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SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING HEIR SEPTEMBER 6, 1990
The September 6, 1990 meeting of Senior Community Services Advisory
Committee was called to order by Mr. James Tait. Mr. Eli Abrams made a
motion to approved the August 2 minutes with minor corrections and Mr. John
Dunn seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.
Members Present: Cecilia Martinez , James Tait, Doris Porter, Eli Abrams,
Dorothy Earwood, Elsa Ciminelli, Elva Alba, John Dunn, Carol Carroll, Ray
Garcia, Tom Toporowski , Aileen Creighton, Shevnuo Beck, and Peter Oliver.
Members Absent: Eliseo Cantu, Jr. , and Josephine Dobson.
Ex-Officio Members Present: Elva Gonzalez , Jose Espinoza, Donald Bryant,
and Benita Lerma.
Staff Member Present: Elsa Munoz.
Screening Task Force Committee Report.
James Tait shared with the Advisory Committee that the Screening Task Force
Committee met on August 16 it 3 p.m. The Screening Task Force Committe
showed a videotape to the City Council. The discussion that the City
Council members had was about the meals program. The City Council decided
to take care of the seniors , but advised that the Screening Task Force
Committee work with the Advisory Committee to develop a screening procedure
to propose future growth.
Several members of the Advisory Committee did not understand the definition
of "screening tool." Cecilia Martinez explained to the Advisory Committee
that Senior Community Services will provide nutritional services to all
eligible seniors who are 60 years of age or older with this screening tool
process which will become effective October 1 , 1990. She also explained
that an annual needs assessment will be given to those who have the
greatest social, economic, and functional needs. Enrollment based on
priority ranking will he permitted according to available funds and/or
slots on a first-come first-serve basis. All state and federal guidelines
are to be followed.
Handouts were distributed to the Advisory Committee so they could get a
thorough understanding of the "screening tool." The Advisory Committee
agreed to have a recommendation presented to the City Council for the
"screening tool" to be used. Jose Espinoza made a motion to approve the
recommendation and Elva Gonzalez seconded the motion. The Advisory
Committee also agreed that a draft letter he addressed to the City Council
and to be signed by all members endorsing and approving the "screening
tool" as presented by the Screening Task Force Committee. James Tait asked
that staff make a more thorough presentation next month.
Membership Attendance Record.
The absenteeism of Alicia Ruiz and Eliseo Cantu, Jr. , was questioned. The
Advisory Committee agreed that a letter of termination must be issued to
those members absent more than three times. Aileen Creighton made a motion
to approve the recommendation and Carol Carroll seconded the motion.
Minutes
Senior Community Services Advisory Committee
Page 2
September 6, 1990
Cecilia Martinez also informed the Advisory Committee that Alicia Ruiz's
absences were based on her illness and that the Board does have the option
of recommending her for reappointment . The Advisory Committee agreed to
recommend her for reappointment as well.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Washington Senior Center.
Cecilia Martinez reported that some CUBE monies are available that were not
used. Senior Community Serivices is in the process of trying to get
together another proposal and hopefully get funded so renovations can begin
at Washington Senior Center. The staff feels that they have a commitment
to meet for the seniors at Washington Senior Center.
Hilltop Senior Center.
Renovations have been completed as mentioned to the Advisory Committee
during the August meeting. Commissioner Shaffer, being a member of the
Rotary Club, was able to obtain six (6) ceiling fans for the Hilltop
Senior Center. The ceiling fans have been installed and the seniors are
enjoying them. Bids on window units have been received.
Menu Approval.
Due to Lisa Pollakis being on vacation, Cecilia Martinez presented to the
Advisory Committee the September menus and asked that the Advisory
Committee review the handouts as they were being distributed. The menus
were reviewed. Elva Gonzalez made a motion to approve the menus with a
minor correction and Peter Oliver seconded the motion. The menus were
approved.
Grant Renewals.
Cecilia Martinez distributed to the Advisory Committee a handout on the
Request for Homemaker I Proposal. She informed the Advisory Committee that
Senior Community Services was unable to perform the goals of the Homemaker
I Program as implemented in 1990 and ending at the end of September.
