Minutes 02-14-07
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD
MEETING HELD IN CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2007 AT 7:00 PM
PRESENT:
Brian Miller, Chair
Belky Cruz
Blanche Hearst Girtman
Eddie Mitchell
Joyce Mura
Stanley Sorgman
Phyllis Stern
Brenda Williams
Regenia Scott, Manager
Neighborhood Services
I. Call to Order - Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Miller called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Vice Chair Mitchell led the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.
II. Roll Call
The Recording Secretary called the roll and determined a quorum was present.
III. Recognition of Visitors
Chair Miller recognized visitors and wished all a Happy Valentines Day.
IV. Approval of Agenda
Motion
Ms. Stern moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Sorgman seconded the motion that unanimously
passed.
V. Approval of Meeting Minutes from January 10, 2007
Motion
Ms. Mura moved to approve the minutes as presented. Ms. Hearst-Girtman seconded the
motion that unanimously passed.
VI. Announcements - Boynton Beach's Heritage Celebration "2007 Super
Weekend" Presented by the Boynton Beach CRA and the City of Boynton
Beach.
Friday, February 23, 2007 - Sunday, February 25, 2007
Downtown Boynton Beach and the Hester Center.
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February 14, 2007
Open Night "Welcome Reception" (Civic Center)
Art Exhibits * Gospel Music
Basketball Tournament * Children's Activities (Hester Center)
Chair Miller asked Ms. Scott to review the Heritage Celebration activities. Ms. Scott gave a brief
presentation about the event. The Heritage Celebration was the culmination of Black History
Month and she highlighted Michael Jones, an attorney handling personal injury and civil justice
cases was a speaker. An art exhibit would be held at the School House Museum and Civic
Center. Ms. Scott advised free Caribbean food would be available at the Celebration, and Kool
and the Gang would be performing Saturday evening. She briefly reviewed the schedule of
activities at the Hester Center and at the Library. The guest speaker and emcee of the Sunday
Gospel Concert was Dr. Samuel Lamar Wright, the first African-American City Commissioner in
Boynton Beach, who is now the Assistant Dean of the Multicultural Department, University of
South Florida in Tampa.
James "T" Thomas a well-known African-American radio announcer would emcee the Friday
night activities. Mr. T was very active in the community; he was raised in Palm Beach County
but is presently in the BrowardjMiami area.
VII. Reports/Updates - HOB and Pride in Boynton Beautification-Cleanup Day held
on Saturday, January 27,2007 from 9:00 a.m. - 12 Noon - Brian Miller
Chair Miller distributed two groups of photos to the board and reported over 125 volunteers
showed up for the HOB Pride in Boynton event. They had expected about 80. He expressed
special thanks to the Community Redevelopment Agency who purchased tee shirts and supplies
and to St. John Missionary Baptist Church who hosted the event. The Heart of Boynton
Community kicked off the event, as did the schools. Poinciana Magnet School teachers,
students, and Vice Principal participated as well as Mr. Sims, Principal of Galaxy Elementary
School, who arrived with 29 students and five teachers.
Other participants were the First Baptist Church, Assistant Fire Chief Ness and other CERT
members, who also provided a fire engine for a demonstration for the children, after the event,
Village Royale on the Green Condominium, St. Paul's AME Church and Buds Chicken and
Seafood, who provided most of the food. Steve Waldman, Chairman of the Education and
Youth Advisory Board, Regenia Scott and Thelma Lyons from Neighborhood Services, and Belky
Cruz, Eddie Mitchell, Stanley Sorgman, and himself of the Community Relations Board were also
present.
Chair Miller announced Four Seas Suns Condo provided 12 volunteers and the "Neighbors
helping Neighbors" theme would be used for any of these types of programs benefiting
neighborhoods. Chair Miller reported the Tuesday after the event he visited the Four Seas Suns
Condo to thank them for participating. They were interested in having a cleanup in their area.
That was the first group of pictures he had distributed. Chair Miller announced Four Seas Suns
Condos organized 20 volunteers for a cleanup the next Saturday. They created a flyer, and
obtained the City of Boynton Beach Guide to Waste Management. They went door-to-door and
distributed the information to the neighbors. Chair Miller advised the most important thing was
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February 14, 2007
for the residents of the community to participate because that was what develops pride in the
community.
Chair Miller thanked Regenia Scott for donating water for the event and Public Works for the
trash pick-up. The area was on NE 16th Avenue, between NE 4th Street and NE 1st Street, and
the side streets between NE 15th Avenue and NE 16th Avenue. He explained he was shocked
when he traveled the area.
Mr. Sorgman thanked Chair Miller for his leadershiP. He announced he was a strong supporter
of those types of events and thought they could be an annual event, sponsored and chaired by
the Community Relations Board. He praised Chair Miller, and reported he did a great job.
Chair Miller thanked Mr. Sorgman and thought a motion to make the events ongoing, so as
different neighborhoods came forward they could conduct events at different times of the year.
Motion
Mr. Sorgman moved that the Community Relations Board be involved in those types of efforts.
Vice Chair Mitchell seconded the motion that unanimously passed.
Vice Chair Mitchell asked about the additional $25K Homestead Exemption individuals making
$24K or less could apply for. He thought some of the members could share information about
the program, which is administered through the Tax Collector's office. He thought many people
would not know the City Commission passed the measure and apply for it before March 1st.
The total earnings must include all sources of earnings, social security, pension and anything
else. He indicated a card would be issued indicating the Homestead Exemption would be
extended. The information was contained on the back of the City's utility bill. The County has
a program; however, only one exemption can be obtained from the City or the County.
