Loading...
Minutes 11-17-01 MINUTES OF THE ADVISORY BOARDS FORUM HELD AT THE LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOM, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2001 AT 9:00 A.M. Steve Waldman Dorothy Davis Evelyn Geathers Hattie Miller Mary Morera Lori Wilkinson ~s Stern Willie Pearl Wilson Carlos Masso Ron Washam JOy Currier Elizabeth Jenkins Also Present: Dan DeCarlo Brian Edwards I. Call to Order Steve Waldman, Vice Chair of the Advisory Board on Children & Youth (ABCY), called the meeting to order at 9:13 a.m. and welcomed Mr. Brian Edwards, a guest from the community, who led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Vice Chair Waldman stated that he was standing in for Chairman St. John who could not be present. Mr. Waldman explained that the meeting would be an Open Forum and that it was an opportunity for the Boards to get to know about each other's projects and goals, share information, and possibly find ways in which they could assist each other. II. Board Reports A. Community Relations Board (CRB) Joy Currier, board member, stated that the CRB was the conduit for information and input from the citizens to the City Commission and Mayor. The Community Relations Board is the oldest board in the City and was founded by Blanche Girtman, who is still active on the board. The Community Relations Board does a lot of charitable work. This year, as they had done for the past twenty-five years, the CRB will assist HeadStart in the feeding of some Meeting Minutes ' Advisory Board Forum Boynton Beach, Florida November 17, 2001 1,200 shut-ins on Thanksgiving Day. The Police Department delivers the food that has been cooked and boxed at the HeadStart office. She asked for volunteers to help prepare the food packages for distribution. The Community Relations Board instituted a P.A.T.C.H. (Planned Approach to Community Health) program in Boynton Beach three years ago. Ms. Currier, Brian Edwards, Angela Girtman, and Beth Miller were instrumental in bringing this about. P.A.T.C.H. has provided immunization vans twice in the last year and over 200 people in the Boynton Beach community received shots. Vice Chair Waldman inquired about when the P.A.T.C.H. group met and Mr. Brian Edwards, member of the P.A.T.C.H. organization in Boynton Beach, responded that it met the third Wednesday of each month in Conference Room "C" in the west wing of City Hall at 7:00 p.m. He invited participation from all interested parties as they were always looking for Board and committee members. They have three active committees at this time: 1) a Data Gathering Committee where they are working on obtaining 501(3)(c) classification; 2) a Public Relations Committee which helps to publicize the immunization vans and other events; and 3) a Nominating Committee. The Boynton Beach P.A.T.C.H. organization works with the Palm Beach County Health Care District and has become one of the most active P.A.T.C.H. organizations in Palm Beach County. Ron Washam, Chairman of the Community Relations Board, stated that the P.A.T.C.H. organization had been formed in response to a pressing community need for a health outreach program, particularly in the central and northern parts of the City. For informational purposes, Mr. Washam stated that this area of the City has a minority representation of 38% and that Boynton Beach has one of the highest rates of new Haitian residents, making it the most diverse community in Palm Beach County. The CRB wanted to do something like a clinic and set about to accomplish that. Then they went on a fact-finding mission two years ago and spoke to other P.A.T.C.H. organizations and health facilities in other towns. They went to the South Florida Health Care District who said that education was the area of the highest need. They believed that the facilities were in place to take care of people if they knew where to go. Many people do not know where to go for proper health care and immunizations. The CRB hoped to come up with a place where people could go to find information about the wide range of health care and facilities available in Boynton Beach and Palm Beach County. Ms. Dorothy Davis, member of the ABCY, stated that the residents from the north end of the City had to go all the way to Delray Beach and surrounding cities to access any kind of human services. She asked if the CRB had looked into that. Mr. Washam stated that the CRB had wanted to have that kind of facility in Boynton Beach and had lobbied the appropriate legislators for it but that it had never materialized. He encouraged the citizens to be diligent about contacting their legislators to ask for what they wanted and needed. Ms. Davis thought that the City of Boynton Beach and the Representative for this area needed to lobby for this. Mr. Edwards acknowledged that the need was still there and the P.A.T.C.H. chairperson, Angela Girtman, remembered working on it in the past. He stated that the legislators and the people who offer grants all want to see statistics that show the need. The Children's Services Council, the Health Care District, the United Way, and several other people in Palm Beach County have just completed an Meeting Minutes ' Advisory Board Forum Boynton Beach, Florida November17,2001 extensive needs assessment. The P.A.T.C.H. group is putting that information together with its own surveys so it can do the best possible job of addressing the needs of the community. Mr. Edwards mentioned a great community need for pre-natal care, A.I.D.S. information, and classes in parenting skills. Ms. Elizabeth Jenkins thought that all of these plans would just put a dent in the needs of the area. She had been here for fifty years and had not seen much progress in Boynton Beach, attributing it to the administration of the City. She stated that it had taken 30 years to get a high school. Ms. Murphy asked if P.A.T.C.H. work overlapped the work done at LaCaridad, the health care facility serving the migrant workers in west Boynton Beach, and Mr. Waldman said that they provided different services. Mr. Edwards commented that when the P.A.T.C.H. facility opened, it might possibly overlap and would be open to the entire community. Ms. Stern thought that grants were available from the Federal government for health facilities that could