Re: Opening and Welcome

Chair Gonzales called the meeting to order at 10:07 a.m.

Re: Approval of Minutes

Chair Gonzales asked if there were any corrections, additions or deletions to the December minutes.  None were noted and the minutes were approved as read.

Re: Club Reports

Chair Gonzales read a brief report that had been submitted by Senior Recreation Coordinator Karen Lumpkin on behalf of the Ring House.  Chair Gonzales noted that their last meeting had been held January 14th with 89 members in attendance.  The new club officers were installed by Karen.  He went on to say that it was mentioned that the Ring House building is ready for the digital television switch with a new antenna and the meeting was concluded with entertainment by the ‘Singular Sensations’.    

Lorraine opened a brief discussion on the importance of the liaison position noting that she and Karen had recently had a conversation regarding the relevance of the position at this point in time.  It was noted that there were originally eleven clubs, now there are five.  During the discussion it was mentioned that there did not seem to be many shared aims between the two groups and possibly a quarterly visit would be more beneficial to every one involved.  Kathy Neale said that it might be more beneficial to have the Commissioners visit community groups such as Homeowner’s Associations and build a relationship with them while informing the community about who we are, what we do here and what we have to offer.  It was also suggested that the Commission contact other senior clubs such as St. Mary’s to get a broader impact on the senior population of Rockville.

In closing, it was decided that the Commissioners would go back to their respective clubs and get their opinions, noting that they would continue to work as an advisory board and that they would continue to bring the members news.

Kathy Neale, reporting for the 150th Anniversary Task Force, said the committee was working with a marketing firm whose members had attended the meeting to let the members know that the anniversary would be a year long celebration starting in March with the theme “150 & counting”. She went on to say that there would be a different focus each month with numerous articles in the Rockville Reports, a special city website, lots of information on Rockville’s Channel 11 and features on the city’s history, interviews with past and present mayors and possibly an interview with the Commissioners.  There were some suggestions of longtime residents who might be interviewed, including two of the Commissioners, as these residents could recount a significant event or site in Rockville with first hand knowledge.
 
Audrey Beck, reporting for Young In Heart, said today is the day for their annual Closet Clutter Sale as she encouraged everyone to head that way following the meeting to do some shopping and have some lunch that featured Judy Beck’s homemade soup.

Stuart Crump, reporting for the Willing 3 C’s said their last meeting had been their December 20th Christmas Party with no business being discussed. He went on to say that 24 members had attended the party with a catered lunch that was followed by a gift exchange game.

Re:     R.S.I.

No report.

Ciriaco said the County Commission on Aging report could be eliminated from the agenda since he was no longer attending the meetings. 

Re:   U.S.M.

Ciriaco said he had attended the January 12th meeting where Dr. Sroka, President of the Maryland Medical Society spoke about the growing issue of the loss of General / Family Practice physicians in the state.  Ciriaco said the main problem seems to be the fact that United Healthcare and Blue Cross / Blue Shield have created a monopoly in Maryland and have slowly been reducing their reimbursements to doctors which has driven them to move their practices to other states. This on top of the reductions in reimbursements by Medicare has pt a straion on health care for patients and doctors. He went on to say that medical schools are not encouraging their students to go in to these types of general practice and that a large shortage of ‘family’ doctors has been created.  Ciriaco asked that each of the Commissioners write a letter or send an e-mail to their representatives asking them to begin work on putting in to place those regulations that would prohibit the monopolies.

Re:  Old Business

Doug Bly, reporting on the Senior Center Expansion Task Force, said questionnaires have been sent out to Senior Center members, Woodley Garden residents and select city residents regarding the proposed expansion of the building.  He noted that there were questions regarding the ‘Gude Drive entrance’ however there was little possibility at this time that this would become a reality. In closing, Doug said a group has volunteered to focus more closely on the use of the Fitness Room specifically and that the committee would be looking forward to those results.

Re: New Business 

Audrey Beck said she had been in contact with Rockville Councilmember Phyllis Marcuccio regarding the elimination of Mayor and Council liaisons to the city’s Board and Commissions.  Audrey said Phyllis had offered to come to any of the Commission meetings to offer an update on what was happening in the city.

Audrey also mentioned that she had picked up a brochure from the Rockville Library regarding their programs that included the Multilingual Conversation Clubs. Lorraine noted that Montgomery County has an improved website that can assist those who were interested in obtaining more information: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library.  (see attachment)      

Lorraine also mentioned that the S.T.A.R.S. group has been growing with 13 members attending their last meeting.  She went on to say that Katherine Foti and Kathy Estep have been leading the group that has expanded it’s focus to include both physical and emotional problems. It was noted that Katherine was working to get the members of the group to complete an application to volunteer at the Center to provide this valuable and much needed service.

Re:    Staff Report

Lorraine said plans are being made for January 20th, Inauguration Day, at the Center that would include a gathering area with the large television for everyone to watch the festivities.  She said lunch would be available even though Montgomery County Schools would be closed and that everyone was welcome to join in.

Lorraine said the Aging in Place / Home Maintenance position interviews would take place January 28th with four persons coming in to speak with representatives of the city and Senior Center. She went on to say that this new person would be working on the development of a master list of contractors that have been checked and double checked for licensing, bonding and references etc. before they would be given to Rockville seniors who might be looking for trustworthy workmen to do repairs on their homes.

She went on to say that city staff continue to work on budget and that no decisions have been made regarding any increase in Senior Center fees.

Lorraine said a new Nutrition Site Manager has been hired and a new company would be providing the noon meal starting February 1st.

In closing, Lorraine said Laura Feldman from the National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare has agreed to speak at the Center in May regarding understanding Social Security & Medicare and that State’s Attorney John McCarthy would be coming in June with a program on ‘Ending Senior Exploitation’.

With no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 11:37 am.