Minutes 08-13-18 MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD ON
AUGUST 13, 2018 AT 2:00 P.M., CITY HALL CHAMBER
100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BLVD., BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
PRESENT:
Marsha Bionta, Chair Amy Blackman, Recreation Superintendent
Terry liames, Vice Chaair Brent Rolle, Recreation Supervisor
Jennifer Gomez
Margaret Newton
Antonio Villatoro
Jean Young
Alison Black, Alternate
ABSENT:
Andrew Richardson
I. Call to Order
Chair Bionta called the meeting to order at 2:08 p.m.
Roll call revealed a quorum was present.
111. Pledge of Allegiance
The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Ill. Attendance — Review Renewals
Chair Bionta welcomed new Board Alternate, Alison Black.
IV. Approval of Agenda
1. Additions, Deletions, Corrections
2. Adoption
Motion
Vice Chair liames moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Villatoro seconded the motion
that unanimously passed.
V. Approval of Minutes (July 2, 2018)
Meeting Minutes
Senior Advisory Board
Boynton each, Florida August 13, 2018
VII. Unfinished Business
A. Palm each County Commission on Ethics Training
® Completion — Senior Advisory Board
Chair Bionta advised the members were asked to take the training. At the end of the
training was an acknowledgement form for the members to sign. She requested the
forms be submitted to her or Mr. Rolle who will forward them to the City Clerk and she
provided the website for the members to take the training. She announced most of the
members took the hour-long training, but requested all the members take the training by
the next meeting.
B. Articles of Senior Advisory Board
• Unchanged at this time
Chair Bionta commented the members had discussed the Board Articles and what it
means for the members. Ms. Blackman recalled at the last meeting, there was
discussion some of the Articles were antiquated. They referenced activities and
programs that were appropriate 20 or 30 years ago when the Board was formed, that
the Board no longer handles or administers. She advised the members can review the
Articles and make amendments, but she cautioned amendments should be broad and
made in such a way that they would last well into the future. The amendments would be
noticed to the public and then the City Commission would vote on the changes.
Chair Bionta explained the goal was for the members to come to the next meeting with
projects, or research what the Board could address to help the City and its seniors. Ms.
Newton wanted to view a copy of all the City Boards and to see how the Senior
Advisory Board could link with them and work as a team. She thought things work better
when there is collaboration. Ms. Blackman agreed to provide a copy to Ms. Newton and
commented if working with the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board, the Senior
Advisory Board might want to review a master plan for one of the parks if they wanted
elements for seniors included. The Senior Advisory Board may also want to include
elements in the Kinetic Art and Symposium that could potentially benefit seniors. Ms.
Blackman noted she was working with the Building Department on a crosswalk from the
Senior Center to the Woman's Club with a flashing light. Another flashing crosswalk was
just west of the Congress Avenue and Gateway Boulevard intersection on Gateway,
which alerts motorists a pedestrian is trying to cross. Mobility and Transportation to
extend the timing of crosswalks could be reviewed. Chair Bionta recommended
reviewing what senior boards in other cities are doing.
VII. New Business
A. Health Fair—September 20th
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Board Attendees
Chair Bionta announced the Health Fair. Ms. Blackman explained she secured a table
for the Advisory Board to participate in the fair. Mr. Rolle advised they invite vendors
who have relevant information and/or products that they feel are helpful to seniors. The
vendors are present from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Mr. Rolle thought it would be
beneficial for the Board to alert seniors and those who care for seniors about the Board
and its mission. Members could be available to answer questions or have information.
The members could learn about the concerns of local seniors, which could also be used
to amend the Articles. The event is at the Ezell Hester Center, 1901 N. Seacrest
Boulevard. The members had discussed having a few questions that attendees could
answer and give the Board a better idea of their needs
Questionnaire— (Needs / Concerns)
Chair Bionta distributed sample questions that could be given out at the Fair. It was
noted the meetings are open to the public and Fair attendees could be invited to a
meeting. Ms. Newton commented the Board would love the public to speak with them
and agreed the amended articles should be broad based. The Recreation and Parks
Marketing Manager will develop a flyer for the Board and what the Board could do for
the residents. Vice Chair liames inquired if there were any trinkets that could be given
away and learned Recreation and Parks had items that could be used. It was noted
about 250 seniors attended the Health Fair last year. It was anticipated to be bigger this
year and transportation will be provided to and from the Hester Center from the Senior
Center, Sterling Village and Journey Church.
