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Minutes 01-09-02 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD HELD IN CITY HALL, CHAMBERS, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2002 Present Ron Washam, Chairman Beth Miller, Vice Chairperson Anne Centi Michelle Costantino Joy Currier Blanche Girtman Eddie Mitchell Anna Noe Brenda Lee Williams Dan DeCarlo, Staff Liaison Hansome Jones, Alternate (participated from audience) I. Opening, Pledge of Allegiance The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. and Ms. Blanche Girtman led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. II. Roll Call - Regular Members and Alternates The Recording Secretary called the roll and declared that a quorum was present. III. Recognition of Visitors Chairman Washam extended a welcome from the Community Relations Board to Ms. Elizabeth Jenkins. IV. Approval of Minutes of December 5, 2001 Motion Ms. Costantino moved to approve the minutes of the December 5, 2001meeting as submitted. Ms. Currier seconded the motion that carried unanimously. V. Agenda Approval The following items were added to the agenda: discussion to select a new monthly meeting date for the Board selection of date for Youth & Government Day discussion of AmeriCorps program January 16, 2001 Heart of Boynton Follow-up meeting at Wilson Center Meeting Minutes ' Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida Januaw 9,2002 Motion Ms. Costantino moved to accept the agenda as amended. Vice Chair Miller seconded the motion that carried unanimously. VI. Correspondence and Announcements 1) Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday Celebration Events Ms. Currier announced that HeadStart would be having a program to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 18, at 2:00 p.m. at the HeadStart Center, 909 N,E. 3rd Street. Ms. Girtman announced that there would be a dinner at the Catalina Center on January 20 at 7:00 p.m. On JanUary 21, there will be a prayer walk beginning at 7:00 a.m., proceeding from Railroad Avenue to Poinciana, followed by a breakfast at the Wilson Center at 8:00 a.m. 2) AmeriCorps Ms. Centi explained that this program had been started during the Clinton Administration and that it was similar to the Peace Corps. They tutor children, protect the environment, help build homes for Iow-income families, help restore coastlines, and assist families that have been torn apart by domestic violence. They are looking for volunteers from ages 18 to 55 and Ms. Centi gave all the information to Mr. DeCarlo. There is a training period that laSts eight weeks. VII. Old Business None VIII. New Business 1) Youth in Government Day Chairman Washam noted that this year would mark the 30th anniversary of the program and that in light of that, this year's program should be a special one. The consensus of the Board was that they wanted the program to be open to as many students as possible. One way of doing this would be to expand the number of hosts beyond the set number of 16-20 people. For example, it was suggested that Mr. DeCarlo could be a host in addition to the City staff that normally does the hosting. Chairman Washam suggested that the members contact the schools individually and in person, since that approach had been successful in the previous Youth in Government Day. A Youth in Government Day committee was formed consisting of Michelle Costantino, Anna Noe, Joy Currier, and Dan DeCarlo. Blanche Girtman and Chair Washam will assist as needed. The Advisory Board on Children & Youth and the Education Advisory Board will be notified and encouraged to participate. The event is scheduled for April 25, 2002, which conflicts with the Advisory Board on Children & Youth's use of the Chambers on that evening; however, this will be investigated and resolved by staff. 2 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida January9,2002 2) Change Date of Monthly Meeting After discussing the varioUs conflicts with the current meeting schedule, the Board believed that a change to thb second Wednesday of the month would be beneficial. Motion Ms. Girtman moved to change the normal meeting of the Community Relations Board to the second Wednesday of the month. Ms. Costantino seconded the motion that carried 7- 1, Ms. Currier dissenting. 3) Heart of Boynton Follow-Up Meeting Mr. DeCarlo noted that there had been a very positive article in the paper on January 8, which highlighted the positive changes that had been occurring in the Heart of Boynton neighborhood. A meeting is planned for 7:00 p.m. on January 16, 2002, at the Wilson Center, to discuss the implementation of the Heart of Boynton process. The consultants will be there to offer assistance and guidance. The primary task will be to begin organizing the neighborhoods and giving leadership training. Mr. DeCarlo encouraged the Board members to attend. IX. Other 1) Chairman Washam welcomed the Board's newest member, Anna Noe. He said that Ms. Noe had a long history of public service, running for office herself and assisting others to do so as well. He said the Board was honored to have her knowledge and input. Ms. Noe stated that she had moved to the area in 1953 and had gone to school in what is now the Schoolhouse Museum. She had been a nurse for many years and then pursued and earned a law degree. Ms. Noe expressed enthusiasm about being on the Board. 2) The Board discussed the City's plans for Barton Memorial Park and its Greenways linkage. Ms. Girtman expressed dismay about the volume of trash being dumped on 5th Avenue south of the Park and inquired whether a clean up of this area would be part of the program. Mr. DeCarlo noted that this area had been a problem for a long time. The City does not pick up trash on vacant lots and this is an issue that Mr. DeCarlo is actively involved with and is trying to resolve. The prospect of billing the property owner for any clean up by the City was discussed, but Ms. Girtman did not believe the property was privately owned. Mr. DeCarlo expressed his belief that the renovation of the neighborhood would not be complete until the issue of the trash had been dealt with effectively. 3) Ms. Girtman inquired when the City planned to start advertising for the upcoming HeritageFest and Mr. DeCarlo declared that the plans had not been finalized. He offered to bring the schedule of events to the Board's next meeting. 4) Ms. Girtman invited everyone to attend the events for Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday that were being sponsored by the Friends & Family of St. Paul AME Church on Sunday; January 20, at 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. 3 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida January9,2002 X. Next Meeting The next meeting of the Community Relations Board is set for February 13. (After the meeting, Mr. DeCarlo obtained approval from the City for this change in meeting day for the Community Relations Board.) Xl. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was duly adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan Collins Recording Secretary (one tape) ( 1/10/02) 4