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Minutes 12-07-98 MINUTES OF SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD AT CITY HALL IN THE MALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1998, AT 3:30 P.M. PRESENT Betty Collins, Chairperson Hank Ackermann, Neighborhood Amelia “Terry” Bennell Project Specialist Mary Coma Olive Field Elizabeth Jenkins, Alternate Bernice Joyce Esther “Peggy” Stranahan Sarah Williams* ABSENT Helen Schwartzenberg, Alternate 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER Chairperson Collins called the meeting to order at 3:31 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited, followed by a moment of silent prayer for all the seniors in the City. Also, a special prayer was offered for Mary Coma’s husband who recently passed away. Chairperson Collins noted today was Pearl Harbor Day and asked members to include a prayer for all the people who died serving their Country. 2. ROLL CALL The Recording Secretary called the roll and a quorum was declared present. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chairperson Collins asked members to review the Agenda and inquired if there were any additions or deletions. There being none, Chairperson Collins asked for a motion to approve the Agenda. __________ *(Upon returning to the City Clerk’s Office, the Recording Secretary determined that Ms. Sarah Williams had been removed from the Senior Advisory Board by the City Commission on December 1, 1998 due to excessive absences and is no longer a member of the Board.) MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA DECEMBER 7, 1998 Motion Upon motion by Ms. Field and seconded by Ms. Stranahan, the Agenda was approved. Motion carried unanimously. 4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 2, 1998 MEETING Chairperson Collins asked if there were any additions or changes to the Minutes of the November 2, 1998 meeting. Motion Ms. Field moved that the Minutes of the November 2, 1998 meeting be approved. Motion seconded by Ms. Bennell. Motion unanimously carried. Chairperson Collins welcomed all the participants to the meeting and stated that a great many good things are happening with the Senior Center. Chairperson Collins extended greetings to the newest member of the Board, Ms. Bernice Joyce. 5. REPORT ON SENIOR CENTER A. FUND RAISING Chairperson Collins informed members that the City, which is making presentations to various State and Federal Agencies, is undertaking the major fund raising for the Senior Center. In order for the Senior Center to receive federal monies, the Center must be a multi-purpose center. A multi-purpose center offers, among other things, a lunch program, educational programs and all types of activities. The Center will be staffed by City employees, as well as many volunteers. Volunteers will not have to be present everyday. Mr. Herb Stevens from the RSVP is in attendance at today’s meeting. RSVP will assist in furnishing volunteers for the Senior Center. Chairperson Collins informed members that the Senior Advisory Board is selling buttons which state “I support Boynton Beach Senior Center” for $1.00. B. DONATIONS Also, Chairperson Collins stated that Ms. Ann Centi, a former member of the Education Advisory Board, made two donations of over $100 to the Center. Also, the Sons of Italy have made a generous donation. There was a donation from a gentleman who resides 2 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA DECEMBER 7, 1998 in Highland Beach who wished to remain anonymous. Chairperson Collins stated anyone making a donation of $100 or more will have their name inscribed on the “Tree of Life”. Also, the Senior Advisory Board will be selling canvas tote bags with the City logo on them at the GALA and the Board will be looking for people to work at the GALA for a few hours either on Saturday or Sunday. 6. GENERAL DISCUSSION ON SENIOR CENTERS Chairperson Collins determined after attending various City meetings that the Senior Center will not be opening until March of 1999. Also, other programs from other senior centers are being looked at to determine what programs should be introduced. The Boynton Beach Woman’s Club is offering strong support for the Senior Center. A question was asked if there would be any charge for the lunches that will be served and Chairperson Collins replied that the County provides the meals free-of-charge. If a person wished to make a donation, it would be accepted. It is anticipated that before lunch, there would be a speaker available and after lunch there would be some type of entertainment. It is anticipated that the Center will be open from 9:00 a.m. to either 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. Also, coffee will be served in the lounge. At the present time, only Phase 1 will be ready for March. Chairperson Collins informed members that after Phase 2, what is the back entrance today will become the main entrance and the Center will have a beautiful atrium with a fountain. There will be picnic tables in front of the building. Although the kitchen will be small, it would still be available for functions by other groups or private citizens as a means for additional income. Ms. Jean Quammen from Senior Net was present at the meeting and was introduced by Chairperson Collins. Chairperson Collins said that a computer room is anticipated for the Senior Center and noted that Microsoft has donated computers to over 500 senior centers throughout the United States Ms. Jean Quammen is the Coordinator for Senior Net at Bethesda and is in charge of all the functions at the computer center. Ms. Quammen stated she was present today to see what the City has in mind for a computer center for seniors, since there are problems with the Bethesda Center and many volunteers are looking for a new place to 3 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA DECEMBER 7, 1998 become involved in. Ms. Quammen said that most volunteers are former IBM employees who reside in the City of Boynton Beach. Mr. Quammen stated that Senior Net must remain at Bethesda. She has spoken with the headquarters in San Francisco that stressed until Senior Net at Bethesda is willing to give up the contract, they cannot open another site in the same City. Chairperson Collins noted that Senior Net is located at the Hagen Ranch site since there was not enough room at the main hospital location. Chairperson Collins pointed out that this location is outside the City limits and that there is a need within the City for this program. Chairperson Collins asked Ms. Quammen if the Senior Board should pursue a contribution of computers from Microsoft. Ms. Quammen said that the program which started up four years ago at Bethesda has grown to become the largest senior computer learning center in the world and there is a great demand for computer knowledge from the senior population. Ms. Quammen was skeptical that Microsoft would fund computers for an entire senior center, but did feel there would be a good possibility of one or