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Minutes 01-05-00 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD SPECIAL TOWN MEETING HELD IN FIRE STATION #3, 3501 MINOR ROAD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2000 AT 7:00 P.M. PRESENT Ron Washam, Chairman Dan DeCarlo, Neighborhood Project Specialist Joy Currier Blanche Girtman Beth Miller, Vice Chairperson Hansome Jones Brenda Lee Williams Brett Sherman ABSENT John Critchett I. OPENING, PLEDGE, PRAYER Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. Chairman Washam asked Vice Chair Miller to lead the members in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag to be followed by a moment of silent prayer. II. ROLL CALL The Recording Secretary called the roll and a quorum was declared present. III. OPENING REMARKS Chairman Washam noted this is the second town meeting that this Board has scheduled with the assistance of Vice Chair Miller in order to get the Board into the Community. The Board would like to do this more often throughout the year. This had been a prior practice of the Board, which proved to be very positive. Chairman Washam thanked the Fire Department and Chief Bingham for making the Fire Station available tonight. Also, Chairman Washam thanked Vice Chair Miller for working diligently to get the Board back into the community. TOWN MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA January 5, 2000 IV. RULES FOR DISCUSSION Vice Chair Miller explained the process that would be followed tonight. Everyone will be given an opportunity to speak. The purpose of the meeting is for this Board to come up with solutions to issues that are raised. The rules of discussion are as follows: ? Everyone who wishes to speak will be heard. ? Please be concise. ? Do not duplicate what has already been said. ? Excessive time speaking will not be allowed and a one-minute card will be displayed. ? Please raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged. ? Please state your name and address when speaking. ? Please show respect for your fellow neighbors. ? Please speak in specifics and use no statements of blame or attack others. ? Brochures have been distributed to anyone who prefers not to speak, and there is a page in the brochure to submit written questions. V. “ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT KIT” DISCUSSION Vice Chair Miller presented an Attitude Adjustment Kit for use during the meeting and stated that the secret to good communication is a positive attitude. Vice Chair Miller presented a number of items that symbolize the concept of positive attitude. Ribbon - The tie that binds us together as a group. ? Button - A reminder to button our lips when tempted to say ? unkind things about each other. Toothpick - A reminder to pick out the good qualities in each ? other. Band-Aid - Used to patch up hurt feelings. ? Tissue - Used to dry each other’s tears. ? Candy Hug - A reminder that everyone could use a treat now and ? then. Eraser - Demonstrates that everyone makes mistakes. ? Lemonhead Candy - When life hands you a lemon, go make lemonade. ? This is a symbol of a positive attitude. Rubber Band - A symbol that we all need to band together, while ? remaining flexible. Matchstick - A reminder to keep the flame of the motto burning ? throughout our many projects and activities. 2 TOWN MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA January 5, 2000 Mint - Re-enforces our idea that our programs, networking ? opportunities and our community involvement and interactions with each other are worth a mint. Smiley Face - Reminds us that our expression is the most important ? thing we wear. VI. ISSUES TO BE DISCUSSED/PUBLIC AUDIENCE (a) New concerns/ideas (b) Old or existing concerns (c) Other Chairman Washam noted that the Board has ongoing projects that will addressed at next month’s meeting including the Youth in Government Day. Tonight’s meeting will focus on issues that are important to members of the audience and which they would like this Board to bring to the attention of the City Commission. Mr. Brian Edwards noted that there have been ongoing discussions at the City Commission meetings regarding the Intracoastal Park. Also, he stated that Mr. DeCarlo came out to speak to his Community Association about the original park idea and the possibility of a mix-use for the park. It appears that the City Planning Department is currently working on preparing an artist’s rendering for a mix-used project. Mr. Edwards inquired if this Board has received input from the community regarding the use of the land. Chairman Washam said that last year there was overwhelming support for the land to remain as a park, which was expressed by residents from all different areas of the City. The people want a park and this was agreed upon 12 years ago by vote of the citizens. Ms. Williams also stated that there is a need for a clubhouse because the Royal Palm Clubhouse is being demolished and it was anticipated that a clubhouse would be built with the park. Mr. Scully asked about the status of the grants from the County and Vice Chair Miller thought that the City is trying to get an extension. Mr. DeCarlo reported that a meeting had recently been held with INCA, which was attended by Mayor Broening and the discussion on the park was for mix- use. The primary focus was that residents would have access to the waterfront. There was a consensus among those present that the park would not be a good place to park boat trailers and people have to walk all