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Minutes 01-17-08 MINUTES OF THE YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROJECT MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 17, 2008, AT 5:30 P.M. POLICE AND FIRE TRAINING ROOM, CITY HALL BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Jose Rodriguez, Chair Stacey Robinson, Youth Violence Prevention Program Coordinator Buck Buchanan Lt. Kelly Harris, Boynton Beach Police Department Major Frank Briganti, Boynton Beach Police Department Nate Nichols, Children's Services Council, PBC ABSENT: Lisa Bright, Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency Melvin Brown, Ridgewood Hills Neighborhood Association Mikel D. Jones, P.A. Jim Kidd, South Tech Academy Robin Johnson/Erin McCloskey, Palm Beach Community College Lena Rahming, Director, Boynton Beach Child Care Center Elivio Serrano, Vice President, Programs, United Way of Palm Beach County Roert Taylor, CFO, Bethesda Memorial Hospital I. Welcome and Opening Comments - Jose Rodriguez, Chairman Chair Rodriguez thanked those present for attending, noting there were several last- minute cancellations. Challenges in finding the right meeting forum and times appeared to have contributed to reduced attendance. Chair Rodriguez noted he would personally make telephone calls and attempt to engage the members, especially in light of next month's opening of the Youth Empowerment Center. He urged the board to solicit members in the community to participate on the board, and provide any recommendations to Ms. Robinson. III. Introduction of Guests (taken out or order) Chair Rodriquez introduced Will Vash, reporter with the Palm Beach Post. II. Roll Call - Recording Secretary The Recording Secretary called the roll and determined a quorum was present. Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, Florida January 17, 2008 IV. Approval and/or additions to the Agenda Motion Mr. Buchanan moved approval. Mr. Nichols seconded the motion that passed unanimously. V. Approval and/or additions to the minutes of the November 7, 2008 Executive Board Meeting Motion Mr. Buchanan moved approval. Lt. Harris seconded the motion that passed unanimously. VI. Chairman's Comments Chair Rodriguez noted the merits of having a central point (the Youth Empowerment Center) where the youth could assemble, meet the providers and avail themselves of the services to be provided. Measuring tools and benchmarks had been put in place, allowing the board to observe growth and productivity. The Center was scheduled to open February 9, 2008. The event would likely last for four or five hours, and it was anticipated the City Commission, County Commission, Police Department, providers and youth would be attending. VII. Old Business A. Update on request for match funding from CRA with recommendations Chair Rodriguez noted early last year, the CRA Chair addressed the City Commission, advising he was willing to co-sponsor a Youth Violence Prevention Program through a $300,000 grant from the CRA. Subsequent thereto, a new CRA board was formed. Chair Rodriguez continued the promise and brought the item forth to the CRA board, of which Chair Rodriguez was a member. An amendment to the Charter of the CRA would have been required to include the funding. The item went before the CRA board for a vote, and failed. As such, additional funding from the CRA would not be forthcoming. The CRA board members believed it was their responsibility to remove slum and blight and to focus on redevelopment, and therefore would not support a modification of the Charter. While the CRA did sponsor other programs, including the sponsorship of five police officers, these programs were permitted within the existing Charter. Chair Rodriguez advised Ms. Robinson had marshaled sources, other than Palm Beach County and the Criminal Justice Commission, to secure additional funding. These venues will be pursued. 2 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, Florida January 17, 2008 Ms. Robinson advised she and Sgt. Gitto were exploring grant opportunities through the State, local, County, and national levels. They had submitted one of their programs to the Children's Services Council for possible additional funding. Mr. Nichols advised the Children's Services Council would review the request. Ms. Robinson would continue to seek funding venues in order to strengthen the program. Chair Rodriguez noted, as the board continued to meet, feedback would be provided on responses received for funding, including the Children's Services Council. VIII. New Business A. Update on service providers Ms. Robinson noted one of the providers, MABCO, INC., had previously agreed to participate in the program. However, they withdrew, as they did not wish to provide programming within the Sims Center, but rather in their own facility. Mad Dads, Hooked on Fishing, Gulfstream Boy Scouts of America, and R.M. Lee Community Development Corporation were on board. They had their schedules in the Youth Empowerment Center and were ready to go forward as of February 11, 2008. The yvpp programs would begin at the Sims Center. Ms. Robinson was awaiting the opening of the Youth Empowerment Center and for the Certificate of Occupancy in order to move the equipment into the facility. She would also be setting up computers, modums, and land lines. She urged all to attend the grand opening to be held on February 9, 2008, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Ms. Robinson noted, as MABCO, INC. had withdrawn from the program, the $30,000 awarded was available for funding. Ms. Robinson reviewed the evaluation for Kids Korner. Kids Korner recently secured funding from two other sources and was also working with the G-Star School, an audio-video technical school, which would be providing equipment for the program. Ms Robinson's recommendation was to move the funds to support Kids Korner in the Youth Empowerment Center. It was originally anticipated the program would impact 500 youths, but it would more likely impact 50 to 75 youths during the year. Chair Rodriguez believed it would be appropriate to entertain a motion with respect to Ms. Robinson's recommendation. Motion Mr. Buchanan moved approval. Lt. Harris seconded the motion that passed unanimously. Mr. Nichols advised the Children's Services Council would be available to provide mentoring and parenting services at the Youth Empowerment Center. Chair Rodriguez indicated there would be several programs implemented once the Center was occupied, 3 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, Florida January 17, 2008 and the youths were participating. The needs of the youngsters would be evaluated and the YVPP would be reaching out to the various organizations with respect thereto. Chair Rodriguez noted three organizations did not accept funding as they did not wish to be measured. To that end, it was beneficial to have standards in place, and the YVPP would not want to fund organizations not willing to comply with established standards. B. Opening of Youth Empowerment Center (YEC) This item was discussed earlier. C. Update on Steering Committee and Teen Council Ms. Robinson noted the Steering Committee would be meeting next week, and were ready to resume activities, especially with the opening of the Youth Empowerment Center. Rebuilding of the Teen Council would commence upon occupation of the center. Many of the original Teen Council members had graduated and moved on to college, and with the opening of the Youth Empowerment Center, the YVPP would be able to rebuild the Teen Council with new members. IX. Member Comments Lt. Harris believed the opening of the Youth Empowerment Center would result in positive changes in the community. She commended Ms. Robinson for her achievements. Ms. Robinson noted interviews would be held next week for the Teen Coordinator's position and hopefully, the candidate would be hired prior to the opening of the center. X. Guest Comments None Adjournment Mr. Buchanan moved to adjourn. Ms. Robinson seconded the motion that passed unanimously. The mJ:jidjOUmed at 6:16 p.m. Ste~ Recording Secretary 012808 4