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Wkshp Minutes 10-11-00CITY COMMISSION/COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD JOINT WORKSHOP HELD IN THE LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOM, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2000 AT 4:30 P.M. Present: City Commissioner Community Relations Board Mayor Gerald Broening Vice Mayor Ron Weiland Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sherman Commissioner Bruce Black Commissioner Charlie Fisher Ron Washam, Chairman Anne Centi Joy Curder Brenda Lee Williams Eddie Mitchell (ardved at 5:00 p.m.) David Katz, Alternate Beth Miller, Vice Chair (arrived at 5:30 p.m.) Also Present PATCH Representatives Kurt Bressner, City Manager Wilfred Hawkins, Assistant City Manager Dan DeCarlo, Neighborhood Specialist OPENING REMARKS Ray Adams, Senior Community Planner, P.B.C. HCD Elizabeth Hernandez, Community Relations Specialist HCD Michelle Damone, Board Supervisor Indian River Trail Improvement District Mr. DeCado called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m. and asked Chairman Washam to address the audience. Chairman Washam welcomed everyone and thanked the steering committee nominees for attending. Chairman Washam explained that the purpose of the meeting was to update everyone on the need for some type of clinic in the City, which the Board has been discussing for several months. Meetings have taken place with representatives from the South Florida Health Care District and Bethesda Hospital. Members have also visited other clinics and health centers. At first the Board centered on a health clinic, but now the focus is more on a health-education center. The PATCH Program will only be one segment of the intricate health care that will be available in Boynton. The goal of the Community Relations Board is to take the project from the Board to be handled by a citizen's group. Chairman Washam noted that tonight's presentation had already been given to the Board at its June meeting. Originally it was anticipated that this Board would be a bridge between the legislators and the steering committee. However, this would cost millions of dollars to operate. The Board has decided to focus upon a health and education center that would, among other things, offer assistance to abused WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA October 11, 2000 women, pregnant women and children, prenatal care, AIDS awareness, etc. There are people in the City from other countries that have no place to go and have no resources. INTRODUCTION TO PATCH Chairman Washam introduced Mr. Ray Adams, the Senior Community Planner for the Palm Beach County Health Care District, who gave a PowerPoint Presentation on the PATCH Program, a full copy of which is attached to the original minutes of this meeting. Also, Mr. Adams is the technical advisor for the entire PATCH Programs throughout the County. Mr. Adams introduced Ms. Micheile Damone from the Central PATCH and Ms. Elizabeth Hernandez from the Glades PATCH. Mr. Adams explained that PATCH stands for Planned Approach to Community Health, which is a comprehensive health-planning program. It was developed in the 1980s by the Cer~ter for Disease Control in Atlanta and began in South Flodda in 1989. Mr. Adams next discussed the importance of community input and community relations and reviewed the critical elements of a successful PATCH. The goal of PATCH is to promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury and disability. Community participation is key to the success of the program. Thefive phases of PATCH are: Mobilize the Community Collect and Organize Data Choose Health Priorities Develop Comprehensive Intervention Plan Evaluate PATCH and Interventions Mr. Adams reviewed these five phases of PATCH at length and the make-up and role of the steering committee. In order for the community to become acquainted with the PATCH process, publicity is very important. A model organizational structure was presented which would include the following: · 2 Seats- Business (one small business representative and one representative from big business) · 1 Seat- Medical Provider · 1 Seat- Faith Community · 2 Seats- Education (one person from School Administration and one person from a local school organization such as a SAC President) · 1 Seat- Public Administration · 1 Seat- Human Services Provider · 1 Seat- Law Enforcement 2 WORKSHOP MEETING~MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/COM MUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA October 11, 2000 · 6 Seats- Community Residents. It is recommended that these six people have no ties to politics or any health organizations and should be concerned residents of the community. · The steering committee should have between six and 15 members. · Officers. Mr. Adams had a handout that he would distribute later during the meeting that was developed for Central Patch on defining officers. Next reviewed were the various local PATCH models as follows: 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Glades, formed in 1989 Lake Worth/Lantana, formed in 1994 South County (Delray), formed in 1995 West Palm Beach, formed in 1996 I~iviera Beach, formed in 1997 Jupiter, formed in 1998 Central, formed in 1999 Boynton Beach, formed in 2000 The next steps that need to be taken would be - Form a Steering Committee Schedule Training (to be discussed further with Mr. DeCado) Form Working Groups: (a) Nominating (b) Membership (c) Public Relations (d) Data, and (e) Evaluation Glades PATCH Ms, Elizabeth Hernandez addressed the audience and stated she has been involved with PATCH for approximately