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Minutes 04-09-08 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9,2008, AT 7:00 P.M. IN CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Blanche Hearst-Girtman, Vice Chair Belky Cruz Eddie Mitchell Joyce Mura Victor Norfus Stanley Sorgman Phyllis Stern Thelma Lyons, Neighborhood Services Absent: Brian Miller, Chair Judy Immer I. Call Meeting to Order - Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag Ms. Hearst-Girtman sat as Chair and called the meeting to order at 7:03 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 There were no visitors present. IV. Approval of Agenda Motion Ms. Stern moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Cruz seconded the motion that unanimously passed. V. Approval of Minutes from March 12,2008 Meeting There was one correction to the minutes. On page three, the fourth paragraph should read" . . the meeting was held at 6:30 p.m at Village Royale." rather than Village Royale on the Green. 1 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 9, 2008 Motion Ms. Mura moved to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Sorgman seconded the motion that unanimously passed. VI. Announcements: · Youth in Government Day - Rescheduled for May ih Chair Girtman explained last year Chair Miller was on vacation during this event, however, she stayed with the group all morning until they toured the different sites. This year she requested other members try to attend the event. Ms. Stern and Ms. Cruz had attended last year and agreed to attend again this year. The event begins at 8:00 a.m. with an introduction by the City Manager and the Mayor, followed by a tour of the Police, Fire and Communications facilities, and lunch. Lunch would be at noon at the Children's Schoolhouse Museum and it was noted it was important to attend the mock City Commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. Chair Girtman reported this initiative started in the mid-60s. They would go from one high school to the other including Lake Worth High School. It was interesting to hear the students' comments. Many members expressed it was a wonderful experience, especially when the students received their awards. It was also noted some of those students end up working for the City. · Great American Clean-up - Schedule for April 19th Volunteers Needed! Mr. Sorgman reported in his community he turned information on the event over to the Maintenance Division at his community, however Chair Miller was getting a group together as well. Notices advertising the event were posted. He reported it was a worthwhile project, and he had been participating in it for the last eight years. There was agreement the results were gratifying. The participants follow up in the neighborhoods and the residents try to maintain the area. This program started in the 90s as part of Earth Day. The Children and Youth Advisory Board had participated years ago and had a block designated for them. It was suggested that perhaps next year, as a group, they could designate a block and work it. Ms. Lyons announced some of the groups that participated were INCA, Lakeside Church, St. John, the HOB Neighborhood Association and even the Girl Scouts. They need to bring new organizations in and expand the effort. The members that participated normally cleaned Gateway at the four corners, and some members cleaned north of there. Most of the trash was from motorists. It was reported there have been community leaders working in that area to make it more presentable. The community was working in a united manner to keep the area clean. 2 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 9, 2008 While some neighborhoods needed more help than others, it was reported it was a fun day and a good way to give back to the City · RSVP for the Annual Board Dinner to be held on _ When: Wednesday, April 23rd Time: Social Hour 6:30 p.m. Dinner Hour 7:30 p.m. Where: Benvenuto, 1730 N Federal Hwy, Boynton Bch. Ms. Lyons requested the members RSVP for the dinner. A table would be reserved and the board would sit together, although it was noted they could sit somewhere else. There would be a special menu for those celebrating Passover, not a special table. There were ten seats to a table and the members would RSVP to Ms. Lyons. VII. Reports/Updates: There was an article in the Sun-Sentinel about the Tennis Carnival for students. This event would be held at Hunters Run on April 26th at 2:00 p.m. The board was invited to attend and if they had a young child who would like to participate, members should contact Sherrie Claude of the Recreation and Parks Department to reserve a space. a) Pride in Boynton Update - Poinciana Elementary School - Brian Miller Ms. Hearst-Girtman advised she had spoken with Chair Miller regarding Poinciana Elementary School. Previously there was a problem with bugs destroying the garden. They applied a product to the garden and the garden was significantly improved There were no further comments. VIII. Old Business: A report on Crime Watch was given and Mr. Norfus advised there were two neighborhoods that wanted to have a Neighborhood Watch. Together they were working on putting together a neighborhood association. The only thing left to do was have a police officer attend the meeting. It was suggested contacting the Police Chief directly to make arrangements for an officer to attend. IX. New Business: The board discussed the Community Relations Board should be acknowledged in the Sun-Sentinel Community Calendar. The meetings are aired on the Boynton Beach Television (BBTV). 3 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 9, 2008 Ms. Lyons explained the City Clerk's office sends notices of the meetings to both newspapers and they have the information. The discussion turned that perhaps once a month or every other month, there could be a two minute explanation of what the Community Relations Board was about aired on community television. It would inform the public what the board was doing and what the community could accomplish with the board. This would be similar to a commercial with a live person. It was noted the community radio station should be no cost. Ms. Lyons explained a board member could do so. The focus would be to reach the community more aggressively. Mr. Norfus offered to team up with Ms. Stern on the matter. One member explained in his church they have a hospitality committee to introduce and welcome people who are new to the church. He thought the same principal should apply, but it should be more than just talking, it should talk about something that was on the agenda. Ms. Girtman thought it was a nice idea and she would bring it to the Chair on the next agenda. On another matter, the board normally does not have one meeting during the summer, which historically was in July. This item would be put in on the agenda for next month to determine meeting would be cancelled. IX. Adjournment Motion Mr. Norfus moved to adjourn. Mr. Sorgman seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m. ~C1tIw~~~L Catherine Cherry 0- Recording Secretary 4