HomeMy WebLinkAboutSSMinutes091009West University Senior Services Board Meeting September 10, 2009
Present: Jon Neighbors (Chairman), Celia Chipman, Jo Lukens, Lyndon McKnight, Joan Johnson, Stan
McCandless, Maureen Graf, Joe Mitchell, Mary Ryerson, Selby Clark, Cathy Wright, Mary Lee Gray, Janet
Vrancken, Pieter Vrancken.
Absent: Maureen Beck. In Attendance: Staff: Toby Brooks, Tim O'Connor. Guests: Councilman Chuck
Guffey, Mari Tomscyk.
The Meeting was called to order at 2:00pm
Minutes & Matters Arising: The minutes were approved as presented. The Chairman queried the use
being made of the Meals on Wheels Mail Order Form. There have been no experiences with this program.
The JCC and Interfaith Ministries also have a program with a long waitlist. The financial stimulus package
may shorten the waiting list.
Activities & Previews (Toby Brooks) 15 people attended a parking lot safety meeting. Purse
snatching in WU was highlighted. As part of an RAD program self-defense classes will be taught - mainly
for women. Theme meals have been successful and will continue. Twelve have enrolled in a meditation
class. Several trips are planned.
APAC (Cathy Wright) A DVD entitled "Break the Silence" dealing with abuse of seniors which is an
offense under the Federal Elder Justice Act. Many cases involve family members or care givers, which
makes reporting of this crime difficult. Only two Texas legislators currently support this Act. Other items
included Festival in the Park, a Memory Walk for Alzheimer patients and Thanksgiving celebrations.
Attention focused on falls and fall prevention, loss in hearing and knee nerves. Baylor has a program on
balance problems and needs primary care physicians to recommend it. There is a need for NGOs and
Churches to adopt multi-tenanted buildings to check that seniors' needs are being met and to establish
who is in charge of residents in the event of a disaster. West U Rotary is very interested in being
involved. A City & County Meeting is planned on how to deal with emergencies. This is actively supported
by Mayor White.
Council Meeting Report (Councilman Chuck Guffey) Inter views for open Board positions took
place over 4 hours on four nights. There were 80 very well qualified candidates of whom only 20 could
not be found positions. The new purpose-built Police Station will probably be a two story addition to the
back of the Fire Station. Although the present Police Station was remodeled about 2 and a half years ago,
it is not considered large enough to house new equipment. The 11,000 square foot structure has been
estimated at $5.5 million. A more detailed estimate will be sought from PGAL and a bond issue may well
be needed to cover the cost. The Council is considering leasing the land adjacent to the City's recycling
facility, currently used as an overspill parking lot for Goode Company Seafood, to Molina's Mexican
Restaurant for construction of a two story restaurant and parking garage. Restrooms for the workforce of
the recycling facility will be provided. A 15 year commitment is envisioned. There is currently no need to
expand the recycling facility and if additional recycling capacity were needed in the future this would best
be provided at a new site on the south or west side of the city.
Good Neighbor Team (Mary Lee Gray) The 10 year Anniversary celebration will be held on Friday
September 25. There will be no meeting that week.
Activity Report (Jo Lukens and Toby Brooks) Lots of activities are scheduled for this fall: plays,
lunches and bingo. (These are all listed in the current edition of "Hi Neighbor")
Report of Parks & Recreation (Tim O'Connor) All construction activity is on schedule. The Rec
center is dried in but not safe for walk-through yet. Colonial Park will be closed as from Monday until May
2010. Waiting for electrical component to be complete before renovations can begin. Huffington Park
work is complete and within budget and there have been positive comments. The ribbon-cutting
ceremony will be held from 6:00pm on Wednesday September 23. A Programming Committee is being
compile and looking for a senior board member representative (this involves a ten hour commitment over
4 to 6 meetings).There is still some uncertainty over the physical availability of Colonial Park and the
Community Center. One of the tasks to be considered by the Programming Committee is how to promote
the activities within these facilities. NEW BUSINESS Elizabeth Young who cannot continue on this Board
was unanimously elected an Honorary Member.
ADJOURNMENT: The Meeting adjourned at 2:58pm.