SHELL POINT RESIDENTS’ COUNCIL

Attachments:
Summary of Proposed Amendments FAHSA

Pavilion Minutes (PDF)

Regular Meeting – Grand Cypress Room

October 1, 2008

ATTENDANCE BY COURT:

Arbor Martha Ryckman

Cameo Sharon Bermel

Cellana Bob Foote

Coquina Gene Loughran

Eagles Preserve Paul Williamson

Harbor Court Joan Perry

Junonia Shirley Naugle

King’s Crown Jim Butler

Lakewood Bill Staples

Lucina Warren Goodell

Macoma Pat Straup

Nautilus Mike Klein

Oakmont Guy McMillan

Palm Acres Ted Rodgers

Parkwood Floyd Jamison

Pavilion Nita DeWeese

Periwinkle Rob Waltz

Rosemont Richard Maass

Royal Bonnet Carol Palermo

Sand Dollar Gus Ormrod

Sundial Chris Gooden

Tellidora Anne Wills

Turban Dick Rockstroh

CALL TO ORDER AND OPENING PRAYER

Chairman Rockstroh called the meeting to order at 8:45 a.m. and Sharon Bermel gave the opening prayer.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Chairman Rockstroh announced that the next meeting would be in the Grand Cypress Room not in the Social Center as previously planned. There are still several inspections that are scheduled at the end of October for the Pavilion kitchen which will delay the use of the Social Center by a few more weeks.

ROLL CALL OF COURT REPRESENTATIVES

The roll was called with those present listed above.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2008, RESIDENTS’ COUNCIL MEETING AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA FOR TODAY

A motion was made and seconded that the minutes be approved. The motion carried with one abstention.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda, which passed unanimously.

STAFF REMARKS

PETER DYS

On a sad note, Dr. Dys announced that Dennis Bayes, who was the former CFO at Shell Point for 17 years had unexpectedly passed away. Dennis was an integral part of helping to develop Shell Point and a dear friend to many of us over the years. He will be greatly missed.

Dr. Dys said that he was pleased that no hurricane is in sight. As for the economy he said we should relax, that Shell Point investments are down, too, but that things should turn out OK. On occupancy he reminded us that this is a difficult time of the year, that September is always down but he expects October to be better. The bottom line is that we have 48 unsold units, a little higher than last year. 92.5% of the units are drawing fees and 96.6% are sold or occupied. One of the big concerns is that some people will say that they will close but have not yet set dates – these are down from 45 units to 33, and more closings are coming.

In the health area, the Arbor does not have any units available, King’s Crown has nine that are not occupied and the Pavilion has 148 occupied with room for 8 or 10. The renovation of the Pavilion is proceeding nicely with the first floor to be completed in December with the addition of 40 or so beds. King’s Crown renovations are on schedule and will be wrapped up in the early part of the year. The work at the church should be finished by the middle of November.

He noted that Amendment No. 5, which he discussed at the last meeting, was removed from the ballot by the Supreme Court decision, but there will be a series of other proposed Constitutional amendments. Information on the proposed amendments for the November ballot has been put together by the Florida Association of Homes and Services for the Aging to assist residents in their understanding of these proposed changes. Dr. Dys said that is factual without any bias and that we all should read it. A 60% vote is required to approve the amendments. This information is included with these minutes.

Dr. Dys then reported that the monthly maintenance fees will be increased by 5.4%. This is based on the CPI (Consumer Price Index) and the percentage increases at other retirement facilities will be much higher than at Shell Point. A formal notice will be sent to residents shortly.

TIM FICKER

Mr. Ficker first announced that on September 11 he became the grandfather of Jonathan Turner Adams. Council members extended their congratulations with hearty applause.

He then said that the November meeting of the Council will be in the Grand Cypress Room because of a delay in the inspection of the Pavilion renovation by AHCA, the state agency. He expects that that will be taken care of by the middle of November.

Mr. Ficker then reported that for the first time ever they will be conducting an independent employee survey in early February. They want to have an objective study of how our employees like working here because their attitudes are important to the lives of residents and this will give management guidance in helping employees. He also reported that the CARF-CCAC accreditation assessment, which they have been preparing for over the past six months, is expected to occur sometime in January or February. CARF-CCAC is a Washington DC-based organization that focuses on quality improvement and quality of services and care in healthcare organizations world-wide. They will bring a survey team to assess all aspects of Shell Point’s Operations. This accreditation is seen as the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval” in the retirement industry. Shell Point has been accredited for over fifteen years, having completed this assessment process twice before. New this year, Shell Point has applied to the CARF-CCAC for accreditation in three new specialized program areas: Person-Centered Care, Dementia Care, and Stroke Care. If successful, Shell Point will be the first retirement community in the country to be accredited in all of these programs.

