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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Leadership Committee For Senior Services - 11/01/2007 it rl Leadership Committee For Senior Services RECEIVED Oveal Williams Senior Center 1414 Martin Luther King Drive FEB I 0 IVO November 1,2007 CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE Kathy Harron, LC SS Chairperson called the meeting to order. ATTENDANCE Roll call was taken by Miltan Martiz, Secretary. Please refer to the attendance roster as attached. Absences for October are Alan Bligh, Apolonia Cantu and Judy McNamara. Apolonia asked to be excused because of illness. Roland Medrano motioned to accept Ms. Cantu's excuse, seconded by Marion Ball. MINUTES After reading and reviewing of the October Minutes, motion was made by Judy McNamera to accept the minutes as presented. It was seconded by Miltan Martiz. COMMITTEE REPORTS Kathy Harron asked if anyone had submitted any written reports to the Secretary. No one had given a written report. PROGRAM OPERATIONS —Judy McNamara The Program Operations Committee met today at 11:00 a.m. Alan Bligh reported that there has been no activity regarding the Senior Center Accreditation process as of yet. Judy McNamara reported the Program Operations committee also discussed the change of the non-traditional hours of operation at senior centers. The first site to have the hours change would be Ethel Eyerly Senior Center. In discussion with the Site Council,they would support the time hours of operation change to 9:30am to 5:30pm. Staff recommended to the Program Operations Committee that the time change be from 9am to 5pm. The Program Operations committee supported the recommendation. The change to non traditional hours is based on the census center data received from each site. Other factors to be considered in evaluating the change to hours of operation are public transportation and the B-Line Services utilized by members. The purpose of the changes are to maximize the staff and center member time in the building and energy costs as well. This is due in part to the budget reductions and maximizing the time we are in the building and offer programming during those times. The next item for discussion was the implementation of a membership fee for senior center members. The Program Operations committee will be researching other communities to see what their membership fees are and their benefits. We are exploring, maybe a possible pro-rated fee for Winter Texans. SCANNED I %NO ‘1110 If they choose not to purchase a membership, it is fully up to the individual; it would not be a requirement. Neither is it a requirement at any other location. The meal program would be separate from the senior center membership. It is important for LCSS committee members to educate others so that they will understand too. There was much discussion regarding the Membership Fee. Comments included with the data that is being collected from other states, what senior centers in our state charge a membership fee. With the data we are going to use from other states, how can we use that information and charge the seniors from South Texas with that data? The committee will research municipalities that charge a membership fee. This was also concern that certain programs offer a sliding fee scale based on family income. Would this be a possibility for consideration in the membership fee? Apolonia Cantu stated that some of the Senior Companions go to the center with their clients; would they have to pay a membership fee as well? Senior Companions can still attend a center and participate in the meal program that isn't tied to what that membership is going to be. All comments and questions would be taken under consideration by the Program Operations committee in making their recommendation. PROGRAM EVALUATION—Miltan Martiz The Program Evaluation Committee met today. We have not received any comment cards for October or any input from the cards. The 14 cards we do have are from September are from Ethel Eyerly. These cards report good, excellent food service. Two cards are stating about the yellow striping in the parking lot. Lisa Oliver replied that the status on the parking lot improvements was shared with the LCSS and with the supervisor Mary Ann Mondragon. The tentative date states for the improvements are the latter part of November or December as per Engineering Department. PROGRAM OPERATIONS—Judy McNamara In regards to the Hour Change at Ethel Eyerly, that this was not a survey, that was a request for endorsement by the LCSS. Site Council requested the time change;to be the pilot program for the other centers. The Ethel Eyerly Site Council is requesting an endorsement from LCSS and for Administrative staff to move forward with the implementation of the time change. LCSS members stated this request would be acted on by SCS Administration. SPECIAL EVENTS—Kathy Harron Kathy Harron stated the Dinner with Dr. Clark was a nice affair and LCSS received over$1,000 in adoption fees. LCSS will make approximately over$3,000 after expenses. Kathy's recommendation is to try it again. She has spoken to the new CEO at Doctor's Regional Hospital that is very interested in participating at the Dinner next year. He was at Tulane University Hospital during Hurricane Katrina and stayed through the storm. He is mentioned in the book written about this experience. With ample planning,this event work again next year. This will be considered by the Special Event subcommittee with a final recommendation to be presented to the LCSS Committee. 