HomeMy WebLinkAboutSSBM 2.14.19
SENIORS BOARD MEETING
February 14 , 201 9
Draft for review
Presiding: Selby Clark
The meeting was called to order at 2:0 1 p.m.
Roll call: P resent : Selby Clark, Candyce Beneke, John Palmer, Ann Crowley, Joan Johnson, Tom
Brombacher , Stan McCandless, Virginia Lootens , Carlos de la Torre , Susan Davis , George Baker
Absent : Ruth Becker (resigning from the Board), Judy Faulkner, Rebecca Dozier
Minutes: The minutes (as submitted by George with notes from Candyce) were amended and approved.
Guest s : Bob Higley (Council), Kell ye Burke (Council)
Senior Services Office: Toby Brooks Recreation Center: Susan White
Visitors: Alida Drewes (resident), Dick Yehle (resident)
Minutes of January 10 were amended and approved (as submitted by George).
Citizen’s Comments :
1. QuestionAaboutAtheAcity’sApurchaseAofAlandAtoApreventAtheAchurchAfromAobtainingAitA( lida):
2. Concern that $120,000 had been allocated for a remodeling of the Rec Center but no extra
exemption for seniors (Alida)
3. Concern about the absence of a city dog part in unused city property, also a personal trainer
at the Rec Center (Alida)
4. ConcernAaboutAtheAabsenceAofAaAseniors’AcenterAwhereAseniorsAcanAcongregateA( lida)
5. Concern that for Election Day, the county should consider having consolidated polling
stations, and to urge that West U. have a polling station for early voting as an alternative to
Fiesta (Dick)
Council M eeting R eport: Kellye Burke
1. Reported that the City is to seek to acquire 3 residential properties. The middle house on Rice
Blvd. has been sold to the City.
2. Commented that a dog park in West U. has met with strong neighborhood opposition and is not
under consideration. Susan commented that there had been two task forces that had evaluated
the feasibility of a dog park. A park would create a challenge of dealing with waste water as well
as traffic. Also, two new staff positions would be required for maintenance. Several persons
regard the Bellaire dog park as preferable to the nearby Danny Jackson Dog Bark on Westpark
Blvd.
3. ATT has withdrawn its application for a variance .
Council Comment: Bob Higley
1. Urges a cooling -off period of 2 years to prohi bit the refiling of a variance application by ATT.
Senior Board Meeting, Minutes of February 14 , 2019
2
APAC Report
1. Virginia did not attend the January meeting for health reasons.
2. APAC meets on the 1 st Thursday of the month at 9 a.m. Toby suggested having a back -up
representative, but a volunteer did not ste p forward.
Good Neighbor Team: Toby Brooks
1. V alentine cards were mailed
2. At an event of the National Charity League (Heart of Texas Girls), 25 seniors attended.
3. At theme luncheon, Ed Heath cott served 80 guests
Senior Services report: Toby Brooks
1. A hike on January 30 at the Lone Star Trail near Huntsville had 14 people who faced muddy
trails.
2. On February 5, a fishing trip with 20 people was a success by all metrics except for catching
fish .
3. There was tour of the Jenny Elizabeth Hughes park.
4. On eight Wednesda y’sAatA2.15,AthereAisAaAshowingAofAtheAWWIIAseriesA“BandAofABrothers,”A
which has been well attended.
5. Speed Friendship Day will be held on Tuesday, April 16 at noon. There will be interest groups
suc h as (Nature, Culture & Ar t s, Politics & Foreign Affairs & Exercise/Fitness, Tra vel ). People
will be paired up for a few minutes to learn about the other person. Afterwards, people can
reconnectAifAthere’sAaAmatchAofAinterestsAandAchemistry:ASignAupArequired:A AsuggestionAwasA
made for Toby to sign up every member of the Seniors Board (G eorge).
TheA“contra”AdancingAseriesAcontinues,AmeetingA1 st & 3 rd Saturdays from 7:30 -9:30 p.m.1
Parks & Recreation (Susan White)
1. ParkALover’sABallAwasAaAbigAsuccess.A$425,000AgrossAwithAanAestimatedA$200,000Anet:A
2. D iscussion of the remodeling plans at the Recreation Center , with funds provided by the
Friends of the Park, not from taxpayer money. The Center will remain open during
remodeling.
3. There will be a donor -sponsored resurfacing of the basketball court ($7,500).
4. Redevelopment plans are in progress fo r several parks, including the resurfacing of the
Colonial Park pool. A donor -sponsored bench and rides are to be funded by Friends of the
Park.
5. Concept development is moving forward for other parks.
InAresponseAtoASusan’sAuseAofA“customer,”AthereAwasAdisc ussion about the signage at the Rec Center.
GeorgeAsuggestedA“patron,”AbutASusanAsaidAthatAthatAtermAwasAbeingAphasedAout:2
1 George and Mary Baker have attended three sessions. There were about 40 participants with live music and a
caller. The group used to meet in the Heights for many years. Membership is available or $10 session. The ages
of dancers on February 2 ranged from about 12 to 99. The modal age was about 60 . There have been from 3 -10
musicians at successive events .
Senior Board Meeting, Minutes of February 14 , 2019
3
Old Business :
1. Concerns about the fee structure at the Rec Center, especially in relation to residents
between 65 -74 for whom there is membership fee (Stan). Susan White observed that there
is an opt -out option for seniors regarding the fee.
2. Concern that Martin Luther King Day was not observed in city offices (Stan).
3. Concern that the arrangement with the adjacent Baptis t Church to allow use of the
CommunityACenterAonASundayAMorningAdoesn’tAfollowAtheAstandardAfeeAscheduleA(Stan):
New business:
1. Suggestion for a website review of material regarding the senior board and services
(George). Kellye observed that the City is u ndertaking a revamp of its website.
2. Question asked if a West U. cellphone app could be developed to remind residents of
upcoming events (George).
3. ConcernAaboutAgettingAseniorsAtoAuseAtheARecACenterA(George):A nnAobservedAthatAit’sApackedA
when she is there .
Adjournment : The meeting was adjourned at 3 :05 p.m.
Next meeting: March 14 , 201 9 at 2:00 p.m.
New Business suggestion s (George):
1. ConsiderA lida’sAcommentAaboutAtheAlackAofAaA West U. venue where seniors can congregate.
2. skAforASusan’sAdiscernmentAaboutAs ignage at the Rec Center.
Submitted: George Baker (with help from notes by Candyce).
2 In email exchanges afterwards with Susan ,AGeorgeAsuggestedA“CustomerAandAMemberAServices,”AsoAasAtoAgiveA
recognition to residents who have memberships, while recognizing that others (as with s wim classes) are rightly
classifiedAasA“customers:”ASelbyAweighedAinAfavorablyAonAthisAsuggestion: