HomeMy WebLinkAboutSSMinutes12082011West University Senior Services Board Meeting December 8, 2011
Present: Stan McCandless (Chair), John Neighbors, Joe Mitchell, Michelle Moore, Chuck Guffey, Selby
Clark, Mary Ryerson, Sarah Ballanfant. Absent: Lyndon McKnight, Virginia Lootens, George Baker. Guests:
Councilwoman Joan Johnson, Caroline Evans (West U Examiner) Staff: Toby Brooks. The Meeting was
called to order at 2:03PM. The minutes were approved with minor amendments requested by the
Chairman.
Matters arising from the Minutes: The Chairman asked Toby Brooks whether West U Seniors were
being registered with AAA. Toby replied that all 168 were registered with the Good Neighbor Team and
with Senior Services. This has relevance in the event of emergencies such as hurricanes requiring
evacuation. The 211 service provided through AAA has been little used.
Activities (Toby Brooks) The Volunteer Lunch on November 29 was a resounding success. The Holiday
Concert attracted 20 seniors. A Defensive Driving Class is being organized with AARP. A Christmas
Shopping excursion to Meyerland is planned. An excursion to Galveston is due shortly to view the carved
trees. The Xmas lunch will take place on December 20 and a New Year's Eve potluck lunch on December
30. In the new year we are adding an extra yoga class and an extra water aerobics class. The tai Chi
class is going strong. Patricia Noren has joined the staff replacing Brett Hall and is doing well. The
database program is being changed.
APAC (Selby Clark) Budget cuts are impacting all programs and three AAA staff have been laid off.
Transportation for the dental program is being restricted to the city of Houston. There is a problem with
Zip codes that cover both the city and the county. Some seniors risk being left in the lurch. Toby should
contact AAA re the transportation policy and availability for seniors who need rides to doctors/dentists.
Details were provided regarding the HoME project: 4,896 meals were provided this past year. $11,000
were raised for the project and there is a $2,000 surplus which will go towards next year's funding needs.
$0.20 per meal was saved by eliminating plastic cutlery. "March for Meals" is a national fundraising drive
which will take place in March next year to raise funds for Thanksgiving meals. Mayors will be asked to
deliver meals personally and to act as spokesmen for the fundraiser. Celebrities are being sought in the
communities being served who would agree to being interviewed on TV and radio. On Jan 26 AAA is
organizing a one time performance in the Montrose library of "Gen Silent" a film about gay, bi-sexual and
transvestite seniors.
Council (Joan Johnson) On November 14, 2011 City Council approved appropriate street closures for
the January 15, 2012 Houston Marathon. Council authorized the Issuance of Refunding Bonds and
Certificates of Obligation - the latter being for $855,000 for completion of the Poor Farm Ditch upgrade
to prevent residence flooding. On December 5, 2011 City Council conducted performance appraisals for
Michael Ross, City Manager after reviewing City Council and Staff Major Goals. Council feels that Ross is
doing a good job and has developed a very competent City Staff. His salary increase of 3% maintains him
in fourth place out of twelve managers of comparable cities. It is felt that Thelma Lenz is doing an
outstanding job in managing her duties as outlined in her Job Description. Her salary was raised 7% to
be in the mid- point of competitive cities. All attended the Christmas Tree Lighting Events at Friends Park.
It was a wonderful program and the children loved sitting on Santa's knee.
Good Neighbor Team (Michelle Moore) 5 new volunteers are being interviewed. The Chronicle is
publishing a review of our activities. Becky Arnold is writing an article for the West U Examiner and Joan
Johnson is preparing one for City Currents. Poinsettia pick up is scheduled from 1PM on December 13
with deliveries taking place thru the next week-end. All GNT members will have badges and will call
recipients prior to making deliveries. Next meeting of the GNT will take place on January 19.
PARD (Toby Brooks) Board Members were referred to the report already circulated. The Art Show is
still taking place at the Recreation Center. Discussion took place regarding evacuation of seniors in the
event of a disaster such as hurricane: what would be the destination? How would their stay be funded?
How would they get home? Ed Emmett was of the opinion that maybe seniors from West U should not be
evacuated in the first place. Plans should be made only for an extreme case and only seniors on the GNT
list should be catered for.
New Business: Two additional Board Members are needed.
The Meeting was adjourned at 3PM