Loading...
Minutes 01-06-14 MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD ON MONDAY JANUARY 6, 2014, 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 Beverly Ward Jean Young Tony LaRiccia SENT: Lillian Bruzzese I. Call to order, Pledge of Allegiance /Moment of Silent Reflection The meeting was called to order at 3:02 p.m. The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.followed by a moment of silence for our troops. II. Roll Call Chair Lynch commented Stuart Preston was not on the Board and he would reapply as an alternate member. She noted Betty Spinelli would be off the Board as she has missed several meetings. III. Approval of Minutes of November 4, 2013 Ms. Chamberlain inquired why the minutes were not sent out two weeks before the meeting and commented the Chair needs the minutes to create the agenda. It was explained the minutes were distributed on December 23, 2013 and the Chair had problems with her computer. Due to the Board Liaison and then Chair Lynch going on vacation, they did not receive them timely. The minutes were approved. IV. Approval of Agenda The agenda was approved. Mr. LaRiccia noted the trips the Senior Center patrons went on were successful. V. Chairperson's Remarks ➢ Introduce New Members MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FL JANUARY 6, 2014 VI. Old Business ➢ Possible Date for Car -Fit Chair Lynch explained when the Senior Advisory Board is ready, they can schedule this activity. At the last meeting, a location needed to be selected. It was thought the City Hall parking lot could be used if held on a Saturday. There would be no other business conducted there except for Police business. (Ms. Harris arrived.) Ms. Chamberlain explained the last Car -Fit event serviced about 20 residents. This service was not just about adjusting the seat: it was adjusting mirrors to help with blind spots and more. Chair Lynch agreed to contact the City for approval to hold the event there. ➢ Computer Games on Memory Strengthening Chair Lynch noted there were many computer games to help strengthen the memory and Wii games were available at the Center to help foster physical activity. Ms. Molina will check Luminosity to see if they can purchase the program as they were looking at the Luminosity program as a group activity. Ms. Chamberlain's understanding was Luminosity was free of charge. ➢ Senior Olympic Games Chair Lynch has not investigated the Senior Olympics further. Feedback she received was that individuals were not really interested in it. Delray Beach holds these games and Ms. Molina would contact them and noted, generally, the participants are very sports minded. There is metal exercise equipment at the Barrier Free Park. Individuals who do not belong to a gym can use it at any time. Ms. Chamberlain thought they should post the information at the Center. The Park is wheelchair accessible and is located on Congress Avenue next to the WXEL Radio Station. ➢ Existing transportation Senior patrons still complain about paying for transportation to the Center. Discussion followed unless there was a way to obtain funds, the fees would remain. Chair Lynch inquired if the Center could seek transportation sponsors. Ms. Molina explained the loophole with free transportation through the Mae Volen Center was anyone who is on the lunch list receives free transportation and it is open enrollment for free lunch. Discussion also followed about long transportation times. Patrons sometimes have to spend one to two hours to get home. Residents who go to Mae Volen have to leave 2 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FL JANUARY 6, 2014 right after lunch and cannot stay at the Center until 3 p.m. Funding a bus company more may not alter the schedule. Ms. Chamberlain explained Leisureville has the We Care system, and the Center tried it and it did not work. Chair Lynch explained they spoke to the bus company and was informed they set the route and the appointments are scheduled. Ms. Chamberlain suggested carpooling. ➢ Fees for events at Senior Center Fees for events were still being questioned. An inquiry was made when the Center charged for an event, how many individuals attended. Ms. Molina explained about 25 people less. A suggestion was made to offer one nice free event. The Holiday Party had 102 attendees. The year before, there were 111 attendees and there was a fee to attend. Ms. Chamberlain commented the Center used to be mobbed. Not only did the attendees get in for free, but 70% of them received a gift. Ms. Molina explained staff is not allowed to give out door prizes anymore because door prizes are like a raffle and governments cannot raffle. Ms. Chamberlain noted that was because individuals paid. She thought they could still have door prizes for the health fair because there was no fee to attend and the prizes were donated. Ms. Molina explained if she can get door prizes donated or sponsored, they could be given out at events. Ms. Young commented she was receiving feedback about the $5 fee on the day of the event. The fee was higher the day of the event and it has been conducted this way for a year. Ms. Young commented when some patrons came to the event