Loading...
Minutes 08-01-22 Minutes of the Senior Advisory Board Regular Meeting Held at City Hall, Commission Chamber, 100 E. Ocean Avenue Boynton Beach, Florida, on Monday, August 1, 2022, at 2:00 P.M. PRESENT: Sandra Watson, Chair Marcia Levine Danny Ferrell Ann Cwynar Thomas Devlin James Watson, Alternate Jane Garcia-Deale, Alternate ABSENT: Judi Lyman. Margaret Newton I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Watson called the meeting to order at 2 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. III. ATTENDANCE — Introduction of New Board Members IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA a. Additions, Deletions, Corrections Chair Watson added a presentation from Sherry Johnson, Boynton Beach Faith Based Community Development Corporation, after Mr. Plummer's presentation, and Kacy Young, Parks and Recreation Director will speak. b. Adoption Motion Ms. Levine moved to approve the agenda as amended. Ms. Cwynar seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 1, 2022 V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Not available. VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS i. Let's get to know our Senior Advisory Board. Discuss ideas for a signature event. Update on prices. Chair Watson summarized that at the last meeting the Board had discussed holding an event so the community would know who they are and what the Board does. ii. Presentation to Commissioners Proclamation for August 21, 2022 Mr. Ferrell reported that the Proclamation recognizing August 21St be known as Senior Citizens Day in the City was submitted to the City Manager, the Mayor and Commissioner Kelley. He ,commented that hopefully it will be on the August 15th City Commission Agenda. Ms. Cwynar reported that she was unable to obtain prices for some items, as they did not designate sizes. Mr. Ferrell stated that he also requested getting either a badge or light-colored t-shirts for the members when they attend events. Ms. Garcia-Deale agreed to obtain prices for those items. Chair Watson advised that she had received a suggestion to have a Meet and Greet at the Senior Center on a Sunday, if Mr. Rolle and the Recreation and Parks Department could ensure the Center is open. Ms. Garcia-Deale stated that she had attended various senior events in the City and that no one had heard about the Senior Advisory Board, but there was interest. She also posted information about the Board on Facebook. Mr. Rolle advised that the Board would have to fill out a Facility Use Agreement and get it approved through their department, at least two weeks in advance of the event. He stated that the Center is not usually open on the weekends, and if approved for just a Meet and Greet with coffee, tea and juice, they would just need to set up a table and they can issue the survey to the participants to see what they are interested in and need. iii. Senior Advisory Survey Questions Chair Watson indicated that each member submitted questions to Mr. Rolle. She printed them and there were about 20 questions they can put on the survey. 2 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 1, 2022 Mr. Devlin distributed a survey from Montgomery County. He suggested that the Board look at other cities' surveys, and also what services the City is willing to provide. He commented that the Board needed to define the needs of seniors, and then work with the City to accomplish them. Ms. Levine commented that if someone asks who can help a senior with some questions, they have the head of the Recreation and Parks Department, and Mr. Rolle, who manages the Senior Center. She questioned if they need a direct liaison for seniors, or a Senior Affairs Coordinator. Mr. Devlin responded that the City needs a dedicated person. Discussion followed regarding no senior services provided by the City, except the Center, which is for recreation. Mr. Devlin suggested that they look at all the things that are not currently being done, find a way to address them and ask the City how to provide it. Mr. Rolle reiterated that the Board has to figure out the needs of seniors. Ms. Garcia-Deale suggested that the Board connect with Mr. Rolle and find out the questions Mr. Rolle receives and the Board contact the Fire and Police Departments to find out what they are commonly asked. Mr. Rolle agreed and explained that they hire recreation and parks employees, not licensed individuals to discuss or advise on services. He said that a large portion of the seniors they serve are ambulatory and come to the Center as a recreational center. He mentioned that Mae Volen has a congregate food program housed at the Center, so they can provide daily needs, and they have various services they contract through the City, based on experts that come into the facility. Ms. Levine commented that this Board, due to how it is structured, has been struggling, but the Board can be a champion for seniors Citywide. She stated that she thought they could have an offline meeting. Kacy Young, Recreation and Parks Director, stated that the Board has to adhere to the Sunshine Law and they have to be careful about meeting as a public Board outside of a public meeting. He advised that the Board can schedule a special meeting. Ms. Garcia-Deale noted that in her experience, the people who really need to fill out the surveys do not attend. She suggested that one of the Board Members could volunteer at the Senior Center or the Library to give out information and see what the needs are of the seniors. VII. PUBLIC INPUT (Comments limited to 3 minutes and 1 Turn) 3 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 1, 2022 Margaret Newton, Senior in Boynton Beach, stated that it was interesting that many of the Board Members do not know what services were available for seniors in Boynton Beach, and that there has been an established survey for four years. She advised that Healthier Boynton Beach is very active in the City especially with care givers and seniors and Mr. Ricky Petty is in charge of the program. Ms. Newton also urged the Board to contact the Boynton Beach Mental Health Committee, because they