Minutes 03-26-03COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PUBLIC HEARTNG
COMMISS1~ON CHAMBERS, CITY HALL,
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORTDA
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2003 AT 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT
Octavia Sherrod, Community Improvement Manager
I, OPENING
A. Call to Order - Octavia S. Sherrod
Ms. Sherrod opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Overview of CDBG Program
A. History
B. Program Objectives
C. National Objectives
D. Eligible Activities
III. Using Sub-Recipients
Ms. Sherrod introduced herself to the audience and stated that she was the administrator
for the City's Community Development Block Grant Program. Federal Regulations require
that the City advertise annually and hold a public meeting for citizen participation and input
as to the type of programs for which they would like to have the CDBG funds used. Federal
Regulations also require that the City advertise after the programs have been selected. Ms.
Sherrod acknowledged the presence of many grantees in the audience who received funds
last year. A sign-in sheet was circulated and is attached to the minutes.
Ms. Sherrod stated that activities under this program had to meet three National objectives:
1) Funding must benefit Iow and moderate-income persons; 2) address slum and blight;
and 3) meet a particularly urgent community development need. The City received the first
monies under this program in 1997. The average annual grant is $570K, but during the
Fund year 2003-2004, HUD will be giving the City $645K.
Meeting Minutes
Community Development Block Grant
Public Information Meeting
Boynton Beach, FIodda
March 26, 2003
Ms. Sherrod listed some of the eligible activities under this program as follows: 1)
acquisition and disposition of land; 2) clearance and demolition; 3) relocation assistance if
people need to move from places that are deemed uninhabitable; 4) code enforcement; 5)
construction of housing; 6) public facility improvements; 7) public services; 8) removal of
architectural barriers, 9) technical assistance to public non-profit entities to increase their
capacity; and many other activities. No more than 15% of the money that is received can
go towards public services. Some public services that the Community Improvement
Department has funded in the past include agencies that provide 24-hour crisis hotlines for
counseling, case management for adults, elder victims, and children who are victims of
domestic violence, assistance in paying utility bills, prenatal referrals, education and social
services, mentoring for children, after school care, credit counseling, and fair housing
assistance.
Ms. Sherrod mentioned that she was required to submit an annual action plan to HUD each
year, listing what would be done with the funds that had been received. Every five years
they have to do a 5-Year Consolidated Plan addressing the needs of the community, the
census, the poverty level, and a projection of what they plan to do with the funding for the
next five years.
ZV. PUBI.ZC AUDZENCE
Chris Ena, Ena's Needy Foundation, 250:L N.W. :L~ Street, Boynton Beach, spoke
of having a Board of Directors comprised of pastors, lawyers, doctors, nurses, and college
students. As a non-profit organization, their goals were to:
· :. assist families with the payment of prescription drugs,
· :. assist people with interpretation and translations,
· :. assist people with paying their rent,
· :. assist families with funeral payments, and
· :. provide grants and scholarships for students attending colleges and universities.
Their primary future goals are:
· :. to assist children who are abusing drugs and alcohol,
· :. to help women who have pregnancy issues,
· :. to provide a daycare facility for children, and
· :. to open facilities for the elderly.
Shirleen Davis, a resident of Lake Worth, said she grew up in the community and
wanted everyone to know about the wonderful work being done by Ena's Needy
Foundation. Before Mr. Ena achieved 501(C) 3 status, he spent money from his own pocket
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Meeting Minutes
Community Development Block Grant
Public Information Meeting
Boynton Beach, Florida
March 26, 2003
to help the people in the Haitian community.
Reverend Dieugrand 3acques, pastor of the New Haitian Alliance Church in
Boynton Beach, stated that he was the founder of the Christian Movement for Freedom
and Development of Palm Beach County with headquarters in Boynton Beach. This
organization exists to develop the community by working with the units of govemment and
local authorities to insure that Haitians and other ethnic groups get into the mainstream of
American society. The organization is made up of a group of pastors and there are 35
churches involved so far. Their mission is very similar to that of Ena's Needy Foundation.