two computers being donated by Microsoft. Ms. Quammen stated that Senior Net trained persons at the senior centers to operate the computers. Also, Ms. Quammen suggested there might be some local organizations that might consider donating computers. Ms. Quammen said that computers are not as expensive as they used to be and the biggest expense is getting the room wired up for computers. Chairperson Collins anticipates that the Senior Center would have a game room and that games could be also offered on the computers. Ms. Quammen noted that most seniors want to learn how to use a computer as opposed to playing games on them. Ms. Quammen suggested that the Senior Center should offer computer classes, as well as personal time on the computer to allow people access to e-mail and the Internet. The course would be designed for the novice. Chairperson Collins introduced Mr. Herb Stevens of RSVP to the meeting. Mr. Stevens said that “RSVP” stands for Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Palm Beach County has over 4,000 volunteers who are 55 years of age or older. Mr. Stevens said anyone who would like to volunteer should stop in at his office and sign up. Volunteers work in over 420 non-profit agencies and put in at least four hours per week. RSVP provides accident and liability insurance for the volunteers, which covers the volunteers when they leave home to go the job, while on the job, and returning home from the job. Mr. Stevens stated they hold recognition breakfasts, luncheons, dances and social activities for the volunteers. Mr. Stevens said that most volunteers are looking for companionship and this provides them a social life. 4 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA DECEMBER 7, 1998 Chairperson Collins commended Mr. Stevens on the fine work he is providing. Chairperson Collins noted that senior centers are partly funded by federal money and recently the City Manager and Commission visited Washington to solicit funds for the Senior Center. Chairperson Collins stated that the Mae Volen Center has been receiving the South County funds and that some of that money will be needed in Boynton Beach. The Mae Volen Center was too far for Boynton seniors to travel. Mr. Stevens informed participants that his office is located at the Boynton Beach City Hall, his telephone number is 732-1674 and he is available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Anyone who would like to volunteer please feel free to contact him. A person asked when the sign for the new Senior Center would be going up. Chairperson Collins said that the sign has been ordered. 7. REPORT FROM HANK ACKERMANN, City Liaison Mr. Ackermann reported the following: ? Confirmed that the Senior Center is on schedule and should be ready in March. Also, Mr. Ackermann said that the City uses volunteers and there is a need for more volunteers in the City. ? Informed participants that he works with the neighborhoods and neighborhood organizations in the City, as well as helping homeowner associations when they need assistance. Mr. Ackermann explained the difference between a homeowner association and a neighborhood association. ? Reported that the quarterly Neighborhood Summit Meeting will take place tonight with representatives from all neighborhood associations who share common concerns and there are approximately 85-90 associations in the City. The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Library and invited everyone to attend. ? The Library is expanding its computer access to the Internet. ? The marina projects are moving forward and that there will be work done in the older neighborhoods east of I-95 first. ? In January there would be a workshop on storm water issues. This is a situation that needs to be addressed. 5 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA DECEMBER 7, 1998 ? Reported the Ocean Avenue Bridge is closed. The shops on Ocean Avenue are still accessible, as well as the two restaurants. The bridge will be closed for almost two years. Therefore, anyone wishing to go to the Beach must use Woolbright Avenue. Ms. Field asked if there was a date set for the storm water meeting and Mr. Ackermann th indicated that it is scheduled for January 25. There will be announcements in the papers. It will be a public meeting and the public is encouraged to attend. Mr. Ackermann also suggested that this might affect the storm water rates that are included in the City’s monthly water bills. Chairperson Collins said this could have a great effect on seniors who are on fixed incomes and these are the types of issues that need to be addressed. Rumors develop and people become frightened and worry needlessly. Chairperson Collins noted that the Senior Advisory Board meets only once a month, but can hold workshops. Chairperson Collins suggested after the regular January meeting, a workshop could be held for the purpose of setting up committees to handle the various needs for the Senior Center. It is important that when the Center opens, the volunteers are aware of their individual duties and responsibilities. Therefore, a workshop meeting should be planned for sometime in January. It could be held at the Civic Center in order to accommodate as many people as possible that want information on the Senior Center in one place. Also, Mr. Stevens could be present at that time with applications for persons who wish to volunteer. Also, bus transportation will be provided to the Senior Center and this information needs to be dispersed throughout the City. Mr. Ackermann noted that in the entrance way to City Hall there is a board with the Senior Center proposal for viewing. regular January Board meeting will Chairperson Collins emphasized that the th be held in City Hall in the Mall on January 4 at 3:30 p.m. She will speak with City staff in order to determine a date for the workshop meeting at the Civic Center for later in January. The Recording Secretary announced that the Annual Board Dinner would be held on th January 14 at Benvenutos. Chairperson Collins informed members that over $500 has been raised from selling buttons to date. A question was asked if Mae Volen would become part of the staff for the Boynton Beach Senior Center. Chairperson Collins stated that Mae Volen will not become part 6 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA DECEMBER 7, 1998 of the staff for the City’s Senior Center and that Boynton Beach will be applying for their own funds, apart from Mae Volen. It is intended that the Boynton Senior Center will be a multi-purpose center. Currently Mae Volen offers respite care for caregivers for Alzheimer and dementia seniors and hopefully some day our Senior Center can offer these same services. Chairperson Collins stated that the fastest growing population in the City is age 85 and above. 8. NEW BUSINESS None 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 4:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ______________________________ Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (one tape) 7