late, the refreshments were gone and the patrons were upset. Ms. Molina explained she has taken steps to avoid this from occurring again. VII. New Business ➢ Discussion to have the new Police Chief for a meeting on crime and violence associated with officers. Chair Lynch explained the Police Chief was amenable to coming to the Center. She thought it might be good for the patrons to meet the Fire and Police Chiefs and have the opportunity to ask questions. It was thought a Thursday might be a good day for the meetings. She also wanted Stuart Preston present as he is very helpful to Center veterans and he is familiar with the Veterans Administration programs. Ms. Chamberlain explained when events were planned, they would send out invitations in the paper. Discussion followed that mornings were difficult. She suggested 1 p.m. or in the afternoon. Ms. Molina commented afternoon events do not do well. They had advertised a great speaker who was scheduled to speak months in advance of the event and they did not have more than 10 people because the afternoon had fewer 3 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FL JANUARY 6, 2014 patrons. She encouraged the event be held in the morning when there were more people. The members discussed blocking off an hour for the speaker and having one speaker per month; first the Police Chief, and the next month, the Fire Chief. It would be an introductory meeting to discuss issues about the Police Department and discuss topics of importance. This would be 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Chair Lynch introduced Pat Torso who is considering applying as an alternate on the Board. ➢ Need a group for discussion on a new Health Care Act before March Ms. Molina advised a representative would be sent to the Center and a discussion would take place in the morning. ➢ Senior Center Report — Nancy Molina There were 421 new members last year and there were new membership badges, some with gym passes on them. The badges were working out well. Chair Lynch commented the Senior Newsletter was posted online and it contained upcoming trips and the Senior Formal. Ms. Molina noted the Senior Formal will be better than last year. They will use both floors of the Woman's Club. Downstairs will be a cheese and wine reception and the upstairs will have a live band and a full lunch and desert. The ticket price includes free valet parking, a drink ticket for wine and cheese, and a drink ticket for the cash bar. The cost is $25 per ticket for any member of any Senior Center, excluding drinks not covered by the drink tickets. They were trying to include Senior Centers from Mid County, Pompeii Park and others to make it a big social event. There are only 120 tickets, so the event is on a first come, first served basis. So far, about 40 tickets were sold. At this time last year, about 78 tickets were sold. The price was $5 more, which covered the wine and cheese reception and the band. Ms. Molina noted last year there was only a singer. Chair Lynch commented Lillian Bruzzese volunteers at the hospital and tries to get off in time for the meetings. The City would alert Ms. Bruzzese one more absence results in removal from the Board. Ms. Molina explained she was researching grants for the Center and sought the Board's input on potential items to be addressed should the grant be received. She thought they could reline the parking lot to better direct traffic and improve safety. Another option could be to start a senior assistance program where seniors would assist other seniors who would receive a stipend. The program would only last until the funds ran out. Ms. Chamberlain inquired about insurance and Ms. Molina responded she would investigate that further. Another option was to remodel the Center restrooms to be 4 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FL JANUARY 6, 2014 compliant with the ADA (American with Disabilities Act) regulations. Other options were to start workshops; however, these types of classes were poorly attended in the past., The Health Fair is well attended. It is a free event and there is food and door prizes given away. After brief discussion, it was determined the parking lot would be the best option to pursue as there have been injuries. The grant is due in February and Ms. Molina will prepare the paperwork. The Senior Newsletter just arrived and the next Health Fair will be March 10 on a Monday. Door prizes will be given. Discussion returned to the "We Care" program. The program paid for the volunteer's gas and there was some type of protection given to volunteers should an injury occur. Ms. Chamberlain noted many individuals do not want to drive. Chair Lynch suggested recruiting volunteers should the grant be received. Ms. Chamberlain commented getting other seniors to help without having special licenses had risks. Ms. Molina requested the names of lawyers specializing in Elder Law be submitted next meeting. Members were also encouraged to bring in ideas and newspaper articles as well. VIII. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Chair Lynch adjourned the meeting at 3:58 p.m. NZ W� Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 030514 5