the way back to the launching ramp at Boat Club Park. Mr. DeCarlo is hopeful that something can be worked out between the County and the City. This will depend upon what the City determines the use of the park will be. The reason the City is doing some 3 TOWN MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA January 5, 2000 preliminary design is to have something to show to the developers that are interested in developing the property. This is a means to make them aware of what the City would like to see on the site. The focus of the City is: Public access, ? Screening the exiting neighborhoods, and ? Ensuring that the park is pedestrian friendly. ? Mr. Fellows asked if the public several years ago voted on a bond issue to purchase the property for a park, how could the property be used for anything other than a park? Chairman Washam replied that this is a perception issue because 12 years ago the residents voted for a park. However, the wording of the bond issue is now in question. The current Commission’s perception is if they don’t want a park, there doesn’t have to be a park. The wording of the bond issue appears to state that future legislators could use the land for whatever purpose they deem good for the City. The perception throughout the community is that people want a park and thought they were getting a park. Vice Chair Miller said that the people were not asked whether they wanted something else on the site besides a park prior to the Commission deciding that the site would become a mix-use project. Vice Chair Miller also pointed out that the Ocean Ridge property has also been sold without citizen input. People feel that they don’t have a voice in the City anymore. Mr. DeCarlo reported that the sale of the Ocean Ridge property had been negotiated for a long time, but he was not aware of how the actual negotiations took place. Mr. Fisher stated that the Commissioners appointed the Mayor to negotiate the sale and that the Commission would approve whatever the deal was. Mr. Fisher was under the assumption that the land had been traded to Ocean Ridge and in return the City would receive special parking rights. This is what people feel took place and that the land was given away. On the one hand the City is saying it needs money and doesn’t want a park, and on the other hand the City traded land for parking for special events. Mr. Edwards inquired if the Community Relations Board as spokespeople for the community actually has taken a position on the Intracoastal Park site. He also noted that many communities within the City are interested in having more neighborhood parks, rather than one large 10-acre park. Mr. Edwards said that there has been discussion that a very large park might attract more crime. 4 TOWN MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA January 5, 2000 Vice Chair Miller said that she notified all neighborhood associations about taking a stand on this issue, but she never received any response. Chairman Washam said that this Board is an Advisory Board to the City and the Commissioners read the minutes of the meetings. If this Board wishes to take a stand on the issue, it could. Mr. Waldman noted that the Neighborhood Forums meet regularly and this is something that could be addressed at one of their meetings and the next meeting th is scheduled for January 24. Discussion continued about different uses that could be accommodated on the 10-acre park site. Ms. Girtman would like to see some type of facility on the site that could be enjoyed by all residents and could accommodate various types of entertainment within the City. Vice Chair Miller noted that there was a puppet center on Federal Highway that accommodated over 400 children monthly for educational programs. The center had free space that was being donated and they lost their lease. The puppet center has asked the City for the past three months for some space and no one in the City has responded. The Cities of Delray Beach and West Palm Beach would like the center to relocate to their cities. This is the only functioning performing arts facility in the City and this will be a big loss to the children of this City. Mr. Fisher felt that there can only be so much land available for a park if a developer came in and expected to make money. Chairman Washam was of the opinion that there are other properties along the waterfront that could be bought for development and are for sale. Chairman Washam would like to see the site stay all public since there is so little waterfront property left and feels that a park is the best use for the site. Ms. Currier said that the Boards were informed that the Woman’s Club would be available and when this Board applied to use the Club for a meeting, we were informed that it was not available. Chairman Washam requested that each Board member express how they feel about the use of the 10-acre site remaining as a park. Mr. Jones said that the land should remain open to the public and should be available to everyone. Ms. Girtman agreed with Mr. Jones that the entire parcel should remain public use. Also, Ms. Girtman would like some type of meeting place on the property 5 TOWN MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA January 5, 2000 that would be available to the public. She would like to have some type of entertainment center on the property for use by both adults and children. Mr. Sherman agreed that there is only so much land available and everyone should have use to the property. He said if there was