HomeMy WebLinkAboutWUSSB minutes 4-12-2012West University Senior Services Board Meeting April 12th 2012
Present: Stan McCandless(Chair), John Neighbors, Virginia Lootens, Chuck Guffey, Michelle Moore, Mary
Ryerson, Sarah Ballanfant, George Baker, Janet Vrancken, Pieter Vrancken. Absent: Joe Mitchell, Selby
Clark, Lyndon McKnight. Staff: Tim O'Connor, Toby Brooks. Guest: Councilwoman Joan Johnson. The
Meeting was called to order at 2:03PM. The Minutes of March 8"' Meeting were approved as presented.
Activities (Toby Brooks) A shredding service will be available to residents on April 20"' from LOAM to
2PM at Copy Doctor on Bissonnet. On April 20"' a symposium on Elder Law will be held at the South
Texas College of Law from 8AM to 2:45PM. April 28"' will be Heavy Trash Day and also the day on which
prescription drugs with expired validity can be disposed of. Of the $1,500 raised by Rotary, $300 has
been spent on key rings with a light (for goody bags). $1,000 has been given to the Veterans'
Administration Fisher House (accommodation to the families of veterans undergoing treatment).
APAC (Virginia Lootens) AAA issued a report on the Mayors' March for Meals. Out of a large number
received, four proposals for evidence-based programs were awarded funding. At the Texas Conference
on Aging AAA will be making a presentation on "Care Transition Programs in Community Care"
addressing transition from hospital to Nursing Home or vice-versa. Care for Elders/Sheltering
Arms/Neighborhood Centers presented their new organization chart. This group focuses on seniors aged
over 60 residing in Harris County. The new organization will allow greater focus particularly on the needs
of low income seniors. Greater emphasis will also be placed on the telephone reassurance program.
Council Report (Joan Johnson) From the March 26"' Council Meeting: A workshop was held prior to
the meeting to consider options for an additional park for WU. In the 2006 election $2mm was approved
for a new park to be located in the area east of Auden and west of Buffalo Speedway. No action has been
taken nor have any bonds been issued. Validity of the approval expires in 2014.After an increase of 1.6%
in Houston City's charge for water to WU in 2011 (absorbed by the water fund), Houston has increased
its rate this year by 3.3% resulting in a rise of 1.8% in the water rate charged to WU residents. WU
purchases about half its water from the City of Houston. From the April 8"' Council Meeting: Richard
Murray, Director for the Survey Research Institute at U of H, gave the Council advice on the conducting
of surveys that would result in the largest number of responses. A random telephone survey of 400-500
residents will take place in May. Among the issues to be covered are recycling, garbage pick-up, parking
and noise from leaf blowers. Pursuant to a Congestion Mitigation/Traffic Management Agreement
between WU and METRO, the latter pays WU a percentage of the Sales Tax collected from WU
businesses, resulting in an income of $250,000 to WU. METRO wishes to discontinue such payments to
all municipalities within their jurisdiction. Council has approved the spending of up to $25,000 as a share
of legal costs to be incurred from joining all other municipalities in a lawsuit against METRO. Council
approved the construction by Tri-Sports of 2 Little League Baseball Fields and 4 Batting Cages on the
west end of WU's Rec Center property. Tri-Sports will bear all costs associated with this project.
Good Neighbor Team (Michelle Moore) The spring goody bags were distributed to 165 residents on
March 28"'. Xavier Academy students were a great help. The Lifespan Respite Care Program ($800 for
qualified care givers not paid by the government assisting people with no resources) has not proved of
much use to WU. The April Date for a speaker on Alzheimer's has not yet been agreed. The GNT Team
Meeting (planning for the June 20th goody bag distribution) will be held on May 17"'.
PARD (Tim O'Connor) The new artificial turf safety surface at the 2-4 year old playground at Weir Park
was reopened on April 3rd. Repairs to subsidence at Huffington and Judson Parks will be carried out once
the Weir park work is completed. Colonial Park Pool re-opens On Saturday April 14"'. Leaks and deck
expansion joints have been repaired under warranty. Edloe Deli was appointed concessionaire for this
season and will operate as from opening day with a new menu.
Any Other Business (Toby Brooks) The visit to the Houston Food Bank on April 10"' was a great
success. Two concerts in Colonial Park are planned for April 20"' (subsequently cancelled because of rain)
and April 27"'.
The next meeting will take place on Thursday May 10"'.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:01PM