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Minutes 11-04-96 MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1996, AT 4:00 P.M. PRESENT Betty Collins, Chairwoman Ray Eney Geraldine Graham Jacob Rose Edgar Sackett Peggy Stranahan Mary Cannon, Alternate ABSENT Mary Toth Marion Moore, Alternate 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairwoman Collins called the meeting to order at 4:04 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 The Recording Secretary noted the attendance. 4. AGENDA APPROVAL Mr. Sackett moved to approve the agenda as presented. Ms. Graham seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 7, 1996 Mr. Eney moved to approve the minutes of the October 7, 1996 meeting as submitted. Ms. Stranahan seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. 6. FOUNDATION HMO IN THE MALL Chairwoman Collins spoke to a gentleman at the headquarters of the Foundation HMO in the Mall and was informed that even though they registered people for HMO, that is not their main purpose. They want to give to the community and be part of the community. They schedule events that interest seniors, such as country line dancing. Their exercise classes in the mornings are well attended, and they are willing to go to any community and transport the seniors by bus. 7. REPORT OF BUS ROUTES, SHOPPERS SPECIAL Chairwoman Collins explained some of the kinks in the bus routes. She stated that scheduling is very important to seniors. They need to know specifically what time that the bus will arrive, instead of standing on a corner where there are no sidewalks, where there are sprinklers, and where the trash truck goes by. She pointed out that these people are 80 years old, and this service is supposed to be a convenience for them. They also have to pay 50 cents when they get on the bus, and 50 cents when they are picked back up. It is difficult for these seniors to reach into their pockets for 50 cents, especially when they are carrying bags. Therefore, they will be charged $1.00 when they first get on the bus, instead of 50 cents each way. In addition, there is no door to door service. Chairwoman Collins pointed out that Mae Volen has door to door. She said these people cannot walk a block with baggage. She said Bob Eichorst, the Director of Public Works, wants to limit it to two bags per person because he was concerned about who will be liable if someone falls over bags. Chairwoman Collins did not want to limit how much a person can buy. She pointed out that they cannot carry anything heavy anyway. She told Mr. Eichorst that the Senior Advisory Board will not support this if he is going to have limitations like that. She suggested that he find out how Mae Volen handles this. Chairwoman Collins would like the money that goes to Mae Volen for transportation to go directly to Boynton Beach instead. Mr. Eney pointed out that Mr. Eichorst is willing to work with us. He is contemplating fastening a container towards the front of the bus for packages. Chairwoman Collins added that he is going to make sure that people are brought to Target and the Mall. He is going to bring the flyers that she made up to High Point. He is also going to work with Elizabeth Jenkins in the north end. Chairwoman Collins felt the buses should not pick up people at 8:30 a.m. because the stores are not open that early. There is also a problem at Village Royale on the Green because their maintenance fee includes a transportation fee. Therefore, they would not want to pay $1.00 to use the buses. The residents of Century Village in Boca Raton do not have to pay to use Palm Tran because a transportation fee is included in their maintenance fee. Therefore, she felt something could be worked out here. MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 4, 1996 Chairwoman Collins urged the members of the board to continue to promote the bus routes. She is going to check into the Multi-Cultural Festival to perhaps set up a booth on November 16th to hand out flyers about the routes. 8. REPORT FROM LIAISON, BETH BAILEY Ms. Bailey was not present to give a report. Chairwoman Collins advised that on behalf of the board, Ms. Bailey applied for a grant from the Claude Pepper Foundation for holding events one Thursday a month for senior citizens. We did not receive a grant; however the Claude Pepper Foundation thanked the board for participating in the program and congratulated them on your concern for older citizens. At this time, Mr. Rose arrived. Since we now have the Shopper Hopper, Chairwoman Collins will ask Ms. Bailey to apply for this grant again in 1997. 9. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Rose advised that there are about 13 new bills pending in the State Legislature that affect senior citizens. These bills pertain to housing, benefits, etc. He will give an Elder Law Update at the December 2nd meeting. Chairwoman Collins will ask Ms. Bailey to advertise this presentation. Chairwoman Collins stated that some elderly people need help; however, there is so much red tape in order to get help for them. She advised that some elderly people are being taken advantage of by their guardians. Mr. Rose pointed out that those of very good means can hire lawyers to administer their estates. However, the problem is that some individuals cannot afford to pay someone to do that. He stated that a lot of problems can be prevented if people were a little more informed about how certain things can be done. Some people are not aware of the services that are available, such as the Elder Pro Bono Project through the Palm Beach County Bar Association. These resources are not used often, probably because most people do not know of them or do not anticipate that certain things will present problems for them. 3 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 4, 1996 Chairwoman Collins reminded the members of the board about the Annual Board Dinner this Thursday evening. 10. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the board, Mr. Eney moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:35 p.m. Ms. Stranahan seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Eve Eubanks Recording Secretary (One Tape) 4