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Minutes 05-17-00MINUTES OF A SPECIAL COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD WORKSHOP HELD IN CONFERENCE ROOM "C", WEST WING, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2000 AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT Chairman Ron Washam Vice Chairperson Beth Miller Brett Sherman Anne Centi Joy Currier Blanche Girtman David Carter Brenda Williams Eddie Mitchell Octavia Sherrod, Community Development Manager ABSENT Hansome Jones ~ David Katz . ...... At 6:35 P.M. Chairman Washam called the meeting to order. He stated that the meeting had been called to discuss names for a steering committee for the proposed Health Center on Martin L. King Boulevard. Mr. Washam commented that the selection of the steering committee was very important as the steering committee may end up being the Board of Directors for the proposed Center, answerable to the Community Relations Board. Chairman Washam pointed out that the Board would need to approach the task with an eye to rationality and a compassionate heart. Chairman Washam advised that the slate of candidates chosen at this Workshop would be presented to the full Board for a formal vote at its next meeting, June 7. The group reached consensus on various points during the meeting. Originally the group had a committee size of 15 people in mind. During the selection process, however, it was decided to allow more names on the list to cover dropouts. It was also decided that the slots for Law Enforcement, Medical, Educator and Business were to be left open until filled with people who specifically represented those slots. The members of the group also reached consensus on the need to arrive at alternative dates for the County to do the two-day training session, preferably in July or August. The group was unanimous in its contention that the time MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA May 17, 2000 between the formal vote on June 7 and the planned sessions on June 16 and 17 would not allow enough time for the chosen committee members to arrange their work schedules accordingly. Chairman Washam stated that he would work try to get alternate dates. Chairman Washam said he would telephone the members when he had new dates so they could get attendance commitments from their steering committee choices. The group also reached consensus on the issue of whether a steering committee member had to reside in Boynton Beach. The decision was that the qualifications of each candidate took precedence over their place of residence. Chairman Washam stated that if any member of the Community Relations Board wanted to serve on the steering committee they could step down from the Board. Eddie Mitchell asked for clarification as to whether the PATCH program and the steering committee were both for the clinic and Chairman Washam replied that they were one and the same. There was some confusion as to whether the steering committee would ultimately become the Board of Directors and according to Chairman Washam it could go either way; at the direction of the Community Relations Board. He also said that the steering committee would be the group that would be getting the program off the ground. Joy Currier stated that she had tried to get the Chief Executive Officer of Bethesda Hospital, Mr. Hill, but he said no. She also tried for Robert Taylor but he, as everyone, had prior commitments. She also called former Commissioner and Vice Mayor Shirley Jaskiewicz, a tireless worker in the north end, a teacher, a long-time resident, and someone who cared deeply. She had not heard back from her as of this meeting. Ms. Currier felt that South County should be included on the list. Ms. Centi believed that a representative of the faith community should be a part of the steering committee. Chairman Washam asked the members if they wanted to have Dan DeCarlo represent the Community Relations Board on the Steering Committee and all agreed on this point. Ms. Currier stated that she knew of a young man in the Head Start program who is a mentor for the children and works in the area but he is part of South County. He is a Hispanic young man and he is excited about the proposed health center and would like to be a part of it. He said that if he were called on as a last resort he would be there as an educator. 2 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA May 17, 2000 Vice Chair Miller stated that she was trying to get someone from Motorola but had not been successful yet. She thought this would be appropriate since Motorola will be approached for dollars in support of the program. The list of candidates for the steering committee and a "thumbnail comment" follows: Sister Elizabeth Ryan Brian Edwards Elizabeth Jenkins Sara Williams Tim Androsek Angela Girtman Bill Milner Tommy Williams Susan Andrews Dan DeCarlo Pat Norgiel Charles Bane Ralph Conca Tom Blum Bob Ordway Medical Mission Sister, active in Community Caring Center Politically active Long-time resident, former member Community Relations Board Community activist Head of Computer Department, Florida Atlantic University Girtman's Treasure Chest Day Care Center Attorney, active in politics With City at Hester Park for 27 years Bookkeeper, office manager Neighborhood Project Specialist, City of Boynton Beach Risk Management Analyst, works with Ronald McDonald House and with children with muscular dystrophy Chamber of Commerce Initiator, founder of Dick Webber Center for Child Abuse Prevention Owner, Banana Boat Medical representative from Bethesda Business representative from Motorola Public Administration representative from the City Manager's office Law Enforcement - Jim Cummings or a selection by Chief Gage There was consensus among the group on this slate of candidates, which will be voted on at the June 7 meeting of the Board. Announcement: Vice Chairperson Miller notified the group that there would be a big party on Ocean Avenue on June 2 from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. and that 2,000 to 3,000 people were expected. The occasion was the wrap-up of the Sailfish event. She suggested the Board may want to have a booth there. Chairman Washam, Joy 3 MEETING MINUTES - COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA May 17, 2000 Currier, and Brett Sherman committed to be at this event. (Vice Chair Miller said she would be there but would probably be working at the Exchange booth). Multicultural Event - Sara Sims Park Chairman Washam reported that there would be a multicultural event at Sara Sims Park on June 10, from 12:00 noon to 7 p.m. He stated that it was extremely important that the Board made a commitment to be there with a booth, moral support and and to answer questions from the community. The Board decided to have a booth and to hand out a one-page flier with information on the proposed community health center on Martin L. King Jr Boulevard. Considerable discussion followed on the contents of the flier. It was decided to stress the educational aspects of the center at this time and not to describe it as a medical facility. Vice Chair Miller Stated that the main emphasis at this time was to get the center up and running and that the Board was following the tried and true path of the PATCH process to do that. Once the center was up and running the medical focus could be expanded upon and funding pursued, if that was the direction the Board decided to take at that time. Chairman Washam stated that if people felt the idea was not definitive enough, that they should be made aware that the center was a "work-in-progress" and still in the creation stages. By mutual consent, the group adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan S. Collins (one tape) 4