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Minutes 12-13-99 MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD AT THE SENIOR CENTER, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1999 AT 3:30 P.M. PRESENT Betty Collins, Chairwoman Steve Lulkin, Recreation Supervisor II Amelia “Terry” Benell Carolyn Sims, Recreation Supervisor Olive Field Bernice Joyce Esther “Peggy” Stranahan Elizabeth Jenkins, Alternate ABSENT Helen Schwartzenberg, Alternate Mary Coma Christine Wilson 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairperson Collins called the Senior Advisory Board meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. A moment of silent prayer for all seniors in the City was observed. 2. ROLL CALL The Recording Secretary called the roll. A quorum was declared present. Also present was Ms. Shanna St. John, Chairperson of the Advisory Board on Children and Youth, Bruce and Leo Capsuto from ABC Sign Emporium, and Barbara Weisman, Volunteer Coordinator for the Senior Center. Ms. St. John requested to address the Board in order to clarify an issue that she had read in the minutes of the November meeting of the Senior Advisory Board. The minutes intimated that the Children and Youth Advisory Board received a budget from the City and Ms. St. John stated this is not the case. The Children and Youth Advisory Board does not receive a budget and all the funds in the Board’s account are raised by soliciting donations from corporations, businesses and individuals. Ms. Stranahan said she raised this question because no other board has a bank account. Ms. St. John responded that the Children and Youth Advisory Board solicit donations for the Board’s programs and because they are in the thousands MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA December 13, 1999 of dollars, the Board asked for a City account. Also, Ms. St. John stated their Board follows the City’s policy for obtaining quotes and bids. Ms. Stranahan inquired if the City keeps track of these funds and Ms. St. John said that she could request a statement of the funds at any time. Chairperson Collins noted that the Senior Advisory Board does have an account through the Recreation Department when donations are received, but no one on the Board has access to the account. Ms. St. John said that whenever donations are received, they are earmarked for various Board programs. Ms. St. John explained about the various programs that their Board is involved in. Also, she stated that the Board is charged accounting fees like other City departments. In order for the funds to be accessed, a request must be made in advance to have a check cut. 5. PRESENTATION (Taken out of order) Mr. Lulkin stated that Bruce and Leo Capsuto from ABC Signs were in attendance today to present a quote for a new sign for the Senior Center. Mr. Capsuto stated that the quote calls for replacing the paneling on the current sign, which is 6’ x 10’, plus a 2’ x 8’ panel on the bottom for the channels. This would have to be special ordered. Also, the quote included taking the old panels down and putting the new ones up in their place. Installed, the cost would be approximately $3,800. Chairperson Collins asked if this was the type sign where there would be an activity board that could be changed and was informed that this was on the bottom portion of the sign. Chairperson Collins inquired about the size of the letters and was told that the letters would be 6”, as are currently being used throughout the City. Six-inch letters could be seen from 60’ away. It is possible that larger letters could be used if the Board wished, however, this would effect the size of the message. Mr. Lulkin said that the lettering currently being used on the Senior Center sign is the same size lettering used throughout the City on other signs and felt it would be best to stay with the same size. The price of the sign includes 100 letters. The City has been ordering letters in black and numbers in red. The current sign is electrical and the electrical department from the City would have to perform the necessary work. Mr. Capsuto said that ABC has now become a distributor of a product called polystone and this is becoming very popular. He presented a sample of a polystone sign to the members. If polystone is used to replace a concrete monument sign, the cost is 30% to 40% less. Also, when the sign arrives it is delivered finished and ready to be put up. It only takes about three hours to 2 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA December 13, 1999 install as opposed to three weeks for a traditional sign. All the work is fabricated offsite, which avoids making a mess during installation. An acrylic stucco finish is applied to the outside as opposed to cement stucco. The sign is fully weatherproof, sealed and made for exterior use. This sign could replace the current electrical sign. However, the polystone sign would not be as tall as the current sign and would not be internally lit. The new sign would also have a changeable message panel and Mr. Capsuto presented a sample of what the sign would look like. The estimated price for a new polystone sign, similar to what is being presented today, which would be double-sided with raised lettering, would be $3,800. This is approximately the same price as just replacing the facing on the current sign. Light could also be added to the sign. Installation could be done either by ABC or by the City. After members looked at various designs, the “plantation” style sign was preferred. Mr. Capsuto said this style would probably be about the same price as the sample. There was a consensus on the Board to proceed with the polystone sign. The sign being proposed is 70” wide and 48” high. A concrete monument sign of comparable size would run around $6,000. Proposals for various styles of polystone signs will be presented at the January 10, 2000 meeting for final decision by the Board. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chairperson Collins requested that Ms. Joyce make a report under Item 7, Senior Center. The agenda was accepted as presented. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, NOVEMBER 1, 1999 MEETING Motion Ms. Benell moved to approve the minutes of the November 1, 1999 meeting. Motion seconded by Ms. Field, which carried unanimously. 5. CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT Chairperson Collins stated she would like to see the Senior Center identified as a multi-purpose center. The seniors in the north end of the City have their lunch at Boynton Bay and should become part of the Senior Center. Mae Volen should be requested to make this change. It also needs to be taken into consideration that the seniors in the north end want to continue their shopping arrangements with Mae Volen, which is being provided free of charge. Chairperson Collins inquired 3 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA December 13, 1999 if the seniors from the north end would like to come to the Christmas party and Ms. Jenkins said that the transportation issue would have to be taken up with the supervisor of the Mae Volen Center. Chairperson Collins asked Mr. Lulkin what is being planned for the Christmas party. Mr. Lulkin reported that the Christmas party would have the following: ? a live band for dancing, ? an M.C. to perform comedy, ? refreshments will be served, ? pizza is being donated by Papa John’s next door, ? Expicare is donating a large basket as a giveaway, and ? the band is being sponsored by Alterra and Ms. Weisman. Mr. Lulkin stated that the Center is limited to a capacity of 299 persons. Ms. Jenkins inquired about the date and time of the Christmas party. Chairperson Collins reported that the Christmas party would take place on Thursday, rd December 23. Ms. Joyce reported that four persons are still being served at the Boat Ramp Park. Chairperson Collins said this should not be the case and those persons should be served at the Senior Center. Chairperson Collins will follow through on this. The Senior Center should be available to all seniors within the City limits. Chairperson Collins would like to see some type of identification card system put in place to identify people who reside in the City. Mr. Lulkin pointed out that the City of Boynton Beach is an open City and no one is turned away, but they have to be senior citizens. Mr. Lulkin stated that the City allows anyone to use its facilities as long as they meet the age criteria. Chairperson Collins and other members felt that the Senior Center should be limited to residents of the City. Chairperson Collins pointed out that the Senior Center can only hold so many people and it would not be fair to turn City residents away from having lunch, while people from other cities are being fed. Mr. Lulkin pointed out that the lunch program is a federal grant program. Chairperson Collins would like this issue referred to the City Attorney. A woman in the audience asked if the Center accepts volunteers from outside the City and Chairperson Collins said it was not expected to use volunteers from outside the City. Initially, all funds for Delray Beach, Boca Raton and Boynton Beach were given to the Mae Volen Center and that is the center for seniors in this area. However, it is too difficult for seniors from Boynton Beach to drive down to Boca on a daily basis for lunch and activities. Mae Volen is supposed to help the City’s Senior Center because they still receive all the money. 4 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA December 13, 1999 Chairperson Collins asked Mr. Lulkin if the social worker was in place yet and he said the Center is still working on this. She stated that the Area Agency on Aging did not pay the City, but gave the funds to Mae Volen. Also, she noted that the Mae Volen Center receives funding from the United Fund. A woman in the audience asked if it was this Board’s contention that only Boynton Beach residents should be served lunches and Chairperson Collins said this is how it is supposed to be. One of the volunteers in the audience pointed out that the Senior Center would lose volunteers, because a great many come from out of the City. Chairperson Collins said that if it is agreeable, she did not see why volunteers could not be accepted from outside the City. Chairperson Collins said she would never turn a volunteer away regardless of where they came from and all volunteers would be welcomed. However, Chairperson Collins stated when there are limited arrangements for special events, and Boynton Beach seniors should come first. Chairperson Collins said she appreciates all the work that the volunteers have put into the Center and they are welcomed. Ms. Jenkins asked how the Center would be able to accommodate those seniors who come from Boynton Bay? Mr. Lulkin said that the food service manager takes a count the day before from people who call in before 2:00 p.m. and that number is turned in. Sometimes when there are people who do not show up and there are extra meals, instead of throwing the meals away, they are offered to people in the Center. Chairperson Collins inquired if people have been turned away from the meals and Mr. Lulkin stated this is very rare. Currently, approximately 70 to 80 lunches are served daily. Mr. Lulkin said the Center is trying to get seniors to come down and there is a “Make a New Friends Group” to get lonely seniors into the Center. 7. SENIOR CENTER Ms. Joyce said that she felt that no handicap people under 60 years old should be allowed into the dining room and that people should be required to show proof of age when they complete the forms. Also, she would like to have the volunteers furnished with nametags for identification purposes. Members were informed that when people sign up for the Senior Center they must supply their social security number and date of birth. A member of the audience stated that younger aged handicap persons on disability are treated the same way senior citizens are treated. She said there are severely disabled people coming to the Center who live alone and thinks it is 5 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA December 13, 1999 a shame for a 40 or 50 year old handicap person to be turned away from having a meal. A man in the audience stated he was on disability and has been embarrassed, humiliated and insulted in the Senior Center. Chairperson Collins said that no one should come to the Center and be insulted or treated unfairly and it should be reported. Chairperson Collins said that she is disappointed that the meals on wheels program has stopped and homebound people are suffering. This is an item that the Board is planning to address after the New Year. Ms. Jenkins stated that age limits hurt a great many people who are in need and Chairperson Collins pointed out that a great many handicap people cannot get into senior housing. Mr. Lulkin said that the Center does not make this determination and that the forms are completed and submitted to Mae Volen who submits them to the federal government and they must meet certain guidelines. If Mae Volen states a certain person is not old enough or cannot have a meal it is reported back to the food service manager. Ms. Joyce inquired why volunteers couldn’t perform some of the jobs being performed by staff? She said that there are not enough jobs for volunteers because staff is performing them. She feels that more seniors could be utilized instead of hiring more staff. Mr. Lulkin stated that the City budgeted for these positions. 8. NEW BUSINESS: NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY Previously addressed. 9. COMMENTS Chairperson Collins inquired about the following: ? If a beautician was coming to the Center to do hair? Mr. Lulkin stated that a person has volunteered to give free haircuts and manicures. Ms. Joyce stated that this person requested her own room to perform this function. Mr. Lulkin said this is not going to happen. ? How often the line dancing took place? Mr. Lulkin said it takes place every Tuesday afternoon. Chairperson Collins asked to have a second group for beginners. Mr. Lulkin said that a new person started today who will be teaching beginners. 6 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA December 13, 1999 ? Requested that Mr. Lulkin have available for the next meeting a list of the programs and the number of persons who have attended the programs. NEXT MEETING; JANUARY 10, 2000 AT 3:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Motion Ms. Jenkins moved to adjourn the meeting, which was seconded by Ms. Fields. The meeting properly adjourned at 4:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, __________________________ Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (one tape) 7