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Minutes 04-05-00MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2000 AT 7:00 P.M. PRESENT Ron Washam, Chairman Dan DeCarlo, Neighborhood Project Joy Currier Specialist Blanche Girtman Hansome Jones Beth Miller, Vice Chair Brett Sherman Brenda Lee Williams David A. Carter, Voting Alternate I. OPENING, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and requested that Vice Chair Miller lead the members in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 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 members of the press that were present this evening. Aisc welcomed were Vice Mayor Weiland and Commissioners Black and Fisher. Aisc recognized was Mr. Brian Edwards. IV. AGENDA APPROVAL Chairman Washam asked if there were any additions to the agenda. Hearing none, he called for a motion to approve the agenda. Motion Vice Chair Miller moved to approve the agenda. Motion seconded by Ms. Currier and carried unanimously. V. MINUTES APPROVAL - MARCH 1, 2000 There were no additions or changes to the minutes of the March 1, 2000 meeting. MEETING MINUTES ' COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 5, 2000 Motion Vice Chair Miller moved to approve the minutes of the March 1, 2000 meeting. Motion seconded by Ms. Williams and unanimously carried. VI. CORRESPONDENCE ANDANNOUNCEMENTS Ms. Currier stated that the HeadStart no longer had a supplier for the children's pizza parties that are held twice each year and she was looking for a new supplier. Offers to assist were received from the Commissioners that were present tonight. Vice Chair Miller thanked the City for allowing the bikers to stage their benefit last week. VII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE None VIII. OLD BUSINESS Discussion of Proposed Health Services Facility On Martin Luther King Boulevard Chairman Washam requested that Mr. DeCarlo assume the podium to present the plans for the proposed health services facility. Mr. DeCarlo introduced himself and stated he is the City's liaison to the Community Relations Board and noted that many Board members have worked on this project for many years. He pointed out that the City owns two lots on MLK Boulevard, which would be the location for the facility. However, there is a time limit. Members were referred to the material in their packet, which explains that the County conveyed this property to the City for public use with a time limit. After discussion with various County officials, it was determined that the best way to proceed would be to put together a Board of Directors. This Board would recommend nominees for the Board of Directors. Mr. DeCarlo reported that he and Chairman Washam met with Dr. Fuhrman, the Director of the Delray Beach Clinic and Dr. Alonso, the County's Clinical Services Director. Also, a not-for- profit corporation will be formed that is necessary for fundraising purposes and to perform other administrative functions. The primary function of the Community Relations Board is to conduct a needs assessment and assist in fundraising for the project. Besides providing health services, the clinic would also offer public education services. The County felt MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 5, 2000 the clinic should also provide dental care and mental health services with an emphasis on drug treatment in the future. Mr. DeCarlo stated that it would be more beneficial to establish a clinic than just providing health services. Chairman Was~am noted that this is not really a "clinic", but would be a "health center" to provide a place for people to go for assistance with a myriad of health issues. Chairman Washam stated there is not enough education available for new people moving into the area on how to sign up for Medicare and Medicaid services. Boynton Beach is one of the areas in the County where health concerns are not being addressed. Out of all the municipalities in the County, Boynton Beach has the most diverse community and is spearheading the lead in taking care of all its citizens by providing a health care center. Also, Chairman Washam said that there have been meetings with Bethesda Hospital to determine if they could be tied in with the health center in the future. However, at this time the Board is only in the talking stage with Bethesda. Mr. DeCarlo stated that he has been primarily concentrating on funding the center. He pointed out that HUD is currently funding Neighborhood Services Centers and HUD likes to see the consolidation of programs all under one roof. For example a facility that would deal with early childhood prevention issues, as well as teen related issues and job training. The first thing the new Board of Directors will undertake is a needs assessment. Ms. Girtman noted that there should also be funds available through the CDBG and suggested that Mr. DeCarlo look into this by contacting Mr. Lemar Harvin. Mr. DeCarlo reported that he and some Board Members visited the Pahokee Clinic and noted that they offered day care, after school programs and many other successful services. Vice Chair Miller reported that they visited New Hope Charities in Pahokee, which is a non-profit corporation directly funded through "big sugar". They offer a medical and dental clinic, a youth facility and day care. People who lease the facilities for $1.00 per year provide these services. Chairman Washam said that he has asked Mr. Brian Edwards and Ms. Angela Girtman to be members of the new Board of Directors, to which they have agreed. Chairman Washam requested that each Board member bring two recommendations for the Board of Directors to next month's meeting for consideration. Ms. Currier asked Mr. DeCarlo what function the new Board of Directors would be providing. Mr. DeCarlo said that the new Board would not only be raising funds, but also providing the needs assessment and many other tasks. Also once the funds for construction of the facility have been secured, the Board 3 MEETING MINUTES ~ COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 5, 2000 would be overseeing the construction. Right now, everything is in the formulating stages and Mr. DeCarlo stated that he is currently working on the site plans. Mr. DeCado noted that in changing the project from a clinic to a health services facility, the project has become very doable. Ms. Girtman inquired about the projections on funding and Vice Chair Miller responded that most of the building funds would probably come from HUD. Also, Vice Chair Miller anticipated that there would be some corporate sponsorship and noted there is a great deal of new companies moving into the City. Ms. Currier also pointed out that the members met with Chief Gage and Ms. Currier felt that Chief Gage should be continually apprised of the progress being made. Ms. Currier stated