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Minutes 03-11-98 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1998 AT 7:30 P.M. PRESENT Ron Washam, Chairman Wilfred Hawkins, Mgr. of Support Maynie Boles Services Joy Currier Belky Cruz Blanche Girtman Eric Schnetzer Brenda Lee Williams ABSENT Arthur Berman Harold Izard I. OPENING, PLEDGE, PRAYER Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. Mrs. Girtman led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a moment of silent prayer followed. II. ROLL CALL – REGULAR MEMBERS – ALTERNATES All members were present with the exception of Messrs. Berman and Izard. Mrs. Cruz reported that Mr. Berman is ill. III. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Chairman Washam recognized the presence in the audience of Charlie Fisher. IV. AGENDA APPROVAL Mr. Schnetzer requested the addition of Item VI.B, “Eric’s Announcement”. Motion Mrs. Williams moved to accept the agenda with the one addition. Mrs. Girtman seconded the motion that carried unanimously. V. MINUTES APPROVAL – FEBRUARY 11, 1998 Motion Mrs. Girtman moved to approve the minutes of February 11, 1998. Mr. Schnetzer seconded the motion that carried unanimously. 1 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 11, 1998 VI. CORRESPONDENCE & ANNOUNCEMENTS: A. Youth in Government Day – April 30, 1998 th Chairman Washam reported that the date for Youth in Government Day has been set for April 30. A letter will be sent out to the schools notifying them of this event. The Community Relations Board will be working with the Education Advisory Board to get involved with the SACs at the schools. Participants in this program will include middle school and high school students. Chairman Washam advised the board members that their participation is particularly important during the opening of the event, during lunch, and at the mock city commission meeting to be held in the evening. Wilfred Hawkins, Manager of Support Services, announced that Youth in Government Day will begin at 8:00 a.m. However, the students will assemble in Chambers at 7:45 a.m. The Mayor or Vice Mayor will welcome all participants and address them. Mr. Hawkins will then take over and the first part of the day will be spent with the students touring either in the Police Department or Communications. The students will then disperse to the City departments they are assigned to. Lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. at the Madsen Center. The mock city commission meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Hawkins explained that last year, Chairman Washam and Anne Centi, Vice Chairwoman of the Education Advisory Board, visited the schools personally to talk about Youth in Government Day. That emphasis paid off. Mr. Hawkins is hopeful the board members will do the same thing this year. Joyce Costello is contacting the schools to find out the proper contact person at each of the schools. In response to Mrs. Girtman, Mr. Hawkins explained that the students work with the department heads during the day. They are tasked to think of the kind of information they would want to know in order to approve an ordinance or vote on an expenditure. The department heads know the topics that will appear on the agenda. However, the students develop the questions. Chairman Washam said he will work with the Education Advisory Board to firm up plans to visit the schools. He will visit each of the schools as a representative of the Community Relations Board. Chairman Washam requested that press coverage be provided for this event since it bridges the gap between our schools and government. In addition, it is a means of showcasing our continuing desire to put education in the forefront of many of our projects. Chairman Washam will begin visiting the schools within the next week, and will complete the visits before spring break. Chairman Washam explained that this event has grown over the last few years, and has attracted large crowds. Chairman Washam would like to attract students that have had no experience in this area and who are not 100% involved. He would like a mix of students involved in this event. Mrs. Currier invited Mr. Fisher to participate with the Community Relations Board in this event. Mr. Fisher requested that he be provided with background information on this event. Mrs. Girtman reminded Chairman Washam that each of the members selected a school last year and visited that school to talk to the teachers about this event. Chairman Washam accepted the assistance of any members in visiting the schools. Mrs. Girtman agreed to visit Congress Middle School, and Chairman Washam will work with Mr. Schnetzer to provide him with the information he needs to know prior to visiting a school. In addition, all new members of the board will be provided with a guide listing the items that are discussed during these visits. Mr. Fisher questioned whether there