Senior Citizens Advisory Board

Adult Activity Center

Agenda — 19 items

1. 1 CALL TO ORDER
2. 2 ROLL CALL
3. 2 The meeting was called to order at 4:03 p.m.
4. 3 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
5. 4 A MOTION TO APPROVE THE JUNE MEETING MINUTES WAS MADE BY BOARD MEMBER THOMAS WELLS AND SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER JEAN CONNELLY. ALL IN FAVOR; PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. 4 Present: Thomas Wells Jean Connelly Judith "Jude" Alexander Olga Girod Javier Figueras Absent: Gerardo Alvarez: Excused
7. 5 MANAGER'S REPORT
8. 6 a. General Updates. Manager Walters provided an update on Adult Activity Center programming. He reported that participation in Mahjong continues to increase. To better accommodate the different levels and styles of play, Monday sessions will primarily focus on Chinese Mahjong, Thursday sessions will focus on American Mahjong, and Wednesdays will provide an opportunity for beginners to learn and practice. Volunteers are also working on a handbook to assist new participants. Manager Walters reported that the 1:30 p.m. pickleball session will be designated as beginner pickleball. Experienced players have volunteered to assist newer participants during the session. He noted that the beginner format has been successful in helping participants improve their skills before transitioning into regular open play. Manager Walters provided an update on the Visual Storytelling workshops and reported that the program has been well received. Due to the positive participation, the workshops will be offered twice per month. He also reported that the first Cooking with Norma program was successful and that an additional session will be held during Senior Week, with future sessions tentatively planned for October, November and December. Manager Walters reviewed the upcoming Senior Week activities with the Board. He advised that most activities will be offered at no cost, with the exception of the bouquet-arranging workshop, which will have a $20 participation fee. Registration will be required for lectures, while informational and outreach tables will be available on a drop-in basis. Manager Walters explained that most regularly scheduled classroom programs will be suspended during Senior Week to accommodate the special activities. Great Room fitness programs will generally continue, except on Friday, August 21, when the space will be used for Senior Week programming. The Board discussed participating in Senior Week by hosting an informational table to promote the Senior Citizens Advisory Board and provide residents with an opportunity to speak with Board members. Members discussed staffing the table on Thursday, August 20, and Friday, August 21. Manager Walters will coordinate with the Board regarding availability. Manager Walters requested the Board’s input regarding the Adult Activity Center’s holiday operating schedule. The Board discussed whether the Center should reopen on Saturday, December 26, and Saturday, January 2, following the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays. Members generally supported keeping the facility closed on those Saturdays due to historically lower attendance during the holiday period. b. Special Events. Manager Walters reported that the first Shared Pages creative writing presentation was held earlier that day and was well received. Participants shared original stories and other creative work developed through the program. Similar presentations may be considered in the future. Manager Walters provided updates on the upcoming Quinceañera celebration and the Western Roundup scheduled for September 18. He advised that resident ticket sales for the Western Roundup will begin August 24 and that the Gals are expected to perform. Manager Walters also reported that the next Saturday Cinema will be held September 5 and will feature An American in Paris. He noted that attendance varies depending on the film selection and encouraged Board members to provide recommendations for future movies. c. Administrative Updates. Director Couceyro provided an update on several Community Recreation Department projects. Phillips Park is tentatively anticipated to open in September and will include new pickleball courts, an outdoor fitness area, an artificial turf field and a new playground. The pavilion may remain closed while additional structural and roof-related work is evaluated. Director Couceyro reported that the War Memorial Youth Center was temporarily closed for scheduled maintenance. He also noted that damage caused by a palm tree falling onto one of the outdoor courts had been repaired. Cooper Park and Rotary Centennial Park remain in the procurement process, while the contract for the Granada Golf Course rain shelters is being finalized. Director Couceyro also discussed upcoming improvements to the Coral Gables Golf and Country Club pool deck. Director Couceyro reported that the Department’s summer camp season concluded successfully. He noted that the new soccer provider experienced increased participation throughout the summer and is expected to continue providing programming during the fall. Director Couceyro also discussed the Neighborhood Tennis management agreement and advised that the City is considering continuing the agreement while determining the long-term plans for the facility. He further discussed the development of a comprehensive master plan for the Country Club campus that would evaluate the Country Club, tennis center, Granada Golf Course, surrounding facilities and pedestrian circulation as a whole. Director Couceyro ended his report by notifying the board members that the community input collected regarding the proposed park at 520 University Drive will be presented to the City Commission for consideration and direction.
9. 7 NEW BUSINESS
10. 8 a. Senior$mart$ Program Board Member Thomas Wells introduced educational materials from the Florida Bar Business Law Section focused on fraud prevention and financial safety for seniors. The Board discussed using the materials to provide seniors with practical information on protecting themselves from scams, avoiding signing documents without first consulting someone they trust, and verifying suspicious calls by contacting financial institutions directly. The Board also discussed educating seniors on two-factor authentication and the importance of organizing passwords, account information and other important documents so a trusted individual can access them in an emergency. The Board proposed offering these educational sessions under the name Senior$mart$, with each session focusing on one or two topics. Manager Walters noted that fraud and scam-awareness programs are typically well attended. The first presentation was discussed for Senior Week on August 21, with future topics to be determined based on participant interest.
11. 9 OLD BUSINESS
12. 10 a. Final Art Show committee deadline by next meeting September 3rd. The Art Show committee will be required to submit any final suggestions for our Art show on Nov. 13th by the next Senior Board Meeting. The Board continued its discussion regarding the Annual Art Show. Members reviewed proposed revisions to the entry guidelines, including limiting each artist to a maximum of three pieces regardless of category. The Board also discussed requiring a minimum of five entries for a category to be judged independently. Categories receiving fewer than five entries could be combined into a miscellaneous or special category. Members also discussed discontinuing anonymous entries. Manager Walters reported that preparations for the Call for Artists, judging process and entry-tracking system were underway. The Board agreed that additional revisions were needed before final approval. The updated guidelines will be distributed to the Board and brought back for further discussion at the September meeting.
13. 11 DISCUSSION ITEMS
14. 12 a. Proposal for AAC Gals to be recognized as volunteers. Chairperson Judith Alexander discussed concerns raised by members of the Gals regarding recognition and volunteer benefits. Manager Walters reviewed the benefits currently provided to the group, including complimentary admission to events in which they perform, participation in the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, guest tickets, advance ticket opportunities, rehearsal space, and funding for costumes and related items. Director Couceyro agreed that the Gals should be recognized at the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. He explained, however, that transitioning the group to standard volunteer status would result in the loss of some of the benefits they currently receive. The Board discussed allowing Gals members who are interested in receiving additional volunteer benefits to perform volunteer duties outside of the performance group. Manager Walters advised that he would speak with the interested members to identify potential volunteer opportunities.
15. 13 ITEMS FROM THE SECRETARY
16. 14 The next meeting is schedule for Thursday, September 3rd at 4 p.m.
17. 15 ADJOURNMENT
18. 16 NOTE
19. 18 A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING WAS MADE BY BOARD MEMBER THOMAS WELLS AND SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER JEAN CONNELLY. ALL IN FAVOR; PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 5 P.M.