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Minutes 01-09-12 MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2012, AT 3:00 P.M. AT THE SENIOR CENTER, 1021 S. FEDERAL HIGHWAY BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Present: Katherine Lynch, Chair Nancy Molina, City Liaison Denise Chamberlain, Co -Chair Lillian Bruzzese Blanche Hearst - Girtman Betty Spinelli Stuart Preston, Alternate Absent: Virginia O'Connell Jean Young Betty Pierce -Roe, Alternate I. Pledge of Allegiance /Moment of Silent Reflection The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag followed by a moment of silent reflection. II. Roll Call Self- introductions were made. III. Approval of Minutes Motion Co -Chair Chamberlain moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Spinelli seconded the motion that unanimously passed. IV. Approval of Agenda Motion Ms. Spinelli moved to approve the agenda. The motion was duly seconded and unanimously passed. 1 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL January 9, 2012 V. Chairperson's Remarks • Still searching for new Chairperson • Possible loss of Advisory Committee Co -Chair Chamberlain stated the Board was looking for a new Chair. She announced she had some health concerns and on the recommendation of her doctor, would be unable to participate in the next two meetings. She would resume participation on the Board in September. Chair Lynch and Co -Chair Chamberlain had discussed a Co -Chair arrangement. Co- Chair Chamberlain had served as Chair for the Board for the past six or seven years. The position was not a major task, but if a Chair was not obtained, there was the chance the senior citizens could lose the Board. If so, it would be difficult to reinstate. She noted the Senior Advisory Board was instrumental in establishing the Senior Center and the Board has a role in the community. It would be fair for other members to take a turn and serve as Chair, and Co -Chair Chamberlain requested the members assist Chair Lynch as much as possible. It was important the Board remain intact. VI. Old Business • Still looking for new avenues to assure permanence of Shopper Hopper Due to a grant, the Shopper Hopper was operating on a year -to -year basis. It was hoped the Mae Volen Center would obtain another grant and the Shopper Hopper would be permanent. This was an item the Board should follow. • Start in New Year Mae Volen Food program will begin to take new participants Co -Chair Chamberlain stated the Mae Volen Center had not received the grant and were not taking new participants. It was suggested the Board also follow this item. • Researching program for free National Memory Screening Chair Lynch contacted the Elder Helpline in reference to the Memory Screening Program. The Speaker's Bureau referred her to Janice Ellis and to another individual who would contact her, but the Board had to advise when they wanted Ms. Ellis to come to a meeting. The date could be in November, when it was National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, or sooner. It would depend on how many participants there were. The one -hour talk was about dealing with, and recognizing Alzheimer's Disease and dementia, and assistance to caregivers who take care of afflicted loved ones. Chair Lynch wanted to create a flyer later in the day to distribute indicating interested parties would have to sign up and Chair Lynch would contact them with the information. 2 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL January 9, 2012 However, after brief discussion, there was agreement Chair Lynch would call ahead and reserve a speaker for Tuesday, March 20th, from 10 to 11 a.m., in the room to the right of the front entrance of the Senior Center. The talk would occur first and then the screening would be held. This was a free event. • Bus riders informed to request pickup one hour earlier. Co -Chair Chamberlain advised, in spite of one or two incidents, this change was going well. VII. New Business • Memory screening possible in spring This item was discussed earlier in the meeting. • Discussion of recruiting two mew members There was no discussion of this item as the prior vacancies on the Board were filled. • Other Programs concerning the seniors There was an incident that occurred regarding a gentleman and his wife who had been coming to the Center for lunch all during December, who were told they could not be served lunch anymore because add -ons were no longer being accepted. This gentleman showed this information to others who came to the Center after he and his wife did, and those individuals were still having lunch. This was straightened out by the Recreation Supervisor, Ms. Molina. Currently, individuals can come to the Center and sign up on the waiting list for the lunch, but there was no guarantee they would be served. This grant was a State program. Only people enrolled in the program could sit and be served. The Senior Advisory Board has been fighting this for some time. Although Ms. Molina had an appointment scheduled with the Chief Executive Officer from the Mae Volen Center, it was thought if there was a solution, it would have already been instituted. It was known the Mae Volen Center does not have enough funding for all they serve. An announcement regarding the Official Opening of the Congress Avenue Barrier Free Park was sent to the members. The event would be held on Saturday, January 21st, between 10 and 12 noon and all were invited to attend. On a different matter, Chair Lynch was advised by an acquaintance that it was very expensive for her to call Boynton Beach from Delray Beach, and an inquiry was made if the phone company could be contacted or had programs for senior citizens. Ms. Molina agreed to look into the matter further, but was aware there was a Medicaid phone 3 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL January 9, 2012 service program available that could be of benefit. The Center provides free cell phones to its patrons for 911 calls and she noted there were Tots of different programs. Co -Chair Chamberlain also noted the Board had researched many of these types of issues in the past, and opined with the state of the current economy, it was unlikely relief would be found. • Senior Center Report — Nancy Molina Ms. Molina explained this was her first month at the Center and she has enjoyed the job and meeting everyone. She arranged for free haircuts for Center patrons through the Design Institute and was seeking to make it a year -round program. The four stylists sent to the Center graciously donated their tips back to the Center. Ms. Molina explained her focus was to put a wall sign on the back of the building displaying the building was the Senior Center. She was working on sponsorships with different corporations such as J.C. Penney's and Cod Furniture Rental to update the facility. Co -Chair Chamberlain strongly recommended leather furniture, although durable, not be used. It had been used in the past, and proved difficult for seniors. Ergonomic furniture was purchased making it much easier for seniors to use. Another activity Ms. Molina was planning was to have the Fred Astaire Dance Studio come to the Center for Valentines Day. She also was aligning a singer and his wife, who sing songs from opera and Broadway shows, to perform at the Center. Other activities were being planned, including a flower show. Michael DeLeeuw, the newest staff member at the Center, announced today was his first day on the job. He was a part-time employee, whose hours would vary during the week. He was excited to be at the Center and assist Ms. Molina with creative ideas. His focus would be on revenue and sponsorships so they could continue to have free programs. It was noted Center activities were always free with the exception of the fashion shows and computer classes. Often the Senior Advisory Board members have an idea they feel would be helpful, but the concepts do not always come to fruition as the Board was only advisory. The Community for a Lifetime program fell by the wayside due to the economy. Co -Chair Chamberlain pointed out the Board does not just represent the Center; they represent the City as well. The perspective was to assist the entire City. As to the Shopper Hopper, the City paid $50,000 and gave the Mae Volen Center three City buses to operate. When the year -long grant ends, another grant application would have to be submitted to continue the service. The City could continue to operate on a partnership basis, or the service would end. The price, per person, was also raised from $2.00 to $6.00 roundtrip. It was hoped with the price increase, the ridership would not dwindle. The service was combined in October and it may be helpful to know, in June, if the ridership increased or decreased due to the price. It was known the actual cost to 4 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL January 9, 2012 operate, per passenger, exceeded the price paid by the rider, but it was also thought some riders may have given up due to the price. With this information, a decision would need to be made whether or not to apply for subsidies or renew the service. The Palm Tran Connection, serving handicapped citizens, was still in existence. Grants this year, however, were nearly cut in half. VIII. Next Meeting date Monday, March 5, 2011 VIII. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Bruzzese moved to adjourn. Ms. Spinelli seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at 3:50 p.m. r (u A.t.' L Catherine Cherry Recording Secretary 011011 5