Re: Opening and Welcome

Commission Chair Ciriaco Gonzales called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.

Re: Approval of Minutes

Chair Gonzales asked if there were any additions, deletions or corrections to May’s  minutes.  There being none, the minutes were approved as written. 

Chair Gonzales introduced Martha McClelland, Senior Outreach Worker, attending the meeting to speak on the ‘Aging in Place’ activities in the City.   Martha began by explaining that the main goal of the Outreach Office is to connect seniors and or their family members with the services that are available in the area.  These include trash / recycling pick-up at the door as opposed to the curb, housing, home maintenance, grass cutting or snow shoveling, etc.  During the discussion, Martha mentioned that she attends quarterly Caregiver meetings to continue to network and coordinate information and services between the city and county.

She went on to say the city is working on a ‘media blitz’ to help get the word out to seniors about all the various activities and services that are available to them that will include the newsletter, Rockville Reports and possibly cable tv.  Martha noted that more broadly placed campaigns have created their own problems when phone lines are clogged with inquiries from surrounding jurisdictions (D.C., Virginia) call looking for help.

In closing, Martha said she does do home visits as needed when seniors are unable to come to the Center for assistance.

Re: Club Reports

Pete Sante, reporting for the Triple F Club advised that he had attended their last meeting with 33 of the members.  The treasurer reported $3,000 in the bank.  There was no entertainment but the members were able to enjoy a picnic before adjourning for their summer break.  In closing, Pete said he led a brief discussion on the Commission activities that included area traffic, crosswalks, light timing and the increased number of cars in the area.

Stu Crump, reporting for the Willing 3 C’s, said their next meeting would be tomorrow, June 16th with officer installation at the Flaming Pit in Gaithersburg.                                                                                                  

Audrey Beck, reporting for the Young in Heart Club advised their last meeting had been May 18th and that they will not meet again until September.  

Re: Montgomery County Commission on Aging

 No report.

Re: R.S.I. Report

 No report.

Re: U.S.M. Report

Ciriaco said he had attended their last meeting on May 15th where they had discussed the upcoming session for the Maryland General Assembly and utility rate hikes.  Ciriaco noted that state funds currently assist needy Marylanders to pay their bill however, with the drastic increase predicted, more needy will be created which in turn will require a need to raise taxes to cover the increased expenditures.

He went on to say that the U.S.M. President’s meeting has been scheduled for August 14th in Odenton and he would like someone to go with him and become an alternate and be able to step in when Ciriaco cannot attend.  He asked the Commissioners present to check their schedules and get back to him.

Ciriaco also said they had until July 10th to submit their suggestions to U.S.M. for the three legislative issues they would like to see brought before the Board.  Ciriaco said that during the Governor’ Conference held May 2nd vital aging, emergency preparedness and aging in place were topics of interest.

Re: Chair Report

No report.

Re: Old Business

Nancy handed out samples of an ‘introduction’ and list of questions to be used during the Twinbrook neighborhood survey.  During the discussion, it was decided that the committee would need to get together and work on making the initial ‘presentation’ a little more precise to be able to keep interest high when residents are first approached.  It was also decided that Nancy would contact the Twinbrook Community Association President and let her know about the Commission, the upcoming survey and ask for her input and feedback.  The committee in charge of the Aging in Place Project will be chaired by Audrey Beck with Steve Lipson as her co-chair.  They agreed to meet on June 29th at 10:00 am at the Senior Center where they will develop a draft working plan using the information handed out at the meeting and sent to each members via e-mail prior to today’s meeting.

Re: New Business

The Commissioners asked Councilwoman Marcuccio about what was ‘new’ in the city.  She noted the monopole issue including cell phone towers and their possible placement within the city, is currently being discussed for Julius West Middle School.  She said there seems to be those on both sides of the issue and that the Julius West site may not be discussed in depth until school reconvenes in September so that not only the immediate neighbors of the property but the parents of the children that attend the school can be consulted.

Ms. Marcuccio also mentioned that the King Farm property is being discussed in regards to a possible Historic District designation. 

Ciriaco asked the Commissioners to give him their suggestions for this year’s legislative issued for U.S.M.  The three suggestions were public transportation, the increasing cost of utilities and affordable housing.  These will be submitted to USM at their meeting on June 19th.

Re: Staff Report

Lorraine said that thanks to the flower sale at this year’s Hometown Holidays almost $400 has been deposited into the city’s Senior Assistance Fund.  She went on to say that the Health Fair was very successful with more than 150 seniors attending.  She also noted that the paperwork is in place with the City to hire a new Chinese Outreach Worker and with Emergency Preparedness being one of the issues she has been working on she would like to expand the program with the possible creation of a website.
              
With there being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.