College Park Seniors Committee

College Park Senior Advisory Committee (SAC) Virtual Meeting May 7, 2025 7:00 p.m. Final Minutes Seniors Committee Members: PRESENT ABSENT 1. Kathy Baer X 3. Betty Colonomos X 4. Adele Ellis X 5. Carol Gray X 6. Mary Anne Hakes X 7. Gail Lovelace X 8. Bonnie McClellan X 9. Darlene Nowlin X 10. Robert Thurston X 11. Heidi Weber X Also present : Janeen Miller, Age-Friendly College Park Program Lead; Joi Woods, Contract Secretary I. Call to Order Mary Anne Hakes called the meeting to order at 7:11 pm. II. Approval of the Agenda The committee reviewed the agenda. There were no objections to the agenda as written. III. Approval of April 2, 2025 Minutes Betty Colonomos motioned to approve the April 2, 2025 minutes as amended. Heidi Weber seconded the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. The motion passed. IV. City Updates A. City Budget $1500 remains in the SAC budget; inclusive of Club House events that have been hosted to date. 1. It was decided to table the Veo demonstration that the committee was organizing, it is pending approval from the city and the advent of the 3-wheeled bike. A waiver is necessary for residents to test drive scooters. Veo will be present at Trolley Trail Day.  2. Gail Lovelace and Heidi Weber will coordinate with Mrs. Barber and Ryna Quinones to meet and discuss feedback about the city’s website. One of the committee’s current goals is to establish demonstrations for senior residents on how to navigate the site and learn more about the seniors’ page. V. Age-Friendly College Park (AFCP) A. Age-Friendly events at College Park Woods Clubhouse recap 1. Game Days, third Wednesdays (1:00-3:00 p.m.) a. Game days began on April 16, 2025. 9 people participated, and the event included light refreshments and musical activities. It was well received. 1) May 21- Games (Set up: Gail, Heidi, Carol) 2) June 18- PG County, Forever Fit (Set up: Carol, Kathy, Adele). City bus requested. 3) July 16- Family Game Day (Set up Kathy, Mary Anne, Heidi, & Betty)  Gail Lovelace will follow up with Kevin Blackerby about the use of outdoor games and facilitating activities Mrs. McClellan will follow up with Melissa Sites about activities for that day as well. 4) August 20 - (Set up; Adele, Bonnie, Heidi) 6) September 17- Games (Set up: Gail, Robert) 2. Coffee and Conversations, first Wednesdays (10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.) Set up begins at 9:00 a.m. Committee members will finalize setup logistics before the event. a. May 7, 2025, was the premiere event, with 12 people participating. The event included light refreshments and musical activities. It was well received. b. The committee discussed attendee feedback about desired activities. Suggestions included daytime karaoke/sing-along and guest speakers. c. The committee discussed the speaker schedule 1) June 4- Heidi Weber, Fraud & Scam Prevention (Set: up Gail, Bonnie) 2) July 2- Wallace Merriman, Wellness & Nutrition, Gail Lovelace will introduce the speaker. (Set up: Bonnie, Mary Anne, Betty) 3) August 6 - Alan Hew Native Plants and Pollinators (Set up: Bonnie, Betty, Carol, Mary Anne)  4) September 3- Sing-a-Long & Karaoke, Guest Speakers (Set up: Heidi, Bonnie, Betty)  Heidi Weber & Janeen Miller will find a karaoke website and finalize details 5) October 1- Michael Williams, Economic Development in the City 6) November 5 – Navigating the city website (Set up team: TBD) 3. The committee discussed event logistics a. Using name tags during the events b. Maintaining refreshments & supplies  $50 is allotted for game days, $125 for Coffee & Conversation c. Door prizes in the form of gift cards to help support local businesses 1) Each participant will get a ticket; the winner will be drawn for a door prize. 2) Gail Lovelace will coordinate with other committee members to identify 8 local businesses and purchase gift cards. d. The event flyer will be updated by end of May to include expanded event information and a Clubhouse map or guide. e. City’s Community Event Board suggested for publicizing AFCP events. Adele Ellis motioned to include a door prize raffle during game days. The SAC will purchase gift cards to local businesses not to exceed the amount of $25. Kathy Baer seconded the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. The motion passed. 