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Minutes 01-04-99 MINUTES OF SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD AT CITY HALL IN THE MALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 1999, AT 3:30 P.M. PRESENT Betty Collins, Chairperson Hank Ackermann, Neighborhood Amelia “Terry” Benell Project Specialist Mary Coma Olive Field Elizabeth Jenkins, Alternate (arrived late) ABSENT Bernice Joyce Esther “Peggy” Stranahan Helen Schwartzenberg, Alternate Christine T. Wilson 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER Chairperson Collins called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited, followed by a moment of silent prayer for all the seniors in the City. 2. ROLL CALL The Recording Secretary called the roll and a quorum was not present. Approval of Agenda and Minutes of the December 7, 1998 Meeting (Items 3 and 4) postponed until a quorum was present. 5. GENERAL DISCUSSION, SENIOR CENTER Chairperson Collins informed members that she, together with Vice Mayor Shirley Jaskiewicz recently attended a meeting of the Palm Beach County Legislative group held at Florida Atlantic University. The Chairman of the meeting informed Chairperson Collins that Boynton Beach was too late to be placed on the agenda. The hearings pertained solely to budget requests. Chairperson Collins and Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz spoke to many of the Representatives present informing them of the need for funding for the Senior Center. Chairperson Collins also stated that legislators who were present MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 4, 1999 were given information packets on the Senior Center for their review. Chairperson Collins said there were 50 requests on the agenda and the hearings began at 4:00 p.m. Although people were told to limit their presentations to three minutes each, most people spoke 30 minutes or more. In order for Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz to make her presentation, she would have had to wait until all the requests on the agenda were heard first and she was informed later in the evening that there would not be enough time for any presentations to be made from the floor. Chairperson Collins said that they had an opportunity to speak with the legislators and hopefully at next year’s budget hearings, the Boynton Senior Center will be considered for funding. Also, Chairperson Collins informed members that she sent E-mail to Governor-elect Bush informing him of the Senior Center funding needs. Chairperson Collins said that the Board has been doing fundraising on a small level and informed members that there were posters available today for use in soliciting contributions. The posters could also be placed in business establishments. Chairperson Collins informed members that if they were aware of anyone who wished to make a donation, to please telephone her at 732-7474 and she would follow through on the request. Ms. Field inquired if the posters were available only for soliciting contributions of $100 or more. Chairperson Collins said the posters were available for any amount of contribution. Chairperson Collins informed members that approximately $800 has been raised from selling the buttons. 6. REPORT FROM HANK ACKERMANN, City Liaison Mr. Ackermann informed members that the architect for the Senior Center presented thth architectural drawings on December 9 to the Building Department. On December 14 the Building Department reviewed the drawings and requested that some minimal corrections be made to the plans. To date, the Building Department has not received the revised drawings. Mr. Ackermann stated the building has been fumigated and inspected for asbestos. It is th anticipated that the bids will go out on January 16 for the renovation of the Senior Center. Also, Mr. Ackermann said the item would appear on the City Commission agenda in February and was not certain if it was the first meeting of the month. Mr. Ackermann will check on this and report back at the next meeting. Mr. Ackermann also said that as soon as everything is approved, construction should start in March. Chairperson Collins noted that the Senior Center should be operating by sometime next fall. 2 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 4, 1999 Chairperson Collins also suggested that the proposed meeting for the Civic Center should be postponed until all plans have been approved, since there is no point to sign up volunteers too far in advance. At that meeting volunteers for the various committees can be determined. A woman attendee, who is a member of the Advisory Council on Elder Affairs, noted that funding from both the federal and State level is administered through the Department of Elder Affairs. She had spoken to the Department of Elder Affairs regarding the Boynton Senior Center and noted that some of the funds that go to the Mae Volen Center should be going to the Boynton Senior Center. Also, she inquired if the Senior Center would be applying for grants. Chairperson Collins questioned if it was too late to apply for 1999 grants at this point and perhaps we should start applying for funds for the year 2000. Chairperson Collins was instructed to contact Mr. Larry Lydon, the Program Manager for the Area Agency on Aging for assistance. Mr. Ackermann noted that the Leisure Services Department has also been working on grants, but was not certain to which agencies they were applying. Chairperson Collins stated that Mae Volen has not provided much recreation and other programs for the seniors of Boynton Beach. Mae Volen has been providing daycare facilities and these services will continue to be offered since they will not be offered at the Boynton Beach Senior Center. Also, Chairperson Collins noted that the Shopper Hopper has now been providing a great deal of transportation for seniors, which had once been provided by Mae Volen. It was also noted that Mae Volen did not provide transportation for Boynton seniors to attend the meals program and seniors must provide their own transportation. Due to the lack of transportation, the meals program is not well attended. Chairperson Collins asked Ms. Jenkins if the Mae Volen bus still went to Boynton Bay and was informed they still provide transportation to seniors at Boynton Bay. Chairperson Collins stated that the Shopper Hopper would be transporting seniors to the Center for the meals program. Ms. Jenkins stated that Mae Volen still provides transportation to various shopping areas, but is not very reliable. Ms. Jenkins said sometimes Mae Volen shows up and sometimes they don’t. Chairperson Collins noted there are four Shopper Hopper buses available for seniors, but it is important that the City’s Department of Public Works is informed about seniors needing transportation so that the proper arrangements can be made. Discussion continued as to why some seniors prefer to use Mae Volen’s bus as opposed to the City’s transportation. Ms. Jenkins thought it was because Mae Volen afforded more time for shopping. 3 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 4, 1999 Chairperson Collins noted that for any senior to take advantage of the Mae Volen programs they have to go to Boca Raton where the Center is located. Ms. Field said that very few seniors from Boynton Beach go to those facilities. Chairperson Collins stated it is important that the Boynton Center offer many of the services that are now being offered at Mae Volen, such as grief counseling and other mental health programs. 7. NEW BUSINESS A. FUNDRAISING Chairperson Collins requested that all members take a letter for fundraising purposes. Chairperson Collins informed members that the City’s Leisure Services Department will be having a “Breakfast in Boynton” at the Green Market on the first Saturday of each thththth month--January 9, February 6, March 6 and April 10 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Veteran’s Park. B. VOLUNTEER BANK Chairperson Collins stated she would be contacting persons who have indicated they would be interested in volunteering, as soon as a date has been determined for a meeting at the Civic Center. 8. BOARD DINNER Chairperson Collins reminded members to RSVP for the Board Dinner. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Ms. Benell moved that the Agenda be approved. Motion seconded by Ms. Field, which carried unanimously. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 8, 1998 MEETING Ms. Benell moved that the minutes of the December 8, 1998 meeting be approved. Motion seconded by Ms Field, which carried unanimously. 4 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 4, 1999 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 4:10 p.m. February 1, Chairperson Collins reminded members that the next meeting would be 1999 at 3:30 p.m. in City Hall in the Mall. Respectfully submitted, __________________________ Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (one tape) 5