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Minutes 05-08-02MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2002 AT 7:00 P.M. Present Ron Washam, Chair Anne Centi Joy Currier Blanche Girtman Eddie Mitchell Brenda Lee Williams Absent Anna Marie Noe Hansome Jones I. Pledge of Allegiance Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. members in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. II. Roll Call - Regular Members and Alternates Dan DeCarlo, Board Liaison Ms. Centi led the Recognition of Visitors Minutes Approval April 20, 2002 Motion Ms. Williams moved to accept the minutes. unanimously carried. V. Agenda Approval Motion Ms. Girtman moved that the agenda be approved. Currier and unanimously carried. Motion seconded by Ms. Centi and Motion seconded by Ms. III. None IV. The Recording Secretary called the roll and declared that a quorum was present. Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 8, 2002 VI. Correspondence and Announcements Ms. Girtman thanked the members of the Board for their expression of compassion and caring during her past months of difficulties. Ms. Girtman thanked Mr. DeCarlo for picking her up so that she could attend the Youth in Government Day Luncheon. Ms. Currier noted that Youth In Government Day was exceptional, especially the evening events. She commended the young girl on her presentation on how she viewed the events of 9-11. City Manager Kurt Bressner sent a thank you letter to the presenter. Chairman Washam thanked the following for their participation: · " Commissioner McCray for meeting with the students in the morning. v' Commissioner Fisher for meeting with the students at the Madsen Center at noon. v' City Manager Kurt Bressner for meeting with the students at lunch, and attending the mock City Commission meeting in the evening. v' Vice Mayor Weiland for attending the mock City Commission meeting. Chairman Washam noted that Mayor Broening was out of town and could not attend. Mayor Broening has always been very supportive of Youth in Government Day. He also thanked Ms. Currier who has always been there for the students and puts 110% effort into the program. Chairman Washam acknowledged that the day could not have been a success without the planning and assistance of Dan DeCarlo and Shana Weinstein. The students also expressed how much they appreciated the inspirational speech that Ms. Girtman delivered during lunch. Ms. Currier pointed out that there was a student who participated two years in a row. Chairman Washam thanked all the members of the Board for their participation, as well as the Education Advisory Board and the Advisory Board on Children and Youth. VII. Old Business PATCH Activities Update Special PBC Health Care District Meeting April 24t' Review Mr. DeCarlo reported that there was also a follow up meeting on Thursday, May 2nd, which was attended by Ms. Girtman and Mr. Brian Edwards. Mr. DeCarlo stated that the biggest challenge PATCH is facing is that the County PATCH formed their own 501.3.C organization and the Health Care District will no longer be providing financial support. The County is encouraging PATCH to 2 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 8, 2002 apply for a grant from the Health Cato District. The Boynton Beach PATCH is continuing the process to obtain their own 501.3.C status. Ms. Noe and Mr. Edwards aro working on this. A meeting with Mr. Ed Harris was recently held at St. John's Missionary Baptist Church. Octavia Sherrod, Wilfred Hawkins and Mr. DeCado attended. Discussions took place at that meeting to encourage the Church to apply for CDBG funding in order to allow the church facility to be used for various programs. A workshop is scheduled for June to discuss including the Church in the Heart of Boynton Program. Discussion will also take place on using the Church for the PATCH Program. Mr. DeCarlo noted that leadership training is now included in the Heart of Boynton Program. This will provide groat assistance to the community. Mr. DeCarlo explained that the leadership training is not limited to the members of St. John's Missionary Baptist Church, but to the entire neighborhood. There is no confirmed date on the workshop; however, it will take place after this Board's June meeting, and members will be informed of the date at that meeting. Four additional meetings will take place at various locations. When the first meeting date is confirmed, a mailing will be sent to all the neighborhoods, as well as the Church members. Meetings have also been scheduled for the Poinciana Heights area that includes the Wilson Center area and will be held at the Wilson Center. The meeting for the MLK neighborhood area will take place at St. Paul's Church. The third meeting for the Ridgewood and Boynton Hills area will be held at the First Baptist Church, and the fourth meeting that