Ms. Mura was aware of the program and clarified the City Clerk's office had the form. The
individual needed to be a senior citizen and already receiving the Homestead Exemption. The
income was the adjusted gross income, and income tax statements must be provided. Vice
Chair Mitchell explained this was the first year of the program.
On another matter, Ms. Mura informed the board she spoke with Jim Ness about postage for a
mailing regarding the April 11th Community Relations Board CERT Presentation. She asked Ms.
Scott if she could provide the Community Relations poster board that was used at
Neighborhood Networking Events. She also requested assistance in developing the language
content for the mailing.
Ms. Stern reported Chief Ness came to Hunters Run with an EMS Instructor to update the CERT
volunteers. She explained the presentation was well received and about 40 CERT members
were present for the meeting. A CPR demonstration was also given. The subcommittee for the
mailing would consist of Ms. Mura, Mr. Sorgman, Ms. Stern and Chair Miller.
Police Chief Mathew Immler would be at the March meeting to make a presentation about Gang
and Youth Violence. Undercover detectives would also be making a presentation. Ms. Scott
explained the City Commission received of a $300K grant to implement programs to address
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February 14, 2007
this issue. A proposal was developed with an outline for use of the funds and they needed to
commence full implementation the program.
The board discussed ideally, there would be a steering committee made up of schools,
community leaders and government personnel to address the issue from a prevention,
intervention and mainstream back into the community view. They would be reviewing
programs to ascertain what services and organizations were already in existence and how to
improve on them. More specifically, the funds are for youth violence as opposed to gang
violence. Ms. Scott explained a Youth Violence Prevention Program would target teens and
provide alternatives to unfavorable behaviors There was a lack of activities for the teen
population. Violence was the main issue but there were other issues contributing to those
behaviors that needed to be considered, such as poverty, lack of education and family matters.
Ms. Scott acknowledged the City was considering the establishment of Exclusionary Zones.
The initiative was being researched and reviewed by the City Attorney and Chief Immler, to
determine what could be implemented without ACLU issues. Different areas of the country
have implemented different practices. The City also meets with neighboring cities about the
effort. She noted if you push a gang member out of one locality, they move into the next. The
matter was more to eliminate the issue as opposed to shutting them out.
Ms. Cruz reported in New York State, their efforts included the DARE program with the Police
Department and they opened up the community schools and began a PAL program to take the
youth off the streets. Different volunteers taught different programs in the evenings. They
would need to determine what activities are currently in place and what can be improved on.
There are plenty of activities for children, but there is a need for activities for teens.
The board discussed the Hester Center could be a possible focal point, and they needed a
facility to host a center similar to Delray's Teen Center. Hester Center was being considered
the Youth Empowerment Center. Ms. Scott explained they noticed the times the crimes were
committed were when the centers were normally closed. A Teen Council could help determine
what activities could keep teens engaged. It was suggested contacting all the high schools to
determine what after school activities were lacking. Ms. Scott acknowledged the schools must
be engaged and the population to be served identified.
Chair Miller thought the board could assist the City Commission to institute better policies. He
invited Ms. Scott to advise the board how it could be of service. Ms. Cruz informed the board
gangs were already in the north end of the City and some major gangsters keep a low profile.
IX. New Business
Pride in Boynton (discussed out of order)
Mr. Sorgman announced the Poinciana Magnet School plantings for the Pride in Boynton would
take place next week. He reported Village Royale on the Green Condominium Association
donated about 20 plants as determined by the nursery foreman. The plants would be delivered
to Poinciana Magnet School the morning of or the day before the planting. Chair Miller would
be meeting with the principal to identify the exact day and would pass the information on to the
board so they may attend.
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Boynton Beach, Florida
February 14, 2007
Four Sea Suns Condo Beautification - Cleanup Day, February 17, 2007
This item was discussed earlier in the meeting.
VIII. Old Business - Ethics Ordinance (discussed out of order)
There were no questions on this item.
Ms. Scott announced the Great American Cleanup was scheduled for April 21st. She would be
sending an announcement out in the newsletter to the communities and inviting the
neighborhood associations to coordinate the cleanup.
There was another Neighborhood Leaders Networking meeting at the Madsen Center on March
8th at 6:30 p.m. The guest speaker would be Police Chief Immler and he would be speaking
about how neighborhoods can reduce crime.
The Youth in Government Day was tentatively scheduled for late April, but the date may be
pushed back. Other departments would be engaged in planning how to improve on the
program. Ms. Scott explained she would be contacting the Assistant Principal at Boynton Beach
High School to solicit feedback. Ms. Hearst-Girtman suggested she contact Assistant City
Manager, Wilfred Hawkins. Ms. Hearst-Girtman gave her work number to Ms. Scott to share
some of her ideas, and offered her services. She thought it was a worthwhile endeavor to
engage the youth in the structure of the City. Chair Miller also volunteered to assist in the
event.
Vice Chair Mitchell spoke about the individual shot at Nautica and advised he became paralyzed
and recently died. He advised the Police Department arrested an individual, and also captured
the individual responsible for the mall shooting. He thought the Police Department was doing a
good job.
Ms. Stern made a copy of the card she sent to former board member Alfred Levy, thanking him
for his services on the board and of the card sent to the Ensler family for the passing of Vice
Mayor Robert Ensler. The card was sent on behalf of the Community Relations Board and Chair
Miller thanked Ms. Stern. A copy is attached to the backup of the meeting minutes.
x. Adjournment
Motion
Ms. Hearst-Girtman moved to adjourn. Ms. Stern seconded the motion that unanimously
passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.
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Catherine Cherry-Guberman
Recording Secretary
021507
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