HomeMy WebLinkAboutSSBM 2.11.21 2021Page 1 of 3
West University Place
SENIORS BOARD MEETING
February 11, 2021
Presiding: Selby Clark
The virtual meeting called to order at 2 :01 p.m.
Roll call: Present : Stan McCandless, Judy Faulkner , George Hilderbrandt, George Baker, Joan Johnson,
Carlos De La Torre, Ka ren Kenny, Selby Clark (chair), Carol O’Neill, Tom Brombacher, C andace TenB rink,
Candyce Beneke, Susan Davis , Ann Crowley, Elizabeth Wilder, Toby Brooks and Susan White , John
Barnes (Council Liaison) Mardi Turner (GNT). Absent : None. Guests : Kevin Trautner (City Council), Dr.
Jami Rae Walker.
Minutes: January minut es approved by Ann Crowley. Seconded by Joan Johnson .
1. Senior Survey : Dr. Jami Rae Walker , with Texas A&M Agrilife, provided a PowerPoint on the
Senior Survey . Highlighted: Good participation rate. 1268. Good geographic participation.
Opportunity for growth in communication preferences. Opportunities to inform the general
population about Senior Service p rograms. Senior Services respondents indicated a 95
percent satisfaction rate, with parking and sidewalks unsatisfactory (above 5%). Senior
Services ranked 90% importance by all age groups. Trend of lack of knowledge of services
offered by those ages 64 an d lower. Ensure staffing requirements due to potential future
growth if population increases in West U. Plans in place and already implemented to
increase communication per Susan White. A summary will be sent to the Senior Board.
Breakdown data provided to Susan White.
Council M eeting R eport: John Barnes
2. Buffalo Speedway project underway. Scheduled prelim engineering March 8. Installation of
new roadway , drainage, construction to begin in two block phases. One northbound lane
and one southbound lane will r emain open. The flood control district has closed the Buffalo
Bridge at Brays Bayou to reduce congestion.
3. Drainage improvement on the west side: scheduled to begin March 8. Which will involve
new lines and improvements, to substantially reduce flooding. F inal projected cost of 89
million dollars.
4. Citywide traffic study: Workshop held on Feb. 8. Awaiting a 25 mile hour speed limit
recommendation within the city in special areas. Extended curbs and various other things to
adjust the speed in high crash areas. Data collection revealed some anomalies. Historic data
has found the hot spot of crashes are at Westchester @ Bissonnet. T raffic S tudy expected to
be completed May of 2021. Houston Met ro to be considered.
5. Covid -19 Update: Per Chief Aaron Taylor, there are 10,900 new cases in Texas as of Feb. 6
trending downward. West U: 502 confirmed cases. 54 remain active. 446 recovered. 2
fatalities. 1) A ge 50 -58 2) over 80. Resources: Nothing curre ntly thru the city yet to
administer vaccines to West U residents. Congresswoman F letcher contacted for
opportunities to vaccinate homebound residents.
6. Virtual Gate: In progress. Concept phase completed. Working with City of Houston for
placement of camer as.
Senior Board Meeting, Minutes of March 12, 2020
Page 2 of 3
7. 5 G Towers: Staff is talking with Verizon about what can and can’t be done. Kevin Trautner
commented: The City has in place a design policy that allows us to maintain esthetics.
Provision that new poles cannot be put in place on 50 ft. or smaller ro ads . Residents prefer
existing poles. Telecoms have not given reasons why 5 G needs to be in our area. Study will
look at how wide the streets are. John Barnes: Phone Company has not submitted formal
application yet. Biggest benefit of 5 G is bandwidth and speed.
8. Candace TenBrink brought up debt in Bellaire. John Barnes commented about
infrastructure, Harvey, and fiscal responsibility of West U Council.
P arks and Recreation: Susan White
1. Updates: Senior Data: Park Land acquisition. Jenny Elizabeth Hughes Park. Survey
respondents reported living ½ mile from a park.
2. Colonial Park Ea st: Challenge course popular. Acknowledged Friends of West U Parks, for
their fundraising.
3. Jim Hughes home made into a replica Little Free Library. Photos shown.
4. Huffington Pa rk Project : Rendering of play structure shown. Tree removal. Colored pathway.
New structure. Natural shade from trees.
5. Revamping Special Events. More visible for Easter Bunny. Looking for classic cars.
APAC Report : Karen Kenn y APAC M inutes sent via ema il.
1. Covid -19 Update: Harris C ounty Agency on Aging and Houston Health Department are
developing a special list of seniors 75 and older. They have also opened up Mental Health
program. Both agencies focused on areas underserved.
Good Neighbor Team: Mardi Turner
1. Valentines Cards went out. St. Patrick’s Day gifts to be delivered. Highly recommend the
Virtual Reality programs.
Senior Services report: Toby Brooks
1 Overview: Clayton Library 34 seniors, Cruise in for Cookie Drive Thru , 24 seniors , Puzzle Day,
15 seniors, Second Cruise in for Cookies, 25, Lecture on Heart Health, 23, Pizza Day, 24
seniors, Premier Travel, 16 .
2 Collaborating with Bellaire to piggyback on our existing virtual programs. Offered our virtual
programs to Bellaire.
3 Shakespeare has be en a success. Kate’s husband is currently in the hospital.
4 Cindy St. Cyr will be providing a virtual concert.
5 Summer newsletter in production, with possible virtual options or meet in person planning .
6 George Baker mentioned that his wife Mary is creatin g a giant mural at their home on
Community.
7 Joan Johnson inquired about former Senior Board members, specifically John Palmer and
Virginia Lootens.
8 Program scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 16, “Mardi gras” postponed due to inclement weather.
9 Good Neighbor te am recipients contacted about the weather.
Old Business
1) None.
Senior Board Meeting, Minutes of March 12, 2020
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Adjournment : The meeting adjourned at 3 :34 p.m. Joan Johnson made the motion to adjourn th e
meeting and Judy Faulkner seconded it.
Submitted: Patricia Noren