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Minutes 05-03-99 MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD AT CITY HALL IN THE MALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, MAY 3, 1999, AT 3:30 P.M. PRESENT Betty Collins, Chairwoman Hank Ackermann, Neighborhood Peggy Stranahan, Vice Chairwoman Project Specialist Amelia “Terry” Benell Steve Lulkin, Recreation Supervisor II Mary Coma Olive Field Bernice Joyce Elizabeth Jenkins, Alternate Helen Schwartzenberg, Alternate 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairwoman Collins called the meeting to order at 3:25 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. A moment of silent prayer was observed for all of the senior citizens in the community. 2. ROLL CALL The Deputy City Clerk called the roll. All members of the board were present. Also in attendance were Hank Ackermann, Steve Lulkin and Herb Stevens, representing R.S.V.P. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was reviewed and accepted as presented. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 5, 1999 Motion th Vice Chairwoman Stranahan moved to approve the minutes of the April 5 meeting. Ms. Joyce seconded the motion that carried unanimously. 5. CHAIRWOMAN’S REPORT Chairwoman St. John said a number of the members attended the City Commission Advisory Board Orientation meeting last week. The presentation to the Commission outlined how the Senior Advisory Board wants to proceed in the future. The Commission supports the board’s plans and will be looking for funding. 6. REPORT FROM MEETING WITH MAE VOLEN CENTER Ms. Benell and Ms. Coma attended a meeting at the Mae Volen Center where their representatives informed them that they would like to be involved with our Senior Center. They do not understand why there is resistance to their participation. 1 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 3, 1999 Ms. Benell advised that she and Ms. Coma explained that we would like the City of Boynton Beach Senior Center to be separate and independent in order to give it an opportunity to grow. Mr. Lulkin was also present for the meeting and advised that Mae Volen plans to provide a caseworker dedicated to the residents of Boynton Beach. That caseworker will work out of our Senior Center. They currently provide the nutrition program in the City and will continue to do so at the new Center. Recreation Division staff will work with them on any other programs they develop. Chairwoman Collins provided a brief history of the inception of the Senior Center. When Jerry Taylor was mayor, Mae Volen approached him about opening a satellite facility in the City. They had money available for programs, but not for buildings. This would have been a Mae Volen Extension. The Senior Advisory Board spoke with the Mayor and explained that we wanted our own Center here in the City. Chairwoman Collins remarked that it is very important that the funding that comes in is allocated for the Boynton Beach Senior Center. The City submitted an application for the funding, but the application was late and we missed the deadline. Chairwoman Collins explained that we will be able to show that we are serving the needs of the people of Boynton Beach and that will qualify us for funding. She pointed out that the funding we missed was not federal funding. It was money for special projects requested by our Legislature. She is hopeful that someone will ask for the funding the federal government does not give. Mae Volen is a private organization that receives a government allotment for South County. Mr. Lulkin reiterated that Mae Volen will not run any of the programs other than the nutrition program and they will provide a caseworker for our residents. He also explained that Debbie Majors and Megan Hooper are investigating grants for the Senior Center. Mr. Lulkin said he turned over the paperwork regarding the volunteer work program to them. Chairwoman Collins said the “Older Americans Act” provides for funding if certain programs are offered. There are many centers operating that do not receive federal funds. They receive their funding through local taxes. Mr. Ackermann added that the City would fund the Senior Center even if there are no other funding sources available. When a question was raised about the responsibility of paying for the caseworker, Mr. Lulkin advised that Mae Volen would have that responsibility. 7. REPORT FROM HANK ACKERMANN, City Liaison Mr. Ackermann advised that the Senior Advisory Board would not be permitted to sell the tote bags at City Hall. However, they are permitted to sell them at City Hall in the Mall. At Chairwoman Collins’ request, Mr. Ackermann agreed to coordinate with Mr. Herb Stevens for the June volunteers meeting so that R.S.V.P. is involved. 2 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 3, 1999 8. NEW BUSINESS: Chairwoman Collins asked for a status report on the Senior Center. Mr. Lulkin is hopeful the Senior Center will open by the end of June. The contractors are moving quickly but there is still a great deal of work to be done. A major problem involved the air conditioning, but Mr. Lulkin saw the unit in the rear of the building. During the Commission Orientation, there was discussion about the use of computers at the Senior Center. Mr. Lulkin explained that if the computers come in, they will be installed in the vestibule area rather than waiting for Phase II of the project. This would be one item that would be ahead of schedule. Mr. Lulkin advised that a City employee has a piano he would like to donate to the Senior Center. Mr. Lulkin will inspect the piano and if it is in good condition, he will accept it for the Center. Mr. Lulkin reported that he was finalizing all of the equipment purchases and the Purchase Orders