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Minutes 10-21-99 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD SPECIAL FORUM HELD AT FIRE HOUSE #3, 3501 MINER ROAD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1999 AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT Ron Washam, Chairman Beth Miller, Vice Chairperson John Critchett Blanche Girtman Hansome Jones Brett Sherman Brenda Lee Williams Joy Currier, Voting Alternate ABSENT Stephanie Mingo-McKoy GUESTS Mayor Gerald Broening Dale Sugerman, Assistant City Manager I. INTRODUCTIONS AND OPENING REMARKS The Forum was called to order at 6:40 p.m. by Vice Chair Miller, who introduced the members of the Board. Vice Chair Miller gave a background for the purpose of tonight’s Forum. The Forum will be entirely devoted to dealing with conflict resolution. She stated that the Community Relations Board acts in an advisory capacity to the City Commission. The Board makes specific suggestions in order to address City problems. It has come to this Board’s attention that there has been a great deal of confusion and anger within the City during the past few months. It is hoped that some of these issues can be addressed tonight in an effort to strengthen community relations. II. RULES OF DISCUSSION ? Everyone will be allowed to speak. ? Please be concise and do not duplicate what has already been said. ? Please wait to be acknowledged. ? Please state your name and address when called to speak. ? Please exhibit courtesy and respect to all speakers. COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD COMMUNITY FORUM BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 21, 1999 ? Please be specific. ? No statements of blame or attacks upon others will be allowed. ? A brochure for written statements has been provided for those who do not wish to speak, but would like to make a statement. III. BASIS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION Vice Chair Miller briefed the audience on the definition of a community and that human tensions exist in every community. Conflict is neither positive nor negative and resolution can move in either direction. If a conflict is identified early, specific steps can be taken and almost any conflict can be a source of opportunity. The three stages of conflict are: 1. Daily events, 2. Challenges, and 3. Battles Tonight’s program has been put together to try to make significant steps to help citizens help each other in solving common problems. Once the goals are identified the facilitators will help parties come up with a process for discussions and determine how to work together to implement joint decisions. The Community Relations Board functions as an Advisory Board to the Mayor and City Commissioners. The forum tonight will help increase knowledge and understanding of the issues that currently surround Boynton Beach. Chairman Washam noted that Vice Chair Miller put a great deal of time and effort in bringing tonight’s forum to fruition and he noted that perhaps it should have been instituted several months ago. He felt that positive changes have been made recently in moving the City forward. Chairman Washam noted that politics has never been a part of this Board, but he did hear during the past election that this Board has been accused of not accomplishing anything. Chairman Washam said that this Board during the past few years has done an incredible job in making itself visible. He noted that the new administration has had some major conflicts. Chairman Washam said that the Community had very strong feelings about the City Manager issue and people needed to be brought together to resolve these issues. Chairman Washam introduced Mayor Gerald Broening and Assistant City Manager Dale Sugerman who joined the Forum. 2 COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD COMMUNITY FORUM BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 21, 1999 Chairman Washam noted that people tend to let their personalities interfere with the issues. This usually results in problems never getting solved. The hiring of a City Manager became a big passionate issue. Chairman Washam thanked Vice Chair Miller and all the members of the Board for putting the Forum together and thanked everyone for their attendance. It is anticipated that the Community Relations Board will start going back out into the community as was done in the past. After tonight’s Forum, a report will be presented to the City staff and Commission. At the conclusion of the Forum, a decision will be made on whether a follow-up Forum would be necessary. Herb Suss , a resident of Quail Run said that eight months have gone down the drain by not appointing a City Manager. He feels this has been a great expense to the residents, especially the retired citizens. He feels that up to $20,000 will be spent before a City Manager is hired. Mr. Suss feels everything has gone downhill and that Boynton Beach is the laughing stock of the County. Mr. Suss feels let down and now since the elections are not that far away, the selection should be left to the new