Senior Citizens Advisory Board

City of Coral Gables 405 Biltmore Way Coral Gables, FL 33134 www.coralgables.com Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 2, 2024 4:00 PM https://coralgables.zoom.us/j/86149844627 Adult Activity Center Senior Citizens Advisory Board Senior Citizens Advisory Board Meeting Minutes May 2, 2024 CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 4:00 p.m. ROLL CALL a. Roll Call and Excusal of Absences APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES a. Approval of April Meeting Minutes A MOTION TO APPROVE LAST MEETINGS MINUTES WAS MADE BY JULIAN SEVILLANO AND WAS SECONDED BY JEAN CONNELLY. ALL IN FAVOR; PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. SUPERVISOR'S REPORT City of Coral Gables Page 1 Senior Citizens Advisory Board Meeting Minutes May 2, 2024 a. General Updates AAC Assistant Supervisor Gregory Walters began by discussing the Variety Show on Friday April 19th thanking both Chairperson Celia Suarez and member Judith “Jude” Alexander for preforming and helping with the event. Gregory then continued to discuss the upcoming Spring/Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on the following Friday May 10th reminding the board to reserve their tickets if they had not already done so. Gregory then discussed new programming at the AAC announcing the Watercolors has officially returned with a new instructor Angel Martin, Puzzle Club which has already begun offering the opportunity for members to work together to solve puzzles, and the pending start of a Chess program with hopes to being in May. Board member Judith “Jude” Alexander inquired about the walking club, AAC Assistant Supervisor Gregory Walters informed them that it functions more as a self-sustaining program where anyone can participate and walk around the Granada Golf Course Monday-Friday beginning at 6pm. Jude then inquired about potentially using the Golden Tickets for group trips such as traveling to the Vizcaya. The Community Recreation Director discussed how there used to be trips to different areas and that this may be a possibility with the use of public transportation for the group. Board Chairperson Celia Suarez then discussed the Variety Show and some issues that were noticed including empty seats and sound system issues. Board member James “Jim” Berlin then mentioned that he had received a call to confirm attendance for the event the day before which Celia stated was too close to the start of the event. AAC Assistant Supervisor Gregory Walters then stated that there were multiple follow up calls made to all ticket holders in the two weeks prior to the event to ensure that staff would be able to offer a seat to every patron on the waiting list. Community Recreation Director Fred Couceyro then stated that there are some changes that can be made, however it is difficult to confirm attendance for a free event and that next year the number of tickets will be increased to allow for more participants. Board Chairperson Celia Suarez then inquired about performers purchasing tickets for the luncheons stating that performers who are not members, such as the DJ and Photobooth attendants, do not have to purchase tickets like the AAC gals dance team does. Community Recreation Director Fred Couceyro stated that hired contractors do not receive a complimentary ticket for the event, however that they will change the policy moving forward so dance performers will receive a complimentary ticket for future events they perform in. A MOTION THAT THE AAC STAFF AND SPECIFICALLY, MARIA FLEITES, WHO COORDINATES THE VARIETY SHOW AND COREOGRAPHED AND DIRECTED THE DANCE PERFORMANCES OF THE AAC GALS DANCE TEAM, BE COMMENDED FOR THEIR EXCELLENT WORK WAS MADE BY JAMES “JIM” BERLIN AND WAS SECONED BY JULIAN SEVIALLNO. ALL IN FAVOR; PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. b. Special Events City of Coral Gables Page 2 Senior Citizens Advisory Board Meeting Minutes May 2, 2024 Community Recreation Director Fred Couceyro began by discussing the Literacy Fest scheduled for Saturday May 18th at 11am and the Youth Center and the Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony on Monday May 27th at 9am. Director Couceyro then continued to discuss an upcoming community meeting at the AAC to discuss the pending construction at Phillips Park on Wednesday May 15th at 6pm and a meeting that took place in April about the Cooper and Nellie B. Moore Parks where there was a lot of excitement for the pending park designs. c. Administrative Updates The Coral Gables Family Literacy Festival - Saturday, May 18 at 11 a.m. and Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony - Monday, May 27 at 9 a.m. Community Recreation Director Fred Couceyro began by discussing the growing need for more Pickle Ball courts around the City, stating that