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Minutes 09-09-19 MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD AT THE INTRACOASTAL PARK CLUBHOUSE 2240 N. FEDERAL HIGHWAY, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2019, AT 2:00 P.M. PRESENT: Terry liames, Vice Chair Brent Rolle, Board Liaison Judi Lyman Larry Siegel Jennifer Gomez Alison Black, Alternate Margaret Newton arrived at 2:17 p.m. I. Call to Order Vice Chair liames called the meeting to order at 2:11 p.m. II. Pledge to the Flag The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. III. Attendance Self-introductions were made. A quorum was present. IV. Agenda Approval Vice Chair liames added Mr. Siegel speaking with the Lions Club and VFW, as Item C. and how the Board can assist seniors and they could contact Eleanor Krusell at the City. Vice Chair liames added the Health Fair as Item C, to New Business. Ms. Gomez added her seminar at the W. Boynton Library the next day to New Business as Item D. The agenda was approved by consensus. V. Approval of Minutes Motion Mr. Siegel moved to approve the January Minutes. Ms. Lyman seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. VI. Unfinished Business Vice Chair liames noted the Board had previously discussed contacting different senior homeowners' associations in the City to inform them what the Board could do for them Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 9, 2019 Mr. Seigel and Ms. Gomez have not received any responses. Vice Chair liames spoke with some neighborhoods and they would like to speak about the elderly crossing the roads at intersections. The lights turn too quickly and they feel they may be injured or killed because there is not enough time for them to cross. VII. New Business There were also concerns, prior to hurricane seasons, about putting more communications out about where they can go during hurricanes and how the SAB could issue more information about shelters and pets. Vice Chair liames noted many seniors have pets and feel they should stay home with to attend to their dogs. Ms. Gomez noted the City does a good job about notifying citizens about what shelters are available. Discussion turned to the CERT program, but it was thought CERT was more about sheltering in place. Ms. Lyman explained CERT patrols her community and after hurricanes they check on the residents. It is a beneficial program. Vice Chair liames noted Humana called her inquiring how she and her son made out after the hurricane, and if they needed any food. She thought the Board or the City could put out information about what to do and how to prepare for hurricanes on items about water, water storage and how generators work. She suggested the members put together how they prepared for a hurricane in different communities with stand alone homes with condos. She noted condos have pipes overhead on multiple-story buildings and sometimes do not get water because the electric goes out. She thought it could be presented to the City and they could distribute it to various communities or even put it on the bulletin board. Ms. Gomez suggested the Board urge individuals to sign up for the CERT program. The Fire Department holds an eight-week course about all sorts of disaster preparedness, and mostly hurricanes. Ms. Lyman noted Hunters Run requires each community to have someone participate in the CERT program. Vice Chair liames inquired it would be a good idea to invite someone from the Fire Department come out. Ms. Gomez explained CERT does go to neighborhoods and thought a representative could go to the Senior Center to let members know they have training available and when new classes start. Mr. Rolle explained that already occurs at the Senior Center every year. It is open to the public and to the deaf community. A representative from Palm Beach County talks about shelters and which shelters accept pets, the duration of time people can expect to be there, space, and there are video presentations. Vice Chair liames requested the next time the event is held, Mr. Rolle notify the Board, who in turn could notify other organizations. She noted older individuals do not have computers, do not know how to search and are left in limbo unless they live in a HOA community. It was noted all health care agencies must plan for hurricanes. Ms. Black works for an agency, so she visited a shelter. She heard of other shelters, but noted seniors do not go there because they have to sleep on the floor. With special needs shelters, the majority of people have medical conditions that are dependent on electricity and individuals must register ahead of time. Extremely elderly individuals about 90 years of age can also go to a special needs shelter, but the majority of individuals there have 2 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 9, 2019 some kind of medical condition that is dependent on electricity Special needs shelters is not only for seniors, it is for children as well and there is a family member accompanies the individual. Registered individuals sleep on a cot. Vice Chair liames