Commissioners, unless it can be done before the end of this year. Chairman Washam said the people need to help the Commission come up with a decision on the City Manager. Mr. Suss asked why there are no other City Commissioners present tonight to hear the concerns of the citizens? He said that at the last Neighborhood Summit Meeting only one Commissioner was present. Vice Chair Miller said that the Mayor and Commissioners were invited, but were not asked to attend. The purpose of tonight’s meeting is to gain input from the Community and to report back to the Commissioners. The Commissioners were not invited tonight to answer questions. Mr. Suss did not think it was right for the City to spend $41,500 for a business project of a private citizen. Vice Chair Miller pointed out these are expenses that are all part of redevelopment of a community. Mr. Suss said the City should have appointed either Mr. Sugerman or Mr. Hawkins as City Manager and if neither one worked out, they could have been let go. st Mr. Bruce Black , 249 SW 1 Avenue said he didn’t come here tonight to listen to the same old complaints. Mr. Black said that the average person has no idea how much stress is placed upon the Commissioners and Mayor and noted that they too have a life. He said it was not possible for the Commissioners and Mayor to attend every single meeting. He felt the persons who are in office do so for the love of the City and people are not always aware of what is actually going on with certain issues. 3 COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD COMMUNITY FORUM BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 21, 1999 Mr. Black said it is time to get good press and a lot of good things do happen in Boynton Beach, but nothing can happen overnight. Mr. Black noted that the City is working to resolve the stormwater runoff problems. He feels that the current Commission is trying to do the right things and is tired of hearing negatives about the City. Mr. Black feels that we are our own worse enemies with all this negativity. Mr. Black was in favor of the workshop that took place over the weekend and thinks the City will see the benefits from it. Mr. Black would like to see more meetings like tonight to address problems and come up with solutions. He said this is a great place to live and the problems that exist in Boynton Beach exist in every city in the County. With regard to the Françoise grant, all cities try to help small businesses and this is not uncommon. Mr. Black said that it is the small businesses that run the country and not the giant conglomerates. The City should continue to encourage small businesses in the City. Ms. Girtman said she has lived in Boynton Beach for over 45 years and has seen the changes taking place throughout the City during the years. She noted she was the first chairperson of the Community Relations Board in 1973. Ms. Girtman said she loves Boynton Beach and asked why an African/American has to have a Doctoral Degree or a BS Degree to quality for a job. Whereas, in other cities you can get the same job with nothing more than a high school diploma or two years of college. Ms. Girtman felt that the City Manager position would have been given to any person who did not have a degree as long as that person was not African/American. Ms. Girtman said Mr. Hawkins has given 12 years of his life to Boynton Beach. Ms. Girtman said the City needs to stop wasting taxpayers’ money when there are qualified people in the City who can do the job. The City needs to get rid of its racism. Ms. Girtman said that when she looks at a child, she sees no color. The conflict would never go away until the City starts hiring the people who can do the job. Ms. Girtman pointed out that the City is spending thousands of dollars foolishly to find a City Manager and there are people in this City who have to live on a social security check. Chairman Washam noted he has worked with Ms. Girtman for many years and feels as passionate as she does about the same topics. He said it will not go away overnight, unless everyone works together to make it go away. The issue should be a “color-blind” issue. However, Chairman Washam felt this was never the issue with the Mayor and did not think it was a color issue with other Commissioners. Although he would still like Mr. Hawkins to assume the position, what needs to be done now is for the City to come together and determine how to move forward. 