seven years. The PATCH formed in the Glades was to address some issues in the eady 1980s. Ms. Hernandez noted that the Glades PATCH is made up of three cities, Pahokee, Belle Glade and South Bay. Some of the concerns back in the 1980s had to do with the Health Department, School Board and major issues of the residents. Ms. Hernandez explained how they addressed these issues by discussing them with the agencies involved and holding many meetings and community forums. She reviewed the current programs and events that have been offered through PATCH that have proven to be very positive. The Glades PATCH has 21 members, with representatives from each area. The United Way is represented, as well as Children's Services Council. Also, the City 3 WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA October 11, 2000 Commissions keep them apprised of events that may have an affect upon PATCH and keep them involved with community happenings. The meeting recessed for 15 minutes. Central PATCH Ms. Michelle Damone stated she is the only governmental representative on the Central PATCH Committee. Ms. Damone said that last year a steering committee was formed to put the program in place. After the steering committee was in place, a larger committee evolved. Central PATCH represents Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, the Acreage and Loxahatchee Grove and Central PATCH was partnered with the Health Care District. The big issue in Central PATCH is immunization for the children and this was addressed by going into the schools and providing the immunizations. They are continuing to identify their goals and locating business partners to attain them. Central PATCH came up with a mission statement and is now preparing bylaws. In order to offer PATCH services, they have been rotating among the fOur communities. Ms. Damone went on to explain the importance of training for the steering committee and presented the vadous programs and services that have originated from PATCH. Summary of PATCH/Open Discussion Sister Lorraine Ryan pointed out that there already exists in the City of Boynton Beach established neighborhood coordinators in addition to Mr. Dan DeCado, the City's Neighborhood Specialist. Sister Lorraine inquired if it would be worthwhile to approach these groups for their participation and how do you get people involved in the Program? Mr. Adams said it is important to reach out to all segments of the community and get everyone involved and he would approach these community groups since they are already established. Mr. David Katz noted that the program is relying upon various elements networking successfully. Mr. Katz feels there already are existing governmental agencies that supply these services by cooperating with each other. He feels that this would be a duplication of services. Mr. Adams pointed out that PATCH is a community program and not a governmental program. Mr. Adams said he only acts as an advisor to groups like PATCH. Aisc, PATCH keeps the community informed on what services and programs are available. Ms. Hernandez stated that PATCH is the link between the agencies, governmental programs and the community. Mr. Katz stated that there already exist in the City several advisory boards that could provide these services. 4 WORKSHOP MEETINg-MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA October 11, 2000 Chairman Washam said that PATCH would not be a duplication of anything in the City because there is nothing in existence now similar to PATCH. He noted that everyday people fall through the cracks because they don't know where to turn. Further, Chairman Washam stated that this would be located in one place where people could go for assistance, information and help. Mr. Herb Suss suggested involving the public and private schools, as well as the Boy and Girl Scouts. He would like to see the children in the community also included. Ms. Damone stated that their PATCH does include representatives from the schools and many of the programs offered are for the children. Vice Chair Miller stated that she works for a shelter for homeless families in Boynton Beach and cannot get services for these families in the City, unless they go to West Palm Beach or Delray Beach. Most of these families don't have cars. Also, most of these people are uninformed on where to go for assistance and there is a need for accessible facilities. A needs assessment will be done to determine what services and programs are needed within the City. Chairman Washam pointed out that they have met with the people who provide these services and they informed him that there are not enough people to provide the services. The key to helping people is educating them on the services that are available. A discussion on the need for these services in the City ensued. The whole point of the PATCH program is to put people in the proper direction to fulfill their needs. Mayor Broening agreed with Vice Chair Miller that a needs assessment has to be undertaken, which should be done by the people in the community. Commissioner Fisher pointed out that this is not a City funded program, but is community based looking for local partnerships. Chairman Washam replied that the Community Relations Board would be a link between PATCH and the Commission. Commissioner Fisher inquired if the Board was looking for a consensus from the Commission that it agrees with the concept that a place is needed within the City where information can be disseminated. Ms. Sarah Williams felt the PATCH concept was an excellent idea, but noted that Boynton Beach is already mobilized and there already is a Forum that was organized