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Minutes 08-23-00MINUTES OF A SPECIAL COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD AT ROLLING GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA, IN BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2000 AT 7:00 P.M. PRESENT ALSO PRESENT Ron Washam, Chairman Beth Miller, Vice Chair Anne Centi Blanche Girtman Eddie Mitchell B~renda.. Williems doy ~urrler *** ABSENT Dan DeCarlo, Neighborhood Specialist Octavia Sherrod, Community Development Manager David Carter Brett Sherman Hansome Jones, Alternate David Katz, Alternate I. OPENING Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:03 P.M. and requested that Ms. Blanche Girtman lead the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. II. ROLL CALL The names of the Board members present were called and a quorum was declared present. III. WELCOME AND RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Chairman Washam welcomed everyone who had come to the meeting and recognized the presence in the audience of Commissioner Chariie Fisher. IV. AGENDA Chairman Washam introduced the Board members and gave a brief history of the Community Relations Board, stating that it had begun approximately forty years ago as the Race Relations Board. He stated that the Board had experience in community forums and in handling conflicts which required resolution. Chairman Washam advised that the meeting had been called in response to a charge by the City Commission to the Community Relations Board, that of the potential re-naming of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to the east of Federal Highway. -Chairman Washam stated that all points of view would be heard and the Board would make a ***correction Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Special Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida August 23, 2000 recommendation to the City Commission based on the consensus of the Board members. He made it clear that the final decision would be up to the City Commission. Chairman Washam asked that everyone record their names on a sign-up sheet that was circulated around the room. Chairman Washam explained the format of the meeting. All of the participants who wished to be heard in favor of changing the name of the street would speak first. After all the persons wishing to speak in favor of changing the name had spoken, that part of the hearing would be closed and the people wishing to speak in favor of keeping the street name the same would be allowed to speak. There was to be no rebuttal on either side. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the BOard members would vote and their vote was to be transmitted as a recommendation to the City Commission. Vice Chair Miller gave some guidelines for proper conduct to the participants. They were asked to raise their hands and wait to be called upon. They were asked to confine their remarks to three minutes and to avoid repeating what others had said. They were asked to speak in specific terms and avoid generalities. They were asked to show respect for their fellow citizens and to refrain from making threats or assigning blame. Vice Chair Miller offered those who did not feel comfortable speaking the option of writing down their comments and bringing them to the Board table. Vice Chair Miller also asked everyone to state his or her name and address before speaking, for the record. Vice Chair Miller observed that the Chinese symbol for conflict was derived from two Chinese words, danger and opportunity. She stated that conflict was neither positive nor negative and that if steps were taken to modify the events and manage the emotions, almost any conflict could become a source of opportunity. The following persons spoke in favor of changing the Name of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard: Mr. Kevin Sullivan, 756 Rider Road, Boynton Beach Ms. Sandra Chaverra, 626 N.E. 10th Avenue, Boynton Beach Mr. Christopher Todd, 6877 S.W. 18th Avenue, Boca Raton Mr. John Fraser, 627 N.E. 10th Avenue,. Boynton Beach The reasons for their preference to change the name of the street were: The residents were not notified at the time of the name change. The City did not follow the proper procedure for changing the street name. They feared property values would decline if the name was kept the same. They did not like to be associated with a street said to be synonymous with violence and crime. The following persons spoke in favor of dismissing the issue entirely. Mr. James Miriana, 728 N.E. 8th Avenue, Boynton Beach 2 Meeting Minutes -- Community Relations Board Special Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida August 23, 2000 Mr. Brian Edwards, 629 N.E. 9th Avenue, Boynton Beach Both gentlemen stated that the intent of INCA (Inland Cove Association) had been to establish nautical street names east of Federal Highway in their neighborhood, as an enhancement to the community. There had never been an intention to offend anyone. Also, the guidelines for changing street names were found to be cost prohibitive and INCA had withdrawn its application for the change in street names. The following persons spoke in favor of keeping the name of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard as it is today: Ms. Maretha Madeus, 418 N.W. 4th Avenue, Boynton Beach Mr. Victor Norfus, 261 No. Palm Drive, Boynton Beach Ms. Lena Rahming, Boynton Beach Mr. Wilford Taylor, 235 N.W. 10th Avenue, Boynton Beach Mr. Sam Kendrick, 181 N.E. 9th Avenue, Boynton Beach Ms. Marsha Norfus, 261 No. Palm Drive, Boynton Beach Ms. Annie Upshaw, Boynton Beach Mr. Terry Pereira, 7692 Colony Lakes Drive, Boynton Beach Ms. Lillian Artis, 