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Minutes 01-28-91MINUTES OF CITY COMMISSION/COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD WORKSHOP MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991 AT 6:00 P. M. PRESENT Gene Moore, Mayor Lee Wische, Vice Mayor Lillian Artis, Commissioner Denys "Sam" DeLong, Commissioner Arline Weiner, Commissioner Community Relations Board Shirley Jaskiewicz, Chairwoman Elizabeth Collins Joy Currier Paul Finke Barbara Kruger Margaret Miller, Alternate Elizabeth Jenkins, Alternate Absent CRB Members Blanche Girtman, Vice Chairwoman Clarence Ellington Annie Matthews Mary Jo McVey J. Scott Miller, City Manager Sue Kruse, City Clerk Jim Cherof, City Attorney Mayor Moore called the meeting to order at 6~00 P. M. and stated the meeting was in regard to a report received from a Boynton Beach City Commission Committee. He thought the City Commission should enter into discussion and allow public input as to whether they want to create an advisory committee. Comments by Vice Mayor Wische A couple of weeks ago, when the Commission had its original discussion on this matter, Vice Mayor Wische recalled the City Commission stated there is a need for children and elderly programs. The disagreement came because of how it should be implemented. The next day, Vice Mayor Wische read in the paper that he and Mayor Moore threw Commissioner Weiner's dream into the garbage can. Vice Mayor Wische had verbatim minutes of that meeting, and he informed everyone no such statement was ever made. Vice Mayor Wische felt the Community Relations Board (CRB) would be capable of handling the problem. The CRB is MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 28, 1991 comprised of two Principals of elementary schools, two Nurses, a Guidance Counselor, and other professionals. Vice Mayor Wische recalled he was the one who suggested they have a workshop meeting with the CRB to get their input. Comments by Mayor Moore Mayor Moore stated there would be no confrontation between Commissioner Weiner and him, as reported in one of the local papers. He commended the Committee for what it had done and recognized there are a number of social problems that confront not only the City government but also the County, State, and Federal governments. Mayor Moore did not know if there was funding to address the problems. He felt, as Vice Mayor Wische did, that the City had an entity in place that should be given time to see what it can do to address the problems rather than having another Committee, which may be a duplication of efforts. Mayor Moore stated he has always had a fear of creating additional advisory committees which turn into bureaucratic monsters that require funding and staffing. He felt they should see if the CRB could address the issues that were raised with the existing staff the City has and go from there instead of creating another body that possibly would be seeking funding. Comments by Commissioner Weiner Commissioner Weiner wished to save her comments until the end of the meeting. Comments by Commissioner Artis Commissioner Artis was not opposed to the work that would be done. She wanted more input from the audience and Commissioner Weiner to justify another Committee. She was not for or against a Committee. Comments by Commissioner DeLong Commissioner DeLong referred to when she was on the CRB and also served as a Teenage Advisor. She knew a lot of the terms of the Members on the CRB would soon expire, but she understood some of the Members would be willing to tackle the problems as a Committee. 2 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 28, 1991 Comments by Community Relations Board Chairwoman Jaskiewicz was upset by a newspaper article that indicated the goals of the Committee were already being met by the CRB. It further stated she said the CRB is too busy to focus on children's needs. Chairwoman Jaskiewicz emphasized that was an erroneous statement. She had told the reporter she had no idea how the CRB Members felt, as the CRB had never discussed this. It was only presented at the last meeting of the Board. Chairwoman Jaskiewicz was insulted by the comment associating her name with being too busy to focus on children's needs because her life has been devoted to working with children. Chairwoman Jaskiewicz stated the CRB is concerned many times with children's issues. At the last meeting of the CRB, she particularly asked the City Commission Members to attend the CRB meetings to see the variety of things they cover so they could see whether the CRB could take on this "monumental task". Chairwoman Jaskiewicz commented she does not want to take on anything she cannot do to the best of her ability. She alluded to the time it took for the CRB to get an Ordinance clarifying their duties and remarked that some people do not know what a CRB is. When the Board was set up in 1964, the main concerns of the CRB was to ease racial tensions, bring the City together, and work in harmony. Chairwoman Jaskiewicz stated those are still the CRB's major goals. She added the CRB is supposed to listen to grievan- ces and may at times even be an arbitrator. Commissoner DeLong commented about what the CRB has done and said she noticed they often talk about day care centers. She gave advice relating to day care centers, and Chair- woman Jaskiewicz told of how many of the CRB's concerns