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Minutes 07-10-02MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2002, AT 7:00 P.M. Present Ron Washam, Chair Anne Centi Joy Currier Blanche Girtman Eddie Mitchell Anna Marie Noe Jos6 Rodriguez Brenda Lee Williams Karen E. Loomis, Alternate Dan DeCarlo, Board Liaison Absent Clifford A. Royael I. Pledge of Allegiance Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Ms. Currier led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, followed by a moment of silent reflection. II. Roll Call - Regular Members and Alternates The Recording Secretary called the roll and declared that a quorum was present. Chairman Washam requested that the record reflect that Mr. Royael telephoned him to advise that he would not be able to attend tonight's meeting, but would be present at the August meeting II1. Recognition of Visitors None IV, Minutes Approval May 8, 2002 Chairman Washam pointed out that the June meeting had been held at the Wilson Center and Mr. DeCarlo recorded the minutes. At that meeting, the May minutes were not approved. Chairman Washam called for a motion to approve the May minutes. Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida July 10, 2002 Motion Ms. Noe moved to accept the May 8, 2002 minutes. Motion seconded by Ms. Girtman and unanimously carried. V. Agenda Approval Chairman Washam advised that if any Board member had an item they would like included on the agenda, to telephone Dan DeCarlo, the Board's Liaison, at 742-6028. Chairman Washam also pointed out that he is available to all Board members at anytime. Mr. Rodriguez inquired what the cut-off date was for agenda items. Mr. DeCarlo responded that items should be submitted one week prior to the meeting. Motion Ms. Girtman moved that the agenda be approved as submitted. Motion seconded by Ms. Williams and unanimously carried. VI. Correspondence and Announcements Chairman Washam requested that'the election of a Vice Chairman be included on next month's agenda. Mr. DeCarlo will follow through with this request. Ms. Lee announced that St. John's Missionary Baptist Church has a new Pastor, Reverend Lance Chaney, who is relocating from Illinois and will be permanently in the City on August 18th. A reception is planned after his arrival. Chairman Washman reported that Reverend Chaney is very excited about coming to Boynton Beach and will be attending a CRB meeting. Ms. Girtman announced that St. Paul's Church also has a new Pastor, Reverend Anthony Reed, who is a newly ordained minister. Chairman Washman noted that the new Reverends wOuld be welcomed additions to the City. Chairman Washam announced that the City's Budget Workshop is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 16, 2002 at the Library. Following the Workshop, a Special Commission Meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. to approve the millage. He also announced that there would be no City Commission Meeting on Tuesday, July 16th. Mr. DeCarlo announced that a reception was held on Tuesday for Reverend Chaney that was attended by the City Manager and all Department Heads. He also is looking forward to working with the new Reverends. 2 Meeting Minutes ~' Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida July 10, 2002 Mr. DeCarlo also reported that several meetings were held in June regarding the Heart of Boynton process and more meetings are scheduled for July and August. Neighborhood Associations are being organized to focus on certain projects. Leadership training isa priodty and will be offered not only in the Heart of Boynton area, but citywide. The meetings have tentatively been scheduled for the laSt week in July and August 1st. Mr. DeCarlo will advise everyone of the exact times, dates and locations. One area that will be specifically addressed is signage. Residents feel it is important to create a positive image in the neighborhoods, which could be assisted by providing neighborhood signage. Mr. DeCarlo announced that a meeting was held on Monday with LISC and the CDC regarding the Cherry Hill housing project. The next phase of the Heart of Boynton Plan will be to look at designs for the Wilson Center and the anticipated single-family housing for the neighborhood. One of the main endeavors will be locating the funds for the project. Ms. Girtman said there were concerns in the community that people are coming in and buying up property. There are also fears that expensive housing will be going in along the MLK Boulevard that will force long-time residents out of the area. Mr. DeCarlo acknowledged that he has heard the same rumors and noted that the City has the same concerns. Mr. DeCarlo stated that the City and the CRA will be taking an active role to prevent speculation. The City is also looking at programs that would assist homeowners to renovate their own homes so that they could remain in their neighborhoods. Mr. DeCarlo stated that people are being encouraged not to sell their homes to speculators because the City wants to help the residents remain. The City is also assisting the CDC so that they can move forward with their programs and initiatives so that everyone is on the same page. Chairman Washam would like members of the Board to remain involved in these issues and to continue to attend the meetings in order to keep apprised of what is going on. Ms. Williams expressed concerns about the size of the lots and whether people would be able to renovate their property because the lots are too small. Mr. DeCarlo acknowledged that the City is aware of this and the Plan adopted by the Commission calls for a review of the zoning and the size of the lots. The City wants to bring money into the neighborhoods to create an environment that would encourage people to buy houses at a higher value without displacing anyone. The new housing intended for Poinciana Heights and Cherry Hills will be nicer homes to attract people with higher incomes. This process is necessary to change the dynamics of the community, while at the same time not displacing people. 