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Minutes 04-05-99 MINUTES OF SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1999, AT 3:30 P.M. PRESENT Amelia “Terry” Benell Hank Ackermann, Neighborhood Betty Collins, Chairperson Project Specialist Mary Coma Steve Lulkin, Recreation Elizabeth Jenkins, Alternate Supervisor II Bernice Joyce Christine T. Wilson ABSENT Olive Field Helen Schwartzenberg, Alternate Esther “Peggy” Stranahan 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER Chairperson Collins called the meeting to order at 3:30 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 that may be in need. 2. ROLL CALL Chairperson Collins asked the Recording Secretary to call the roll. A quorum was declared present. 3.APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chairperson Collins inquired if there were any additions to the Agenda, and hearing none asked for a motion to approve the Agenda. Motion Ms. Jenkins moved that the Agenda be approved. Motion seconded by Ms. Coma. Motion carried unanimously. MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 5, 1999 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MARCH 1, 1999 Chairperson Collins asked if there were any changes or additions to the minutes of the March 1, 1999 meeting. Motion Ms. Joyce moved to approve the minutes of the March 1, 1999 meeting. Motion seconded by Ms. Benell and carried unanimously. 5. REPORT ON SENIOR CENTER A. G.A.L.A. Chairperson Collins informed members that she would be presenting to Mr. Ackermann today the money that was raised at the G.A.L.A. Chairperson Collins thanked all the Board members for their hard work at the G.A.L.A. and stated $629 was raised. Additionally, Anne Centi donated $100 toward the Senior Center for a total of $729 raised. Chairperson Collins noted that there are still bags remaining for sale. Chairperson Collins also presented to members a copy of the pamphlet, which she prepared that was handed out at the G.A.L.A. The pamphlet gave a brief description of the Senior Center, as well as its proposed operations and activities. Also, temporarily, Hank Ackermann was listed as the contact person, since the Senior Center is not operational and does not have a telephone. Chairperson Collins also noted that Brighton Gardens and Springhouse invited the Board to their facilities for the purpose of speaking about the Senior Center and to sell the bags. Chairperson Collins said that if any member knew of any community or group that would like information on the Senior Center, the Board would be glad to visit. Ms. Jenkins said that she has received calls from people who would like the Board to visit. The senior site at the Boat Ramp Park would like a Board member to visit to speak about the Senior Center. Chairperson Collins noted that the G.A.L.A. was a great success and a great number people expressed an interest in the Senior Center. Chairperson Collins also thanked Hank Ackermann for his assistance. Chairperson Collins requested that Mr. Lulkin give an update on the Senior Center. Mr. Lulkin reported that the Senior Center is under construction and a new air conditioning unit will be installed. Also, interior work is being done in accordance with the plans. Mr. 2 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 5, 1999 Lulkin felt that the construction was on schedule and that the Center would be able to open by the end of June. Chairperson Collins stated that in June many people would not be present in the summer to utilize the Center and would like to discuss the opening date further with Mr. Lulkin. Chairperson Collins also asked if arrangements have been made with the County for the meals program. Mr. Lulkin said he plans to speak to the County about the meals and anticipates that the meals would be available during the first week when the Center opens. Other items that need to be considered are the services that would be continued to be offered at Mae Volen, as well as the transportation. Mr. Lulkin said he is working with staff of the Shopper Hopper and a daily pick up would be planned from homes and also weekly trips would be planned to various areas of interest. Mr. Lulkin also stated they have been looking at other activities that are offered at other centers throughout Broward and Palm Beach County to determine what activities could be included at the Boynton Beach Senior Center. However, because only phase 1 will be ready, there will only be three areas in which programs could be scheduled. Mr. Lulkin stated there would be a game room with pool tables and a lounge area with a big-screen television and stereo. Also staff has been selecting furniture, appliances and equipment. As soon as a date is known when the Senior Center can be occupied, the items would be ordered. Mr. Lulkin stated it is anticipated that as many activities as possible would be offered. Chairperson Collins asked if anyone had any questions. A gentleman in the audience said that his group wanted to be involved in the set up of the computer lab and has presented a proposal to the City. Mr. Lulkin said there is a grant that would be supplying the Library, Wilson Center, the Hester Center and the new Senior Center with computers. The gentleman requested that they be allowed to participate in the set up of the classrooms. Chairperson Collins noted that the computer room would not be ready during phase 1 and is included in phase 2. Chairperson Collins informed him that he would be involved in the set up at the appropriate time. Chairperson Collins noted that there would be adequate electrical and phone lines to accommodate the computers. Chairperson Collins said that there are 10 computers designated for the Senior Center. Ms. Joyce said she felt the G.A.L.A. was very rewarding and met a great many people who were very pleased to learn about the Senior Center. Chairperson Collins also said people were pleased that the Senior Center would be located downtown. Also, people inquired if they could belong even if they resided outside the City limits. Chairperson Collins noted this has already been addressed and consideration will be given that it 3 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 5, 1999 would be free for seniors who reside within the City limits and a small fee would be charged for those residing outside the City limits. Ms. Benell inquired if there would be sufficient parking and Chairperson Collins noted that there is parking in the rear of the building, as well as across the street. Also, Ms. Benell inquired if identification cards would be required. Chairperson Collins said the seniors would be asked to register. Mr. Lulkin said there would be a computer at the front desk for the purpose of registering the seniors on a daily basis. Mr. Lulkin stated that the Senior Center has the capacity to hold 299 people. Chairperson Collins also noted that arrangements must be made to pay for the coffee and Mr. Lulkin said he has already contacted a coffee company for comparison purposes and will be contacting others. 