are directed toward children. Mayor Moore questioned whether the report of the Commission's Committee had been submitted to the CRB with a request for evaluation to see whether the CRB could absorb those addi- tional responsibilities or look into them and report back to the City Commission. Chairwoman Jaskiewicz stated she gave each Member a copy of the report at the last meeting of the CRB, asked them to peruse it, and come tonight if they had any suggestions. The report has not been discussed by the CRB. Commissioner Artis thought since the CRB was already in place, perhaps they would be willing to accept the added responsibility. Maybe three or four other people could be added to work with them. 3 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 28, 1991 Mayor Moore thought the options were to create a separate Committee and not bother the CRB with what they were talking about, or to formally request the CRB to consider the recommendations, see what they feel they can implement, and they can then make recommendations as an existing Board. Chairwoman Jaskiewicz advised that being an educator should not be a requisite. She thought the recipients of the services should be represented on the Board. Parents, Educators and interested citizens should be on the Board. Betty Collins, CRB Member and Chairman of the age group from birth to 5 years old on the Task Force, felt they definitely needed to ~ollow through on the recommendations of the report. In looking over the report, she saw Planning and Zoning, Parks and Recreation, and the CRB involved in the recommendations. Ms. Collins suggested there be a Committee representative of those three Boards. She noted most of the recommendations were to Parks and Recreation. Ms. Collins recommended they take somebody ~rom Planning and Zoning, someone from Parks and Recreation, the CRB, and anyone else who is interested, and see whether they can meet the goals. After a period of time, they can tell the City Commission what they found to determine whether they should have an advisory Board. Mayor Moore thought it was an intelligent suggestion, and he wanted the CRB to evaluate all of the recommendations. If something was clearly within the jurisdiction of Planning and Zoning, it should be referred to Planning and Zoning, etc. Mayor Moore felt all of the recommendations could be assimilated into existing Boards. Elizabeth Jenkins, CRB Member, felt that was the right position to take. She commented that when you involve too many people into anything, it never gets to an end. Comments from the Public Wilda Searcy, 402 N. E. 13th Avenue, said children from birth to 21 years of age must be included. At a meeting at the library, all she heard was preschool, nursing homes, etc. Mrs. Searcy stressed they must go further than day care centers, etc., especially when children are out of school. Mrs. Searcy further commented about a work program and alluded to youth, ages 14 to 21. She stated the Recreation and Parks Department can help the children. 4 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 28, 1991 Vice Mayor Wische informed Mrs. Searcy of the Latch Key and Summer Youth programs the City has. Mrs. Searcy said money is available, but the City has to apply for it. Chairwoman Jaskiewicz stated the City sponsors the Private Industry Council (PIC) program, but the problem is getting children to participate. Out of 200 children at Congress Middle School who listened to a presentation, only 3 submitted applications. Chairwoman Jaskiewicz explained there are other job opportunities for them. She added that Johnnetta Broomfield, Director of Community Improvement, will be at the next CRB meeting, and Chairwoman Jaskiewicz hoped to get kids involved in the Paint Up/Fix Up Program. Betty Thomas, Member of the Recreation and Parks Board, had served on the Children's Task Force Committee. She liked the suggestion made by Betty Collins and the idea that representatives from each of the Boards carrying out the programs will be part of a Committee involved in reporting back to each of those Boards. Ms. Thomas noted many of the suggestions would have to be carried out by the Recreation and Parks Department. Ken Forbes, Division 14 Major Emphasis Chairman, Kiwanis Clubs in South Palm Beach County, wholeheartedly supported everything on the list. The Kiwanis Clubs offered their services to the Committee. Mr. Forbes added they could put Kiwanis International behind it. He stated Kiwanis is trying to solve problems before they start. They cannot help a lot of 18 and 19 year olds. Kiwanis will support whatever group is put together, whether it is the CRB or a Committee. Marina Haberman, 712 N. E. 20th Lane, referred to the need by children and youth for proper guidance. By approving the formation of an Advisory Committee, she felt the City Commission would be providing a service to the community. Bob Randolph, Kiwanis Club, liked Betty Collins' idea and stated the Kiwanis Club would do what they can to help the City. Mayor Moore did not think it made a lot of sense to have a master Committee refer something back to Planning and Zoning and come back to the Master Committee. He felt that would amount to waste. Mayor Moore wanted to have one Committee recommend to the City Commission and pick apart the overall project desires and aims. If it falls clearly MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 