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Minutes 06-02-97 MINUTES OF SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, JUNE 2, 1997, AT 4:00 P.M. PRESENT Betty Collins, Chairperson Raymond Eney Geraldine Graham Edgar Sackett Esther Stranahan Marilyn Brook ABSENT Mary Cannon, Alternate 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Collins called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited. 3. ROLL CALL The Recording Secretary noted the attendance. 4. AGENDA APPROVAL No agenda had been prepared for this meeting. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 5, 1997 No additions, deletions, or corrections were made to the minutes of the last meeting. Motion Ms. Stranahan moved to approve the minutes of the May 5, 1997 meeting as submitted. Mr. Sackett seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 2, 1997 6. REMARKS BY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Chairperson Collins read portions of the May 5, 1997 City Commission minutes about abolishing the Senior Advisory Board. She advised that she will give a final report of the Senior Advisory Board to the City Commission tomorrow evening. She thanked everyone who contributed and supported this board. She stated that all of the members of this board worked very hard under strange circumstances sometimes. The board did not have the support that it should have had. She will address these issues tomorrow at the City Commission meeting and asked the members of the board to also address the City Commission tomorrow. She thanked the City Clerk’s Office and all the secretaries who worked in a very professional manner. She thanked the members of the board for all they contributed and stated that every member on this board, in one way or another, is working to help senior citizens. She considered it an insult if this board is combined with another board. She was also insulted at the suggestion that one member be appointed to the Community Relations Board to address senior issues. Mr. Eney said the focus of the City seems to be in the development of the downtown, particularly the marina area, and the City probably spent a great deal of money to get a summation of the conditions in this area. He advised that according to the 1990 census, more than half of the population of Boynton Beach is 60 years or older. Since more than half the population is 60 years or older, he felt a social agency or a continuation of a board that addresses the needs of seniors should be in place. It made sense to Ms. Brook that with the large population of senior citizens in Boynton Beach, their voices and concerns be addressed within our system of City government. If addressed through other avenues, it could be embarrassing for the City, costly, and tarnish the image that the City would like to project. She did not think seniors are going to go away. She appreciated the opportunity to be able to serve on this board and she was very distressed at the Mayor and Commission for abolishing this board. Ms. Graham was surprised and upset that the Commission is abolishing this board. She stated that the members of this board worked hard together. Mr. Sackett was appalled and dismayed that the City Commission is abolishing this board. He felt it was a personal affront against this board. He felt the Commission should support this board and the seniors, many of whom put them in office. Ms. Stranahan stated that it was a privilege to work on this board. She said she had to do a lot on her own and it was frustrating because no one seemed to care and no one helped the board. The senior population is going to continue to grow. She felt that by eliminating this board, it is an easy way for the Commission to push things aside and hope they fade away. She stated that the seniors add a lot to this community. She pointed out that if apartments are built in the marina area, the seniors will buy them, not 2 MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 2, 1997 couples with children. She felt that the senior citizens of neighboring cities would use some of the services of Boynton Beach. She is a senior citizen herself and hopes she can continue to be of service to the City. She also hopes for a senior center some day. 7. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the board, Ms. Graham moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:10 p.m. Mr. Sackett seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Eve Eubanks Recording Secretary (One Tape) 3