HomeMy WebLinkAboutWUSSB 3-14-2013West University Senior Services Board Meeting March 14, 2013 Present: John Neighbors (Chair), Stan McCandless, George Baker, Michelle Moore, Chuck Guffey, Becky Arnold, Janet Vrancken, Pieter Vrancken. Absent: Sarah Ballanfant, Selby Clark, Mary Ryerson, J oe Mitchell, Virginia Lootens. Staff: Toby Brooks. Guests: Councilwoman Joan Johnson, Councilman Dick Yehle, Police Chief Ken Walker. The Meeting was called to order at 2:04PM. The Minutes of the previous meeting were approved as presented. Police Matters (Ken Walker) Currently Direct Link is connected directly to the police station and Medic Alert is being connected and tested. A pilot program, involving 9 people , are being linked directly to dispatch. The cost of the current batch of connections (9) is b eing borne by the Police budget. The Chairman thanked Chief Walker for these clarifications. Activities (Toby Brooks) There will be a three hour meditation session on May 18. The Dance is scheduled for May 30 and still needs more men. Some of the senior pr ograms has been linked to a social network group called, Houston Meet up. The Nacogdoches excursion attracted 33 participants. The bus experienced problems but once a hose was fixed all was well. A visit to the Azalea trail was followed by lunch, visit to the Wabash Feed store and the Fire Museum. Training on Baby Boomers is planned with short commitments for this niche activity. Exercise classes, Opera, Shakespeare and Bingo continue to attract strong followings. Theme meals have been excellent and for $5 is a real bargain . Attendance has varied from 30 to 65 people. APAC (Pieter Vrancken) Senior Day at the Capitol was attended by 2500 people from the whole state of whom 200 were from Houston. All participants were well briefed on issues affecting seniors a nd conveyed their concerns to members of the legislature present. The main activities of AAA (supported by the City of Houston’s Health & Human Services Department) consist of nutrition, health and care -giving. Although AAA’s funding has risen in line with the growth in the number of s eniors in Harris County, wait lists for certain services are beginning to appear. Sequestration will reduce federal funding to the state by 8 -81/2% but AAA should not be impacted this year. State has recommended that services be directed at targeted groups in future. Presentations were made concerning mediation se rvices (Barabara Manousso) and the senior -related services uniquely provided by Park Plaza Hospital (Chrystal Hollier & Hannah Wilson). Chris Kerr drew attention to a two day conference on HIV & Aging to be held on April 10 & 11 in the Montrose Counseling Center from 9:30AM to 4:30PM. The next meeting will be at 9:00AM on April 4 probably at the Metro Multi Service Center on West Gray (venue to be confirmed). An Aging i n Texas Conference (Fee $100) will be attended by Toby Brooks and/or Patricia Noren . Good Neighbor Team (Michelle Moore) Gift packages for 148 seniors will be prepared at 10AM on March 20 and distributed from March 21 st . Council (Joan Johnson) Council appr oved the refunding of $14,980,000 bonds, saving the City $917,000 over 7 years. Charter Review Changes will not be placed on the May 11 Ballot but will be debated in public meetings and appear on the November Election Ballot. May 11 was set for election o f a Mayor and 4 City Council members. The City Manager and Finance Director were given authority to waive late fees on Water Statements in accordance with prescribed guidelines. Two applicants for the position of Assistant City Prosecutor will be interview ed at a March 25 Council Workshop. No further discussion of a land purchase for a City Park will be pursued pending the holding of a town hall meeting at which residents can express their views. March 23 is set for Arbor Day and a City Celebration will be held at the Rec Center beginning at 9:00AM. A Joint Public Hearing (Zoning and Planning Commission & Council) will be held on April 8 to discuss “accessory quarters”, changes in widths of curb cuts, curb returns and driveways, definition of non -standard bu ilding sites and fencing for these. PARD (Toby Brooks) Weekly work statements have been distributed to Board Members. Chris Walton’s position as a Parks Technician has been filled by a gentleman, Brad Warzon, who has experience with sprinkler systems. A d river has been recruited (Maria). There being no further business the Meeting was adjourned at 2:45PM