HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Leadership Committee For Senior Services - 02/04/2010 4
Leadership Committee for Senior Services RECEIVED
Meeting Minutes APR 0
Zavala Senior Center 2 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
CITY SECRETARY'
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► A quorum of members were present and the meeting was called to order at 3:36 p.m. sy .. ,-
Lewis, LCSS Chairperson.
►Roll Call
Roll call was conducted by Vicki Garza, Secretary. Sherri Darveaux arrived later.
►Consider Committee Member Attendance Issues
None
►Approval of Minutes
Committee members reviewed the January 2010 retreat/meeting minutes. Cecilia Huerta made a
motion to approve the minutes as written. Patricia Byrd seconded the motion and the minutes were
unanimously approved.
►New Business/Sub-Committee Reports:
Election of Officers:
Mr. Lewis recommended postponing the election of officers until the next meeting. Mr. Lewis
appointed a Nominating Committee as follows: Vicki Garza, Lindsey Edwards and Donna Rodriguez.
He also suggested that those who wish to nominate other members should insure the nominee is
willing to serve and devote the time to the position they will be elected to serve.
LCSS Member Reappointments:
Miltan Martiz announced that she would decline her reappointment to the LCSS Committee. Ms.
Garza made a motion to endorse all members eligible for reappointment with the exception of Ms.
Martiz. Adelfa Martinez seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
New LCSS Member endorsements:
Mr. Lewis reviewed the vacancies as follows: one (1) Direct Services Agency Representative; one (1)
Community at Large Representative and one (1) Senior Center Representative. Lindsey Edwards
made a motion to endorse Wesley Sanders for the Direct Service Agency Representative. Ms.
Martinez seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. Esperanza"Hope" Lopez is to be
endorsed to the Senior Center Representative by acclimation as per motion by Ms. Edwards. The
motion was seconded by Pat Byrd and it was unanimously approved. Cecilia Huerta made a motion
to endorse Caroline Szepessy for the Community at Large Representative. Ms. Martinez seconded
the motion and it was unanimously approved. Ms. Garza stated that she would call the prospective
LCSS members to verify their interest in serving on this committee. Mr. Lewis asked Mr. Garza to
forward an email to all LCSS members with the results of her phone calls.
Update on City budget proposed reductions:
Elsa Munoz reported during the January 2010 meeting about proposed reductions that would be
recommended to the City Council. Although she was not at liberty to disclose the specific reductions
pending for City Council's review and approval. The media released the specific proposed reductions
including plans to close the Zavala Senior Center. Staff did not have an opportunity to advise center
members or LCSS of the proposed closure. These events led a big controversy and created a lot of
turmoil for many people. The Parks and Recreation Department Stacie Talbert, Ms. Munoz, and Lisa
Oliver did meet with senior center members on Friday to explain the proposed closure and answer
questions. Ms. Munoz applauded the leadership of the Zavala Senior Center and Broadmoor Senior
Center Site Councils. Although not everyone agreed with the recommendation they questioned how
the recommendation had been determined and then took action and mobip�fhp prq�t�p�d�4ty to
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• the City Council and the general public about the importance of senior centers and to keep their
senior center open. They also gathered at City Hall to petition and address the city council during the
public comment session meeting and addressed the proposed budget reduction. Ms. Munoz
expressed how overwhelmed she was on the initiative and perseverance of the members. She stated
that they were the ones that saved their senior center as well as the Joe Garza Pool which was also
on the proposed reduction list. Ms. Munoz advised that we have not been asked for any further
reductions at this time, but cautioned that we could be asked in the future. Staff has begun the FY11
Budget process. Ms. Munoz concluded that this has been a very difficult time for all staff involved and
that these decisions had not made lightly and were intended in the best interest of the entire program.
Ms. Garza asked about the Broadmoor Senior Center and its progress. Ms. Munoz reported that the
construction is proceeding as planned and that staff will be meeting with the contractors soon. Ms.
