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Minutes 04-07-97 MINUTES OF SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, APRIL 7, 1997, AT 4:00 P.M. PRESENT Betty Collins, Chairperson Raymond Eney Geraldine Graham Esther Stranahan Marilyn Brook ABSENT Edgar Sackett Mary Cannon, Alternate 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Collins called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and welcomed new member, Marilyn Brook. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited, followed by a moment of silent prayer. 3. ROLL CALL The Recording Secretary called the roll. 4. AGENDA APPROVAL No additions, deletions, or corrections were made to the agenda. Motion Mr. Eney moved to approve the agenda as presented. Ms. Stranahan seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 7, 1997 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 3, 1997 No additions, deletions, or corrections were made to the minutes of the last meeting. Motion Ms. Graham moved to approve the minutes of the February 3, 1997 meeting as submitted. Mr. Eney seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. 6. REMARKS, BETTY COLLINS, CHAIRPERSON Chairperson Collins advised that the City Commission is considering combining some of the City Advisory Boards and eliminating others. She advised that in 1992, Mayor Arline Weiner formed a task force to address the needs of various groups. Chairperson Collins pointed out that the largest group of people in this City is retirees. She stated that this board took a survey and the number one problem for seniors was lack of transportation in the City. This board worked on that problem and eventually the City got two buses. However, they did not meet the needs of the seniors. The routes started at 7:00 a.m. and the ridership was terrible. Many of the seniors lived more than a mile from the bus stops, and the buses did not stop at grocery stores or shopping centers. Sometimes the seniors had to wait for the bus for an hour to an hour and a half, and their frozen foods melted. We told the Commission we needed a shopper hopper bus. We had many difficulties with the Public Works Department. There are still problems; however, the buses serve the west end of the City (Leisureville) and the north end (Boynton Bay). Chairperson Collins stated that a bus is needed to take the seniors to the mall or Target. Public Works wanted to take them there after they take them food shopping; however, this is not convenient for the seniors. She advised that Commissioner Shirley Jaskiewicz is working on trying to get a bus to take the seniors to the mall or Target on a day other than a food shopping day. The board had tried to get a senior center. She pointed out that some of the people we try to serve are not visible. The Alzheimer’s Society of Palm Beach County stated everything looks fine on the outside; however, on the inside it is not. Realtors have told Chairperson Collins that they have been inside the homes of elderly people who have been trying to keep house and take care of themselves, and they are living in poor conditions. Chairperson Collins pointed out that many times there is only one elderly spouse alive, living on Social Security and maybe a small pension which has not kept up with inflation. Children should look after their parents; however, in most cases in Florida, 2 MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 7, 1997 the children do not live near their parents. Also, the parents do not let their children know that they are having a hard time. The fastest growing population in the country is age 85 and above. Chairperson Collins said she read a newspaper article that stated that in 10 years, there should be more day care for seniors than for children. She felt this City, as well as other cities, should start to plan for this. Other cities have senior services, social workers, and senior centers. About 10 years ago, the North County recognized that they needed a senior center and they went to the Area Agency on Aging and were able to get money to build a senior center. There are activities for seniors in the North County, Mid County, and South County. However, Boynton Beach is too far from those areas and has no transportation to get to them. She pointed out that those areas are being funded by Palm Beach County and the State. Ms. Stranahan suggested that the board start up the senior day program again in the fall. Chairperson Collins advised that we need more activities for seniors. She pointed out that they like bingo and line dancing. 