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Minutes 12-05-01MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2001 AT 7:00 P.M. Present Ron Washam, Chairman Joy Currier Michele Costantino Eddie Mitchell Brenda Lee Williams Hansome Jones, Alternate Stuart Heyer, Alternate Dan DeCarlo, Board Liaison Absent Blanche Girtman Beth Miller, Vice Chair I. Pledge of Allegiance Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Ms. Costantino led members in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. II. Roll Call - Regular Members and Alternates The roll was called and a quorum was declared present. II1. Recognition of Visitors Chairman Washam welcomed Ms. Elizabeth Jenkins. IV. Approval of Minutes: November 7, 2001 Regular Meeting Chairman Washam requested that the minutes approval should also include the minutes for the November 15, 2001 Special Meeting. Motion Mr. Mitchell moved to approve the minutes. Motion seconded by Ms. Currier and unanimously carried. Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL December 5, 2001 V. Agenda Approval Requested changes were as follows: Ms. Currier requested to add an item to thank all the people who donated turkeys for the Thanksgiving Day meal. This year 1,128 people were fed. Chairman Washam requested that this be added under Item Vi., Correspondence and Announcements. Ms. Costantino requested to add an item under New Business, which would be a discussion on the employment training in the CRA District. Chairman Washam thought that a representative from the CRA or the City's Planning Department should be present to answer any questions, if this topic were discussed. Mr. DeCarlo pointed out that Ms. Costantino was referring to the institute intended for the Heart of Boynton. The item has not been finalized and would be coming back to the City Commission for approval sometime in January. Ms. Costantino had concerns about how the program would work in light of the diversity of the neighborhood. Mr. DeCarlo said that the Board's January meeting date is the same night as the City Commission meeting. Therefore, the Board needs to select another date. He suggested that the Board meet on the following Wednesday, which would be January 9th. This will be further discussed prior to adjournment. Ms. Currier asked about the status of the Wilson Center renovations. Mr. DeCarlo said he would address this under New Business. Motion Ms. Costantino moved to approve the agenda, as amended. The motion was duly seconded by Ms. Centi and unanimously carried. VI. Correspondence and Announcements Ms. Currier thanked everyone who contributed turkeys for the Thanksgiving Day meal, with a special thank you to Anne Centi and in particular to Hansome Jones who collected 11 turkeys. Everyone who donated a turkey will be receiving a thank you letter. VII. Old Business None 2 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL December 5, 2001 VIII. New Business Ms. Currier inquired about the plans for the Wilson Center. Mr. DeCarlo responded that the City is committed to building a new Wilson Center. In addition, the Heart of Boynton plan will be a new beginning for the entire community north of Boynton Beach Boulevard. In conjunction with the Wilson Center, the City has applied for a grant to extend the Palmetto Green Park to the west side of Seacrest all the way to 1-95. The City will also be contributing funds to the project to acquire property needed for the Wilson Center expansion. It is intended that the Wilson Center will become the focal point of Poinciana Heights (currently called Cherry Hills). Chairman Washam said that this Board should be the watch guard to ensure that these projects move forward. Mr. Joe Gray, who conducted the neighborhood meetings for the Heart of Boynton, will be assisting in implementing the plan. Ms. Costantino asked Mr. DeCarlo to invite Mr. Gray to the Board's next meeting to allow members an opportunity to voice their concerns regarding the residents who would be displaced. Mr. DeCarlo pointed out that during many of the neighborhood meetings, there were not many residents that voiced disapproval about having to relo(~ate. Everyone displaced would be receiving move somewhere else. vouchers to Mr. DeCarlo pointed out that the institute and training through education will develop strong neighborhood organizations. Neighborhood meetings are scheduled to begin in February and Board members are encouraged to attend. Mr. DeCarlo will ask Mr. Gray to attend a Board meeting sometime after February. Ms. Costantino, Ms. Currier and Ms. Elizabeth Jenkins will work together to schedule a roundtable meeting for February or March. Mr. Mitchell had concerns that most of the CRA money will be used in the downtown area and very little money would be used for the neighborhoods. Mr. DeCarlo responded that when the Marina project comes on line, it is anticipated that over $1 million a year will go into the CRA for projects. The money generated by a CRA is to be spent in lower income neighborhoods. Chairman Washam called for a motion to change the January meeting date. Motion Ms. Costantino moved that the January meeting be changed from January 2, 2002 to January 9, 2002. The motion was duly seconded and unanimously carried. 3 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL December 5, 2001 IX. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden ReCording Secretary (one tape) (December 7, 2001) 4