. Majors also explained the board could receive credible feedback
just with the residents who utilized the Senior Center. It was noted the survey would be
part of a comprehensive plan. Mr. Majors thought the board should create a timeline
and have them acknowledge what was needed.
Chair Chamberlain asked if they could obtain samples of other action plans. Mr. Lulkin
explained this was an assessment of the City to see what services were lacking and it
was an ongoing process. After that assessment was made, the City would determine
what would be funded or what fees to appropriate for services. Examples of what
types of assessments would be conducted through the City were whether there were
enough doctors or were there enough cross walks? Does the City have enough
recreational activities? Transportation could be reviewed; a lack of services or care was
another example, as was hurricane preparedness.
Mr. Major thought developing an Action Plan could be a lengthy process, maybe taking
up to a year to complete.
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Meeting Minutes
Senior Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
January 7,2008
Mr. Lulkin explained there were more people moving out of Florida than were moving
in. Additionally, the senior portion of the population would double within the next few
years. The information was very much needed.
Motion
Ms. Begleiter moved the Senior Advisory Board investigate the Action Plan and then
propose it. Ms. Love seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Mr. Lulkin would
be contacting other municipalities to obtain samples of their surveys and plans.
Mr. Majors reiterated that City Staff would assist in the effort.
Chair Chamberlain asked about the budget and would staff size be diminished. Mr.
Majors responded he thought there were six to eight frozen positions. He did not
believe anything would happen until after the referendum, which would be January 29,
2008. Chair Chamberlain was concerned because the accreditation process wanted
mOre staff, and political climate due to impending property taxes was to cut them. It
was agreed, the more people supporting Recreation and Parks, the better.
c) New Mission Statement of the Senior Center (mailed in advance to
Board Members.)
Chair Chamberlain explained a new mission statement was drafted and asked for
comments.
Ms. Collins recommended removing the word "stability". There was agreement to
remove the word. Once the statement was accepted, it would be forwarded to the
leadership committee.
There was also agreement to use the word "safety" instead of the word "stability." The
mission statement would read, "In a partnership with our seniors and community
organizations, we exist to provide recreational, social, educational and medical
programs to keep our mature adults independent, enhance their safety, wellbeing and
provide a sense of worth." Chair Chamberlain asked for a motion to accept the mission
statement with the correction.
Motion
Ms. Begleiter so moved. Ms. O'Connell seconded the motion that unanimously passed.
The Mission Statement was accepted as read with the changes.
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Meeting Minutes
Senior Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
January 7, 2008
d) Results of the "Intellectual Programs" at the Center
Mr. Lulkin gave a report and explained the accreditation process requested more
intellectual programs be offered to seniors.
Mr. Lulkin put together a list of eight intellectual programs that were wanted as
indicated from a survey. About 100 responses were received. The top three activities
checked off were classic movies, a travel log and current events. Mr. Lulkin would put
these three programs into the calendar and advised the first classic movie would be in
two weeks on a Wednesday, January 23, 2008, at 11:30 a.m. The movie being offered
was "12 Angry Men". He was also working on the travel log. In reference to the
current events program, Mr. Lulkin was trying to find a facilitator.
8. New Business:
a) Presentation of "Communities for a Lifetime" by Wally Majors
This item was heard earlier in the meeting.
b) Acceptance of New Mission Statement for the Senior Center
This item was addressed earlier in the meeting.
c) Distribute list of lawmakers
Chair Chamberlain distributed a list of lawmakers to the members. She encouraged
members to make calls or send letters when needed on important issues.
d) New Policy regarding the preparation, submission and posting of board
agenda
Chair Chamberlain explained the City instituted a new policy regarding board agendas
being available five days before the meeting, and they need to be very specific in what
they want to put on their agendas. The only thing for sure that would be on the
agenda for the next meeting was the action plan.
Chair Chamberlain distributed a newspaper article entitled "Weary of Waiting" which
explained Senior Services were stretched beyond capacity. The article referenced the
Mae Volen Center, and it highlighted more than 18K residents were on a wait list for
services that ranged from housekeeping to day care services. In Palm Beach County,
there were 2,686 residents waiting for assistance. Other municipalities had about 150
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Meeting Minutes
Senior Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
January 7,2008
people on the wait list. She thought maybe they should do a resolution to Palm Beach
County about it.
Mr. Lulkin explained one program with the biggest wait list was for Meals on Wheels,
and the other was transportation. The Senior Advisory Board tried to institute a
transportation program through the We Care Organization and the effort failed. The
issue was the funding for the programs.
The board discussed religious organizations sometimes offer their own programs but
they do not receive funding.
Mae Volen indicated the problem was funding and the money just was not there. It
was anticipated the list of individuals would grow longer. Mr. Lulkin noted if the elderly
population doubled, this would become a greater problem. The board discussed
subsidized housing has meals on wheels and the lunch program. This was all federal
funded.
Mr. Lulkin explained many areas in the state operate their own programs and accept
donations. Instituting something like that depended on the organizations and the
individuals willing to run the programs. Ms. Collins asked if the Senior Advisory Board
could make a list of what services were available such as soup kitchens and the like.
Mr. Lulkin explained they have a listing of those types of services. Ms. Collins explained
they should get the information to those that need it and perhaps publishing it on the
back of City utility bills.
There was also a Senior Resource Guide and the 211 Guide was also helpful. Mr. Lulkin
explained the Ruth Rails Jewish Services received a grant for a social worker, and they
provide services once a month for the Center. They now received another grant so
there would be a licensed clinical social worker who could come in once a week on
Mondays.
Ms. Collins inquired how Mae Volen handled individuals in need and if there were any
referral services provided. Ms. O'Connell explained some seniors were afraid their
independence and privacy may be breached if they approach a Center for assistance.
Ms. O'Connell thought the churches should do more. There was agreement the board
would ascertain from Mae Volen how many individuals could not be fed.
e) Senior Center Report
Mr. Lulkin reported the Center received a new roof, through emergency funding
approved by the City Commission.
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Meeting Minutes
Senior Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
January 7,2008
Registration of Senior Center Members for last year October through September was
about 1,100 people. The figures to-date for this year was about 700 people. Mr. Lulkin
explained they applied for a grant to address safety issues at the Center and they
anticipated hearing if they were awarded the grant around January 15, 2008. They
were requesting funds in the amount of about $72K for repair and replacement of the
awnings, replace hurricane shutters, the air conditioning and finish the surveillance and
public address systems, installing automatic door openers for the handicapped in the
lavatories and automatic f1ushers. This was a 25% match grant and they could use the
roof as their match. If awarded, the building would be refurbished.
Mr. Lulkin reported a social worker would start Monday. The Center held their Holiday
Party and reported it was great. There were three sets of flu shots given this fall, which
were free for Medicaid Part B recipients, and the Area of Aging and Boynton Beach Fire
Rescue provided shots to those that could not afford them. A Fashion Show on
Valentines Day was forthcoming.
9. Next meeting scheduled for Senior Advisory Board on Monday,
March 3, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. in the Senior Center
10. Adjournment
Motion
Ms. Bruzzese moved to adjourn. Ms. Love seconded the motion that unanimously
passed.
The meeting adjourned at 4:17 p.m.
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Catherine Cherry U
Recording Secretary
012808
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