HomeMy WebLinkAboutSSminutes040909WEST UNIVERSITY SENIOR SERVICES BOARD MEETING MINUTES
April 9, 2009
Meeting called to order at 2:00 PM Attendees were: Stan McCandless, Jo Lukens, Mary Lee Gray, Lyndon McKnight,
Celia Chipman, Maureen Graf, Selby Clark, Cathy Wright, Pieter & Janet Vrancken. Absent: Mary Ryerson, John
Neighbors, Elizabeth Young, Joan Johnson, Maureen Beck. Staff: Toby Brooks. Guests: Councilman Chuck Guffey,
Councilman Bob Fry, Councilman Candidate George Boehme, Mayor Bob Kelly.
Minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
Activities/ Previews (Toby Brooks) Toby Brooks reported that a lady resident had been mugged between her
office and car park (just off Kirby) in broad daylight. A meeting on parking lot safety is planned for the fall. Residents
are urged to exercise great caution. The Newsletter was delivered to the printer last Monday and expected in homes
by Saturday or Monday. The West University Recycling center accepts plastics numbered 1 to 5 and 7. Plastic bags
and plastics numbered 6 are not accepted.
APAC (Cathy Wright) Dr. Robert Roush from Baylor gave an excellent presentation to 300 physicians on the
prevention of financial fraud and exploitation. A pocket guide was distributed. Ike money is still available to those 60
years and over for acquiring appliances and repairing roofs needed for health and safety reasons. Applications should
be made to APAC. Funds will no longer be available after September. A talk is scheduled for April 15 at 9AM in the
Community Center by Birdie Simmons - a school principal - on the problems facing Inner City schools. APAC has
many vacancies for areas of Harris County. A list was distributed and Board Members were urged to mention these
openings to any friends they may have who live in the unrepresented areas.
Council Meeting Report (Chuck Guffey) Ordinances for limitations on hedges blocking front yards and front yard
turnarounds on Buffalo Speedway to allow for safer entrance to the street are before the Council for public meetings
and approvals. Council has purchased options for 3 to 4 months to purchase two lots adjacent to the Recreation
Center entrance as additional parking and green space. Six candidates are running for the four council positions and
the mayor is unopposed. A political Forum run by the Examiner will be held at 7PM on April 21 in the Community
Building. The design for the Rec Center pool as mainly for competitive swim meets and lap swimming has been
finalized. Digging of the foundations has begun. There are now three hundred children on the Swim Team. Three
options for the family fun pool (with a diving board and play features) being considered.
Good Neighbor Team (Mary Lee Gray) Stan & Becky Arnold had many volunteers helping with the packing and
distribution of care parcels. Don Berkemeyer (the volunteer head of the Handyman group which helps seniors with
small detailed chores -has been asked to attend the next Seniors Board Meeting or to present a report of the group's
activities. Stan McCandless stressed that it was important that volunteer hours be recorded. Regarding the geriatric
nurse program it is important to know how many people are involved in field work and whether the program is, in
fact, needed. Mary Lee Gray will suggest that an activity report for this program be presented. Toby Brooks mentioned
that there had been mixed reports on the 211 service (contact with hospitals regarding seniors in their care). The
effectiveness of the service is in doubt.
Mayor (Bob Kelly) Taxes for seniors are down in the current year. West University taxes are now collected by Harris
County a more cost effective solution than before.
Activity (Jo Lukens) A theme meal with corn dogs was planned, also shopping at Walmart and Wii playtime and
presentation from Let's Move. Future activities include chair yoga and a second second-hand fashion show. A pot luck
Bingo session is planned for New Year's Eve. Work is progressing on the Fall Newsletter. Three concerts in the "Music
in the Park" series are planned with one involving a Brass ensemble scheduled on Friday April 17.
Report of Parks and Recreation Department ( John Neighbors being absent Toby Brooks presented a
summary report) In the absence of the maintenance man (suffering from a hernia) no upgrading has been done
Community Center Renovations ( Toby Brooks) No meeting has been held since last month. There will be no
restriction of activities.
New Business (Toby Brooks) Heavy trash will be accepted on April 25 from 7AM until 3PM. Help will be available
for the elderly the day before. Shredding of paper records will be carried out at the Recycling Center on May 2nd
Adjornment: 2:48PM