They hope to have a place where people can get medical attention whether they have
Medicare or not. Some of the people have mental health and school problems and they do
not know what to do. They would also like to establish a distribution center in Palm Beach
County where the poor can have access to food. They would like to have technical schools,
especially in Boynton Beach. He wanted the Haitian immigrants to learn how to use
computers. Domestic violence in the home was a big problem. They also hoped to get the
Haitian churches out of the shopping centers. Reverend Jacques stated that most people
had probably heard about the problems they were having on Hoadley Road with his church.
Reverend Jacques concluded by saying that the Haitian people needed to be helped to
become better citizens and he believed that if they got a little help, they could and would
become contributing members of the community.
Reverend Jocelyn Adahemar, pastor of St. John United Methodist Church on
Seacrest Boulevard, stated that he was on the same committee as Reverend Jacques
and that they had the same dream. They were putting their hands together in order to
improve the situation of their brothers in Boynton Beach.
Sarah Williams, Director of the Boynton Community Family Forum and Friends
Network, 1331 S.W. 27th Avenue, Boynton Beach, was concerned about sustainable
redevelopment in the Heart of Boynton. She felt that it was important that the City try to
promote a neighborhood that would provide for residents of all levels of income. Services,
education, and housing have to be provided to all of the residents in order to promote or
sustain a civilized society. She believed that funding should be used to strengthen the
partnership between residents and the City in order to build a healthier, safer, and
wholesome neighborhood for all the residents of Boynton Beach. She called for a service
station on Martin Luther King Boulevard and some kind of employment initiative for those
living in the apartments behind Sara Sims Park. She envisioned that the area around Sara
Sims Park could have a nice community center with police stations that would provide
community services as well as employment and educational opportunities and drug
intervention programs. Ms. Williams hoped that money would continue to be used to
expand summer camp scholarships that would be affordable for the young people. Summer
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Meeting Minutes
Community Development Block Grant
Public Information Meeting
Boynton Beach, Florida
March 26, 2003
jobs are needed as well. The needs of the homeless must be met. God's Kitchen was doing
its very best to feed the homeless in a back yard. Money should be used to help God's
Kitchen expand and prosper. A housing board should be established in Boynton Beach the
way it has been in Boynton Beach's neighboring cities.
Ms. Sherrod asked for the status of Mr. Albury's kitchen. Ms. Williams responded that
Pastor Albury was taking on the administration of his deceased brother's estate and that
other volunteers had joined in to help. Ms. Sherrod asked where the kitchen was operating
and Ms. Williams stated that it was on N.W. 13m Avenue.
Clarence Ellington, Executive Director of the R.M. Lee Community Development
Center, ]:nc., 900 N. Seacrest Boulevard, Boynton Beach, spoke about the R.M. Lee
organization. R.M. Lee is a faith-based non-profit organization with a mission of providing
educational services for youth, senior activities, affordable housing, economic development,
and counseling. To accomplish that they are putting together a computer center that will
help youth and seniors. They want to do some affordable housing, senior housing, and
mixed-use developments. They also want to start a child-care center or charter school and
have a school with 31 classrooms and a cafeteria. They are currently deciding what to put in
that school.
Pastor Kenneth 3ones, Church of God, 135 N.E. 7m Avenue, Boynton Beach, said
that they ministered to all the needs of mankind and their objective was to serve. They
were looking for money to help them provide transportation for senior citizens that were
wheelchair bound and in need of transportation to church services or other outings. They
were about to begin a hot soup kitchen in their neighborhood, They also sought assistance
in the matter of utilities. On Thursday afternoons they offered food to the community. They
were getting ready to set up a program called Young Men of Integrity to mentor young men
and get them off the streets and show them a better way of living. Ms. Sherrod asked if
Pastor Jones' church had started a faith-based initiative and he replied that they had not
and had been working with the Boynton Beach Faith-Based group.
Ms. Sherrod noted that there were a lot of churches present and it seemed that it would be
beneficial for all to explore the faith-based initiatives that would enable them to access
Federal funding. She thought this would be especially useful for Pastor .lacques and Mr.
