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Minutes 01-08-97 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1997, AT 7:30 P.M. PRESENT Ron Washam, Chairman Wilfred Hawkins, Assistant to the Ronald Bair City Manager Belky Cruz Joy Currier Blanche Girtman Brenda Lee Williams Dee Zibelli Jill Verderosa Arthur Berman, Alternate ABSENT Elizabeth Jenkins, Vice Chairperson I. OPENING, PLEDGE, PRAYER Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Ms. Zibelli. A moment of silent prayer was observed. II. ROLL CALL The Recording Secretary called the roll. Ms. Girtman and Ms. Williams were not yet present. III. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Chairman Washam welcomed Debbie Lytle, Sy Zibelli, and John Petrunti to the meeting. IV. AGENDA APPROVAL No additions, deletions, or corrections were made to the agenda. Motion Ms. Zibelli moved to approve the agenda as presented. Ms. Currier seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. At this time, Ms. Girtman arrived. MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 8, 1997 V. MINUTES APPROVAL No additions, deletions, or corrections were made to the minutes of the last meeting. Motion Mr. Bair moved to approve the minutes of the December 11, 1996 meeting as submitted. Ms. Zibelli seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Community Forum on Multi-Cultural Diversity conducted by Dr. Samuel Betances on Thursday, January 30, 1997 at St. John's Missionary Baptist Church, 900 N. Seacrest Blvd., Boynton Beach. Sessions at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Chairman Washam made this announcement and urged everyone to attend this forum. Ms. Zibelli asked what exactly is going to be discussed at this forum and why it is being held at St. John's Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Hawkins advised that Mayor Taylor heard Dr. Betances give a presentation at Palm Beach Community College several months ago to a large group of professionals from around the County. Mayor Taylor was very impressed with the workshop that Dr. Betances conducted. The subject matter deals with cultural diversity and understanding cultural diversity in our current society. Dr. Betances is a Black Puerto Rican who was reared in Harlem. He has a Doctorate Degree from Cornell University. He talks about opportunities, understanding different cultures, how to work together, diversity in the workplace, and issues regarding cultural awareness, cultural relationships, and ethnic diversity. Mr. Hawkins advised that top level management and department heads of the City are required to attend this forum. Other City employees are going to be encouraged to attend. Ms. Zibelli asked why this forum is being held in a Black community. She felt it should be held in other communities as well. She stated that some people may not want to go to this 2 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 8, 1997 community. At this time, Ms. Williams arrived. Mr. Bair is a firm believer in the separation of church and state and felt some people might not attend St. John's Missionary Baptist Church because of religious reasons. Ms. Williams felt that the people who do not attend already have their minds set and are not interested in bringing about change. B. Martin Luther King Banquet Ms. Girtman announced that the Martin Luther King Banquet will be held at the Catalina on January 19, 1997 beginning at 7:00 p.m. She invited everyone to attend. VII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE No one in the audience wished to address the board. VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS B. Final Report on 1996 Multi-Cultural Festival Ms. Zibelli advised that a profit of $1,075.64 was made from the Multi-Cultural Festival. She suggested that this money be kept mainly for advertising the Multi-Cultural Festival in the newspapers next year. Mr. Bair turned over to Ms. Zibelli the $39.00 that was collected from the sports pager drawing. Ms. Zibelli advised that she turned over all the records regarding the Multi-Cultural Festival to Ginny Halpin Shea of the Recreation Department. She stated that many wonderful people attended the festival, and there was great food and great entertainment. Chairman Washam thanked Ms. Zibelli, Ms. Cruz, and Ms. Currier, and Mr. Bair for working on this festival. IX. NEW BUSINESS 3 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 8, 1997 Ms. Currier thanked everybody for contributing to seven children's Christmas this season. Chairman Washam thanked Ms. Currier for everything she did last month to make the holidays better for others. He also thanked Ms. Verderosa for wrapping all the Christmas presents. Ms. Cruz thanked Ms. Currier for helping the two families she referred to her during the Christmas holiday. Chairman Washam asked Mr. Hawkins to request Police Chief Marshall Gage to attend the next board meeting. He would also like to meet with him before that meeting. Mr. Bair advised that Officer Bill Tome of P.A.L. requested that the board assist him in locating some corporations and businesses to sponsor the basketball program. Ms. Zibelli thanked Mr. Bair and Ms. Currier for their work on the Multi-Cultural Festival. Chairman Washam welcomed Ms. Verderosa to the board. Ms. Currier advised that Ms. Verderosa has volunteered her time to P.A.L. and Head Start for the last five years. Ms. Verderosa advised that she has lived in Florida for about eight years. She has been helping Ms. Currier and Andy Rosenberg of the Boynton Beach Police Department for about five years. Chairman Washam looked forward to working with the members of this board this year. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m. Eve Eubanks Recording Secretary (One Tape) 4