HomeMy WebLinkAboutSSBM02112020Senior Board Meeting Minutes
February 12, 2020
Presiding: Candyce Beneke , Vice Chair
The meeting was called to order at 2:05 pm.
Roll Call : Stan McCandless, Judy Faulker, Joan Johnson, Carlos De La Torre, Karen Kenny, Selby
Clark (Chair), Carol O’Neil, Candyce Beneke, Susan Davis, Ann Crowley, Elizabeth Wilder,
Other Attendees : Mardi Turner (Good Neighbor Team), Toby Brooks (staff), Susan White
(staff), Jeremy Veld (staff), John Barnes (City Council), Dr. Jamie Rae Walker (Texas A&M) and
Kelsey Coats (Texas A&M)
Absent: George Hilderbrandt, George Baker, Tom Brombacher, Candance TenBrink
Citizen Guest: Alida Drewes
Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of December 4, 2019, were approved with corrections
noted by Toby Brooks . Ann Crowley ma de the motion and Judy Faulkner seconded .
Residents Comments : Alida Drewes commented on a pr o posed policy change that would fine
seniors if their yards were overgrown by weeds. She made another point on the need to
increase the senior exemption , stating it had not been increased in 10 years . She was also
concerned about the money spent on improving the parks with expensive equipment and the
City using taxpayer funds to purchase a new police car and fire truck. Ms. Drewes felt it was
time for the Senior B oard to fight for seniors.
Comments from the Senior Board: Joan Johnson pointed out the improvements to parks are
funded by the West U Parks Board and not taxpayer funds . John Barnes, City Council, said the
A udio Visual improvement was tabled.
Old Busi ness: Senior Needs Assessment Update and Review
Special Guests: Jamie Rae Walker, Ph.D., Texas A&M and team
Dr. Walker and the West University Senior Board reviewed, edited, and commented on the first
draft of the Senior Needs Assessment survey. The surv ey was designed based on in put from the
West U Parks and Rec staff, the WU Senior Board, and feedback from 4 focus groups as well as
5 pop -up events around the city .
Dr. Walker note d that the survey review has two main focuses:
1) Context – such as reference s to the Community Center vs the Senior Center
2) Usability of the data for Decision Making – needs special (specific) questions but also
must be general enough for all .
Dr. Walker stated that after the Senior Board review, the survey will be evaluated by the Parks
Board for their input. Many comments and edits were captured.
New Business: Carlos de la Torre had notes proposed by George Baker regarding (??????)
which he attempted to present. Elizabeth Wi lder said that the matter had al ready been
litigated and that seniors were well protected under Texas state law. Because George Baker
was not there to further discuss the issues, the Board decided to table the matter until the next
meeting.
Other topics on the agenda were not covered as the Senior Needs Assessment Update was the
top priority of the meeting.
Adjournment : Meeting was adjourned at 3:45 pm. Susan Davis made the motion to adjourn
and Joan Johnson secon ded .
The next Senior Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 12 , at 2 pm in the Community
Building Activity Room.