Minutes 08-01-07
MINUTES OF THE YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROJECT MEETING
HELD ON AUGUST 1, 2007 AT 4:30 P.M. AT THE MADSEN CENTER
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
Present:
Jose Rodriguez, Vice Mayor, Boynton Beach
Stacey Robinson, Coordinator
Buck Buchanan, Board Member, Boynton Beach Chamber of Commerce
James Kidd, Principal, South Tech Community Academy School
Lt. Kelly Harris, Boynton Beach Police Department
Tana Ebbole, CEO, Children's Services Council, PBC
Absent:
Mikel Jones, Mikel D. Jones, P.A.
Myra Jones, President Ridgewood Hills Neighborhood Association
Robert Taylor, CFO, Bethesda Memorial Hospital
Lena Rahming, Director Boynton Beach Child Care Center
Lisa Bright, Executive Director, Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency
Elivio Serrano, Vice President Programs, United Way of Palm Beach County
Laura Elena Santos, Marketing Coordinator, Lapalma News
Kathleen Perry, Principal, Boynton Beach Community High School
Beverly Johnson, Executive Director, YMCA
Robin Johnson, Director of Outreach & Improvement Services, Palm Beach Community
College
I. Welcome and Opening Comments
Jose Rodriguez, Chair of the Youth Violence Prevention Project (YVVP), called the
meeting to order at 4:38 p.m.
II. Roll Call
The Recording Secretary called the roll and declared a quorum was present.
VI. Chairman's Comments (Taken out of order)
A. Introduction of YVPP Coordinator
Chair Rodriguez introduced Stacey Robinson, the new YVPP Coordinator, who was
welcomed by all.
Meeting Minutes
yvpp
Boynton Beach, Florida
August 1, 2007
III. Introduction of Guests
Chair Rodriguez introduced Brian Miller, Chair, Community Relations Board (CRB), who
was invited to address a proposal through the Community Relations Board to
collaborate with the YVPP.
IV. Agenda Approval
Chair Rodriguez requested the following items be added to the agenda: Presentation by
Mr. Miller, under New Business; and the Strategic Plan, under Old Business.
Motion
Ms. Ebbole moved to approve the agenda as amended. Mr. Kidd seconded the motion
that passed unanimously.
V. Approval and/or additions to the minutes of July 18, 2007
Executive Committee meeting.
This item was not addressed
VII. Old Business
A. Seed Funding Report and Recommendations (revisited from
July 18, 2007 meeting)
A letter was to be developed outlining the manner in which funding to Mad Dads,
Juvenile Transition Center and the Community Development Foundation would be
utilized. Ms. Robinson would work with Ms. Johnson to draft the letters, and Mr. Taylor
would review the letters. The $10,000 funding was intended to assist these
organizations in planning programs and understanding the concepts of measurable
outcomes and accountability. In addition to the $10,000 funding provided to the
organizations referred to above, the YVPP also fully funded Mad Dads.
Ms. Ebbole provided samples of contracts and letters containing necessary criteria. Ms.
Robinson would telephone Ms. Johnson with regard to the contract.
Chair Rodriguez advised the Steering Committee would be meeting on August 23, 2007
at Workforce Alliance. He noted the function of the Steering Committee was to make
project recommendations to the Executive Committee. It would be necessary to
organize the Steering Committee as soon as possible.
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c. Update on Heart of Boynton Intergenerational Gathering event,
July 28, 2007 (taken out of order)
Chair Rodriguez advised he attended the event, as did Ms. Perry, Lt. Kelly Harris and
Mr. Miller. The event was well attended and, in addition to Boynton Beach students,
included students from other areas as well.
YVPP members approached youths as they walked by the booth. The members advised
youths of the program and discussed participation in the Teen Council. As applications
were not available at the event, Ms. Perry prepared a list of interested teens. Ms.
Robinson would contact Ms. Perry to obtain the list.
