HomeMy WebLinkAboutWUSSB 09.13.18WEST UNIVERSITY SENIOR BOARD MEETING Minutes of the meeting of September 13, 2018 Presiding: The meeting was called to order at 2:00 PM by Candyce Beneke. Present: Ruth Becker, Joan Johnson, George Baker, Rebecca Dozier, Candyce Beneke , Susan Davis, Tom Brombacher, Virginia Lootens, John Palmer, Susan White, Kellye Burke and Patricia Noren Staff: Susan White, Patricia Noren and Council Rep Kellye Burke Absent : Selby Clark, Carlos de la Torre, Stan McCandless , Sarah Ballanfant, Ann Cro wley, and Judy Faulkner Minutes : The minutes were approved. Citizen Comments: Dorothy Zink lamented that no member of the City Council had attended the funeral of retired Fire Chief Elden Stephan Ralls, who served West University for 39 years (1974 -2013). Board members expressed concern by this lapse of protocol. Consideration was given to sending sympathy cards and to creating a plaque in his honor. In tandem, there was discussion of the proposal that citizen comments be delivered in writing with a 3 -minut e limit on oral delivery; but there was no vote taken to formalize the proposal. Council Report : Executive search firm hired to recommend names for the next City Mangaer of West University Place; new broker for employee benefits; selection of firm to desig n drainage for Buffalo Speedway; budget workshop scheduled. A vacancy exists on the City Council. Any citizen may apply; to serve until May 2019. A new communications director was hired. To be invited to address the Seniors Board AprogramAonA“GunsAandAthe Elderly”A12:30Ap;m;ASept;A24 Parks & Recreation : Progress on Hughes Park: Doggie drinking fountains. Parks redevelopment program – Parks Board working on update to Master Plan approved by council; park utilization data collected for 2015 master Plan wi ll be utilized ; consider better use of space (e.g., sand volleyball in ColonialAPark).ArecyclingAprogram.A“FunARun;” Fee committee reconvened in June; simplified fees; waiver at Recreation Center for 65 and over, Complimentary use for anyone 65 and older a t Colonial Pool. Fees were rounded up or down, but there was no change in categories. The suggestions by Stan McCandless were not adopted. The subcommittee looked at comparable organizations, and no senior memberships were complimentary. The ones offerin g seniorAdiscountsAofferedAdiscountsAlessAthanAWestAU’s; Another consideration is that Seniors utilizing the Rec Center facilities are actively using the cardio/weight room equipment and pool. Whereas at Colonial Park Pool, the majority of those at the c omplimentary age of 65 and over are accompanying are grandchildren and not actively using the pool. The fee subcommittee thoughtfully considered the comments received from the three individuals after the May Senior Board Meeting and reconvened to review th e expressed concerns. These were also shared with the Parks and Recreation Board at the June meeting. No changes were recommended on the proposed fees originally
approved at the May Parks Board meeting. Note: Blended age memberships will no longer avai lable in an effort to simplify the fee structure and the rates referenced were from 2018. 2019 fees are increasing because the regular rates increased, but senior memberships will still be offered at least a 50% discount of the regular rates. This was di scussed by Jeremy and reflected in the handouts at the May & June Senior Board meetings. A question was raised about the maintenance of the small triangle on the corner of Wesleyan and Bissonnet where there is a sign of West University Place. Susan observ ed that the area was not under the care of Parks division and maintained by the townhomes. Council Member Burke inquired about the lot on the southeast corner with large cypress trees. Susan said an eaglescout project could be imagined to enhance the are a. Staffing: All full -time positions are filled: Brooks Smith (Parks & Maintenance Manager), James Browning (Program Specialist) Jonathan Sánchez – Outside Personal Trainer – October 8, 2018 @11:30 a.m. orientation of the outdoor exercise equipment at Re creation Center – sign up APAC (Area Planning and Advisory Council, City of Houston) – concerns with issues of seniors www.houstontx.gov/health/aging -advisory.html There was no APAC repo rt. Good Neighbor Team: Distributed gifts and cards in the summer Activities and Previews: Patricia Noren Peter Roussel – Former White House staffer – September 17, 2018, 2 p.m. Dance – United Methodist Church, September 28, 2018, 4 -6 p.m. Festival of the Arts – October 13, 2018 New business: There was no new business. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 2:55 p.m. Next meeting: October 11, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.