Minutes 03-01-10
MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
HELD MARCH 1, 2010,3:00 P.M., AT THE SENIOR CENTER,
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
Present:
Denise Chamberlain, Chair
Lillian Bruzzese
Katharine Cregan
Virginia O'Connell
Jean Young, Alternate
Steve Lulkin, City Liaison
Absent:
Bernice Begleiter
Patricia Frazier
Betty Spinelli
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silent Reflection
The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, followed by a moment of
silence.
II. Roll Call
The Recording Secretary called the roll.
III. Approval of Minutes - January 4, 2010
Motion
Ms. Bruzzese moved to approve the minutes as written. Ms. O'Connell seconded the
motion that passed unanimously.
IV. Approval of Agenda
Motion
Ms. Young moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Bruzzese seconded the motion that
passed unanimously.
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Meeting Minutes
Senior Advisor Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
March 1, 2010
V. Chairperson's Remarks
. Status Change on two members
Ms. Cregan was advanced from an Alternate to a Regular Member of the Board at the
City Commission meeting of January 5, 2010, with her term ending in December 2011.
A letter was sent by Mayor Taylor to Ms. Cregan notifying her of the appointment.
Ms. Frazier was appointed to serve as a Regular Member of the Board at the City
Commission meeting of January 5, 2010, with her term ending in December 2011. A
letter was sent by Mayor Taylor to Ms. Frazier notifying her of the appointment, and
stressing the importance of attending all Board meetings.
Ms. Jenkins had previously indicated she was no longer able serve on the Board. A
letter was set by Mayor Taylor to Ms. Jenkins thanking her for her many years of
service on the Board.
No one had been able to locate Ms. Love, despite many efforts to contact her.
VI. Old Business
. Update - Community for a Lifetime
The Community for a Lifetime Committee had been working on a "Road map to Aging"
project wherein professionals from the community conduct forums in different areas of
the County and address issues facing relevant Seniors. While a date of May 27, 2010
had been scheduled for the City of Boca Raton, no date had been scheduled for the
Senior Center. This would be further discussed at the April 14, 2010 Committee
meeting.
It was anticipated a date would be scheduled for the "CarFit" educational program for
adults and children to be held at the Center some time after April 18, 2010. The delay
had been caused by the ongoing roadway construction, which should be completed by
April 18th. This would be further discussed at the April 14, 2010 Community for a
Lifetime Committee meeting. The Committee meetings were held at the Senior Center
at 3:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month, and members of the Senior
Advisory Board were welcome to attend.
The results of the Community for a Lifetime survey were tallied and 38 responses had
been received. The major areas of concern pertained to transportation, traffic and
senior services. Other issues noted on the survey related to trash on the beach,
recreation and parks, restaurants and shopping. The Senior Advisory Board and
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Meeting Minutes
Senior Advisor Board
Boynton Beach, Florida March 1, 2010
Community for a Lifetime Committee would continue to focus on issues relating to
Seniors.
. Digital Board at the Senior Center Complete
Mr. Lulkin reported a 47-inch digital flat-screen monitor had been purchased and was
located in the lobby of the Center. A fundraiser brought in more than $1,000, and the
funds were used to purchase the monitor. A PowerPoint presentation shown on the
monitor provided information about the Center and the programs available. Mr. Lulkin
was developing a new presentation evidencing all programs and classes provided, as
well as events to be held. The PowerPoint presentations, which would be updated
regularly, received favorable response. Advertising would be sold to generate revenue.
. Update - Flyer to Atlantic University
The flyer had not yet been completed. Chair Chamberlain had contacted several non-
Christian colleges in the area, but they did not have volunteer programs. It was hoped
a program could be developed with Atlantic University, a Christian university. Ms.
O'Connell agreed to contact local colleges to determine whether they offered Recreation
and Management Programs for students who might be interested in interning at the
Center. The internship element could also be included in the flyer.
. Update on other Colleges for Senior Volunteers
This item was discussed above.
