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West University Place
SENIORS BOARD MEETING
March 11, 2021 DRAFT
Presiding: Selby Clark
The virtual meeting called to order at 2 :02 p.m.
Roll call: Present Judy Faulkner , George Hilderbrandt, George Baker, Joan Johnson, Carlos De La Torre,
Ka ren Kenny, Selby Clark (chair), Tom Brombacher, C andace TenB rink, Candyce Beneke, Susan Davis ,
Ann Crowley, Toby Brooks and Susan White , John Barnes (Council Liaison) Mardi Turner (GNT). Absent
Stan McCandless , Carol O’Neill, Liz Wilder . Guests : Sam Parikh
Minutes: February minut es approved by Karen Kenny . Seconded by Joan Johnson .
A. Residents Comments : Sam Parikh: Running for City Council. Introduction to group.
Council M eeting R eport: John Barnes
1. Thanked Public Works, Parks & Recreation, and Good Neighbor Team for work done during
the Ice Storm . Over 600 residents served at the warming center.
2. Senior S urvey: O f the respondents who are seniors, only 27 % reported that they were
m aking use of Senior Services. Communications focus , going forward , for both services and
emergencies . Cell service and Wi -Fi went down during the storm. Studying l andline post op.
Are we reaching people during an emergency , and with broad media ? Highlighte d:
Demographics show that aging population in West U is increasing. G oing forward making
sure that we have appropriate labor and facilities to keep quality of service currently
provided. Candace TenBrink inquired about an emergency response team; Joan John son
mentioned the CERT team that is in place. Candace TenBrink offered her students to do a
study on strategies .
P arks and Recreation: Susan White
1. Rec Center warming center, 665 people in a short time. Definitely will utilize CERT in the
future, mobilized by the Fire Department.
2. Senior Survey for City Council: Still collecting additional data. Communications to be
improved upon. Budget request for additional funding for the 2022 budget. Census data and
qualitative data to form objectives and goal s consistent with a long -term plan, a wider
approach strategic in nature.
3. Revamping Special Events. March 27, 9:00 a.m. Easter Bunny will drive thru the
neighborhood. Map is available on the West U website.
4. Huffington Park: City Council approved the recomm endations of the Parks Board. Many
Thanks to The Friends of West U Parks, who have committed up to 200,000 dollars to fund
the improvements to Huffington Park. Scheduled to be completed by the end of July.
APAC Report : Karen Kenn y APAC M inutes sent via email.
1. Harris County Area Agency on Aging will begin a homebound vaccine program this week, for
non -ambulatory seniors. Vaccine strategy for those will disabilities as well. Priority of 27 zip
codes. West U is not one of them.
Good Neighbor Team: Mardi T urner
Senior Board Meeting, Minutes of March 12, 2020
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1. Compiled a list of “At Risk” seniors within the Good Neighbor Team recipients. A Priority
Contact List.
2. St. Patrick’s Day door hangars delivered.
Senior Services report: Toby Brooks
1 Explained that the Priority list are members within the Good Neigh bor T eam recipient list. This
list is now complete. List will be implemented in the future for upcoming Hurricanes and
disasters.
2 The A lert sign up process is featured in the upcoming summer edition of the Hi Neighbor
newsletter.
3 Programs: Mardi gras, Cl utter Fairy, and Holocaust events postponed due to the storm.
4 Cookie driv e thru events are still popular, with 25, and 26 participants.
5 Senior Services drivers vaccinated soon. Looking to add an additional driver for Senior
Transportation services. Discussion for beginning transportation ongoing.
6 In person or outside events under consideration.
7 Liz Wilder is asking to thank Sanitation Engineers for their work. She will spearhead this
endeavor.
8 Ageism. Rebranding The Senior Center into something positive. Not using the word “Senior”.
Possibility of renaming of the Senior Center, “The EngAGEment C enter”. Rebrand, Reopen,
Rebuild. Candace mentioned working groups and committee’s that have a mission and goal.
Old Business
1) None.
Adjournment : The meeting adjourned at 3 :09 p.m. Judy Faulkner made the motion to adjourn th e
meeting and Candace TenBri nk seconded it.
Submitted: Patricia Noren