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Minutes 11-13-00MINUTES OF SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD AT THE SENIOR CENTER, 102'1 SOUTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2000 AT 3:00 P.M. PRESENT Amelia "Terry" Benell Carolyn Sims, Recreation Supervisor Betty Collins, Chairperson Olive Field Jeanne Hasty Bernice Joyce Christine Wilson Denise Chamberlain ABSENT Elizabeth Jenkins GUESTS Betty Thomas, Chairperson, Recreation and Parks Board 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairperson Collins called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. and led the members and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, followed by a moment of silent prayer for ail the seniors in the City. 2. ROLL CALL The Recording Secretary called the roll and a quorum was present. Chairperson Collins introduced Ms. Carolyn Sims and Ms. Betty Thomas, Chairperson of the Recreation and Parks Board. Ms. Sims distributed the Senior Center Report for the month of October 2000. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion Ms. Field moved to approve the agenda, which was seconded by Ms. Benell and unanimously carried. Meeting Minutes -'~ Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 13, 2000 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the OCTOBER 9, 2000 MEETING Ms. Chamberlain stated that in the minutes she and Ms. Hasty were incorrectly identified and everywhere that Ms. Chambedain's name appeared it should be Ms. Hasty and vice versa. The Recording Secretary advised that she would correct this. Motion Ms. Chamberlain moved to approve the minutes, as amended. Motion seconded by Ms. Hasty and unanimously carried. 5. CHAIRPERSON'S REMARKS Chairperson Collins said it is now time for the Board to evaluate its worthiness and determine what role the Board should take. Starting in 1991 with this Board starting out as a Task Force, the following needs of seniors have been identified and addressed in the City: (a) (b) (c) (d) Transportation: it was determined that Palm Tran contributed very little to the needs of the elderly and it took an entire day if bus transportation were utilized by seniors for shopping and errands. Activities: there were always activities for seniors at the Civic Center, but it was envisioned that one day there would be a place for seniors only. Nutrition Program: this was necessary to address the nutrition needs of seniors who were not eating properly. Back in the early 1990s, there were two food programs in the City that were operated by the County, at Boat Ramp Park and the Wilson Center. Having available a bank of talented volunteers, which is now readily accessible. Chairperson Collins noted that the Recreation Department is now supporting and supervising the Senior Center. Since there already is a Parks and Recreation Board, she feels there is always the possibility that this Board could be in opposition or have other ideas while the Recreation Department is running the Senior Center. She would like to have a Director at the Senior Center to oversee the Recreation staff, as well as a social worker onboard. 2 Meeting Minutes ' Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 13, 2000 6. PURPOSE AND GOALS OF THIS BOARD There is now a very large group of seniors attending the meals program. With the past programs approximately 30 persons were receiving meals. Now, the Senior Center serves hundreds of meals per month. The City now offers the ,Shopper Hopper, which is a wonderful service for the seniors. There was a time when the City discussed disbanding the Senior Board, but at that time there was no Senior Center and the Shopper Hopper was not fully operational. The Board at that time fought against disbanding the Senior Board. 6. DISCUSSION Chairperson Collins would like the Board members to think about its future role in the City to be further discussed at the January 2001 meeting. Further, Chairperson Collins feels that all the goals of the Senior Advisory Board have been met and does not want this Board interfering with the Recreation Department that is doing a fine job. Ms. Hasty said that the Senior Center needs more publicity, since there are a great many seniors in the City that don't know about the Senior Center and what it has to offer. Ms. Hasty wondered if something could be put on the back of the water bills that would inform the citizens about the Senior Center. Ms. Chamberlain noted that not everyone in the City gets a water bill and many of the bills go directly to the condominium or homeowners' associations. It was suggested that flyers on the Senior Center could be left at the various clubhouses throughout the City. Chairperson Collins stated that the Boynton Times always advertises the Senior Center. Ms. Chamberlain noted at mealtime that all the rooms are full and there isn't much room left for many more people. Ms. Chamberlain said that she researched and determined that nationwide between 95% to 99% of senior centers are run by Leisure Services. Chairperson Collins did not feel these figures were correct and noted that of the 50 senior centers that they contacted they all had their own Director. Most senior centers are independent and run by the city. Also, Boynton Beach still needs to have a social worker at the Senior Center, which Mae Volen Center said they would provide, but has not done so to date. This is a County service, which is still not available in Boynton Beach. Ms. Hasty noted there is still a transportation problem in the City and there are still many parts in the City that don't receive transportation services. Ms. Hasty reported that the Area Agency for the Aged is trying to get more busing for handicap persons and seniors throughout the entire County. Chairperson Collins stated that if there were any senior citizens in the City in need of transportation, 3 Meeting Minutes ~ - Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 13, 2000 the City bus would pick them up. Members discussed the benefits that the Shopper Hopper has provided to the seniors in the City. Chairperson Collins suggested that this Board could make a report to the City Commission that the Board feels that it has attained its goals and ask if there is anything further that the City would like the Board to work on. The question was asked if the Senior Advisory Board should dissolve and then a need for the Board arose in the future, would it be possible for the Board to start up again. Chairperson Collins responded that usually when a need arises, the City would form a task force to determine the need and if some long-term goals surfaced, a Board could be formed. Ms. Davis asked how the Board would approach this? Chairperson Collins stated she would probably prepare a letter to the Mayor and City Commissioners with a copy to the City Manager and inform them that this Board feels that it has met all its tasks, listing the tasks that have been accomplished. Ms. Davis asked if Chairperson Collins was requesting a motion in this regard. Chairperson Collins said she would like the Board members to think about this over the Holidays and then when the Board meets in January, a decision could be made at that time. When the time comes for Phase 2 of the Senior Center, the Board may want to again participate. An inquiry on the status of the grant for Phase 2 was raised, but no one was certain on this. Ms. Sims reported that Area Agency on the Aged has a new Director and staff will be meeting with her in the near future to determine what funds are available. Ms. Thomas said that she would discuss this issue at the next Recreation and Parks Board meeting. · Ms. Hasty pointed out that if this Board did dissolve, there are plenty of vacancies on other City boards that need to be filled, Ms. Sims thanked Chairperson Collins for her leadership role on the Board and requested that members continue to remain involved with the Senior Center. Chairperson Collins alsO stated that the letter would have to be reviewed and voted upon by the members at the, January meeting, if the decision to disband is in fact agreed upon. 8. OTHER BUSINESS It was agreed that the December meeting would be cancelled and the next meeting will take place on Monday, January 8, 2001. 4 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida November13,2000 7. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 3:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (one tape) 5