6. REPORT FROM HANK ACKERMANN th Mr. Ackermann said that a Commission orientation has been set for April 28 in which the four “people” Boards would participate. Mr. Ackermann was not sure of the time, but would report back to Chairperson Collins. At the orientation, the Boards will brief the Commission on what their Boards do. Also, Mr. Ackermann said there has been discussion on whether Boards should have a budget and this may be discussed further at the orientation. Mr. Ackermann was not certain if there would be a quarterly meeting of the four Boards. Chairperson Collins stated that normally the Senior Advisory Board does not meet during the months of June, July and August, but said that there would be meetings at least during June and July to deal with Senior Center issues. Chairperson Collins stated that it should be stressed that the Senior Center must be a multi-purpose center and would be offering the same services and activities as Mae Volen. Chairperson Collins noted that the Center would not be able to offer daycare for seniors due to lack of space, but there could be an organization associated with the Senior Center that could offer this service, as a separate entity. Chairperson Collins noted that other Senior Centers have contracts with nursing and/or medical groups to offer these services. Also, another goal of the Center will be to have social services available through a social worker. Mr. Ackermann said that in the minutes of the last meeting, Chairperson Collins commented that…”currently the Senior Center would be operating under the Recreation Department, but that is not permanent …and that the Senior Center must be multi- purpose and have a professional director and someone who could help get funding”. Mr. Ackermann said he has been informed that the Senior Center would be operating 4 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 5, 1999 under the Recreation Department and the Director is Steve Lulkin. Chairperson Collins said she was speaking of the future and that the Center would operate like Mae Volen. Mr. Ackermann said that the Boynton Senior Center would not be like Mae Volen and would be under the auspices of the City and would be operated by the City. Mr. Ackermann said there are no plans to change the current operation. Chairperson Collins was under the impression that within three to five years the Senior Center would have to be operated as a multi-purpose center in order to receive funding and a different kind of director would be in charge. Chairperson Collins noted that there are many senior centers that are operated under the recreation department, but in order to comply with the Older American Act and to receive future funding, a geriatric specialist is required. Also, Chairperson Collins said that the Older American Act requires that specific programs be offered in order to be eligible for funding. Ms. Wilson inquired if the Senior Center would be handicap accessible and Chairperson Collins stated it is. Mr. Lulkin noted that the Shopper Hopper and City vans are also handicap accessible. Chairperson Collins noted that if a person was totally disabled they would have to have a caretaker with them. Chairperson Collins said the Center would not be offering nursing care and that volunteers are not suppose to touch anyone. Ms. Jenkins said that Mae Volen has wheelchairs and walkers available. Chairperson Collins said that wheelchairs and walkers would certainly be permissible. 7. NEW BUSINESS A. Meeting in May for Volunteers Interested in Working at Senior Center B. Speaking at Condo Communities Chairperson Collins asked if there were any Board members who would not be available to speak at condominium communities to let her know. Also, Chairperson Collins asked Mr. Ackermann if it would be possible for the seniors to sell their bags at City Hall. Chairperson Collins said this could be done a couple hours each week. Mr. Ackermann said that next month’s meeting should be back at City Hall in the Mall and that there have been scheduling problems. Chairperson Collins would like to have the June meeting at the new Senior Center if possible. Ms. Pat McCusker who resides at Cypress Creek, 4110 Palo Verde, Boynton Beach 33436 (tel: 732-6858) addressed the Board. Ms. McCusker said that it had been requested that people who play duplicate bridge at the Madsen Center should be allowed to move to the Senior Center, as they do not like 5 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 5, 1999 playing bridge in conjunction with shuffleboard. Chairperson Collins noted that the Madsen Center was set up for the specific purpose of playing cards by the City and said there have not been any plans to move the card games from Madsen Center to the new Senior Center. Ms. McCusker said that the people running the shuffleboard games have placed themselves in charge of the card players and have determined the fees being charged. The bridge players want to move because they don’t like being told what to do by the people running the shuffleboard. Chairperson Collins said this would be something that should be looked into. Mr. Ackermann inquired what the fee arrangements were, but Ms. McCusker did not know. Chairperson Collins inquired if the bridge games were played at a regular time and Ms. McCusker said they play cards three days per week between 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mr. Lulkin said when the scheduling for the Center takes place, an attempt will be made to fill all the time slots and an attempt will be made to accommodate everybody. Also, Mr. Lulkin said at some point the Civic Center would be torn down and replaced with new facilities and programs. Mr. Lulkin said that the Senior Center is intended to be the focal point for all senior programs. Chairperson Collins asked how many people participate in the bridge games and was informed during peak season it would be well over 100. Mr. Lulkin said he would meet with Ms. McCusker’s group to discuss the situation further. 8. ADJOURNMENT NEXT REGULAR MEETING, MONDAY, MAY 3, 1999 Motion Ms. Joyce moved that the meeting adjourn and the meeting properly adjourned at 4:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (one tape) 6