Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Leadership Committee For Senior Services - 04/07/2011 Leadership Committee for Senior Services RECEIVED Meeting Minutes Ethel Eyerly MAY 2 6 2011 Thursday,April 7,2011 �� � ► A quorum of members were present and the meeting was called to order at 3:41 p.m .y1+ ,qF rrrr� rr OFFICE Chairperson. "Roll Cell Vicki Garza conducted the roll call. Lindsey Edwards,Vicki Garza, Ida Alvarado Hobbs, Cecilia Huerta, Dotson Lewis, Hope Lopez, Adelfa Martinez, Henry Savoy, Billy Sayles and Jose Villanueva were present. Patricia Byrd, Gloria Gooding, Clarissa Lopez, Rudy Martinez and Felix Zavala were absent. Ms. Huerta advised the committee that she had received an email from Ms. Clarissa Lopez advising that she would not be able to attend the meeting. Ms. Munoz stated that she had just received a call from Mr. Zavala stating that he did not have transportation to the meeting. 'Attendance Issues: None 'Approval of Minutes Mr. Savoy made a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Villanueva seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. "State of the Senior Center Address: Lee Wright, President of Ethel Eyerly Senior Center Site Council, reported that her term would end in May. She reports that this last year has been really busy at the senior center with numerous activities. There are Zumba Classes held on Tuesday's; weekly Bingo and there are 2 pool tables in the center that are utilized after lunch every day. She announced that AARP meetings are held on Wednesday. Ms. Wright stated that on April 28, 2011 they would be hosting a volunteer breakfast and dance. The volunteers will be recognized during the dance and will be honored with a key chain for their service to the center. Ms. Wright also stated that the dances at the senior center went from approximately 70 people in attendance to approximately 110 people who attend.There are also Computer Classes on Monday's which are very well attended. Ms. Wright reported that the site council elections are a very big thing at this senior center. There are 20 people that are running for site council this year. Mr. Lewis thanked the Site Council for the refreshments and their hospitality. He asked the committee if everyone had seen the signs that are outside the building that had the pictures of all the members that are running for site council. Mr. Lewis reported that the Garden Senior Center did not have enough people willing to run to serve on the site council. He thanked Mr. Ford who went out to the Garden Senior Center and spoke to the members about the importance of serving on the site council. He successfully recruited a full slate of members to run for site council elections. *New Business: Introduction of Newly Appointed LCSS Members: Mr. Zavala was unable to attend the meeting. Proposed Increase to Guest Meal Cost: Mr. Lewis reported that the Program Operations Subcommittee is working on the Meal Cancelation Policy due to the amount of meals that are "lost". The proposed recommendation is that we raise the Guest Meal Cost to $6.00. The current Guest Meal price is$3.00. Ms. Salinas stated that a senior center member asked her"What if I prepaid my dollar and they don't know for sure if they are coming?" Ms. Oliver mentioned that the cost of the Guest Meal is$3.00 and the$1.00 donation is a suggested price for the Congregate Meal Program. Mr. Savoy asked if he brought in a guest would he be able to pay$3.00 for the guest meal. Ms. Munoz stated that currently he would be able to pay$3.00 for the guest meal, but if this proposed increase were approved then it would be$6.00 for the Guest Meal. Ms. Munoz clarified that the Guest Meal increase is only for those individuals that are not registered senior center members or are under 60 years of age. 1 SCANNED Ms. Munoz also reported that the word is getting out regarding the Meal Cancellation Policy and there has been a substantial drop in the amount of cancellations at the centers and that the policy is not yet"official". Ms. Huerta asked if we raise the price what would be the backlash for doing so. Ms. Munoz stated that someone could file a grievance about the new rules, but it would be an issue that would be handled at her level, as the Superintendent. Ms. Munoz commended the LCSS committee in their efforts of tackling this ongoing issue. Ms. Garza summarized that the recommendation is to increase the Suggested Meal Contribution amount from $1.00 to$1.50 and if a member cancels their meals twice in one month then they will have to pay for their meal or wait till the following month to regain their privileges. The other recommendation is to increase the Guest