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Minutes 09-14-05 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2005 AT 7:00 P.M. Present: Brian Miller, Chair Blanche Hearst-Girtman, Vice Chair Alfred Levy Eddie Mitchell Joyce Mura Gregg Orenstein Phyllis Stern Stanley Sorgman Brenda Lee Williams Diane Pacheco, Alternate Thelma Lyons, Interim Neighborhood Specialist Absent: Kurt Godfrey, Alternate Also Present: Officer John Huntington, Boynton Beach Police Department I. Pledge of Allegiance Chairman Miller requested that Officer Huntington lead the members in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. II. Roll Call - Regular Members and Alternates The Recording Secretary called the roll and declared a quorum was present. Mr. Sorgman requested the Board observe a moment of silence for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. III. Recognition of Visitors · Officer John Huntington, Boynton Beach Police Department · Presentation by Officer Huntington: BBPD Program Chairman Miller introduced Officer Huntington who was present to speak to the Board about the Police Department Citizens' Police Academy. Officer Huntington had contacted Chairman Miller to assist with recruiting additional residents to participate in the Academy. Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 14,2005 Officer Huntington thanked the Board for allowing him to speak about the Citizens' Police Academy. He was present on behalf of Chief Immler who recommended he contact the Community Relations Board for help in reaching out to the communities along North Sea crest to encourage their participation in the next class. This is the 14th year of the Academy and they are accepting applications for their 24th class that will begin on Monday, October 10, 2005 and go through December 12, 2005. The courses are held for 10 consecutive Mondays at the Ezell Hester Community Center from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The Boynton Beach Citizens' Academy is the most successful academy in South Florida. Over 1,000 people have taken the course over the years. Each class has averaged 40 to 50 people, compared to the average of 25 in other municipalities. Two classes are offered each year. This year they are trying to reach out to the residents that would not normally attend their classes. Even though most classes are made up of senior citizens, younger people also attend. Anyone wanting to attend only has to complete an application or could contact Officer Huntington at his office. The Academy is free of charge and many residents in West Boynton Beach have attended, even though they are not residents in the City. Officer Huntington pointed out that the Sheriff's Office does not offer a Citizens' Academy. West Palm Beach, Delray Beach and Boca Raton are the only other municipalities to offer the course. Residents in surrounding communities have also attended the course. The classes are very informative and are an excellent public relations tool that creates a bond between the Police Department and the citizens. Officer Huntington explained the courses and the curriculum offered. Each member was presented with a brief outline of the Academy and an application. There are more in-depth brochures available in the Police Department lobby, City Hall, and City Hall at the Mall. People can also enroll over the telephone. Currently, 30 people have enrolled in the class and they would like to have 10 to 20 more participants. In any event, the class will be held regardless of the number of people enrolled. The reason the class has been moved to the Hester Center is to make it more convenient for the residents in that community to attend. Officer Huntington noted the positive changes taking place in the Police Department with Chief Immler and he would like the communities to come together to allow them an opportunity to show the residents what the Police Department is all about. Mr. Levy asked if Officer Huntington would be amenable to go into the communities and make a presentation. Officer Huntington said that he would be willing to visit with the communities, depending upon his schedule. He would also come out to a community to discuss other police topics. 2 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 14, 2005 Vice Chair Girtman and Mr. Mitchell noted they attended the very first academy offered. Officer Huntington pointed out the importance of having testimonials from people who have graduated from the academy. Ms. Stern and Mr. Orenstein presented applications for the course to Officer Huntington. Officer Huntington explained that they would be contacted prior to the class to make certain they would be attending. Once they have confirmed their participation, a letter explaining the program will be forwarded along with the schedule of the classes. Mr. Miller recommended Board members take home applications for residents in their community that may wish to attend the class. Mr. Mitchell pointed out there are applications available at his church. IV. July 13th Minutes Approval Motion Mr. Levy moved to approve the minutes. Motion seconded by Vice Chair Girtman and unanimously carried. V. Agenda Approval Chairman Miller pointed out the agenda has been revised. In addition, he has some other additions; (1) Suggested Programs for the Community Relations Board and (2) Thoughts for the Community Relations Board submitted by Phyllis Stern. Copies were distributed. Motion Vice Chair Girtman moved to approve the agenda with the necessary additions. Motion seconded by Mr. Levy and unanimously carried. VI. Correspondence and Announcements Ms. Lyons made the following announcements: . Coastal Cleanup: Saturday, September 1 th, Intracoastal Park from 8:00 a.m. until 12 noon People wishing to participate should be at Intracoastal Park at 8:00 a.m. The areas to be cleaned up are the beaches and the Intracoastal area. The cleanup is sponsored by Palm Beach County and is an annual event. 