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Minutes 09-12-11 MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011, AT 3:00 P.M. AT THE SENIOR CENTER, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Present: Denise Chamberlain, Chair Wally Majors, Director, Recreation and Katharine Cregan Parks Katherine Lynch Mary DeGraffenreidt, City Liaison Jean Young Lillian Bruzzese, Alternate Betty Spinelli, Alternate Absent: Blanche Hearst-Girtman Virginia O'Connell Patricia Frazier I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 2:58 p.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silent Reflection The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag followed by a moment of silent reflection. III. Roll Call Chair Chamberlain explained there was one opening on the Board and a member of the Senior Center was interested in the position. If Ms. Hearst-Girtman missed another meeting, there would be a second opening on the Board. IV. Approval of Minutes Motion Ms. Spinelli moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Young seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 1 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL September 12, 2011 V. Approval of Agenda Motion Ms. Lynch moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Cregan seconded the motion that unanimously passed. VI. Chairperson’s Remarks Official Resignation of Chair Chair Chamberlain advised in May, she had intended to resign her position as Chair due to personal reasons, but still serve on the Committee. Ms. Lynch had indicated a willingness to serve; however, she was not at the May meeting and there was agreement to defer the nomination to the next meeting so Ms. Lynch would be present. Nomination of New Chair – Katie Lynch Ms. Young nominated Ms. Lynch as Chair. Ms. Bruzzese seconded the nomination. There were no other nominations received and Ms. Lynch’s nomination was unanimously approved. Although Ms. Lynch became the Chair, Ms. Chamberlain ran the meeting for its duration. VII. Old Business Petitions and letters addressed at the May Budget Meeting by Chair Ms. Chamberlain explained the Senior Advisory Board had spent time developing petitions and letters regarding the Shopper Hopper, which were given to the City Manager’s Office for the benefit of the Commissioners. Ms. Chamberlain had attended the City Commission meeting and referenced the letters and petitions and they knew nothing about them. They had then agreed to defer the matter to the next meeting. Chair Chamberlain subsequently received a call from the City Manager’s Office offering their apologies as the documents had been misplaced, but would be available at the next meeting. It was noted there were 800 signatures on the petitions. Accreditation of Senior Center put on hold Ms. Chamberlain explained the Center was not seeking reaccreditation and they would be under the accreditation of the Recreation and Parks Department. Accordingly, the words “Nationally Accredited” would be removed from all documents and correspondence pertaining to the Senior Center. It would also be removed from the electronic bulletin board. It was hoped that as the economy recovered, they could reapply. One of the reasons why they were not seeking reaccreditation is there was a criteria that had to do with staffing and the Center had lost some employees. 2 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL September 12, 2011 Mr. Majors explained he had made arrangements for the members to view the Ethics Training at the meeting as there had been amendments made since the first training was held. Absent members would have to take the training. The members viewed the DVD presentation. VIII. New Business Mae Volen Flyers concerning transportation for lunch program. Mr. Majors explained the City received four transit coaches from the County and was waiting to hear from the County if the transit coaches could be used by the Mae Volen Center to pick up seniors and bring them to the Senior Center for lunch. If so, the buses would arrive at the Center at 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and then leave after lunch. Ms. Chamberlain had noted one transportation service requires passengers to make a reservation one day in advance and the fee was $10 round trip. If done the same day, the round trip fare was $15. This was different than Palm Tran Connection which requires one to be handicapped and pay a fare of $6. Ms. Chamberlain clarified if the City could keep the four buses, there was an allotment of $50,000 that had been discussed that could be used to try to find a Shopper Hopper type of program. The program would not be as it was before, as there would be cuts in scheduling. It was pointed out seniors need a bus to grocery shop. The goal was to keep the four buses and the $50,000 and set up a transportation program once or twice a week so the fare would not be exorbitant. This would be combined with services offered by Mae Volen. There was also a grant Mae Volen could apply for. If they obtained the grant, it would not occur until 2013 and the $50,000 could be matched, leaving $100,000 to operate. Additional routes could be added. Nothing was definite and it was unknown whether the service would start October 1, 2011. Presently, the current bus system as it exists will end. In the meanwhile, the Mae Volen Center can bring seniors to lunch at the Center. The transportation was door to door and it was free. There was brief discussion about a newspaper article providing a cost to transport a passenger. Senior Center closing early resulting in parking and safety hazards. At the City Commission meeting, many people spoke about the Senior Center and it appeared there was a possibility that the Senior Center would be open daily until 3:00 p.m. and maybe 4:00 p.m. Ms. Chamberlain requested the Senior Advisory Board attend the meeting and support keeping the Center open. Motion Ms. Chamberlain moved to keep the Senior Center open until 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. The motion was duly seconded and unanimously passed. 