HomeMy WebLinkAboutWUSSB 06.09.16 West University Senior Service Board Minutes June 9, 2016 Roll Call (Michelle Moore - Chair): Present: Michelle Moore (Chair), George Baker, Candyce Beneke (Secretary), Susan Davis, Rebecca Davis, Carlos De La Torre, Becky Dozier, Judy Faulkner, Virg inia Lootens, Stan McCandless, John Palmer Absent: Becky Arnold, Sarah Ballanfant, Ruth Becker, Selby Clark Staff: Toby Brooks Counsel Liaison: Burt Ballanfant - absent Visitors: Alida Drewes Minutes: The meeting was called to order at 2:08 p.m. A quorum was present. John Palmer moved to approve the Minutes of May 12, 2016, as presented. Judy Faulkner seconded. No vote was taken, however, because a quorum was not present at the May meeting. Minutes were not approved and not acted upon. They wil l, however, be posted online as unofficial notes. Activities and Previews (Toby Brooks): Toby reported on the following activities and number of attendees: pizza pj party (6 5); iPhone and Android phone seminar (8); and Genealogy (8). Other activities coming up include: a teenager will be at the Senior Center on Fridays at 2 pm; Volleyball Olympics/Cornhole - chair volleyball will be on Tues. at 11 a.m next fall and the tournament in November needs more participants; Menil Museum, Men's Outing to the C ommemorative Air Division; Archway Gallery Tour - Mary Lee Gray presenting; and an overnight camping trip. Toby also discussed the upcoming Sheltering Arms collaboration - they will give out information in our newsletter and we can register for their free Caregiver Seminar. Sheltering Arms will give the Good Neighbor Team a formal workshop to give us skills to better work with seniors. There is also a Community Service Pilot Program. See New Business below. APAC Report (Virginia Lootens): Virginia rep orted that, in lieu of a meeting, the group appeared on the Debra Duncan Show. There were 10 -12 APAC reps and the chair, focusing on Seniors and their community. The next APAC meeting is in July. Council Meeting Report (Burt Ballanfant): Absent – No R eport Good Neighbor Team (Dorothy Zink/Mary Lee Gray): Someone noted that Dorothy and Mary Lee were never invited to attend our meeting. Toby reported that the summer gift bags would be assembled and picked up on June 23. Carlos De La Torre discussed t he Medical Alert Services pilot project being discussed by the Good Neighbor Team. They like the idea and he said the ball is now in the Senior Board's court. Carlos proposed a task force to evaluate various life alert companies with monitoring service a nd volunteered to head up the task force. Toby noted that Mary Lee has purchased one for herself and could be on the task force. Selby proposed his company and also offered to serve. They will evaluate different devices, response times, costs, ratings, e tc. Virginia Lootens moved to approve the task force and Becky Dozier seconded. Motion passed. Parks and Recreation Report (Tim O’Connor): Absent. Toby Brooks referred us to Tim's weekly Parks and Recreation Report. Old business (Michelle Moore): Se nior Tax Reduction Update. Virginia Lootens moved to delay any action or discussion until the fall meeting . Stan McCandless seconded. Motion passed.
New Business (Toby Brooks, Michelle Moore ): A. Sheltering Arms: now merged with Neighborhood Cent ers, Inc. (no longer UnitedWay).Toby and Michelle attended a meeting with Susan Sample, Chris Piefer, Tim O'Connor, and two leaders of Sheltering Arms. They plan to do a seminar or workshop on How to Recognize Dementia for the Senior Board and maybe for t he GNT. Sheltering Arms (located on Stella Link) provides adult day care (160 people), outreach, and case management to help Toby to guide seniors or their caregivers in the best direction. B. New Park Task Force: The Senior Board representative is Sel by Clark. Stan McCandless contested Selby's appointment. George wants to make sure that Selby gives everyone's input to the task force. Virginia Lootens recommended having a list of suggestions. George then moved to formalize a list with board members' suggestions for the New Park Task Force representative. This list will be available at each Senior Board meeting for additional comments. John Palmer seconded; the motion passed. Michelle will put this item on the Senior Board's agenda monthly. C. 9 -1 -1 Registration: Must go on -line to register: 1) Must have an email address and phone number; and 2) must verify numbers /email address . For information such as allergies, pets, medical history, etc. Get a postcard from the police station for addition al information. At this time, it is unsure if we can get a generic email address for all seniors to get them enrolled (if they do not have access to email). Someone will follow -up with Susie in September, as it had been initiated. D. Next Door App (Michelle Moore): The Next Door app consists of four quadrants in West U and the surrounding areas. Michelle would like for a volunteer from the Senior Board to be the person who posts announcements for the Board, such as recruiting volunteers, posting classes and activities, etc. We will discuss more at the next meeting. E. New Senior Board Terms and Election in September. Please email Toby Brooks b efore September 1, 2016, if you are intereste d in serving on the board again. Citizen Comments: A lida Drewes made several comments regarding the Senior Tax exemption: no senior taxpayer has a home valued over $1million, 8 yrs ago was the last update and took 2 votes, last year Houston doubled its senior exemption, some seniors make less than $20K per year, city assets of $3 million. Other comments: Senior Board should include citizen comments in the minutes and recommends Wi -Fi for West U seniors. Adjournment: Becky Dozier moved to adjourn. John Palmer seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 3:14 p.m.