College Park Seniors Committee

Approved: 11/07/18 College Park Seniors Committee City Hall – Lower Level Conference Room October 3, 2018 7:00 PM FINAL MINUTES Seniors Committee Members: PRESENT ABSENT P.J. Brennan X Pedro Manuel Guevara-Cordova X Mary Anne Hakes X Jackie Kelly X Bonnie McClellan X Darlene Nowlin X Arelis Perez X Rosemary Perticari X Also present: Scott Somers, City Manager; Adelle Ellis, Explorations on Aging; John Payne, Neighbors Helping Neighbors; Joi Woods, Contract Secretary I. Call to Order Mr. Brennan called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. A. Agenda Mr. Brennan reordered the agenda, item III. E was moved to the beginning, items II. A-D were postponed. II. New Business A. The New City Hall- Senior Staff relocation Scott Somers, City Manager provided an overview of the city’s plans to remodel City Hall. Mr. Somers and the Committee discussed: • The expansion of seniors programming over the last three years and increased interest in continued growth. • Overview of remodeling- new space inclusive of staff members, conference rooms, event spaces, and flexible meeting spaces  • Potential locations Housing of Senior Staff -College Park Woods-Old Pool House, Davis Hall • Coordination offices • Costs and budget considerations for space to serve the public • Service Provisions for senior residents aging in place beyond Attick Towers and Spellman House residents • City seniors’ participation in events held at Attick Towers • Separation of social services and senior services B. Update from Neighbors helping Neighbors – College Park (NHN-CP) Mr. Payne provided a progress update on NHN-CP. The organization is currently in an extended “Quiet Phase”. • Mr. Payne is working with the Jewish Council on Aging to produce promotional materials including car signs, business cards etc. • Mrs. McClellan offered to promote NHN-CP through the Explorations on Aging website • Mr. Payne will provide a one-page flyer to promote NHN-CP • Phone and email status - Mr. Payne is working with the Volunteer Coordinator to address some existing challenges with the cell phone • Programming to integrate student volunteers Mr. Brennan requested to postpone item C. Review of Committee’s brainstorming session and discuss the distribution of the Alexa devices C. Discussion of Senior Prom The committee discussed: • Ideas about location and event type • Hosting a small-scale event for the first year • Connecting with George Washington University who has hosted similar events to gain insight D. Using technology to promote personal interaction with Alexa devices College Park Community Foundation (CPCF) has awarded $600.00 towards the purchase of 5 Alexa Show devices for seniors with a wireless internet connection to use the device. Previous discussion in July included partnering with UMD Faculty in Social Research Studies to provide technical support for seniors to learn to use the Alexa Devices. • Mrs. McClellan shared details about ongoing communication with UMD Social  • Research Faculty Member, Dr. Eun Kyoung Choe. Faculty members have requested a letter of collaboration to support a grant proposal to allow them to promote senior programming to increase social interaction and reduce social isolation by using technology. • The committee discussed distributing the devices: o Rotating the device among Senior Resident o Placing the devices in locations that serve seniors Attick Towers, Spellman House, Youth, Family, and Senior Services office E. Inaugural Seniors Program Senior Social Newsletter for College Park residents The committee reviewed and discussed the recently published newsletter by Beatrice Bangura, Senior Coordinator. • Times of events, the need for flexibility • Details about how to sign up for the list serve to receive the newsletter electronically • Partnership and cross-promotion with Explorations on Aging III. Old Business F. Approval of the August 1, 2018 and September 5, 2018 Minutes Ms. Perez motioned to approve the August 1, 2018 minutes with the attendance correction and the September 5, 2018 minutes as written. Mr. Guevara-Cordova seconded the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. The motion passed. IV. The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m. Mrs. McClellan motioned to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Perez seconded the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. The motion passed.