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Minutes 02-19-00 MINUTES oF THE COMBINED ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH AND FOUR BOARD FORUM MEETING HELD IN THE LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOM, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2000 AT 12:00 Noon PRESENT Advisory Board on Children & Youth Shanna St. John, Chairperson Bob Borovy Amy DeVries, Student Stephen Waldman, Vice Chair Education Advisory Board Dawn Russell, Chairperson Heidi DeVries Michael Hazlett Diana Tedtmann Community Relations Board Ron Washam, Chairman Joy Currier Recreation and Parks Board Bali Ramnarace I. CALLTO ORDER Chairperson St. John called the meeting to order at 12:15 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting. II. INTRODUCTIONS Chairperson St. John asked everyone present to introduce himself or herself and to state the Board they are representing. III. WAIVER.OF BOARD BUSINESS Chairperson St. John advised that today's meeting was to be the Advisory Board on Children and Youth's Regular Meeting, but regular business will be waived. She asked that a member of each Board give a brief update of the programs and projects their Board is currently working on. Advisory Board on Children & Youth American Legion and Butterfly Garden Beautification Project (Bob Borovy) COMBINED ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN & YOUTH' FOUR BOARD FORUM MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 19, 2000 Mr. Borovy distributed to the participants pictures taken at the American Legion and Butterfly Garden Beautification Project that recently took place. Mr. Borovy was chairman of this project. The project was very successful and 80% of the project was accomplished through donations. There were two sponsors of the project. The American Legion Post contributed $1,000 and the Audubon Society contributed $800. Participants in the project were the Garden Club, the Youth Volunteer Bank and the Boy Scouts. 2. Youth Council - Steve Waldman & Amy DeVries Vice Chair Waldman stated that the Advisory Board on Children & Youth was instrumental in creating the Youth Council with the assistance of Ms. Lula Butler of the Delray Beach Youth Council. Since its inception, the Youth Council has performed a great many worthwhile projects in the community. Ms. DeVries reported that the Youth Council sponsored a "Stop the Violence Dance" and about 50 youth participated. Ms. Betty Williams, a Nobel prizewinner, gave an inspirational speech to the youth. Ms. DeVries also reported on the following: The Youth Council is currently working on a Youth Council Candidate Form to which all candidates for Commissioners will be invited. The Youth Council participated in the Butterfly Garden and Paint Your Heart Project. The Youth Council assisted with the Megan Keller Organ Donation campaign, which was established to raise money for a liver transplant for Megan. Ms. Heidi DeVries reported on other upcoming projects that the Council is considering. The Youth Council has been in existence approximately one year and currently has 20 active members and 40 on the rolls. The Youth Council meets every Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Madsen Center. 3. Youth Volunteer Bank- Chairperson St. John The Youth Volunteer Bank was created three years ago for the purpose of enlisting youth to volunteer in the community. The youth track their own hours and each May there is an Awards Banquet to which the volunteers and their parents are invited. This is totally free. Last year there were 171 active members and 9,137 hours banked, approximately 900 hours of which were spent on neighborhood revitalization. The youth volunteer at childcare centers, hospitals, youth council, police explorers, church groups, and the United Way, as well as several other 2 COMBINED ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN & YOUTH · FOUR BOARD FORUM MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 19, 2000 organizations and projects throughout the community. $5,000 in savings bonds was awarded and there were 32 sponsors for the event. Over $4,000 was raised that was used for the savings bonds and $2,500 in-kind donations was also raised. The mailing list this year has increased to over 300. Last year one student alone earned 500 hours. There is no age limit for the students and the youngest participant last year was two years old, who participated with her family. Chairperson St. John said that she had applications available for anyone who might know of any children that might be interested in signing up. Any child who attends a Boynton Beach School is eligible for the program. Communib/Relations Board (Joy Currier) Ms. Currier reported that in March a Bike-a-thon will be held to benefit the Lord's Place and the Dick Weber Center. It is expected that 3,000 to 5,000 bikers will be participating. Ms. Currier reported that April is Youth-in-Government Day, and a date has yet to be determined. It will take place either April 6th or April 27th. The date will be set at the Board's March meeting. Recently, the Board has been going out into the community and two town meetings have been held at Fire Station #3. The Board is trying to schedule meetings in the north and south ends of the City, as well as out west. The Community Relations Board was established as a conduit between the elected officials and the residents of the City. Chairman Washam reported that the Board also holds its S.T.A.R.S. Program in October and will be working with Ms. Debbie Majors from the Recreation Department. Students who attend local high schools participate in this program which basically assists them in obtaining employment