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Minutes 09-08-99 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1999 AT 7:30 P.M. PRESENT Beth Miller, Vice Chairperson Hank Ackermann, Neighborhood Specialist Hansome Jones Stephanie Mingo-McKoy Brett Sherman Brenda Lee Williams Joy Currier, Voting Alternate ABSENT Ron Washam, Chairman Blanche Girtman Floyd Beil I. OPENING, PLEDGE, PRAYER In the absence of Chairman Washam, Vice Chair Miller presided and called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. Vice Chair Miller 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 Vice Chair Miller introduced Mr. Hank Ackermann, the Board’s Liaison and the City’s Neighborhood Specialist. IV. AGENDA APPROVAL Vice Chair Miller asked if there were any changes or amendments to the Agenda. There were none. Motion Ms. Mingo-McKoy moved to approve the agenda as presented. Motion seconded by Ms. Currier that carried unanimously. MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 8, 1999 V. MINUTES APPROVAL – July 14, 1999 Regular Meeting Motion Ms. Williams moved to approve the minutes of the July 14, 1999 meeting. Motion seconded by Ms. Mingo-McKoy, which carried unanimously. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Ackermann announced that the next Neighborhood Summit Meeting will take place th on Monday, September 13 in the Library Program Room at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Ackermann announced that a Public Budget Hearing will take place on the same Monday at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Ms. Currier announced that the Head Start Program is accepting used children’s books. Vice Chair Miller inquired when the next Community Forum would be held at the Bible Church and Mr. Ackermann said the meetings take place the fourth Tuesday in every th month. The meeting date in September will be the 28. Vice Chair Miller recommended that all members try to attend as a group and stated it was a very worthwhile program that provides a great deal of information. VII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE None VII. OLD BUSINESS A. S.T.A.R. Program Ms. Currier presented a copy of the flyer that was used last year. Vice Chair Miller stated that Chairman Washam would like to set up a workshop for the end of the month S.T.A.R. Workshop on of September. After discussion it was determined to have a th Wednesday, September 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the Library. Mr. Ackermann will check on the availability of the Library for that date. th The dates for the S.T.A.R. Program will be Saturday, October 9 and Saturday, October thth 16. Vice Chair Miller indicated that the September 29 workshop would be the reception for the businesses that would be participating. However, she will confirm this with Chairman Washam. 2 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 8, 1999 Ms. Currier stated that last year the City Manager’s staff sent out letters to the participating schools and asked if this same procedure would be followed this year. Last year Board members visited the schools and conveyed a personal invitation to the students to participate in the S.T.A.R. Program. Vice Chair Miller asked for a brief summary of the S.T.A.R. Program for the benefit of new members Ms. Williams said last year there were facilitators at the various workshops to assist the students with such tasks as how to complete an application and what to expect during a job interview. All participating students attended each workshop. Ms. Mingo-McKoy pointed out that the ultimate goal is to try to match the students with area businesses for the purpose of securing employment. Ms. Mingo-McKoy pointed out that last year the area businesses backed out and did not attend the interview session. Ms. Williams explained that on the first Saturday the workshop training takes place and on the following Saturday the students would come back to interview with the businesses. Discussion on the age group that the program would include took place. Ms. Mingo- McKoy thought that 14 year olds could participate. Ms. Currier said that there were also young adults up to age 24 last year that participated. Vice Chair Miller said she would like to have a press release prepared on the Program and Mr. Ackermann indicated that Ms. Susan Berman could take of this. Vice Chair Miller will prepare and submit a press release to Ms. Berman. Last year discussion took place on going directly to the headquarters of the area businesses in order to insure participation among the area businesses. Vice Chair Miller asked if it were possible that some of the youth might like to do some volunteer work also. Some of the youth might be able to assist at the new senior center. Ms. Currier stated that Ms. Carolyn Sims already has a list of volunteers that was furnished by Ms. St. John, Chairperson of the Children and Youth Advisory Board. Vice Chair Miller said she would follow through by speaking with Ms. St. John. Ms. Currier pointed out that it is important that Board members participate as well. Even if a member cannot attend both sessions, it would be nice to attend at least one session. B. Multi-cultural Music Festival Vice Chair Miller said she would like the Board to follow through with the festival and suggested the matter be tabled until next month for further discussion. 3 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 8, 1999 Vice Chair Miller asked for an update on the Board Forum that took place recently that spotlighted the Homeless Veteran’s Project. Ms. Williams reported that Ms. Noelle and a resident of the home attended and gave an overview of what they are doing for the homeless veterans in Boynton Beach. Ms. Williams stated that the residents of the home expressed an interest in getting more involved with projects in the community. Vice Chair Miller reported that the Exchange Club is working with the Homeless Veteran’s Project to stage a motorcycle rally. It would be a joint venture among this Board, Vetsville and the Exchange Club. Vice Chair Miller suggested including the veterans in the S.T.A.R. Program which could help address some of their self-esteem problems. Ms. McKoy questioned if adults should be included with the students in the S.T.A.R. Program. Ms. Williams noted that last year some young adults participated in the S.T.A.R. Program. Ms. Currier requested that each Board member be furnished with a list of participating businesses so that they could be contacted to determine their commitment to participate. Ms. Currier noted that Mr. Fisher from the Children and Youth Advisory Board would be assisting again this year and he was a tremendous help last year. workshop for the S.T.A.R. After discussion, it was determined to hold an additional rd Program to take place on Thursday, September 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the Library . It was decided that refreshments will be served to the participating businesses during the th September 29 workshop. IX. NEW