Re: Opening and Welcome

Commission Chair Ciriaco Gonzales called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.  Chair Gonzales welcomed the guests and the current Commission members were briefly introduced.   

Re: Approval of Minutes

Chair Gonzales asked if there were any corrections, additions or deletions to the February minutes.  Audrey Beck noted that on page 2, paragraph 6, ‘ides’ should be ‘ideas’. With this correction, the minutes were approved as read. 

Chair Gonzales, for the benefit of the guests, gave a brief overview of the Commission’s recent work on a neighborhood oriented 'Handyman Service', in an effort to help Rockville senior residents age in place.  He then asked Mr. Turner, who is responsible for the interior and exterior maintenance of the independent living units at the National Lutheran Home, to explain how their program is run.  Mr. Turner advised the National Lutheran Home property currently has a 300-bed nursing home and 129 tri-plex homes for independent living.  The facility employs six persons for the property maintenance with one specifically designated to the independent living areas.  That person takes care of the plumbing, locks, some carpentry, appliance replacement, preventive maintenance and assesses heating and air conditioning needs.
Senior Citizens Commission

The facility does contract out trash removal, landscaping and snow removal, cable television, heating and air conditioning repairs, water heaters and capital improvements.

Mr. Turner went on to say that to control costs, the facility does look for alternatives, they accept several bids on projects and they deal with several vendors to help keep costs competitive.  The costs per unit are approximately $312 per month (as with a condo fee) and $90 of that goes toward property taxes.  Their ‘handyman’ is a benefited position with a salary range of  $45,000 to $50,000 per year.  Following a short question and answer period and in closing, Mr. Turner passed around some information on the National Lutheran Home facility and it’s amenities.

Re: Club Reports

Doug Bly, reporting for the Bethany House Club, said their March meeting had been held on the 6th.  The Treasurer reported a balance of $2,230.80 in their account.  Activities discussed included a bake sale and ice cream social and a nominating committee was appointed.  Officer installation will be held June 8th.  The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. and was followed by entertainment by the Glen Echoes Quartet.

Nancy McIntyre, reporting for the Golden Ringers, noted their meeting had been held on Wednesday, March 8th with 52 members in attendance.  The treasurer reported $860 in the club account and following the short business meeting Jamie Turner played the glass harp.

Pete Sante, reporting for the Triple F Club, said the March meeting had been held on the 13th with 31 in attendance.  Their treasurer reported a balance of $4789 and the club is currently planning a trip to the Allenberry Dinner Theatre with the Young In Heart Club in April.  Following the business meeting, the group was entertained by Henry Haller, retired Executive White House Chef.
 
Stu Crump, reporting for the Willing 3 C’s, said the club held their February meeting on the 18th with 16 members in attendance.  During the business meeting it was decided that the April and May dates would have to be changed due to conflicts.  Black History Month was celebrated with members relaying their experiences growing up in a segregated society.  A pot luck lunch followed the meeting.

Audrey Beck, reporting for the Young In Heart Club, said she would not be attending the March St. Patrick’s Day special meeting as it conflicts with the Senior Commission meeting.  She went on to say that she had spoken with Club President Betty Briscoe and it was decided that Audrey would forward an e-mail to President Briscoe to advise her on the Commission business.

Lorraine Schack took a moment to give the guests a brief explanation of the role of the Commissioners as liaisons to the Senior Clubs and a brief history of the relationships. 

 Re: Montgomery County Commission on Aging

Ciriaco advised that he and Pete Sante had attended that most recent meeting, noting that Doug Duncan had also been there with several reporters and news crews.  They were invited speakers that were asked to inform the group on the Aging in Place Project (Handyman Services) that the Rockville Senior Commission is currently exploring.  There was vigorous discussion on the topic and some members appeared to be quite impressed that Rockville is such a desirable place for senior citizens.

Re: U.S.M. Report

Ciriaco, for the benefit of the guests, noted that United Senior of Maryland is a state wide organization made up of members of county commissions, chapters of N.A.R.F. and A.A.R.P. etc. that deal with issues pertaining to seniors and that lobby the state legislature on the same.  Currently they are working on four House Bills:
    #441 – a tobacco tax
    #717 – that would limit health care choices
    #1654 – to support a study of the merger between BG & E and a Florida based company
    #1322 – regulating assisted living facilities

Ciriaco went on to say that this year U.S.M. is planning a fall, Federal rally in addition to the state rally held last month.

Re: Chair Report

Ciriaco said he had a meeting with Rockville City Manager Scott Ullery on Wednesday, March 15th.  They discussed the senior survey as Ciriaco was afforded the opportunity to explain why the Commission thought it was a necessary item for inclusion in the ’07 budget.  He mentioned a few of his talking points and said that Mr. Ullery noted that it would be a one-time expense that could possibly be submitted to the Mayor and Council for their consideration.

Re: Old Business

Doug mentioned the recent Task Force meetings noting that they are getting quite a bit done.  He said they would be turning in their report that hopefully will help direct the use of the monies available for senior programs.           

During the discussion of the 'Aging in Place' project, it was noted that there are several programs already in place such as "Christmas in April", "Seniors Helping Seniors Handyman Program" and Community Ministries.   Lorraine passed out a number of flyers and articles about other programs directed at aging in place.  Doug noted that Magruders is now offering a grocery delivery service that appears to be more senior friendly than the programs at Giant or Safeway.

Re: New Business

A discussion followed regarding scheduling presentations by J.B. Associates and the King Farm senior living facility.  It was decided to schedule it in the fall and invite all the similar organizations that are developing independent living as well as assisted living facilities.  Jonathan agreed to contact Ed Duffy, Community Development Program Manager, to identify all the developments and contact them so that they can come and make a presentation.  A questionnaire will be developed by Nancy and Jonathan to be used as a guide for their presentations.

Re: Staff Report

Lorraine said she just wanted to mention the ‘Neighborhood Network Learning Series’ that will be help April 8th at the Senior Center (see attachment)                                              

With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 12:00 p.m.