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Minutes 01-12-05 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2005 AT 7:00 P.M. Present Brian Miller, Chair Blanche Girtman Kurt Godfrey Eddie Mitchell Joyce Mura Phyllis Stern Brenda Lee Williams Absent Diane Pacheco Dan DeCarlo, Board Liaison I. Pledge of Allegiance/Call to Order Chair Miller called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Ms. Girtman led the Board in recital of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Il. Roll Call - Regular Members Chair Miller asked Board members to introduce themselves to new recording secretary. III. Recognition of Visitors There are no visitors. IV. Minutes Approval of November '10, 2004 Correction request by Ms. Mura, noting that Chair Miller was present at last meeting and minutes incorrectly stated, "Ms. Kupperman presided in the absence of Chair". Motion Ms. Girtman moved to approve the November 10, 2004 meeting minutes with noted correction. Ms. Stern seconded the motion, and passed unanimously. V. Agenda Approval Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida January12,2005 Motion Ms. Girtman motioned to accept the agenda with necessary changes. Ms. Mura seconded the motion, and passed unanimously. Chair Miller added the following new business: · Correspondence to Mayor Taylor and Commissioners. · Update to Diversity Issue reported by Mr. Godfrey. · Alternative Dates for Youth and Government Day. Old Business; Ms. Girtman to update on street lighting problem. VI. Correspondence Chair Miller read to the Board, Ms. Kupperman's letter of resignation addressed to Mayor Taylor and Commissioners. Chair Miller noted he would provide a copy of the letter to Recording Secretary. A copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's office. Chair Miller read a letter he addressed to Mayor Taylor and Commissioners requesting new guidelines for board members to have excused absences. The CRB is in agreement that three unexcused absences during the year should result in a board member's removal. The CRB recognizes there is a need for excused absences, and will ask the Commission to consider new guidelines. Chair Miller will personally present the letter at the next Commission meeting. Motion Mr. Godfrey called for question on the motion. Chair Miller asked the Board to signify agreement by raising their right hand. All members were in agreement. VII. Old Business A. Street Li.qhtin.q Update Ms. Girtman identified that a street light on NW 6th Avenue and North Seacrest Boulevard, has not been functioning for six months or more. Ms. Girtman asked the Board if citizens could call FPL directly to report disabled streetlights. Mr. DeCarlo answered that citizens who identify the light location or pole number can call FPL to resolve. Because FPL is inundated with requests they are reactive, versus proactive to this problem. Chair Miller acknowledged that citizen participation gets things done quicker. Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida January12,2005 Ms. Mura informed the Board that FPL would give the caller a work number that can be used to track the status of a disabled light. B. PATCH Update Mr. DeCarlo informed the Board that PATCH meetings are continuing to be held every Saturday at the Early Learning Child Center. The one trailer and seems to be doing well. They are still working on the trailer project, and the next meeting is February 2nd at Forest Park Elementary. Something should be resolved at that point. C. Diversity Issue Mr. Godfrey noted that the consultant for City of Delray Beach should be giving an initial report in March 2005 and will provide a copy of report to him. Mr. Godfrey will bring the report to CRB meeting. D. Pride of Boynton Beach Chair Miller explained that there was a delay of the program launch date due to Hurricane issues. Chair Miller took a tour of the City, and in particular Boynton Terrace Apartments on Seacrest. The ideal place to launch the start of the Pride program would be in front of Boynton Terrace apartments. Chair Miller will be meeting with city officials over the next two weeks, who committed their departments to the Pride of Boynton Beach program. Mr. DeCarlo mentioned a good turnout for the last volunteer cleanup program, which is held once a year during the month of April. The event gets a lot of publicity and generally has a lot of involvement particularly in the northern area of the City. Mr. DeCarlo expressed that PRIDE efforts should be coordinated with the City's effort to clear the property. The Boynton Terrace property is beyond rehabilitation. Palm Beach County Housing Authority is relocating the residents. Mr. DeCarlo recommends that the CRB keep abreast of a City initiative and make recommendations on how to improve neighborhoods. This would be an ongoing program through discussions with city officials and community involvement. Motion Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 12, 2005 Mr. Mitchell moved to approve going forward with the project in February 2005. Motion seconded by Ms. Stern and passed unanimously. VIII. New Business A. Youth Tennis Carnival Ms. Stern, program coordinator for the Youth Tennis Carnival, updated the Board with the following: · Event will be held on April 9th, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. · The event will take place at Hunters Run Tennis Courts. · Open to participant's age 6 to 14 years old. · 30 spaces are available. · Participation is Free, but reservations are required. · Three Tennis Pros donate their time at the event. · Tennis rackets are provided. · Prizes and snacks are provided. Ms. Stern asked the board for support to purchase beverages for the event. A $25.00 donation will cover the purchase of beverages for participants. Winn Dixie donated the beverages last year, but that particular location is no longer in business. The Community Relations Board should be recognized for their involvement in the event. Ms. Stern will notify Mary Morera, of the Children and Youth Advisory Board to acknowledge the CRB's support. Motion Mr. Godfrey motioned for the CRB to donate beverages to the Youth Tennis Carnival. The motion was seconded by Ms. Stern, and passed unanimously. B. Literacy Pro.qram Chair Miller explained that he spoke with Ms. Pacheco, who was not able to attend tonight's meeting, regarding meeting with Ms. Farace the City's Library Director. Ms. Farace is developing an initiative titled READ BOYNTON, and is working with the High School Principals to enlist students to volunteer. CRB can be involved in this program directly as Mentors, or jointly supporting Ms. Farace at the Library and reaching out to the community for Mentors. Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida January12,2005 Ms. Stern asked if the reading program would be held at the High Schools or the Library. Chair Miller did not have that information. Ms. Stern suggested that the CRB involvement could be to recruit Mentors by placing flyers in residential communities. Chair Miller asked Ms. Stern to work with Ms. Pacheco on that suggestion. C. Youth and Government Day Mr. DeCarlo advised that the actual date has not been established at this time. He is recommending the second week in April, on a Wednesday or Thursday. However the City Manager's office will actually set the date. The Commissioners will advise the City Manger's office on availability for their participation. Mr. DeCarlo will have dates for the CRB to choose at next meeting. IX. Adjournment Since there was no further business before the Board, the meeting was duly adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon J. Wallace Recording Secretary (11205)