28, 1991 within the scope of the existing Recreation and Parks, that recommendation should be referred to them for action. Cynthia Greenhouse, Member of the P&Z Board, commended Commissioner Weiner and the Task Force. She was afraid the report that was generated would be lost in the quagmire of bureaucracy. Ms. Greenhouse asked the Commission to make a decision as to how they would proceed tonight. She thought it would be fatal to send it back to the CRB for review. Ms. Greenhouse thought the City's children deserved their own Committee. She was not opposed to the idea that Members of different Boards could comprise the Committee and thought that was something the City Commission should consider. Ms. Greenhouse stated there would not be duplication if the Commission created a separate entity. She was afraid the Commission would be sending the wrong message out to the public if they did not create a Committee, and she pointed out that historically, women and children have the least political clout. They do not have the earning power and the voice. By creating a Committee, the Commission will be saying the children are as important as any other segment of the population. Nathaniel Weinshel, Recreation and Parks Board, stated Recreation and Parks has the facility and staff to execute all of that. They previously tried to do all of this work. Mr. Weinshel referred to Latch Key and the summer programs. He thought they would need additional funds and more staff to undertake a task like this. Mr. Weinshel thought Recreation and Parks would be the main recipient of the recommendations. The former head of the Children's Services Council (CSC) thought Commissioner Weiner was on the right track. He suggested that each municipality have its own Youth Advisory Board and work with the CSC. The speaker stated there would have to be continual monitoring. He stated they have to think of all of the problem areas and adjust their priori- ties. There was no question in his mind that it will take time and resources. The speaker thought some sources could come from the CSC. He stated they will know what is going on at the local level, and he reiterated that each munici- pality should get involved. The speaker felt there should be an Advisory Board. Mayor Moore inquired whether the speaker's recommendations included staffing and funding of the programs to be effec- tive. He wondered whether the speaker was saying the CSC 6 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 28, 1991 has funds available. The speaker suggested that the Board work with the CSC. He was certain they would be interested in providing funds. David Thomas, Boynton Life Center, informed the Commission that they recently conducted a survey that comprised Boynton Beach Boulevard to 13th Avenue and from 1-95 to U. S. 1. He had previously worked for Human Services. Mr. Thomas found appalling conditions of children in the City, which can be addressed through a unified Board and presented to the CSC to seek funding on a continual basis. He commended the CRB for their work. Mr. Thomas advised that the population of children in the City will go to 20% in the 1990 census. He thought the City Commission should strongly consider establishing an advisory Board on children's affairs. Joy Currier, CRB Member, stated some of CRB Members at meeting were in favor of Ms. Collins' suggestion. She emphasized it was only to be an Advisory Committee. the Ms. Collins clarified that she was not connecting it especially with the CRB, if that was not what they wanted. She thought there could be a Committee of people from the CRB, Recreation and Parks, and Planning and Zoning. Some of the recommendations come under Planning and Zoning, and a lot comes under Recreation and Parks. People who are interested, such as the Kiwanis Club, could come forward. There was discussion. Bob Randolph interjected that he and Mr. Forbes felt, if a Separate Committee was formed, they could get the Kiwanis Club to give $2,500 as a base fund to help with expenses. There were further comments, and Mayor Moore reiterated that he was not in favor of appointing Committees. He thought the City Staff and everyone knew what the problems were and he pointed out that the only way they can meet problems is with money. Mayor Moore drew attention to the City's lack of finances. After he further commented, Ms. Collins explained that she thought they should have a group that would define who would be the best to handle a recommen- dation and turn it over to them. Mayor Moore agreed. Commissioner Weiner thought the thrust of the vision behind the Task Force had been lost. She told of the time she spent gathering information and said she found a report of 7 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 28, 1991 390 cities, which was done by the National League of Cities, the most helpful. The cities reported on what they had done about the problems of children and young families in their cities. Commissioner Weiner concentrated on cities with about the same population and resources as Boynton Beach. After elaborating, she stated there are now two wage earners in some families, and there are also single parent families. Their needs were the needs she sought to address. Commis- sioner Weiner noted the greatest amount of things that have been done to date came out of the Recreation and Parks