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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. 1 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida 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 2 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida 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 3 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida 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. 4 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board 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. ~ ' (!juAJi ~ J(uiJWVYYlM Catherine Cherry-Guberman Recording Secretary 021507 5