Senior Citizens Advisory Committee

Hampton Senior Citizens Advisory Committee Hampton Senior Center, 3501 Kecoughtan Road December 5, 2022 Call to Order and Welcome Chair Linda Kindred opened the meeting by welcoming all in attendance and reminded all attendees that the attendance sheet at the back of the room was to be signed upon arrival. She added that if anyone needed to be absent from future meetings to contact her directly at 757-776-2286. She noted that if anyone had questions, ask them at the end of the meeting. Opening prayer was then offered. Roll call & Approval of November Minutes Present: Linda H Kindred-Chair, Cassandra Alston-Townsley, Martha L. Clark, Lewis Dawley III, Tonya Grant, C’Faison (Cynthia) Harris Absent: George Gwynn, Martha Johnson, Gralynn Owens City/Lead Agency Reps: Vice Mayor Jimmy Gray, Councilman Chris Bowman, David McCauley (HPRLS), Susan Elswick (HPRLS), Shantel Hudgins (HPRLS), Shaeron King (HPRLS), William Massey (PAA), Phyllis Palin (Social Services) Guests: Joyce Alexander, Desiree Darden, Angela Mixon, Phyllis Palin Ms. Hudgins conducted the roll call; a quorum was present. The opportunity was given for the advisory board to review the November minutes. Mr. Lewis Dawley made a motion to approve the minutes. Ms. Cynthia Harris seconded the motion and the motion was unanimously approved. Opening Remarks Director Dave McCauley acknowledged this special meeting to reflect and thank the committee, staff, and the Senior Center for everything that has been accomplished this past year. He also personally thanked Cynthia Harris, Linda Kindred, Shaeron King, Susan Elswick, and the staff of the Senior Center for doing a wonderful job in accommodating and welcoming a friendly environment. Director McCauley expressed his appreciation of Mayor Tuck, Vice Mayor Gray, and Councilman Bowman for continuously showing their support and attending the meetings. He also thanked the five (5) committees that were created to make things happen and leading to the planning of next year. Director McCauley expressed his appreciation for 1 City Attorney Angela King and Cynthia Harris on creating the committees. The committees focus are the individuals growing in place (includes a large growing demographic) and caregivers. He expressed for the committees to continue to keep this topic going forward as we bring individuals to talk about this topic and find resources around different issues. Director McCauley thanked everyone for their support and wished everyone a Happy Holiday. New Business - Board Member Updates Ms. Cynthia Harris stated that January elections are coming up soon. She also stated to keep in mind who would like to see themselves or others in the chair and vice chair positions. Nominations and elections will take place at the January 2023 meeting. Ms. Harris reminded that the main duties of the chair are to preside over meetings, represent the committee at various meetings and events, and work with city staff for senior community efforts. The main duties of the vice chair are to support the chair and fill in as necessary in the absence of the chair. The chair and vice chair are elected by a simple majority vote and serve one (1) year terms. The bylaws do not set limitations for the number of terms each may serve. Ms. Harris stated if anyone is interested in becoming a board member to visit the city website to sign up. Old Business - Subcommittee Meeting Update Ms. Kindred stated that there was no old business. City/Lead Agency Updates PAA: Mr. William Massey informed the committee that he was unable to attend the November 7th meeting and his executive assistant, Beatrice Sykes, attended the meeting on his behalf to represent PAA. He explained his reasoning for not being able to attend the meeting was in reference to a work group that was established by the General Assembly at the last session in January. The purpose of the work group is to find ways to elevate aging services in the Commonwealth of Virginia. There is a concern that older adults, family caregivers, and aging services in general does not have a priority that is commensurate with the importance of work that needs to be done to support older adults in our state. This particular work group is headed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services John Littel. One of the local legislators, Senator Monty Mason, serves as the Chair of this particular work group. Mr. Massey also had the privilege of serving on the work group as the Vice Chair. There was a report due December 1st, however, the committee of the work group was given a short time frame to work with. He expressed that the report is a few days late and he believes the report will include recommendations of three (3) options to be offered at the state level for consideration by the Governor and General Assembly. 