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Minutes 11-03-14 MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD AT THE SENIOR CENTER, 1021 S. FEDERAL HIGHWAY, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, O MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2014, AT 2:00 P.M. PRESENT: Katherine Lynch, Chair Nancy Molina, City Liaison Denise Chamberlain Beverly Ward Floyd Zonenstein Janet Harris ABSENT: Lillian Bruzzese Tony LaRiccia Stuart Preston Jean Young I. Call to order Chair Lynch called the meeting to order at 2:08 p.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance /Silent Reflection The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag followed by a moment of silent reflection. Ill. Roll Call Roll call established a quorum was present. IV. Approval of Minutes of April 7, 2014 There were no changes to the minutes and the minutes were approved. V. Approval of Agenda There were no changes made to the agenda. VI. Chairperson's Remarks Chair Lynch requested the members do what they could to assist seniors in Boynton Beach. She also advised she was unsuccessful in her attempts to schedule a Car Fit event at the Center. She had called AAA in Tallahassee to make the arrangements and was put on hold for hours. This program assists senior drivers with mirrors and car seat adjustments. Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 3, 2014 VI. Old Business • Handicap parking at the beach At the last meeting, the Board had discussed handicap parking at the beach. There was ample handicap parking; however, those individuals now have to obtain a beach pass. ® Any change on City helping with parking lot change — Ginny Shea The wheel stops in the parking lot had also been discussed. Ms. Molina explained the parking lot upgrade was about $85,000 and would be addressed next year. • Front Porch update at Senior Center Ms. Molina announced the front porch had been remodeled. Volunteers were needed to help paint the tables. • Will free parties at Senior Center Continue into 2015? Ms. Molina announced the Center will offer the Anniversary Party as a free event. Discussion regarding when free parties are offered and that ticketholders do not attend followed. Ms. Molina advised this results in her paying for too much food. Ms. Chamberlain did not think 10 or 15 no show guests was a problem. Further dialogue about how the cost of the ticket did not cover the cost of food, goody bags and sometimes flowers at the events ensued. Ms. Chamberlain pointed out sponsor money was now going to the General Fund. Previously, when the sponsorship was established, it went to the Senior Center only. Chair Lynch suggested when donations are made, the event must be specified. Ms. Molina commented if there is a sponsor for the health fair, she buys appetizers and /or door prizes. The fair benefits everyone and a suggestion was made to meet with Mr. Majors, Ms. Molina and Ms. Shea to learn why the process changed when a sponsor made a donation for a specific event. • Schedule Advisory Board new meeting time The members discussed changing the meeting day. Lillian Bruzzese wants to remain on the Board; however, she works at the hospital which conflicts with the meetings. Ms. Chamberlain thought this would set a bad precedent. It was noted Ms. Bruzzese has been on the Board for six years. Since she had not attended, there was agreement she would be removed. Ms. Harris also wanted to be upgraded from an alternate member to a regular member. It was recommended Ms. Harris submit an application specifying her desire for regular member status; however, there were no vacancies. Chair Lynch also suggested changing the meeting time from 3 p.m. to 2 p.m so the meetings would conclude when the Center closed. By consensus, the change to meet at 2 p.m. was approved. The next meeting would be held on January 5, 2015, at 2 p.m. 2 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton B Florida November 3, 2014 • Still need update Health Care Act extension through Medicare Chair Lynch explained there was much going on with the Health Care Act. She approached a representative from Humana to assist with it at the Center, but he advised he was unable to do so because it was Medicare. A representative from Medicare was needed. This Act went into effect in August, but the deadline was extended and no one knew when the extension would end. The members discussed it was important to get the information out in time for patrons to make a decision. Ms. Molina stated she had a contact she could use and agreed to follow up on the matter. Ms. Molina inquired how long Old Business items would remain on the agenda. Chair Lynch responded the items are on the agenda because they were discussed at the previous meeting. Ms. Chamberlain clarified if the matters were resolved, they should be removed. There was agreement only the parties and the health care items would remain on the agenda. Discussion returned to party events and Chair Lynch inquired if there are funds and sponsorships, why patrons have to pay. Ms. Molina explained the items such as entertainment, food and snacks, cost money. The Center does not have to have parties. Ms. Chamberlain agreed but explained they had sponsorships in place and set up a system where payment would be made ahead of