Minutes 05-09-22 Minutes of the Senior Advisory Board Regular Meeting
Held at City Hall, Commission Chamber, 100 E. Ocean Avenue
Boynton Beach, Florida, on Monday, May 9, 2022, at 2:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Sandra Watson, Chair Brenton Rolle, Board Liaison
Judi Lyman, Vice Chair
Thomas Devlin
Marcia Levine
Alison Black
Judi Lyman
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
III. ATTENDANCE — REVIEW RENEWALS
Mr. Rolle noted that Jennifer Gomez and Margaret Newton were to remain on the Board
until replaced. He stated that Mr. Harper is in Spain and will no longer serve as an
Alternate, and that there are two regular and two alternate positions open on the Board.
IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
1. Additions, Deletions, Corrections
2. Adoption
Motion
Mr. Devlin moved to approve the agenda as presented. Ms. Black seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
VI. Public Input (Comments limited to 3 minutes and 1 Turn)
VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
i. Introduction of Advisory Board Members
Meeting Minutes
Senior Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida May 9, 2022
The members introduced themselves.
ii. Recap Advisory Board Renewal Paperwork
Chair Watson requested that all the members complete and submit the Commission on
Ethics paperwork to the City Clerk.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
a. Discussion / Vote on meeting once a month vs every quarter.
May 9th, June 6th, July 11th, Aug 1St, Sept 12th, Oct 3rd, Nov 7th Dec 5th 2022
Chair Watson stated that she wanted to put some things in place and work on them. She
noted that the Board would normally meet every quarter, but she did not think it was
enough time for the Board to get things accomplished. She wanted to meet once a month.
She mentioned that she had lived in Boynton Beach for four or five years and never knew
about the Senior Advisory Board. She stated that she wanted the Board to look for things
of interest for the Seniors in Boynton Beach.
A short discussion followed about how often to meet.
Motion
Ms. Levine moved to meet once a month, at this time, as the new meeting schedule. Mr.
Devlin seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Watson will get the
dates to the City Clerk.
b. Discussion on Future Opportunities for Advisory Board Financial Support
(ARPA) Grants (CBDG) Grants
Chair Watson commented that the Board needs funding. She noted that there is an
upcoming ARPA Grant and an upcoming CDBG grant and they can make a pitch to the
City Commission to request funding. She mentioned that Vice Chair Lyman is also a grant
writer and that they should speak to the City's grants person. She pointed out that May is
Senior Citizen Month and she asked if the City is doing anything to recognize them. She
also noted that August, 3rd, a Sunday, is Senior Citizen Day. She thought that the Advisory
Board can head up something to celebrate seniors as she is aware that a lot of other
cities have a lot of activities for their seniors. She pointed out that the Board's job is to
advise for seniors in Boynton Beach.
Ms. Levine asked if they have age distinctions for seniors, noting that the Art Advisory
Board has free activities, such as tours of the art on Ocean Avenue among other activities
the seniors can become involved in.
2
Meeting Minutes
Senior Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida May 9, 2022
There was discussion regarding the following: the importance of finding a way to ensure
all seniors know about the different activities offered in the City; members attending
events to give more exposure to it; what other municipalities do for seniors; collecting
email addresses to send out notices of events; and volunteer opportunities in Boynton
Beach for seniors.
Ms. Levine noted that email addresses are very important and that Delray is run by senior
volunteers. She pointed out that the City will be holding the Kinetic Festival in 2023 and
they will need volunteers to speak about the artwork, and seniors love art. She suggested
that they put a notice in the newsletter, but noted that the Senior Center newsletter is only
for the Center patrons.
Mr. Rolle suggested that the Board determine who to contact and how to do so in order
for the Board to be more visible. He noted that the Advisory Board will be the conduit to
disseminate the information and when they figure that out, the Board will have to
determine how to handle the feedback. He stated that the Board needs to be more visible,
because if they are not known, no one would respond to them. He suggested finding out
what the City is doing at-large, that is not specific to seniors and having a presence at
those functions.
Chair Watson inquired if the Senior Advisory Board was allowed to have a general email
address. She stated that Mr. Weiss, the Public Art Manager, handles correspondence for
the Art Advisory Board and is a paid employee, but the SAB does not have those same
services. She suggested that the Board approach the City Commission to find a City
employee to work with, with an emphasis on a method to distribute information to seniors
city-wide.
Vice Chair Lyman suggested using television, as they always have something going on
and she knows someone at the station who could advertise what is occurring.
Mr. Rolle recommended that they have a table at the First Friday Concert.
Chair Watson stated that she has seen seniors involved in many things in surrounding
communities, and she explained some of those events.
Vice Chair Lyman commented that if they receive grant funding, it can be used for those
activities.
Mr. Devlin commented that the Board should have an idea first of what they want before
asking for funds and they could list the types of activities other municipalities have, as a
starting point.
Chair Watson suggested that they schedule a meeting with the City's grant writer to
ensure the Board's efforts are aligned with their mission, and said that the Board may
need direction and guidance.
