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Minutes 06-06-16MINUTES OF •' ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD AT SENIORTHE CENTER, 1021• • FLORIDA, ON • D 1 2:00 PRESENT: Janet Harris, Chair Marsha Bionta Terry liams Tony LaRiccia Andrew Richardson Jean Young I. Call to Order Chair Harris called the meeting to order at 2:02 p.m. 11. Attendance Amy Blackman, Board Liaison Chair Harris took attendance noting the above as present. III. Approval of Agenda 1. Additions, Deletions, Corrections Ms. liams added two items to the agenda: Extending Senior Center Hours and New Name for the Senior Center. 2. Adoption Motion Ms. liams moved to approve the agenda as amended. Mr. LaRiccia seconded the motion that unanimously passed. IV. Approval of minutes There were no changes made to the minutes. V. Unfinished Business A. Senior Advisory Board vacancies Chair Harris noted this item was addressed and she removed it from the agenda. She looked forward to working with the members. Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida June 6, 2016 B. Status of crosswalk timing Chair Harris announced this was a situation at her neighborhood. She would wait at the crosswalk to cross the street. At the appropriate time, the light would indicate it was safe to walk, but the light would change when she was halfway through. She spoke with the Police Chief about the matter. Ms. liams was advised the timing of the lights was not within the City's jurisdiction and there was agreement this item would be removed from the agenda. C. Scams targeting seniors Ms. Young explained there are scams targeting seniors which are occurring door-to- door or via telephone. She thought it was important representatives coming to a door have identification. Ms. liams thought the City should advise seniors what scams were occurring and thought the Police Department would have knowledge. They could set up a meeting to provide guidance to seniors. Nancy Molina had representatives from the Police Department speak at the Center in the past. There was agreement this should continue at least once a year and since this item would be addressed, Chair Harris thought it could be removed from the agenda. D. Combining advisory boards Chair Harris recalled this item had been discussed in the past. At the time, Mr. Zonenstein did not feel it would be advantageous to the Board and the Board agreed. If they combined with another Board, they would meet at night and the meetings would be held in City Commission Chambers. There was consensus the Senior Advisory Board would remain status quo. VI. New Business A. Resources for low-income senior members 1. 211, Community Caring Center, Mae Volen, St. Vincent De Paul Church (Supply Listings of all) Chair Harris explained Ms. Molina had researched resources for seniors. The 211 resource addressed senior eligibility for benefits. The Community Caring Center is the City's local assistance center. Mae Volen is also a resource as was St. Vincent DePaul Church, that has always assisted members. She thought Ms. Molina may have more information. Chair Harris acknowledged it is difficult for seniors living on a fixed income. Ms. liams asked if these were financial resources. Chair Harris explained the resources were to assist those with low incomes with food or money, transportation or housing. Nearly all churches have food banks to help low income families. Ms. liams suggested if patrons needed food, the City should provide a bus for patrons to go to one of the churches, get food and return to the Center. Chair Harris noted the City's bus situation 2 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida June 6, 2016 was not so good and did not think it would be a possibility. Ms. liams noted the City met with a focus group for a Healthier Together Boynton Beach meeting and commented the organization may be able to help. Ms. Blackman agreed to research the matter.. B. Vote on Senior Advisory Board meeting schedule 1. First Monday of Jan., Apr., July, & Oct. or on a quarterly basis Chair Harris explained it was vital to have a regular meeting schedule. She suggested holding quarterly meetings the first Monday of the month, during the months of January, April, July, and October of each year. The schedule will not generally conflict with the holidays. Ms. liams pointed out the first Monday in January was January 2"d, however, the Center would be open. It was also noted the July meeting would be held on July 11th due to the Fourth of July Holiday. Chair Harris asked for a show of hands in support of the quarterly meetings. The members unanimously supported the schedule. C. Vote for new vice chair Chair Harris advised she is the Chair and a Vice Chair was needed. She asked for volunteers and suggested Terry liams serve as Vice Chair. Ms. liams accepted the nomination. There were no other nominations. Motion Ms. Young moved Ms. liams serve as Vice Chair. Ms. Bionta seconded the motion that passed 5-0 (Mr. LaRiccia abstained.) VGI. Welcome Janet Harris (Chair) Chair Harris introduced Amy Blackman, the Board Liaison and new Recreation Superintendent. VIII. Remarks from City liaison- Welcome Amy Blackman Ms. Blackman explained she is a certified professional and is the Recreation Superintendent. The Department reorganized in April and formerly had two senior supervisors. The Department was using a more traditional recreation department structure. Mary DeGraffenreidt is the Special Events Senior Manager. She handles all the programs and special events and Ms. Blackman handles everything else. All seven facilities fall under Ms. Blackman's purview. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, she explained she graduated in 1993 from Bowling Green State University majoring in Recreation and she has been in recreation ever since. She worked for the Kentucky State Parks and a small city in eastern North Carolina, supervising the senior programs, special events, and preschoolers and pool programs. Ms. Blackman has a background 3 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida June 6, 2016 in aquatics. She worked for the Village of Wellington and for 10 years worked for West Palm Beach. Ms. Blackman commented her mother is 86, so seniors are special to her. .She has two small children and was excited about her position with the City. She is a member of the Florida Recreation and Parks Association Executive Board and she commented the Department is accredited though the National Recreation and Parks Association. Boynton Beach and Wellington are the only two Recreation and Parks Departments in Palm Beach County to be accredited, and through this association, she is able to travel around the country and look at other Recreation and Parks Department operations. Ms. Blackman commented the Department has spoken to First Transit about in-kind services which would be pursued and the Department will be looking for grant opportunities. She noted Debby Majors is the Grants and ADA Coordinator, and if the members know of any grant opportunities, they should contact her. Ms. Blackman was aware the Center is very busy, and pointed out she hears nothing but positive things from the City about the Center. The Department would make adjustments as needed. Ms. Blackman agreed to follow up on any resources to assist seniors and would talk to other agencies. Chair Harris noted the Mae Volen Center in Boca Raton runs very efficiently. Seniors are attended to immediately and there is no wasted time. • Extending Senior Center Hours Vice Chair liams understood the Center was looking to have younger seniors join the Center and thought no one aged 55 to 65 would because most individuals that age work and get off at 5 p.m. If the Board wanted younger patrons, they would need longer hours. She commented she stays at the Center until 4 p.m. and noted whether it is raining, lightning or thundering, staff wants to close the Center. Mr. Richardson recalled he was ushered outside and lightning hit so close by, it nearly broke his eardrum. Ms. Blackman agreed to look into the issue and explained the City's expectation of staff is they will not endanger program participants by ushering patrons into an unsafe environment. Another concern was there were three recent crimes in the area and staff arrives for work at 7 a.m. or 7:30 a.m. Ms. liams commented someone was killed on the street. In the mornings, no one is around and most of the Center patrons are women. A request was made to have someone at the door at 7 a.m. or have the Police come and monitor the Center with a walk around. Ms. Blackman commented Police Officers in the zone can drive by and have a presence of sorts, but she agreed to see what could be done. Ms. Bionta also thought it would be helpful to have a volunteer around that knows what the protocol is when someone gets hurt or something happens. Ms. Blackman explained staff is certified in CPR and AED. There was a question about individuals getting dropped off. Everyone who is not a member must fill out an information sheet with contact information and Ms. Blackman explained she would address the required form with the Mae Volen Center. Ms. Blackman could hold monthly emergency drills. 0 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida June 6, 2016 Ms. liams explained there are halfway houses in the area as well as homeless individuals. Even a drive by from the Police in the morning to ensure staff and patrons are okay, and when the Center closes would help. Chair Harris noted they would add emergency trained staff, weather related circumstances, and police monitoring the area to the next agenda. There was brief discussion, Palm Tran is always late. When the Center closes, patrons waiting for Palm Tran sit outside by themselves, and are vulnerable. There may be liability issues. Chair Harris noted a monitor would only be needed for a very short window of time each day and the Center hours are regulated. Ms. Young had a question about transportation for trips from the Center. They had to use school buses and plan trips between after school pick-ups and drop offs. She asked how many vans were available. Ms. Blackman agreed to speak with staff. Ms. Young noted patrons 55 to 65 were signing up for fitness training. Mr. Richardson preferred a type of holistic class as there are natural activities that can benefit health, and it would educate people. Ms. Blackman explained the Recreation and Parks Department signed a pledge and 60 agencies throughout the State pledged their support for a healthier lifestyle for all. Ms. Bionta explained AARP was trying to promote a program for seniors with the Cities and representatives of the program recently spoke to the Pompano Beach City Commission. Not all cities are on board with it, but she agreed to forward the article. More activities for seniors could be available through AARP through the City. It was a no -cost awareness program that has been instituted in a few areas, but not in Palm Beach County. Mr. LaRiccia asked what other departments/organizations assist the Center. Chair Harris explained there is a list of everyone associated with the Center for different resources. Park facilities are listed in FunFare Magazine and the 211 Resource List named what assistance was available. The Children's Services Council has a resource directory and the Area Council on Aging and AARP have resources. There is assistance with food, transportation, and Meals on Wheels is provided. Mr. LaRiccia wanted an index so staff could assist people who call the Center. • New Name for the Senior Center Vice Chair liams suggested renaming the Senior Center and it was noted Ms. Molina was trying to research how to do so through the City. Ms. Blackman noted many locations were changing names from Senior Centers to more active living centers, Adult Community Centers. She thought the name should be lively, fun and different, that would catch someone's attention. Vice Chair liams thought a 55 -year old person would not come to a "Senior Center" as they do not think of themselves as a senior. Ms. Bionta liked an active or healthy lifestyle center as it did not discriminate by age. Mr. Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida June 6, 2016 LaRiccia liked Senior Center and preferred to be respected as a senior. Chair Harris suggested making recommendations to forward to the City for their selection. There was agreement to also poll the patrons. IX. Next Meeting: Special Meeting on July 11th The next meeting will start the new quarterly meeting schedule. The meeting would begin at 2 p.m. Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director, explained he works with Ms. Blackman and self -introductions were exchanged. X. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Chair Harris adjourned the meeting at 2:57 p.m. Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 061416 n