Minutes 07-11-01 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD
HELD IN CONFERENCE ROOM C, WEST WING, CITY HALL,
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON JULY 11, 2001 AT 7:00 P.M.
Present
Ron Washam, Chairman
Beth Miller, Vice Chair
Joy Currier
Blanche Girtman
Eddie Mitchell
Juanita Summers
Brenda Lee Williams
Absent
Anne Centi
Hansome Jones
Stuart Heyer
I. OPENING, Pledge of Allegiance
Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Mr. Mitchell led the
members in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
I1. ROLL CALL - Regular Members and Alternates
The Recording Secretary called the roll and a quorum was present.
III.
None
IV.
RECOGNITION OF VISITORS
JUNE 6th, MINUTES APPROVAL
Motion
Ms. Girtman moved to approve the June 6, 2001 minutes. Motion seconded by
Vice Chair Miller and unanimously carried.
V. AGENDA APPROVAL
Ms. Currier requested the addition of Item D under Old Business, HeadStart
Graduation.
Meeting Minutes
Community Relations Board
Boynton Beach, FL
July 11, 2001
Motion
Vice Chair Miller moved for approval of the Agenda, as amended. Motion
seconded by Ms. Summers and unanimously carried.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chairman Washam referred to a letter from Mayor Broening to former member,
David Katz thanking him for his service on this Board. Mr. Katz is now a member
of the Nuisance Abatement Board.
Vice Chair Miller announced that on Saturday, August 25, 2001, PATCH has
scheduled an immunization van for the Wilson Center.
Vice Chair Miller announced that the Dick Webber Center for Child Abuse is
holding a raffle for a 2001 Harley Davidson Fat Boy or $15,000. All proceeds will
benefit the child abuse prevention programs in Palm Beach and Broward
Counties. Tickets are $25.00 each. The drawing is scheduled for December 1,
2001.
VII. OLD BUSINESS
A. PATCH Steering Committee
Vice Chair Miller reported on the following:
Bylaws were established and approved.
The budget is being prepared.
A selection process for choosing members to the steering committee is being
formalized.
The Palm Beach Post printed a very informative article on the PATCH
Program last week.
Ms. Currier reported that flyers were placed in all the schools, supermarkets
and other establishments throughout the City.
There is a concerted effort to attract steering committee members, as well as
regular members.
A need's assessment will be undertaken.
Mr. DeCarlo is working on obtaining grants.
Ray Adams, Senior Community Planner for the County and the technical adviser
for all the PATCH programs, attended Saturday's events and was very pleased
with the results.
Mr. Brian Edwards, a member of the PATCH Steering Committee, joined the
meeting and reported that a member of the Haitian Community and Ms. Ellen
2
Meeting Minutes
Community Relations Board
Boynton Beach, FL
July 11,200'1
Davis, representing the nurses from Bethesda Hospital, attended the last
meeting. Ms. Davis would like to see the Hospital and the community work
together on addressing the needs of the people. Letters will be sent to the
Chamber of Commerce and Bethesda Hospital seeking more expertise in the
areas of health care, mental health and clergy. A copy of the minutes from the
last PATCH meeting was distributed.
Ms. Girtman felt that the issue of children's mental health needs attention and
she would like PATCH to make this a priority. Chairman Washam acknowledged
that PATCH is very well aware of this issue and will be focusing on mental
health, as well as physical health.
Vice Chair Miller said she spoke to Police Chief Gage about holding some town
meetings to address child/teen violence. Chief Gage indicated that PATCH would
have his full cooperation in this regard.
Motion
Vice Chair Miller moved that this Board set up town meetings with PATCH and
the Police Department and to go on the road when school starts. Motion
seconded by Ms. Girtman and unanimously carried.
B. Multicultural Festival held June 30
Ms. Currier said that consideration is being given to staging the Multicultural
Festival simultaneously with GALA in order to attract more people. The
attendance at the Festival was Iow and members felt this was attributable to lack
of publicity. Ms. Williams suggested that some type of publicity could be included
with the City water bills. Chairman Washam would like to have a committee
formed for this purpose and stated that the Festival should be held at the same
time every year during the month of June. He does not want the Festival held in
conjunction with GALA.
Chairman Washam suggested that in January of next year the Board should start
recruiting people for a subcommittee to begin planning the Festival to work in
conjunction with Mr. DeCarlo and his staff. Vice Chair Miller will follow through
on getting a subcommittee set up.
C. Community Gardening
Ms. Currier reported that the weeds were sprayed at the MLK Garden. The
fences around the 6th Avenue garden have been painted. The garden by St.
Mark's Church looks wonderful. Ms. Currier thanked Mr. DeCarlo for doing such
a wonderful job with the City's gardens. Students from various colleges and
schools were recruited to assist.
Meeting Minutes
Community Relations Board
Boynton Beach, FL
July 11, 2001
D. HeadStart
Ms. Currier announced that the HeadStart graduation will take place on Sunday,
July 22, 2001 at the Civic Center beginning at 3:00 p.m. Ms. Currier informed
members that Mr. Frank Marino, who donated backpacks to the graduates every
year, passed away recently.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
Sister City Program
Qufu delegation will be here August 15th through August 22®.
Ms. Williams recalled diScussion about this Board hosting the delegation. A
mailing providing members with more information will be sent out shortly.
Mr. Mitchell announced that there would be an open house at the new High
School on Monday, August 6th from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Mr. Mitchell inquired if a thank you letter had been sent to everyone who worked
on the community gardens. Ms. Currier said thank you letters were sent out. She
also requested that a thank you letter be sent to Brian Edwards for all his help
with the gardens.
The next Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 1, 2000 at 7:00
p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara M. Madden
Recording Secretary
(one tape)
July 18, 2001
4