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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. 1 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 2 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), 3 MINUTES - SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING 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 4 MINUTES - SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 3, 1995 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 A:\040395.WPD 5 MINUTES - SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 3, 1995 (One Tape) A:\040395.WPD 6