would be sent to the Superintendent within the next week or two. He reported on the equipment and furniture that was planned for purchase. He circulated catalogs depicting the furniture. The outside of the building will be painted “Coral” to match the Woman’s Center. There will be a big screen t.v. and VCR inside and three poker-style card tables. The Activity Room will have a 21 cubic foot refrigerator and microwaves. A 16’ x 16’ stage will be available at the Center. The City is not allowed to collect any money with respect to programs. However, there are plans in place to sell a card that would be purchased on a weekly basis to cover the cost of coffee, bagels and donuts. Mr. Lulkin said he spoke with a retired registered nurse that has volunteers available to start a bereavement and grief-counseling program. Chairwoman Collins suggested that she register with R.S.V.P. Recruitment of Volunteers A. General Meeting in June for Volunteers Interested in Working at Senior Center Chairwoman Collins reminded the members that the Senior Advisory Board meetings are usually cancelled for the months of June, July, August and September. However, this year, because of the anticipated opening of the Senior Center, the June meeting will be held. Chairwoman Collins would like to be able to meet at the Center once it is open. Chairwoman Collins requested that she be notified as soon as the date for the volunteers meeting is set. 3 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 3, 1999 B. Speaking at Condo Communities Chairwoman Collins advised that there are many condos and church groups requesting speakers to talk about the new Senior Center. She urged anyone who is willing to speak to contact her for further information. Chairwoman Collins has copies of the picture of the Center and brochures that could be distributed. Mr. Lulkin offered to visit some of the condos and church groups to speak on behalf of the board. Mr. Ackermann urged the speakers to use a prepared format so that misinformation is not disseminated. Mr. Ackermann asked for the board’s suggested response to questions regarding card playing at the Senior Center. Chairwoman Collins advised that the City already offers organized card playing at the Madsen Center. The board’s position is that there should be no bridge or pinochle clubs at the Senior Center. Many of the people who will patronize the Center were adamant about not having organized card games. Three card tables are being purchased for the Center. These tables could be used for card playing by individuals who wish to play cards or board games. She reiterated that there would be no organized card games. Chairwoman Collins advised that the Garden Club was very concerned because they will have to vacate the Royal Palm Clubhouse soon. However, space has been allocated at the Center for this group. Chairwoman Collins also envisions the “Knitters” at the Senior Center. Mr. Lulkin said the Senior Center and Madsen Center would eventually house all senior programs in the City. Chairwoman Collins advised that the Senior Center would offer a nutrition program, information assistance (S.H.I.N.E. and Where to Turn), recreational opportunities, volunteer opportunities educational opportunities, social and community action, computer utilization and hearing and vision checks. Herb Stevens asked to be provided with information about the Senior Center for the R.S.V.P. Newsletter. He explained that R.S.V.P. has 3,800 volunteers in Palm Beach County. It is his belief that people who are currently meeting at other places will slowly drift to the Boynton Beach Senior Center. Mr. Stevens reported that R.S.V.P. volunteers are required to donate four hours per week to the program and each volunteer must be 55 years of age or older. R.S.V.P. then provides liability insurance. Mr. Stevens said R.S.V.P. has many opportunities for volunteers and he is certain they will do many things with the Senior Center. Mr. Stevens is in his office at City Hall on Tuesday and Thursday. He urged everyone to refer volunteers to his office. Chairwoman Collins inquired about the City’s policy on dealing with people who are not residents of the City. Mr. Lulkin advised that residents are not charged a fee for any of the programs that area offered. Non-residents are charged a fee. The decision on whether or not to serve non-residents would be made by the City Commission. 4 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 3, 1999 When a question arose about where Senior Center volunteers should register, Chairwoman Collins recommended that all volunteers be referred to R.S.V.P. Mr. Lulkin will meet with Mr. Stevens to discuss this issue. Mr. Lulkin advised that the City will be requiring all volunteers to go through a background check. Chairwoman Collins said that prior to the Commission Orientation, a member of the Community Relations Board approached her to inform her that the Community Relations Board would handle the opening of the Senior Center. Chairwoman Collins advised that the Senior Advisory Board would be handling this project that will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony and party-type atmosphere. Mr. Lulkin offered to meet with the Leisure Services Special Events group to put something together. A member of the audience asked if it would be possible to have the Senior Center open on Saturday for rental purposes. Mr. Lulkin said that would have to be determined by staff. A full- time Recreation Specialist has been included in the budget. Staffing levels would have to be determined before a response could be provided. 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Senior Advisory Board, the meeting properly adjourned at 4:20 p.m. Janet M. Prainito Deputy City Clerk (Two Tapes) 5/6/99 10:14 AM 5