is a limit to the number of student participants in this event. Mr. Hawkins explained that approximately 20 students participate. However, no one is turned away. 2 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 11, 1998 Chairman Washam will provide an update at next month’s meeting. B. Eric’s Announcement Mr. Schnetzer reported that the Boynton Beach Community High School Planning Forum will present the th results of their planning on Monday, March 16 at 7:00 p.m., at the City Library. Everyone is invited to attend. VII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE Mr. Fisher asked for an explanation of the board’s function. Chairman Washam explained that the Community Relations Board is an advisory board whose major purpose is to mediate difficulties residents may have. Every one of the members of this board is very involved in the community and they are all very people-oriented. Mr. Fisher offered to visit some of the schools to speak to a contact person regarding Youth in Government Day. Consensus There was a consensus of the board to allow Mr. Fisher to represent the Community Relations Board in this capacity. Mrs. Currier suggested that Mr. Fisher fill out an application to serve on the Community Relations Board. (Mr. Fisher was provided with an application following the meeting.) 1. CRA Workshop Meeting – March 12, 1998 @ 6:30 p.m. – Library Program Room Mr. Hawkins announced that the City is moving closer to adopting the master plan for the redevelopment of the City. The second workshop meeting with the planners will be held tomorrow night in the Library Program Room at 6:30 p.m. Some of the topics to be discussed will be our Citywide housing strategy, target neighborhoods and traffic calming. Mr. Hawkins and Mr. Sugerman will make a presentation of the implementation of the community redevelopment plan. During the last CRA meeting, Duncan & Associates talked about expanding the community redevelopment area particularly to the north and south ends of the City and from Federal Highway to I-95. This will be done to generate additional valuation for the City. There will also be discussion about projects the City will undertake as part of the community redevelopment plan. Mr. Hawkins encouraged everyone to attend the meeting. He explained that the final workshop would be held in May. At that time, the 100 participants of Visions 20/20 will be invited to attend. Mr. Hawkins explained that the City welcomes public input at these meetings. In May, the City will adopt and implement the plan. 2. Gateway Boulevard Mr. Hawkins reported that the renovation of Gateway Boulevard from Seacrest Boulevard to Federal Highway is being planned. The County has agreed to help the City fund this project. In addition, grant funding will also be used for this project. Once the plan is completed, the County must approve it as well as the City. It is anticipated that the plan will be approved within three to four months and we will begin 3 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 11, 1998 construction at the beginning of the year. The entire project should take approximately 18 months to complete. Mr. Hawkins explained that one of the things the residents requested is slowing the speed of traffic in this area. One of the techniques that will be applied will be dense landscaping. Both sides of the roadway will be landscaped with lots of trees and vegetation. There will be sidewalks on both sides of the roadway. The three-lane roadway will be constructed in a meandering “S” style. There will be one eastbound lane, one westbound lane, and a center turn lane. The City will purchase right-of-way to expand the roadway in the future. There will be no center medians. However, at certain locations, there will be a concrete section in the center of the roadway. This will allow pedestrians to cross the roadway halfway and then proceed to the opposite side when traffic is clear. There will also be a pedestrian signal near Village Royale. Because of serious drainage concerns in this area, the Royal Palm Clubhouse will be moved to Boat Club Park. This is being done to accommodate a retention area that will be heavily landscaped. In addition to the landscaping, an old monument that dates back to the 1920s will be placed in this retention area. Mrs. Cruz was delighted to hear these plans since these are many of the ideas that were part of the planning meeting that took place at Hester Center and many of the items she has been fighting for since she move into the area. Mr. Hawkins further explained that the City would need some of the right-of-way in front of the residences for landscaping. No property is being taken from the residents. He also confirmed for Mrs. Cruz that circular drives would be incorporated in places where they are needed. Mr. Hawkins believes this is an excellent plan and is hopeful there will be no mistakes with this roadway. 