2 410 UPDATE ON THE HOLIDAY DINNER—Evila Salinas Evila Salinas presented a brief overview of the 25th Annual Holiday Dinner. The event will be held on December 20, 2007 at the American Bank Center—Watergarden Room from 3pm to 6pm. The plans are progressing and tickets have been distributed to each senior center. The member tickets are $5 per person and$8 per guest. FUNDING AND RESOURCE —Marion Ball A preliminary financial summary of the Evening with Dr. Clark Dinner was presented by Marion Ball. E• Total in ticket sales, adoptions and donations $5,528 d• Expenses - $2,707 • Total $2,821 Balance Adoption Card Donations $1,208.32 The Adoption cards were the stand ups on the each table; gave the people an opportunity to adopt a senior program. Regular financial report shows a balance from: ❖ Casino Night 2006 $ 501.48 ❖ Holiday Dinner 2006 $1,289.19 A motion to accept the Treasurer's report was made by Miltan Martiz and seconded by Judy McNamara. There was consensus to accept the report. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS—Lisa Oliver A Funding: SCS received a Notice of Intent to Contract with the Area Agency on Aging in regards to Congregate Meals, Home Delivered Meals and Benefits Counseling. The grant fiscal year is from October 1,2007 to September 30, 2008. • 2004 Bond Projects: We have several projects that are pending and Engineering is the project manager for these. o Lindale and Greenwood Senior Centers—A/C Replacement we were told would be here in October(which has come and gone) and the parts are still on the way. o The replacement for these centers will be in mid-November and hopefully in our next meeting in January 2008,we can report that those A/C systems were in stalled. • Parking Lot Projects: Met with Engineering this week;the work for the Oveal Williams Parking Lot will be taken care of starting next week. Then in December they will move to the Zavala Senior Center for that parking lot project. Tomorrow we meet with Engineering and we will ask for the update for Ethel Eyerly. Engineering is following a list; it is the same contractor so they move from one job to the next. • Pending Work: For work to be done at the Northwest Senior Center. Working on Termite Extermination on the wall that faces the patio. Some demolition of the wall; a plastic sealant or barrier so as to not to interfere with operations. If we need to 3 411110 V move operations for meal service due to construction, we will coordinate with the Hill Top Community Center and have meal service for a day or whatever it takes so they can finish the job in a timely manner. Nutrition —Leticia Ochoa Leticia Ochoa reported that she had been contacted by local Eagle Scout for a proposal; he is doing his Eagle Scout Project and it would benefit seniors. Project that has been selected is the construction of a raised herbal garden at the Central Kitchen. This will enable kitchen staff to grow herbs and select vegetables; whatever is in season so that we can in turn use that for the Nutrition Program. RSVP/SCP—Ninfa Chavera Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Trip scheduled for the latter part of November to Progresso. Members $25 and Guest is $35 Reminding seniors that they have up to December 31",2007 to go the Mexico without a passport. After January 1", 2008, they will need a passport to enter into Mexico; using all forms of transportation. SCP—Linda Ramirez/Tina Belock Will be conducting a 40-hour Orientation Training for the new Senior Companion Volunteers starting next week at the Garden Senior Center. We will have additional SCP volunteers. Also at the last meeting, it was stated that we were in process of conducting interviews for the Senior Companion Coordinator. A selection was made;that person had another opportunity and declined ours. A second selection was made. We hope to fill the position by December. Senior Centers—Lisa Oliver On October 15th, it was announced to the Ethel Eyerly and Lindale Senior Centers that we would implement a cross-training program of Senior Site Supervisors. About two years ago, SCS conducted the cross training of the Facility Maintenance Crew and that transfer was an entire movement all at once. This time SCS is starting with only two center supervisors; the entire process to rotate the senior center supervisors should take up to 12 — 18 months to complete. Lillian Narvaez will transfer to the Ethel Eyerly Senior Center and Mary Ann Mondragon will transfer to the Lindale Senior Center effective Monday,November 5`h, 2007. Lisa Oliver stated there are all kinds of misinformation; if there is a solution to stop rumors, it would be welcomed. There are rumors at every senior center. Staff has done rumor control at all centers in the past and will do so in the present. Lisa Oliver also provided an update regarding the Lindale Tuesday Night Dance. At the beginning of October, we met with the Lindale Site Council and they have agreed 4 INV 111110 to take back the Tuesday Night Dance and staff said yes. We will work hand in hand with the site council for the transition. Lisa also clarified that there was no mis-management of funds on behalf of staff Staff does not have access to Site Council money and it if for that reason. In May, the Site Council Guidelines were given to all new Site Council Members and it clearly outlines the role of responsibility of site councils and the roles and responsibility of staff That incident involved the president of the site council; it was not used for personal use. Monies were used for an event at the Tuesday Night Dance. It was the Past Site Council President not the current Site Council President. At the Public Comment portion of the City Council, two individuals that addressed council regarding this matter; regarding staff transfer to another site. We are preparing a response, it is called a Council Action Response back to the City Manager and he sends the response to the City Council Members. NEW BUSINESS—Kathy Herron By Law Review Committee (Guy& Kathy)have decided to table this meeting until the first of the year 2008. No objections. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Lindale Tuesday Night Dance, Site Council is taking back the dance and keeping the funds. As of when we met on the first of the month, Site Council will continue with volunteers to assist with refreshments and taking money at the door. The transition will continue until Site Council informs staff that they no longer need us in attendance to the Tuesday Night Dance. ANNOUNCEMENTS No Announcements PUBLIC COMMENTS Adelfa Martinez, current Site Council President from Lindale Senior Center, addressed the LCSS committee. The stated they take pride in their center, volunteer a lot hours, and support our site director, Lillian Narvaez. We had some problems with the Tuesday Night Dance. We had a meeting and took a vote to change the dance to 1 —4 in the afternoon. We were telling people at night that were going change the dances for the safety of the seniors. Some of our seniors cannot steer well or see well at night;they are afraid to drive at night and we were considering their safety. And soon with the upcoming time change, it will be getting evening earlier. Then the cooler weather will be upon us and again that will be affecting all of us. We are new council with new ideas. We are trying to help out the seniors at the center as well in our community. During this transition, there are obstacles to cross. During one of the night dance, Ms. Munoz came in and she told the people there that there was miscommunication. There will be an evening dance from 6—9 p.m. and the center will have an afternoon dance from 1 —4 p.m. We had no say so; what is the site council for if no one is going to honor our votes or motions? There are other site councils represented and they get their votes and motions honored. Ethel 5 bl Eyerly is changing their hours to 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; they voted on it and agreed upon it. Yet Lindale has no voice or vote. Staff came in and stomped all over us; mopped the floor with us. They only thing they did was to give us back our Tuesday Night Dance because it was a fundraiser for us to begin with us. We never gave it up. The money that city has collected has not been returned to the site council yet but they will. So we go to the City Council with our problems and the Mayor said someone would speak to us. We have not heard from any one but we are looking into other avenues to help us. Somebody is going to hear us. Gus Munoz, current Site Council President from Broadmoor Senior Center, address the LCSS Committee. Ms. Evila Salinas is the current supervisor at Broadmoor. She helps out plenty of people and maybe in a few years, four or five, I may need help then too. But if you change my supervisor,then I might have problems. The other thing is charging at the senior centers. We have enough problems getting people to sign up. They have their reasons, they don't feel old enough, or they don't want to admit it. They feel that the centers are there for people who can't afford to eat. I don't have to go because I can still buy my own food. This charging may start at $4 -$5 a year but then likely may go up in price. Kathy Harron asked how many persons attend Lindale in overall membership. Lisa Oliver responded, in the nutrition program we average about 70 persons and including the groups,we would have to look at that census but overall about 200 persons. Per Lillian Narvaez, there are 132 registered members, not including the groups. Roland Medrano asked regarding the 100-person signed petition that Ms. Martinez spoke about. He asked who the petition given to and Lisa Oliver replied it was to Skip Noe. At this time, it has to be reviewed and then they will be notified. Kathy Harron stated as a council, we do have authority to make any decisions; all we can do is our recommendations. The timing was bad of this situation and hopefully reconsiders their decision but we do realize that they do have to move staff around. That is part of the learning and growth process. We become comfortable in the positions we have but with a new person, within six weeks; you will be comfortable with them as well and they become comfortable with their new position. Roland Medrano states that if cross-training is the goal,they should consider trading two more centers rather than Lindale and Ethel Eyerly. The LCSS would like to give many thanks to the persons of the Oveal Williams Senior Center that prepared the wonderful food. As a reminder, there will be no December meeting but we hope to see all of the LCSS members at the Holiday Dinner on December 20th, 2007. Lisa Oliver also reassured the committee members and the members of the senior centers here in attendance to this meeting, all our staff is very competent, very compassionate, and very knowledgeable and has experience to share regardless at which site they are at. They do great things at the site that they are at but we know that they can do even better given new opportunities. It is difficult to leave a site that you have been at for a while. It is difficult 6 because you feel you will lose that connection with someone who has been with you thru good and difficult times. However, there will be another person who will be just as compassionate, we can reassure you of that and has the experience and knowledge that site needs. This person not only serves the members of that site but also the community and that is our goal. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. 7