Ena. They had talked a lot about providing services on a Countywide level. Because they
were able to do that, if they started a faith-based initiative, they would probably be able to
access Palm Beach County Housing and Community Development dollars. The County
receives a lot more money than the City of Boynton Beach. She offered to do whatever
she could to get an audience for them with Mr. Harvin and Mr. Lowery who run that office.
Ms. Sherrod was in touch with the local HUD office, knew the needs of the community, and
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Meeting Minutes
Community Development Block Grant
Public Information Meeting
Boynton Beach, Florida
March 26, 2003
felt that it would take dedicated, caring people such as the attendees at this meeting, to
effect change for the good. She would do all that she could but could not do it all. The City
was looking for a collaborative effort to accomplish what needed to be accomplished in
Boynton Beach. She said that everyone would have to get together with the R.M. Lee
organization and the Boynton Beach Community Development Corporation to make these
things happen. She suggested the Website www. HUD..qov to find information regarding the
Faith-Based Initiative program.
Sherry 3ohnson, Executive Director, Community Caring Center of Boynton
Beach, ]:nc., :~45 N.E. 4u' Avenue, said that this was a 1S-year old organization that
started when Ms. Lena Rahming organized a group of pastors to form a faith-based
organization. They have "incubated" such organizations as Ms. Sarah Williams' Community
Forum Family and Fdends Network and the Women's Circle that was started by Sister
Lorraine Ryan. They were in the process of working with Ena's Needy Foundation and
hoped to provide assistance to help it flourish. She hoped to one day have an "umbrella"
type of facility where all the organizations could come together so that people could become
independent and self-sufficient.
The Community Caring Center provides food and financial aid. They operate a food pantry
on Thursday afternoons and Mr. Ena could help with translations. They also have a SHARE
program whereby for $15 a month, one can obtain a $45 package of food. This is not
surplus food but first quality, brand name food. it is distributed at the Ezell Hester Center.
Orders need to be in by the first of the month and can be submitted at the Ezell Hester
Center, the Community Cadng Center office, or the First Presbyterian Church. Payment can
be made when the food is picked up via cash, check, or food stamps.
The Community Caring Center helps with medication, rent, utility bills, and mortgage
payments. They serve all who come to their door. They can provide I day to 31-day bus
passes for those who are seeking jobs and also have gas cards. Messages may be left at the
Center in Creole, in English, or in Spanish.
Ms..lohnson spoke of the availability of funds that could help those who were
undocumented and could not receive funding assistance through any government
programs. She wanted to meet with everyone at this meeting to find ways that they could
partner together to become richer resources for the communityi
Ms. Sherrod commented that it seemed as if a workshop were in order and she would be
glad to host it.
Meeting Minutes
Community Development Block Grant
Public Information Meeting
Boynton Beach, Florida
March 26, 2003
Vince Larkins, President of the Fair Housing Center of the Greater Palm Beaches
at 1300 West Lantana Road, Lantana, stated that this was a private, non-profit fair
housing organization that was in place to insure equal housing opportunity for all people
and to promote cultural diversity in the community. They want to enforce Fair Housing laws
and educate people. They are a rtl-lingual agency. Mr. Larkins distributed some brochures
and directed the attendees to a Website: www.fairhousin.qflorida.com. He thanked the City of
Boynton Beach for their assistance.
Ms. Chris Noel, founder and Director of Vetsville Cease Fire House, Inc., explained
that this organization provides shelter and food to veterans in need, and assists them in
employment and in applying for government benefits to which they are entitled. Also, they
address addictions and other medical or mental health care needs. They have been in
existence for 10 years. The house in Boynton Beach is for men only. She spoke of the
special needs of the veterans such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Agent Orange
from the Vietnam War.
Conclusion
Ms. Sherrod thanked everyone for their informative presentations and stated that all would
be taken into consideration. She pointed out that the application process was lengthy and if
anyone wished to start it now, applications were available on a table at the front of the
room.
