Senior Citizens Advisory Committee

Hampton Senior Citizens Advisory Committee Hampton Senior Center, 3501 Kecoughtan Road December 6, 2021 ~ 10:00am Present: Linda H. Kindred-Chair; Doris Farmer-Vice Chair; Jeanette Augustine, Martha Clark; George Gwynn, C’Faison Harris, Martha C. Johnson, Angela Leary, Cassandra Alston-Townsley Absent: Yvonne Gaynor, Sandra Waldo City/Lead Agency Reps: Mayor Donnie Tuck; Councilman Chris Bowman; Angela King, Asst. City Attorney; Dave McCauley-Director, HPRLS; Yolanda Clark, Social Services; Gina Lewis, Foster Grandparents Program; Susan Elswick, HPRLS: Shaeron King, HPRLS Guests: Camica Credle; Mr. Daniels; Audrey Johnson; Joyce Jones; Mary Mills-Collins; Georgia Scott; Phyllis Palin; Chris Schetting; Mike Schetting; I. Welcome Ms. Kindred called the meeting to order by thanking everyone for attending and reminding all to sign- in. Opening prayer was offered. II. Roll Call & Approval of November Minutes Ms. Harris conducted the roll call; a quorum was present. Mayor Tuck and Councilman Bowman were acknowledged and Ms. Harris invited guests to introduce themselves. Ms. Kindred asked if all had read the minutes and if there were any questions or corrections. Ms. Leary asked that page numbers and a footer be added to each page indicating the type of meeting and the date of the meeting. It was noted that both items were already part of the format. Ms. Leary stated that a spelling correction was needed on page three (fie to five), and that on page six, an address needed to be added for the Commonwealth Senior Living Facility. Ms. Lewis stated that she had notified board leadership that she would be unable to make the November meeting due to a prior commitment, and wondered why that was not considered an excused absence. Ms. Kindred answered that the absence policy is under possible revision. A motion to accept the minutes as corrected was made by Ms. Augustine and seconded by Ms. Leary; however, Mayor Tuck pointed out that if something was not said or done during a meeting, it cannot later be added to minutes. Ms. Kindred asked if the representatives from Commonwealth had stated an address to which Ms. Harris replied they had not. A revised motion was then made by Ms. Augustine to accept the minutes with the spelling correction only; the motion was seconded by Ms. Leary and was unanimously approved. HSCAC MEETING DECEMBER 6, 2021 1 III. Opening Remarks Mr. McCauley first thanked Ms. Elswick and her staff for setting up the meeting space in such a festive holiday manner – he said it was a job well done. He then encouraged members and guests to visit the Wonder Walk event that will take place December 4-12 along the Water Walk Trail at the rear of the Coliseum. It will be open nightly from 4:30pm -9pm and there will be lighted trees decorated by employees, craft booths, vendors, elves, carolers, and other performers. Anyone interested in volunteering, see him and he’ll put them in touch with the event coordinator. He added that folks should also see the renovations happening along the Buckroe Beach boardwalk with all the new lighting, swings, seating, and planters. Renovation completion is slated for May 2022. He asked folks to visit and let him know what they think and if they had suggestions for improvement. IV. Old Business HSCAC By-Laws Discussion Ms. King stated that everyone should have received a copy of the suggested revisions of the by-laws, and as discussed at the Committee’s November meeting, there are three changes. The first change is to remove the word “unexcused” in Article Two, Section E in reference to meeting absences. Ms. Lewis asked if that if she were unable to attend a meeting, would an alternate be acceptable. Ms. King noted that the current structure of the Committee does not provide for alternates. Mayor Tuck noted that in previous years, attendance was an issue and added that the absence policy is more important with respect to Council-appointed voting board members. Ms. Martha Clark asked if a phone call was still needed to report an absence. Ms. Kindred stated that a phone call would be a courtesy, and that she would not have the authority to designate the absence as excused. The second changes include the addition of a new Article Five regarding the framework and operation of subcommittees. The main changes since the Committee last discussed the language was to increase the size of the subcommittees from three to five members and to generalize the timing of subcommittee meetings. And third, the existing Article Five is renumbered to be Article Six. Ms. King