College Park Seniors Committee

Approved: 080917 College Park Seniors Committee June 7, 2017 City Hall – Lower Level Conference Room Seniors Committee members present: Helen Barnes, Carolyn Bernache, P.J. Brennan, Pedro Manuel Guevara-Cordova, Mary Anne Hakes, Jackie Kelly, Bonnie Beck O’Brien, Rosemary Perticari, City staff present: Peggy Higgins, Youth, Family and Senior Services; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary. Guests: James McFadden The meeting was called to order at 7:12 p.m. by Ms. Higgins. 1. This is the initial meeting for the Seniors Committee. The committee members introduced themselves and stated why they wanted to be on the committee and what is of interest to them for College Park Senior. 2. The Resolution of the Mayor and Council of the City of College Park establishing the Seniors Committee, dated December 13, 2016, was reviewed. Ms. Higgins read aloud Resolution Items III, IV, V, A-F. 3. Ms. Higgins called for nominations for the Chair of the Committee. Ms. Bernache nominated Mr. Brennan. Ms. Hakes seconded the nomination. All in favor; no opposed or abstained. Ms. Higgins called for nominations for the Vice Chair of the Committee. Mr. Brennan nominated Ms. Bernache. Ms. Hakes seconded the nomination. All in favor; no opposed or abstained. Ms. Higgins then turned the meeting over to the new Chair, Mr. Brennan. 4. Mr. Brennan took a poll on meeting day and time. Everyone agreed to the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm providing it does not interfere with holidays. Mr. Brennan asked Ms. Higgins to provide the dates for the first Wednesday of each month through June 2018 and send via email to the committee. The group decided to take the rest of June and July to gather information and do research. The next meeting will be held on August 2, 2017 at 7:00pm in the Lower Level Conference Room at City Hall. 5. Preliminary work actions and information to be reviewed and researched prior to the August 2 meeting was discussed:  a. Identify people and/organizations that have models that are willing to share and invite to a future meeting: Volunteer program from Greenbelt, Hyattsville Aging in Place, Takoma Park, Neighbors helping Neighbors – a few suggestions b. Read “Aging in Place Task Force” report – Ms. Higgins to send via email to the committee. c. Review College Park survey and concentrate on 55 and up age group. d. Develop list of groups, organizations, individuals who will help with snow removal for seniors. Suggestions were scout troops, University of Maryland sororities and fraternities, churches. A list must be made of seniors who require snow removal assistance. Ms. Higgins can offer some assistance based on previous year phone calls received in her office. Churches will not hand out information, but the suggestion was made to ask the churches to place the information in their weekly bulletin about signing up for snow removal assistance. e. Fish Organization and the answering service they are using. f. Village Ride software – national program g. Need to understand the City’s insurance policy for volunteers h. Could we have an African American member on the Senior Committee? It was noted that the Lakeland Community is primarily African American and has many seniors living there. What about the Asian and Hispanic communities? i. How does the committee disseminate information to the seniors in College Park? Many seniors do not have access to a computer. j. What will the committee handle and what will staff handle? k. Grass roots proponents l. Attend any event having to do with aging m. For the August meeting, committee members must bring a list of five names, either individuals or organizations, that can reach out to assist seniors. n. Angie Burns has a resource manual that can be shared with the committee. Mr. Brennan called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Barnes made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Hakes seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.