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Minutes 04-04-01MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2001 AT 7:00 P.M. Present Ron Washam, Chair Dan DeCarlo, Board Liaison Joy Currier Blanche Girtman David Katz (arrived at 7:15 p.m.) Beth Miller, Vice Chair Eddie Mitchell Absent Anne Centi Hansome Jones Brenda Lee Williams I. OPENING, Pledge of Allegiance Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and asked Ms. Girtman to lead the members in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, followed by a moment of silent reflection. I1. Roll Call - Regular Members and Alternates The Recording Secretary called the roll and a quorum was declared present. II1. Recognition of Visitors Chairman Washam welcomed Ms. Evelyn Geathers, her daughter and Ms. Shelly Constantino to the meeting. IV. Agenda Approval Ms. Girtman moved to accept the agenda as presented with any necessary additions. Motion seconded by Ms. Currier and unanimously carried. V. Minutes Approval A. March 7, 2001 Board Meeting Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 4, 2001 Motion Vice Chair Miller moved to accept the minutes, which was seconded by Ms. Girtman and unanimously carried. VI. Correspondence and Announcements Ms. Currier announced that a pizza party will be held at Headstart on Thursday, April 12th and thanked the people who contributed to make the party possible. Ms. Curder requested to make a motion to send a letter of appreciation from this Board to Mr. Brian Edwards, who dug all the beds at the new Community Garden. Mr. DeCarlo suggested this be addressed when the Community Garden is discussed on the agenda. Chairman Washam asked Ms. Geathers to take the podium to explain why she has come to the Board tonight for assistance. Ms. Evelyn Geathers, 165 Flamingo Drive, Boynton Beach stated she was present because when she came home from work tonight at approximately 5:30 p.m. she found a notice from the City's Code Compliance Department taped to her front door. This upset Ms. Geathers to find a notice posted on her door. She felt that the neighbors didn't need to know her business. Ms. Geathers stated that she had inadvertently neglected to pick up a certified letter sent to her, thus necessitating the posting. Ms. Geathers explained the events leading up to the posting by the Code Department. She noted that in September 1999 she was served with a code violation. After receiving the initial citation at that time, she went to Community Redevelopment, which is assisting her in making the necessary repairs. The violations included repairing the garage doors and the fascia boards. Ms. Geathers informed the Board that most of the work has been completed and Mr. Chris Mitchell had informed her that he got an extension on her behalf. Ms. Geathers said she tried to telephone Inspector Courtney Cain several times without success. Ms. Geathers stated she wanted to inform Mr. Cain that the work would be completed prior to the hearing date. Chairman Washam requested to look at the notice that had been posted on Ms. Geathers' door. Ms. Currier stated that she has received several calls from people complaining about the methods used by the Code Compliance employees. She has provided assistance to people to bring their properties into compliance because they are unable to do so on their own. Ms. Currier said that the Code Department needs to come up with a better way of notifying people of violations and not post notices on doors. 2 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 4, 2001 Chairman Washam offered to contact the Code Compliance Department tomorrow on Ms. Geathers' behalf to make sure that someone contacts her. Chairman Washam noted that this same scenario took place a few months ago in his neighborhoOd and many neighbors were upset about the posting of the notice on their doors. Chairman Washam was under the impression that if a person was receiving assistance from the City and was working on their property that they would not be cited again. Mr. Katz pointed out if a person that has been cited by the Code Department shows that they have made a concerted attempt to comply, the Code Administrator would normally remove the item from the agenda before the meeting begins. Chairman Washam also requested that Ms. Geathers also contact the Code Department tomorrow to bring them up to date. Vice Chair Miller inquired how long it took after the initial citation before the City offered to assist Ms. Geathers. Ms. Geathers stated that it took almost one year to get the paperwork completed before the work could commence. Ms. Geathers stated that she had no contact with the Code Department during that time. Vice Chair Miller felt that the department offering assistance should contact the Code Department to inform them of the status of compliance. Ms, Girtman urged Ms. Geathers to continually try to contact the Code Department to bring them up to date. Ms. Girtman was certain that she would get a response if Ms. Geathers kept trying to contact the Code Department. Ms. Shelly Constantino, 155 Flamingo Drive, Boynton Beach assumed the podium and stated she did not feel this was the way the City should do business with its residents. Ms. Constantino feels that this might someday cause a dangerous situation if someone were to get really upset being served in this manner. Vice Chair Miller inquired why the City