3
Meeting Minutes
Senior Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida May 9, 2022
Mr. Rolle suggested that the members decide who is going to attend the May 30th and
June 19th events and having something in place of what they want to do before soliciting
ideas from the public and seeing how it goes. He recommended starting out with having
a signature event to gather information, and move in a positive direction to get information
out city-wide. He explained how the Senior Center attracts patrons and emphasized that
it is important to identify what they are going to offer. He said that at the end of September
they have an open house at the Senior Center, which is open to all seniors, and
information can be handed out there.
Ms. Levine noted that Mr. Rolle is the Board's Liaison, and that she thought the Board
could disseminate information through Mr. Rolle and they could use the Senior Center as
a place of operation.
Mr. Rolle clarified that the Senior Center is a part of the Recreation Department, and they
are subject and governed by the same rules as other Recreation Centers and they have
a budget.
Ms. Levine asked if they could put the Board under Parks and Recreation and have a
different liaison and receive resources and a budget.
Chair Watson noted things they can do is have May as Senior Citizen Month recognized
by the City Commission, and that the third Sunday in August is Senior Citizen Day, which
should be recognized. She inquired what the SAB has done in the last six years and
learned there was nothing.
Ms. Levine suggested that they first define the Board and its mission, and pointed out
planning events is something else.
There was discussion regarding the purpose of the Board, and it was suggested that the
Board pick one thing to plan and accomplish.
Chair Watson noted that May 15th is the Remembering and Healing Together event hosted
by the Mental Health Committee and that the May 20th event is the Gold Coast Band
Concert at 7 p.m., at the amphitheater. She mentioned that she can contact Gerta Klein,
of the Mental Health Committee, and they can get a table there.
There was discussion regarding the following: items to distribute at events; meeting next
month; attending future events; ratifying activities through the City Commission; and
future plans of the Board.
Ms. Levine commented that after brainstorming for the Board and bringing it to the
meeting in June and then the City Commission in July, then they can start discussing
events after July. She also noted that there were upcoming Budget Hearings and Chair
Watson thought the Board should have its own line item.
4
Meeting Minutes
Senior Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida May 9, 2022
Chair Watson recommended not tweaking the purpose of the Board too much, and leave
a lot of wiggle room. She suggested that members send their thoughts to Mr. Rolle, and
that they meet next month to refine what they want to present to the City Commission as
a mission statement.
c. Steering Committee (Who has interest in participating)
d. Schedule a meeting with the City Grant Writer for directions and guidance.
Develop a Senior Advisory Board Budget Team.
The FY 2023 budget workshops are scheduled for:
• Monday, July 11, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.
• Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. (if needed)
(Ms. Levine left the meeting at 3:29 p.m.)
Mr. Devlin stated that if they came up with something to do next February or March, it
would not be included in any department's budget, but in November if the Board says
what the Board wants to do, they can ask for $4K or $5K. He said that as they develop
over the next year, the Board can figure out how to be included in the budget.
Vice Chair Lyman agreed and stated that they can identify projects and grants.
Chair Watson explained that she buys groups of tickets at the Kravitz for$5 and she takes
youth and seniors to the performances and it costs $150 to rent a 40 to 50 seat bus to
take them to the Kravitz Center.
Motion
Mr. Devlin moved for someone distribute the link to the charter for each member to review
and come up with suggested revisions.
Mr. Rolle explained a motion is not necessary and that the members can send the
revisions to Mr. Rolle who will compile the revisions that are suggested to be adopted,
which are due by May 18th. He explained that if they want to review the Mission
Statement, it could be done at the same time and they can decide which two events they
would attend. He asked if they would request a table and get feedback from people, and
if the Board wanted shirts to identify senior volunteers. He suggested contacting other
Boards to see who has a budget and how they distribute information.
Vice Chair Lyman stated that she will check with Commissioner Cruz for ideas, because
it will eventually go before the Commission.
5
Meeting Minutes
Senior Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida May 9, 2022
Mr. Rolle gave Chair Watson information about a Steering Committee meeting that is
meeting on May 23rd, which was too soon for the Board to attend.
e. Let's get to know our Senior Advisory Board Signature Event (schedule a
meeting with the Events Department)
f. Presentation to the Commissioners
g. Senior Advisory Survey
h. Let's be seen:
a. City Commission Meeting May 3, 5:30 P.M.
b. Community Conversation May 5, 6 P.M.
c. First Friday @5 Concert May 6, 5 P.M.
d. Remembering and Healing Together May 15, 1:00 P.M.
e. Boynton Beach Gold Coast Band Concert May 20, 7:00 P.M.
f. Juneteenth Festival June 19th 12-4 P.M.
IX. NEXT MEETING - June 6, 2022
X. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Watson requested the members attend the City Commission meetings, if possible.
She stated that the members will also receive a list of the Senior Advisory Board Members
names only.
Motion
Mr. Devlin moved to adjourn. Vice Chair Lyman seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:44 p.m.
Catherine Cherry
Minutes Specialist
6