would cover the Seacrest Boulevard area to St. John's Missionary Baptist Church will be held at that Church. Mr. Mitchell pointed out that some people are reluctant to attend meetings in churches. Mr. DeCarlo responded that the purpose of the meetings is to produce active neighborhood associations in each of these areas and after they organize they can determine where they would like to hold their meetings. Mr. Mitchell pointed out that people should not be restricted to attend the meeting scheduled for their neighborhood, but should be allowed to attend any meeting. Mr. DeCarlo responded that people can attend any meeting they wish and the mailing will encourage this. Ms. Girtman suggested advertising the meetings in order to attract a larger attendance. Mr. DeCarlo responded that there will be a mailing to every person that resides in the Heart of Boynton area and flyers will be distributed. Ms. Girtman felt that the mailings would not be effective because people don't always read their mail. Mr. DeCarlo pointed out that flyers will also be distributed to the churches and sororities. Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 8, 2002 Chairman Washam asked Mr. DeCarlo if there was a response from a prior meeting that was held at the Wilson Center?. Mr. DeCado said that the response was excellent and about 15 people indicated a willingness to participate in an organization for their neighborhood. He would like to have approximately 12 to 15 people in each neighborhood to help their own neighborhood get organized. Ms. Girtman would also like to get the high school students involved and felt their input is important. She also thought that these students could disseminate the information throughout their neighborhoods. Mr. DeCarlo responded that the consultants had recommended that the young adults in the community also be trained. He will follow up with the schools to determine if there is any student interest. Ms. Williams suggested passing out the flyers at the schools. Ms. Girtman requested that flyers be left at the Treasure Chest School to be sent home to the parents. Ms. Girtman suggested that Mr. DeCarlo speak with the ministers of each church to keep them updated. Mr. DeCarlo said that stakeholder meetings would be held with all the ministers during the month of May, beginning next week. Chairman Washam asked that the Board members try to attend as many of the meetings as possible and Mr. DeCado stated he would appreciate the Board's assistance. Mr. DeCarlo recommended that the Board members go through the leadership training that is an integral part of the program. VII. Old Business Youth in Government Day - Thursday, April 25th Chairman Washam reported that Assistant City Manager Hawkins was very instrumental in making Youth in Government Day a success and his input and enthusiasm makes a lasting impression upon the students. Ms. Girtman suggested that a letter of appreciation be sent to Mr. Hawkins. Mr. DeCarlo will follow through on this. Members discussed and agreed that this year's Youth in Government Day was a great achievement. This was the first year that students from the new Boynton Beach High School participated. Members agreed that they would like to see the program continue. Ms. Girtman inquired if the City ever followed up on the students who participated in prior Youth in Government Days? Chairman Washam felt this would be a difficult task since most students move on. Chairman Washam asked if the Board wished to pursue the S.T.A.R.S. program that the Board previously sponsored? He has spoken to students and parents that had participated in the program and they thanked him for assisting them in finding a job. He would like to enlist the Education Advisory Board and the Advisory Board on Children and Youth to assist in this endeavor. Mr. DeCarlo 4 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 8, 2002 suggested holding a workshop with the three Boards to discuss similar issues and determine how the three boards can help the youth in the community. Chairman Washam requested that this be proposed to the other two Boards. Mr. DeCarlo will speak with the other Boards' liaisons. Ms. Girtman pointed out that most high schools now offer job opportunities for their students and there have been various job programs in place at the high schools for many years. VIII. Fourth of July Combined Event with Multicultural Festival Mr. DeCarlo is working with Leisure Services to combine the Multicultural Festival with the Fourth of July festivities scheduled at Boynton Beach High School. The fireworks will also take place at the High School this year. The festivities will begin around 5:30 p.m. with an appearance by the color guard. There will be vending booths and a stage for the musical acts. IX. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (one tape) (May 9, 2002) 5