provide assistance in the area of emergency preparedness and wondered if this could be a resource. Chairman Washam agreed that this was so. Mr. Dan DeCarlo stated that P.A.T.C.H. was about helping people recognize what they could do for themSelves. One large problem is that of determining eligibility for the various programs. Also, a lot of people do not have any medical insurance. They do not have the means to get to a doctor. They do not have dentists and do not know how to find dentists. Mr. DeCarlo remarked that one of the recommendations that had come out of the Heart of Boynton Plan was to work with the St. John's Community Development Corporation on the delivery of services in the community. That is what the citizens want and the City is making every effort to help them to do that, regardless of whether it is related to health or human services. He thought that it was the responsibility of the City to do a great deal but that it was also the responsibility of every citizen to be involved in his or her neighborhood, and in the community. If there is a problem, one should take positive steps towards reso!ving the problem. He added that the City does things with people, not for them. Mr. Washam commented that P.A.T.C.H. and the CRB recently held a workshop entitled "Health and Healing After 9/11." The Fire Chief from Delray Beach who was part of the south Florida response team was there. A psychologist came to talk about the after- effects of the event. Boynton Beach is the third largest municipality in the County and takes emergency preparedness very seriously. The City, along with Bethesda Hospital and the City Fire Department, are ready to handle whatever comes up. When he heard comments about having the City do "more," he commented that there had not been very many people calling to express concern about various issues. The CRB tries to monitor the number of people that have been calling with problems. Mr. Washam noted that the CRB would be doing its 30th annual Youth in Government Day in 2002 on the third Thursday in April. Students come in from the local schools to take over the government for a day. Ms. Girtman was also instrumental in starting this Meeting Minutes Advisory Board Forum Boynton Beach, Florida November 17, 2001 project. Mr. Waldman suggested that the high school newsletters could advertise this project. Mr. Carlos Massos, student member of the enthusiastic about the program but had never heard of it. be used to ABCY, was Mr. Washam also mentioned the Heritage project that brings light to the differences between the diverse populations in Boynton Beach and that plans were underway for the next one. He advised that the CRB meets the first Wednesday of the month in Commission Chambers at 7:00 p.m. and he invited all to attend. Ms. Stern suggested that the Youth Volunteer Bank might be able to help the CRB and that Sherri Claude in Recreation & Parks had a list of students. Ms. Morera agreed, saying that the youth were always looking for opportunities to volunteer. Mr. DeCarlo stated that the CRB had also taken a lead role in the City's Sister City program. In addition to the relation with Qufu, China, the City planned to initiate a similar relationship with the City of South Africa, with an emphasis on promoting democracy there. B. Recreation & Parks Board - Margaret Murphy, Board Member Ms. Margaret "Peggy" Murphy spoke of her experience on the Recreation & Parks Board. They were in the midst of compiling a Needs Assessment in the community that was being sent out to a random sampling of 3,600 families. She gave the other Boards a copy of the Needs Assessment and asked for input. She believed that the assessment was too busy, too long, and wouldn't get much response. Everyone agreed that the assessment was very detailed and comprehensive but that most people would not take the time to fill out such a long form. It was four pages long. Ms. Morera said they had done a survey that had been put on the back of the water bill that went out to all Boynton Beach residents and they had 875 responses, the most successful survey they had ever sent out. Brian Edwards inquired about the status of Intracoastal Park. Ms. Murphy said it had been discussed at every meeting for the last year. She spoke of delays in getting permits from the State and problems with the County and the South Florida Water Management District. The general feeling was that it had been taking a long time to do anything with the Intracoastal Park site and that it looked unsightly with the piles of fill on it. Evelyn Geathers referred to a member of a local amateur tennis circuit who was interested in working with the youth of Boynton Beach on a tennis program. He had spoken to the CRB and been referred to the Recreation & Parks Department. She hoped that he could make the same presentation to the Recreation & Parks Board. Also, he has money to help repair the tennis courts at Sara Simms and the Hester Center. Ms. Murphy stated that Mr. Majors would handle it if he came to see him. Ms. Miller thought Clyde Harris, who teaches tennis at the Hester Center, might be a contact for him. Ms. Jenkins spoke about how dangerous Sara Simms Park was for the children due to the drug activity surrounding it. 4 Meeting Minutes Advisory Board Forum Boynton Beach, Florida November 17, 2001 Ms. MurPhy advised that the Recreation & Parks Board meets on the fourth Monday of every month in the West Wing, Room "C", at 7:00 p.m. C. Senior Board - Elizabeth Jenkins, Board Member Ms. Jenkins reported slow progress on the Senior Advisory Board and noted that they only meet now and then. They were still struggling and trying to help as many seniors as they could but were waiting to see what the City was going to do with them. Ms. Murphy replied that the Senior Advisory Board was under the administrative arm of the Recreation & Parks Departments but that the Senior Center participants did not have to get approval for their activities from them. She also noted that the Senior Center definitely needed more room and that they were busy all the time. The participants discussed the various activities that are available at the Center, including day trips to interesting places in and around the City, Mr. Washam commended the Senior Advisory Board for their tremendous effort