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Minutes 01-13-99 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1999 AT 7:30 P.M. PRESENT Ron Washam, Chairman Hank Ackermann, Neighborhood Project Specialist Maynie Boles Blanche Girtman Beth Miller Stephanie Mingo-McKoy (Arrived Late) Brenda Lee Williams Floyd Beil, Alternate ABSENT Joy Currier, Vice Chairwoman I. OPENING, PLEDGE, PRAYER Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m. Ms. Boles led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, followed by a moment of silent prayer. II. ROLL CALL – REGULAR MEMBERS – ALTERNATES The Recording Secretary called the roll and announced that Joy Currier would not be present due to illness. Ms. Mingo-McKoy was not yet present. III. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Hank Ackermann, Neighborhood Project Specialist, represented the City while Wilfred Hawkins attended the Community Redevelopment Agency meeting. IV. AGENDA APPROVAL Motion Ms. Girtman moved to accept the agenda. Ms. Miller seconded the motion that carried 5-0. (Ms. Mingo-McKoy had not yet arrived.) V. MINUTES APPROVAL – December 9, 1998 (Regular Meeting) Ms. Williams requested that a list of members be provided to each of the board members. The Recording Secretary will send that list to the members with the minutes. Ms. Miller requested that the next month’s meeting date be placed on the meeting minutes. 1 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 13, 1999 Motion th Ms. Girtman moved to approve the minutes of the December 9 meeting as presented with directions as noted. Ms. Williams seconded the motion that carried unanimously. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS ? Groundbreaking Ceremony for new high school Chairman Washam and Mr. Ackermann attended the groundbreaking ceremony that was held today at 1:00 p.m. in Quantum Park. Approximately 250 people were in attendance including State legislators, members of the School Board and City officials. The new high school will be located on the eastside of the canal. The ceremony was a nice kick-off and everyone in attendance was united in this cause. The Palm Beach Post and the Sun-Sentinel will have good coverage in tomorrow’s newspapers. Television coverage was exceptional. Mr. Ackermann reported that the contractor will begin construction in March and is confident the school will be completed and ready for opening in August of 2001. ? Martin Luther King, Jr. Banquet Ms. Girtman announced that the Martin Luther King, Jr. Banquet would be held on Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. at Catalina Centre. Dinner will be served and a program will follow. On th Monday, January 18, there will be a march from Railroad Avenue on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to Wilson Center for breakfast and entertainment. ? Black Awareness Celebration rdst The parade will be on Saturday, January 23 and the coronation will take place on January 31 at the Civic Center. Ms. Girtman urged everyone to attend this program. ? “Four Decades of Service” thth On Sunday, February 28, the pastor of St. John’s Baptist Church will celebrate his 40 anniversary of service. Events are scheduled for the week leading up to the culmination th ceremony on Sunday. Community Night will be held on Friday, February 26. Letters will be sent to City officials, Police Chief, County Commissioners and State Senators inviting them to the event. ? “Friends and Family Day” th On Sunday, January 17, Ms. Girtman will chair “Friends and Family Day” at St. Paul AME Church. She urged everyone to attend the event. Speakers will include Edward Harris at the 8:00 a.m. service and Nathan Collins at the 11:00 a.m. service. The theme of the event is “Family and Friends Working to Make the Right Choices”. 2 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 13, 1999 Stephanie Mingo-McKoy arrived at 7:50 p.m. ? Board Dinner Chairman Washam reminded the members of the Annual Board Dinner scheduled for Thursday, th January 14 at Benvenuto's Restaurant on Federal Highway. The Community Relations Board members will sit together at this event. VII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE None VIII. OLD BUSINESS None IX. NEW BUSINESS A. Youth in Government Day Chairman Washam reminded the members of the necessity to begin preparations for Youth in Government Day. This event has been conducted during Municipal Week in October; however, the Community Relations Board made a decision to return to the practice of holding this event in April. This item will be included on next month’s agenda so that the members can begin planning the event. For the edification of the new members, Chairman Washam provided a brief history of the board’s involvement in this event. He explained that the board realized the best success with this event when the member’s met individually with the teachers in charge of government-type programs. Ms. Miller recommended that senior citizens be invited to witness this event and serve refreshments. Chairman Washam explained that this event is open to everyone. However, he agreed to work with other City boards. B. Review Panel for Assistant Police Chief Position Ms. Williams questioned when a review panel for this position would be meeting. Mr. Ackermann was unable to answer Ms. Williams’ question. Ms. Williams mentioned that three of the candidates were Leonard Mitchell, Chris Yannuzzi and Rick Leonard. Mr. Ackermann advised that there are also other candidates. He suggested that the City Manager’s Office be contacted for further information. 3 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 13, 1999 C. Calendar of Events Dr. Beil inquired as to how he could find out everything that is going on in the City on a daily basis. In order to assist the citizens, it is necessary to be aware of events that are happening in the City. Mr. Ackermann reported that the City Clerk’s Office produces a monthly calendar that lists some of the events taking place in the City and all of the official meetings for the month. Copies of the calendars are available in the City Clerk’s Office. The Recording Secretary offered to bring copies of the monthly calendar to the Community Relations Board meeting. The Palm Beach Post lists City board meetings on a weekly basis. In addition, plans are in place for the City to produce a calendar of events throughout the City. Mr. Ackermann explained that the City would begin neighborhood planning next month. The members expressed interest in attending those neighborhood association meetings. Mr. Ackermann also reported that he is working with a group of students from Congress Middle School who are planning a benefit basketball game with the P.A.L. All Stars in April. In response to Ms. Miller, Mr. Ackermann advised that Neighborhood Summits are held quarterly. This presents an opportunity for the board to introduce itself and let the public know the purpose of the board. In addition, Ms. Williams reported that quarterly board forums are held. Ms. Girtman suggested that the boards be given an opportunity during the Annual Board Dinner to introduce themselves and explain their purpose. Mr. Ackermann pointed out that over the years, other groups have formed that have assumed some of the functions of the City advisory boards. The Community Forum, held at the Bible Church of God, is one of those groups. The Community Forum meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month and is attended by many City department representatives. Mr. Ackermann said it is important to attend this meeting in order to let the citizens know the board exists. When Ms. Girtman explained that the Community Forum was set up at the Bible Church of God to reach people who found it difficult to get to City Hall in the evenings, discussion ensued about conducting Community Relations Board meetings in different locations throughout the City. Chairman Washam requested that the members consider doing this in the upcoming year. Ms. Girtman expressed her opinion that one or two well-placed meetings would be an excellent idea. D. G.A.L.A. When asked if the board was planning to participate in G.A.L.A., the members agreed that they should man a booth to disseminate literature about the board. Chairman Washam advised that the Community Relations Board manned a booth in concert with other City advisory boards during last year’s G.A.L.A. He suggested doing the same thing again this year. 4 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 13, 1999 E. Advisory Board Forum The Recording Secretary announced that the Advisory Board Forum would be held on Saturday, th February 6, at 10:00 a.m., in the Library. Mr. Ackermann announced that the Green Market is held on the first Saturday of each month from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:30 p.m. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: FEBRUARY 10, 1999 LOCATION: CONFERENCE ROOM “A” Janet M. Prainito Deputy City Clerk (One Tape) 5