could not put these notices in an envelope before posting th:em? ~Also, Chairman Washam suggested that Ms. Geathers appear before the City Commission during the public audience portion of the meeting and explain to them what transpired. Vice Chair Miller questioned if the Board should make a recommendation to the Code Department that when they do post notices, they put them in an envelope? Chairman Washam suggested that members could attend a Code Compliance Board meeting and ask if this procedure could be adopted. Mr. Katz explained that the Code Compliance Board does not have any involvement in the way the Code Compliance Department conducts their business. Mr. Katz felt that if anyone had a complaint against the Department they should contact the Police Department, which supervises them. Mr. Katz suggested contacting Assistant Chief Immler and not go to the Code Compliance Board or before the City Commission. Mr. Katz suggested that Ms. Geathers 3 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 4, 2001 speak with Mr. Scott Blasie first and if she didn't receive any results, she could then go to the Police Department. Mr. Mitchell questioned if this Board was the right place for people to come with these types of problems and whether or not this Board has the authority to deal with them. Vice Chair Miller noted that the Community Relations Board is an advisory board to the City Commission and in that capacity this Board should let the Commission know when it receives complaints from City. residents. Members discussed whether the Board should send a letter to the City on this issue. Mr. DeCado pointed out that since Ms. Geathers is making the repairs to her property with the help of the City's Community Redevelopment and the improvements will be completed prior to the Apdl Code meeting, the entire situation is moot, sipce the City is providing financial assistance. Vice Chair Miller pointed out hat Ms. Geathers' complaint was the way the notice was posted and the embarrassment it has caused her. Mr. DeCarlo recommended that this Board review the policy that the Code Compliance Department follows as far as notification to people that have been diligent in bringing their property into compliance. After reviewing the policy, the Board could then make recommendations. Motion Vice Chair Miller moved that this Board review the policy of the Code Compliance Department and that this Board ask the City to upgrade that Department's policy by placing violations in an envelope. Mr. DeCarlo suggested that the Board should first look at the Code Department's procedures before contacting the City. Also, Mr. DeCarlo said that the Board could then make a recommendation on finding a better way of noticing people. Mr. Katz suggested inviting Mr. Blasie or someone from the Police Department to attend this Board's next meeting to discuss the procedures. Chairman Washam requested that Mr. DeCarlo invite Mr. Blasie to next month's meeting. Also, Chairman Washam requested that Mr. DeCarlo provide the members with a copy of the applicable Code dealing with notices. Mr. Katz urged the maker of the motion to withdraw the motion, pending discussions with a representative from the Code Compliance Department. Vice Chair Miller withdrew her original motion. Motion 4 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 4, 2001 Vice Chair Miller moved that this Board investigate the procedures of Code Compliance Department and that the information be made available at the next meeting. Further, this Board invite a representative from the Code Compliance Department to review the procedures. Motion seconded by Ms. Currier and un animously carried. VII. Old Business A. Community Garden Update Mr. DeCarlo reported that there is a second garden going in at 6th and Seacrest. Last week Mr. Brian Edwards had 14 youth from his church working in the garden and Mr. Edwards finished up himself last Saturday. Because of the water restrictions, there is a hold on some of the projects. Work will continue at the site including placement of a white picket fence and landscaping on the comer. Other sites are also being looked at. Mr. DeCado pointed out that most gardening activities don't begin until September, which is the beginning of the season. Therefore, they are focusing on getting the structure built and getting the area looking good. Ms. Currier asked what the City was going to do about the drug dealers that hang out at this location? Mr. DeCado stated that this particular comer is always full of trash and has always been an eyesore. The City wants to eliminate this area as a hangout and will be initiating a bulk waste removal program to clean up all vacant lots. This will carry over to the entire City. Ms. Girtman asked about the properties that have homes on them that also need to be cleaned up? Mr. DeCarlo noted that the City would be hiring a consultant to do a study of the MLK Boulevard area. The City will be doing a street-by-street design on what needs to be done to individual structures. Therefore, it is very important that the churches, the CDC and this Board get involved in this process. Mr. DeCado stated that a mailing will be sent to every household in the MLK study area to inform them of the City's plans. Mr. DeCarlo noted that this is not going to happen overnight, but there is a concerted effort among the residents to make a