time for the entire year. Ms. Chamberlain expressed surprise when she returned to the Center last year and learned the system was gone. She inquired about the criteria for the funds to go into the General Fund. Ms. Chamberlain was still unclear why it had to be this way because she and Ann Forrester had worked many years setting up the system. It was noted many people can afford party tickets, many cannot. VII. New Business • Reminder to members to renew applications for Advisory Board — five members have to be renewed. Chair Lynch explained all of the members, except for Mr. Zonenstein, have to reapply by December 31, 2014. Members receive a letter requesting the member indicate if they want to continue serving on the Board. If being reinstated, the member should submit an application prior to December 31, 2014. • Openings for Advisory Board must be in by December 31, 2014. One alternate and one regular staff must be notified. This item was previously discussed. • Members should be alert all year for new senior issues Chair Lynch had requested the members be alert to new issues for seniors earlier in the meeting. 3 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 3, 2014 • Discussion of illegal calls and emails to seniors Chair Lynch conveyed she received a note on her door indicating she must be home on Monday after 3 p.m. because she had to sign for a certified letter. There was no information on the note, except for a phone number. She called and learned it was a legitimate collection agency that had her name and another name, and two addresses. The company could not provide any information to her, and she commented this was very frightening. Ms. Chamberlain explained her niece received a call indicating it was from the IRS. The caller advised she had to send a money transfer within an hour. Ms. Chamberlain explained at the COP meetings, Officer Swan reviews ongoing scams. She thought the Senior Center should post the scams to alert patrons. Ms. Molina explained there is a list in the computer room. Mr. Zonenstein suggested advising the caller the conversation was being taped and traced. Chair Lynch was aware of a man who was scammed. • Posting of certified personnel at center for emergencies Chair Lynch explained one patron choked while eating lunch in the lunch room. A man from the kitchen performed the Heimlich maneuver and Chair Lynch was advised some Center staff had just been certified in CPR. She thought the names of the certified employees should be posted so patrons would know who to contact. Ms. Molina advised all Center staff had to certified and she offered to hold a CPR class at the Center and would incorporate it with fire drills. Ms. Ward commented there was a problem with people not wearing name tags. Ms. Molina explained staff could check if the name tag was scanned because they keep track of daily attendance. It was noted some individuals sneak into the dances through the back door. Ms. Molina suggested there be someone to monitor this. Chair Lynch and Ms. Chamberlain had monitored this in the past. Additionally, individuals can try the facility for a week, but would need a guest pass. The issue was the individuals do not wear the pass. • Senior Center Report — Nancy Molina Ms. Molina announced a Potluck Multicultural Lunch on November 21' The Senior Formal will occur on January 29 at the Boynton Woman's Club from noon to 3 p.m. Ms. Chamberlain explained there was a problem with the company that was supposed to provide security before and after an event. No one was present. A week and a half later it was determined the stairs were broken. The Woman's Club has no staff, so they hired a company to handle events and check before and after. The Center has a partnership where the Club waives the fee for the rental. Center staff is responsible for setting up, breaking down and clean up. Ms. Molina advised she was starting to plan events for the new year. Ms. Ward advised she was happy to see so many individuals using the buses. In her community, several individuals get picked up by Palm Tran Connection, although there were complaints about the fee. There was discussion riders from Palm Tran Connection often have to wait two or three hours to be picked up and Ms. Chamberlain hoped there was a way to foster transportation appropriately. Chair Lynch explained there was a representative from a train or bus company advising seniors they can receive a discount or ride for free. It was noted seniors can ride for free on any fixed route with identification. They have to register and provide 4 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida over 3, 2014 identification and medical information from their physician. There was discussion this pertained to handicapped individuals. The Mae Volen Center charges $10 in advance and $15 if service was needed immediately. They pick up on time, but the person has to wait to be taken home. There was discussion if they could obtain a grant for transportation, they would try to get a senior center bus. Ms. Molina agreed to research what was available. IX Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Chamberlain moved to adjourn. Ms. Ward seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at 2:51 p.m. U Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 111414 5