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Minutes 08-14-02MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2002 AT 7:00 P.M. Present Ron Washam, Chair Anne Centi Blanche Girtman Eddie Mitchell Anna Marie Noe Josb Rodriguez Brenda Lee Williams Clifford Royael Karen E. Loomis, Alternate Dan DeCarlo, Board Liaison Absent Joy Currier I. Pledge of Allegiance Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Mr. Mitchell 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. III. Recognition of Visitors Ms. J.C. Stern was present tonight as a participant in the Leadership Program of the Boynton Beach Chamber of Commerce that requires attendance at a City advisory board meeting. IV. Minutes Approval July 10, 2002 Motion Ms. Centi moved to approve the minutes. Motion seconded by Ms. Girtman and unanimously carried. Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL August 14, 2002 V. Agenda Approval Ms. Girtman requested to add an announcement regarding the Friends and Family Day Celebration that will take place on Saturday, August 17th at the Hester Center. Chairman Washam said that this would be added under Item VI., "Correspondence and Announcements." Ms. Noe reported that there was a nice article recently in the newspaper regarding Ms. Centi's daughter, Dana Centi, who has started her own business in the Gulfstream Mall. Everyone wished her success in her endeavors. Motion Ms. Noe moved to accept the agenda, as amended. Motion seconded by Ms. Williams and unanimously carried. VI. Correspondence and Announcements A. Friends and Family Day Celebration Ms. Girtman announced that the Friends and Family Day Celebration, which takes place every year, is scheduled for Saturday, August 17th at the Hester Center. This year's event is in remembrance of Ms. Carolyn Sims who had served the City and its residents for many, many years. Ms. Girtman urged everyone to attend. Ms. Girtman commended Mr. DeCarlo and his committee for their revitalization efforts in the Heart of Boynton area. Ms. Girtman also announced that on Friday, August 16th, and Saturday, August 17th, two meetings will be held at the Woman's Club regarding the Heart of Boynton Program. Ms. Centi reported that dinner will be served at the Friday night meeting, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday's meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. and lunch will be served. Ms. Williams wished to place on record her experience recently with the City's Code Compliance Board. She reported that she received a letter from the Code Compliance Division regarding some patches of grass that were missing in her yard. She said that she intended to replace the worn patches, but due to all the rain, she delayed doing so. She felt that the Code Compliance Division should be putting its efforts into more serious problems than citing people because there are a few patches of grass missing on their property. She has since planted the grass and questioned if it was the intent of the Code Compliance Board to harass people regarding minor violations. Ms. Williams thought this was more of a beautification issue than a code enforcement issue. 2 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL August 14, 2002 Chairman Washam noted that residents in his area have had the same experience that Ms. Williams reported. He suggested inviting a staff member from the Code Compliance Division to the next meeting to address these issues. Ms. Girtman complained about the method now being used to pick up the trash. She stated that after the barrels are emptied, there is trash and garbage left on the ground because people don't always put all their trash in the containers. This is quite common when the properties are rental properties as opposed to owner- occupied homes. She thought that someone from the City should clean up the streets after the trash has been picked up. Ms. Noe would like the Code Compliance staff to address more safety issues such as landscaping blocking views on certain streets that makes exiting and entering that street dangerous due to poor visibility. She said that she had written to Code Compliance several times regarding this issue and never received any response. She would like to know the code requirements regarding setback of foliage so that people can exit a street safely. Ms. Williams also questioned if the Code Officers were concentrating their efforts in one section of the City and not inspecting the entire City. Chairman Washam felt the best way to address these issues would be to have a staff member from the Code Division, as well as Chairman DeLiso of the Code Board, attend a meeting to answer these questions. (Mr. DeCarlo arrived at the meeting at 7:25 p.m. Chairman Washam gave him a brief update of what had been discussed up to his arrival.). Mr. DeCarlo will follow through with the invitations to Chairman DeLiso and Mr. Scott Blasie of the Code Compliance Division. VII. Old Business PATCH Activities Update Chairman Washam reported that Mr. Brian Edwards gave an excellent update on PATCH at the last Commission meeting. Chairman Washam felt it was important that the PATCH Committee be acknowledged for their fine work and for keeping the program going. Mr. DeCarlo explained to the new members how the Planned Approach to Community Health Organization (PATCH) was originally formed in the City approximately two and one-half years ago. The Community Relations Board selected the original Committee that formed PATCH and a presentation was then made to the City Commission that endorsed the Program. Mr. DeCarlo noted that there are plans to expand or rebuild the Wilson Center and many of the 3 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL August 14, 2002 programs that will be offered at the new Wilson Center will be done through PATCH. Ms. Noe pointed out that at the next City Commission meeting the increase in the water rates will be discussed. She asked Board members if they had any concerns about the increase in the rates. Ms. Girtman expressed concern that the increase in the water rates would be a burden on the elderly and large families. Mr. DeCarlo pointed out that the increases in the water rates would not affect a majority of the people that use a normal amount of water. It is mainly targeted to persons who are using large amounts of water. He also noted that the City only has so much water to use and people that consume a large amount of water should have to pay for it. He pointed out that there was a decrease in the rates for people who use a small amount of water. Ms. Centi suggested that members attend the Commission meeting in order to learn what the actual increases would be. VIII. Election of aVice Chair Chairman Washam noted that there is a need to elect a Vice Chair since Beth Miller has moved out of the City. He pointed out that Ms. Miller was very active on behalf of the Board and was a great asset. Chairman Washam called for nominations for Vice Chair. Ms. Noe nominated Anne Centi. Ms. Girtman nominated Eddie Mitchell Ms. Centi nominated Brenda Williams. Mr. Mitchell, Ms. Williams and Ms. Centi declined the nomination. Mr. Girtman nominated Anna Noe. Ms. Centi seconded the nomination. Chairman Washam closed the nominations. Vote Ms. Noe was unanimously voted Vice Chair. Ms. Noe can be reached at 737-9803 or by cell phone at 346-2573. Ms. Noe can also be contacted by email at annanoe@aol.com. Chairman Washam reminded Board members that if they had any items they would like to include on the agenda to telephone Mr. DeCarlo's office. 4 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL August 14, 2002 Chairman Washam inquired if there were any City plans to commemorate September 11th. Mr. DeCarlo was not aware of any. Chairman Washam requested if Mr. DeCarlo learned of any plans that all Board members be notified. Ms. Centi recommended that the Board invite Dr. Van Deusen of Palm Beach Community College to speak on terrorism. Mr. DeCarlo thought this was a good suggestion and recommended that the public be invited as well. Chairman Washam announced that on Wednesday, August 21st the Chamber of Commerce's Economic Development Committee will be holding a meeting to discuss the various projects taking place in the City. The meeting is scheduled at the Olive Garden at 11:30 a.m. Members welcomed and asked Mr. Royale, the Board's newest member, to introduce himself. Mr. Royale stated that he moved to Boynton Beach permanently over a year ago and was retired from the New York State Attorney General's Office. He wanted to volunteer his services to the community and looked forward to being a member of the Board. IX. Adjournment Next meeting will be Wednesday, September 11, 2002 There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (one tape) (August 15, 2002) 5