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Minutes 01-09-23 Minutes of the Senior Advisory Board Regular Meeting Held at City Hall, Commission Chamber, 100 E. Ocean Avenue Boynton Beach, Florida, on Monday, January 9, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. PRESENT: Sandra Watson, Chair Kacy Young, Recreation and Parks Director Ann Cwynar Franky Lazo, Assistant Director Danny Ferrell Brent Rolle, Board Liaison Thomas Devlin Mary DeGraffenreidt, Recreation Manager Marcia Levine (Arrived at 2:09 P.M.) James Watson, Alt. ABSENT: Christina Charles Thomas Devlin Jane Garcia-Deale, Alt. I. Call to Order Chair Watson called the meeting to order at 2:05 P.M. Roll Call was taken. A quorum was present. II. Pledge of Allegiance The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. III. Attendance — Introduction of New Board Member - None IV. Approval of Agenda V. Additions, Deletions, Corrections Chair Watson added "Finding Hope When You Need Help" from the Mental Health Committee and a report about the Thanksgiving Food Baskets with the CDC. VI. Adoption Motion Ms. Cwynar moved to approve the agenda with the additions. Mr. Ferrell seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 9, 2023 VI. Approval of Minutes Motion Mr. Ferrell moved to approve the September minutes. Ms. Cwynar seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. VII. Public Input (Comments limited to 3 minutes and 1 Turn) None. VIII. Unfinished Business Update on Senior Resource List Ms. Levine stated that she created a preliminary Senior Resource List and that she asked the members to look it over and make additions or corrections. She explained that the list will be continually updated, but the Board needs to know where, or who will keep the list. She suggested that it should be somewhere in the City and commented that when she sits at the Information Booth at City events, she distributes CRA and City information. She advised that the Information Booth volunteers can speak about this list, and that she spoke with Ms. Krusell about how to clean it up. Eleanor Krusell, Director of Marketing and Outreach, stated that Laura Lansburgh, Director of Public Communications, also handles the website. She advised that Ms. Lansburgh was present and that the information can be kept live on the website and be updated immediately when needed. Ms. Lansburgh requested that she be sent the list to post and explained that the website is ADA accessible and translatable into, Spanish and Creole. She stated that the list was a good first step to post on the website, as opposed to a printed brochure, because a brochure would have to be translated to the other languages. She explained that the Board can have a dedicated URL, that changes should be sent to her to update and she can create a QR Code for seniors to scan. She advised that she can post the information on social media and include it in the City's E-newsletter. She also suggested having the information at the Library, Senior Center, and that she can put a graphic on the digital billboard in the lobby of City Hall. Ms. Krusell suggested that the Board have a booth at the MLK Event and that they can announce it at the City Commission Meeting. She said that if there are any organizations they want the information sent to, they will forward it. Ms. Lansburgh mentioned that they are in contact with Leisureville and that they have their own newsletter. She said she would approach Leisureville, to include where 2 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 9, 2023 residents can view the information in the newsletter at no charge, and put an ad in the Senior Center Newsletter directing residents to the information as well. Update on Name Tags, shirts, table cloth and banner Chair Watson stated that they have name tags, and are still working on the remaining three items. She noted that former Vice Chair Lyman was working on the banner with Hunter's Run and that she will take over those tasks. IX. Presentations to the Senior Advisory Board X. New Business Recommendations on a Vice Chair Chair Watson announced that Vice Chair Judy Lyman passed away and that they can make recommendations for Vice Chair. She recommended that Mr. Ferrell serve as Vice Chair. No other nominations were made. Motion Chair Watson moved to nominate Mr. Ferrell as Vice Chair. Ms. Cwynar seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. SNAP benefits and low-income housing (LIHWAP) — Dan Ferrell Mr. Ferrell said that he was reviewing different programs for seniors and that most seniors on a fixed income survive just on Social Security and would qualify for SNAP benefits. He explained that individuals must be 60 years old and cannot earn more than $27K a year. He announced that qualified applicants can receive up to $1 K per year based on income. He explained where seniors can apply. He stated that he had also reviewed utility assistance programs for seniors and one such program is low income water. He advised that Boynton Beach is the only City that does not participate in the program, Low Income Household Water Assistance Program. He advised that participants must earn no more than 60% of the median income, which is $55K and can apply through Palm Beach County. He said that they also offer low income housing repairs for air conditioning repair or replacement. He pointed out that the same median incomes apply. He also commented that funds are available for seniors 55 and older for housing repairs through the Boynton Beach Faith Based CDC for emergency and major repairs. He emphasized that the funds are not for maintenance. He commented that he worked with the Mae Volen Center trying to add an additional food distribution location at Sea Meadow, which would provide an additional 400 meals that could be served to the surrounding communities. He advised that service is free and open to any senior aged 60 and older and that it is a hot lunch served Monday through Friday. He explained the Senior Advisory Board teamed up with the Boynton Beach Faith Based CDC and wanted to provide 3 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 9, 2023 enough food for 150 Thanksgiving baskets for seniors that could still cook, but could not afford to buy the food. He advised that they received enough food for almost 200 baskets and they donated the leftover food to Benvenuto for their 400-meal donation. He said that he will be at the MLK Day Event representing the Board and that other Board Members planned to attend as well. Delray Art Garage — Sandra Watson Chair Watson advised that the Board is still a partner with the above and that they send her notices, if shows are not completely booked. She explained that she contacts as many senior residents as she can, who are interested in seeing the show because the Art Garage sends her free tickets to the unsold seats and the shows are good. She said she was trying to get the word out to seniors, because she sends the Art Garage a list of individuals who want to attend and the Art Garage then sends them tickets. Chair & Vice Chair Meeting Mr. Ferrell stated that he requested the Chair and Vice Chair meet with the City Manager to go over the importance the Senior Advisory Board and why and what assistance the Board needs. He announced that they will meet today at 3 P.M. Meeting Schedule for 2023 Mr. Rolle commented that he emailed the schedule to the members. MLK Day of Service Monday January 16th Chair Watson explained that the morning part of the event is a clean-up, and that the Senior Advisory Board will have a table at the event from 12 Noon to 5 P.M. She said that she hoped there would be some kind of literature or a QR Code available for the Board members to distribute so the public will know the Senior Advisory Board can help. She clarified the cleanup event will be at the Carolyn Sims Center and the afternoon event is at Sara Sims Park. Mr. Ferrell suggested inviting a representative from the Mae Volen Center, as they bring a lot of information about their services. Ms. Levine suggested having a sign-up sheet, for anyone that wants to receive the newsletter, and said that she will attend the MLK Event as well. She advised that she will develop a summary of the Board's actions to present to the City Commission. Mary DeGraffenreidt, Recreation and Parks Manager, spoke about the MLK Event, advising that she is in charge of it. She stated that she bought post cards with the time and location of the event, to distribute, and said that it would be a pleasure to have the Board attend for the Day of Service, as they will do neighborhood cleanup. 4 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 9, 2023 Ms. DeGraffenreidt announced that this year, they will have kid's activities and a light continental breakfast. She commented that she will work with the Board on whatever signature event is decided on. She also stated that Recreation and Parks tablecloths are available and that she is ordering tents for the department and that the Board should let Mr. Rolle know what they need. XI. Next Meeting ...................... February 6, 2023 Chair Watson recommended that the members come to the next meeting with suggestions for the signature event, so that they can plan for it. XII. Adjournment Motion There being no further business before the Board, Chair Watson moved to adjourn. Ms. Levine seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at 2:58 P.M. r Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 5