VII. New Business
. New telephone list for Seniors for April Newsletter
Chair Chamberlain provided a revised transportation telephone list. Fares on the Palm
Tran Connection had increased from $5 to $6 and serves individuals over the age of 70,
and for the handicapped or disabled. Individuals are screened through an application
process. Photographs for identification purposes could be taken for seniors at the Palm
Tran Connection office. Fares for the Palm Tran Countywide bus service had increased
from 75 cents to $1.75 one way or $2.75 for unlimited trips in a day. Senior Center
transportation fares were $1 round trip. The fare for the Shopper Hopper remained at
$1 per trip. While Mae Volen transportation to medical facilities was free, donations
were requested.
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Meeting Minutes
Senior Advisor Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
March 1, 2010
. Reports from CVS Pharmacy on informational packets
Chair Chamberlain had received 250 medical information refrigerator magnets from CVS
Pharmacy's Community Relations Department located in California. It was agreed the
magnets should be provided in quantities of 50 at different times including lunch, Bingo
and chair exercises. Each of the members was provided with a magnet to take home.
A thank you letter would be sent to CVS Pharmacy.
. Palm Tran - Photo pass for 80 and above Seniors
This item was discussed earlier.
. Report on chair exercise flyers
The Board had previously discussed developing a flyer demonstrating chair exercises for
seniors. "Mildred," who was in charge of chair exercises at the Center, previously
received instructions from a therapist at Bethesda Memorial Hospital. Chair Chamberlain
had contacted the therapist in the hopes of obtaining updated exercises to be included
in a flyer for home use by seniors. Mildred's chair exercise classes were attended
faithfully by 40 or 50 people, many of whom were over the age of 80. If flyers were
available, the exercises could be continued at home. The flyer could incorporate
Mildred's exercises, as well as any new exercises offered by Bethesda. Chair
Chamberlain would follow up on this item.
. Senior Center Report - Steve Lulkin
Mr. Lulkin was provided with a letter from Wayne Segal, Public Affairs Director. The
letter, which was originally sent by the Mae Volen Center in Boca Raton to County
Commissioner Steve Abrams, provided information concerning the recent availability of
funds for seniors in need of assistance with prescriptions, housing costs, medical
supplies, utility payments and other emergencies. Senior Center staff could assist
seniors in need by filing an application form and attaching the appropriate
documentation. The application would then be reviewed by the Mae Volen Center and
if approved, the aid would be issued as rapidly as possible. Applicants must be 60 or
older and reside in Palm Beach County. The Mae Volen Center would not issue cash
payments to the applicant as payments would be made directly to the provider of the
service. Approval would be based upon both the nature of the need and income.
Further details would be obtained at the April 14, 2010 meeting of the Community for a
Lifetime Committee, as a representative from the Volen Center would be attending.
Mr. Lulkin suggested information pertaining to the emergency funds also be shown on
the new digital board. He noted the City had entered into an agreement with the Alpert
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Meeting Minutes
Senior Advisor Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
March 1, 2010
Jewish Family Services, and the organization would be providing the services of a social
worker at the Center beginning March 17, 2010.
Mr. Lulkin informed the Board of the following:
. Approximately 900 people had registered at the Center, with 82%-83% being
residents of the City.
. The Senior Health Fair would be held Wednesday, March 3, 2010, from 9:00 a.m.
through 12:00 noon, and more than 40 vendors would be participating.
. A dance was held at the Mall with more than 100 attendees, and a chair exercise
event would take place at the Mall next week during "Senior Day." Various
events would be held at the Mall every month.
. Computer classes were booked through April, and registration for May was
underway.
. More than $10,000 was raised in sponsorships for the year.
. Tax preparation was available at the Center on Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. through 12:00 noon.
. A fundraiser featuring a tribute to Neil Diamond by entertainer Neil Zirconia is
slated for April 17, 2010 at the Civic Center. Tickets for the 90-minute show are
$15. Dessert and coffee will be available at 6:00 p.m., and the performance will
begin at 7:00 p.m. The Civic and Senior Centers will sponsor the fundraiser, with
Humana co-sponsoring the event.
VIII. Next Meeting Date: May 3, 2010, Boynton Beach Senior Center, 3:00 p.m.
This would be the last meeting until the fall season.
IX. Adjournment:
Motion
Ms. Bruzzese moved to adjourn. Ms. O'Connell seconded the motion that passed
unanimously. TJ:le. m.eeting duly adjourned at 4:04 p.m.
~./~ W~
steptfanie D. Kahn
Recording Secretary
032610
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