HomeMy WebLinkAboutWUSSB12816pdf West University Senior Service Board Minutes December 8, 2016 Roll Call: Selby Clark presided and called the meeting to order at 2:00 pm Present: Selby Clark, Candyce Beneke, Ruth Becker, Carlos DeLaTorre, Sarah Ballanfant, Judy Faulkner, Becky Arnold, Ann Crowley, Burt Ballanfant, Tim O’Connor, Toby Brooks Absent: Stan McCandless, George Baker, John Palmer, Rebecca Dozier, Susan Davis, Virginia Lootens Staff: Toby Brooks Council Liaison: Burt Ballanfant A quorum was present.Minutes: Ann Crowley moved to approve the November 10 minutes after spelling correction were made and it was seconded by Judy Faulkner. The motion carried and the minutes were approved.Good Neighbor Team Report: Toby Brooks explained the delay with the delivery of the poinsettias due to a mechanical malfunction with the delivery truck. She expects delivery on Dec. 9 and will keep everyone involved updated. There were 160 ordered and 133 will be delivered which will occur over the next two weekends. There is a soup social being planned for January.Council Meeting Report: Burt Ballanfant reported on the last council meeting. There was one major agenda item concerning the salary of the the acting city manager and the significant reduction in the salary of the position due to the reduced cost of managing the city. There was a discussion about his choice to stay with the city. The tree lighting event enjoyed the largest crowd due in part to the new space provided. The event was well planned and very successful due in part to the snow making machine, the ice carving, and cooking decorating as well as the return of the Master of Ceremonies.Park and Recreation Report: Tim O’Connor reported Susan White’s position will soon be official and that the department is operating without any problems. Update on Hughes Park - the city attorney has reached out to the executor to define “quiet” and after this is provided the citizen task force will meet in mid January. Tim O’Connor also reported on the shortened weekly
12/8/16 - page 2 reports but they may be longer when budget items are included. Sarah Ballanfant announced the date of the annual marathon will be January 15 and includes a breakfast at 7:00 with the mayor. Susan White will coordinate the breakfast. The runners will have chips and their names will be announced as they cross the finish line.Tim O’Connor’s last day is February 28, 2017. Burt Ballanfant stated anyone with questions about the Parks and Recreation reports can call the office and request clarification.APAC - no report Activities and Previews - Toby Brooks reported on:1.Holocaust Museum trip 2.Thanksgiving potluck had 30 attendees 3.There were 53 at the Thanksgiving luncheon and many donations were received 4.The display of Japanese floral design of painted churches was enjoyed by all 5.Christmas luncheon is scheduled for December 20 6.The latest new newsletter is in the mail 7.Silver Sneakers class is coming soon with a new trainer 8.Trainer will be available for small groups or individual sessions but this will miss being in the newsletter due to printing deadlines.Old Business : Carlos De La Torre reported he didn’t hear back from anyone concerning the PERS information he sent to the board. There was a discussion about possible first steps including a meeting with residents and alternatives on how to incorporate this into someone’s life. Carlos De La Torre expressed the need to collaborate with families and he showed the board a magazine article from the Chronicle which was actually a full page advertisement. Sarah Ballanfant asked how many in West U currently have a similar tool because there are so many choices. It was agreed that this would be a useful tool for the disabled or seniors living alone. Carlos De La Torre asked about the role of the city in supporting senior to have this type of system and if it could be connected to the police and fire department. He also suggested the city (senior services) could hold a community meeting and provide the available choices including the pros and cons of each type of system. The city could provide a system to those identified as being the most needy. Selby Clark suggested Carlos DeLaTorre provide a comparison chart and the senior board needs to do this homework prior to meeting with the City. Carlos DeLaTorre suggested we hold a community information meeting. Toby Brooks explained from her perspective the pros/cons of having this
12/8/2016 - page 3 service and that the device is only as good as the service behind it and that Senior Services can not tell families what system to purchase. Toby Brooks suggested Carlos DeLaTorre create a summary to be added to the May newsletter and that he ask guests and 3 or 4 vendors to bring products to display at a “West U health fair” for medical alert systems and that at least three different vendors be included. Toby Brooks and Carlos DeLaTorre agreed to meet and narrow down what choices are available and appropriate. Selby Clark suggested inviting Life Line and asked if the information could be disseminated soon and possible include comparison report in the Good Neighbor team bag.In addition Toby Brooks reported the medicare permission sheet will be delivered with the poinsettias.New Business: Sarah Ballanfant reported the garden club meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 14.There were no citizen comments Adjournment: Carlos DeLaTorre motioned the meeting be adjourned and it was seconded by Becky Arnold at 3:00 pm