The following were the survey questions:
• What community/district do you live in in Boynton Beach?
• As a senior or someone in your care, what are yourconcerns for seniors living in
Boynton Beach?
• What information do you need that would help with those concerns?
• What programs provided by the City are you aware of and have they been helpful
to you?
• What programs would you like to see or have more information?
Ms. Blackman indicated staff can assist with the questions and in distributing them.
They would put them in as many places as they could and the members could hand
them out at certain communities and/or have a conversation with friends, fill them out
and bring the questions back with their friends name on them. There could be a
gathering period. Staff can send them out to everyone in the system at the Senior
Center. When they come back staff will reformat the information with the logo, but it is
up to the Board where and how to send the information. Staff can send the information
out digitally, or through Survey Monkey. She suggested the members walk around with
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a clip board at the Fair and filling them out and also to take extra surveys when they go
out about in the community. It was important the Board did not give the idea they could
provide something for them that they could not at this point in time. Ms. Blackman
explained ideas could come from the information and they could look for grant or
alternative funding for something.
Vice Chair liames asked about transportation for seniors. Ms. Blackman commented
there is currently no transportation provided for seniors, but there is some discussion
about it. Discussion also turned to the lunch program that was changed in January;
however, that was Mae Volen contract issue with other municipalities.
Ms. Blackman explained staff will add contact information. Staff will also track if a
person submitted multiple responses to avoid having skewed information. Vice Chair
liames suggested contacting communities such as Leisureville because they have
newsletters which could provide a greater response.
B. 55+ Communities (City of Boynton Beach)
The Board had previously discussed 55+ communities. Chair Bionta had made a list of
the communities within the City. She thought the members could contact each
community or communities within each district. Vice Chair liames suggested sending it
to each commissioner who could distribute it in their Districts. Ms. Blackman agreed but
thought it would be more appropriate if community leaders in each neighborhood
distributed the information or from a member of the board than an elected official.
Ms. Newton inquired about the 55+ communities and learned it was to disseminate a lot
of information out through contact in the neighborhoods. Often there are clubhouses
where the information could be displayed. It was an information sharing tool and to
receive feedback. The Board could identify those to act as a liaison. Chair Bionta had
a list of 15 communities and suggested each member take two communities to contact.
Contacts/Board Liaison
Ms. Blackman noted the list was of communities, but was aware Ms. Newton was active
in the Healthier Boynton Beach and they could add a contact to the list. Ms. Newton
requested the members be given a script, which makes it easier to approach someone.
Vice Chair liames was concerned about the timeline. Ms. Blackman explained the
Health Fair could be utilized and suggested the Board not limit itself to a time. She did
not want to exclude anyone from the list and it may take a few conversations to develop
a rapport. Mr. Rolle agreed starting with a small outreach would be appropriate. The
members should start to contact the communities now and additional individuals as the
relationship is made. Members could obtain copies, emails and posters could be
obtained from staff.
The members volunteered to contact the following communities:
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• Village Royale on the Green —Antonio Villiatoro
• Quail Run —Vice Chair liames
• Seagate —Vice Chair liames
• Leisureville — Chair Bionta
• Colonial Club— Chair Bionta
• Chante Clair Villas -
• Palm Beach Leisureville — Brent Rolle
• Boynton Beach Leisureville - Chair Bionta
• High Point West Condo Association
• Hampshire Gardens—Jennifer Gomez
• Snug Harbor—
• Sterling Village —Jean Young
• Boynton Bay Apartments —Antonio Villatoro
• Pine Point Villas —Antonio Villatoro
• Boynton Lakes Villas—
• American Legion —Antonio Villatoro
• MLK Corridor— Margaret Newton
Mr. Rolle opined the Board had not reached all corners of Boynton Beach and the
Board was trying to broaden its scope. They want to establish relationships with
communities or organizations/entities with a high population of seniors. In season,
there is a large population of seniors. Mr. Rolle has visited some of the communities
and developed a relationship with the owner and the manager to distribute information
and speak with residents. He would just be a representative of the Senior Center. The
Board members would be representatives of the entire community of seniors. The
Board was conducting outreach and through discussions could learn of other
organizations. The members were creating a foundation. The members would become
conduits to get the information out.