her is preparing a presentation for the next commission meeting going over a potential plan to take a portion of the Youth Center and repurpose it for additional Pickle Ball courts. Director Couceyro then stated that Deputy Director Carolina Vester has officially taken over temporarily at the Coral Gables Country Club while they work to find someone to fill the position permanently. Board member James “Jim” Berlin then inquired what the plan for the Youth Center would look like, Director Couceyro responded that the plan would most likely involve re-purposing part of the athletic field for Pickle Ball. Director Couceyro then stated the possibility of partnering with Coral Gables High School to use their planned Pickle Ball courts at night. Board member James “Jim” Berlin then inquired about the parking situation at Ingraham and Merrie Christmas Parks. Community Recreation Director Fred Couceyro stated that Merrie Christmas Park is within the City, as for Ingraham Park there is parking located around the circle nearby although they are aware that parking is limited. Director Couceyro continued to discuss the increase in participation since COVID and the struggle every Community Recreation facility is facing with numbers meeting or exceeding pre-COVID levels leading to capacity issues and parking issues. Board member Richard Thurer then inquired if there was any update on the bridge at Ingraham Park. Community Recreation Director Fred Couceyro responded that he has not received an update and is unsure of where that project is currently at, as it is being completed by the county and not the City. Board Chairperson Celia Suarez then inquired when the construction on Phillips Park is set to officially begin. Community Recreation Director Fred Couceyro stated that there is no start date as they are still going through the process, hosting a second meeting to discuss the pending construction on May 15th sharing a detailed plan following the feedback from the first meeting where they shared the conceptual design with the community. Based on the community feedback during the meeting they will make any necessary changes until they able to move forward with securing a building company to being City of Coral Gables Page 3 Senior Citizens Advisory Board Meeting Minutes May 2, 2024 the construction project. Board member Judith “Jude” Alexander then inquired about the idea of having a notice board to post information of classes up in the facility. Community Recreation Director Fred Couceyro then stated that the televisions on both sides were initially meant to display the information for upcoming programs and activities stating that they will see how they can make use of the televisions to display information moving forward. NEW BUSINESS OLD BUSINESS a. Code of Conduct AAC Assistant Supervisor shared a copy of the Code of Conduct with the changes that had been discussed in the previous board meeting in April to see if there were any additional changes the board deemed necessary before final implementation. After some discussion the board agreed that the Code of Conduct was appropriate and did not offer any further changes. DISCUSSION ITEMS Board Chairperson Celia Suarez then inquired about seeing some statistical information regarding registration for AAC programing so that the board can have a better understanding. Celia continued to discuss looking further into the survey to be sent to both AAC members and city wide to receive more demographic information. AAC Assistant Supervisor Gregory Walters stated that he could begin bringing in the statistical numbers that are pulled each month for the monthly reports and if the board would like any additional statistical information, he can compile it upon request. Board member James “Jim” Berlin then mentioned looking into a new location for the potential expansion of the AAC stating that the current location dissuades some individuals from participating. Community Recreation Director Fred Couceyro stated that it is very difficult to build a brand-new center and that it is very difficult to find a central location that will entice further participation, however there are multiple options that can be explored if it becomes necessary. The Senior Advisory Board thanked board member Richard Thurer for his service and presented him with a certificate to formally thank him for the work he has done while serving on the Senior Advisory Board. ITEMS FROM THE SECRETARY Date of the meeting: Thursday, June 6 at 4 p.m. ADJOURNMENT City of Coral Gables Page 4 Senior Citizens Advisory Board Meeting Minutes May 2, 2024 A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 4:59 P.M. WAS MADE BY JEAN CONNELLY AND WAS SECONDED BY JULIAN SEVILLANO. ALL IN FAVOR; PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. NOTE City of Coral Gables Page 5