noted the individuals at special need shelters have to bring everything; all their food, aid or family member and any medical means. There are doctors and nurses at the shelter that are there to help. Mr. Siegel commented it appeared there was way more being done to accommodate pets than seniors. Ms. Black's neighbor was 100, but she refused to leave her home during Hurricane Irma without her dog because she did not want to sleep on a cot or the floor, or go to a shelter sleeping next to homeless individuals or strangers. Palm Beach County Emergency will go to different communities, if invited, and talk about special needs shelters and advise what to do, but it must be requested. Vice Chair liames noted a lot of agencies line up contracts with nursing homes, so individuals can arrive and have a bed. Special needs shelters also require documentation from the doctor. Mr. Rolle explained all the information is on the website. It is also on the Palm Beach County website, on the TV and via printable flyers.. He suggested if the Board wanted to speak with organizations, or make phone calls, they mention the information is available and there are printable distribute flyers. Ms. Newton inquired if they had information on all the vendors that attend senior functions and commented if they are a vendor. Ms. Newton inquired if the Board was represented at the Health Fair and it could be part of the information they present. They could have information on crisis assistance and other topics. Ms. Newton explained she would work with someone on it if they are at the Health Fair. Vice Chair liames noted the Health Fair was on the 19th, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Ezell Hester Center. Ms. Gomez inquired if a CERT representative attended the Fair, if the booth would be free and learned there will be a representative from both the Fire and Police Departments present. Ms. Gomez commented she would contact CERT and request they have information they can hand out. Vice Chair liames also spoke to Margaret Newton about grants. Ms. Newton advised the deadline for grants had already passed and organizations were chosen. The City of Boynton Beach did not receive any grants. There will be an opportunity to apply for a grant next year sometime around April 2020. Mr. Siegel asked if there were any Requests for Proposals. Ms. Newton was only aware of Healthier Boynton grants, but had learned another group will issue information about proposals in November or December. Mr. Siegel explained he will have a short conversation with the Lions Club and VFW, but has not had a chance to follow up. Vice Chair liames discussed helping the Bahamas and noted the City has a box at the Senior Center. She thought they could hand out information about what to send to the Bahamas. Hunter's Run was partnering with Cheney Brothers and they have a set up and they will sell supplies at cost. The funds are dedicated to helping the Bahamas. Ms. Newton advised they do not want clothing. It was preferable to send money to purchase 3 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 9, 2019 items, building materials, toiletries and items for infants. There was a flyer available. Mr. Seigel asked if the Board could do something more relative to seniors, such as adult diapers, wipes, and/or other items. Vice Chair liames thought the box should be just for senior items. Ms. Newton did not think a separate box was needed as the items would be sorted. Mr. Rolle explained it was important to find someone to accept the donation and pay to take it to where it needed to go. There is a website and phone number. Mr. Rolle suggested researching the matter. He did not know who developed the flyer listing the items to get. Ms. Newton explained she has been receiving information from the Clergy Association in Delray and they are associated to people who can ship through certain organizations. Vice Chair liames will get the information an she will speak to the Baptist Association to see if they are sending anything over. Ms. Newton has the information and a contact for Delray. Ms. Gomez mentioned she has been deluged by businesses and organizations who are accepting money and donations. She thought the issue may be slightly outside the purview of the Board. Vice Chair liames will speak with the Baptist Association to see if they are sending anything over to the Bahamas. Ms. Newton also agreed to provide number of the Association of Clergy in Delray Beach in the hope they may be able to direct Vice Chair liames further. Ms. Gomez announced at 2 p.m. on September 10th, she will be giving a seminar on Probate at the Boynton West Library 2 p.m. It is a topic for all ages and would cover general law, how probate functions, general topics and legal aid. The next meeting will be held on November 4th at 2 p.m. VIII. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Vice Chair liames moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Lyman seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at 2:53 p.m. Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist i 4