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SHELL POINT RESIDENTS’ COUNCIL Regular Meeting – Grand Cypress Room November 5, 2008 Pavilion Minutes ATTENDANCE BY COURT: |
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CALL TO ORDER AND OPENING PRAYER
Chairman Rockstroh called the meeting to order at 8:45 a.m. and Anita Deweese gave the opening prayer.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chairman Rockstroh announced that the forms on which residents record the number of volunteer hours they have served during the year should be picked up at the service desks, filled out and returned. He also announced that there will be a meeting of 2009 Court Reps on November 19 to elect two members of the Nominating Committee. The meeting will be held in the Manatee Room at 3:30 p.m..
ROLL CALL OF COURT REPRESENTATIVES
The roll was called with those present listed above.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 1, 2008, RESIDENTS’ COUNCIL MEETING
AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA FOR TODAY
A motion was made and seconded that the minutes be approved, which passed with one abstention. A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda, which passed unanimously.
STAFF REMARKS
PETER
DYS
Dr. Dys first mentioned that the renovations of the Pavilion, King’s Crown and the Village Church were all pretty well on target. He then said that he would like to spend some time discussing the economy and its impact on Shell Point and the on the residents.
He said that he had just returned from Tallahassee where he had been appointed to serve on the Governor’s Continuing Care Advisory Council which is a group of about a dozen that the Governor appoints to act as counsel to the Office of Insurance Regulation. The Office of Insurance Regulation supervises and monitors the retirement industry throughout Florida. They provide us with information on trends in the state of Florida. For example, there is no control on the number of facilities that can be built, and right now there are four retirement communities that are being contemplated for the Naples area alone. He said that he didn’t know how they could even think about building more facilities in this area right now with the economy the way it is. There are a number of bankers who fund such facilities on the committee and they said that there is no way that they can be funded right now. They normally require that 70% of the units be sold before they are allowed to go ahead, despite the fact that current occupancy of such facilities in the Naples area is in the 80% range. He mentioned a few other financial considerations, which the state takes into account in the authorization of new facilities and the operation of others, which serve to protect those who live is such communities. He also mentioned that he had been elected Chairman of the Council.
Dr. Dys then went into the current economic situation, saying that the financial impact on Shell Point is the same as what we feel individually and that we’re in it together. He reminded us that during our working years we saved our money so that we could live comfortably during retirement, so when we get there we shouldn’t panic if we have to spend some of it. Some may have invested aggressively and realized substantial losses and think about moving their money, but this just changes a paper loss into a cash loss. He said that he has had a few residents come to him and it is just something we have to work on together. He said that this is the third adverse financial situation which Shell Point has experienced in his time at Shell Point and we just have to work through these problems together. Shell Point has seen about a 25% reduction in its investments. That is without any very aggressive investments and in fact Shell Point is completely out of investment in stocks at this time.
Dr. Dys said that Shell Point has been able to have a significant impact on the housing crisis that has been facing us for the last year and a half. The discounts we have offered have helped to offset the losses prospective buyers are seeing on their side. An example of the type of people we are attracting was seen in the two sales made the day before the Council meeting to people with whom we have had contacts for over seven years. Dr. Dys said he is often asked why we are advertising when we are full, and this is a good example. He said that we are 92.9 % occupied against a budget of 90.7% and 88.7% occupancy last year. Offsetting that to some extent is that we are selling more B contracts, which have lower Founder’s Fees and monthly maintenance fees, so we need more in the way of sales to maintain higher occupancy rates. At the present time the number of our employees is 15 below budget and we have to monitor that carefully.
Dr. Dys also pointed out that 96.7% of all units are sold or occupied against 93% for the industry, that the 5.4% increase in monthly payments which was held at CPI compares with a 5.8% increase in Social Security payments, that none of our employees have been laid off and that they were extremely pleased with the 3% increase in salaries. He cited a number of other increases in costs of goods and services which Shell Point is experiencing while holding the increase in monthly maintenance fees to 5.4%. He noted managements understanding of concern regarding escalating costs and they are monitoring expenses carefully.
He closed with the hope that everyone would have a Happy Thanksgiving.
TIM FICKER
Mr. Ficker first mentioned the Shell Point Olympics. He said that he was very excited about the Olympics and was impressed by the incredibly well done flags for the Courts which he saw in Mary Franklin’s office. He said that when Mary came up with the idea she was concerned that there might not be enough participation, but she already has had more than 400 residents signed up. He said that it will be a very busy and fun week.
