Re: Opening and Welcome

Commission Chair Ciriaco Gonzales called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. 

Re: Approval of Minutes

Chair Gonzales asked if there were any corrections, additions or deletions to the December minutes.   Following no comments, the minutes were approved as read.

 Re: Club Reports  

Doug Bly, reporting for the Bethany House Club, said the January meeting had been held on the 8th with 25 members in attendance. The Treasurer reported $2,159.80 in the club account.  No special program had been planned however it was noted that the club is looking for volunteers for the upcoming officer positions. As part of the meeting Doug led a discussion about maintaining one’s own financial records.   

Pete Sante, reporting for the Triple F Club, said their January meeting had been held on the 8th with 25 people in attendance.  The Treasurer reported $4,417 in the account.  Pete said Karen Lumpkin talked about trips and new rules on trip transportation.  Pete said he had talked about the Senior Center and urged the club members to consider a membership at the Center.  He also talked briefly about Aging in Place and spoke of the upcoming ‘Speed Dating’ program to be held at the Center in February.  In closing Pete noted that the members enjoyed entertainment by an accordion player. 

Stu Crump, reporting for the Willing 3 C’s, said there had been no meeting since his last report.                                                                                                                           

Audrey Beck, reporting for the Young In Heart, said their annual Closet Clutter sale was in progress and that any profits will be going to help offset the cost of future trips.

Re: Montgomery County Commission on Aging

Lorraine reported that there is a new County Commission on Aging Chair, Mr. Dave Richman.  She noted that one of the subcommittees is looking into a ‘Discharge Planning Form’ to be used at area hospitals and she mentioned that plans are being made to have focus groups at three senior centers this Spring that will concentrate on obtaining information from seniors on their experiences.

Re: U.S.M. Report

Ciriaco said there had been a meeting this past week to finalize details for the rally next week.  Speakers on restructuring the budget deficit and the future of Medicaid and services are all on the agenda.  Other speakers will be present.  Following the speakers, there will be meetings with delegates and senators then everyone will break for lunch and a wrap up.

Re: R.S.I. Report

Kathy Neale, reporting for R.S.I. advised the December Bazaar earned more money than ever before.  She also said the cookbook has gone to the publisher and will be sold for $10 at various events taking place at the Senior Center, or $8 if pre-ordered (by March 31).

Kathy said Jill had handed out information on the CIP (Capital Improvement Program) process noting that the Senior Center project (a 10,000 sq foot expansion to the fitness area) is one of the top three projects going to Annapolis for funding.  Jill also gave an update on the Anniversary Celebrations scheduled for April.  Kathy noted that the new Woodshop Club has begun with 19 members so far and they do have a new volunteer instructor.

Re: Old Business

The Commissioners engaged in a brief discussion of the Task Force recommendations as well as this years priorities and funding. The Commission decided to answer as a group, not on an individual basis.  Those results will be compiled and submitted to the City.

Re: New Business

Pete Sante commented on his committee’s work on a Handyman Program and handed
out copies of the recommendations.  After the Commissioners took a few moments to look over the plan and briefly discuss the program, they decided to vote to accept the recommendations for the establishment of a Handyman Program for senior and disabled residents of the City of Rockville.  Details on the implementation of the program will be discussed at a future meeting. 

In follow up to Doug Bly’s liaison report (Bethany House) there was a discussion about assisting seniors with managing their finances and the subsequent record keeping.  Doug said he is working on getting details on available resources and will have more information shortly.  He and Ciriaco are the committee working on health and financial assistance to seniors.

 Re: Staff Report

Lorraine said that Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) for the Needs Assessment have been distributed and the City is awaiting the responses.  She mentioned that the City would need one or two Commissioners to review the proposals.  Doug Bly and Kathy Neale volunteered.

With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 11:55 a.m.