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Senior Citizens Commission
Rockville Senior Center
1150 Carnation Drive
July 16, 2009
Meeting Minutes
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| Chair Gonzales called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m. Re: Approval of Minutes Chair Gonzales asked if there were any corrections, additions or deletions to the June minutes. None were noted and the minutes were approved as written. Chair Gonzales welcomed Marshall Levy to the July meeting noting that the City Clerk did receive his letter of interest and application for the open Commission seat. Re: Club Reports Stu Crump, reporting for the Willing 3 C’s, said the June meeting was held on Saturday, the 20th with a trip to the Cozy Inn in Thurmont for their Officer Installation Luncheon and that there be no more meetings until September. Pete Sante, reporting for the Triple F Club said there would be no more meetings until September. Kathy Neale, reporting for the 150th Anniversary Committee said they have begun their photography contest(s) that will be open to photographers of all ages to submit entries that will be part of a juried art exhibition in January, 2010. These photographs should be taken within the corporate city limits and must have been taken between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30 of this year. She noted that there would be three categories: people, nature and architecture. Kathy said there are plans for the winning photos to go in to a calendar or poster. Kathy also noted that the committee is working with the Maryland MVA to have a specialized vehicle license plate issued in honor of this important anniversary. She said at least 25 people must sign up for the commemorative plate and a reservation should be called to Marylou Berg at 240-314-8105. Katherine Foti, reporting for the F.O.R.S. committee, said Norene met with a representative of the Rockville Economic Development Office (Sally Sternbach) to discuss the idea of recognizing Rockville businesses that are senior friendly. Norene said Ms. Sternbach seemed to endorse the idea enthusiastically as she stressed simplicity and the need for the development of criteria in three or four categories. She went on to say that Ms. Sternbach suggested the program be split in to two segments – certification and awards and she offered her support particularly with publicity (see attached) Re: R.S.I. Norene Stovall said she would be attending the July meeting next week on the 21st. Re: U.S.M. Chair Gonzales said U.S.M. (United Seniors of Maryland) was on a summer break now until September. Re: Chair Report Chair Gonzales said he has been working with the Montgomery County Commission on Aging and their Summer Study groups. He noted that he joined the Geriatric Specialists Lobbying Effort Group that is looking into the shortage of gerontologists and an effort to have the U.S. Government subsidize college and medical school for highly qualified students of limited means in exchange for their commitment to specialize in geriatric medicine and to serve in that specialty for a set number of years following graduation. Ciriaco noted two programs offered by the University of Maryland at their Baltimore and Towson campuses adding that out of 126 medical schools nationwide, only three have departments of gerontology. In closing Ciriaco said his U.S.M. study group would be talking with Congress to find out who is working on this subject so that they could work more closely with those particular representatives. Lexi McKenzie asked if she might be allowed to speak for a few moments, as she would need to leave shortly to attend another meeting. She said that Governor O’Malley would be coming to the Senior Center on Thursday, July 30th to help celebrate Rockville’s appointment as Capital for a Day. She went on to say that he would be outside with the gardeners from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. before coming inside to speak with Center members over coffee and refreshments. She said the Commission might want to prepare a few questions that could be asked of the Governor as he met with citizens regarding issues pertinent to seniors. Lexi also reported on the Senior Center Expansion Project noting that there have recently been two meetings, one with the seniors where 52 people attended and one with community members that was attended by 38 residents. She said the new furniture for the lounge has been ordered and should take about 8 weeks for delivery. She also reported that arrangements have been made for artists to exhibit their work in the lounge and that each will be allowed 8 weeks. Lexi said she has had to cancel the Doll Show that was scheduled for August, as there had not been enough vendors come forward to make the project worthwhile, noting that this was possibly due to everyone’s summer schedule. Re: Old Business Chair Gonzales asked Norene if she would like to give her report on the Victory Housing Project. She said that on July 8th she and Steve Lipson had met with Cass Chasen of Rockville’s Planning Department. They were given information and drawings of the layout, elevations and floor plans of the proposed building as they reviewed the materials and approval process. It was noted that the Commission would be meeting with Victory Housing and members of the Human Services Advisory Commission on Friday, July 17th. (See attached) Re: New Business Chair Gonzales suggested that everyone take a few moments to discuss possible questions that could be presented to the Governor on July 30th. During the discussion it was determined that the majority of the questions would involve the state budget in regards to the economy, services and those issues that pertain particularly to seniors such as tax breaks on property assessments and income tax exclusions on senior pensions. Re: Staff Report Lorraine passed out copies of the Commission’s FY ’08 Accomplishments and FY ’09 Goals as she reminded everyone that they needed to begin work on their FY ’09 accomplishments and FY ’10 goals that would need to go the Mayor and Council in September. Lorraine said Mark Barrick asked that she report in his absence that the McLean Bible Church would be coming to Rockville August 15th to begin work on a home in Twinbrook. She noted that there would be 40 volunteers with all the materials and expertise that would be needed to revitalize a home inside and out. Lorraine said the city has received a renewal of their $16,334 grant for the ESOL project and another for $350 from the Maryland State Arts Council for the presentation of entertainment during the lunch hour. She reminded the Commissioners that their new budget began July1 and that she has been working on getting a new attorney to provide legal services to Rockville seniors. Ciriaco asked for a volunteer to write the next article for the Center Newsletter. Audrey volunteered. There being no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 11:55 a.m. |