that a police officer would be located at the facility so that people can feel safe when visiting the facility. Chairman Washam thanked Mr. DeCarlo for a wonderful job in getting this project off the ground. Chairman Washam also pointed out that Ms. Sarah Williams agreed to serve on the Board of Directors and was present tonight. Commissioner Fisher inquired if there was a timeframe to have the facility up and running? Vice Chair Miller felt it was too early to determine this. Chairman Washam felt it would take at least six months to attain the not-for-profit status. Ms. Sarah Williams expressed her enthusiasm for the project and noted back in 1996 a needs assessment was undertaken. It was determined at that time that there were a potential 4,467 clients in the 33435 zip code alone. Ms. Williams also felt it was very important to have a place in Boynton Beach where people can receive assistance in signing up for Medicaid. Ms. Williams pointed out that it is important to keep the lines of communication open so that people in the community know what is going on. Vice Mayor Weiland stated that Mayor Broening had intended to be present tonight. However, Mrs. Broening was in the hospital most of the day and is home sick. (At the request of Mr. DeCarlo, the following remarks made by Mrs. Girtman are verbatim.) Mrs. Girtman said "1 would like to enlighten our citizenry on the idea that the health care service center is in an area where people will not be safe or feel safe. 1 would like to let us all think about the fact that we have a Police Department and I know Chief Gage is going to be aware of everything that is happening in our City and I know that he is going to be on top of it and I don't think we will have the problem that you are anticipating that has happened for the last 30 or 40 years." 4 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 5, 2000 "No. 2, we must give everyone credit in the world and this City especially to let us all realize that all of us are gaining intelligence and education and a sense of change in this year 2000. We should not underestimate anyone's intelligence. 1 have always said because a man does not have a college degree, do not underestimate that intelligence. If they have the sense to buy a home, it doesn't matter how small that home is. If they can pay a condo, pay a mortgage note, raise their children and work and send them to college and do the things that we are not expecting them to do, do not ever underestimate anyone's intelligence. And when it comes to, getting what we need on Martin Luther King Boulevard to make the world go around, those that don't want to fall in line will back up and find somewhere else to go." "Let us not kill this idea with the idea that it is on Martin Luther King Boulevard and that is dangerous and that is in a bad section of town. Let us do what we have to do to make that area what it should be and get up off this 1950's and 1940's ideas. This is America and I have lived in Boynton Beach and I know for 50 years and I know and have faith in where it will go. I did not run up and down the coast of Florida for Boynton Beach for you to sit here to tell me tonight that we can't be Safe on Martin Luther King Boulevard. Please let's get.that out of our heads now and work to get this health care center for the people in Boynton and stop saying just for the people on Martin Luther King Boulevard. That is not the way I see it. I did not work in Atlantic High School for 17 years, working with all kinds of peoPle to gi~e this idea to anyone. This is my vision to see a health care center. I know I sound very, very uptight, but that is the way I am and I am emotional, but I am .very emotional about this health care center. I would like for us to get the idea out of our heads that this is not a safe area. This is not a safe City. Boynton Beach is just like every other City. It has its trouble spots and we are going (o work with those trouble spots and all we have to do is depend upon our ~oli~;e Department and whatever" department in this City we n~ed. Our Commissioners, our City Manager to meet those problems and stand up. I don't want to hear you tell me that we can't have it Boynton and you are afraid to go down onl0th Avenue. lam emotional..."(applause) IX. NEW BUSINESS A. Youth in Government Day Mr. DeCado announced that the schools have been notified and he has received verification from three schools that would be participating and expects to hear from the remaining two. The luncheon will be held at the new Children's Museum. Mr. DeCarlo stated he met with the City Manager's staff this morning and the details are being worked out. It is important to keep in mind that any student involved must be from a participating school. Each student that participates is assigned a position as a City official, either Mayor, Commissioner, 5 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 5, 2000 Chief of Police, etc. In the evening a mock Commission Meeting will take place. · th Youth in Government Day will take place on Thursday, April 27 starting at 8:00 a.m. Chairman Washam reminded members that Ms. Girtman was one of the first persons in the City to institute Youth in Government Day and that he was one of the first students to participate almost thirty years ago. B. Neighborhood Forum Workshop Scheduled for April 24, 2000 Mr. DeCarlo announced that the Forum would take place in the Library from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Chairman Washam welcomed Mr. David Carter as the new Alternate on the Board and asked Mr. Carter to introduce himself to the Board. Mr. Carter stated he moved to Boynton Beach from Connecticut approximately 2 years ago and is looking forward to becoming involved in the City and to serving on this Board. Chairman Washam also announced that Mr. Eddie Mitchell is a new member on the Board and he is pleased to have him on the Board. Chairman Washam feels the New Year will be a productive year. Commissioner Fisher felt that one of the reasons he was elected a Commissioner was through his participation with this Board, as well as the Advisory Board on Children and Youth. Commissioner Fisher said he has expectations from this Board and is an advocate for the Board and looks forward to continuing to work with this Board. Ms. Williams said that the best community relations she has witnessed the last two weeks is the election of the two new Commissioners and it appears that they have brought harmony to the City and congratulated the entire Commission for the great spirit flowing into the community. X, ADJOURNMENT Chairman Washam thanked everyone for being present tonight. There being no further business, upon motion made by Ms. Williams and seconded by Ms. Currier the meeting properly adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (2 tapes) 6