Chair Rodriguez also conversed with Dr. Blake, who would appreciate assistance
pertaining to at-risk teens who had dropped out of school. Chair Rodriguez pointed out
to Dr. Blake YVPP's intention to communicate with the teens and establish programs.
Dr. Blake would provide a list of the at-risk youth. Ms. Robinson spoke with Daniel
Gibson, United Way of PBC, who offered assistance in this endeavor.
Chair Rodriguez visited the Community Development Foundation, a Haitian-driven
organization, located on Woolbright Road. Chair Rodriguez advised Mr. Cataldo, of the
Foundation, expressed disappointment in that the Foundation was not fully funded.
Following a review of Mr. Cataldo's proposal, it was determined the Foundation did not
meet the criteria required for full funding. Chair Rodriguez suggested the committee
communicate with the Foundation in order to help them understand the intent of the
RFP. The purpose of the $10,000 funding was to assist the Foundation in shaping and
planning programs the committee believed to be appropriate.
Strategic Plan (added item)
Mr. Serrano was to have e-mailed dates for the Strategic Planning session. However,
Chair Rodriguez had not received this information. Ms. Robinson advised she spoke
with Mr. Serrano. He did not provide any dates, but advised the information would be
forthcoming as to the facilitator for the Strategic Planning session. Ms. Robinson
commented she would follow up on this issue.
B. Discusison of Proposed Teen Activities and Improvements at
Ezell Hester "Youth Empowerment" Center (revisited from July 18, 2007
meeting)
This item was not addressed.
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Meeting Minutes
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Boynton Beach, Florida
August 1, 2007
VIII. New Business
Brian Milller, Chair, CRB, discussed a presentation entitled "Violent Crimes Task Force"
given in February 2007 at the Village Royale on the Green condominium complex. The
presentation was made by the Sheriff's Office, and the objective was to provide
information and increase awareness as to the existence of gangs in Boynton Beach and
the violence associated therewith. Mr. Miller had attempted to schedule the
presentation at a CRB meeting. Communications were received, and Mr. Miller learned
of the YVPP's interest in collaborating with the CRB on gang violence.
Ms. Ebbole advised she had viewed the presentation, which was offered from a law
enforcement perspective.
The committee believed the presentation would provide the audience with a view of the
manner in which the issue was addressed by law enforcement, and would increase
awareness of the committee's objectives and goals while gaining support for funding of
these programs.
Mr. Miller advised the "Violent Crimes Task Force" video would be presented at the
September 26, 2007 City Commission meeting. Chair Rodriguez suggested Ms.
Robinson act as the point person to organize the presentation of the video, to be
followed by a crime prevention presentation by the committee.
The committee discussed distributing flyers and sending mail blasts to organizations,
churches and neighborhood associations with regard to the presentation. Also
discussed were possible costs associated with the presentation, including refreshments
and flyers.
The committee suggested the Boynton Beach Police Department partner with YVPP on
the presentation. Lt. Harris advised the Police Department had assigned an officer to
the Palm Beach County Violent Crimes Task Force.
Motion
Ms. Ebbole moved to approve the collaboration of the "Violent Crimes Task Force"
presentation in conjunction with the YVPP presentation, and to allocate up to $500
towards refreshments or miscellaneous expenses. Mr. Buchanan seconded the motion
that passed unanimously.
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Meeting Minutes
yvpp
Boynton Beach, Florida
August 1, 2007
Administrative Comment
Chair Rodriguez discussed the issue of dates and times for Executive Committee
meetings, and requested Ms. Robinson take the lead and reach out to the members to
obtain a consensus with respect thereto. The meetings would be one hour in duration.
IX Member Comments
Chair Rodriguez announced dates and times of upcoming meetings as reflected on the
agenda.
X. Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, the committee properly adjourned at
5:23 p.m.
~.J- .Dt
Stephanie D. Kahn
Recording Secretary
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