HomeMy WebLinkAboutWUSSB10.11.18SENIORS BOARD MEETING October 1 1 , 2018 Presiding: Candyce Beneke The meeting was called to order at 2:10 p.m. Roll call: Present : Ruth Beck er, Joan Johnson, George Baker , J udy Faulkner, Virginia Lootens , Tom Brombacher , Susan Davis, S tan McCandless, Candyce Beneke Staff Toby Brooks Council Representative Mardi Turner Absent : Selby Clark, Carlos de la Torre , Ann Crowley, John Palmer, Rebecca Dozier Citizen’s Comments Alida Drewes make reference to several topics of concern: 1) The unavailability of a hearing device at the Community Center 2) The lack of an upward adjustment in the senior property tax exemption in 10 years . 3) Perception of unfairness in allocation of public funds in ways that do not benefit seniors. 4) The lack of sessions with a personal trainer at the Rec Center for seniors.1 Council M eeting R eport: Mardi Turner There is a vacant seat on the City Council for someone to serve until May 2019; any resident may apply. One more hearing on the Tax Rate. No change from 2017 is planned. No increase in Senior Exemption, which was discussed at the meeting of September 29.2 She observed that West U and South Side Place have the highest discounts in Harris County. T he rate for soli d waste service is at a 50% discount. There are 1,300 seniors in homes. Parks and Recreation Re port: Toby Brooks for Susan White Movies in the Park October 12 and 19 at 7 p.m. Festival of the Arts, October 13, “Fathers a nd Flashlights” event scheduled,“Fu n Run” / 5K Dash, October 27 3 Progress on Hughes Park: Ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, October 30. APAC report [Aging Programs Advisory Committee, City of Houston 4 ] www.ho ustontx.gov/health/aging -advisory.html 1 Toby Brooks observed that there had been a session scheduled with a professional (paid) trainer for the outdoor exercise devices at the track adjacent to the Rec Center and lamented that only 3 seniors attended. 2 The video of the meeting may be seen on the 2 nd tape at minute 37 at the City Secretary page on the West U webpage . 3 George Baker was the sole member of the board to register for, and complete, the course. 4 http://www.h -gac.com/board -of -directors/advisory -committees/aging -programs -advisory -committee/defau lt.aspx
Senior Board Meeting, Minutes of September 13, 2018 2 Virginia Lootens reported on the meeting of the committee on October 4. Amazing Place is a program on brain health and dementia.5 Presentation scheduled for October 18 pm the need for socializing by seniors Garden Club : P Activities and Previews: Toby Brooks 6 Camping trip planned for first week of November Festival of the Arts – October 13, 2018 Volunteer Luncheon November 13 Old Business Stan McCandless asked about the definition of “senior” and about the membership on the board of seniors. Toby commented that regarding trips, the age requirement is 50. Stan also asked about the arrangement with the adjacent Baptist Church regarding the use of the Community Center on Sunday. Mardi Turner observed that this courtesy is in exchange for the use of the church’s adjoining parking lot by the Community Center and that the relationship is symbiotic. New business: There was no new business. Adjournment : The meeting was adjourned at 3:09 p.m. Next meeting: November 8 , 2018 at 2:00 p.m. 5 https://www.amazingplacehouston.org/ 6 George Baker wondered if an app could be made available for West U events. (There is an app: GoRequests for information about city services and administration, but it does not provide a schedule of upcoming events].