He then reported that another test of the Code Red system, calling staff members (worked in 21 of 22 calls) and Court Representatives (worked in 31 of 33 calls), indicates that the

system is pretty strong. In some cases the residents called may have Caller ID which may account for some calls not being answered, since it may appear as a solicitation call. They will work with the Code Red providers to create a distinctive name that can be recognizable as Code Red on the Caller ID program.

Mr. Ficker then said that the plan to close down the various dining areas for periods of time during the summer months worked out well. They have encouraged employees to take vacations during the down times and they also utilize that time to conduct deep cleaning and other maintenance upkeeps. They are thinking about having table service in the Crystal Room two or three nights a week and continuing the buffet for other meals. Residents will be getting more information on this soon.

He then quickly mentioned several other items. The golf course lost very little business during the rains and it even took care of a large group of golfers for a tournament which was rained out at another course. He then noted that Fox Business Channel has been added on Channel 75 and they are talking with other cable suppliers for further additions to the channel choices. He said that fire inspectors required the closing off of the balconies in the King’s Crown atrium for safety reasons, which delayed the project somewhat. Overall, though, the King’s Crown renovation is going quite well. They are testing three sites in the Garden apartments with joint sealing and walkway coating and hope to determine the best solution within 30 days. He added that they are watching carefully what they are spending on projects around Shell Point so as always to have adequate cash on hand for necessary items.

Mr. Ficker then reported that some residents turn their thermostats off when they leave town and one resident recently returned to a moldy apartment after turning off their AC prior to leaving town. He asked us to stress to all residents the following message: WHEN RESIDENTS LEAVE THEIR APARTMENTS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, THE AIR CONDITIONING SHOULD BE LEFT ON AND SET AT 78 DEGREES.

Mr. Ficker then mentioned that Mary Franklin will be reporting on the Shell Point Olympics later in the meeting and responded to a few questions of general interest. Chairman Rockstroh then suggested that such questions be put in writing by Council members prior to the meeting. One question concerned the unusual number of power outages recently and Mr. Ficker said that they have been having a few problems due to the weather, the replacement of a generator that serves the Administration buildings, and some periodic outages due to FP&L testing, but all outages were very brief and not due to just one circumstance.

STEVE MINNIEAR

Mr. Minniear first passed out the morning assurance lists and then reported on the King’s Crown renovations, saying that the Dining Room is gorgeous. He mentioned the fountain and the dining room chairs as examples of gifts that have been given to Shell Point and that such gifts make a lot of difference and are greatly appreciated.

He then said that it is flu shot time and passed out the schedule for shots by Courts. Any who miss during any of the scheduled times can go on make-up day on October 25 at the Medical Center. He also mentioned that they will be sending out resident emergency contact sheets over the next several months and that it is very important that the information is correct and has all of the names and phone numbers of loved ones.

Mr. Minniear then reported that a new doctor of neurology and clinical neurophysiology, Dr. Naili Duan, will be seeing patients in the Arbor. He also mentioned that Dr. Tsai has asked if he could visit some of his patients in the Pavilion, indicating that these doctors are taking a real interest in our people, and said that having these doctors on the premises is special. He said that Dr. Hirchak has a goal of having 85% coverage of needed medical services located on our premises.

Mr. Minniear also reported that hospitals that injure their patients will no longer be reimbursed by Medicare for their errors beginning October 1.The list of medical errors for which payment will not be made includes the treatment of injuries that result from falls and traumas suffered inside hospitals, urinary tract infections from catheters, foreign objects left inside a person’s body during surgery, air embolism, blood incompatibilities, pressure ulcers  and other conditions.

In response to questions concerning the requirement that prescriptions for medication for Pavilion residents be filled at the Shell Point pharmacy: Mr. Minniear said that if medications were brought to the pharmacy in sealed and labeled containers, the pharmacy could (for a fee) prepare the medications for use by the Pavilion. Council members pointed out, however, that most supplies coming from former employer’s plans were not in sealed containers and therefore cannot be used in the Pavilion under existing rules. Mr. Minniear said that he would look into that. Joy Darnell will present further clarification at the November meeting.