There were some major errors in judgment. The staff felt that they
could possibly hire seniors that were ambulatory, illiterate, etc. , able to
handle the requirements in the program. What was found was that the
average homemaker are functioning at a 5th grade level with different kinds
of illnesses with mobility problems, and their age averages between 70 to
75. The majority of them would not be able to carry out the requirements
of the Homemaker I Program. It was a major disappointment to the staff,
but because they recognized that they were not doing justice to the
program.
Minutes
Senior Community Services Advisory Committee
Page 3
September 6, 1990
The staff anticipates 3,380 hours of services to be available in the
community. Senior Community Services has received various commentaries
from outside agencies requesting this service. The agencies have attempted
to work with the companions. Hopefully if the City goes into contract,
services can be provided.
This particular grant is informing the Area Agency on Aging that this is
how Senior Community Services plans to carry out the program beginning
October 1, 1990. The committee listened to Cecilia Martinez's outline of
the proposal. Carol Carroll made a motion to endorse the services and
Aileen Creighton seconded the motion.
Supportive Services Report.
Elsa Munoz reminded the Advisory Committee of the SWOR BBQ to be held on
Saturday, September 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Roundtrip transportation by
RTA will be provided to seniors for this event. It is estimated that 700
seniors will be participating in this event. Elsa Munoz extended an
invitation to the Advisory Committee.
Elsa Munoz informed the Advisory Committee that the Fundraiser Committee is
is planning an Annual Christmas Dinner and Dance to be held on Friday,
November 9, 1990. Tickets will be sold for $5 to the public.
Elsa Munoz also informed the Advisory Committee that "Good Morning America"
is going to videotape Greenwood Senior Center on Wednesday, September 12.
This will be aired on Thursday, September 14.
Elsa Munoz mentioned to the Advisory Committee that there is a Meal Site
Manager's vacancy at Broadmoor Senior Center. Hopefully, the vacancy will
be filled soon.
Senior Companion Report. Cecilia Martinez informed the Advisory Committee
that the Senior Companion Program Coordinator position is still vacant at
this time. Cecilia also informed the Advisory Committee that she will
withhold the report and provide an update to the Advisory Committee at next
month's meeting if at all possible.
Ex—Officio Member Reports. James Tait asked the Advisory Committee how many
centers were represented to find out what kind of activities were
scheduled. Jose Espinoza informed the Advisory Committee that Lindale
Senior Center would be having a Fond Drive on September 20. The purpose of
having this Food Drive is for the pantry which seniors started during the
month of July. Another item mentioned by Jose Espinoza was the Bilingual
Theatre on Tuesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. He invited anyone who is
interested in attending to do so because they are always welcomed.
Minutes
Senior Community Services Advisory Committee
Page 4
September 6, 1990
The other item is a fundraiser tentatively scheduled for the month of
October. More details on this fundraiser will be provided at next month's
meeting. Elva Gonzalez said things are looking better at Broadmoor Senior
Center. Their members are up by two. A Taco Sale will be held on the 18th
or 19th of this month. Crafts are also being done. She also mentioned
that anyone interested in visiting Broadmoor Senior Center is welcomed to
do so. Benita Lerma shared with the Advisory Committee that Greenwood
Senior Center Site Council donated $100 to the Boys and Girls Club. She
also mentioned that Chalupa and Mexican Bingo are done on a weekly basis
and dances are held on Friday's. Donald Bryant expressed his gratitude to
Commissioner Shaffer for all he has done for the Hilltop Senior Center.
Peter Oliver mentioned the birthday celebration held at Zavala Senior
Center. He mentioned that Zavala Senior Center would be having a
Fund Drive for the parade on September 16 to raise funds. A Garage Sale
will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Bingo is held every Tuesday. A dance is
held every Thursday from I to 5 p.m.
Unfinished Business. Cecilia Martinez mention that Tom Toporowski and
Elva Gonzalez met twice on the Art Selection Panel for Broadmoor Senior
Center. Tom Toporowski mentioned that slides were presented to them. They
narrowed it down to five artists. The Municipal Arts Commission will be
contacting the five artists providing them with more details.
Announcements. James Tait congratulated Cecilia Martinez and her staff
for doing such commendable work. Cecilia Martinez, in turn, also thanked
the Screening Subcommittee for all their hard work. Cecilia Martinez
introduced her new secretary, Sandy Chavez. She also informed the Advisory
Committee that if any needs or questions should arise and she was not
available to feel free to contact her secretary since we will all be
working together.
James Tait adjourned the meeting at 4 : 15 p.m.
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9/28/90