Senior Citizens Advisory Committee

Hampton Senior Citizen Advisory Committee April 3, 2017 Hampton Senior Center Members Present: Sarah Drew, Doris Farmer, Yvonne Gaynor, George Gwynn, Jr.,Martha Clark, Christine Evans, Ingrid Kirschmann, Peggy Marshburn, Agency Representatives: Mayor Donnie Tuck, City of Hampton, Barbara Stewart, Hampton Dept. of Social Services, Lucinda Barnes, Hampton Health Dept., L. Fitzpatrick, City Manager’s Office, Gina Lewis, Geneva Fitchett, Foster Grandparent Program, S. Elswick, G. Jones Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services Citizens: D. Quash, L. Bowers, J. Quash, L. Kindred, J. Andrews, L. Tucker, T. Lomax, M. Schetting, G. Scott S. Drew called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. Mayor Tuck requested correction to March minutes reflecting that City Council meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month except during June, July and August when council meets only on the 2nd Wednesday. Motion to accept the meeting minutes with correction made by I. Kirschmann, 2nd by Y. Gaynor. Voted and accepted by committee. S. Drew introduced new committee members. D. Farmer reported that a “get well” card was sent to member B. Reese M Clark requested a copy of the Freedom of Information Act which was not included in her original package as a new member of the committee. The featured speaker for the meeting was Dave McCauley, Director of the City’s 311 Citizen Contact Center. Mr. McCauley provided the following information regarding the center: o the center is open 363 days per year (closed Thanksgiving day and Christmas) and operates from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. After 11 p.m. citizen calls are routed to the non-emergency police dispatcher; o typically the center receives 400-700 calls per day and approximately 168,000 calls and emails annually; o first such entity in Virginia and 4th in the entire country o began operation in 1999 in response to citizen’s needs during hurricanes Dennis and Floyd; o the values incorporated by the center are to serve the citizens of Hampton with professionalism, reliability, integrity, diligence and excellence (PRIDE); o there are 10 permanent full-time advocates and 6-8 part time as volume dictates; o the center serves as a liaison to connect citizens with appropriate city departments for information /services, provides information regarding delays in city services, severe weather warnings, school closings and upcoming events; o the center not only takes phone calls, but also emails and is currently working to include a mobile application and chat capability; Page 1 of 2  Hampton Senior Citizen Advisory Committee April 3, 2017 Hampton Senior Center Y. Gaynor, P. Marshburn, B. Stewart, M. Clark and G. Gwynn commented that they have used 311 numerous times and receive excellent customer service and information from the advocates. S. Elswick informed the group about the upcoming Sherriff’s senior picnic in May at Millpoint park. The Senior Center will have tickets for the event, which is free and open to the public. G. Lewis will provide tickets to the committee. D. Farmer commented that parking is an issue for the senior picnic. The parking garage directly adjacent to the park (owned by Hampton University) charges for parking and hotel parking garage is too far to walk for seniors with mobility issues. L. Fitzgerald will research the possibility of a parking waiver for the Hampton University lot. G. Jones will check the availability of a golf cart to assist with transportation from parking to Millpoint. G. Jones reported that the Senior Center provided transportation and registration for 27 seniors to attend the Forum on Aging held at Christopher Newport University (CNU). G. Gwynn reported on the Senior Advocate training he attended at CNU regarding how to use your congressional representative as an advocate. G. Lewis presented information from Senior Advocate regarding request for host sites for their educational forums. The committee agreed it would be beneficial and G. Jones will follow-up for potential dates. A signup sheet was distributed to have volunteers set up a vendor table at the upcoming Senior Expo, May 24th 11 – 2 p.m. at the Hampton Senior Center. G. Jones reported that the Senior Center is trying to put together a trip on June 22nd on the Spirit of Norfolk. Y. Gaynor voiced concern about the pot holes in parking lot adjacent to Senior Center. L. Fitzpatrick will investigate and report back to the committee. S. Drew will invite Carolyn Fare to speak at May meeting. G. Gwynn made a motion to adjourn the meeting. 2nd by D. Farmer. Meeting adjourned at 11:23 a.m. The next meeting will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 1, 2017 at the Senior Center. Respectfully submitted, Gina L. Lewis Secretary Page 2 of 2