mix-use, it should be agreeable to everyone. Also, Mr. Sherman noted there is the possibility of a park attracting crime and bringing the wrong element into the City. Mr. Sherman said both sides need to be looked at. Ms. Williams also feels it should be public-use property and when the Hester Park was being built, the City got input from the community on what the people would like to see in the park. Ms. Williams would like everything open to the public. She feels the residents should be consulted on what they would like in the park. Vice Chair Miller agreed with everything that has been said and said there needs to be attractions to draw people to the park. Ms. Currier stated that Boat Club Park is a haven for prostitutes, drug dealers and the like and does not want to see the Intracoastal Park turn into another Boat Club Park. There was a consensus on the Board that the park site should remain open to all the public. Mr. Fisher suggested that some sort of public poll should be taken to determine what the public wants and this could be done through the local newspaper. Mr. Scully said it was evident from attending all the meetings, that the public does want a park. Martin Luther King Boulevard Clinic Vice Chair Miller pointed out that this Board previously discussed putting a clinic on Martin Luther King Boulevard. She said it was determined that the City owns two parcels of land on MLK Boulevard, but now it appears that the City doesn’t own the land. She will be pursuing this further. There appears to be great enthusiasm throughout the City for a clinic since there is no free clinic in Boynton Beach. Residents are forced to go either to South County or North County. Ms. Currier said this needs to be a citywide effort. Chairman Washam said that Congressman Alcee Hastings’ office has indicated that they would be interested in moving forward with this proposal. However, the Board needs to formulate exactly what the purpose of the clinic is, the needs it will service and the location of the clinic. 6 TOWN MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA January 5, 2000 Vice Chair Miller said that she has been speaking with Mr. DeCarlo. Mr. DeCarlo said he has been looking at early childhood prevention and is working with the daycare facilities in this particular section of the City to tie that in with the need for a clinic. Mr. DeCarlo said that consideration has to be given to undertaking a need's assessment. Also, there are several funding mechanisms that are being looked at to fund the project. Mr. DeCarlo said he is hoping to have a proposal ready to present to the Board at its next meeting. Chairman Washam asked Mr. DeCarlo whom he has been working with on this project? Mr. DeCarlo said that he has been speaking with people in the County regarding early childhood prevention programs and he has spoken with Vice Chair Miller for some input. Also, he said he has contacted the City’s Community Redevelopment Department regarding Community Block Grant funding. Mr. DeCarlo said that everything is still in the preliminary stages. Ms. Girtman would like someone from this Board to work with Mr. DeCarlo because it is important that the Board stay involved in this project. Ms. Girtman said she would like to be included from the ground on up. Ms. Girtman said that she tried back in the 1970s to get a clinic in the City. Mr. DeCarlo said he feels as though he is representing this Board and would be very pleased to have as many Board members involved as possible in this project. Vice Chair Miller said that she and Mr. DeCarlo spoke about having a meeting of interested people within the next week to come up with something more concrete to present during the Martin Luther King Day Program. Vice Chair Miller would like to have a meeting next week with all Board members, together with Mr. DeCarlo, a representative from Bethesda Hospital and anyone else who would like to become involved. Ms. Girtman feels like she is coming in on the “tail end” of things considering how things have been progressing. Mr. DeCarlo stated this is certainly not the case and that all that has transpired is looking at ways to proceed and how to approach the issue. Ms. Girtman stated she was unable to attend the last meeting because she was recuperating from surgery and feels she is being left out. Chairman Washam said it is important that we all work together and pointed out that he as Chairperson should have the information filtered through him. Mr. DeCarlo would like to get together with the board within the next two weeks in order to get something going. Chairman Washam asked if the Board would like to hold a workshop meeting within the next two weeks. Chairman Washam suggested checking with the City Clerk’s Office to determine what dates would be open. He will contact everyone once a date has been established. 7 TOWN MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA January 5, 2000 After further discussion, it was determined that the entire month of February is devoted to Black Awareness Month and this might be a better time to inform the public about the proposed clinic. Therefore, it was decided to focus on having something ready for the month of February. This would allow the Board sufficient time to prepare their presentation. Ms. Girtman requested that Mr. DeCarlo furnish his office number, which he replied is 742-6028. VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _______________________________ Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (two tapes) 8