Active Adult Advisory Board Meeting

Regular Meeting Active Adult Center Advisory Board April 16, 2024 A Regular Meeting of the Madison Heights Active Adult Center Advisory Board was called to order by Chair Salley, April 16, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the City Hall Municipal Building at 300 W. 13 Mile Rd., Madison Heights, MI 48071. Present: Bessler, Juska-Svoba, Mowry, Ratliff, Salley, Smith, Topping and Quigley. Also Present: Center Supervisor Cowan, DPS Director Ballantine, Councilor Wright. Absent: Patton. An invocation was led by Ms. Cowan. 19-01. Minutes. Motion by Ms. Mowry seconded by Ms. Juska-Svoba to adopt the minutes from the Regular Meeting of March 19, 2024. Yeas: Bessler, Juska-Svoba, Mowry, Ratliff, Salley, Smith, Topping and Quigley. Nays: None. Absent: Patton. 19-02. Meeting Open to the Public. Former Councilwoman Scott reported that she is enjoying using the exercise equipment room at the AAC and thanked the City for having it. She also stated that five people have been working on cleaning the Heritage Rooms. Lastly, she stated she would like to work with the Active Adult Advisory Board to figure out what days and times the Heritage Room should be open so more children can attend. Board members and staff recommended that she speak with the Library, the Recreation Department and/or the local school districts, since they work with and plan programs for children. 19-03. Staff Report. Ms. Cowan updated the Board on programs currently happening and upcoming at the Center, including trips and closures, some evening open hours, and the Senior Prom. 19-04. Maintenance Requests None. The City is still working with the contractor on punch list items. 19-05. Budget Requests Mr. Ballantine reported that the City Council had no changes to the proposed budget at last night’s Council meeting, and it would be heading for adoption at the first meeting in May. 1 4-16-24 AACAB Regular Meeting Active Adult Center Advisory Board April 16, 2024 19-06. Unfinished Business. Ms. Cowan stated that she moved $100 from the AAC escrow account to the Parade Committee account, as the Board requested and voted on last month. She asked if Board members would like to donate $100 again this month. There was discussion and Board members agreed they would like to donate $100 to the Madison Heights Animal Shelter. Motion by Ms. Bessler seconded by Ms. Ratliff to approve donating $100 to the Madison Heights Animal Shelter. Yeas: Bessler, Juska-Svoba, Mowry, Ratliff, Salley, Smith, Topping and Quigley. Nays: None. Absent: Patton. Ms. Cowan stated she submitted the grant request to SMART for three GPS units for the vehicles and monies for additional staff. We should know by September if we are approved for the grant. Ms. Cowan stated City staff is still working on finding a recreation software that the AAC, the Library and the Recreation Department can use. Staff has another demo tomorrow. Ms. Cowan reported the congregate meal program is all ready to start back up the first Thursday in May, and reminded everyone to sign up for a meal by 12 noon the day before. She stated that once staff gets the program running, if there are any volunteers that would like to help out, staff would appreciate that. 19-07. New Business. Ms. Cowan asked for volunteer help with two items- ironing tablecloths and napkins for the Senior Prom and baking individually packaged items for a bake sale planned for when they AAC is open during the City’s Festival in the Park. Anyone interested can sign up at the front desk. Ms. Cowan stated that advisory board nominations will take place the last 10 days of May and the election will be June 6 & 7. Ms. Juska-Svoba and Ms. Ratliff are up for re-election and Ms. Bessler is up for re-appointment if she chooses. Ms. Cowan was excited to share that Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union (MSGCU) has donated $1,000 to the AAC. AAC and MSGCU staff worked on ideas to spend the money. The decision was made to spend part of it on additional equipment for the exercise equipment room, including a TRX (a device to provide a dynamic point of stability), resistance bands and mirrors and the other part to provide refreshments for a senior picnic planned for July 19. Ms. Cowan reported MSGCU would like to get even more involved in the community 2 4-16-24 AACAB Regular Meeting Active Adult Center Advisory Board April 16, 2024 and some Board members suggested seeing if they could donate monies to have a City shred day. Ms. Cowan will speak with their staff and make the request. 19-08. Treasurer’s Report. Motion by Ms. Juska-Svoba seconded by Ms. Mowry to approve the February Treasurer’s report. Yeas: Bessler, Juska-Svoba, Mowry, Ratliff, Salley, Smith, Topping and Quigley. Nays: None. Absent: Patton. 19-09. Council & Administration Updates. Councilor Wright stated City Council had two meetings recently and while meetings might be moved to accommodate Council members, they are still meeting 23 times during the year. Councilor Wright stated that City Council approved a resolution to honor Arab American and Chaldean American month. Councilor Wright stated Council received a general overview of the City budget with the City’s Finance Director and City Manager. Councilor Wright reported the City has some exciting projects coming up including free trash and recycle bins for residents. Councilor Wright commended City staff for working hard to bring in monies from grants, ultimately saving the City 2.5 million dollars last year. Mr. Ballantine reported DPS staff is in full spring mode and that the first week in May will be chipping week and May 11 will be Spring Clean Up Day where DPS staff will accept anything you normally would not be able to put out on trash day. Mr. Ballantine stated tree planting and road construction projects are in full swing, and that he has applied to an Oakland County grant for local city roads which could bring in $86,000 to directly offset the reconstruction of Ajax Drive. Mr. Ballantine reported that new women’s bathrooms are being built for the Police Department with monies left from the new build. Mr. Ballantine stated the City has a new grass contractor- Green Meadows Landscaping. Mr. Ballantine reported the street lighting work on Dequindre is going nice. 3 4-16-24 AACAB Regular Meeting Active Adult Center Advisory Board April 16, 2024 Ms. Bessler congratulated the AAC on the article in the Oakland County Encore spotlighting the new building and the many programs we offer. Ms. Quigley stated her sister, who doesn’t drive and isn’t a customer, had a metal cart she uses for groceries break and when the owner of Madison Muffler heard they offered to weld it back together for free. Other Board members complimented them as well, saying they charge less and are always helpful. Ms. Cowan stated the owner showed up one day a few years ago when the AAC was having a fundraiser, and he gave them a check for $200. Ms. Ratliff asked how the City felt about contractors working in the City leaving compost from jobs at the curb of the homeowner. Mr. Ballantine stated this a regular occurrence and while they would not want them to dump a large amount, it is regular practice to leave a small amount at the resident’s curb. Ms. Mowry asked what was being built at 11 Mile and John R. Councilor Wright stated he wasn’t sure, but it could be First Watch or the new market that will be similar to the Rust Belt Market in Ferndale. Ms. Juska-Svoba asked what was being built near Lowe’s on 12 Mile and Mr. Ballantine reported he believed it is Biggby Coffee. 19-10. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 pm. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 1:00 pm. Jennifer Cowan Active Adult Supervisor 4 4-16-24 AACAB