BUSINESS Vice Chair Miller requested that a discussion take place regarding the issues, ideas and rumors going around the City. She did not want any politics to come into the discussion or any names mentioned. Vice Chair Miller reminded members that this Board was originally formed to deal with racial issues and feels many residents are disenchanted with what is happening in the City. As this is an Advisory Board to the Commissioners and the Mayor, she felt this Board could be of assistance to them. Vice Chair Miller felt this Board should be the first step in the process to address the problems and said it was important that as many Board members attend the Community th Forum on the 28 to discuss these issues. She would like to see everyone work together for the best of the City and thought it would be a good idea for a brochure to be circulated and newspaper articles be written informing residents that the Community Relations Board is here to address and listen to these issues. Ms. Williams felt this Board is obsolete and that the Community Forum is now addressing issues that this Board used to address. She felt that this Board has no 4 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 8, 1999 visibility in the community. Vice Chair Miller said that is exactly what she would like to change and that this Board should become more visible in the community. Mr. Ackermann said that the Community Forum is a very important Forum and felt that this is predominately a place where the north-end community goes to voice their opinions. However, where this Board has an official connection, it could act as the vehicle to bring the community together, since the Forum does not have an official connection to the City. Mr. Ackermann suggested that it would be a good idea to bring all the people together to participate in a healing experience. Vice Chair Miller also felt that the Intracoastal Park was another issue that this Board should deal with. She would like this Board to be a place where people can come to express their opinions and views and this Board in turn could disseminate the information to the Commission. Mr. Ackermann said a place is needed not only to vent one’s feelings, but also where things could be brought together. Mr. Ackermann suggested that this Board could hold a workshop that could be facilitated by outside sources that are experienced in bringing people together. Ms. Currier said the City is now being torn apart. Ms. Williams said that every time something happens in the City, it is always “we have to be the ones to cow down and bow down and take it”. Ms. Williams asked how long do they have to suffer all these indignities and to put up with being “put down”. Ms. Williams pointed out that elected officials are supposed to go along with what their constituents want. If they don’t, what kind of healing is that? Ms. Williams said that she is going to fight back with her vote at the next election. Mr. Ackermann said that Boynton Beach has had the “old boy network” for a long time and is still somewhat there. Therefore, the people who determine what is the right thing to do, are basically “white males” and they don’t have the answer for everybody, because the answer is not the same for everybody. Mr. Ackermann said the Forum is necessary and needs to continue, but there is a need for the people to come together and a method needs to be found. Ms. Williams said if you want anything done, it has to be done through the ballot box and it is necessary to vote in blocks like other neighborhoods that get what they want. Mr. Ackermann said it is very hard to keep politics out of these issues and the Mayor himself said he concentrated on the people in Hunter’s Run and Leisureville because that is where the power is. Mr. Ackermann felt that the Commission was trying to come up with a compromise with its last vote. Vice Chair Miller felt that it was a tough compromise on everyone’s part. Vice Chair Miller said it is now time to get the people together to figure what to do next. Ms. Mingo-McKoy said that the City let a great many people down. Mr. Jones asked 5 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 8, 1999 Vice Chair Miller what direction she would like to see the Board take. She would like the Board to assume its original intention as an advisory board to listen to people with various issues and that this Board should be able to mediate these issues. Mr. Jones feels that the community does not know that this Board exists and is there for them. Vice Chair Miller hopes to remedy this by having flyers circulated throughout the City and having press releases issued. Mr. Jones asked if some type of information on the Board could be placed on the City’s water bills that everyone receives. Vice Chair Miller suggested that a workshop with residents only could be held the first time without any City officials and then after the issues have been discussed, the City officials could be invited to a second workshop. Mr. Ackermann thought this was a good idea. Mr. Jones asked when the Board brochure would be ready and Vice Chair Miller said that it is in the works and she will furnish a copy to the Board members. Mr. Jones asked how the distribution of the brochure could be accomplished. Ms. Miller suggested it could be inserted into the Boynton Times. Mr. Ackermann noted that not everyone in the City receives the Boynton Times. Mr. Ackermann said it is possible that something could be included on the City’s water bill. Mr. Ackermann also noted that the City has a quarterly newspaper called Visions, Views and City News that usually contains a column on the City’s Advisory Boards. Another suggestion is that the Board could have a one-line announcement about the Board on the City’s “hold line”. Also, it was suggested that a web page on the Board could be included on the City’s web page. Ms. Miller said she would prepare an article for inclusion in the next edition of the Visions, Views and City News. She also will prepare a press release and have it available for Ms. Berman to disseminate to the various newspapers. Vice Chair Miller noted that this Board should submit a copy of the basic brochure for publication and distribution, which will state why the Board was established, its accomplishments, the programs it sponsors and its meeting dates. Also, a note will be added that the Board is working on holding a workshop for conflict resolution. Mr. Ackermann suggested holding the workshop at City Hall in the Mall. Motion Vice Chair Miller moved that this Board hold a conflict resolution workshop with the st citizens of Boynton Beach on Thursday, October 21. Motion seconded by Ms. Mingo- McKoy, which unanimously carried. After the first workshop, Vice Chair Miller said she would also prepare a press packet for distribution. 6 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 8, 1999 IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ______________________________ Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (two tapes) 7