HomeMy WebLinkAboutSSminutes 02102011West University Senior Services Board Meeting February 30, 2011
Present: John Neighbors (Chairman), Joe Mitchell, Jo Lukens, Mary Lee Gray, George Baker, Barbara
Marvin, Joan Johnson, Selby Clark, Lyndon McKnight, Janet Vrancken, Pieter Vrancken. Absent: Celia
Chipman, Mary Ryerson, Stan McCandless. Staff: Tim O'Connor, Toby Brooks. Guests: Councilman Steven
Segal, Sarah Waisanen (West U Instant News).
The Meeting was called to order at 2:OOPM. With minor modifications the minutes of the previous
meeting were approved.
Activities (Toby Brooks, Jo Lukens) New activities include Brain Games(12 participants) and Line
Dancing (18 participants for two months). Shopping at Meyerland Plaza was organized for non-drivers. A
Valentine party was organized by Janine Schueppert. The meditation group has attracted 12 regulars.
Jason's Deli is helping with the Bunny Pot-luck and the St. Paddy's Day trivia. A Walmart shopping spree
was organized with Patricia.
APAC (Joan Johnson) Four Board Members attended the final "Get Ready for Life" presentation on
Saturday Jan 29. The event was well organized and we were well pleased to learn of the various bodies
which can help with problems of the elderly and to receive copies of the Senior Guidance directory and
be shown how to navigate through it.
Council Meeting Report (Councilman Steven Segal) WU Recreation Center has faced a problem of
noise abatement arising from the pool vent and chiller on the north side of the building facing residences.
The improvements will require an expenditure of $33,000. An Ad Hoc Committee has made a
presentation to the Council on possible re-development of the Town Center. This report has been
forwarded to the Zoning & Planning Committee (ZPC). It contains proposals for zoning changes to allow
for redevelopment when the owners decide. The issues will be studied by the ZPC with public input, for
future presentation to the Council. The issue of using city resources for non-city advertising has been
raised. West U Elementary is proposing an appeal for funding written on City Water bills at no cost to the
City. Council authorized preparation of a Memorandum of Understanding to include legal requirements
and will review the MOU when presented. Talks have been held in executive session regarding (a) storm
water detention and (b) real estate matters involving property at 3816 University Boulevard. Proposals
from Edloe Deli, Firehouses and Chickfila for the catering at Colonial Park are being considered. The profit
share to the City varies between 10 and 15%. This compares with the 28% we received this past year.
PARD (Tim O'Connor/Toby Brooks) 90% of the drawings for the Community Center are complete.
The small changes included the provision of 2 diaper changers (vs. 4 originally), a janitorial service, a
bigger storeroom, a washer & dryer on site. Additionally the Blue Room will be expanded by 25% with no
extension of the building. Bathrooms will be added and we shall receive a federal energy grant. Plumbing
will not be carried out by in house labor. Decoration will be in neutral colors (shown to the Board) in an
attempt to get away from an institutionalized look. There will be no increase in the size of the kitchen but
warming drawers, a large fridge and a better sink will be included - the whole layout being more rational.
It is hoped that a shut-down of the facilities can be avoided but safety remains a concern. Council
approval will be needed in the event of a shut-down. 100% of the drawings will be available during the
week commencing 2/14 and will be shown to the Board at the next meeting. The Center will be equipped
with WiFi and laptops will be made available later. We shall live with the sound system that we have but
really need a microphone. The outside appearance of the building will not change; although 70 years old
it will just require a face-lift - cleaning and painting. Lighting in the lobbies will be improved to provide as
much natural light as possible. Residential & table lights will be provided in areas used for conversational
groups. No landscaping has been budgeted. It is hoped that bids will be opened in the first week of
March. The main problem still requiring solution is whether to close or not. A special Senior Board
Meeting will be needed to consider the options. Moving activities to the Recreation Center is not an
option. Discussion with the contractors will be needed with the pricing of variants to their basic bids.
Week-end working could be a solution depending on the final cost. The Chairman noted that the West U
redevelopment had received 4 awards for the design of the overall redevelopment, the Recreation
Center, Colonial Park and the Community Center and commended Tim & Toby for their part in this.
Good Neighbor Team (Mary Lee Gray) The regular meeting will take place next week to discuss the
senior book.
The Meeting was adjourned at 3:05PM