HomeMy WebLinkAboutSSMINUTES011008WEST UNIVERSITY SENIOR SERVICES BOARD MEETING MINUTES
January 10, 2008
Meeting called to order at 2:00 PM.
Attendees: John Neighbors, Stan McCandless, Betty Aillet, Elizabeth Young, Jo Lukens, Lyndon McKnight, Joe Graf,
Selby Clark, Mary Ryerson, Joan Johnson, Maureen Beck, Mary Lee Gray, and Cathy Wright. Staff members present were
Tim O'Connor and Toby Dykema. Guests present were Police Chief Ken Walker, Celia Chipman, Donna LaMond and Joni
Fichter. City Council member present was Councilman Chuck Guffie.
Previous meetings minutes were approved.
Previews and Sneak Previews were reviewed.
REPORTS
APAC: There will be a Senior Expo hosted by APAC (and also by City of Houston and other organizations) that will take
place in the George R. Brown Convention Center on May 16th. This will be part of Older Americans Month and the venue
to release a report on how to make Houston and Harris County the most "Senior Friendly" place in the country. Our
Board's presence at this Expo would demonstrate our commitment to these goals. Eight "Domains" (Basic Needs, Housing
Options, Mobility and Transportation, Health and Well-Being, Recreation and Culture and Lifelong Learning and Life
Satisfaction and Spirituality, Safety and Security, Civic Engagement and Volunteerism and Employment, Access to Quality
Care) have been identified as critical to making us Senior friendly, and work groups have been set up for each domain.
Cathy Wright is part of the Civic Engagement (etc.) work group and reported that several of the domains have identified
lack of transportation for Seniors as a definite stumbling block. A suggested remedy was to use area church van and busses
to transport their local Seniors to volunteer and employment activities. If we could obtain county wide umbrella liability
coverage, churches might be willing to provide the vans and drivers. Tim O' Connor suggested that Harris County and City
of Houston Parks and Recreation might be potential transportation providers, since they are covered by a state wide
insurance pool, which already includes the transportation of children.
COUNCIL MEETING REPORT: Street light replacement has commenced, and trees are in the process of being
trimmed. Council will decide the disposition of the Marlowe house and lot at the next meeting. The Park Survey is
completed and the results will be presented to Council at the next meeting.
GOOD NEIGHBOR TEAM: Approximately 130 poinsettias were delivered on December 19". Maureen Beck was
thanked for designing and producing the beautiful Thanksgiving and Christmas cards. The team is still at work on the call
program.
HI NEIGHBOR NEWSLETTER: The Newsletter has gone out.
ACTIVITY REPORT: The Holiday luncheon was a success. The Contemporary Art Museum was very contemporary.
The Bastrop trip (via Precint bus) is taking place next week. Shoe factory was great fun. Senior Services is working on a
grant/partnership with Neighborhood Center (United Way) to offset afternoon exercise class. The Senior Room has been
painted and other amenities improved.
PARKS & RECREATION REPORT: See attachments provided by Tim O'Connor.
PREVIOUS BUSINESS: Police Chief Ken Walker brought in the newly created/engraved ID bracelets for our citizens
most in need of this service. I.W. Marks donated the engraving of the ID numbers and the non-emergency police number
that will connect those affected with their care givers. The letter prepared by John Neighbors for Council requesting a
review of the over age sixty-five exemption for our Seniors was sent to Council, and well received by our Mayor. The
Board expressed appreciation to John for taking the initiative and authoring this important letter of concern to our Council.
NEW BUSINESS: Guests Donna LaMond (Executive Director of Friends of West U. Parks) and Joni Fichter (Parks Board
and Friends) announced the seventeenth annual Park Lovers Ball to be held February 9". They offered a synopsis of the
history and function of these organizations, encouraged patronization of supporting local business, and encouraged
participation and volunteering for the ongoing success of our parks. Tim O'Connor noted that they have received State
recognition for their efforts, and are under consideration for National recognition.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: A heartfelt round of applause was offered to Stan McCandless for his work on the Friends Park at
Auden and Rice.
Meeting Adjourned at 3:05 PM