Ms. Sherrod explained that while the funding level had increased this year, the needs had
increased also, especially with all the developments in process in the Heart of Boynton area.
She commented that it would be quite competitive this year for that reason. In the case of
the people that were being funded now, Ms. Sherrod would advocate keeping at least the
same level of funding for this year if at all possible.
V. AD3OURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan S. Collins
Recording Secretary
(040303)
CDBG Public Meeting
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
PLEASE SIGN IN
Name / Or,qa n ization
Phone #
,f
Sherry Johnson,
· ~ Executive Director
Community Caring Center
OF BOYNTON BEACH, INC.
145 N.E. 4th Avenue, Boynton Beach, FL 33435
Phone / Fax (561) 364-9501
~00
V YYY
~m
0 ~ O~
Ena's Needy Foundation
2501 N.W. 14 Street Boynton Beach, FL 33.135
Phone (561) 738-2')64
This is a list of the expenses and services for the year 2002
1. We did community services, we gave 9 scholarships to students who are going to
college.
2. We assisted 15 elderly people with medical prescriptions.
3. We helped 8 elderly people pay 'their rents.
4. We have made 23 translations to immigrants refugees and residents who don't speak
or read English.
5. We helped 6 people in the fun~ul of their loved ones.
We spent a total of $9530.00 for thc year 2002.
This is a list of the expenses and services for the year 2001
1. We did community services, we gave 5 scholarships to students who are going to
college.
2. We assisted lO elderly people baying prescription drugs.
3. We helped 6 elderly people pay their rents.
4. We have made 21 translations.
5. We helped 3 people in the funeral of their loved ones.
We spent a total of $6438.00 for the year 2001.
Projected budget for the year 2003 is estimated as follows:
1. We will give 18 scholarships
2. We will assist 35 elderly with prescription drugs.
3. We will help 23 elderly pay their rents
4. We will help 120 people with translations.
5. We will help 13 people in the funeral of family and love ones.
6. We want to open a safe harbor to counseling kids who are on alcohol, drugs, teen
pregnancy, child abuse*
These are some of the most important services that we have been offered to thc
community, now we are expanding from a home base business to an office base bushtess
so we can help more people who ,are in needs. Therefore, we need support to continue
what we have been doing and accomplish more to help our ever growing community.
Our community is in needs of thc:m services, we would like to help more people, but we
are unable to do so lack of a designated office location and lack of sufficient funds.
AID TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE, INC - $10,000
(Public Service)
This activity provides a 24-hour crisis hotline for services, counseling, and case
management for adults, elder victims, and children who are victims of domestic violence
and abuse. AVDA provides a safe, confidential site, which is monitored 24 hours a
day.
THE COMMUNITY CARING CENTER OF BOYNTON BEACH - $15,000
(Public Service)
Provide administrative salaries for emergency services to include food, shelter, and
mortgage assistance, rent, utility bills, medication and transportation for Iow and very
Iow income. Other services to include job counseling, job skills training, advocacy, and
education
FAIR HOUSING CENTER OF THE GREATER PALM BEACHES -$15,000
(Administrative)
Provide Fair Housing Initiatives designed to inform and educate the general public,
housing industry groups, media, and financial institutions of their obligations concerning
fair housing. They will monitor agencies for compliance with fair housing laws, and
instruct the public to identify incidents of housing discrimination and inform victims
seeking legal redress and relief. The goal is to combat housing discrimination and
insure compliance with local, state, and federal fair housing laws.
HEALTHY MOTHERS/HEALTHY BABIES COALITION OF PALM BEACH
COUNTY, INC. - $7,200
(Public Service)
Activity includes prenatal referrals, education and social services. Focuses on middle
school and high school education with presentations on the consequences of teenage
pregnancies, birth control and male responsibility. Provides support groups for
pregnant and parenting teenagers, Iow cost childbirth classes, and parenting classes
geared toward fathers.