3. Municipal Election Mr. Hawkins reported that there was a 14.59% turnout at the polls. This figure is no better or worse than in other municipalities, however, the City of Boynton Beach has 31,794 registered voters and only 4,639 ballots were cast. Mr. Schnetzer questioned whether or not we have a web page. Mr. Hawkins explained that we are in the process of designing a web page. This process is being funded through a grant. Chairman Washam said the PBI web page contains information about the municipalities. 4. Community Development Corporation Mrs. Girtman announced that the CDC house on the corner of Gateway Boulevard and Seacrest Boulevard is moving along. The CDC is doing a good job for us and has sold more than 39 houses in Boynton Beach. Mrs. Girtman feels this is one of the nicest things that has happened in Boynton Beach. She th pointed out that it is a joy to ride down 13 Avenue. She urged the City to support the CDC. Chairman Washam feels this venture is like any other positive endeavor. All of these projects take time and a great deal of people power. The CDC should be commended for the work they are doing. st Mr. Hawkins reported that the building on Gateway and Seacrest should be completed by March 31. The CDC had a slow start, but work is now progressing and this structure will be an asset to the community when it is finished. 4 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 11, 1998 Mrs. Girtman explained that the CDC is made up of grassroots people. She has been working with the Community Development Block Grant Program for a very long time and has been involved in projects all over the City. People are now able to purchase homes and make mortgage payments that are lower than most of the rentals in the City. VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None IX. NEW BUSINESS: A. Set date for next Board Summit at City Hall in the Mall After brief discussion, there was a consensus of the board to conduct the Board Summit on Saturday, April 18, 1998. An alternate date of Saturday, April 25, 1998 was also selected in the event there is a conflict with the first date. Chairman Washam explained that when these summits have been held in the past, the hosting board provided the refreshments through donations by the members. He requested that the members of this board donate cake, coffee and soda. Mrs. Currier offered to bring three cakes. She will work with Chairman Washam on this event. Chairman Washam would like to prepare a concise agenda that will open dialogue among the board members and promote the projects the Community Relations Board is working on. He would also like to focus on how the Community Relations Board can assist other City advisory boards. He urged all of the members of the Community Relations Board to attend the Board Summit. B. Update on Community Merit Awards Program Mrs. Currier reminded the members that this program involves recognizing individuals who go a step beyond the normal in providing service to this community. In April, Police Officers Andy Rosenberg and Bill Tome will be awarded plaques during the Community Relations Board. Mrs. Currier used her own funds to purchase the plaques for these Officers. Chairman Washam requested that a press release be prepared announcing this event. Mrs. Currier will meet with Mr. Hawkins to discuss this item. C. Women’s Conference th Mrs. Girtman announced a Women’s Conference to be held on Saturday, March 14 at Pompey Park from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. This conference is free of charge and will feature speakers who will deal with issues pertinent to women going into the new millenium. Boynton Beach Police Officer Robin Pleasant will be a guest speaker. Mrs. Girtman encouraged everyone to attend. D. G.A.L.A. stnd The Community Relations Board will share a booth at the G.A.L.A. on March 21 and 22 with other City advisory boards. Following is the schedule for manning the booth: 5 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 11, 1998 nd Joy Currier - March 22 - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. st Eric Schnetzer - March 21 - 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon st Maynie Boles - March 21 - 12:00 Noon to 2:00 p.m. st Blanche Girtman - March 21 - 12:00 Noon to 2:00 p.m. st Belky Cruz - March 21 - 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Chairman Washam did not commit to a specific time, but will work this into his schedule. Mrs. Cruz requested that the issue of the Multi-Cultural Festival be included on the next agenda. Chairman Washam advised the members to contact the City Manager’s Office to put items on the agenda. The items do not have to be cleared by him. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Community Relations Board, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Janet M. Prainito Deputy City Clerk (Two Tapes)* (*Tape #1 was destroyed in the Dictaphone Machine) 6