Re: Opening and Welcome Commission Chair Ciriaco Gonzales called the meeting to order at 10:09 a.m.
Re: Approval of Minutes Chair Gonzales asked if there were any corrections, additions or deletions to the January minutes. There being none, the minutes were approved as read.
Re: Club Reports Audrey Beck, submitting a report for the Young In Heart Club, noted that the January ‘Closet Clutter Sale’ was a success with more than $700 being raised. The money will be used to subsidize the cost of the annual Officer Installation Luncheon on May 17th at the Magnolias at the Mill in Purcelville, Va. Audrey also advised that Mrs. Stonestreet from the Montgomery County Historical Society would speak about her life and medical knowledge and beliefs of the little town of Rockville in the 1800’s during the February 15th meeting. In closing she noted that the March 15th meeting would be the club’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration with pianist Joe Morra. Stu Crump, reporting for the Willing 3 C’s, said the club held their January meeting on the 20th with 14 members in attendance with 3 guests. Stu said Chris Viers had been unable to attend so he had presented information to the members on upcoming programs and trips. Stu also noted that the club had presented a plaque to Betty Briscoe in recognition of her long-term membership in the club. He also said that Donna Wells led a program on glass etching. Stu said the Christmas gifts were exchanged, as the members had not had a chance to do that during their December meeting. In closing he said the next meeting will be a celebration of Black History Month and will include a potluck lunch. Doug Bly, reporting for the Bethany House Club, said their February meeting had been held on the 5th with 20 members in attendance. The Treasurer reported a balance of $1,674.30 in their account. Announcements were made that they still need volunteers for several officer positions. Doug mentioned that the bulk of the business meeting involved a discussion on all the problems the Bethany House tenants have had with Comcast and their non-responsiveness to requests for service and complaints. During the Commission discussion Kathy reinforced the idea that Comcast seems to have a poor attitude in dealing with complaints and reports of service problems and she wondered if the City and County Council could get involved.
Re: Montgomery County Commission on Aging No report.
Re: U.S.M. Report Ciriaco said the last meeting had been held February 5th and the he had been unable to attend. He noted that there had been a discussion in follow-up to the rally in January. Approximately 450 people had attended and he noted many were disappointed that none of the District 17 delegates had come. Ciriaco said ten County Delegates were there and each was given a list of USM’s ‘Legislative Priorities – 2007’, attached. He also mentioned the keynote speaker was very good and that he spoke on such topics as the privatization of Social Security and Medicaid as well as the state budget problems. In closing he said the next meeting will be held February 20th and that he was planning to attend.
Re: Chair Report Ciriaco said he had received copies of two applications for the vacant Commission position. The first was from Joseph West and the second from Katherine Foti, a Center member. He said he was planning to call each of them to invite them to the next meeting.
Re: Old Business Ciriaco mentioned that the Handyman Program recommendations would need to be tabled until next month when Pete was available.
Re: New Business Doug Bly mentioned an article he had read in the New York Times that dealt with seniors living in retirement communities and in institutional settings that are coming down with STD’s as too many feel that they are ‘too old’ to have to worry about contracting anything like that and therefore they take no precautions. During a brief discussion it was decided that this might be a good topic to incorporate into the Wellness Program so that medical authorities can be brought to the Center for seminars on the subject(s).
Re: Staff Report Lorraine noted that Chinese New Year would be celebrated at the Center tomorrow. She also mentioned that all the RFP’s have come in for the Needs Assessment Survey. She said Kathy and Doug (Commissioners) and the committee have gone over the applications and narrowed the field down to two. She also advised that the survey would be ready to go to the residents in April. Lorraine said this years Snow Removal Program has received lots of calls and that this year there was only one contractor who had agreed to participate as well as one volunteer group from a church in Rockville. She said unfortunately that ‘Speed Dating’ had to be postponed due to weather and that is has been rescheduled to the 21st. She said she was pleased with the response and surprised at the enthusiasm shown and was looking forward to the event. In closing she said television Channels 4 and 9 were planning to attend to film the activities. Jonathan said he had heard that there is a possibility that the Twinbrook Pool would be permanently closing. He thought it might be a good idea if the Commission approached the Mayor and Council with the suggestion that they consider that land, 5.5 acres, during their rezoning discussions, for the possible use as senior housing. He indicated he thought it would be a good location as it was close to Viers Mill Road, a major thoroughfare with public transportation and several stores in the Twinbrook Shopping Center. Ciriaco volunteered to call Councilmember Marcuccio to see if they could get an appointment to speak with her initially about the idea, as she was the Commission liaison. In closing Lorraine mentioned that March 3rd would be the last Saturday for the bus for shoppers that had been transported to Magruders following the closing of the Town Center. Each of the participants had been sent an application for the City’s Call ‘N Ride Program.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m. | 