and prepares them for a job interview. The program is also open to other young people in the City who have never been employed. Mr. Washam reported that 25 students through a grant program have already indicated that they would be participating this year. Mr. Washam also reported that the Board is diligently working on a much needed health clinic in the downtown area on Martin Luther King Boulevard. Ms. Blanche Girtman, the senior member on the Community Relations Board, is spearheading this project. Mr. Dan DeCarlo, the City's liaison to our Board, has set up meetings with Bethesda Hospital, as well as the Palm Beach County Health District. Ms. Currier pointed out that the City owns several lots of land on Martin Luther King Boulevard where the clinic could be built. Ms. Currier stated that this clinic 3 COMBINED ADVISb~.Y BOARD ON CHILDREN & YOUTH'~ FOUR BOARD FORUM MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 19, 2000 is necessary in the City and there are mothers with babies and elderly that have no place to go for medical assistance. Chairperson St. John also noted that back in 1995 the Advisory Board on Children and Youth also discussed about getting a health clinic in the City and suggested that their Board minutes be researched as they might be of assistance. Vice Chair Waldman said that he has been working with Mr. DeCarlo, the City's Neighborhood Specialist, on this project and stated that Mr. DeCarlo is very committed to this project. Mr. Washam noted that the Community Relations Board would be sponsoring the summer Board Forum and there should be more information available at that meeting. Mr. Washam explained further what the Youth in Government Day consists of and how it encourages students to become interested in municipal government. Ms. DeVries asked what age group participates in the Youth in Government Day and Mr. Washam said that it begins at Middle School and goes up through High School. Education Advisory Board (Chairperson Dawn Russell) Ms. Russell said that they are focusing on the progress of the new High School and noted that the High School should be ready by the fall of 2001. Ms. Russell distributed to the participants a copy of the Education Advisory Board's Vision and Mission Statement and Goals for 1999-2000. Ms. Russell reviewed the Board's goals as follows: When David Fellows was a member of the Board he was very active in the Alternative to Suspension Program. This program offers an alternative place/counseling for students who are continually suspended from school. Although Mr. Fellows is no longer on the Board, he continues to report on the project and the Program is being implemented at Congress Middle School and Crista McAuliffe Middle School. Also, a bill is now being considered at State level to implement this program statewide. The "Gathering Storm" issues have not been very active, but the issues are still being followed. 4 COMBINED ADVISb~Y BOARD ON CHILDREN & YOUTH~ FOUR BOARD FORUM MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 19, 2000 Board Members attend monthly school SAC meetings throughout the City to keep abreast of what is happening in the schools. Mr. Hazlett reported that he met with Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Owens who are considering establishing a charter school in the City and have partial endorsement from the School District. A site has been chosen on Federal Highway and the budget for the school is between $400,000/$600,000. The school will focus on computers and foreign language. Also they would like to offer classes in the evening for adults. Ms. Currier stated she knows someone who has computers that they would like to give away and suggested that someone contact her. Discussion about charter schools versus public schools ensued. Vice Chair Waldman pointed out that charter schools are beneficial to children who need a different kind of motivation and different skill building techniques in order to succeed. Mr. Washam felt that the public schools should be enhanced so that all children in the public school system would be treated the same. Mr. Hazlett reported that he and Ms. Farace are working to put together a principals' roundtable and this should take place sometime in the fall. Ms. Tedtmann reported on Raising Test Scores/Parental Involvement and stated this is aimed at improving the FCAT scores. Ms. Tedtmann also reported that Forest Park Elementary School received an "F" grade from the State and their Board has targeted this School to improve the student performance and the school rating. Ms. Tedtmann also reported that absenteeism is on the rise at the elementary school level. Ms. DeVries reported on behalf of Mr. Ron Ehster, who could not be present today, that he would like the City to assist with the repairs and renovations at the Forest Park School. Although a portion of the School is fairly new, Mr. Ehster was of the opinion that it was built poorly and he would like the City's Code Compliance Division or the City Engineering Department to get involved with the school. 