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Minutes 02-03-97 MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1997, AT 4:00 P.M. PRESENT Betty Collins, Chairwoman Raymond Eney Geraldine Graham Esther Stranahan ABSENT Jacob Rose Edgar Sackett Mary Toth Mary Cannon, Alternate Marion Moore, Alternate 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairwoman Collins called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, a moment of silent prayer was observed. 3. ROLL CALL The Recording Secretary noted attendance. 4. AGENDA APPROVAL No additions, deletions, or corrections were made to the agenda. Motion Mr. Eney moved to approve the agenda as submitted. Ms. Stranahan seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 2, 1996 No additions, deletions, or corrections were made to the minutes of the last meeting. MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 3, 1997 Motion Mr. Eney moved to approve the minutes of the December 2, 1996 meeting. Ms. Graham seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. 6. RESIGNATION OF TWO MEMBERS Chairwoman Collins announced that Ms. Toth and Ms. Moore have resigned, and Mr. Sackett may resign in the future because of medical reasons. Ms. Stranahan suggested advertising openings on this board in the Boynton Times. Chairwoman Collins will contact Stacy of the Boynton Times about this, and Mr. Eney will see about advertising this in the Senior Life & Boomer Times. 7. DISCUSSION OF ROLE OF SENIORS IN THIS CITY - WILL THERE EVER BE A SENIOR CENTER, ETC. Chairwoman Collins said we are trying to look after the needs of seniors. We know what those needs are. They want a place to socialize every day. They have nothing to do during the day. Ms. Stranahan pointed out that the seniors were interested in the line dancing and bingo. Chairwoman Collins thought Foundation Health in the Boynton Beach Mall was going to fulfill some of those needs, but they are gone, and Mid County and Mae Volen are too far for the seniors in Boynton Beach to go to. Chairwoman Collins also spoke of the need for some funds. Chairwoman Collins said she read in the newspaper that the Economic Development Coordinator said we have to change the image of the City. She said we are known as a retirement City, and there is nothing wrong with that. She pointed out that retirees use the banks and restaurants. Chairwoman Collins advised that transportation is also a problem. Door to door service is needed because seniors get exhausted and cannot walk two blocks to the bus stop after they finish shopping. People have also asked her about getting to the beach, and she felt we need transportation to get the seniors to City Hall at a certain time. Chairwoman Collins said the seniors feel the City does not consider their special needs. She pointed out that the Governor is putting 10 or 12 million more dollars into care of seniors. She stated that seniors have no where to go or call when there is a problem such 2 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 3, 1997 as a scam. She advised that Stacy of the Boynton Times asked if it would be helpful to have a police officer in charge and work with the board. Chairwoman Collins did not think this would be helpful because seniors do not go to meetings. She felt there should be a booklet to explain to seniors coming into the City where to go for help. She pointed out that 90 percent of the people coming into this City are over the age of 59. Most people who have $100,000 to spend on a house are going west where there are nicer schools and nicer communities. She will speak to Stacy to see if there are any people interested in working on a task force. Ms. Stranahan felt funding was needed. Chairwoman Collins wished there was someone in the City who could look for grant money for seniors. Ms. Stranahan felt we need someone to help us deal with Mae Volen, who does not cooperate or share with the City. Chairwoman Collins advised that the fastest, largest population group that is growing are those over 85. Yet, there is more interest in getting a high school for 1,000 than there is in getting a senior center for 30,000. She said the seniors are not going away. Sterling Village, High Point, Leisureville, and Village Royale are not crumbling; they are staying. She suggested sending a letter to the City Commission asking for help. She said she asked the realtors how many people with young children are coming into the City, and they said none. She advised that there is talk about building a few condominiums on the waterfront; however, she felt people with small children are not going to buy them. She felt retirees will buy them. Ms. Stranahan pointed out how the area by the Boynton Beach Boulevard exit of the turnpike is growing. Chairwoman Collins said there are 50,000 people there now, and the Postmaster told her there are 18,000 permits to be approved for homes. She felt they do not want to be annexed into the City and will eventually become a City of their own. Chairwoman Collins pointed out that any community that opened 25 years ago is in the same situation, and we have to figure out what we can do when people can no longer manage on their own. She stated that the aging population are staying in their house. they are not coming out. She suggested the board meet with Stacy and see what she can do for us. Mr. Eney felt it takes money. Chairwoman Collins will contact Vice Mayor Shirley Jaskiewicz for support. She pointed out that since Laura Widmer has left, the board has had no support. Ms. Stranahan felt the young people do not seem to have any concept of the seniors. They do not realize that they are going to be in the same situation someday. 3 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 3, 1997 8. OTHER BUSINESS None. 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the board, Mr. Eney moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:35 p.m. Ms. Graham seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Eve Eubanks Recording Secretary (One Tape) 4