noted that the above are only suggestions that must be submitted to Council for its approval and that only Council can make the decision to approve any amendments to the by-laws. Ms. Alston-Townsley stated that there are several occasions in which she must miss a meeting due to medical appointments and/or chronic illness, and asked that members be made aware of what constitutes an exception for an absence. Ms. King noted that illness would be considered an exception. A motion was made by Ms. Leary that the recommended revisions to the by-laws be submitted to Council for its approval. Ms. Augustine seconded and the motion was unanimously approved. HSCAC MEETING DECEMBER 6, 2021 2 V. New Business January 2022 Elections for Chair and Vice Chair Ms. Kindred notified every one of upcoming elections for the two leadership positions in January. Mayor Tuck noted that since the January 3 meeting is immediately after the holiday most may still be on vacation. He added that there is also another meeting scheduled for the same date and asked if members would be willing to reschedule to Monday, January 10. Ms. Leary made a motion to reschedule to January 10, which was seconded by Ms. Alston-Townsley and unanimously approved. VI. Lead Agency Updates Ms. Yolanda Clark introduced Ms. Phyllis Palin, Social Services new Adult Services Program Director, and added that Dr. Tamara Temoney is now the agency’s new director. Ms. Palin noted that while Ms. Clark would still attend monthly meetings, she would attend on a quarterly basis for the time being. Gina Lewis of Foster Grandparents Program stated the program is still going strong even of the 93 active volunteers they have, 37 volunteers are currently serving in seven sites (out of 31). Newport News has not allowed any volunteers back into the schools, so they have some Newport News residents serving in Hampton schools. VII. Holiday Wishes and Presentation Ms. Kindred then read a card, ending with a plea to members and guests to reach out to those who need assistance. She noted this could be done with just a simple phone call, a visit, or a meal. She asked everyone to treat people the way they want to be treated. She then asked Ms. Elswick and staff member Ms. Nixon to come join her at the head table, presented them with a plaque thanking them for their hospitality, and continued support of the Hampton Senior Citizens Advisory Committee. She then thanked everyone for coming and for their input, direction and support. She asked that if anyone had any suggestions or ideas that would enhance the committee’s efforts to please write them down and submit them to a board member, remembering to add their own names and contact information to their suggestions. Mayor Tuck added that he first became familiar with SCAC about seven years ago after hearing about the committee while at another meeting. Although he had arrived late to that SCAC meeting, he did meet Mr. Gwynn and two other board members who took the time to explain to him the workings of the committee. He then thanked the committee for the long-standing commitment to the City of Hampton, and especially to its senior population by being their advocate. He said that what SCAC HSCAC MEETING DECEMBER 6, 2021 3  does is of the utmost importance to the community and added that although his own mother passed at the age of 65, had she still been alive, she would have been very active with this committee. Mr. Gwynn then thanked the Mayor for all he has done to promote the City. Ms. Alston-Townsley advised Mr. McCauley of a group of women who are senior citizens and are part of her modeling troupe who’d like to be involved in PRLS events. Ms. Kindred then asked everyone to participate in a Christmas trivia game and allowed fifteen minutes for completion. Consisting of 20 questions, three winners were all awarded with surprise gifts. Ms. Kindred also presented Mr. McCauley, Ms. Farmer, Ms. Harris, Ms. Elswick, and Ms. Nixon with gifts. Ms. Kindred adjourned the meeting with closing prayer and all were invited to a catered luncheon provided by Hampton Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services. V. Adjournment Meeting adjourned 11:17 a.m. Requested Information from November meeting Commonwealth Senior Living at Hampton 1030 Topping Lane (23666) 757-301-4630 https://www.commonwealthsl.com/community/commonwealth-senior-living-at-cedar- manor/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Cedar-Manor&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIobCt3- rP9AIVmovICh0h-AOLEAAYASAAEgKgR_D_BwE HSCAC MEETING DECEMBER 6, 2021 4