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 corrections, additions or deletions to the September minutes.   Steve Lipson mentioned that on page two, paragraph four, the minutes have him assigned as the liaison to the Golden Ringers.  He said he has a conflict with the day and time of their meetings so he will need to take a different assignment.  The matter was discussed and it was decided that Steve will take the Senior Associates and J.T. would be assigned the Golden Ringers.  With this noted, the minutes were approved as read.

 Re: Club Reports  

Doug Bly, reporting for Bethany House, said their November meeting was held on the 6th with 21 members in attendance.  The Treasurer reported $1,913.89 in the account noting she has put the petty cash in to the main account.  Everyone in attendance was reminded that the Senior Center would be providing bus service to the polls for elections the next day, the December meeting would be the Christmas Party with the next regular meeting to be held in January.

Steve Lipson, reporting for the Senior Associates, said he has been in contact with the club president and will be attending his first meeting next week.

Pete Sante, reporting for the Triple F Club said there had been no meeting since his last report.

A question was asked about the significance of the clubs and the respective liaison positions.  Lorraine said the Senior Commission began sponsoring the clubs long before the Senior Center was in place.  Originally there were eleven groups that were located throughout the city, some in neighborhoods, some in senior buildings, some in churches, as a means for the seniors to meet and socialize, plan outings and work on projects of interest to them and the community.  The Commission gave $200 to each club as startup money.  The liaison positions came about as a means to keep the clubs and the Commission apprised of the activities of one another and to provide a means to communicate.  Over the years, some of the clubs have disbanded for various reasons including the establishment of the Senior Center facility that has become the hub of most senior activities.

Stu Crump, reporting for the Willing 3 C’s advised their October meeting was held on the 21st with 15 members in attendance.  Stu said there were the usual reports and that the club voted to co-sponsor the November birthday party at the Center.  Following the meeting the members enjoyed a potluck lunch.  In closing he said the December meeting will be their holiday party at the Flaming Pit in Gaithersburg.           

Kathy Neale said she would be attending her first R.S.I. meeting next week.  In closing she mentioned that the ground-breaking ceremony for Ingleside at King Farm would be taking place today.

Re: Montgomery Co. Commission on Aging

 Ciriaco said he would be attending the meeting next week.

Re: U.S.U. Report

Ciriaco said the October U.S.M. meeting had focused primarily on preparation for the state rally in January, on the 23rd.  He suggested that the Commissioners try to recruit some of the members of their respective clubs to go along this year.  He also recommended that they ask around about the open Commission seat.   Ciriaco said he would be getting the tickets next week and he was planning on checking with the County to see how many of their members were planning to attend.

Re:  Chair Report

Ciriaco mentioned an item that had been brought up at the U.S.M. meeting, that of Long Term Care Insurance, and he was wondering if this was something the Commission should look into.  He had a thought that possibly the Commission could sponsor a forum or workshop as they have done with other issues, an opportunity to present the pro’s and con’s and possible alternatives as this appears to be a complex issue. 

Steve Lipson noted that he had brought an issue of a magazine entitled “Future Age” that had a good article on ‘naturally occurring retirement communities’ (NORC.’s) that ties in to the Aging In Place seminar recently sponsored by the Commission.  He went on to say there was information on several issues that were discussed at the seminar and that were contained in the recent survey that had been included in the Center Newsletter, items that were geared toward the gathering of information that would enable the Center as well as the City to better serve the senior residents of the community.

The discussion progressed to the possibility of holding another workshop in the spring with speakers and representatives of different organizations and offices that could help determine which services and products would best benefit each senior in their particular situation.   Some of the services to be included would be the Long Term Care, available tax credits, in-home care, income guidelines, form and application processes, etc.  Steve recommended that the Commission sponsor a series of workshops so that they could concentrate on each subject and prepare for a more comprehensive presentation.   During the discussion it was decided that Ciriaco and Doug would work on Long Term Care, Doug would work on energy conservation and the cost of living, Pete and Audrey would take home maintenance, Kathy and Steve would work on home health care and Stuart would work on telecommunications.  One other item was discussed, legal issues to include wills, living wills, power of attorney, etc. with that being held for a later date.  The Commissioners decided they would schedule the first workshop for April of 2007.

Re: New Business

Stuart said he had received a phone call from a young lady regarding a special art event to be held December 10th through January 31st featuring senior artists.  (See attached)  He went on to say that they were looking for seniors to attend a tea and tour the gallery and to meet the artists, possibly working with them to arrange for presentations at the senior buildings or the Senior Center.  One of the artists indicated she would be willing to do portraits for seniors at the Center for free.

Re: Task Force Report

Doug reported that the Task Force Report is done and will be presented to the Mayor and Council on Monday, November 20th. 

Lorraine was complimented for the “Live Better At Home” program that was held at the Center on November 2nd.  Lorraine said she had met with the committee and everyone involved was very pleased with the organization, the turnout and the information obtained and that next year they are planning to branch out to other areas such as Damascus, Silver Spring, etc.

Re: Staff Report

Councilwoman Marcuccio said the special invitation gala opening of the new Rockville library was superb, commenting on the upbeat feeling, the good entertainment and wonderful food.  The doors will open to the public November 29th.  She also mentioned that developers have put together a model for the area across from the Regal Theaters and are looking for input if any of the Commissioners might be interested as there will be commercial and residential spaces intermixed. 

Ms. Marcuccio also noted that the City is working hard to acquire a grocery store for the new downtown area.  In closing, she passed out tickets for the upcoming Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast.

Lorraine said the Needs Assessment Request for Proposals has been approved and will be sent out for bids.  The goal is to have it ‘hit the streets’ next April.  She mentioned that they will be looking for people to work with the contractors to make sure the survey is as comprehensive as it can be noting that it will be done in English, Chinese and Spanish.

Lorraine said she has been working on her budget that is due the end of this month noting that if the Commission feels they need an increase in their budget now would be the time to ask.  With the discussion that followed it was decided that the $300 annual budget would not need to be increased.  There was some discussion of how to obtain additional funds if needed for special projects.  It was decided that this could be done by special request.

She mentioned that the Senior Center Holiday Bazaar is December 2nd and the Staff Holiday Supper Club is December 5th.

She also mentioned that this year, as in years past, holiday baskets would be available to seniors with one exception; this year there will be a prepared dinner for residents of Heritage House on Dawson Avenue.  Since everyone in the building would be able to receive a basket, but due to the extremely diverse population of the building, it was decided that this year dinner will be prepared for everyone and there will be a special program presented that would explain all the traditions surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday. 

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