that had resulted in the current Senior Center but suggested that it was not yet time for them to "bow out." There will be many baby-boomers that will need services soon and there are still a great many seniors who do not leave their homes and do not have the services of a clubhouse. He referred to an incident once where an elderly visitor to the area had been asked to vacate a motel earlier than she had anticipated and had no other place to go, The Senior Advisory Board interceded for her and was able to get the motel operator to allow her to stay and even offered her an extended stay if she so desired. This was the kind of power that the Senior Advisory Board has that should be harnessed and put to use for the public good. The Senior Advisory Board would undoubtedly be needed in various governmental issues that would be coming up and he hoped they would stay active in the community. Ms. Stern commented on the need on the part of the community to give service and that new volunteers might provide the ideas, energy and action that would help to activate the Board. She advocated an ad in the Community section of the local newspaper for this purpose. The general consensus was that the various Board representatives were definitely in favor of having the Senior Advisory Board remain active and strong. Ms. Dorothy Davis asked what the ABCY could do to help the Senior Advisory Board get started again. Ms, Jenkins said that it was in the hands of the City. Other Board members suggested that the Senior Advisory Board could lobby for extended parking facilities and seek land acquisition opportunities also. The idea was broached to have a volunteer, possibly from the ABCY Volunteer Youth Bank, ride on the Shopper Hopper bus to help the seniors take their groceries or parcels into their houses from the bus. There are helpers in Leisureville, but not in the north end. Mr. Masso of the ABCY said he would love.to help the seniors in that way but he was aware of the liability issues surrounding such assistance. 5 Meeting Minutes Advisory Board Forum Boynton Beach, Florida November 17, 2001 D. Advisory Board on Children & Youth (ABCY) Mary Morera, Board Member, spoke regarding the Youth Volunteer Bank program, which maintains a database that lists about two hundred youth volunteers of all ages. The Board sends out mailings to all those that have filled out applications. The applications are available in City Hall or City Hall in the Mall. Once they have signed up, they get mailings periodically throughout the year for volunteer opportunities. They can also volunteer in their own churches and once their volunteer hours have been verified by a responsible adult, they can bank those hours in the City's program. At the end of the year, the youth volunteers and families are invited to an awards banquet where cash and savings bonds are awarded to the youth having the most volunteer hours. Usually the top fifty volunteers receive some kind of award. Local vendors make donations of cash, in-kind offerings, and gift certificates that the Board raffles off. Mr. Waldman noted that the ABCY also has a Bob Borovy award that is given at the annual Volunteer Youth Bank Banquet. Mr. Borovy was on the ABCY before his death and was a devoted supporter of children in the community. This award goes to a graduating senior who has made the greatest contribution in his or her school or religious community based on an essay and other criteria. The award this coming year will be $1,000 in cash. The Board also hosts a beautification project in the City. They painted the VFW building, built a butterfly garden in the rotary circle, and landscaped the area around the building. The Boy Scouts usually participate as a means of obtaining Eagle badges. Ms. Geathers spoke about the Board's project to beautify Rolling Green Elementary School. They plan to improve the landscaping, put in a butterfly garden, and perhaps paint a mural showing the children holding hands around the school building. They are also considering putting in a garden. The project will be on January 12 and 19. Mr. Waldman thought the youth volunteers might like to help with the project. Mr. Washam inquired if anyone was in attendance from the Education Advisory Board and there was not. He commented that Rolling Green Elementary School needed someone to serve on their SAC committee. Ms. Wilkinson stated that the ABCY sponsors Youth Expo, which is held at the Boynton Beach Mall every two years and is an opportunity for the youth in the community to display their talents. They have dance troupes, youth from karate schools, and high school marching bands. There are tables with information on opportunities for the youth to become involved with the Boy Scouts, Police Explorers, the PAL program, and other organizations. It is held in November every other year towards the end of the month. Mr. Waldman mentioned that they have a photo contest based on a theme, creative writing, photography, science projects, and art. The ABCY works hard to get major sponsorships for this program. Also, the ABCY has been working on establishing a teen center and re-establishing the Youth Council. Mr. Edwards expressed appreciation for the hard work of all the boards and wondered whether the youth volunteers could assist Mr. DeCarlo in his community gardening program. Mr. Waldman stated that if he had advance notice, something could be put in a newsletter in the middle and high schools. Ms. Morera stated that if the ABCY had sufficient notice for a specific date, they could do a postcard mailing to the volunteers. Meeting Minutes Advisory Board Forum Boynton Beach, Florida November 17, 2001 Other ABCY activities are the Paint Your Heart Out program and other activities such as beach cleanups. Ms, Wilkinson mentioned that the program covered all ages from 2 years up and that whole families come out and volunteer. Mr. Washam noted that the idea of advisory board forums had been around for a long time and that when the boards actually got together, there was usually a mutually profitable exchange of information. There being no further business to come before them, the Advisory Boards Forum was duly adjourned at I 1:00 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan Collins Recording Secretary (two tapes) (11/20/01 )