HAVE A DREAM I FOUNDATION - $7,500
(Public Service)
Provide academic support, cultural and recreational activities and individual attention for
children from the Iow income community. The goal is to see that every "Dreamer"
graduates from high school, functionally literate and prepared for employment or further
education. Provides tuition assistance to assure that they will have the opportunity to
attend college, a university, or accredited vocation school.
THE. _ CENILE TRANSITION CENTER, ,.,.., - $15,000
(Public Service)
Activity provides academic support and work experience for disadvantaged youths,
operating at the Ezell Hester Center. The program implements rewards and structured
academic activities that are designed to increase the FCAT scores. The summer
component allows 'participants to receive a $500 stipend for their job performance and
work ethics. Participants will also have an opportunity to earn high school credit from
the Palm Beach County School District for academic performance of 2.0 or better, as
well as pleasure field trips during school breaks during the school year.
URBAN LEAGUE OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, INC - $5,000
(Public Service)
Activity extends housing counseling services to 50 Iow income residents of Boynton
Beach. This program enables clients to make informed and reasonable decisions to
achieve housing goals, and resolving housing problems associated with credit issues.
Provides counseling as well as referral to other provider agencies as needed.
VETSVlLLE CEASE FIRE HOUSE, INC. - $12,000
(Public Service)
This activity provides shelter and food to veterans in need, to assist them in
employment, and assistance in applying for various government benefits that they are
eligible for. Additional, they address other needs, such as addictions and other medical
or mental health care needs.
CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH RECREATION DEPARTMENT - $15,000
(Public Service)
To provide scholarships for Iow income City of Boynton Beach residents for the summer
camp program. These residents must also provide documentation that they meet the
Palm Beach County School District eligibility requirement for free or reduced lunches.
CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH RECREATION DEPARTMENT
WILSON CENTER - $35,000
Activity will include professional consultant to create a master plan for the Wilson Park
Project.
BOYNTON BEACH FAITH BASED
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION - $75,000
Special activities by a Community Based Development Organization designated to carry
out neighborhood revitalization and community economic development programs. This
organizations primary purpose is the improvement of the physical, economic and social
environment of its geographic area of operation, and will be addressing one or more
critical problems of the area, with particular attention to the needs of persons of Iow and
moderate income. This activity will include comprehensive Community Redevelopment
of the MLK and Cherry Hills community, and will include an Affordable Housing
Development Initiative.
PALM BEACH COUNTY RESOURCE CENTER - $30,000
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/BUSINESS ENTERPRISE
Provide technical assistance to upstart and existing businesses located or wishing to
locate to the Boynton Beach area. This assistance is in the form of Minority/Women
Business Enterprise certification, development of business plans, loan packaging, and
identifying various funding sources available to start businesses, bond packaging, and
incorporation service.
PALM BEACH COUNTY RESOURCE CENTER - $25,000
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Activity manages and coordinates the Construction Management Training Program for
Boynton Beach tradesmen who are interested in enhancing or developing their
management capabilities within the construction industry. The seven course curriculum
will be taught by trainers in the construction industry affiliated with Florida Atlantic
University. It will open the doors for disenfranchised residents and promising
entrepreneurs. It offers 15 scholarships to Boynton Beach residents.
HOUSING REHABILITATION AND DELIVERY- $210,700
To assist in meeting the national objective of safe and decent housing by continuing the
City's efforts to rid the community of sub-standard housing units. Program will address
code, health and safety issues for very-low, Iow, and moderate income families in the
community.
ADMINISTRATIVE - $100,600
Costs associated with the planning, administrating and execution of the Community
Development Block Grant program.
S:~Communlty Improvement~CDBG~CDBG 2001-2002~8-7-01Backup.doc
CTTY OF BOYNTON BEACH
Department of Development
Community Improvement Division
AGENDA
Community Development Block Grant
Public Participation Meeting
f4arch 26, 2003 6:00 p.m.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Opening
A. Call to order - Octavia S. Sherrod
Overview of CDBG Program
A. History
B. Program Objectives
C. National Objectives
D. Eligible Activities
Using Sub-recipients
Public Audience
Adjournment