3 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL September 12, 2011 Lack of Communication between City and Advisory Board concerning Senior Center Problems This issue had been discussed earlier in the meeting as it pertained to the petitions, no response to their letter, and the Shopper Hopper. It was in the past, and it was hoped the disposition of the Shopper Hopper would be addressed at the next meeting. It was also requested that issues of concern be brought to the Board. A news article indicating the Center would close at 1 p.m. was referenced. Ms. DeGraffenreidt agreed communication was important. She was providing information to staff and was working on creating a flyer for distribution on the Shopper Hopper. She was able to speak to the seniors about concerns they have, but she did not want to make any quick decisions because it was not determined if the Center would close. She wanted to give everyone the information ahead of time enabling the Board to attend the City Commission meeting and express concerns. Ms. DeGraffenreidt explained she would pass on information as she received it. Ms. Chamberlain also commented, as it pertained to transportation on Palm Tran, residents could contact the City or County and find out if there is a fee waiver. She pointed out individuals who receive a waiver would have to prove their income. Discussion of City Funds Utilized for projects that should be put on hold due to economic times Ms. Lynch and Ms. Chamberlain had discussed there was an article indicating a City Agency spent millions of dollars on the downtown. Ms. Chamberlain noted the article referred to the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and not the City. Much of what the Board considers should be discussed and verified as there was much information circulating that was incorrect. There was brief discussion of whether the Community Redevelopment Agency could be of assistance to the Center. Ms. DeGraffenreidt offered to provide contact information. One member can meet with the Community Redevelopment Agency, but not the entire Board. If the Community Redevelopment Agency can be of assistance, they could then come to a meeting. Other problems concerning seniors Ms. Lynch thanked all for their votes and enlisted their assistance for the benefit of the Senior Center and the seniors in the City. She expressed her thoughts that many seniors will be affected with the changes and seniors need to go food shopping. She suggested thinking of other avenues to assist seniors with transportation problems. It was announced at the September 20th City Commission meeting, the decision about whether the Senior Center would remain open would be made. Ms. Chamberlain stated 14 to 16 people take the bus to the Senior Center and some were handicapped. Approximately 85% to 90% of the patrons using the Center arrive by car. It was suggested everyone assist one another. If one resides in an area that 4 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL September 12, 2011 another senior lived in, or a senior lived en route to the Center, perhaps a patron could be picked up. This information and a sign-up sheet could be posted at the front desk, especially when the buses will not be available. Discussion followed that Molly’s Trolley wanted to take over the City’s service, but it did not occur. It had been decided the City would partner with Mae Volen if the four buses could be signed over. Senior Center Report Ms. DeGraffenreidt reported since Steve Lulkin, Recreation Supervisor, left service, the Center has been productive and successful, thanks to the assistance of Ann Forster, Recreation Specialist. Ms. DeGraffenreidt planned to transition her office to the Center on October 1, 2011 and would be at the Center until 1 p.m. Ms. DeGraffenreidt will bring her secretary with her, which would help free Ms. Forster’s time. The amount of patrons did not drop as far as activities at the Center. Ms. DeGraffenreidt expressed concern about transportation and maintaining the level of service the Center offers. She has been noticing that as soon as the doors are unlocked in the mornings, patrons are rushing in and she was concerned the patrons were hungry or lacked funds for food. She suggested holding a food drive for the patrons of the Center as there is storage at the Center. She was also seeking to obtain a new ice machine so the Center would function at a high level. She welcomed all suggestions and stated she has an open-door policy. She will serve in whatever capacity is needed. Ms. DeGraffenreidt had brought in fresh produce and planned to work with vendors, the Green Market, and some of the vegetable stands to continue to do so. She commented the Donation Account had funds and they should raise funds to purchase needed items and help with nutrition. She emphasized patrons need to start taking care of each other and other people in need. One suggestion received was to have a “Meet and Greet” committee to welcome patrons to the Center. Often caregivers drop the patron off and the patron just sits there. Individuals who really need the attention should receive it. Discussion followed some greeters give tours of the Center. A social greeter would be helpful and meet a different need. Ms. DeGraffenreidt stated she receives letters from patrons who suffered the loss of a spouse indicating the Center was their lifeline. Another suggestion was the Lake Worth Senior Center gives food prizes from Publix to their patrons. Coupons were helpful and Ms. DeGraffenreidt would check with Publix to see if they could be of assistance to the Center. 5 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL September 12, 2011 VIII. Next Meeting Date The next meeting will be held on November 7, 2011 at the Boynton Beach Senior Center at 3:00 p.m. IX. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was properly adjourned at 4:34 p.m. Catherine Cherry Recording Secretary 091311 6