He then said that Lynn Schneider and Jared Pike were planning a video, like the one done on the history of Shell Point, which would identify residents who make Shell Point so special. They need help from the Residents Council in taping this video. They want to write more about people than facilities and wish to schedule brief video sessions with each Court Rep and anyone from their court that they would like to invite along. He said that Jared will be calling Council members to schedule video sessions over the next few days.
Mr. Ficker then reminded Council members about the importance of keeping the Shell Point campus smoke free except for a few designated spots. A staff member recently saw a resident’s guest smoking behind the Commons and advised him of the no-smoking policy. The guest was pleasant and said that he would comply, but that was a spot at which a fire later broke out.
He also said that he hoped that Council members have noticed a different attitude at the gate houses. They are trying to get the security people to be more friendly and visible. He asked Council members to give them a wave and a big smile to encourage them to do likewise.
He then said that John Dattilo had left us about a month ago and that Dianne Morton now has security under her responsibility. They are in the process of hiring a security supervisor to work with Dianne.
In response to a concern raised last month, they are also in the process of repainting stop lines on the roads around campus and will be reviewing the proper height and placement of stop signs.
In response to concern about the hurricane form, Mr. Ficker said that they will be reviewing it before next hurricane season to make it more user friendly. He also thanked Council members for their behind the scenes help with the Employees Christmas Fund drive under the direction of Chuck Durrell and asked them to do whatever they could to support the effort.
Mr. Ficker also encouraged support of the golf tournament to benefit the memory care unit, and asked members to encourage visitors over the holidays to use the Guest House and Country Inns and Suites.
Mr. Klein urged more support of conservation efforts and Mr. Ficker noted that Scott Moore was recently on Shell Point TV supporting conservation.. Mr. Ficker also mentioned recycling as another segment of conservation which should be supported and that consideration is being given to offering an Academy class on it.
Mr. Goodell mentioned a concern about fire doors and response to fire alarms, and Ms. Palermo suggested that signs should be posted supporting recycling whenever apartments are being cleaned after deaths or moves, saying that she has signs for recycling.
STEVE MINNIEAR
Mr. Minniear distributed the morning assurance lists. He then started by saying how great it is and how blessed he is to live and work here.
He reported that there are two vacancies in the Pavilion and they keep informed about how many Shell Point residents are in the hospital so that they will be sure to have space available in the Pavilion when they are released from the hospital.
Mr. Minniear said that there is now a wait list at the Arbor and one vacancy at King’s Crown. He commended Rita Southern for the fine work she is doing, especially in planning and anticipation of needs.
He then reported on the renovation at King’s Crown which is going quite well. He said that it gives him an odd feeling not to see the long chandelier hanging there, but with all of the changes, the Grand Salon will be a gorgeous area. It should be finished by the end of the first quarter of 2009.
The Pavilion work is close to being completed. We should be finished with the construction by the second, week of December and then after final approval, we could be back in the first floor by the second week of January.
They had a little celebration a few days earlier because the kitchen in the Pavilion is finished. They recognized all of the cooperation from the staffs of the other kitchens at Shell Point and are very thankful for the wonderful facility in the Pavilion. He said that Al Slickers had done a great job in coordinating the entire project.
Mr. Minniear then referred to Norman Vincent Peale who coined the word “possibilitarian”, saying that it could be applied to the Pavilion Auxiliary members. He said that it was beyond his imagination what they would not have been able to do without the tremendous assistance from the Auxiliary. They were there every step of the way moving residents, helping them settle in and everything else involved in the floor-by-floor renovations. They had no complaints from any residents about the moves and couldn’t have done it without the help of the Auxiliary.
He also praised the Auxiliary for the gift of a computerized program called “It’s Never 2 Late” which provides adaptive computer systems for senior living communities. The technologies have been developed to jump-start wellness as well as physical and cognitive health programs. All applications are designed to engage residents and create excitement in order to maximize community participation; promote independence and lifelong learning; connect residents with the greater community; and enhance the relationships of the residents with their families and friends.
The auxiliary provides many services for the Pavilion which we would not otherwise be able to do. He asked that when you see people with blue jackets, thank them. They are friends helping friends.
Mr. Minniear was then asked whether the Social Center work will be completed before the holiday activities begin. Chairman Rockstroh pointed out that the next meeting of the Council is planned for the Social Center and the expectation is that the work will be finished by then.
