HomeMy WebLinkAboutWUSSB 11-13-2014West University Senior Services Board Meeting November 13, 2014. Present: Pieter Vrancken (Chair), Stan McCandless, George Baker, Michelle Moore, Philip Bryant, Sarah Ballanfant , Selby Clark, Janet Vrancken, John Palmer, Candyce Beneke, Mary Ryerson, Virginia Lootens. Absent: Becky Arnold, Joe Mitchell. Staff: Toby Brooks. Guests: Councilwoman Joan Johnson, Councilman Dick Yehle, Mrs. Alida Drews, Mrs. Kim Rouse, Carlos De La Tor re. The Meeting was called to order at 2:03PM. The Minutes of the previous meeting (10/09/2014) were accepted as presented. Amendments to Agenda: The Chairman referred to the recent controversy over the City’s Long Range Plan and suggested that discussion of the Board’s name change and purpose be postponed until the next Board Meeting (in December) to permit preparation of a position statement on the Long Range Plan. All present concurred with this suggestion. Activities (Toby Brooks): The Newsletter in its new format (shown to the Board at the last meeting has gone to the printer and should be distributed before Thanksgiving. The fall prevention Seminar was well attended. A representative of the City Fire Department made a presentation on the use & operatio n of Knox -boxes. The Department previously bought 5 of these appliances and distributed them to seniors. The 8 year old daughter of a member of the Good Neighbor Team raised enough money to buy two Knox -boxes and donated them to seniors. Knox -boxes which c ontain a front door key need to be released by the police to permit access to a property by police, firemen or emergency medical services. They weigh 5lbs and cost $170. A field trip to Montgomery is planned for 11/25. Visits were made to the Maritime Muse um and the Military Museum. Christina Lesher gave a presentation on Elder Law. APAC (Virginia Lootens): At the November 6 meeting of APAC the guest speaker was Abi Pineda MSW MBA from Memorial Hermann Southwest/Senior Adult Services who presented an outlin e of services and facilities at their group’s various locations. Deborah Moore representative of AAA (Area Agency on Aging) reported as follows: AAA has 51 employees. The planning budget shows that every area of service has grown and has received additiona l funding. AAA is planning a Senior Adult Assessment center for those who are at risk for exploitation or abuse or have been victims of abuse. The Care Transition Program has received additional help provided by a coach whose job it is to prevent re -admiss ion to the hospital. Current focus is on congestive heart failure patients at Methodist Hospital. Open Medicare enrollment ends December 7, 2014. In the area of transportation & housing AAA has received grants for “Navigator” a resource guide and for prepa ration of a healthy homes guide helping in the prevention of falls by the installation of handrails. AAA reports that there are additional homeless seniors in our area and that funding has not yet been obtained for these. The Silver Haired Legislature has received proposed resolutions on the following topics: Payday & Auto Title Lending, Home delivered Meals, Uniform Adult Guardianship Protective Proceeding Jurisdiction, Walkability & Mobility. Proposed resolutions should be forthcoming on the following top ics: Transition of Care, Geriatric Training for Health Care Providers, Recognition of Same Sex Marriage. COUNCIL (Joan Johnson): The Zoning & Planning Committee (ZPC) is considering changes to the general code for commercial use and a report should be avai lable shortly. Areas under study are mainly perimeter areas such as the west side of Kirby between Bissonet & Holcombe. Also included is Edloe between Tangley & University. A date has been agreed for the 2015 Chevron Marathon. Work is proceeding on map cla rity over property ownership. CITY LONG TERM PLAN (Joan Johnson & Dick Yehle): Council Representatives gave Board Members a detailed explanation of Council’s activities and dispelled items of misinformation which had surfaced previously. All Board members were given opportunities to speak and have their questions answered. The Chairman undertook to prepare a position statement on the Board’s behalf and to circulate this to all Board Members for their comments prior to its presentation at the Council Meeting /Town Hall Meetings scheduled for 2PM and 6:30PM on Monday November 17, 2014. Members agreed to this suggestion. Good Neighbor Team (Michelle Moore): GNT meeting is scheduled for Thursday November 20 at 1PM to address Thanksgiving Greeting cards. The Meet ing was adjourned at 3:12PM