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Minutes 09-09-96 MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1996, AT 4:00 P.M. PRESENT Betty Collins, Chairwoman Beth Bailey, Public Information Ray Eney Officer Geraldine Graham Edgar Sackett Peggy Stranahan Mary Toth Mary Cannon, Alternate Marion Moore, Alternate ABSENT Jacob Rose 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairwoman Collins called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER A moment of silent prayer was observed following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 3. ROLL CALL Chairwoman Collins introduced Mary Cannon, a new alternate member of the board. Ms. Cannon has worked with the members at the G.A.L.A. and at the Madsen Center. The Recording Secretary called the roll. 4. AGENDA APPROVAL Ms. Graham moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Stranahan seconded the motion which carried unanimously. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 6, 1996 Ms. Toth moved to approve the minutes of the May 6, 1996 meeting. Mr. Eney seconded the motion which carried unanimously. 6. REPORT ON MEETING WITH MAYOR & COMMISSION Chairwoman Collins reported that during the summer, this board appealed to the City Commission to continue the City's bus service throughout the City. It was brought to the attention of the Commission that a large population of the City is senior citizens. Seniors are being encouraged to stay in their homes, but they cannot do that if there is no way for them to shop. The City 1 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 9, 1996 Commissioners listened to the board's plea, and decided to continue with the City's service with route adjustments. 7. BUS ROUTES, SHOPPERS SPECIAL There will be two buses (one on Monday and one and Wednesday) that will go throughout the City picking up people who need to do grocery shopping. All condominium associations were contacted, as well as certain neighborhoods that do not have homeowners' associations. More than 35 condos favorably responded to the board's survey. All responses indicate help is needed. Bob Eichorst, Director of Public Works, rode the bus along Federal Highway with board representatives. They visited areas such as Sterling Village, Colonial Club and Snug Harbor. Some of these communities are very large. There is no way to pick up the residents at one spot. The routes have not been settled yet, but work is proceeding, and October 1 will be the start-up date for this service. However, beginning next week, representatives will be at the pickup areas. This will be a test period to see how this service works. The buses will take anyone who lives on the south side of town to Publix in Sunshine Square. On the north, riders will be taken to Winn-Dixie. The manager at Winn-Dixie is very cooperative. He offered to put additional benches in front of the store, and once the service is in force, he will add additional cashiers. The buses hold only 16 passengers, but one seat will be reserved for a hostess who will assist the passengers. There will also be a volunteer hostess located in the stores to make sure the riders are ready to board the bus when it returns. The buses cannot wait for riders. The buses will be available for the entire day, but each shopping trip will be approximately 1½ hours. The cost of the bus ride will be 50¢ each way for seniors. Mr. Eney reported that all of the condos participating in this service will provide the City with releases to allow the buses onto their property. 8. SENIOR CENTER While Chairwoman Collins believes the board needs to support a senior center, she realizes that it is The Boynton Newsboy not a priority item for the City. She introduced Diane Grant, Publisher of . Ms. Grant was commended for all that she has done for the seniors in this community. She is working on organizing a health fair. Chairwoman Collins reported that she received a telephone call from a man who is going to open a senior center in the Mall. He plans to have all types of activities for seniors. When Chairwoman Collins asked him who supports the senior center, his response was, "the foundation". He advised that the foundation looks for areas where there are seniors, and tries to make life easier for them. As it turns out, when Chairwoman Collins met with him, she found out that he is affiliated with an HMO. Chairwoman Collins advised him that we are not able to support an HMO. The gentleman advised that he will not be soliciting the seniors to join the HMO. All of the doctors who participate in their HMO have developed a videotape. Instead of selecting a doctor from a directory, people will be able to sit down in front of a television and review the videotape. There will be no marketing representatives on site, and they do not have a clinic. This HMO deals with private doctors. 