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Minutes 02-11-98 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1998, AT 7:30P.M. PRESENT Ron Washam, Chairman Wilfred Hawkins, Asst. to the City Belky Cruz Manager Joy Currier Marshall Gage, Chief of Police Blanche Girtman Eric Schnetzer Brenda Lee Williams ABSENT Arthur Berman Maynie L. Boles I. OPENING, PLEDGE, PRAYER Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Mrs. Currier led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. A moment of silence was observed. The Recording Secretary called the roll. II. AGENDA APPROVAL Mrs. Girtman moved to approve the agenda as presented. Mr. Schnetzer seconded the motion that carried unanimously. APPROVE MINUTES OF JANUARY 7, 1998 MEETING Mrs. Girtman moved to approve the minutes of the January 7, 1998 meeting. Mr. Schnetzer seconded the motion that carried unanimously. III.ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Vision 20/20 Consultant Presentation: Thursday, February 12, 1998 at 6:45 p.m. in City Hall, West Wing, Second Floor Conference Room “C” Topic: Community Redevelopment Areas – Marina/Civic Center Plan & Parking Strategy Chairman Washam made this announcement. 1 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 11, 1998 B. Black Awareness Day Coronation: Sunday, February 14, 1998 at 3:00 p.m. held at the Civic Center Black Awareness Day: Saturday, February 21, 1998 at the Civic Center – Parade Starts at 11:00 a.m. from Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard along Seacrest Boulevard to the Civil Center Chairman Washam made the announcements relative to Black Awareness Day events. At this point in the meeting, Chairman Washam requested that Item V be moved up on the agenda to allow Police Chief Gage to make his presentation and leave to attend to other business. V. PRESENTATION: Marshall Gage, Police Chief TOPIC: Update on Department Activities and Community Policing Chief Gage was pleased to announced that although he lost 12 senior officers this past December to retirement, he has been able to promote 12 supervisors within the Department. The Police Department has been totally reorganized to result in two divisions rather than three with more responsibilities being shifted down to lower levels. The Community Policing Officers are now in the uniformed patrol and they lead the community policing effort throughout the organization. Officers are now assigned to permanent zones that will get them involved in the day-to-day activities in the communities. In the upcoming months, these officers will be present at association meetings within the zones. This will allow the officers to focus on that zone and get to know the people being served. In addition, they will be held responsible and accountable for sharing the information with others in the department. Chief Gage is confident this approach will lead to better service throughout the community. At the present time, the Police Department has not replaced all of the officers who have left the department. There remain approximately four or five positions to be filled, and there are approximately six officers in training at the present time. Chief Gage intends to rigorously interview applicants for these positions and he will not accept borderline applicants for this City. Chief Gage will hire only the best officers for this City. In closing his presentation, Chief Gage announced that he is a candidate on the final list for the position of Police Chief in another City. Although it was a difficult for him to make the decision to apply for the position, it was an opportunity of a lifetime, and he could not pass it up. If he is not selected for that position, he will continue serving the City of Boynton Beach. Mrs. Cruz pointed out that the City of Boynton Beach has a large population of Hispanics in the north end of the City. She inquired as to the number of Hispanic 2 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 11, 1998 Sergeants and Lieutenants there are in the Police Department. Chief Gage was unable to provide a positive response, he explained he lost one Hispanic Sergeant to retirement and is not certain there are any Hispanic Sergeant candidates. The department does not have any Hispanic Lieutenants. Chief Gage offered to research this subject and provide Mrs. Cruz with a positive response. In response to Mrs. Cruz’ question regarding whether or not there are plans to hire Hispanic officers in the near future, Chief Gage explained that he will hire the best candidates for the job. At Mrs. Girtman’s request, Chief Gage explained the training procedures for new police officers. Mrs. Cruz questioned whether the police officers are provided with diversity training since they must deal with so many different cultures. Chief Gage advised that the State mandates yearly diversity training on issues that might offend a specific religion or race. Mrs. Girtman questioned whether the department dispatches officers who speak the language in situations where non-English speaking people are involved. Chief Gage pointed out that there are a lot of people in Boynton Beach who do not speak English. However, he has a limited number of officers who speak Creole. At times, it is necessary to seek the assistance of neighbors or school students to interpret. The department is working hard to attract more multilingual applicants. Chief Gage reported that the department has a Haitian-speaking officer and a Code Compliance Inspector who speaks Creole. At the conclusion of Chief Gage’s presentation, Mrs. Currier provided accolades for Officer Linh Trinh. Chief Gage advised that Officer Trinh worked undercover on a School Board problem. She is living up to expectations and will be successful. Chairman Washam thanked Chief Gage for his presentation and admitted he was wrong last year when he questioned Chief Gage’s management style. IV. PUBLIC AUDIENCE None VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: A. Board Members to Assist with “Youth in Government Day” Planning Chairman Washam recommended that “Youth in Government Day” revert back to the month of April rather than having it coincide with Municipal Government Week in October. 3 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 11, 1998 Mr. Hawkins suggested that Chairman Washam review the school calendar to determine a day for this event following spring break that occurs at the beginning of April. Chairman Washam will review the school calendar and contact Wilfred Hawkins tomorrow. Chairman Washam also recommended that the Community Relations Board solicit the assistance of the Education Advisory Board in dealing with this project since they are in touch with all of the SACs. Members of both boards can be assigned the task of talking with the SACs at the different schools. All members agreed to work with the chairman on this project. Chairman Washam will attend the Education Advisory Board to discuss this project and seek their assistance B. Report on Advisory Board Summit Chairman Washam, Mrs. Williams, and Mrs. Girtman attended the advisory board summit meeting that was quite productive and brought together four of the City’s boards. Chairman Washam feels these summit meetings are helping each board member understand what the other City advisory boards want to accomplish. He gained a great deal of understanding about what the Senior Advisory Board is trying to accomplish, and realizes they need the assistance and backing of the other boards. Chairman Washam recommended that the Community Relations Board host the next summit meeting in April at City Hall in the Mall at approximately 2:00 p.m. on a Saturday. Discussion ensued about a discussion item for the summit meeting. Mrs. Girtman and Mrs. Currier suggested a community-oriented project. Mrs. Currier recommends instituting a program whereby the board issues certificates to members of the community who have made a contribution. Chairman Washam recommended that each of the boards (Community Relations, Advisory Board on Children & Youth, Education Advisory, and Senior Advisory) select one person to honor with a certificate. Mrs. Currier further suggested selecting a police officer or firefighter every other month to honor with a certificate. VI. NEW BUSINESS Mrs. Currier questioned whether a decision had been made about manning a booth at G.A.L.A. Chairman Washam advised that agreement was reached at the summit for all of the advisory boards to share a booth. The Advisory Board on Children & Youth is working on the schedule of hours for manning the booth. Chairman Washam will telephone the members of the Community Relations Board when he receives that schedule. 4 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 11, 1998 Mrs. Cruz suggested reopening the discussion of the multicultural festival at next month’s meeting. Chairman Washam agreed to discuss this topic again in the future, but pointed out that this event would have to be revamped. In addition, it is a program that requires cooperation. The board can begin working on a plan next month. Chairman Washam introduced Eric Schnetzer, a new member of board. He gave a brief description of his background. He requested a position on this board because of his interest in helping people and because of his concern for our youth. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the board, Mrs. Girtman moved to adjourn the meeting. Mrs. Cruz seconded the motion that carried unanimously. The meeting properly adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Janet M. Prainito Deputy City Clerk (Two Tapes) 5