Minutes 04-03-95
MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA,
ON MONDAY, APRIL 3, 1995, AT 4:00 P.M.
PRESENT
Betty Collins, Chairwoman Wilfred Hawkins, Assistant to the
Raymond Eney City Manager
Rose Fichtman
Edgar Sackett
Esther Stranahan
Geraldine Graham
CALL TO ORDER
Chairwoman Collins called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER
Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, a moment of silent prayer was observed.
ROLL CALL
The Recording Secretary called the roll.
AGENDA APPROVAL
Mr. Sackett moved, seconded by Mr. Eney, to approve the agenda as presented. The
motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH MEETING
Mr. Eney requested that the last sentence in Paragraph 1 of Item #8 on Page 2 be
summer
corrected to read, "...seniors leave the City for the ."
Motion
Mr. Eney moved to approve the minutes of the March meeting as amended. Ms.
Stranahan seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
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MINUTES - SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 3, 1995
SPEAKER FROM CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION COMMITTEE - USE OF SENIOR
VOLUNTEERS
Chairwoman Collins reported that she requested a representative of the Centennial
Celebration Committee attend this meeting to report on the plans that are in progress.
Although a representative was expected, no one had yet arrived for the meeting.
Chairwoman Collins stated that she had read in the Boynton Beach Times that a
committee had been formed in Leisureville to work on this celebration, but after
investigating, she was unable to find anyone in Leisureville who was aware of the
existence of such a committee.
Chairwoman Collins recommended that the Senior Advisory Board get involved with this
effort by means of an "old fashioned picnic in the park". She suggested having this picnic
at Oceanfront Park or Boat Club Park. The picnic will be for seniors and, in addition to
assisting the Centennial Celebration, it will provide exposure for the Senior Advisory
Board.
Mike Marciano, a member of the Centennial Celebration Committee, arrived at 4:05 p.m.
He introduced himself and advised that the Celebration will be held from June 23 through
July 4. Volunteers are needed and a number of fund-raising activities are being planned.
Some of those fund-raising activities include the sale of rubber ducks to be placed in the
ocean . The rubber ducks cost $5 each. Numbers will be drawn and prizes will be
awarded. Centennial hats are being sold at $8 each. There will be a beard-growing
contest for a $1 entry fee. Mr. Marciano explained that the two-week Celebration will be
filled with many events.
Chairwoman Collins explained the Board's desire to participate in the festivities by
conducting a "picnic in the park" for seniors dressed in period costume. Mr. Marciano
reported that a woman named "Lou" will be making and selling period costumes.
Mr. Hawkins arrived at 4:10 p.m.
Discussion ensued regarding the funding for a picnic. Mr. Hawkins explained that different
organizations are sponsoring the activities associated with this Celebration. There will be
very little expenditure of funds on the City's part other than the salaries of the employees
who will be helping out where necessary. Most of the funding will come from private
donations through fund-raising events.
In response to Mr. Eney's question regarding the scope of this picnic, Chairwoman Collins
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MINUTES - SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 3, 1995
stated that the picnic will be open to all City residents. Those attending can be advised to
bring their own lunch.
Mr. Marciano requested the Board members meet with him to further plan the picnic.
Chairwoman Collins will contact him to make arrangements for this meeting.
In further discussing the proposed picnic, Mr. Eney pointed out that the term "picnic" will
have to be defined so that everyone attending will know in advance what to expect. Ms.
Stranahan suggested having an event at the Civic Center on the last Thursday of June
rather than having a picnic at the park. This suggestion will be further investigated.
At this point, Chairwoman Collins advised that Thursday, April 27, at 2:00 p.m., is
scheduled for a Senior Advisory Board event. There was a consensus of the board to
have bingo and line dancing at this event. Chairwoman Collins will make up flyers to
advertise the event. During this function, there will be a discussion about the upcoming
Centennial Celebration.
REPORT OF OPERATION OF LOCAL SENIOR CENTERS
At the request of the board, Mr. Eney visited three (3) senior centers to gather information
on their operations. The three (3) centers he and Ms. Graham visited were Mae Volen in
Boca Raton, the Adult Senior Center in Delray Beach, and the Senior Citizen Center in
Lake Worth.