Meal price from $3.00 to $6.00. Ms. Mondragon, Garden Senior Center Supervisor, asked how collection of the meal payments will be processed by staff. Ms. Oliver stated that there will be training for all staff if this recommendation is approved by the committee. Mr. Lewis repeated the recommendation changing the Suggested Meal Contribution amount from $1.00 to $1.50 and if a member cancels their meals twice in one month then they will have to pay for their meal or wait till the following month to regain their privileges; also to increase the Guest Meal price from $3.00 to $6.00. Mrs. Huerta made a motion to approve the proposed recommendations as presented by the Program Operations Subcommittee. Mr. Sayles seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. Ms. Garza asked if this increase would change the amount of food that is served daily at the senior centers. Ms. Escamilla, Greenwood Senior Center Supervisor, mentioned that it would affect the members because the donations that are made currently do not match the amount of members that are being served (donations are lower than actual meals served). Ms. Munoz emphasized that no one will go without a meal because of the increase in Suggested Meal Contribution. She clarified that the increase in actual purchase price is specifically for the Guest Meals (non registered senior center members or those under 60). The contributions are all confidential and there is no tracking system for those who donate and/or how much they donate. Ms. Munoz advised that we do not charge a fee for the Congregate Meals as it is prohibited by our Federal Grant standards and guidelines. The Suggested Meal Contribution increase is simply a Voluntary Contribution for the meal. Ms. Mondragon stated the members who donate will continue to donate regardless of the suggested amount. Ms. Munoz shared that contributing something for the meals is very important to our members and we recognize that not everyone is able to donate. She advised that some people put pills, buttons and foreign currency in the money box just to give the impression that they are donating something. Subcommittee Reports: Funding and Resource/Special Events Subcommittee: Ms. Edwards reported that the Harvest Moon Ball will take place on Saturday, September 17, 2011 in the Henry Garrett Ballroom at the American Bank Center. She advised that there is a Harvest Moon Ball Subcommittee that is working specifically on this project and includes active members from the medical and business community. The Harvest Moon Ball will be a black tie formal event. The itinerary will include heavy Hors d'oeuvres; Silent Auction; Cash Bar; Dance/Live Band. The target audience is the general community with emphasis on business and medical professionals as well as community leaders. Ms. Edwards stated that the attendance goal range is from 300 to 500 guests.This event will also launch our efforts to develop a Foundation for the Senior Community Services Program. Tickets will be $65 per person and Sponsor Packets will be available within the next few weeks. Ms. Edwards announced that the next fundraising event will be a dinner plate sale, instead of the Turkey Leg Sale. The profits of the Turkey Leg Sale were minimal and the event was very labor intensive. Ms. Edwards reported that the 2011 Senior Pageant is scheduled for June 26, 2011. Sponsors are also needed for this event. The Subcommittee is also working on a Summer Gift Basket Raffle modeled after the successful Holiday Dinner Gift Basket Raffle which yielded a 100% profit return. Ms. Edwards stated that they will be securing items for a 4th of July Gift Basket to include a small BBQ pit and other summer items. This fundraiser will be also be 100% profitable since all items will be donated. 2 Funding and Resource/Special Events Subcommittee continued: May is National Older Americans Month and all Senior Centers will be hosting a variety of special activities to increase community awareness about the contributions of older adults in our community. The annual program wide event is scheduled for the last week of May. Staff and Subcommittee members are planning an event similar to the Senior Day picnic which was held at the West Guth Park and Northwest Senior Center last year. Plans include a Wii Bowling Tournament; Fitness Walk; Swimming and Water Aerobics; Food and Door Prizes. Ms. Edwards asked that everyone forward the sponsorship packets to their community partners and personal contacts when they become available. Program Operations Subcommittee: Mr. Lewis asked Ms. Munoz to report on the Senior Center Member Orientation Packet. Ms. Munoz reported that there is currently a Senior