7. DISCUSSION: ARE WE AN EFFECTIVE BOARD? HOW DO WE BRING THE PROBLEMS OF AN AGING POPULATION TO THE COMMISSION? Chairperson Collins pointed out that this board has not had a City liaison since Laura Widmer resigned. She and Mr. Eney met with the Recreation Department and asked for space and were offered the Madsen Senior Center one afternoon a month. She pointed out that the Madsen Senior Center is used strictly for cards and shuffleboard, and the board was not given a key or space to store supplies. She hoped that some day there would be a social service department in the City, and said we need representation at the County level. She advised that a representative from Mae Volen stated that they are getting funds for the South County and promised to help Boynton Beach; however, they never did. She talked to many realtors in the City and they told her that young families are not moving to Boynton Beach because the schools and housing are newer in the west. They also have clubhouses, pools, and everything else they need there for families. Chairperson Collins did not think families are going to move into the condos that they are planning to build on the Intracoastal. She believes retirees with money will move there. She felt that the people who are moving into this City, the seniors, are being neglected. 3 MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 7, 1997 Mr. Eney did not think the City is receptive to the problems and matters of the aging. He felt the main thrust of the Commission is for a high school and he did not think we will receive any cooperation from them. Chairperson Collins pointed out that there are 1,700 high school aged children and at least 16,000 seniors in this City. After high school, the children will not stay here; however, the seniors are here until they die or until they are sent to a nursing home. She also pointed out that more elderly are staying in Boynton Beach year-round. Chairperson Collins advised that after transportation, the seniors wanted a place to meet and socialize. Many of the communities here do not have scheduled activities. People would like to go to a class or lecture. We need a social service department in the City. The County is overwhelmed with seniors. She pointed out there is money available for clean up/fix up; however, this program stops at I-95 and there are many residents beyond I-95 whose homes have not been painted inside for more than 25 years. They need help cleaning, and pest control is a problem. Chairperson Collins felt that flea markets and outlets will attract people, especially lower income seniors, to the City every day, not boutiques, shops and a fishing village. 8. SPEAKERS BUREAU Chairperson Collins stated that seniors need to know what to do when their spouse dies, and stated that there are speakers bureaus that will attend these board meetings and address issues like this. There are also legal aides who will come and explain the new elder law. She suggested holding such a forum in the fall to address the needs of seniors; however, she pointed out that this board is an advisory board and one of the City employees should handle this. She would like to invite someone from the legal department, the Area Agency on Aging, representatives from the Board of Directors of the various condo associations, and the City Commission. Chairperson Collins advised that the elderly are vulnerable. She told of an elderly lady whose house is being foreclosed because the roofer she hired did not pay the tile company. She also told of another elderly lady who brings strangers into her house, feeds them, and invites them to stay over night. She spoke of mental health issues and pointed out that many seniors become depressed after losing a spouse. She talked about the need for a City department or even just one employee who seniors can call to get advice and assistance. When they call the County, they do not get anywhere. They need someone to speak for them. 4 MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 7, 1997 She suggested having a workshop with other City boards, such as the Recreation and Parks Board. She pointed out that this could also fall under community relations. 9. WE NEED THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY. HOW DO WE GO ABOUT THIS? Chairperson Collins stated that this board consists of only a few people. The members of this board have gotten volunteers to help them, provided the entertainment and refreshments, had flyers printed, provided the bingo machine and prizes, and did the planning and publicizing. She felt the City should be doing this. Ms. Stranahan wondered how we could convince the Commission to give this board some funds to work with. Mr. Eney pointed out that our new City Manager was formerly the City Manager of Lake Worth, which has a senior center. He suggested speaking to her about getting funding from the County. 10. IF WE ARE APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSION TO CONTINUE THIS BOARD, WHAT GOALS SHOULD WE STRIVE FOR? If the Commission decides to keep this board in existence, the next meeting will be held on May 5, 1997. Ms. Stranahan felt Mae Volen should help us and wondered who we could speak to about that. She suggested bringing this to the attention of the people who are funding them. If they are supposed to handle the South County, some of those funds could be used for a satellite office in Boynton Beach. The seniors in Boynton Beach have no way of getting to Mae Volen. Discussion ensued regarding the need for a grant writer. 11. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:03 p.m. Eve Eubanks Recording Secretary (One Tape) 5