Mr. Eney reported that Mae Volen is the best-organized community center of the three he
visited. It has a wonderful plan and a great transportation system. It is a private, not-for-
profit charitable organization which operates under a volunteer board of directors. It is
funded by the cities of Delray Beach and Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, the United
Way, the State of Florida, the federal government, and by the private sector with
donations, memberships and program fees.
In reviewing their last annual report, Mr. Eney learned that for the fiscal year which ended
on June 30, 1994, they had a budget of $2,255,000. Delray Beach donated $2,900; Boca
Raton donated $14,500; Palm Beach County donated $42,800; the federal government
donated $383,000; and the State of Florida donated $750,000. Many entitlement
programs were received. Those entitlement programs permit the center to offer two (2)
meals per day. The State of Florida donation comes from a grant known as "Community
Care for the Elderly". An additional $1 million comes from membership fees ($28,500),
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BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 3, 1995
program fees ($112,800), the United Way ($180,000) and private donations ($750,000).
Mr. Eney related that the money is used in the following manner:
Administration - $ 93,700 (4%)
Building & Grounds - 93,700 (4%)
Medicaid - 140,000
Senior Programs - 281,000
Transportation - 609,000
Home Care - 1,031,000
Health Promotion - 91,000
Mr. Eney reported that he met with Ms. Sandy Shultz who offered to work with the Senior
Advisory Board to provide input.
In response to Ms. Fichtman's question, Mr. Eney stated that Mae Volen started in a
storefront with fifteen (15) members and a used station wagon. He feels they deserve a
great deal of credit for the organization they have built.
Ms. Stranahan inquired as to whether or not we can secure a breakdown of the monies
which are spent helping anyone in Boynton Beach. Mr. Eney believes Helen Rice should
be able to provide that information. Ms. Fichtman feels the citizens of Boynton Beach
should be more dependent on Mae Volen, thus showing that a need exists. Chairwoman
Collins said Mae Volen is so tight with their transportation that they have cutback in certain
areas. They offer very little transportation for shopping, and they will not take people to
the doctor. Chairwoman Collins explained that there were discussions between Helen
Rice and the Task Force on the Elderly regarding Boynton Beach citizen's use of Mae
Volen. Mae Volen did not want to lose any money and, therefore, they said they would
prefer to work with us as though we were a satellite of their organization. Although this
sounded good and Barbara Curtis sent us programs, we had to pay for those programs.
Mr. Eney further explained that the Delray Beach Adult Senior Center was built and funded
by the city. Its operation is different in that it is not a drop-in place. They have scheduled
programs from Monday through Friday for a fee. The fees range from $15 to $35 for the
twenty (20) programs they offer. This is a pleasant and attractive place.
The Senior Citizen Center in Lake Worth has been in operation since 1981, and it is
20,000 square feet in size. It is owned by the city, and leased to the county for $1 per year
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for 100 years. The county funded it up until four (4) years ago, and then turned it over to
Lake Worth.
They provide a noon and 4:30 p.m. meal which is funded by sources other than the city or
county. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. They have
activities involving state and federal money. Maintenance of the facility is approximately
$100,000 which is paid for by the city. On April 7, a breakfast program will begin at this
center.
Chairwoman Collins pointed out that during "Meet the Candidates", she asked if the
candidates would support a senior center. All present thought it was a great idea and said
they would support it.
After discussion, there was a consensus of the board that a small start would be best.
Chairwoman Collins will investigate the possibility of using a small room at the Civic
Center. She recommends contacting communities throughout the City to determine
whether or not they have a newsletter. An article regarding this subject will be included in
those newsletters requesting input from the community. The board could set a target date
of September to open this center. A presentation will have to be made to the City
Commission. She urged members to gather their ideas and seek input from friends. This
topic will be discussed at the next board meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS
None
FUTURE PLANS OF THE BOARD
This item was discussed under "Report of Operation of Local Senior Centers".
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the board, Mr. Eney moved to adjourn the
meeting at 4:52 p.m. Mr. Sackett seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
Janet M. Prainito
Recording Secretary
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(One Tape)
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