2 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 9, 1996 This new center will have open house days during September and October. There were intentions to call it "The Boynton Beach Community Center"; however, Ms. Bailey spoke with the gentleman and asked him to reword it so that there is no affiliation with the City of Boynton Beach. Diane Grant advised that she spoke with Chairwoman Collins about her effort to provide a day of information and fun for seniors. In the course of her inquires, John Sarian, of CAC-United, an HMO, offered support. They have selected October 17 or October 24 for the event. October 17 is the preferable day because CAC can support this effort. Ms. Grant has done some preliminary work. She was of the understanding that this event would be held in the Civic Center. She and John Sarian visited that location last week and learned that the Civic Center is booked on that day. They were offered the Madsen Center for the event. After looking at the Madsen Center, she and Mr. Sarian felt it would not be a problem. However, the Civic Center is the preferable site. Mr. Sarian is considering including entertainment, providing music and dancing, and providing lunch. An event such as this will draw a large crowd. A number of small business people in the community will be involved in this event. With the board's approval, Ms. Grant will move forward with this project. Chairwoman Collins pointed out that she is very appreciative of this effort. The board can participate, but cannot sponsor this event in association with an HMO. She asked Ms. Bailey to investigate the possibility of securing the Civic Center for this event. Perhaps the group scheduled for the Civic Center will move to the Madsen Center on October 17 to accommodate this event. Consensus There was a consensus of the board to have the senior fair as an information day. The word health will be eliminated. The board can support this effort and have sponsors. Ms. Bailey explained that other boards are sponsoring festivals and expos with outside assistance. Rather than scheduling something for seniors every Thursday, Chairwoman Collins would prefer to save the Thursday events for something special three or four times a year. Ms. Grant read a list of organizations who are willing to participate in Senior Day. She further pointed out that if they are able to use the Civic Center, Mr. Sarian would like to have the main room and the smaller room. Chairwoman Collins advised that once the date is confirmed, a letter will be sent to the participants. Ms. Grant will be the co-chairperson. Everything will have to be in order and confirmed for this event prior to the next meeting of the board. Chairwoman Collins urged the members to contact her if they can assist. Chairwoman Collins feels R.S.V.P. and the Area Office on Aging should be represented at this event. Ms. Grant asked if anyone would be allowed to sell merchandise during this event. Ms. Bailey said she would have to check on that request. Organizations are permitted to disseminate free information. Ms. Grant would like all participants to bring a door prize that can be given away every 3 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 9, 1996 half hour. Ms. Stranahan suggested using the "Shopper Hopper" to pick up people who want to attend this event. Chairwoman Collins is not certain that can be done. 9. REPORT FROM BETH BAILEY - "WHAT'S NEW IN THE CITY?" Ms. Bailey reported that "City Hall in the Mall" is well underway. This will be a customer service center that will be open at the beginning of November. People will be able to pay water bills, and register for recreation classes. The City has a partnership with Bethesda Hospital and the County. Doctors from Bethesda Hospital will conduct screenings a few times a month. In response to a request from Mr. Eney, Ms. Bailey explained that the operation in the Mall will be manned with volunteers and staff people from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday through Saturday, and from noon until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. We will be looking for volunteers who are interested in working a few days each week. City representatives recently met with several out-of-town developers and planners regarding the Martin Luther King, Jr. Corridor. City Manager Parker is leaving the City in the middle of October. Interviews for the new City Manager will take place on October 11 and 12. With regard to the environment in City Hall, Ms. Bailey reported that the City has hired Pure Air to oversee the project. This company specializes in air quality problems. Clayton Environmental will continue to work on limited basis. The work in the fire station and East Wing of City Hall is almost complete. When that work is completed, we will begin work on the West Wing. The second floor employees will move back into the building, and the first floor employees will be moved out. A great deal of the air conditioning system had to be replaced. We had roof leaks and an air conditioning system that was not removing moisture. There is a great deal of work that will have to be done in the Chambers. 10. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting properly adjourned at 4:55 p.m. Janet M. Prainito Recording Secretary (Two Tapes) 4