Center Member Orientation Packet that is reviewed with all new senior center members upon registration. There is a revised Senior Center Member Registration Form that is being proposed by Center Supervisors. This form would help keep track of members such as the baby boomers that just wish to attend the center and not participate in the Nutrition Program. Ms. Munoz advised that there is also a proposal to revise the Senior Center Rules and Regulations. Ms. Hobbs has made a few changes to the Standards of Behavioral/Personal Conduct.The guidelines are now categorized as follows: Personal Hygiene/Cleanliness, Safety, Personal Conduct/Behavior and Disciplinary Action. Mr. Savoy made a motion to endorse the revised Senior Center Orientation Packet as proposed. Ms. Martinez seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. Program Evaluation Subcommittee: Ms. Martinez reported that a total of 150 comment cards were submitted. She mentioned that there was really nothing out of the ordinary. Comments included the following: Potholes at Lindale and Garden (which are still being worked on); there were comments regarding the rice being undercooked, also there were comments about too much chicken being served. Ms. Martinez reported there were a few complaints about too much stuff being placed on the pool tables which prevents them from playing pool at the Lindale Senior Center. Ms. Martinez stated there should not be anything placed on the pool tables since the felt gets ruined and it is expensive to replace. Ms. Martinez stated that she will notify Lindale staff about the complaints regarding the .00l tables. Senior Center Satisfied Unsatisfied Total Broadmoor 0 0 0 Ethel Eyerly 0 0 0 Garden 34 0 34 Greenwood 16 4 20 Lindale 12 0 12 Northwest 32 0 32 Oveal Williams 0 0 0 Zavala 52 0 52 TOTAL 146 4 150 SCS Division Program Report: Ms. Munoz reported that the City Budget proposals are currently being outlined and the forecast is not good.We will plan to receive the same amount of general fund dollars as last year and will also develop scenarios that will include a reduction of 5%to 20%. Ms. Munoz stated that like last year we will explore different staffing and operational plans to meet any proposed reduction strategies. She also advised that we are seeking to identify alternate funding options and developing long term funding initiatives such as establishing a Foundation. Ms. Munoz is pleased to report good progress on the current Site Council Election process. The Ethel Eyerly Center was congratulated on having the most competitive slate of nominees and best election campaigning. Ms. Munoz took several photos of Election Posters and Campaign Signs. There are 20 candidates vying for 11 seats on the Ethel Eyerly Site Council. There are also a couple of centers who are struggling to recruit enough members to fill the slate of candidates needed for a full slate. 3 ▪SCS Division Program Report continued: Ms. Munoz reported that the Mayor for Meals March took place a few weeks ago and Mayor Adame delivered meals to several clients. This initiative is a national campaign coordinated by the Meals on Wheels Association of America to increase awareness about Senior Hunger in our communities. She also stated that there will be a monitoring visit from Texas Department of Agriculture, Texans Feeding Texans Program next week. There will also be a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Broadmoor Walking Trail soon. Ms. Munoz reports that the new stove at the Broadmoor Senior Center is now working and the Breakfast Club is very pleased. Staff has been encouraged to submit photos that will be featured in the National Senior Center Month poster. The Home Delivered Meals Interest list which started March 1, 2011 is up to 40 people as of April 1, 2011. Ms. Munoz announced that she had received a call from client who was extremely pleased with the level of service provided by Evila Salinas, Ethel Eyerly Senior Center. Ms. Salinas provided extensive case management support to the client and he commented that Mrs. Salinas was"very professional, knowledgeable and patient". Ms. Munoz reports that there is a kitchenette at the Ethel Eyerly Senior Center that is being under utilized and staff is exploring an option to convert into additional office space. The Senior Center Supervisor and Staff Assistant currently share a small office. A separate office for the Supervisor would be more conducive for providing direct Benefits Counseling and other social services. ►Items to be placed on the next agenda: Review LCSS By-Laws Old Business: None ▪Public Comment: None ►Adiournment: Meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. 4