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Minutes 10-01-12 MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD ON MONDAY OCTOBER 1, 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 Lillian Bruzzese Jean Young Tony LaRiccia, Alternate Stuart Preston, Alternate Absent: Denise Chamberlain, Co -Chair Virginia O'Connell Betty Spinelli I. Call to order The meeting was called to order at 3:00 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 silence for our troops. There was brief discussion about the attendance policy and member removals. III. Roll Call Self- introductions were made. IV. Approval of Minutes Motion Ms. Bruzzese moved to approve the minutes as presented. Ms. Young seconded the motion that unanimously passed. V. Approval of Agenda There were no changes made to the agenda. 1 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL October 1, 2012 Chairperson's Remarks: ➢ Still searching for new chairperson VI. Old Business ➢ Donations for the Senior Center need to be made to the City of Boynton Beach with a description of the use of funds. Ms. Molina announced the Center received a $1,000 donation which would be used to purchase meals for individuals who were not on the meal list. ➢ Boynton Beach Senior Center is now accepting names to be added to a list for the meal program. The members discussed there were individuals who were not on the meal list and they would have to pay to eat. Former participants in the program were dropped if they missed three meals, which affected many snowbirds. There were also many new applicants. The donation mentioned earlier was intended to cover those individuals. It was noted the Mae Volen Center was trying to feed everyone, but they did not receive the grant they were anticipating. As a result, they developed a wait list. Ms. Molina was attempting to accommodate their needs and explained as long as funds were donated, they would continue to purchase the meals for them. ➢ Officer Huntington will be called in January for the C.A.T. program for seniors. Chair Lynch contacted Officer Huntington and was advised to call him in January regarding the CAT program. This program was a partnership between the community and the police, and it involved senior citizens giving permission to have their cars stopped if driven after 10 p.m. A decal would alert the patrolmen of the owner's participation in the program, and would give reason for an officer to pull the car over to verify the driver's identity. Since many senior citizens did not drive after 10 p.m., the program helped stop car thefts. VII. New Business ➢ Mirrors will be installed in the multi - purpose room Ms. Molina announced the mirrors for the back room were approved and she would send in a requisition for them to be installed this week. ➢ New Seaside Cafe and new decor to increase memberships and rentals The Seaside Cafe was now outside the lunchroom and would serve coffee and hot food. Wood carvers were making a beautiful, hand - carved, custom sign. Discussion turned to 2 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL October 1, 2012 the Columbus Day Pizza activity to be held on October 8th. Ms. Young inquired why the City was charging $3 for pizza when the Center was receiving donations and they were purchasing more equipment. Ms. Molina explained the City was attempting to recover its expenses and the $3 would cover the cost of two slices. ➢ Senior Center will have Open House on October 5, 2012 The Open House would be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Anyone who joined that day would receive a punch card for a free coffee at the Cafe. Ms. Molina explained the Open House was a new event aimed at attracting new patrons. They remodeled and hoped the new look would attract new and younger patrons. ➢ American Red Cross will have a hazard prevention discussion in October, 2012. The Area Agency on Aging and the American Red Cross would be at the Center on Tuesday, December 11, 2012. A seminar would be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. informing seniors how to help oneself during a disaster. This would also be advertised in a flyer. ➢ Ms. Wafts will resume lunch trips beginning October 17, 2012 Chair Lynch announced the above. The cost was $3; however, individuals would have to provide their own lunch. Transportation would be via school bus on the third Wednesday of each month. Ms. Molina noted they had to return in time for the bus to be used for the aftercare program. ➢ Possible partnership with Woman's Club to host a Senior Prom Ms. Molina spoke with the Woman's Club regarding a Senior Prom event. She requested feedback on what day of the week to hold it, and if it should be called a Prom. She commented some men did not have suits and some women did not want to spend the money to get all dressed up. After brief discussion, the term Senior Formal was suggested and the members decided the event would be held during the day, perhaps from 1 to 4 p.m. The cost to rent the facility was $2,400; however the operator was amenable to splitting the proceeds in lieu of paying the rental cost. Ms. Molina thought $25 per ticket was a fair price, which would include a drink, valet service, hors d'oeuvres, a hot meal and a live band. Ms. Molina would attempt to secure a 12 or 18 piece band. Discussion ensued some people may not pay the $25 and some would. An alternate price of $15 was suggested, but it was pointed out other similar type events were more than $25. The members discussed whether to hold the formal the day after New Years Day or in mid - January. Ms. Molina agreed to speak with the Civic Center as they did not want to compete with any other function or reduce revenue from the Civic Center and would investigate holding the event on a Tuesday or a Friday. The members thought mid - January would be a more convenient time to hold the event. 