Munoz stated that progress is more or less on schedule given the recent rain delays. Ms. Garza
asked when Broadmoor Senior Center will be reopened. Ms. Munoz advised that they would be
researching at Private/Public partnerships to fund Broadmoor Senior Center's operations and will
include Broadmoor's funding in the FY11 Budget.
Holiday Dinner 2009 Report/Fundinq & Special Events Sub-Committee Report:
Cecilia Huerta stated the 2009 Holiday Dinner report is 95% complete pending the invoice payment
for the goody bag expenses. Currently, the balance is $4,087.89 for the 2010 Holiday Dinner. Ms.
Huerta noted that the balance was a result of the City's contract renewal with SMG which waives the
rental fee for use of the American Bank Center for city departments. She also explained that the
subcommittee plans to earmark monies raised in upcoming fundraisers to be used for all Senior
Community Services initiatives and not solely for the Holiday Dinner. Ms. Huerta stated their hopes
are to raise enough money to begin to purchase items for the senior centers that have been on their
"wish list"for some time now. Ms. Huerta reported that the next fundraiser will be a Meet and Greet
Social hosted at the Bombay Bar and Grill from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on April 21, 2010. This
tentative date will coincide with Administrative Professionals Day. There will be live music by"On
Call", which is a band made up of medical professionals who have agreed to play free of charge. Ms.
Huerta also reports that Lindsey Edwards, co-owner of the Bombay Bar& Grill will be providing
complimentary snacks for the event. Ms. Edwards will also be creating a drink special that will be
featured that evening. Ms. Huerta stated that Raffle Tickets will also be sold for$1.00.
Ms. Huerta reported that plans are also underway for the 2n°Annual Turkey Leg and Rummage Sale.
The event will be held at the Lindale Senior Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 15, 2010. This
tentative date is Veteran's Day and plans call for a "Wall of Honor". Where those who have served or
are currently serving in the military. Ms. Huerta also mentioned the possibility of providing those
individuals who are veteran's with a complimentary chalupa or something of that sort. There will also
be a plant sale with hopes that the senior centers will donate the plants. Lisa Oliver advised that May
15, 2010 is also the day of the Beach to Bay event. Monica Escamilla, Oveal Williams Senior Center
Supervisor, said it was also graduation time for some colleges.
Program Evaluations Sub-Committee Report:
Adelfa Martinez reported on the "Senior Community Services Cares About You" survey cards for
January 2010 as follows:
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Center Name Survey Cards Satisfied Unsatisfied
Submitted
Broadmoor Senior Center 0 0 0
Ethel Eyerly Senior Center 12 10 2
Garden Senior Center 14 14 0
Greenwood Senior Center 99 94 5
Lindale Senior Center 1 1 0
Northwest Senior Center 38 38 0
Oveal Williams Senior Center 0 0 0 _
Zavala Senior Center 18 18 0
Total 182 175 7
Ms. Martinez stated that there were a few comments from the Northwest Senior Center regarding
their dissatisfaction with the new rules and recent changes. She attributed this to seniors having a
great dislike for change.
Ms. Garza asked if the issue regarding the restrooms at Greenwood a few months back was ever
addressed. Ms. Oliver advised that she met with the ladies regarding the cleanliness and there have
not been any more problems.
Mr. Lewis asked if any senior center had not turned in any comment cards. Ms. Martinez advised that
no comment cards from Oveal Williams Senior Center were received.
Program Operations Sub-Committee Report:
Mr. Lewis reported that a "Draft" of the new Standardized By-Laws will be sent to all Staff and Site
Councils for their input. He stated that most senior centers in other areas do charge an annual senior
center membership fee. They also charge fees for other activities such as dances. The committee will
further research this topic. Mr. Lewis reports that Patricia Byrd is also finalizing a standardized audit
financial report. Ms. Darveaux asked about using a template and encourages all site councils to use
that template. Ms. Byrd stated she did try that at first but quickly found out that all sites don't have the
same programs and the template ends up distorted.
