HomeMy WebLinkAboutWUSSB 6-13-2013West University Senior Services Board Meeting June 13, 2013 Present:John Neighbors, Chuck Guffey, Sarah Ballanfant, Selby Clark, Michelle Moore, Becky Arnold, Joe Mitchell, Janet Vrancken, Pieter Vrancken. Absent: Stan McCandless, George Baker, Mary Ryerso n, Virginia Lootens. Staff: Toby Brooks, James Bjacek(intern), Abraham Zorilla (intern).The Meeting was called to order at 2:06PM. The Minutes of the previous meeting were approved as presented. Activities & Previews (Toby Brooks) An excursion to Lake Jack son Fish Hatchery drew 19 participants. Following the visit & lunch at Picket Fences, the group visited Lanier Theological Library & Church. An outing to Metro for familiarization with bus & light rail routes and signs attracted 24 people who were all issu ed with Q cards. (In the fall there will be a further Metro outing to permit seniors to use their new Q cards and experience travel by light rail or bus over one of Metro’s routes). 14 seniors travelled to Cypress for blackberry picking followed by tea at Tomball. A Flag trivia quiz will be held shortly. On Sunday (June 16) at 2PM there will be a band concert at Colonial Park. On Tuesday June 25 the Theme meal will be BBQ with entertainment by John Pickle. A display by the Drum Circle will be given on June 30. APAC (Selby Clark) No report was presented. Council (Joan Johnson) Meeting of 5/13/2013: Council approved three Joint Public Hearings of the Zoning & Planning Commission containing the following changes: a) clarification of the definition of “accessory quarters” for attached & detached garages; b) revised widths of curb cuts, curb returns and driveways; c) definition of non -standard types of building sites and applicable fencing for these. Council discussed contractors for Heavy Trash Day and Shred It D ays. Staff are to work on the issues with each. Meeting of 5/20/2013 : Matters related to the consideration and adoption of an ordinance canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the General Election held on May 11, 2013.Re -elected Mayor Bob Fry, Council Members Susan Sample, Joan Johnson, Dick Yehle and Ed Heathcott . Meeting of 6/3/2013: Mayor & Council Members were sworn in by County Judge Ed Emmett. Good Neighbor Team (Michelle Moore) May deliveries were successfully completed. Budget for the ye ar is on track. The summer gift will include a plastic bottle with lid for water and batteries with a container box with snap -on lid. Testing of Direct Link is continuing with particular attention to dementia sufferers. Toni King will make a fresh appearan ce to discuss Medicare 101 in the fall. Susan Lieberman Ph.D. made a presentation regarding the importance of frequent and complete discussions with family members of one’s wishes for actions after one’s decease. Copies of her book “Death, Dying and Desser t” were made available to interested parties. Mrs. Lieberman’s earlier book is entitled “Growing Old is a Full Time Job”. The next meeting of the team (preparation of the gift bags) will take place on June 20 at 2PM. The number of qualifying seniors is now 145 down from 149. Mary Lee Gray has been checking the particulars to make sure underlying particulars are correct. (The Chairman suggested that perhaps the two summer interns might assist in this work). Parks & Recreation Department (Toby Brooks) The wee kly reports have been circulated by e -mail to Board Members. Previous Business (Toby Brooks, Selby Clark and others) Members were reminded that a pilot test of Direct Link has been in progress with 9 appliances funded by the Police Dept at a cost of $1,000 . Toby Brooks informed members that there have been only 4 accidental calls made since March. The effectiveness of the appliances is dependent on the presence of other electronic appliances in the house. The merits of Direct Link are that connection is mad e straight to the Police Department without going through an intermediary but some members felt this might be a mixed blessing as a 911 call might better establish the precise nature and urgency of the call (acting as a filter). Residents may wish to have a Home Alarm system in addition to Direct Link but this would be paid for by the resident. Selby Clark indicated that his company could provide an alternative to Direct Link at a cost of $20 per resident per month (the equipment being provided free). Summa rizing, the Chairman felt that the discussion of this issue had been valuable and that much remains to be considered. New Business (Toby Brooks) Members were reminded that the Party on the Patio with entertainer Kelly McGee will take place at Colonial Park on Friday June 14, 2013 at 7PM. The Children’s parade will occur on July 4 th with the involvement & support of the Rotary Club. Goal Setting will take place on June 24 following the Council Meeting. Fathers & Flashlights is scheduled for October 6. The M eeting was adjourned at 2:45PM