There was then a discussion about the difficulty of weighing people in wheelchairs which was inconclusive, and Mr. Lanpher asked about the use of the contribution that Oakmont made to the renovation and development of the Alzheimer’s garden. Mr. Minniear said that it will be on the second floor of the rehabilitation center and connected to the Memory Care Unit when it is completed. He then referred to the questions which he had been asked last month about the filling of prescriptions and said that he had asked Joy Darnell to come to the meeting to discuss the handling of prescriptions.
JOY
DARNELL
Ms. Darnell said that she has been here for nearly 12 years, having opened the pharmacy in 1997. At this time the pharmacy accepts about 90 traditional prescription plans and all of the Medicare Part D plans which are available in Florida. She said that when anyone moves to Shell Point she endeavors to accept their plans and are almost 100% successful.
Ms. Darnell discussed some other aspects of managing the Pharmacy but quickly got to the concern that seemed to be most on the minds of Council members, the possibility of using the pills which many residents get in 90 day packages in the Pavilion. She said that residents who get a 90 day supply of pills can get them dispensed by the Pavilion if they bring the pills or capsules to the pharmacy in the UNOPENED PACKAGE in which they came to the resident. This means as it is received in the mail – do not open the outer packaging. In that case the pharmacy can then dispense them to the resident in the Pavilion for a charge of fifteen dollars per month per medication. This revelation appeared to answer the question which many residents have been concerned about, and it was suggested that Ms. Darnell might appear again on Shell Point TV to explain this, or perhaps better yet, write a detailed explanation which can be distributed to residents.
REPORTS OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF COURTS, KING’S CROWN, ARBOR AND
PAVILION
Nita DeWeese reported that minutes of the October meeting of the Pavilion Auxiliary have been handed to the Recording Secretary.
OLD BUSINESS
EMPLOYEES CHRISTMAS FUND:
Chairman Chuck Durrell reported that they had received $127,000 by the end of October, a little less that last year. They have received around 300 gifts for an average of about $425 per gift. He will appear in an interview by Mr. Ficker which will appear on SPTV soon. Several articles have appeared in Shell Point Life, Arbor Notes, Crown Chronicle and Pavilion Press. Boxes for receiving gifts have been set up at reception at all front desks and reception desks. The second letter this fall will be going out to all residents in mid-November and notices will be posted on bulletin boards towards the end of the month. Joan Perry is sending out letters to Court reps requesting names of residents who are willing to pass out the gifts on December 12, and Mr. Durrell is sending letters to Court reps asking that they encourage their residents to thank the wonderful employees by contributing. In response to a question from the Chairman, Joan said that she has been doing this for about nine years. Before the residents participated in distributing the gifts, they were given to the employees by their supervisors.
Chairman Rockstroh asked Court reps to do themselves a favor by participating in the gift distribution if they have not done so in the past.
NEW BUSINESS
Chairman Rockstroh said that Ted Rogers has agreed to serve as Chairman of the Nominating Committee for 2009 officers. He asked for a motion to approve Ted’s appointment to that position. The nomination was moved, seconded and passed unanimously.
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE GOOD OF SHELL POINT
Mr. Maass suggested that the trees along the road in the Woodlands be trimmed primarily for safety reasons. The trees block the street lights making it dark for those who walk in the early morning and nighttime.
Carol Palermo said that a resident has asked about the ATM machine by the bank and was told that the bank has not yet advised us. Mr. Ficker said that no date has been set by the bank.
Gus Ormond asked when repairs of the walkways will be undertaken. Gene Loughran reported that a contract has been signed and that work will begin next week.
Warren Goodell expressed appreciation for having the shrubbery along the road coming into Shell Point trimmed.
COURT ELECTION PROCEDURE
Chairman Rockstroh asked members to see that each Court provides information on who the Court reps and alternates will be for the coming year so that he can get a list together to invite to the November 19 meeting to elect a nominating committee and have orientation. The meeting will be at 3:30 p.m. in the Manatee Room.
NEXT MEETING DATE
The next meeting of the Council will be on December 3 at 9:00 a.m. in the Social Center.
CLOSING PRAYER AND ADJOURMENT
The closing prayer was given by Anita Deweese and the meeting was adjourned at 10:12 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Earl Mallick, Recording Secretary
Attachment: Pavilion Auxiliary Minutes for September 4, 2008 meeting.