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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSSMINUTES011107WEST UNIVERSITY SENIOR SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES Page 1 of 2 WEST UNIVERSITY SENIOR SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES 1/11/2007 Meeting called to order at 2:00 PM. Attendees: John Neighbors, Stan McCandless, Carolyn Sacchi, Cathy Wright, Betty Aillet, Elizabeth Young, Craft Hughes, Mary Lee Gray, Mary Ryerson, Lyndon McKnight, Joe Graf, Joan Johnson and Jo Lukens. Absent was Maureen Beck. Staff member present was Toby Dykema. Council member present was Steven Segal. Guest present was Police Chief Ken Walker. Previous meetings minutes were sent to Board members with agenda and approved. Previews and Sneak Previews were reviewed. REPORTS APAC: The Silver Haired Legislators are pushing for the creation of a Silver Alert (as in Amber Alert) for Seniors that disappear for various reasons. Several Texas House bills addressing "aging" and nursing homes can be accessed at www.legis.state.tx.us/report.aspxx. Officers were inducted. Informative Cold or Flu handouts were passed out, and it was noted that there has been a decrease in nursing home residents over age eighty-five. COUNCIL MEETING REPORT: Council held a workshop with the Parks and Recreation Board to discuss matters related to Colonial Park and the WU Recreation Center. They approved the PRB recommendation to distribute a request for qualifications for consultants to assist Council and the PRB in assessing community needs and desires concerning improvements at these parks, leading to a November 2007 election on revised Bond proposals. Council discussed possible park property to be funded by the $2,000,000 bond proposal, which did pass. PRB was asked to review a list of available properties and to identify the best options in the target area, both north and south of University. Council considered a twenty-five year extension of the CenterPoint Energy franchise agreement on the second reading, but did not approve it. Council did not feel their questions regarding the Franchise agreement were adequately addressed. The Board was assured that citizens would have electricity until March of 2008, at which time the agreement expires. Councilman Segal explained that the sidewalk dispute on Kirby can be summed up by the statement the City of Houston does not want to pay for sidewalks that would benefit the City of WU, and the City of WU should not pay for sidewalks on an easement owned by the City of Houston. GOOD NEIGHBOR TEAM: Approximately 142 Poinsettias were delivered for the holidays. West University Elementary School fourth and fifth graders and their parents participated in the delivery, and all went smoothly. HI NEIGHBOR NEWSLETTER: It was suggested that the Newsletter (and other venues available to the City) remind citizens turning age sixty-five that; (1) they must apply for Medicare drug coverage within a window of three months before and after that birth date, (2) they must apply for their property tax exemption with the City at this time, and (3) they must apply for a garbage rate reduction with the City during this time. The garbage rate reduction is retroactive only to the first of the year. ACTIVITY REPORT: Activity participation was (as to be expected) down somewhat during the holiday season. The Christmas luncheon and the Tea Dance at the Rec Center were well attended. PREVIOUS BUSINESS: Efforts were made to schedule speaking visits to the Board from Ellen Cohen and Kyle Janek, but replies were not forthcoming. It was suggested that the timing be postponed until the current Legislative session is further advanced or adjourned. Staff file://H:ABoard meeting Minutes\Minutes\2007\January.htm 1/23/2009 WEST UNIVERSITY SENIOR SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES Page 2 of 2 continues to identify Seniors that need assistance with the new house address numbering ordinance. NEW BUSINESS: Chief Walker proposed the Board consider adopting a plan to provide bracelets with critical information for authorities, to Seniors in need of such assistance. Board consensus was unanimous for this project. Toby will draft a letter for recruiting potential underwriters. The bracelets would provide authorities with only the information that the WU police should be contacted, the department's phone number, and an ID number for the Senior in need. The police would then be able to contact the care provider or family. Future Board meetings will be held in the Conference Room at the Rec Center, thus freeing up needed activity space in the present location. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Byron Prater resigned from the Board. A new position on the Board is now open. Staff is looking for a new driver. Hours cannot be guaranteed, but any referrals would be appreciated. On January 22nd at 1:00 PM, the author of You Only Die Once will give a presentation on her book and how to prepare for this event. Meeting Adjourned at 2:55 PM file://H:ABoard meeting Minutes\Minutes\2007\January.htm 1/23/2009