3 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 14,2005 . Book Sale: Images of America (Pictorial History of Boynton Beach). Ms. Lyons announced the book is on sale at the Boynton Beach City Library, Schoolhouse Children's Museum and City Hall in the Mall. The cost is $21.30 that includes tax. The book contains photographs dating back to the 1800's to the present and contains a great deal of history about Boynton Beach. Mr. Mitchell reported that the authors of the book were present at the last City Commission meeting and were recognized by the City. . Book Signing and Reception: Monday, September 19th Boynton Beach City Library Program Room at 6:30 p.m. RSVP at (561) 742-6380 A book signing and reception for the book will take place as noted above. Chairman Miller announced the meeting date for the Board in October conflicts with the Jewish Holidays. He telephoned the City Clerk's Office this afternoon to ascertain a different date for the meeting. He requested that a motion be made to move the October meeting to October 26, 2005 since he did not think there would be a quorum if the meeting were held on the regular date. Vice Chair Girtman did not recall that meetings had ever been previously cancelled for this reason. Motion Mr. Sorgman moved to change the meeting date to October 26, 2005. Vice Chair Girtman and Ms. Williams indicated they could not attend if the meeting was moved to October 26th and questioned why the meeting date had to be changed. If the meeting date were changed, Vice Chair Girtman requested she be excused. Ms. Mura seconded the motion for discussion. Ms. Williams questioned if other Board members could not attend the October 26th meeting, would it be an excused absence. Ms. Stern recommended finding another date closer to the regular meeting date so that all Board members could attend, and, if necessary, they could hold the meeting in the Library Program Room if the Chambers were not available. Mr. Miller noted when changing a meeting date, it had to be coordinated with the City Clerk's Office to ensure a secretary would be available. Ms. Williams pointed out that Chairman Miller selected a date without consulting the remainder of the Board members. Mr. Mitchell felt that when Mr. Miller called the City Clerk's Office, he should have requested several alternate dates from which the Board members could select a date convenient for everyone. Mr. Mitchell took affront that Chairman Miller would select a date without consulting the remainder of the Board. He 4 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 14,2005 did not consider this a democratic process and felt this has occurred on more than one occasion on this Board. Chairman Miller felt if the Board wanted to hold the meeting on the regular date, they could do so. Ms. Mura asked for a show of hands of members that could attend the regularly scheduled meeting at the regularly schedule time. With a show of hands, it appeared that five members could attend, which was a quorum. It was decided that the meeting would be held on its regularly scheduled date and Vice Chair Girtman would chair the meeting. Mr. Sorgman requested he be provided an excused absence because he could not attend due to the Jewish Holidays. Vice Chair Girtman felt that this would be an automatically excused absence. Since there would be a quorum present, Chairman Miller announced that the meeting would be held at its regular date and time. . Youth Involvement Grant Program Chairman Miller noted at the July meeting members were supplied with the Youth Involvement Grant Program forms. He asked if any Board members were able to begin the grant process with the youth in the community. Ms. Stern reported she spoke with the Chair of the Children and Youth Advisory Board, Steve Waldman, and provided him with the information and material the members received. She has not had an opportunity to speak with Mr. Waldman to determine if he had an opportunity to review the information. It appeared to Ms. Stern that Mr. Waldman and their Vice Chair, Mary Morera, were interested in the program. Chairman Miller said the Board needed to form a sub-committee to work with Doug Hutchinson to address some of the things he brought up when he made his presentation to the Board. Some of the issues Mr. Hutchinson would like the Board to address are (1) upgrading street lighting, (2) placing trash receptacles in vital areas of the City, and (3) looking at other grant programs available. Mr. Levy and Ms. Stern offered to work with Mr. Hutchinson on the Heart of Boynton issues. Ms. Williams inquired when the subcommittees would be meeting. Chairman Miller said the meetings could be planned to accommodate people's schedules. Ms. Williams and Vice Chair Girtman offered to serve if the meetings were held in the evening. Chairman Miller pointed out that the meetings would also have to be arranged in accordance with Mr. Hutchinson and his staff's schedule. Mr. Orenstein suggested the Board should create a subcommittee first, prepare a proposal, and bring it back to the Board for consideration. The proposal could then be 5 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 14,2005 presented to Mr. Hutchinson, after which the meetings could be scheduled. Mr. Orenstein would also like to serve on the subcommittee as well. Members of the sub- committee are: Chairman Miller, Stanley Sorgman, Phyllis Stern, Gregg Orenstein, Alan Levy and Diane Pacheco. Vice Chair Girtman and Ms. Williams would serve, depending upon the time of the meetings. Chairman Miller would like the Board to consider becoming involved in the "Adopt a Street Program." Members would work with Jeff Livergood, Director of Public Works in adopting a street or even an entire neighborhood and then put together a program that would encourage residents to clean up and beautify their streets and neighborhoods. At the end of the year, the best streets and neighborhoods would receive awards. Mr. Miller inquired if a Board member would like to volunteer to prepare a written proposal to bring to the next meeting. Mr. Sorgman felt in order for this program to be successful, it