3 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida July 10, 2002 Ms. Currier commended the openings of the new restaurants on MLK Boulevard and noted that they were a great addition to the neighborhood. Mr. Rodriguez requested a copy of the Heart of Boynton Plan. Mr. DeCarlo will forward a copy to him and any other Board member that does not have a copy. Anyone desiring a copy should call Mr. DeCado. Ms. Girtman reported on the activities that are taking place around MLK Boulevard near the basketball courts behind Sara Sims Park. The area needs more Police presence to get rid of the illegal activities that are taking place in the open and to make the area safe for people to walk in the Park. She noted that the landscaping in the Park needs to be trimmed and cleared. Mr. DeCarlo said he woUld bring this to the attention of the proper departments. Ms. Girtman praised Mr. DeCarlo for his efforts on behalf of the neighborhoods. Ms. Noe requested that the schedule of the meetings be sent to the members as soon as they are available, which Mr. DeCarlo will take care of. VII. Old Business PATCH Activities Update Chairman Washam welcomed Ms. Octavia Sherrod and Mr. Brian Edwards who were in the audience. Mr. DeCarlo requested that Mr. Edwards present the PATCH Update. Brian Edwards, 629 NE 9th Avenue, Boynton Beach, thanked the Board for their hard work and dedication on behalf of the citizens of the City. He pointed out that he has reported this at the Commission meetings so that this Board's support for the PATCH Program does not go unnoticed. Mr. Edwards reported that Angela Girtman, President of PATCH, and several others are working very hard to keep the program viable. Many accomplishments have occurred over the past two years since the inception of PATCH in the City. The mammogram van has been at the Wilson Center several times to serve people who would not otherwise avail themselves of this type of service due to lack of knowledge and/or money. There have also been requests for prostrate testing, which is being looked into. Immunizations are continually being offered and last Saturday over 20 Iow- income children were immunized. Even though the County is no longer funding PATCH, Mr. Edwards feels that the Program can remain self-sustaining. Also, the application for 501(C)3 designation is not being pursued at this point and they will probably continue under the umbrella of the two Boynton Beach CDCs or the County's PATCH. 4 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida July 10, 2002 Mr. Edwards announced that the HIV testing van will be in the City on August 31st, but the time and place still need to be worked out. Chairman Washam thanked Mr. Edwards and Ms. Angela Girtman for moving this program forward and for providing a much needed service in the community. Ms. Girtman would like PATCH to provide written pamphlets to people who do not have access to information on cancer and the preventative measures that are available to them. Ms. Girtman felt that many children needed help and that there was no one looking after them. Mr. Edwards acknowledged this and said they are trying to put together a program for these children. Ms. Noe said that there are members of PATCH that are looking into various programs for the children. Ms. Noe thanked the Boca Raton Community Hospital for providing the mammogram van and questioned why Bethesda Hospital hasn't provided these services. Mr. Edwards noted that Ms. Ellen Davis, who is on the PATCH Board and is employed by Bethesda Hospital, was instrumental in bringing the HIV Van to the City. Ms. Noe reported that a brochure is being prepared for distribution to the residents to assist them on where to get help. Mr. Edwards pointed out that if a person who had a mammogram was detected to have cancer, the Boca Raton Community Hospital provides free treatment and follow up. Ms. Centi suggested that a letter be sent to the Hospital thanking them for their support. Mr. DeCarlo will follow through on this. Chairman Washam requested that Mr. DeCarlo furnish him with an updated Board list of the PATCH Committee members. He would like to have the Board members acknowledged publicly for their accomplishments. Chairman Washam welcomed the new Board members and asked each new member to introduce himself or herself. Karen Loomis has lived in Boynton Beach for approximately 10 years. Ms. Looms is a social worker and is currently employed by the Center for Group Counseling and develops group counseling programs for the public schools. She also has a private practice and is anxious to assist with the PATCH Program. Jos6 Rodriguez has lived in western Boynton Beach for 14 years and recently purchased a home in the east side of the City. He wanted to become involved with the City and felt that serving on a Board would be a good way to contribute. Chairman Washam welcomed the new Board members. 5 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida July 10, 2002 VIII. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (one tape) (July 11, 2002) 6