3 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL October 1, 2012 ➢ Free phones for the hard of hearing Florida residents at the Senior Center on Thursday, September 6, 2012 Chair Lynch expressed seniors could receive free cell phones for 911 purposes from the Sheriff's Office. Chair Lynch expressed she thought the Center would receive a box of them. In the past, about 60 amplified phones were distributed to seniors as noted above and the program operators were considering using the Center as a distribution location. The cell phones under discussion were not amplified. They were specifically to be used for 911 purposes only. ➢ Health Fairs will now include a main sponsor Ms. Molina obtained sponsors for all the health fairs and was trying to recruit main sponsors. The last Health Fair went very well, and had so many vendors, some were outside. ➢ Board members' commitment. Visit Senior Center at least once a month to view a social event The Board members are required to visit the Senior Center at least once a month to see what was occurring and/or what was planned. Ms. Bruzzese explained the participants would receive a newsletter containing the information; however, it was noted they no longer mailed them as it was cost prohibitive. The new newsletter should arrive this week. The former Center Director, Steve Lulkin, used to distribute batches of them at Leisureville and Sterling Village. Ms. Molina explained the newsletters are distributed to 20 senior communities. ➢ Discussion of recruiting two new members Chair Lynch commented two Board positions were filled and they were looking for two more. ➢ Turn meeting over to Nancy Molina for new plans for the Senior Center and staff. Ms. Molina explained Thursday, October 4, 2012, marked the 13th Anniversary of the Senior Center. A party was scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Singer Richard Frank would be the entertainer and there was a $3 charge. She noted the next day was the Open House so the week would be busy. She commented the Anthum Jazz Band requested the Center alternate their special events and not always hold them on Thursdays, as was done in the past. After brief dialogue, members were amenable to alternating the days for the dances. A Halloween Party was scheduled for the 31st. Ms. Molina reserved a good entertainer and commented they have been receiving good door prizes from local businesses to 4 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board October 1, 2012 Boynton Beach, FL restaurants, movie tickets and others. The party was a costume party with the top costume receiving a prize. There was a fee for this event, but it was not specified. A Veterans Day show was scheduled on November 7 at 1 p.m. This event was free as a doctor was sponsoring it. A Senior Fashion Show at the Boynton Beach Mail would be held on November 21st. Donations from stores were pledged and a former Miss America would teach seniors how to walk the runway, so models were needed. They were trying to solicit clothes and jewelry to model at the show from Macy's, JC Penney's and others. The Holiday Party was scheduled for December 13th. Flu shots would be administered by the Area Agency on Aging and the Department of Elder Affairs at the Center on October 10th. In the past, the shots were administered by the Palm Beach County Health Department. This year, they would be administered through the City Fire Department. Chair Lynch commented the last time they offered the shots, not many people attended and better advertising was needed. The shots would be given at 9:30 a.m. to about 11 or 12 noon. Ms. Molina announced they were trying to obtain Wifi for the center lobby. This would appeal to patrons using new technologies. Additionally, Boynton Beach High School computer students would come to the Center and teach them how to use cell phones, answer questions about iPads and other newer technology items. A date for the students to come to the Center had not been set, but they would start this year. She also announced they were approved for new touch screen computers for the computer room. Lastly, Ms. Molina announced they were getting new signs on the doors announcing the Center's hours. ➢ Still looking for articles on senior problems. Ms. Bruzzese had an article which pertained to expanding a transport service for older adults. The transport service, called the "Lift", operated from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. The fare was $5 one -way and $10 round -trip scheduled in advance, otherwise the fare was $10 one -way. There was a contact number for individuals 60 or older or the disabled 18 and older to call. Ms. Young noted an article in the paper reflected anyone needing an ambulance in Boynton Beach was charged $600, which was problematic for seniors. It was noted insurance coverage may cover all or part of the expense. One woman who fell at the Center received a bill for $900 and people did not know they had to pay. Ms. Molina commented if anyone fell at the Center, they would be told of the charge beforehand. 5 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL October 1, 2012 At the last meeting, Stuart Preston, Board Alternate, had offered to bring information to the meeting about Veterans Affairs. He explained there were many benefits available to Veterans and spouses that many individuals were not aware of. Additionally, there were many misnomers floating amongst Veterans about what constituted eligibility. As a result, they were losing benefits. Mr. Preston provided examples of how he and a Service Officer assisted individuals in obtaining pension and burial benefits. At the Board's request, Mr. Preston agreed to attend the Veterans Day event with the Service Officer and provide information and assist eligible individuals. It was noted the November 7th show started at 1 p.m. VIII. Next meeting date Monday, November 5, 2012 at the Boynton Beach Senior Center at 3:00 p.m. Chair Lynch requested the members continue to look for articles pertaining to seniors. Ms. Molina noted a recent article about a scam impacting seniors. An email listing "Crime Prevention for Seniors" as the subject and indicating the email was from the IRS was a scam. If received, individuals should forward it to the IRS at their website. IX. Adjournment The members agreed the meeting was very informative. Motion There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Young moved to adjourn. Ms. Bruzzese seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at 4:12 p.m. 6�4 wol�j ohu+ Catherine Cherry Recording Secretary 900392 6