HomeMy WebLinkAboutWUSSB 01.12.17West University Senior Service Board Minutes January 12, 2017 Roll Call: Selby Clark presided and called the meeting to order at 2:00 pm Present : Selby Clark, Candyce Beneke, Ruth Becker, Stan McCandless, Judy Faulkner, Rebecca Dozier, George Baker, Carlos De La Torre, Sarah Ballanfant, Becky Arnold, Susan Davis, Virginia Lootens Absent : John Palmer and Ann Crowley Staff : Toby Brooks, Susan White Council Liaison : Burt Ballanfant Guests: Rhonda Daughter, Joetheila Mooney, Wallace Waits, Alida Drewes A quorum was present.Minutes : Two corrections were suggested and made to the December minutes: the Marathon date is January 15 and Susan White will coordinate the breakfast. Candyce Beneke moved to approve the minutes with changes and Judy Faulkner seconded. The motion carried and the minutes were approved. Guest Speaker: Finance Director Rhonda Daugherty presented in depth information on how to read the HCAD tax bill. She explained that seniors must apply for exemptions and that it is not automatically given, that there is only one homestead exemption allowed in Texas and it has to be the primary residence. Mrs. Daugherty will send the slide presentation to Toby for distribution via email to board members.Council Meeting Report: Burt Ballanfant reported no new information but described the great success of the Christmas Gathering on Auden between University and Rice, with the largest attendance in the last 12-15 years. In addition he reported that Bob Kelly will not run for re-election. Stan McCandless requested the council consider limits to the noise level of leaf blowers and the city have a sound limit by testing the level of noise. Burt suggested three or more citizens address the council. Rebecca Dozier also expressed concern about the amount of leaves being blown down street sewers.Parks and Rec Report: Susan White reported that Tim O’Connor was unable to attend today’s meeting. She passed out the invitations to the Mayor’s Marathon Breakfast and encouraged everyone to attend. She also discussed the new sign ordered for Liberty Hill and the updated landscape. The Friend’s Board provided $10,000 for the project which will update the area until the new project which is allocated in 2028.Jennie Hughes Park Update: The committee is waiting for the city attorney to release the update on status of discussion between the family’s attorney and the city concerning the definition of a “quiet park”.
APAC: Virginia explained this is an advisory board and has elders on the committee. She described and explained the Texas Silver Haired Legislators are a lobbyist group who are working on 10 resolutions. Virginia provided the list of items and will keep the board updated on any legislative progress.Good Neighbor Team: Toby report that 136 poinsettias were delivered despite trouble with the delivery truck. There will be a follow-up meeting next week at 1:00.Activities and Previews: Toby reported on the following:1. Quilt group dedicating a quilt in the John Neighbors Room on Tuesday, January 17th at 1:00 2. New Silver Sneakers exercise class is meeting on Mondays and Fridays at 10:15 3. New Zumba class will begin next Monday after Yoga 4. 85 people attended the Christmas Party 5. 30 people attended the New Year’s Pot Luck Old Business: Carlos DeLaTorre met with Toby to develop a plan about how to spread the word about what’s available with PERS. They learned there are no local vendors to make a presentation to the community. They will continue to work on developing another plan and create a questionnaire for the vendors. Selby offered to provide some information on different types of available equipment and to help with a generic presentation to be held mid June. Carlos will meet with Toby again to find more consistent comparison of this equipment. There is no governmental agency that oversees this business and there are no licenses required. Currently all equipment is available through mail order. Carlos suggested talking and comparing information from people currently using this type of equipment.New Business: due to time limitations this item will be postponed until the next meeting Virginia provided an update on John’s health.Citizen Comments: Ms. Drewes suggested creating a list of questions for council candidates regarding their views on senior citizen issues and concerns.Adjournment: Rebecca Dozier motioned the meeting be adjourned and it was seconded by Sarah Ballanfant at 3:05 pm