MARY FRANKLIN

Ms. Franklin opened by saying that the Shell Point Olympics will be like the real Olympics. All residents will be included, including the Pavilion, King’s Crown and the Arbor. This is the first time this will have been done.

She said that Council members had packages in front of them which included material to make a Court Flag. When the Olympics start and the parade begins, Courts will be called out according to the year they started. The Court flag should have the Court name on it and the completed flags must be turned in by November 3. The flags are vertical flags, will be carried in at the opening ceremony by a pair of representatives and 6 to 8 additional Court members are invited to be in the procession. She will need a sheet with the names of those who will be marching in the procession. Everyone will have a T-shirt to wear when they march in. For the Pavilion, King’s Crown and the Arbor, decorating the flags will be one of their activities. Medals will be given for flags as well as events.

Complete information is in the October issue of Shell Point Life. Ms. Franklin said that it will be a great event and hopes that everyone will participate.

Ms. Franklin had two other reports. On October 1 the Train Room re-opens. She said that a lot of work has been done, it looks amazing, and it will be open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Courts can also plan their social events there.

Also, a new boat has been gifted by a resident to replace the old Susie Q. It is larger and beautiful and she suggested that residents sign up early for excursions on the new boat.

REPORTS OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF COURTS, KING’S CROWN, ARBOR AND PAVILION

Nita DeWeese reported that minutes of the September meeting of the Pavilion Auxiliary were handed to the Recording Secretary.

Rob Waltz, referring to his comments about Shell Point TV at the September Council meeting, said that he would like to commend Lynn Schneider and her team for the hurricane updates on SPTV from September 7 through September 10 on the status of Hurricane Ike. He said that the entire series was very well done – complete, timely and very helpful.

OLD BUSINESS

Code Red Concerns: This was handled by Mr. Ficker earlier.

Employee Christmas Fund Report: Chairman Chuck Durrell reported that to date they have about $50,000 in the Christmas Fund. He was interviewed on Shell Point TV by Karen Anderson, head of Human Resources, wrote an article for the November issue of Shell Point Life, and wrote two letters to be sent to Shell Point residents, the first to be sent with a Q & A sheet on October 16 and the second to be sent on November 18. All of this was discussed with his committee, Myrtle Hearn, Betty Mueller and Herb Wilcox, who were very helpful. He expressed his appreciation for Joan Perry’s willingness to again take over the distribution of the gifts to employees on December 12.

He thanked Carol Palermo for the amazing story of the errant opossum by six of our dedicated employees. The story was sent to Shell Point Life for inclusion in the November issue. He then stated that he hoped that the problems affecting the financial markets will not have a negative effect on contributions to the fund drive and the achievement of the goal of $450 to each full-time employee. Chairman Rockstroh asked all Court Reps to do everything they can to help.

NEW BUSINESS

There was not any.

SUGGESTIONS FOR THE GOOD OF SHELL POINT

Carol Palermo reported on an incident on September 14 when a funnel cloud came across the bridge into the lagoon. A young father and his son who were fishing from a boat got caught in the swirl of water, rain and lightning and were swept into the lagoon. Steve and Penny Modrich saw them and went out into the bad weather, and the father threw a line to Steve and Penny who pulled the boat in and tied it to the Nautilus dock railing. Then Steve and Penny took them to the laundry, guarded the door while they ran their wet clothes through the dryer, and then handed them a cell phone to call home. Carol felt that Steve and Penny should be recognized for their selfless good deed.

Gus Ormrod made some suggestions about traffic signage at the entrance to the Island followed by some other contributions on traffic by Council members. Mr. Ficker said that he understood the concerns and will take care of them.

There was also a brief discussion with some different points of view concerning the forms that had to be filled out by each court dealing with location and needs of residents during hurricane threats. It was suggested that the forms be available electronically with residents names already printed on the form. Mr. Ficker said that he would check into this.

COURT ELECTION PROCEDURE

Chairman Rockstroh reminded Council Members of the October items of the election procedures.

NEXT MEETING DATE

The next meeting of the Council will be at 8:45 a.m. in the Grand Cypress Room.

CLOSING PRAYER AND ADJOURMENT

The closing prayer was given by Sharon Bermel and the meeting was adjourned at 10:12 a.m.

Respectfully submitted, Earl Mallick, Recording Secretary

Attachments: Pavilion Auxiliary Minutes for September 4, 2008 meeting

Summary of Constitutional Proposals for November 2008 Ballot