Re:    Opening and Welcome

Chair Gonzales called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. as he welcomed guests Karen Watson and Herman Nissenbaum, Senior Commission applicants.                                                                                                    

Re:    Approval of Minutes

Chair Gonzales asked if there were any additions or corrections to the April minutes.    With none being noted the minutes were approved as written.

Re:    Club Reports
    
Pete Sante, reporting for the Triple F Club, noted that the members had traveled to Ryan’s restaurant in Hagerstown for their May meeting but that he had not attended.                   

Audrey Beck, reporting for the Young In Heart Club, said the members were currently on their way to the Eastern Shore to Annie’s Paramount Steak & Seafood restaurant for their Annual Officer Installation and Awards luncheon.

Re:    R.S.I.

In Norene Stovall’s absence no formal report was given however it was noted that on Tuesday, May 18th the Board held their elections and that three new members had been elected.

Re:    U.S.M. Report

Ciriaco said he had been unable to attend their last meeting.
    
Re: Chair Report

Ciriaco said the only item to note is that there had been a Stakeholder’s Meeting sponsored by the Montgomery County Commission on Aging.  He went on to note that he had not attended but would have more information for the Commissioners at the next meeting and that members of U.S.M. are trying to get the Montgomery County group back into U.S.M. now that they have new leadership.                                   

Re:     Old Business

Reporting on the F.O.R.S. project, Katherine Foti passed out a one page F.O.R.S. proposal revision which was the result of the items noted for the program at the April meeting. During the discussion the Commissioners decided to add one paragraph at the end to read “Buy Rockville, the Rockville Chamber of Commerce and the Town Center Merchant’s Association have agreed to cooperate in implementing the program.”  The Commissioners also agreed that it would be best if someone from one or more of these organizations could attend the presentation alongside the Commissioners in support of the program.  Katherine said she and Norene would call Norene’s contacts to see if any were available as Ciriaco volunteered to call Claire Funkhouser, the City Clerk, to ask to be put on the agenda for a June Mayor & Council session.  

Pete moved that the proposal be approved as amended and everyone present voted aye.

Pete Sante said he has been working on a pamphlet on ‘Rental Rules’ to deal with the issues and problems that might come up if a senior should ask about the possibility of renting out a room or a portion of their home in an effort to bring in extra income.  He went on to say that he was interested in assisting any senior that might be contemplating such a rental, in addition to any information that might be out there for the general public on any rule or ordinances that might already be on the books in the City of Rockville or in the guidelines of the Landlord & Tenant Affairs office.  During the discussion the Commissioners agreed that this is not an issue that the Commission could become involved in but that the publication of an informational pamphlet that could be distributed through Mark Barrick’s Home Maintenance and Safety office might be helpful if it contained contact names and phone numbers.  Mark pointed out that there is an article in the current Rockville Reports that has information on this subject. It states that a homeowner who resides in his home may rent to one to two persons without having to get a license. In closing it was decided that Mark would follow up on the issue and that Mark and Audrey would work on an article for the Senior Center Newsletter.

Re:    New Business

Pete said he had recently received a flyer from PEPCO that offered their services in providing a speaker for meetings and gatherings.  He also asked if anyone had spoken with Matthew Kelleher from the Montgomery County Fire Marshall’s Office in follow up to his suggestion in April that Mr. Kelleher come to the Senior Center to present his program on fire and fall prevention for older adults.  Lorraine said she had his business card and that she would be contacting him regarding a program for the fall.

Re:    Staff Report

Lorraine said that she wanted to remind everyone that tomorrow, May 21, was officially Lexi’s last day at the Center and that there would be a party for the seniors to say goodbye on Thursday, May 27th as she urged the Commissioners to attend.

She went on to note that Karen Lumpkin would be on leave for six to eight weeks this summer following surgery and that with the absence of Lexi and Karen, Betsy Thompson, Chris Klopfer and she would be trying to manage the Senior Center during this time as she noted that everyone would be trying to schedule as many programs and classes at the Senior Center as would be possible with the upcoming renovations.

Lorraine asked the Commissioners what they would like to do with the rest of their budget after they take into consideration the fact that at least one new name badge needs to be purchased with their funds.  It was agreed that the Commission should pre-pay their U.S.M. dues for the year, which would free up next year’s budget for any expense that might come along in connection with the FORS program.  
    
Marshall asked if there had been any news on the acquisition of a new nurse for the Center.  Lorraine said that Shady Grove Adventist Hospital (SGAH) is providing a nurse one Monday each month and that she is continuing to try to get more volunteers for other days / weeks.  

Lorraine said she wanted to remind everyone of the program ‘The Golden Years’ that will be held in the Carnation Room this afternoon from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in celebration of ‘Older American’s Month’ (May).  

Lorraine said she also wanted to note that she is working on a project in conjunction with the Nature Center to do a fundraiser, selling wild birdseed, as she noted that the spring fundraiser (the flower sale) had brought in more than $1,000 to the Senior Assistance Fund.  She also mentioned that the Hispanic group had raised more that $700 through their efforts.

Lorraine said she has been working on the E.S.O.L. grant and that interviews will be held tomorrow with the Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy program.

She went on to say that the Senior Center has a new Social Worker, Barbara Wilson, who will be working every Tuesday, in the Health Room.  She also mentioned that the City has posted the open positions for Lexi McKenzie and Eddie Lynn’s jobs.

Mark Barrick said he and the McLean Bible Church had done another ‘home makeover’ last month to the delight of the homeowner.  He said that his inquiries are up in number with numerous calls about roof repair following the winter and early spring storms.

Marshall suggested the Commission and staff work on a list of accomplishments for the Home Maintenance and Safety Program for publication in the Newsletter with a copy to be forwarded to the Mayor and Council.  During the discussion it was decided that Marshall would work on the project with Mark’s help with information.

With no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 11:25 a.m.