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Minutes 07-14-99 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1999 AT 7:30 P.M. PRESENT Ron Washam, Chairman Hank Ackermann, Neighborhood Specialist Blanche Girtman Hansome Jones Stephanie Mingo-McKoy Brett Sherman Brenda Lee Williams Joy Currier, Voting Alternate ABSENT Floyd Beil Beth Miller, Vice Chairperson I. OPENING, PLEDGE, PRAYER Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. and asked Mr. Jones to lead the members in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, followed by a moment of silent prayer. II. ROLL CALL The Recording Secretary called the roll and a quorum was declared present. III. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Chairman Washam thanked Commissioner Weiland for being present this evening and welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Scully. Hank Ackermann, the City Liaison was also introduced. IV. AGENDA APPROVAL Chairman Washam inquired if there were any changes or additions to the Agenda. Discussion of the August Meeting was added as Item IX.C. Motion Ms. Girtman moved that the Agenda, as amended be approved. Motion seconded by Ms. Williams and unanimously carried. MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 14, 1999 Mr. Ackermann informed the Board that he was also co-chairing another meeting at the Library this evening, that he would be leaving this meeting at some point and would return later. V. MINUTES APPROVAL – JUNE 9, 1999 Regular Meeting Chairman Washam asked if there were any changes that the Board members wished to make to the minutes. There were none. Chairman Washam introduced Mr. Scully who wished to correct the minutes of the June 9, 1999 meeting at which he spoke. Mr. Kevin Scully took the podium and stated he owned Scully’s Market at 214 E. Ocean Avenue. Mr. Scully said at the last meeting when he spoke, he thought he had made it quite clear that it was impossible to do any kind of business through the back alley of his store. Mr. Scully did not feel that the minutes accurately reflected what he actually said. Mr. Scully read from the last paragraph on Page 3 of the minutes and said the phrase “mainly used by his suppliers for deliveries” was inaccurate and that he does not even have a back door. He said no one could get through the back alley to do any kind of business. Mr. Scully wished to set the record straight by correcting the minutes. Also, Mr. Scully stated that the second sentence of that paragraph was inaccurate and that none of his suppliers use the back alley for deliveries. All deliveries to his store are made through the front door. Ms. Williams noted that Mr. Scully had presented pictures of the back alley, but that the pictures of the trucks, which he also showed, were taken in front of the store and that the trucks were too large to fit through the alley. Ms. Williams did not recall Mr. Scully stating he did not have a back door. Chairman Washam requested that the corrections be made to the minutes. Motion Ms. Stephanie Mingo-McKoy moved that the minutes of the June 9, 1999 meeting, as amended, be approved. Motion seconded by Ms. Girtman, which carried unanimously. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Ms. Mingo-McKoy announced that the Excelling Scholastically Program located at the th Hester Center would be holding open house and graduation ceremonies on July 29 between 12 noon and 2:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend. 2 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 14, 1999 Ms. Girtman thanked everyone who attended the Treasure Chest Early Learning Center graduation exercises. The children and the ceremony were wonderful. Chairman Washam announced that the Children and Youth Advisory Board is planning th a beautification project for the American Legion Post on two Saturdays, August 7 and th 14. They are looking for volunteers to help. Mr. Ackermann announced that the Children and Youth Advisory Board is sponsoring a th bowling tournament at the Boynton Beach Lanes beginning at 2:00 p.m. on July 25. The teams would consist of one adult and one child. VII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE Mr. Kevin Scully took the podium and asked the Board to convey a message to the Commission that they begin their meetings on time and that past meetings have not started on time. Mr. Scully stated that at the last CRA meeting the 10-minute break turned into a 20-minute break and the meeting only lasted another 10 or 15 minutes after the break. He also suggested that there be no break in the meeting. Commissioner Weiland said he agreed that the meetings should start on time. However, he did not feel that the breaks should be cancelled and that the members were present for the entire meeting and deserve a 10-minute break. Ms. Girtman asked Commissioner Weiland how soon the new City Manager would be appointed. Commissioner Weiland announced that there is a meeting scheduled for th July 28 to review the 10 finalists and to narrow the finalists down to five who will then be interviewed. Commissioner Weiland said it could take an additional 60 days before the new City Manager actually takes over. Ms. Williams asked if it was realistic to assume the City Manager would be in place at the start of the new fiscal year, which Commissioner Weiland stated was likely. Ms. Mingo-McKoy questioned why the City went out to look for a City Manager when there is already a capable person currently performing the job for a long time. Ms. Mingo-McKoy felt it was financially unfair to the community and said it was a “slap in the face” to the residents of the City. Chairman Washam informed the Board that Commissioner Weiland was present this evening to visit, and noted these items were not on the agenda. If anyone had any questions, they could discuss them with Commissioner Weiland after the meeting. 