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Minutes 01-24-02MINUTES OF THE ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2002 AT 7:00 P.M. Present Steve Waldman, Vice Chairman Evelyn Geathers Welton Sanders Lori Wilkinson Carlos Masso, Student Phyllis Stern, Alternate Willie Pearl Wilson, Alternate Absent Hattie Miller Shanna St. John, Chairperson I. Call to Order Sherri Claude, Assistant to the Recreation Director I1. Moment of Silent Prayer/Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, led by Lori Wilkinson, followed a moment of silent prayer. III. Approval of Minutes of December 20, 2001 Ms. Wilkinson referred to Page 2, Item C, Visiting Speakers Program, and asked that her name appear in place of Vice Chair Waldman's as the person who would be contacting the Police Department about their current programs. Motion Ms. Wilkinson moved to accept the minutes of the December 20, 2001 meeting as amended. Ms. Stern seconded the motion that carried unanimously. IV. Announcements/Presentations/Correspondence A. Board Dinner Vice Chair Waldman announced that the annual dinner in appreciation for the volunteers who serve on the City's advisory boards would be held on April 3, 2002 at Benvenutos Restaurant. In the absence of Chair St. John, Steve Waldman, Vice Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Meeting Minutes Advisory Board on Children & Youth Boynton Beach, Florida January 24,2002 B. Youth in Government Day- April 25, 2002 Since the April 25, 2002 Youth in Government Day event will be held in the Chambers on the Board's regular meeting date, the Board decided to change the date of their meeting. Motion Mr. Masso moved to change the April meeting to April 18. The motion was seconded by Welton Sanders and carried unanimously. Ms. Sherri Claude read in the Community Relations Board meeting minutes that Ron Washam would be contacting the Education Advisory Board and this Board to solicit participation in this event. Ms. Wilkinson will speak with Mr. Washam about what kind of help they need. V. Old Business A. Volunteer Project at Rolling Green Ms. Geathers reported that Parks Department Staff directed her to Steve Huggins. Ms. Claude stated that she had spoken to Mr. Huggins and that he would be meeting with the Scout and visiting the site to come up with a list of materials that would be required. Ms. Geathers noted that the Parks Department seemed to think that the project would be restricted to the parking lot area. When Ms. Geathers had tried to discuss the butterfly garden and painting project with the principal, Dr. Voss, she was directed to the Parks Department. She thought Dr. Voss might be concerned about vandalism since the previous butterfly garden had been destroyed. Chair Waldman suggested involving the youth in building the butterfly garden so they would have a sense of ownership of it. Ms. Geathers was going to try to visit with Dr. Voss again. Vice Chair Waldman asked Ms. Geathers to let him know when the meeting was and that he and/or Shanna St. John would try to be there. Vice Chair Waldman stated that they had received a grant to do this project and that the parking lot area would not be enough to use the grant money. He hoped to speak with Mr. Huggins and Ms. Hall and try to get a date. He also noted that there were already several things going on in February surrounding HeritageFest and that March might be a good time to do this project. B. Youth Council Vice Chair Waldman attended a workshop on January 19 about the Youth Council along with Lori Wilkinson, Welton Sanders, and Phyllis Stern. The Board discussed the conclusions and recommendations of the meeting which were: 1) 2) 3) The Youth Council should be started again with the new school year. It is critical to establish a vision, mission, and goals first. The middle school youth will be the subject of concentration. Meeting Minutes Advisory Board on Children & Youth Boynton Beach, Florida January 24,2002 4) The Board should attend a meeting of the Delray Beach Youth Council to observe. Ms. Wilkinson was not sure whether it would be a good idea to change the focus from high school students to middle school students. The opinion was expressed that middle school youth would be more amenable to guidance and would have more time on their hands than high school students. Ms. Stern suggested an incentive system where in their sophomore year; students could become Captains and serve as guides for the younger students. She believed this would be an incentive for the students to stay a little longer with the program. Vice Chair Waldman stated that the Delray Beach Youth Council meets every other Tuesday and a group of Board members volunteered to go: Phyllis Stern, Mary Morera, Carlos Masso, and Welton Sanders. Vice Chair Waldman will also attend. He will inquire regarding the meeting details and asked that the participants call him to get the exact date and time. C. Youth Volunteer Banquet The Board discussed Chair St. John's request to have the Youth Volunteer Banquet on June 1, 2002. The general feeling was that it was too close to the last day of school and that attendance might be a problem due to school-ending activities. The Board decided to hold this event on May 18, 2002. Ms. Claude will look into getting a DJ for the event. There is a possibility that one can be found that will donate his or her time. Vice Chair Waldman announced