Active Adult Advisory Board Meeting

Regular Meeting Active Adult Center Advisory Board June 18, 2024 A Regular Meeting of the Madison Heights Active Adult Center Advisory Board was called to order by Chair Salley, June 18, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the Active Adult Center Building at 260 W. 13 Mile Rd., Madison Heights, MI 48071. Present: Bessler, Juska-Svoba, Mowry, Ratliff, Salley, Smith and Quigley. Also Present: Center Supervisor Cowan, DPS Director Ballantine, Councilor Wright. Absent: Patton, Topping. 19-01. Minutes. Motion by Ms. Mowry seconded by Ms. Smith to adopt the minutes from the Regular Meeting of May 21, 2024. Yeas: Bessler, Juska-Svoba, Mowry, Ratliff, Salley, Smith and Quigley. Nays: None. Absent: Patton, Topping. 19-02. Meeting Open to the Public. Former Councilwoman Scott reported some people are saying that “nobody comes to the museum”, meaning the Heritage Rooms. So she wanted to report that a reporter from SLAM Magazine will be at the museum today to see Jim Myers memorabilia and to meet with local wrestling coach Bernie Gonzalez. She also stated the museum needs more publicity. Ms. Scott then stated “I already talked to Jen (Ms. Cowan) about it”, that she first wanted to congratulate Ms. Juska-Svoba and Ms. Ratliff (on winning the election), and thanked Ms. Cowan for extending voting due to the power outage, but she was “very confused” when she “went to vote”. She stated she voted, put her ballot in the box and then realized “I only voted for one person”. She said she mentioned that to the front desk volunteer and the volunteer stated she must vote for two. Ms. Scott stated the front desk volunteer told her to vote for a second person and write on her ballot that her other vote was on another slip. Ms. Scott said she knew there was no way that we would be able to match which slip was her other vote and felt she should fill out a new voting slip with both votes, but again chose to vote for only one person. She stated she “didn’t want to sound like a sore loser” but that she “felt cheated” that her “vote was not counted”. She stated she is not asking for the board to change the bylaws, but thought there should be a discussion. Ms. Scott then said she would leave the Board to discuss, however Ms. Cowan stated that since she brought up the discussion she should stay to be part of it. Many board members stated that the ballot clearly said to vote for two, so she should have known to vote for two or her ballot would not be counted. Board members 1 6-18-24 AACAB Regular Meeting Active Adult Center Advisory Board June 18, 2024 and Ms. Cowan also stated that this is always the way the ballot has been; however Ms. Cowan stated she would change the wording for next year to “You must vote for two or your ballot will not be counted” to the ballot. Ms. Scott also stated that people should be able to vote for just one candidate. Ms. Cowan stated that since there are always two positions up for election, if everyone voted for one candidate, there would be no way to pick a second candidate and that is why everyone is asked to vote for two. Ms. Cowan also wanted to let everyone know that even if the six ballots that only had one vote were counted, it would not have changed the election in any way. That all four candidates would have still been in the same spot they ended up in, and that the two candidates who won received a far greater amount of votes than the second two candidates. Ms. Kehoe stated she wanted to “thank all that participated in the parade” , that she was “sorry there was such as mix up”, that “you assign certain people to do certain jobs and you assume you can trust them”, that a “certain person did not show up” and the day was “very unhappy for me” and “I learned a lesson to just trust myself”. Councilor Wright thanked both Ms. Scott and Ms. Kehoe for speaking. 19-03. Staff Report. Ms. Cowan updated the Board on summer programs that are coming up, including trips, closures, some evening open hours, an ice cream social and an outdoor picnic. 19-04. Maintenance Requests None. The City is still working with the contractor on punch list items including automatic sensors for sinks and toilets. 19-05. Budget Requests Ms. Cowan reported the City’s 2024-25 fiscal year budget has been approved by City Council and both her and Mr. Ballantine relayed the new budget takes effect July 1 and they would start the process of the next budget in October, which would include new vehicles, which have been difficult to come by. 19-06. Unfinished Business. Ms. Cowan stated that Madison Family Planning was very appreciative of the $100 donation from last month. Ms. Quigley read a thank you note they sent. Ms. Cowan asked if the Board would like to donate $100 again this month, or even multiple donations since we were not having another meeting until September. There was discussion on where to donate and how much. Several Board members mentioned a band that recently held a free concert at the AAC and a museum that the group recently visited on a trip. 2 6-18-24 AACAB Regular Meeting Active Adult Center Advisory Board June 18, 2024 Motion by Ms. Juska-Svoba, seconded by Ms. Bessler to approve donating $100 to the Royal Oak Concert Band and $100 to the Underground Railroad Museum. Yeas: Bessler, Juska-Svoba, Mowry, Ratliff, Salley, Smith and Quigley. Nays: None. Absent: Patton, Topping. Ms. Cowan stated City staff will start training on the new recreation software later today and it will hopefully go live in September. Ms. Cowan reported the congregate meal program is going well. She asked if anyone had compliments or suggestions to pass them along to staff. 