College Park Seniors Committee

Approved: 040319 College Park Seniors Committee City Hall – Council Chambers March 6, 2019 7:00 PM Seniors Committee Members: PRESENT ABSENT Pedro Manuel Guevara-Cordova X Victoria Evans X Mary Anne Hakes X Jackie Kelly X Bonnie McClellan X Darlene Nowlin X Arelis Perez X Rosemary Perticari X Also present: Gloria Aparicio-Blackwell, Director, UMD Office of Community Engagement; Carl Patterson, Resident; John Payne, Neighbors Helping Neighbors; James McFadden, Resident, Robert Thurston, Prospective Member; Lynn Topp, Prospective Member; Peggy Higgins, Youth and Family Services; Joi Woods, Contract Secretary I. Call to Order Mrs. McClellan called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m. A. Relocation Options for The Senior Committee Ms. Higgins stated that the City Hall Building will not be available for meetings after August 31, 2019. Ms. Higgins proposed relocation options at The Old Parrish House or Davis Hall. Committee members present requested to relocate to the Old Parrish House beginning in September. II. Old Business A. Approval of the February 6, 2019 Minutes Mr. Guevara-Cordova motioned to approve the February 6, 2019 minutes as written. Mrs. Kelly motioned seconded the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. The motion passed. B. Technology Initiatives (Alexa devices)- Professors Eun Kyong Choe and Amanda Lazar • Professors Dr. Choe and Dr. Amanda Lazar provided the committee with a summary of findings related to the research involving the interaction among seniors over 60 with technology using tablets and Alexa.  • Mrs. McClellan inquired about the possibility of technical assistance from UMD students participating in the research project. • The group discussed logistics including WIFI to use Alexa devices in group settings o The choice of location is contingent upon wifi accessibility ▪ Spellman House and United Methodist Church has wifi accessibility. Attic Towers does not have WIFI. o Mrs. Aparicio-Blackwell recommended researching senior discount programs offered through major telecom companies (Verizon, Comcast, etc.) to discounted wifi to use the Alexa devices. o Storing, securing, and monitoring devices • Scheduling training demonstrations on the 15th of the prior month to present to residents who attend the Seniors Social Center. C. Senior Prom • The committee discussed logistics including time, venue, and funding: o Potential locations to host events The Hotel or the Clarice Smith Performance Arts Center o Local restaurants to support and/or potentially provide food donations. (Taqueria Habenero and Nando’s Peri Peri have expressed interest in community involvement) o Funding consideration will be held during the Council’s worksession on March 23, 2019 for proposals • Mrs. Aparicio-Blackwell will work to identify potential partners that could help support the event D. Neighbors Helping Neighbors – College Park (NHN-CP) Mr. Payne provided an update: • Budget expenditures o In-kind work from the Jewish Council on Aging • Ms. Higgins noted that the matter of remaining funds has been revisited with the City’s Finance Director. Remaining funds will not be returned; however, calculations will be used to offset the allocations of funds for FY 2020. • Brochure distribution sites: Attick Towers, Meals on Wheels, places of worship, Civic Associations. Department of Public Works (DPW) is distributing brochures to residents who participate in the city’s Backyard Trash Program • 8 volunteers are trained, additional 17 pending volunteers are in process • Future initiatives to support LGTBQ residents who are aging in place  • The next volunteer training for NHN-CP is pending the transition of the Training Coordinator at Village Rides E. Committee Plans, Priorities, and funding The committee discussed: • 2020 Meetings are scheduled for the first Wednesday of September, October, and November. Ms. Higgins will submit the dates to City Clerk’s Office. • Establishing a strategic plan and committee priorities o Senior Housing availability for aging in place o Senior incentives throughout the city o Line item submission for the City’s budget Ms. Higgins will notify the City Manager and Finance Director of the committees pending budget submission. • The committee will reconvene to establish the event priorities Mr. Guevara-Cordova motioned to submit a proposal for $2000 for FY 2020. Mrs. Kelly seconded the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. The motion passed. III. Adjournment Mrs. Kelly motioned to adjourn the meeting. All were in favor, none opposed. The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 9:03 p.m.