306 N.W. 1st Avenue, Boynton Beach Mr. William Albury, Jr., 130 N.E. 6th Avenue, Boynton Beach Ms. Margaret Newton, 701 N.W. 4th Street Reverend McFadden, St. Paul AME Church, 315 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Boynton Beach Michelle Costantino, Boynton Beach The speakers in favor of keeping the name of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard the same gave the following reasons for their preference: Seems as if people would rather have "Butterfly Way" than Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard; This is dividing the City; Dr. King stood and died for love, trust, honesty, justice and freedom for ALL people, regardless of race or creed; Own lots on 9th and 10th Avenues - property values have not gone down - have gone UP every year; The idea that there are people who don't even want to live NEAR a street named Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard is a cause for concern; In 1984 the issue was advertised in the newspapers, television and radio, and several meetings were held by the City Commission, and no one who came to the meetings, black or white, objected to the name; If there is no procedure for street naming, then are all the other streets in the City to be changed? What about Seacrest Boulevard, which used to be Green Street? Are we going to go back and change that? This relatively small issue could blow way out of proportion. We have an opportunity to be the moral conscience of Boynton Beach - how wonderful it would be if we could all "take the high road"; If people are concerned about crime and violence on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, let them come together and work with us to change that. 3 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Special Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida August 23, 2000 Chairman Washam declared that the second half of the public audience was closed as there were no other people who wished to speak. Chairman Washam offered the Community Relations Board members an opportunity to comment on the issue, observing the same three-minute time limit rule. Their comments are summarized below: Many Board members were life-long residents of the City and had worked very hard to get the name of the street changed to Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. They commented that they were taxpayers and had a voice in the City. They stated they had gone through the legislative process and achieved a victory to honor a man who had lived and died for love, peace and justice for all people, regardless of color or creed. The feeling on the Board was that not only should the name remain the same, but that the area should have a flower garden, welcoming people to Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. Several members commented on various streets whose names had been changed by the same procedure as that used for this street including Seacrest Boulevard, formerly Green Street. It was believed that the citizens of the community east of Federal Highway had an opportunity in 1984 to contest the name change and did not do so. There was no evidence presented that would indicate that property values had gone down since the name change in 1984. The Board was unanimous in its belief that the issue was very divisive for the City and that to change the name would not serve the best interests of the community as a whole. The Board believed that the members of the community needed to unite and move forward to make Boynton Beach a better place in which to live. Chairman Washam concluded by saying that when the Community Relations Board was charged with presenting an Open Forum for the community to voice its opinions pro and con on this issue, they wanted it to be as fair as possible. They believed this had been achieved. He stated that if anyone wished to contest the issue further they could contact the City Attorney or their legislators. Vote by the Board Members Chairman Washam stated that he would poll the members for their vote on the issue. He stated that he had not heard any substantial reasons in favor of changing the name of the street. He also said that while he did not live on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, he would have gladly marched with Dr. King and that his vote was to keep the street name as Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. Vice Chair Beth Miller agreed, saying he was a great man who needed to be recognized - leave it the same; Ms. Anne Centi stated, "Absolutely, keep it as it is; Ms. Blanche Girtman stated, "1 agree 100%, let it remain the same; Ms. Brenda Williams, keep it the same; Mr. Eddie Mitchell, keep it the same; and Ms. Joy Currier, keep it the same. Chairman Washam stated that this unanimous vote would be the Community Relation Board's final recommendation to the City Commission - that the name Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard should be retained. 4 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Special Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida August 23, 2000 Chairman Washam said that the Community Relations Board met on the first Wednesday of the month in Conference Room C in the west wing of City Hall, and invited all who wished to attend the meetings. Commissioner Fisher spoke to the assembly, praising their professionalism, community spirit and the fact that both sides had come together to discuss the issue. He was proud of the participants and proud to be associated with the entire community, regardless of the final outcome of the matter. The meeting was duly adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan Collins Recording Secretary (two tapes) 5