Re: Opening and Welcome

Commission Chair Ciriaco Gonzales called the meeting to order at 10:07 a.m. with introductions all around of the Commissioners and guests.

Re: Approval of Minutes

Chair Gonzales asked if there were any corrections, additions or deletion to the July minutes.  Audrey Beck had previously noted the misspelling of Attorney General Curran’s name and with this correction, the minutes stand as corrected.

Martha McClelland introduced Susan Hawfield of Rebuilding Together.  Ms. Hawfield showed a recorded segment from a News Channel 4 broadcast where George Michael speaks of the Rebuilding Together program and a specific project that took place in Rockville Maryland.  The story was of a man who had moved to this country twenty years ago, had acquired a home in Rockville with his wife and had subsequently had two children.  He had also had a stroke and a heart attack and was now physically unable to maintain the home in which he and his family resided.

Following the tape, Ms. Hawfield talked about the county programs including their Handyman Program.  She said each year they receive applications from homeowners who are, at times, living in sub-standard conditions and can no longer physically or financially do the repairs themselves.  The Handyman Program was developed in partnership with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program to address the emergency and / or minor home repairs.  She went on to say that currently they have one employee who works approximately 15 hours a week and that last year approximately 50 homes were repaired.  On the larger projects, homes are typically ‘sponsored’ by civic groups and may require such repairs as a new roof, major carpentry projects or painting. 

Ms. Hawfield went on to say that they are not an organization that would produce an ‘extreme makeover’ but aim to provide safety, warmth and independence.  They hold fundraisers, accept donations and apply for grants.  She did say that at one point they had a two year waiting list of applicants but have since gotten most of the projects done.  Ms Hawfield said there is a Rebuilding Together website that contained a list on ‘sponsors’ that Rockville may use to refer seniors to when looking for qualified repairmen.  In closing, Ms Hawfield left brochures on their program, copies of their application and copies of their Annual Report for the Commissioners.

 Re: Club Reports

Pete Sante, submitting a report in his absence, advised for the Triple F Club, said they had a regular business meeting on September 11th.  Pete noted that 28 members had attended and that they had a discussion on trips.  He noted that their Thanksgiving program will be held at the Montgomery Country Club on November 2 with members of the Young In Heart Club.  In closing Pete said the club will be going to the Toby’s Dinner Theater September 27th.

Stu Crump, reporting for the Willing 3 C’s, said there had been no meetings over the summer and the September meeting has been cancelled due to a conflict.  The October meeting will be a pot luck.

Stu Crump also said he had attended a C.C.R.C. (Continuing Care Retirement Community)Forum at Glen Meadows.  There had been a discussion of the grievance process in C.C.R.C.’s.

Audrey Beck, reporting for the Young in Heart, said she had no report this month as the club did not meet over the summer but that she was in contact with Betty Briscoe and had been advising her of the Commission’s activities.

Doug Bly, reporting for the Bethany House Club, said their meetings are held on the first Monday of the month but there had no meeting in September due to Labor Day.
Senior Citizens Commission

Jonathan, reporting for R.S.I., said he had been unable to attend but he had spoken with George Galaso who had noted most of their discussions had been about fundraising.

Ciriaco, reporting for U.S.M., said he had attended the Federal Rally last week and was surprised at the low turnout however, there had been several events scheduled for the same date.  He did note that the speakers and the topics of discussion were very good (See attachment #1)

Re: Task Force

 No report.

Re: Subcommittee

Audrey Beck, reporting for the home repair sub-committee said they had recently been looking at existing models such as Community Ministries, and were working on the development of a survey to try to find out exactly what types of services the seniors of Rockville were looking for. See attachment #2)  A copy will be in each November Senior Center Newsletter. 

 Re: New Business

Lorraine said Rockville has received a letter from Montgomery County regarding the Senior Nutrition Program.  (See attachment #3)  She went on to say the cost of the noon meal at the Senior Center would be going up October 1.  In addition, due to the increase, the County’s  program budget for 2006-2007 has been significantly affected.  Therefore, the number of meals available for seniors in Rockville will be limited to 235 per week, or 47 per day.  Meal reservations will be taken on a first come first served basis and anyone wanting to make a reservation over the quota would need to agree to pay the full price for the meal. 

After a lengthy discussion, Ciriaco offered to go to City Hall and meet with Scott Ullery, the City Manager to make a request that the City investigate the possibility of subsidizing the program so more seniors would be able to have this noon meal.  Ciriaco also noted that he had spoken with Hal Wallach, Chair of Montgomery County Commission on Aging, who said he would contact Montgomery County and Ciriaco said he had a call in to U.S.M.

Re: Staff Report

Lorraine reported that there will be a Candidates Forum at Holiday Park on Tuesday, October 5th and urged all the Commissioners to attend. (See attachment #4)

Lorraine said there will be an ‘Aging in Place’ program at the Rockville Senior Center on November 2nd, 1:00 – 4:00 pm.  Speakers will be prepared to discuss services that help seniors stay in their homes and group discussions will take place.  Refreshments and thank you gifts will be available. 

Lorraine noted the upcoming Rockville Music and Arts Festival that will be held September 30th with flowers for sale to help raise money for the Senior Assistance Fund.  She asked the Commissioners to check their calendars to see if they might be available to help man the booth.

Lorraine noted that the Senior Services Long Range Plan Task Force will be having a  worksession with the Mayor and Council on October 16th and invited the Commissioners to  attend.  She also thanked the Commission for their input and feedback throughout the process.

Lorraine mentioned that Montgomery County is working on their strategic plan and are looking for input.  (See attachment #5)  She urged the Commissioners to try to attend one of the Community Forums.

Lorraine said the Senior Center will be celebrating their 25th anniversary next April and plans are being made for a Silver Anniversary party.  The event will be held at the Senior Center.  The month of April will hold many special events including Family Day and brunch if any of the Commissioners would like to help.

Lorraine noted that Ciriaco’s term as Chair of the Commission has expired but that he has graciously accepted another one-year term.  Ciriaco said it would be good if he could get one of the Commissioners to agree to be a Vice-Chair to attend the U.S.M. meetings with him or step in should he be unable to attend an event. Steve Lipson agreed to volunteer for the position.

In closing Lorraine mentioned an upcoming program on Emergency Preparedness that will be held at the Center on September 27th at 1:00 p.m.  She urged the Commissioners to attend.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:45 am.