Minutes 10-10-07
MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING
HELD ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2007, AT 7:00 P.M. IN CITY
COMMISSION CHAMBERS, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
PRESENT:
Brian Miller, Chair
Blanche Hearst-Girtman, Vice Chair
Belky Cruz
Joyce Mura
Stanley Sorgman
Phyllis Stern
Brenda Lee Williams
Thelma Lyons, Neighborhood Services
ABSENT:
Eddie Mitchell
Victor Norfus (arrived as meeting was adjourning)
I. Call Meeting to Order - Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Chair Miller called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Ms. Mura led the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.
II. Roll Call
The Recording Secretary called the roll. A quorum was present.
III. Recognition of Visitors
No visitors were present.
IV. Approval of Agenda
Motion
Ms. Stern moved to approve the agenda. Vice Chair Hearst-Girtman seconded the
motion that unanimously passed.
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Meeting Minutes
Community Relations Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
October 10, 2007
V. Approval of Minutes of July 11, 2007 Meeting
Motion
Ms. Williams moved to approve the minutes. Vice Chair Hearst-Girtman seconded the
motion that passed unanimously.
Mr. Sorgman requested his name be listed under IIPresent.1I
Motion
Ms. Williams moved to amend her motion to approve the minutes with the correction
indicating Mr. Sorgman's presence. Ms. Stern seconded the motion that passed
unanimously.
VI. Announcements
Chair Miller announced the 40th birthday of his daughter.
VII. Reports
a) Pride in Boynton: Street Lighting (FPL) Update - Chair Miller
Chair Miller noted all the requests for new lights had been submitted to Florida Power
and Light (FPL). Public Works Director Jeff Livergood had advised the work was in
progress. Chair Miller commented FPL had not responded to the City as it had in the
past, since the hurricanes had devastated the area. FPL also delayed replacing bulbs
throughout the City for weeks at a time.
The board discussed recommending that the City Commission communicate with FPL
and request FPL to respond to the City expeditiously, as it had in the past.
Motion
Ms. Stern moved to apprise the Commission that the board would appreciate FPL
addressing the inefficiency, which appeared to have stemmed from lack of energy, and
to fix things in the City of Boynton Beach. Vice Chair Hearst-Girtman seconded the
motion that passed unanimously.
Vice Chair Hearst-Girtman emphasized lighting in the Black communities was not
working properly, and this issue should be addressed.
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Meeting Minutes
Community Relations Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
October 10, 2007
Ms. Stern inquired whether it was in the province of the board to write a letter to FPL,
sending it to the City Commission, and providing a copy to the appropriate reporter at
the Sun-Sentinel. It was noted the Community Relations Board was an advisory board
to the City, and it would be inappropriate for the letter to be sent by the board.
VIII. Old Business
a) Violent Crimes Task Force (gangs) Evaluation
Chair Miller thanked everyone who participated in the Gang Task Force forum held at
the last meeting. While the event was highly publicized and received excellent
coverage, the turnout was disappointing. Chair Miller thanked Thelma Lyons and
Stacey Robinson for putting the event together. The board concurred.
Chair Miller wished to entertain a motion to recognize Ms. Lyons' extra efforts in
arranging for the event.
Motion
Vice Chair Hearst-Girtman moved to recommend to the City Commission, recognition be
given to Ms. Lyons for her efforts and continued support of the board through the
years. Ms. Mura seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
The board discussed various methods for publicizing events, including advertising in
church bulletins.
Ms. Lyons announced a Neighborhood Networking program, which would also deal with
crime prevention, would be held on November 27, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. in Commission
Chambers. Ms. Lyons would send out flyers. Anyone interested in further details could
telephone Ms. Lyons at 742-6029.
Ms. Mura advised she could place flyers in the bulletin boards in her community and
utilize the closed circuit television as well. Chair Miller pointed out hundreds of flyers
were printed for the Gang Task force presentation, and provided to Galaxy and
Poinciana elementary schools, as well as various City departments.
IX. New Business
a) Fire Department Exhibit, Boynton Beach Mall - Chair Miller
b) CERT
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Meeting Minutes
Community Relations Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
October 10, 2007
Chair Miller noted Fire Prevention Week, and advised the Boynton Beach Fire
Department would be having an exhibit at Wal-Mart, rather than the Boynton Beach
Mall. The exhibit would include a demonstration on rescuing people from burning
vehicles. Tables would be set up, including a Citizens Emergency Response Team
(CERT) table. Volunteers included Chair Miller, Ms. Mura, Mr. Sorgman and Ms. Stern.
c) Holiday Parade
Ms. Lyons pointed out the Holiday Parade was added to the CRA's budget. Chair Miller
pOinted out the board participated in last year's Holiday Parade, and the private sector
donated items for the event. This year's 3ih Annual Holiday Parade would he held
Saturday, December 1, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. Vice Chair Hearst-Girtman and Ms. Cruz
pointed out the board had also participated in the Holiday Parade in the 19905.
Motion
Ms. Stern moved for the board to participate in this year's Holiday Parade. Mr.
Sorgman seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
The board discussed whether funds should be requested from the City or to rely upon
on donations from the private sector. The board determined it would not request
donations from the City.
d) Holiday Break (December)
Chair Miller requested three board members volunteer to serve on a subcommittee to
put together a holiday party. Ms. Williams suggested the party be held on a Monday or
Tuesday. The board discussed having a luncheon or celebration on a meeting night at
a restaurant. Suggestions included Longhorn's, Applebee's, Romano's Macaroni Grill or
Olive Garden.
Ms. Stern and Ms. Williams would work out the details and advise the board. The board
agreed attendance at the dinner meeting would include the nine board members, Ms.
Lyons and the recording secretary. The dinner would be "Dutch Treat." The board
agreed reservations would at be made for 11 people on December 12, 2007 at 7:00
p.m., most likely at Romano's Macaroni Grill.
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Meeting Minutes
Community Relations Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
October 10, 2007
x. Adjournment
Motion
Ms. Williams moved to adjourn. Ms. Cruz seconded the motion that passed
unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
~[)I-
Stephanie D. Kahn
Recording Secretary
10-11-07
10-12-07
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