would require complete involvement by the City; it was a good program if it was done right. He pointed out there may be code violations that have to be addressed, and it would require initiating good relationships with the residents to obtain their cooperation in the program. Mr. Sorgman had been involved in this program previously. It involved teaching the residents about the City codes so they would not place their trash out several days in advance of the regular trash pick up and how to keep their property clean. Once they began keeping their property clean and kept up, they began to take pride in their property and the program was successful. Mr. Sorgman felt this was a great community relations project, and he would like to see the Board become involved with it. Mr. Mitchell pointed out that there is a City ordinance dealing with placing trash out before the collection date, but the City is not enforcing it. Vice Chair Girtman thought the program would work in some areas of the City, but she did not think it would be successful in the northwest section of the City. It was Code Enforcement's duty to speak with those people and advise them to keep up their property. She did not think it should be the responsibility of this Board. The codes were not being enforced in the Seacrest- NW 10th Avenue section of the City and those areas are predominately rental properties. Vice Chair Girtman did not want to go into those neighborhoods and ask the residents to clean up their streets. Mr. Mitchell noted in Delray Beach, if a person put their trash out before their regular collection day, code enforcement makes a note of it and the person is fined and the fine is included in their water bill. Mr. Sorgman pointed out that the Adopt-a-Street program is an educational program for the residents to create pride in their neighborhoods. When he was involved in the program, they worked with Code Enforcement that spoke with the residents and the program worked. 6 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 14, 2005 Ms. Girtman did not think the program would work in her area of the City due to the great number of rental properties because the people that own the apartments do not occupy them and the tenants did not take pride in their homes. Ms. Stern thought the subcommittee could discuss this and determine the best way to approach it. She recommended that the subcommittee could work with Code Compliance to ensure the Board's adopted street is taken care of. Vice Chair Girtman noted that there have been many cleanups throughout the City over the years, but they were not successful because once an area is cleaned up there is no City follow up and the neighborhoods revert to their prior condition. She was not in favor of the Board becoming involved in the Adopt-a-Street program. The area Chairman Miller was referring to was a housing project located on MLK Boulevard west from 1-95. Mr. Mitchell stated there was no housing project at the location referred to by Chairman Miller. Vice Chair Girtman reported the property referred to by Chairman Miller was rental properties. Mr. Mitchell pointed out the property was owned privately and was not under the auspices of the Palm Beach County Housing Authority. Mr. Mitchell felt the owners of that property were not interested in the neighborhood, but only the money generated from the rents. Mr. Sorgman pointed out if the Board members were going to work with the public, they should be provided with some form of identification. Ms. Stern reiterated that the subcommittee would deal with all these types of issues. Motion Ms. Stern moved to approve the sub-committee and that the sub-committee would make a report at the next meeting. Mr. Mitchell was not certain the Board should become involved in this. He felt this should be a project for the City and Code Enforcement. He pointed out going into certain neighborhoods could be dangerous. Chairman Miller explained this would be a joint effort with Code Enforcement and Public Works. It had been done in another area of the north section of the City and was successful. Mr. Mitchell pointed out the area mentioned by Chairman Miller was completely different from the MLK Boulevard area that he would like the Board to go into. VI. Old Business (a) Pride in Boynton Beach · Community Projects (Ideas from the Board) 7 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 14, 2005 Motion Mr. Levy moved that the members take the handouts home, review them and come prepared to discuss them at the next meeting. Motion seconded by Ms. Stern and unanimously carried. Mr. Orenstein would like the members to communicate with one other between meetings so at the meetings all the conversations that took place during the month could be formalized, rather than wait until the next meeting to discuss outstanding issues. He felt this would be a good way to eliminate arguing during the meeting. Mr. Orenstein was informed that two or more Board members could not speak Board business except at Board meetings. This would be considered a violation of the Sunshine Laws. Members are allowed to have subcommittee meetings by posting a meeting notice and someone would take written notes. If the Board desired to have a subcommittee meeting, they should notify Ms. Lyons. Ms. Mura requested that Deputy Fire Chief Jim Ness be invited to the November or December meeting to address the Board about the Boynton Beach CERT Program. Ms. Mura explained CERT was an acronym for Community Emergency Response Team. She would like to know what plans the City has in the event a major disaster strikes the City and how this information would be disseminated prior to a disaster. Ms. Mura is a member of CERT that involved seven weeks of training. She felt it was a very worthwhile training. Chairman Miller thought this was a good idea and recommended this be publicized so that the public could also attend. IX. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, \.....~ h. /k~ Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (September 21,2005) 8