19-07. New Business. Ms. Cowan stated that the advisory board elections were already mentioned in public comment, but she wanted to congratulate Ms. Juska-Svoba and Ms. Ratliff on being elected, Ms. Bessler on being reappointed and also thank Ms. Dalling and Ms. Scott for running. She stated she appreciates all of their hard work, input and guidance and she looks forward to continuing with the current Board. Ms. Cowan reminded the Board that we would all be doing the drive around and lunch for the summer Beautification awards on Tuesday, July 16 starting at 9:30 am, and to meet at the AAC. Ms. Ratliff wanted to say she is thankful the City Hall doors are now open during their staff’s lunchtime, and she enjoyed walking in the parade with the AAC bus. 19-08. Treasurer’s Report. Motion by Ms. Juska-Svoba seconded by Ms. Ms. Ratliff to approve the May Treasurer’s report. Yeas: Bessler, Juska-Svoba, Mowry, Ratliff, Salley, Smith and Quigley. Nays: None. Absent: Patton, Topping. 19-09. Council & Administration Updates. Councilor Wright stated there has been a lot of hearsay about GFL, and that nothing is set in stone yet, but it looks like GFL will be selling their residential 3 6-18-24 AACAB Regular Meeting Active Adult Center Advisory Board June 18, 2024 contract to Priority Waste. Residents will need to just continue doing what they are doing, putting their current waste and recycle bins out every week. The City was planning to go out to bid anyways coming up, and there is only one year left on the contract. Councilor Wright stated City Council passed the 2024-25 budget. Councilor Wright also stated they denied the special approval for Sheetz at 13 Mile and Dequindre. Councilor Wright reported City Council updated some ordinances and codes to make it easier to attract businesses and residents to the City. Ms. Juska-Svoba mentioned that she saw the old AAC was being demolished. Councilor Wright stated he was happy to see progress on our old property. Ms. Juska-Svoba and many other Board members talked about how difficult it was to see it coming down and the emotion that brought up, even though they knew it was going to happen. Councilor Wright stated he didn’t mean to seem insensitive, but he said it was difficult to see the dilapidated building just sitting there. Ms. Cowan stated she agreed even though she knew it was going to happen, that it was good to be moving forward, that she also wanted to recognize how hard it was to see the building being torn apart. That it was our home for many years. There were a lot of great memories made there, and it was okay to be sad even though we are making new memories and are grateful for our new building. Many Board members talked about their gratefulness for the AAC and the staff, thanking them and stating that they don’t know what their life would be without it. Ms. Cowan thanked them and stated staff was grateful for them as well, and that we are a family. Councilor Wright stated a car wash and new restaurant were being planned for the old AAC site, there is a new gas station where Steak and Shake used to be on Whitcomb and Amazon was still paying for their site, with no plan yet on something new going in there. Councilor Wright stated the City hopes to have the band shell in Civic Center Park up by September. Councilor Wright reported there would be an event on the Civic Plaza campus on September 14 with classic cars, food trucks, a kids area and a cooking competition. Mr. Ballantine reported that besides what Councilor Wright mentioned, GFL is running badly behind this week in service. Trucks and staff are having issues in this heat. He wanted to remind residents to leave their garbage out until it is picked up and he asked for patience. 4 6-18-24 AACAB Regular Meeting Active Adult Center Advisory Board June 18, 2024 Mr. Ballantine reported that it’s the first year the AAC will be involved in the City’s Festival in the Park, that the parking is limited at the Civic Plaza campus and to come early. Mr. Ballantine stated that DPS is looking for a full time mechanic and if anyone knew a possible candidate to let them know to look for the posting. Mr. Ballantine told the Board that the City has “Notify Me” and they could sign up for specific items or departments they would like to receive notifications on. Mr. Ballantine reported that City road work is going well. 19-10. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 2:20 pm. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 1:00 pm, but don’t forget we will meet on July 16 at 9:30 am for the Beautification drive around and lunch. Jennifer Cowan Active Adult Supervisor 5 6-18-24 AACAB