5 COMBINED ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN & YOUTH FOUR BOARD FORUM MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 19, 2000 Mr. Washam stated that the School District governs itself and does its own maintenance and did not think the School District would be amenable to the City becoming involved in renovations at the school. Recreation and Parks Board (Bali Ramnarace) Mr. Ramnarace felt the sports situation in Boynton Beach was the worst he has ever seen in his life. Mr. Ramnarace noted that this City has several top sports' professionals and that he plays cricket at the professional level. He stated that he has tried to introduce cricket in the City and has never received any support from the City. Mr. Ramnarace informed participants that he placed a professional cricket pitch at Rolling Green School, which is the only one in America, and used his own money to do this. Mr. Ramnarace said he has lived in Boynton Beach for many years and has coached cricket at two schools in the City. He noted that Mr. Wildner has assisted him quite a bit and currently he needs a roller to complete the field and has been unsuccessful in securing one. Mr. Ramnarace said that he would be soliciting private funds in order to get the field fixed since the City is not willing to assist him and that nothing has been done. He plans on beginning games in April at the Park. Mr. Hazlett inquired if funds were included in the City budget for the field and Mr. Ramnarace said he was informed that everything had been budgeted. Chairperson St. John noted that this Board wanted to do a beautification project at Rolling Green, which is the field in question. Mr. Washam noted that the cricket field had been discussed several times at the Community Forum and this would involve the City working with the School District. Ms. Currier felt that the City offers a great many good sports programs, especially through PAL, which offers football, basketball and baseball. Chairperson St. John inquired what age group participates in cricket and Mr. Ramnarace stated it was available for ages 10 on up. Mr. Borovy said that for five years he has been trying to get a skateboard park in the City and this is something the City needs. Mr. Washam suggested that the Recreation and Parks Board prepare and submit a letter to the City Commission enlisting their support. Mr. Washam felt there was a great deal of support for this program in the north end and commended Mr. Ramnarace for the fine job he has done teaching the children. Mr. Ramnarace noted that the field could be used for other sports since cricket is 6 COMBINED ADVIS~y BOARD ON CHILDREN & YOUTHI~ FOUR BOARD FORUM MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 19, 2000 only played on Sundays. Participants discussed various methods of also getting a soccer program implemented within the City. Mr. Borovy suggested that since this Board's project was going to be Rolling Green that members from this Board could get together with Mr. Wildner and members of the Parks Board to see what could be done. Mr. Ramnarace stated that he put in the entire sprinkler system in the field himself. Chairperson St. John asked Mr. Ramnarace to give a brief update to the participants regarding the World Class Facilities report given by his Board. Mr. Ramnarace said that he did not think there was funding for this and explained that this involved various staff members who proposed certain repairs and improvements to various facilities throughout the City. Chairperson St. John noted that there was no representative from the Senior Advisory Board present today. IV. OPEN DISCUSSION Chairperson St. John asked that the Board Chairpersons prepare a calendar on the projects their Board is doing and also how each Board could help one another. Chairperson St. John noted that the Youth Expo is scheduled for the end of October or beginning of November at the Mall and stated that over the two-day event 20,000 people a day attend. All Boards are welcomed to set up a table if they wished. Chairperson St. John will ask the Recreation and Parks Board if they would like to set up a table at the Youth Expo. Also, volunteers are needed to help set up the Expo. The contests this year will be: v' Creative writing, v' Drama, · " Photo, v' Art, and v' Science. 1. 2. Judges will also be needed to judge the entries in the contests. With regard to the Rolling Green Project, Mr. Borovy will speak with Mr. John Wildner to enlist his assistance. Mentors are needed for the Youth Council. A presentation for the new Commissioners and new City Manager should be considered similar to the presentation given last year to the new Commissioners. It was felt that it should be done as soon as possible after 7 COMBINED ADVISG'~Y BOARD ON CHILDREN & YOUTH~ FOUR BOARD FORUM MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 19, 2000 the election. Chairperson St. John said that a request for the presentation has already been made to the City Manager, but no date has been selected. Stand for Children, which is a national program, takes place during June and the Children and Youth Advisory Board will be doing something in June and would like to have all the Boards involved. Ms. Russell stated their Board elementary schools in the City. could help the other. could use help with Forest Park and other Participants further discussed how each Board Chairperson St. John noted that two informational tents will be set up for G.A.L.A. this year for their Board and the Youth Council and asked if any other Board would like to have a tent set up? Mr. Washam said that his Board would not be participating this year. Chairperson St. John said she would put a large calendar together with all the Boards' activities and distribute them. Ms. Russell requested that minutes be sent to everyone in attendance. Ms. Tedtmann felt that the Boards needed a better way to communicate with the citizens. Chairperson St. John stated that each Board is given a turn to have a column in the City's Visions Views and City News and this is a good opportunity to let people know what the Boards are doing. Chairperson St. John thought that there should be a column for any Board news and also information should be made available on how people could get on a Board. V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (two tapes)