that sponsors are needed for the event. Ms. Claude stated that she had a sponsor list and that she would send out letters requesting contributions. Ms. Claude will attach a list of current sponsors to the minutes of this meeting so that it can be sent to the Board member~. She also advised that the Board's budget was "in the hole" at present for the Youth iVolunteer Banquet. The City has budgeted around $1500 for the food and decorations, but any sponsorships or in-kind donations for prizes would be appreciated. Ms. Claude will report back to the Board at their next meeting on this issue. Mr. Sanders asked Ms. Claude to add his employer to the list of potential sponsors and she agreed. Ms. Wilkinson inquired whether the businesses received tax breaks for donations. The consensus was that they did not since this was not a non-profit or a charitable organization. Ms. Stern asked that the Board be furnished with letters that they could take with them when visiting potential sponsors. Ms. Claude will also include copies of the sponsorship letter with the minutes. D. Bob Borovy Award Ms. Claude reported that the applications had been printed and distributed, along with packets of information. Vice Chair Waldman brought some packets to Santaluces High School and Lake Worth Christian School. Boynton Beach Community High School will not have seniors until next year. Vice Chair Waldman asked that the Board solicit 3 Meeting Minutes Advisory Board on Children & Youth Boynton Beach, Florida January24,2002 donations for this award as well. Ms. Morera will contact the VFW and ascertain whether they would be willing to continue their donation. Vice Chair Waldman stated that he would mention this award at the next City Commission meeting and advise that the Board would be willing to accept any donations for the award. E. Visiting Speakers Program The Board determined last month that they wished to find out more about a program that Ms. Wilkinson mentioned that was taking place in Lantana Middle School and put on by the Lantana Police Department. The program was entitled Victims and Aggressors. Ms. Wilkinson advised that she learned that Officer Frank Danysh was the officer in charge of education. She tried to reach him several times and left messages, but she did not connect with him. Vice Chair Waldman spoke to Chief Marshall Gage and Lt. Chris Yannuzzi about this, and got a phone call from Sgt. Snyder. Basically, the program that Ms. Wilkinson had recommended about Victims and Aggressors was a follow-up program from what used to be called D.A,R.E. and then Y.E.S. There is a program in place at Congress Middle School and they do talk to the parents. They also have an Explorer Program for the youth. They felt that they were covering the bases in this area. Ms. Wi kinson said that she would like to have someone come to the Board and speak about it. She wanted to hear what it was and how it was working and whether it made any difference. She heard that the Lantana Middle School had experienced a great deal of success with this program. The principal of Lantana Middle stated that the youth felt safer and more informed about the issue. Vice Chair Waldman suggested that Ms. Wilkinson telephone Sgt. Snyder at the Boynton Beach Police Department and advise him that the Board wanted to have this group come in to speak. Mr. Masso commented that Ofc. John Huntington was another officer involved with teens and education. Vice Chair Waldman wanted to do a forum for the community and will locate his list of colleges and speakers and forward it to the Board members, with recommendations for a few speakers/topics and ask the Board members' opinions. Once there is agreement on the topics/speakers the Board wishes to hear, Vice Chair Waldman would contact the speakers and determine their fees and availability. Ms. Wilkinson remarked that the Board was interested in getting information. They did not necessarily want people to make presentations that were geared towards asking the Board for assistance. F. Youth Expo- Preliminary Plans Ms. Claude advised that the Palm Beach Post has agreed to provide $600 plus in-kind advertising. She had not heard from Washington Mutual or Hunters Run. Ms. Stern offered to follow up on the Hunters Run request. The event is planned for October 26 and 27 of 2002. Ms. Claude advised that there was a verbal commitment from the Mall but that something should be obtained in writing. Vice Chair Waldman stated that he had sent a typewritten request to the Mall asking for certain dates and times for HeritageFest and that he assumed the process would be the same for Youth Expo. Ms. Claude will put the request in writing to the Mall. 4 Meeting Minutes Advisory Board on Children & Youth Boynton Beach, Florida January24,2002 Ms. Wilkinson suggested that the Mall might not be the best place to hold this event since after they renovated the Mall, they no longer had a place for a stage or a dance floor. Vice Chair Waldman asked the Board members to go to the Mall and see for themselves whether or not they thought it would be conducive to the success of this event. G. Other None VI. New Business None VII. Next Meeting The next meeting will be on February 28, 2002. VIII. AdJournment There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was duly adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan Collins Recording Secretary (one tape) (1/31/02)