in the. City four years ago, addressing these very same issues. Also, Ms. Williams felt that the City Boards are doing an excellent job with the children in the City. Ms. Williams said that back in 1995 the City received data from the County Health Care District regarding the need for a health facility in the City. Ms. Williams reported from that study on the number of persons that were serviced by the County's Health Care Distdct as follows: 3,500 cases serviced to persons who resided in the zip code area 33435; 200 persons were serviced in 33436; and in 33437 approximately 500 people were serviced. This meant that 5 WORKSHOP MEETING~MINUTES CITY COMMISSION/COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA October 11, 2000 the Health District serviced over 4,200 residents in the City. Ms. Williams would like to see more data before proceeding. Chairman Washam said that the Board has examined this data and it was noted that there is a critical need for education in Boynton Beach. The PATCH Program will only enhance the programs already available. Chairman Washam felt that the Community Form would be welcome to assist with the program. Vice Mayor Weiland asked after everything is in place, who would run the Program? Would it be run by volunteers, or would there be a paid staff? Also Vice Mayor Weiland inquired if there was a building available or will a building have to be built? Chairman Washam replied that originally the Community Relations Board was intent on getting a clinic in the community, but after meeting with Mr. Adams and the PATCH representatives, the Board decided to change its direction back in May. What Chairman Washam envisions is having an inclusive center to help take care of new people in town from different countries. Vice Chair Miller stated that they toured two different facilities and explained how these facilities addressed the needs of the communities. She noted that one of the facilities toured in West Palm Beach was run solely by volunteers. Vice Chair Miller stated they planned to seek grants and to look for sponsors. Commissioner Black felt it was unrealistic to go out and apply for a grant and build a building. Commissioner Black suggested that the program could begin by operating out of a room at the Hester Center and could be run by volunteers on a small basis. He felt that the important thing is the service being provided and not the building that it comes from. Commissioner Black suggested that the program start out small and gradually expand as the needs grow. City Manager Bressner summarized the presentation as follows: PATCH is a tight methodology that requires facts to be gathered, the parties to be convened, issues to be discussed and decisions to be made. The intended consequence would be that linkages would be created as the result of conversations through networking. Further by going through the PATCH process, this will force the City to assess its assets and to also look at possible liabilities. After all this takes place, this will permit all of us to make an informed decision as a community on where we want this to go. Also, Mr. Bressner concurred that having a steering committee is a good way to address this. Mr. Bressner said he would like the Commission to consider that 6 WORKSHOP MEETINGMINUTES CITY COMMISSION/COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA October 11, 2000 the Community Relations Board focus on the program a little more and come back to the City Commission with a recommendation as to whether or not a steering committee should be established. Mr. Bressner noted that in the beginning there will have to be some staff resources utilized to get the program going. Chairman Washam said that the Community Relations Board will be finalizing the recommendations at another meeting this evening and requested that the issue be placed on a future Commission agenda so that their Board can bring forth its recommendation. Commissioner Fisher was unsure why the City Commission had to get involved at this point, since PATCH is self-sufficient and the Community Relations Board would be turning it over to a steering committee. Commissioner Fisher felt the role of this Commission would be to provide assistance whenever possible, but did not feel that the City had to give its o.k. Chairman Washam stated that they followed the provided guidelines and researched the types of people that would be appropriate for the steering committee. Because this is an entirely new concept, the Board felt it should be brought before the Commission for a consensus. Vice Mayor Weiland asked if the Board was looking for approval of the PATCH Program, as well as the steering committee by the Commission. He further asked if the other five PATCH Programs had been presented to their Commissions and Mr. 'Adams said this had not been done by the other five PATCH Programs and they have no political ties whatsoever. Chairman Washam noted that his Board was requested to bdng this to the Commission as a courtesy. Mayor Broening felt that the Community Relations Board was actually looking for an endorsement and based upon what he has heard tonight, Mayor Broening is prepared to endorse the Program. 7 WORKSHOP MEETING~'~INUTES CITY COMMISSION/COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA October 11, 2000 Chairman Washam thanked everyone for his or her attendance. There being no further business, the workshop adjourned at 6:30 p.m. CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH Mayor Vice Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Commissioner Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (2 tapes) Commissioner 8