College Park Seniors Committee

College Park Seniors Committee Virtual Meeting March 3, 2021 7:00 PM Final Minutes Seniors Committee Members: PRESEN ABSENT T 1. Woei-Nan Bair X 2. Ann Bolduc X (via phone) 3. Pedro Manuel Guevara-Cordova X 4. Adele Ellis X 5. Carol Gray X 6. Mary Anne Hakes X 7. Bonnie McClellan X 8. Darlene Nowlin X 9. Arelis Perez X 10. Robert Thurston X Also present : Kiaisha Barber, Director of Youth and Family Services; Gabi Wurtzel, College Park Event Planner (Departed @ 7:24 pm); Joi Woods, Contract Secretary I. Call to Order Mary Anne Hakes called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. II. Guest speaker- Gabi Wurtzel, City Event Planner The committee briefly discussed:  Upcoming events beyond the COVID-19 pandemic  Future partnership with the CP Arts Exchange  Communication concerns and barriers around disseminating information for residents who are not connected online  Turnaround time for AARP Livability  Event structures, event planning and coordinating strategies  Event Advertising, Events are advertised through city publications: o City’s Weekly Bulletin that is distributed to approximately 2000 residents o Municipal Scene (published monthly – the first week of the month) o Residents can request the municipal by mail through the City Clerk’s Office via phone or opt-in online  Insert in the College Park Here & Now  Social Media- FB, Twitter, Nextdoor III. Approval of Agenda- March 3, 2021 Arelis Perez motioned to approve the agenda . Bonnie McClellan seconded the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. The motion passed. IV. Approval of February 3, 2021 Minutes motioned to approve the minutes from February 3, 2021 with correction . Arelis Perez seconded the motion. All were in favor, no ne opposed. The motion passed. V. COVID-19 update: vaccination s & related information provided to residents The committee discussed concerns about the dissemination of information on COVID-19 vaccines from the county. Noted suggestions & ideas include:  Additional sources to secure vaccine appointments locally- Beltsville, Holy Cross Hospital, Reid Temple  Efforts to secure vaccination sites within the city  Youth and Family Services has dedicated a PT driver to expand transportation services beyond the travel radius to escort residents to vaccination appointments. Noted barriers include limitation in the number of passengers that can be transported at one time, and securing transportation to and from appointments.  Disseminating information about the city replenishing grant funds for rent and mortgage assistance VI. Committee Chairmanship Mary Anne Hakes solicited interest from committee members to become a Co-Chair Members were encouraged to share recommendations for Co-Chairs with Kiaisha Barber. VII. State Legislation Monitoring The committee briefly discussed: Maryland House Bill 733/ Maryland Senate Bill 572 Allowing a subtraction modification under the Maryland income tax for up to a certain amount each year for certain individuals who are receiving certain benefits under the Social Security Act, or who are at least 65 years old and are not employed full time; establishing certain limits on the subtraction modification for certain taxable years; prohibiting income included in certain subtraction modifications from being included under the subtraction modification; etc. VIII. Corridor Conversations & Route 1 Communities Cares ( ROCC) Bonnie McClellan shared an update about the Corridor Conversations Committee. Corridor Conversations is a collaborative committee of villages within the Route 1 Corridor including College Park, Hyattsville, and University Park. The committee facilitates monthly outreach and information sessions highlighting local culture, community, health & wellness. The committee has been awarded a $500 grant from the city to offset costs. Route One Communities Care (ROCC) organization is affiliated with Greater Riverdale Cares, raises funds, and partners with local restaurants to provide food for residents in need.  Kiaisha Barber noted that a request to promote associated events can be forwarded to her for inquiry with the city’s Communications Director. Barber will inquire about advertising committee’s efforts and associated events on the city’s website and Social Media Accounts, and the Senior Newsletter.  Bonnie McClellan shared program Highlights including 42 active participants In February, upcoming events including Living Your Story, Wednesday, March 31, 2021— 2–3:30 p.m., and The Bard in April, Saturday, April 24, 2021 — 2–3:30 p.m. VI. Seniors Program office space Kiaisha Barber provided an update about securing main office space in the Plaza next to Gailes Violin Shop. Services will continue at both Spellman House and Attick Towers. Staff members will be onsite to provide services to Senior Residents by appointment only. VII. Senior Directory Carol Gray solicited feedback from committee members about what type of information members would like to see in the directory. Gray will also share the table of contents from the existing Senior Directory City of Hyattsville. The committee briefly discussed:  Considerations to establish a City Directory/Guide  AARP Livability resources  Including direct contact numbers to live representatives to connect residents without internet access to services and information  Highlighting discounted services provided to seniors within the city  Home retrofitting services o Robert Thurston suggested establishing easily accessible support for urgent, unforeseen, and time sensitive service needs that are commonly experienced by senior residents. o Woei-Nan Bair expressed interest in identifying discounted retrofitted services to contribute to the directory/guide.  Arelis Perez suggested developing a list of categories from Nextdoor and partnering with City Civic Associations to identify contractors willing to offer retrofitting services at discounted rates. IV. Neighbors Helping Neighbors College Park (NHN-CP) Bonnie McClellan provided an update about the NHN board: The Board is currently focusing on when to reestablish volunteer efforts, pending COVID-19 vaccinations Currently each Precinct and Lakeland are represented, except Precinct 4. The current Board members are:  John Payne, President (Precinct 3)  Thelma Martin, Vice President (Precinct 1)  Arelis Perez, Treasurer (Precinct 1)  Sam Williams, Secretary (Camp Springs)  Robert Thurston (Precinct 2 and Lakeland)  Rya Lotze Griffis, to be confirmed (Hyattsville and UMD student)  Janet Hawley, to be confirmed (Precinct 3) VII. AARP Livability Committee update Robert Thurston provided an update on behalf of the AARP Livability workgroup, noted points included:  An announcement about the AARP Livability initiative was placed in the February edition of the College Park Here and Now  Darlene Nowlin and Woei-Nan Bair have joined the AARP workgroup.  The AARP workgroup is working to draft responses to application questions  Application submission and event kick off date will be solidified after the application has been submitted   Considerations to postpone the kick off until July to allow time for COVID vaccinations and increase the likelihood of an in-person event in lieu of a virtual event.  The next meeting is scheduled tentatively for 3/22/21 @ 1:00 pm. VI. Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 7, 2021 The committee briefly discussed inviting city staff to attend a Seniors Committee meeting:  April 2021 -Bridgette Johnson, Director of Development to discuss opportunities for economic development and establish incentives for senior residents  May 2021 - Eric Olson, CP-CUP and Ken Ulman, President Terrapin Development Corporation (TDC) to discuss 2030 Vision IV. Adjournment Bonnie McClellan motioned to adjourn the meeting . Carol Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:59 p.m.