4. The committee revisited incorporating College Park Dollars into the clubhouse activities. College Park Dollars will be sponsored through the SAC to incentivize participation in senior events and support local businesses. Mrs. Barber will follow up with the city manager about implementation and follow up with the committee. VI. Neighbor Helping Neighbors College Park (NHN-CP) A. Volunteer recruitment 1. The board has established marketing efforts to recruit volunteers. VII. Outreach Opportunities A. The committee revisited meet & greet opportunities to distribute information about the Senior Advisory Committee, Neighbor Helping Neighbors, and Age Friendly College Park during city events. 1. The committee identified 4 opportunities to participate in the Hollywood Farmers Market, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Mrs. Hakes will send an updated list of designated volunteers. a. May 10, 2025 (Mary Anne, Bonnie, Betty)  b. June 14, 2025 (Mary Anne, Bonnie, Carol) c. September 20, 2025 (Adele, Bonnie, Gail, Darlene) d. October 25, 2025 (Heidi, Betty) 2. College Park Street Fair, May 18, 2025 3. Trolley Trail Day June 14, 2025 a. Previous discussion was held to identify a different location for this year's event and registration requirements. b. Mr. Thurston will attend the next scheduled meeting on May 9th and update the committee. 4. College Park Day, October 18, 2025 - All hands on deck C. Senior Health Fair 1. The committee discussed giving away toothbrush/toothpaste kits. Heidi Weber will purchase the kits. 2. Incorporating the senior survey with giveaways to gather more feedback about senior needs 3. Bonnie will follow up with the point of contact to inquire about donation needs Betty Colonomos motioned to purchase 100 toothbrush kits for health fair giveaways . Adele Ellis seconded the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. The motion passed. VIII. Announcements & Other Discussion A. Legislation 1. The Maryland Department of Aging’s Legislative Budget was approved. a. Department of Aging Call Check and Social Connections will expand the current service to include live, virtual, web, and text based communications to better address participants' personal welfare and reduce social isolation. It will be accessible to those with sight and hearing impairments and those with limited English proficiency. The Bill passed. b. The Department of Aging is restructuring an interagency committee to address senior housing needs and priorities. Assisted Living, Senior Care, and Congregate Housing. 1) The committee discussed inviting State Delegate Jocelyn Pena Melnyk to a committee meeting to update members on recent legislative activity relevant to seniors and health care. c. The Medical Aid and Dying Bill did not pass. B. UMD PALS Project  The UMD School of Architecture is completing the PALS Project through the 15- minute Neighborhood Project. Health Survey distribution is pending approval from the city. The committee discussed distributing across their listservs and during events, if approved by the city. C. Pedestrian Safety Collaboration The AFCP workgroup is moving forward with partnering with the Pedestrian and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) about collaborating with the SAC to complete a walk audit. D. The AFCP brochure completion date is mid-May. Mrs. Barber and Janeen Miller will finalize the AFCP report for presentation to the Mayor and City Council on May 20. Committee members are encouraged to attend. IX. Committee Appointments & Updates A. Woei-Nan Bair resigned from the committee. Committee members Acknowledged her contributions and has invited her to stay connected. B. The committee discussed reappointments and encouraged new co-chair selections. X. Next Meeting and Adjournment A. Meeting Schedule Adele Ellis motioned to adjourn meetings July-September. Meetings will be called if urgent matters arise. Betty Colonomos seconded. B. The next virtual meeting is scheduled for June 4, 2025. 1. The committee’s and Recording Secretary’s birthdays June 7. C. Adjournment Adele Ellis motioned to adjourn the meeting. Betty Colonomos seconded the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:58 p.m.