4 COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD COMMUNITY FORUM BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 21, 1999 Ms. Girtman said that the “good-old-boy syndrome” has always existed in Boynton Beach and still does. The City needs to get rid of the good-old-boy syndrome and to st come up to the 21 Century. Lori Wilkinson said it is going to take word-of-mouth to get these Forums going and will probably take a few meetings before the attendance increases. This is the same way that the Community Forum started several months ago which is now attended by at least 50 to 100 people on a monthly basis. Ms. Wilkinson said that people need to stop segregating themselves. Ms. Wilkinson stated that this is a City Community Forum even though it is not being held in the north end and is open to everyone. Ms. Wilkinson pointed out that people need to be informed about voting, and that there is a faction in the City that controls the votes. She said this is wrong and this is the place where people can learn how to overrule those people. Ms. Williams asked how many times a person has to turn the other cheek? Newer people in the City aren’t aware of the history of the City and what has taken place over the years. Ms. Williams said that she has faced discrimination in the City and when her son joined the Little League, he was discriminated against because he was the only Black child on the team. She said these things perpetuate as you get older. Ms. Williams commended the Mayor for his courage when he changed his vote for the City Manager. People need to get out and vote and to make certain who they vote for. Ms. Williams would like to see people exhibit more love for one another and to respect each other. Chairman Washam felt these discussions were beneficial. He noted when he was growing up in Boynton Beach, the police officers in the City wore cowboy boots and cowboy hats. After 10 o’clock at night, no Blacks were allowed beyond the bridge at the canal. The Beach used to be divided also, with the south end for the Blacks and the north end was for Whites. Chairman Washam said the schools were not fully integrated until 1970. Chairman Washam did not think that the Mayor and the Commissioners made their decision on race, but politically they should have looked closer at the situation. Mayor Broening, speaking as a citizen and not Mayor, said he chose to live in Boynton Beach. He said he grew up in Baltimore and that Black people have been an integral part of his life. When he entered the military service his boss was also Black and was the first four star Black General in the Country. Mayor Broening said that the City has failed if it can’t bring all the positive elements of the community together. Mayor Broening said getting something done in a democracy is very difficult and that the City’s Charter needs to be looked at. The Advisory Boards are very important to the new 5 COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD COMMUNITY FORUM BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 21, 1999 Commissioners, because new Commissioners don’t have enough time to learn the job in two years. Chairman Washam felt that the candidates for Mayor in the last election were very passionate and worthy of the job. Chairman Washam said the City is in better shape because Gerald Broening is the Mayor and thanked the Mayor for attending tonight’s Forum. Mayor Broening informed the audience the reason he doesn’t attend Board meetings is because he feels his presence might influence some discussion. Ms. Elizabeth Jenkins said that the Forum at the Bible Church started out as a Black Forum and included the entire northend. At first they did not want White people included in the Forum and when White people tried to attend, they were asked to leave. Ms. Jenkins did not think that the people should be separated by their color. She thinks the racism is worse now and that people have to come together, otherwise the conflicts will continue. Chairman Washam said it needs to be acknowledged that there is racism every hour and everyday. He informed the audience that he received a racist letter in his mail and he has concerns about hidden discrimination. Charlie Fisher is optimistic and thinks things are changing, but knows the process will take time. Mr. Fisher did not think that the City Manager selection process was a Black/White issue and it was more of who was the best candidate. Mr. Fisher thinks holding this type of forum is a step in the right direction. Ms. Williams did not feel that using a headhunter for the City Manager position was the way to go. She felt that the City could do this itself without outside help. Mayor Broening said the Commission would be looking at every application that is submitted. Mayor Broening explained how a headhunter works. Ms. Williams felt the criteria for the City Manager was a little steepand questioned whether any candidates could meet all the criteria for the job. Mayor Broening was of the opinion that there would be between 40 to 50 candidates that would apply. Ms. Wilkinson felt that if Mr. John Stunson ended up as City Manager, this would make the situation a lot worse. Mayor Broening stated that Mr. Stunson withdrew from consideration. Discussion took place on participation of the Commissioners at Advisory Board Meetings. Mr. Suss felt it was important that the Commissioners attend Board meetings to keep informed. 