change. B. GALA Mr. DeCarlo reported that the GALA was very successful. However, because the City tables were located in the Children's Museum, people were unaware of their location. Unfortunately, there was no sign outside to indicate that the City booths were inside. It is anticipated that this won't occur next year and that there will be different locations for the City booths. Chairman Washam commended the City on how nice the booths were presented. C. PATCH 5 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 4, 2001 Mr. DeCarlo reported that there is going to be a health fair on Saturday, April 28th at the Civic Center and PATCH will have a booth. PATCH will not be having another meeting prior to the date of the health fair and Mr. DeCarlo said he would send out a mailing to remind everyone of the date and time. Mr. DeCado announced that the immunization van will be at the Civic Center on Saturday, June 30th. A great deal of activities is planned and this will be well advertised throughout the County. Flyers may also be sent out. Chairman Washam thanked Mr. DeCarlo for all his hard work in this endeavor and noted the progress that is being made. Mr. DeCarlo indicated that a second immunization program may take place in August at the Wilson Center. Ms. Girtman requested that diabetes screening also be scheduled. Mr. DeCarlo stated that these types of tests would also be done at the April 28th fair. He reported that PATCH would be performing a need's assessment. There is funding available, but first a need's analysis must be done. Ms. Girtman suggested that Mr. DeCarlo send out notices to the area churches to keep people informed. Vice Chair Miller inquired if the Shopper Hopper would be available for transportation to the health fair? Mr. De Carlo was not sure if it could be available on a Saturday and if there was enough time to arrange for the use of the bus. Vice Chair Miller suggested that it would only be needed for a few stops. Mr. DeCarlo said he would check into this. VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. Sister Cities International Mr. DeCarlo reported that the delegation, as far as he knows, is still planning their trip to Boynton Beach in May. He has been speaking with Mr. Wilfred Hawkins and they discussed having the City Boards and the chairs of each Board being involved. Mr. DeCado would like the Community Relations Board to take the lead. If the delegation does in fact come to Boynton Beach over Memorial Day weekend, this Board could go over the planning and its involvement at the May meeting. Mr. Katz raised concerns in light of what is currently taking place with regard to relations with the Republic of China. Chairman Washam pointed out that they have been planning this program for over six months and would like to see it materialize. Mr. DeCado noted that there are over 50 other cities in the United States that have sister cities in China. Mr. DeCado also reported that it is anticipated that a tour group is being scheduled to perform in the new High School auditorium and a tremendous crowd is anticipated. Mr. DeCarlo said that he is also looking at doing a sister Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 4, 2001 city with a city in France and having a French garden in the Meadows. Mr. DeCarlo envisions Boynton Beach becoming an international city. Mr. DeCarlo also reported that the City is looking at Sam Sims Park to do some type of African culture activity to celebrate the African history in the community. This could bring private funds into the City to help develop these parks. B. Youth in Government Day--Thursday, April 26, 2001 Chairman Washam reported that Youth in Government Day is scheduled for Thursday, April 26th. Members will be needed throughout the day to assist and schedules were distributed. Opening events will take place at City Hall beginning at 7:45 a.m. The Mayor, Commissioners, the City Manager and the Assistant City Managers will greet students. The students will then spend the morning with their counterparts and lunch will be served at noon in the Children's Museum and all Board members are urged to attend. The mock City Commission Meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and it is requested that Board members also be present at that meeting. Mr. Mitchell inquired why there were no students from Santaluces or Atlantic High School. Mr. DeCado said they were invited, but there was no response that they wanted to participate. Mr. DeCarlo said he followed through with phone calls and was informed that the students' schedules were too full this time of year. Chairman Washam reported that the schools that are participating are very enthusiastic and are looking forward to participating. Mr. Katz requested that next year Ms. Constantino be contacted in order that home-schooled students could also participate. Mr. Constantino reported that Boynton Beach has the second highest number of home-schooled children in the County. Mr. DeCarlo said he would contact home-schooled students next year. Chairman Washam noted that there is still room for additional students to participate and requested that Mr. Constantino furnish Mr. DeCarlo with a list of students as soon as possible. IX. Adjournment Vice Chair Miller moved to adiourn, which was seconded by Mr. Katz. The meeting propedy adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (two tapes) 7