2 Option #1: Create a division within the current Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services. A division specifically dedicated to aging services with a deputy commissioner to head the division. Currently, aging services is buried way down in the organization with no high level present. Option #2: Create at least two (2) high profile positions. The first position is to focus on developing partnerships across state government and work on innovative approaches to providing services in the Commonwealth. The second position would be to oversee data collection and data analytics to determine the best use of that data to promote aging services and the elevation of aging services. Option #3: Form a standalone agency on aging at the state level. Mr. Massey emphasized that the third option is the one that he believes is best and would do the most overall. The other options would help alleviate aging. He mentioned that he would be happy to share the report once it has been released. Once the reports are produced, then there will be opportunities for advocacy with the members of the General Assembly in the upcoming session next month. Mr. Massey reiterated that the dining centers have reopened and have not reached capacity. The dining centers are averaging about thirteen (13) participants a day and could accommodate close to 25 to 30 participants. He encouraged individuals who benefit from going to the dining center program to contact PAA and please provide their name/number. He also extended a reminder that the next Forum on Aging will be on March 1, 2023 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. More details will be provided once moving forward. Therapeutics: Ms. Shaeron King shared that the Special Olympics is planning to start a unified league for bowling meaning that the league will now be open for individuals with and without disabilities. City: Vice Mayor Gray thanked everyone for their support in his reelection for another term. He mentioned that Council members have opportunities to be engaged with the community because of meetings such as the SCAC that are open to the public and Council. The more citizen engagement that there is, the more opportunities for Council to attend and be present with local citizens. It’s an opportunity for Council to lend their support and express that they care. One of the seven strategic priorities as a Council is to educate and engage citizenry. Also, build and support programs to create more opportunities for the citizens. The City of Hampton is made better by people who are fully engaged in what’s going on. Vice Mayor Gray commented that he reads the social media platforms and he noticed that a lot of individuals are not aware of what’s going on within the City of Hampton. It is our responsibility as staff and committees to do our part to do more with communication and finding new means of communication. Vice Mayor Gray thanked everyone for their accomplishments as a group/organization. Public Comment Ms. Kindred asked the committee and visitors if they were involved with their neighborhood watch programs. Ms. Desiree Darden briefly explained that she is part of her neighborhood watch program and they have not had an official meeting since the Pandemic. Ms. Kindred thanked Ms. Darden for providing information. Vice Mayor Gray added the importance of many neighborhood watch groups and organized civic neighborhood associations because it helps create citizen engagement and encourages 3 communication. Vice Mayor Gray also explained the importance of a registered neighborhood because it makes it easier for Council/City officials to get information out about something important coming up that they may want citizens to weigh on. Director McCauley added to Vice Mayor Gray comments on communication by stating that word of mouth is an effective way of communication and making citizens aware. Director McCauley also shared that the City of Hampton E-News provides lots of information to citizens. He asked for individuals to let him know of any ideas to help the communication become more effective for citizens. Ms. Kindred briefly shared that she is the chaplain of her neighborhood watch for Rosalie Gardens. They have about twelve (12) members and meet every month on the third Thursday at 5pm within the Kenny Wallace Center. Ms. Kindred also shared that the Senior Center will have a Christmas Party on December 16, 2022. The event is open to the public. Adjournment Ms. Kindred read a poem that helped to explain the importance of being active and present at meetings. She expressed her concerns for people not to be just a member, but take an active part. She is hopeful that others will take on the commitment in 2023 to become more actively involved with the committee. Ms. Harris and Ms. Kindred both clarified that the next meeting would be held on the second Monday (January 9, 2023) due to the holiday. Ms. Kindred thanked the committee for everything that they have done and their participation. She closed the meeting by asking all to remember to be a ray of sunshine in someone’s cloud, adding that you may be the only person someone sees, and your smile or act of kindness will brighten someone’s day. The meeting closed with prayer and adjourned at 11:12am. Minutes submitted by Shantel Hudgins, SCAC Recorder 4