HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 11 2024Senior Board Meeting
January 11, 2024 2:00 pm
Community Building
Call to Order, Chair Ann Crowley — 2:01 pm
Attendance: Kay Bryan, Debbie Pedrick, Candyce Beneke, Laura Turley, Diana Ayers, Eileen O’Neill, Geri Wood, Gloria Nino Monacelli, Robin Burks, John Montgomery, Karen Kenny, George
Hildebrandt, Toby Brooks, Ann Crowley, Jennifer Sickman, Susan White, Soraya Brombacher
Absent: George Hildebrandt Guests: Dick Yehle, Mardi Turner
Approve the Minutes:
Mistakes to fix:
Jennifer Sickman – Last name was misspelled. Please fix.
Add Soroya Brombacher name to the old minutes.
Spelling mistakes incorrect spelling fixed “Chili”
Dick Yehle name was misspelled.
Karen Kenny made a motion to approve the December minutes and seconded by Jennifer Sickman
Citizen Comments:
Dick Yehle — Thursday 6 pm city hall Founder’s Day event. Books will be made available for the price of $10.00.
January 18th and everyone is invited — the whole city is invited.
Carlos De La Torre: What are the qualifications for the board members?
Ann stated that it is dependent on the council’s decision.
Additional Discussions:
How to address citizen commentary: Robin Burks
Robin Burks: Should there be clear expectations and steps on how to respond to citizen commentary?
John M: The matter must be added to the public agenda for the upcoming meeting to be deliberated on. So, it cannot be addressed during this session as it is not currently on the agenda.
Jennifer Sickman motioned to put on the next agenda how to deal with citizen comments and procedures and seconded by Robin Burks.
Communications Overview-info from communications director—Ann
Bianca could not attend this meeting but responded to Ann via email detailing how the city communicates with the residents. She encouraged everyone to be on Facebook, Nextdoor, Instagram,
etc.
Share through your different platforms to spread information. She said to consider alternative ways to bring a friend or featuring other events. She could help to highlight at the rec
center and other events.
Laura Turley — Parks and Rec lacks its own page.
Toby responded that it was taken away and have they have requested to get it back. It would be good to get a website again. Or a Facebook page would be good.
Debbie suggested 20 personal letters/cards with a note stating that it would be lovely to see them at senior events. This may be a potential method to encourage participation from seniors.
Debbie is willing to make group and those interested will work with her on a pilot project.
Geri, Gloria, Eileen will be working with Debbie to figure out a plan by February meeting.
Toby — shuttle service for seniors needs to be marketed.
Robin Burks — suggested an open house for Senior activities to bring awareness about current activities.
Eileen O’Neill suggested tabling for the Seniors for city events with brochures.
There are multiple people open to helping with such events.
Soraya — suggested a cookbook/memory book. Objective is to target 55+ onwards neighbors and see if they want to give a bit of information. Eileen would like to join this, and Candyce
will join you. By the holidays by Christmas 2024.
Motion to create a memory book coinciding with centennial — Eileen seconded by Soraya.The monetary considerations will be looked into by Soraya.
Reports:
Good Neighbor Team (Mardi Turner): The Good Neighbor Team is for 85+-year-old housebound seniors who are pretty well covered. Encouraging block walking and talking to neighbors.
Recruiting and updates about the good neighbor group. We are working on a Valentine delivery.
Preparing for bad weather updates, including precautions against the upcoming freeze.
APAC (Karen Kenny): Karen — please see the email sent out prior to meeting.
The vaccine and flu program is on hiatus. You can call Harris County about being on the list for the program once it resumes.
Senior Services (Toby Brooks): Toby — 80 or so people attended Christmas lunch.
George Baker’s wife is teaching a basic watercolor class.
Evening partner dancing and you don’t need to bring a partner.
New Spanish class — classes are filling up quickly.
Parks & Rec (Susan): updates given:
At the Friends of WestU meeting, $910,000 was approved for Weir Park, with requests for variances from the council. A bench outside the park has been requested in the setback area, and
it will be discussed on the January 22nd agenda. Contractors are confident they can begin work in February.
Additionally, there's a reminder about the Mayor's Marathon on January 10th, and RSVPs are still open. The university area will be cordoned off for the event.
Council updates (John Montgomery): Updates given:
December 11th compensation study for employees — how do we compensate our employees, vs other industries. How to categorize the employee jobs. Compensation consulting firm, and it is
important for employee retention.
In the recent meeting on Monday, significant news was shared. The community purchased property along Bissonnet to benefit Bellaire along Braes Bayou for $4.5 million, crucial for drainage
projects due to its culvert. The existing drainage system on the West Side is old and poorly constructed, necessitating this investment to create a trunk line draining to the Bayou,
with plans for a walking path on the surface. Additionally, land was acquired south of Bellaire behind community houses. Part of the budget, $33 million, is allocated for drainage retention,
with environmental testing conducted to ensure no liabilities. The sale of Beltway 8 dump generated $10 million.
The long-term plans are estimated to cost around $200 million, with $20 million available for the next year. The remaining funds will come from the sale of bonds and public debt. Two
options are being considered: one requiring an election and one not. If the decision is made to proceed with the West Side drainage project using bonds, funding may not be sufficient
without additional measures.
We did not approve a new trash truck — reasons were discussed in meeting and continue to be discussed.
Mercardo has been approved to serve alcohol.
Ann Crowley — Current activity survey — due to a lack of time in this current meeting, this was not discussed.
Adjournment (3:12 pm)
Motion to adjourn by Candyce Beneke seconded by Robin Burks
Submitted by Teresa George-Hung