Mr. Lewis also advised that they were in the process of drafting up a Standardized Policy regarding
Senior Center Announcements. The policy will stipulate that announcements must be approved by
the Senior Center Supervisor before any announcement is made by a senior center member. A form
(see attached) has been developed. There was discussion notice is contemplated. Mr. Lewis asked
for input by senior center supervisor's Connie Reschman and Monica Escamilla who were in
attendance. They recommended a minimum of 24 hour notice time frame for submitting the form.
Mrs. Adelfa Martinez also requested clarification regarding political candidates who wish to sponsor or
make a donation to the centers. Ms. Oliver explained that donations will be accepted, however, the
donor will not be recognized for that contribution. Ms. Oliver also explained that candidates cannot
come into the center wearing a political button. Mrs. Martinez also asked if they could come into the
center to eat with the members. Ms. Oliver that candidates can enter the building, however, they are
encouraged to check in with site staff. The City Policy on Political Campaigning at senior centers will
be posted at all sites. Ms. Garza made a motion to approve the Standardized policy on senior center
announcements as proposed with the recommendation if the senior center supervisor, Ms. Reschman
and Ms. Escamilla. Ms. Huerta seconded the motion was unanimously approved.
SCS Division Program Report:
Lisa Oliver introduced the newest members of the Senior Community Services staff Tanya Lara,
Senior Center Supervisor, who transferred from the Joe Garza Recreation Center. Enoch Maldonado,
Accounting Technician, transferred from Cole's Gym Recreation Center. She also introduced Sammy
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Monreal, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi Graduate Student, will be conducting a thesis on the
feasibility of an Intergenerational Center.
Ms. Munoz introduced Minerva Pena, Zavala Senior Center Site Council President and Enriqueta
Arredondo, Broadmoor Senior Center Site Council President. Ms. Pena reported that the Zavala
Senior Center was happy to welcome the Broadmoor Senior Center participants to their center and
they have gotten along very well. Ms. Arredondo stated that thirty eight(38) Broadmoor Senior Center
members came to Zavala after Broadmoor closed. She expressed how welcomed they felt and were
excited to join Zavala. They were extremely thrilled when they won the Christmas Tree Decorating
Contest during the 2009 Holiday Dinner. Ms. Arredondo also wished to thank Connie Reschman,
Zavala Senior Center Supervisor, Lisa Oliver and Elsa Munoz for all of their hard work and dedication.
Ms. Munoz provided an update on the Ordinance Change regarding the structure of the LCSS
Committee. The City Attorney has drafted a change to the ordinance and will submit to the City
Secretary's Office. The proposed change recommends a change from six(6) Community at Large
slots to ten (10) Community at Large slots. The City Secretary's Office will submit it to the City
Council for approval. If approved the revised LCSS Committee structure will be as follows: two (2)
Senior Center Representative Slots, three (3) Direct Service Agency Representative Slots and ten
(10) Community at Large Representative Slots. Ms. Huerta asked if it was feasible to elect ten (10)
Community at Large Representatives, Ms. Munoz explained that most applicants qualify under the
Community at Large category.
ValuesNisioninq and Strateqic Planning:
Two draft Visioning and Strategic Planning documents developed by Mrs. Huerta were distributed for
members to review and discuss. Due to time constraints, it was recommended that this item be
included on the agenda for next month. Mrs. Huerta conducted online research and compiled the
documents as a guide for further discussion and committee input. Staff and Members were
impressed with Mrs. Huerta's insight and applauded her efforts.
►Items to be placed on the next agenda:
• ValuesNisioning and Strategic Planning
►Old Business:
Ms. Huerta announced that each member should think about what sub-committee they wish to serve
on.
►Public Comment:
Ms. Garza announced that Ms. Edwards appeared in Sunday's Caller Times Newspaper.
►Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
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