Mr. Rolle spoke about center sponsors and advised the only thing the Center offers to
sponsors is face time with people. Having individuals in the building makes patrons
want to come. He explained that was why they get the word out as much as possible to
as many seniors or caregivers of seniors to come to the health fair. In turn, the Center
receives donations and it allows the Center to provide services for patrons for free or
reduced prices. There is no profit made, but it provides a benefit to patrons because
they can keep the cost low. Staff does not advocate for any one physician or service.
They seek to advertise a service that is beneficial to the community and attract a lot of
people, which in turn helps enlist others to come to the Center. The Center tries to build
relationships and partnerships. Staff has the information and can email it to the
members because it was already approved by marketing. There are posters, flyers and
information for attendees and potential sponsors. He encouraged the members to call
him and he will provide them with information.
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There was discussion Churches should be added to the list, but it was good to have one
contact person to send the information. Doctors are also a good source of information.
AARP Age Friendly Community— revisit
Chair 'Bilointa COmmonted the Board had previously discussed this item. Ms. Blackman
explained Mr. Rolle and Ms. Claude attended a workshop in Broward County on the
item and were discouraged as the item was a lot of work. Ms. Blackman attended a
Parks and Recreation Agency Summit in May and there was an AARP Representative
present and she received more information about the scope of the program. Ms.
Blackman contacted Mr. Rolle and there was agreement to initiate the program.
Mr. Rolle explained the program has many moving parts and there must be buy in from
the Mayor on down. Everyone would need to handle a particular portion to accomplish
the goal and be recognized at the end of the program. He noted the program has to be
implemented City-wide. He thought perhaps the City could work on the program in small
portions. It is a City designation that indicates the City is a thriving place for individuals
of all ages to live. It indicates the City and its infrastructure does everything possible in
all areas for all individuals to make it a comfortable and enjoyable place for people of all
ages to live. He explained there is a lot to do and there is a lot of research involved with
what the Board wants to accomplish, but it is designation that would make the City
attractive. Chair Bionta read what was posted in AARP as the background for the item
as follows:
"The AARP network of age-friendly communities, livable communities
network, is an affiliate of the World Health Organization's Age-Friendly
Cities and Community program, an international effort launched in 2006 to
help cities prepare for rapid population aging and the parallel trend of
urbanization. The program has participating communities in more than 20
nations as well as 10 affiliates representing more than 1,000
communities."
Ms. Blackman explained on completion of the program, Boynton Beach would be the
only city in Palm each County and one of under 30 locations in Florida with the
designations. She requested when the members leave the meeting, they look up the
website and conduct research and at the next meeting, the members could vote
whether to make a recommendation to the City Commission to implement the program.
She explained she could speak with the City Manager as it would be a great initiative for
this group and she would really like a recommendation for staff to look into the program.
Staff from Recreation and Parks would try to obtain the designation. In the future, Ms.
Blackman can invite the AARP representative come to a meeting. Chair Bionta offered
to provide background information on the program and there was agreement for the
representative to come to the next meeting. It was hoped the members would conduct
research and have questions ready.
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Ms. Newton hoped the City would obtain the designation. There is a southern city that
likes to brag how wonderful they are.
Attorney Gomez announced she had an upcoming seminar on October 4th at 2 p.m.
about estate planning and pop culture at the West Boynton Library,
VIII. Amy Blackman — Q &A
Ms. Blackman gave a brief update on the Town Square which is being branded as
Downtown Boynton. She advised the Old High School was being rehabbed. Customer
Service would move the week of the 27th and they will post it at the Senior Center. The
last week of the month, Recreation and Parks is moving to a temporary City Hall
location on Quantum Boulevard and then they will begin to develop the area. As the
time draws near for the new construction, staff would provide a Powerpoint. A hotel will
replace the City Hall building. There will be green space to the west and front of the Old
High School and an amphitheater with green space. The Library will be demolished and
replaced at the same location with a four-story Library/City Hall with collaborative work
areas. Apartments, condos will be on the outskirts and there will be parking garages.
The Police Department will move to the Emergency Operations Center on High Ridge
Road and Fire Station No 1 will go across the street to a parking lot as a small
substation.
All of the Senior Advisory Board meetings from this point forward will be at the
Intracoastal Park Clubhouse. She requested the members arrive promptly because
there are no staff members to stay downstairs and the building is secured. The address
is 2240 N. Federal Highway.
IX. Next Meeting: TBD
There was agreement to meet on September 10th at 2 p.m.
Motion
There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Villatoro moved to adjourn. Ms. Newton
seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at 3:30
p.m.
Catherine Cherry
Minutes Specialist
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