Department, but she stated that is not it. Commissioner Weiner continued by saying more day care centers are not it. She asked what the City could do to help young families today. Commissioner Weiner commented about the need for more day care facilities and said there are many more needs. She stated the thrust of the Task Force was not to try and break things up. It was to have a group of people focus in on the needs of children and young families in the City who would be able to take a large view to see how people in the City can be helped. The suggestion of getting the Recreation and Parks Department to help and getting variances from Planning and Zoning were just a part of it. Commissioner Weiner told the City Commission the Task Force did not complete its work. It spent 7 or 8 months looking at the problems. They stopped the investi- gating to ask for a permanent Advisory Board on children to implement the recommendations they came up with and to keep going. Commissioner Weiner said a separate Committee with someone from Recreation and Parks, Planning and Zoning, and the CRB was OK, but it would not help the young children and young families in the City. Only a group that is absolutely focused on only those kinds of problems could help. Commissioner Weiner networked out to County, State and National Legislators and Agencies and collected piles of information for an Advisory Board to use. She stated people interested in the needs and problems of children knew of the City's Task Force, and she added no one else had done this. Commissioner Weiner apprised the Commission that the report has been sent to State, County, and private agencies involved with children. The Task Force was something the City could be very proud of. Commissioner Weiner felt to diffuse that work by putting it in a Committee that has many things on its mind would do a disservice to the children. She asked the City Commission to carefully consider that in making its final decision. 8 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 28, 1991 Marvin Greenhut, a Director of the Dick Webber Child Abuse Center at City Hall, said (1) if Commissioner Weiner took the time to visit the Center, she would find all the cri- teria of all children's needs. (2) The problems stated are not new to agencies of the State that already are trying to find funds to support programs of these types that are already being supported by various agencies appointed by the State. Mr. Greenhut informed the Commission that a book is printed by Palm Beach County that shows the various agencies addressing these problems. He again referred to the Dick Webber Child Abuse Center and said all of these issues are being addressed in various ways. Their problem is funding. At this time, they have children seeking help through HRS. Mr. Greenhut noted people in the audience want to be on Boards to address these problems, but the Center cannot get 20 volunteers from the community to support 20 children who want service. Mr. Greenhut stated every intelligent individual knows these problems. He thought a Board of this type was merely a grandstand play and said they should devote their services to already existing committees, including the Center. Commissioner Artis named people in the audience who could tell what the needs of the children in the City are because they have worked with the children every day for many years. She hoped they were not talking about a closed Committee. Mayor Moore felt it was just a rehashing of what they all know are problems. He said the answer to all of the problems is money. Unless someone could come up with a source of funds, he did not think they should realign the problems through any source. Mayor Moore thought the Committee did a good job. He had thought it was to also include the elderly but noted it was just on children. Mayor Moore felt they should be trying to get funds to address the problems and not waste money on administrative expenses and restaffing. He also felt they should have raised the taxes last year to provide for additional funds. Mayor Moore stressed that they were talking about millions of dollars. Commissioner Weiner believed one problem the City faces is that it does not actively go after funds it pays out in County and State taxes to bring them back into the City. Mayor Moore thought that was a problem for the City Staff. Mention was made of applying for grants. Mayor Moore 9 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION/COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD WORKSHOP MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 28, 1991 asked for suggestions to solve the problems. Commissioner Artis interjected that the Commission wants to know the solutions to the problems. Mr. Greenhut replied volunteer workers are the solution. Motion Commissioner DeLong alluded to the $2,500 offered by the Kiwanis Club and Ms. Elizabeth Collins' plan. She moved that Ms. Collins be given the opportunity to see what she can do to structure a Committee. (Commissioner DeLong clarified she was talking about Ms. Collins and appointees from the CRB implementing such a Committee.) Vice Mayor Wische seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-1. Commissioner Weiner cast the dissenting vote. AD JOURSIMENT The meeting properly adjourned at 7:2V. M. si= ATTEST: Ci~ Clerk ~~~r ReC°~Td~gTSa~CesrTt2 Comml ssioner 10