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June 8, 2023
West University June 8, 2023 Senior Board Mee�ng Minutes
I.Call to Order, Chair Ann Crowley Meeting was called to order at 2 pm.
II.Attendance
Present from Senior Board: Ann Crowley, Diana Ayers, Karen Kenny, Mardi Turner,
Candyce Beneke (via phone) Selby Clark, Susan Davis, Gloria Nino Monacelli, George
Baker, George Hildebrandt.
Absent: Joan Johnson, Teresa George-Hung, Tom Brombacher, Allan Elkowitz
City Council Liaison present: Shannon Carroll,
Staff attending: Toby Brooks, Susan White Ann
Guests Present: John Barnes, Monte Edlund, Carlos De La Torre, Dorothy Zink, Alida
Drewes.
III. Approval of Minutes from May 11, 2023.
Two corrections were noted in the May minutes. Mardi Turner was absent in
May and in section 9 (Candyce Beneke’s report), item b, needs clarification.
No action was taken on approving the minutes.
Citizen Comments: Alida Drewes spoke on the various topics relating the senior
needs. Ms. Drewes mentioned the following - reduction in senior fees, increasing
senior exceptions, free coffee for seniors at Community Center, some seniors being
denied offerings from Senior Services, wanting the board to re-read the Mission
statement.
IV. Presentation—Food Waste-- Monte Edlund, Solid Waste and Recycling Board
Monte supplied Senior Board members with informational flyers to share with
family and friends on the food composing waste program and gave statistics on
historical and current participation in the city’s recycling and composting programs.
Currently, West University residents participate in recycling programs at the national
average. The goal of the Solid Waste and Recycling Board is for 50% participation in
recycling. This is also the EPA goal for the nation overall. The Curbside Compositing
program has around 300 households participating (out of approximately 5000
households in West U). As more residents participate in the Composting program,
decreases the tonnage of solid is sent to landfill operator which in turn is a reduction
in the costs to the West University for disposal. Two vendors are approved by the
city for the curbside composing program.
V. Handy Person program – Ann requested that over the summer to think about
additional people to help in the Handy Person program.
.
VI. Recap of this term – Ann handed out a summary by month of accomplishments and
activities accomplished during the last 2-year term. Toby will forward information on
the application process for those interested in Senior Board for the next term when it is
announced.
VII Reports
A. APAC—Karen Kenny
The June 15 APAC meeting is a combined meeting with Galveston and great Houston
area counties. Karen is out of town and looking for a substitute. Please contact
Karen with your interest.
B. Good Neighbor Team—Mardi Turner
Deliveries are scheduled for next week and include items relating to hurricane
preparedness. Suggestion was made to include a list of handyman services available
to seniors. Toby said that members of the Good Neighbor team typically
report items they notice that are needing repair and a list is periodically provided
in the delivery.
C. Parks and Recreation—Susan White
• Fee structure has been modified for the rec center. The family fee is based
on a family of 4 with an extra cost for additional family members living at the
same address.
• Market study by a summer intern on the rental fees is underway.
• Accolades to the Senior Service Staff and Parks and Recreation staff. An 80 +
year old couple that swims daily at the rec center stopped attending. The
Parks and Rec staff contacted. Toby’s office and an email was sent to the
couple. The couple wrote a letter of gratitude to the staff for their welfare
check. The couple looks forward to returning to the pool soon. Susan has
nominated the Parks and Rec and Senior Services for a special recognition
award for their teamwork and community service.
• Colonial Park deck is complete, and the great lawn is installed. The June
concert series begins on Friday, June 9th.
• Edloe Parkway Project – Delay in the project completion due to supply chain
issues with missing fence panels, and a correction is required by Center Point
regarding underground electricity clearance.
• Weir Park Improvements – Increase in open park space of over 4000 square
feet by
removing the plastic barriers and taking in the handicap parking.
Presentation on the project to the Parks and Recreation Board on June 14
and a workshop with City Council in July.
D. Senior Services—Toby Brooks
Good attendance at the Spring Fling and the crafts project. Sunday, June 18 is
a Father’s Day Concert at 2 pm the auditorium. Pickleball and Parkinson
Boxing programs are going strong with limited availability in the Parkinson
Boxing program. Preparation for the Fall Newsletter is underway and will
be delivered in early August.
E. Council Liaison—Shannon Carroll
• Council approved a traffic study on Weslayan Street.
• City Council received a report from the Sustainably Task Force with the city
and city employees acting on some of the recommendations. (I.e.. Stop using
Styrofoam cups, etc.)
• Recommendation from Shannon for Senior Board members to become
ambassadors to programs offered through Senior Services and report back at
Senior Board Meetings. Allows all board members to participate at the Board
meetings and to interact with seniors participating in the programs.
VIII. New Business - None
Meeting adjourned at 3 pm. Motion to adjourn by Mardi Turner and seconded by Karen Kenny.
No Senior Board Meeting in July, August, and possibly September. A new senior board will be
appointed by City Council in August or September. Toby will send out information when it is
available to her.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Karen Kenny