3 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 14, 1999 Commissioner Weiland stated he did not mind responding to the comments and questions being posed. He responded both as a Commissioner and as a citizen that whether there are one or two qualified candidates currently working for the City, all of the citizens deserve to see what is available. Commissioner Weiland said the Commission owes it to the people of Boynton Beach that the very best person who is qualified for the job is hired. Ms. Mingo-McKoy felt that many people in the City are satisfied with the job that Mr. Hawkins has been performing and if there were any reservations about his performance, he wouldn’t still be there. VIII. OLD BUSINESS A. Advisory Board Forum Ms. Currier said that Ms. Chris Noelle was present at the Forum and gave a presentation on the Homeless Veteran’s Project. Chairman Washam noted that there was not much representation from some of the Boards because of the poor weather. However, there was a good exchange of ideas and goals. Many concerns were addressed. Chairman Washam stated the role of this Board is to be a connector between the citizens and the elected leaders. The Ocean Avenue Project was also discussed at the Forum. The purpose of the Forum is to determine how the Boards can help each other. Also present were representatives from the new Youth Council. B. Homeless Veteran’s Project The Homeless Veteran’s Project is continually looking for food and blankets. Chairman Washam stated that a Boynton Beach resident who went to Viet Nam and encountered problems when he came home is managing the house. The home offers assistance to veterans in need. Chairman Washam stated that some of the youth offered to assist the veterans with letter writing on the computers. Also, many of the veterans are looking for employment. Ms. Currier suggested that the Board bring Thanksgiving Dinner to the home. C. Progress on Board Pamphlet Chairman Washam noted that Ms. Miller started to prepare a brochure and Ms. Currier is now working on it. 4 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 14, 1999 Ms. Currier said she prepared a pamphlet about the Board for distribution at the Form and reviewed it with Mr. Ackermann, Chairman Washam and Ms. Williams. However, there is still information needed to complete it and the pamphlet was not distributed at that time. Ms. Currier said she is open for suggestions. Chairman Washam suggested that the pamphlet be sent onto City staff as is for review and approval. Chairman Washam would like to have the pamphlet ready by the September meeting for review and approval by the Board. IX. NEW BUSINESS A. S.T.A.R. Program Chairman Washam said that workshop meetings have been held to discuss the S.T.A.R. Program. Chairman Washam announced that the next S.T.A.R. Workshop th Thursday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Library Meeting would take place on . Chairman Washam would like all Board members to attend. Commitments have been made by Cracker Barrel Restaurant, Barnes & Noble, Bethesda Hospital, K-Mark, ? Target, and WalMart. Jeff Industries and the Ed-Venture Program will be assisting again this year with the curriculum, as well as Ms. Mingo-McKoy. A presentation on the S.T.A.R. Program will be made at the Community Forum at the Bible Church of God on the fourth Tuesday in th August, which is August 24. More businesses are needed to participate. Chairman Washam said the City and the School District are making stronger commitments to participate this year. A letter will be printed in the Chamber of Commerce Newsletter spotlighting the Program. A commitment from Santaluces High School has been made and hopefully Atlantic and Lake Worth High Schools will also be participating. Commitments have also been made by the youth that participated last year to come this year and help with mentoring. Members from the Advisory Board on Children and Youth and the Education Advisory Board will also be assisting. B. Multi-cultural Music Festival No report was made since Dr. Beil was not present this evening. Chairman Washam asked for a consensus to table this item until the next meeting. Members agreed. 5 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 14, 1999 C. Discussion of August Meeting Date It was noted that the August meeting would be taking place the same evening as the CRA Meeting and Chairman Washam asked for a motion to dispense with the August meeting. Motion Ms. Girtman moved that the August meeting be cancelled. Motion seconded by Ms. Williams, which carried unanimously. Ms. Girtman requested that the City raise the drains alongside the road to be level with rd the road along NW 3 Street and said she keeps having to have her wheels aligned because of the drain conditions. Ms. Girtman said the drains are at least four to five inches below the road level. thrd Ms. Williams said that her mother who lives on the corner of NW 9 Avenue and NW 3 Street has the same problems. Because of the heavy rains lately the drains are so clogged that the water does not drain from the street and the water comes up to the doors of your car when you drive on that street. Ms. Williams said that something needs to be done for the area where a majority of the African/American community lives because it is being neglected and nothing has been done in that area. Commissioner Weiland said that the residents should make Public Works aware of this. Chairman Washam said that if Board members have particular concerns, they should advise him and he will request to have the appropriate City staff attend a meeting to address these problems. Chairman Washam asked if Ms. Girtman would like this item to be placed on the September agenda and she requested that someone from Public Works attend to address the problem of flooding on N. Seacrest Boulevard. Mr. Jones said he also has problems on his street and they have formed a Neighborhood Association to have their concerns addressed by the City. Commissioner Weiland suggested that the Board members contact Public Works as soon as possible, rather than waiting until the next meeting in order to expedite the matter. 6 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 14, 1999 X. ADJOURNMENT Motion Ms. Girtman moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Ms. Mingo-McKoy. The meeting properly adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ________________________________ Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (one tape) 7