6 COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD COMMUNITY FORUM BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 21, 1999 Mr. Eddie Mitchell said he is concerned that Boynton Beach is seeking the All America City Award. He feels the City is treading on water trying to get this type of an award considering what is happening racially within the City. Mr. Mitchell pointed out that Delray Beach applied for the award this year, but did not win. The Whites went on one bus and the Blacks went on another. This was viewed very critically. How do you expect to win an award with this type of behavior? Mr. Mitchell feels Boynton Beach’s situation is even worse. Because of how the City handled the City Manager situation, he withdrew from participating in the All America City Award and said he was embarrassed by what is happening in this City. Vice Chair Miller asked if Mr. Mitchell had any suggestions to start improving the situation. She said a notice of the Forum was sent to every neighborhood association in the City. Chairman Washam agreed with what Mr. Mitchell said about seeking the All America City Award. Mr. Mitchell did not feel that the City would ever hire a minority for City Manager, or more specifically an African/American. Mr. Mitchell said he would like to see Mr. Hawkins offered the Assistant City Manager position to work with Mr. Sugerman and the City could have two Assistant City Managers. He feels this would help to bring the parties together. Ms. Williams said that the City has hired Blacks in the past, but after they are hired, they try to get rid of them. Mr. Fisher said that the people present tonight are the same people who are always present at meetings, but these forums need to reach more people. He suggested taking some of these meetings to the schools. Mr. Fellows felt the topic for tonight was not strong enough and felt the right message really wasn’t conveyed about tonight’s meeting. Mr. Fellows surmised that the problems aren’t going to be solved overnight and that the Commissioners in office inherited most of the problems. Vice Chair Miller felt that a lot of positive ideas came out of tonight’s Forum and that the Board should continue to present these types of Forums. Vice Chair Miller noted that everyone was given a brochure on the Board. The names and phone numbers of the members are listed on the brochure in the event anyone wished to contact the Board with any ideas they would like to share. Ms. Currier noted that Vice Chair Miller did a wonderful job and the audience applauded her. 7 COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD COMMUNITY FORUM BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 21, 1999 Chairman Washam stated that there was some business that the Board needs to address before adjourning. He noted that this Board has always met on the second Wednesday of the month, but the CRA has been meeting on that same night. Therefore, it is necessary that the Board change its meeting date. Chairman Washam informed the Board of the dates that would be available for the Board to meet in the Chambers. Alternate dates for meetings in the Library Program Room were also considered. Motion first Mr. Jones moved that the Board hold its regularly scheduled meetings on the Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Motion seconded by Ms. Currier, which unanimously carried. rd November 3 at 7:00 in Members agreed to hold their November meeting on the Commission Chambers. Mr. Fellows spoke to the Board about his granddaughter Megan who is 16 months old and is in need of a liver transplant. Her mother donated part of her liver, the costs of which the insurance company refuses to cover. Unfortunately, the outlook is not very optimistic. Mr. Fellows said he is working through the Neighborhood Associations to do a trick or treat to collect money for his granddaughter in a fundraising effort and to date 14 associations have agreed to help. Mr. Fellows stated that the week of December 5, 1999 has been declared as the Megan Keller Organ Donor Awareness Week and read the draft Proclamation. The Youth Council has indicated they would like to sponsor this activity, but he would like to see it become a Citywide effort. Mr. Fellows stated that there needs to be more awareness about organ donations and only 4% of organ donors are African/Americans and actually 49% of people who die while awaiting organs on the transplant list are African/Americans. Mr. Fellows said the focus on organ donor awareness is not for raising money, but to educate the public about donating organs. Chairman Washam suggested that this Board could vote to adopt the Proclamation to bring it to the City and called for a motion. Motion Vice Chair Miller moved that this Board adopt this Proclamation and to present it to the City Commission and the citizens of Boynton Beach. Vice Chair Miller further moved that this Board promote organ transplant and education awareness. Motion duly seconded, which carried unanimously. 8 COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD COMMUNITY FORUM BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 21, 1999 There being no further business, the Forum properly adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ___________________________________ Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (two tapes) 9