offer activities and they have senior citizens all over the City attending these events. She commented that they have a huge faith-based organization in Boynton Beach, and all they have to do is ask. Sherry Johnson, Boynton Beach Faith Based Community Development Corporation, stated that the City has a Community Improvement Department that uses CDBG Funds throughout the City and funds organizations that provides services. She mentioned what they do in the Mental Health Committee and said that they have a whole list of resources. She provided the Boynton Beach Mental Health Committee, Heart of Boynton and Healthier Boynton Beach websites. VIII. Chris Plummer (Presentation) Mr. Plummer, consultant hired by the City of Boynton Beach, stated he was hired to conduct the City's Consolidated Plan, to receive federal funds and to conduct an Analysis to Impediments (AI) to Fair Housing choice. He gave a quick presentation, and reported that the City receives about $582K in CDBG funds from HUD. He spoke about the CDBG funds, and its qualifications and guidelines. He requested that the members take the survey he distributed. He pointed out that the challenge is they can only spend about 15% of the funds for public services. He explained that this process is to identify the areas that the Board would like to see explored in terms of funding. He spoke about the Annual Action Plan and what data comes from there. He advised that they are still in the data collection stage. Ms. Johnson, Boynton Beach Faith Based CDC, explained that Ms. Davis runs the Senior Day Care program. She stated that the need when they began this program a few years ago was great and then COVID impacted them significantly. She spoke about the underserved districts in the City. There was discussion regarding Mae Volen and Meals on Wheels. Michele Davis White, stated that they are the premier senior care program in Boynton Beach and Healthier Boynton Beach's focus is care giving, while their focus is seniors in Boynton Beach. She stated that sometimes they pay out of their own pocket to meet the meal need of the seniors and they have a personal relationship with all of the close to 300 people they assist. She explained that all meals are freshly prepared by a Chef and there was nothing the team cannot do. 4 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 1, 2022 Ms. Johnson announced that she is the Public Service CDBG Liaison this year, and when people call the City for assistance, they should be referred to her or to 211. She spoke about the different services that calls can be referred to her. She mentioned that she manages the COVID related CDBG Fund which has $370K assisting residents within the City limits, but there are services she can refer residents and non-residents too. She suggested inviting the CEO from Alliance to attend a meeting, so the Board can acquaint themselves with who they are and their services. Ms. Johnson reported on the impact of COVID on seniors and advised they have long haulers still suffering. She spoke about the different items that have been inflated, such as rent, food, taxes, insurance, and utility bills. She spoke about predatory developers and realtors that are purchasing tax certificates and forcing seniors out of their homes. She advised they have a COVID Rental Assistance Program will be extended and is on the City agenda, and there is help with Utilities. She commented that they could use CDBG funds to help seniors with home repairs. She spoke about the importance of working with other entities to help seniors. Ms. Newton commented that there is very little being done regarding mental health for seniors. She suggested that they think about what the Board can provide for seniors for mental health, and meet with the Library. She stated that the committee recommended a book for the entire City to read and she suggested getting with the Library to set out books about seniors for Senior month. Ms. Johnson mentioned that the Carolyn Sims Center has resources there. She said that they are paying $1 K a month to rent a kitchen somewhere else, and the City could provide a kitchen at Carolyn Sims for them to use to provide food to those who need it. She suggested reviewing the Community's resources. She said that right now, the building has Code violations so it cannot be used. She noted in the first six months of this year, they distributed nearly 131 K pounds of fresh produce from Palm Beach Harvest. She spoke about the cap on rent hikes that the City is working on. (Ms. Garcia Deale left dais at 3:45 p.m.) Mr. Young stated that he has been in communications with Chair Watson and wanted to introduced himself. He confirmed that Mr. Rolle is the liaison for senior programming, activities at the Senior Center, and questions can be directed to him. He advised that the department is currently reviewing the Parks Master Plan. He commented that many of the questions and comments discussed by the Board today will become part of that process. He explained the process or the Park Master Plan and where more information about it can be found, at w._ i a inercreation _ nton. o . IX. NEW BUSINESS i. Schedule a meeting with the City Grant Writer for directions and guidance 5 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 1, 2022 This item was deferred to the next meeting. ii. Develop a Senior Advisory Board Budget This item was deferred to the next meeting. iii. Attending Upcoming Events X. NEXT MEETING ...................... September 12, 2022 Agenda items would be due by Wednesday, August 31St Chair Watson commented that they could have an additional meeting, if they can come up with a date. After brief discussion, there was consensus to meet on September 15 from 2 P.M. to 4 P.M., and the meeting agenda will state the purpose. XI. ADJOURNMENT Motion Ms. Levine moved to adjourn. Ms. Cwynar seconded the motion. James Watson spoke on Item #3 and stated that he was looking forward to working with the Board. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 3:57 P.M. oatiuu4t.e- (I -"-tA4 Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 6