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Minutes 03-12-97 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1997, AT 7:30 P.M. PRESENT Ron Washam, Chairman Wilfred Hawkins, Asst. to the City Ronald Bair Manager Belky Cruz Joy Currier Blanche Girtman Jill Verderosa Brenda Lee Williams ABSENT Elizabeth Jenkins, Vice Chairwoman Dee Zibelli Arthur Berman, Alternate Mary Jo McVey, Alternate 1. OPENING - Pledge and Prayer Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, a moment of silent prayer was observed. 2. ROLL CALL - REGULAR MEMBERS - ALTERNATES The Recording Secretary called the roll. Chairman Washam reported that Vice Chairwoman Jenkins is out of town and will not be present this evening. Discussion ensued regarding members' term limits that will soon be expiring. Chairman Washam reported that Elizabeth Jenkins would like to be considered for reappointment to the board; however, she will be out of town for at least six weeks taking care of her daughter who is ill. At Chairman Washam's request, Mr. Hawkins requested that the City Clerk's Office resubmit Mrs. Jenkins' Talent Bank Form from last year. Chairman Washam reminded all members whose terms are expiring to submit Talent Bank Forms to be considered for reappointment in April. 3. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS There was no one present in the audience. 4. AGENDA APPROVAL Mrs. Girtman moved approval of the agenda as presented. Mrs. Currier seconded the motion which carried unanimously. Lt. Yannuzzi arrived for the meeting at 7:37 p.m. V. MINUTES APPROVAL - February 12, 1997 Ms. Williams moved approval of the minutes as presented. Mrs. Currier seconded the motion which 1 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 12, 1997 carried unanimously. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Mrs. Currier advised that HeadStart will be holding its Easter party for 140 children at 10:00 a.m., and 2:00 p.m., on March 18. Mrs. Girtman thanked Mrs. Currier for offering to conduct an Easter party at Treasure Chest. She will contact Mrs. Currier tomorrow to confirm a date and time for the party. VII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE There was no one present to speak at Public Audience. VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Mr. Hawkins reported that at 4:00 p.m., tomorrow evening, our Commissioners will be sworn in for a second term. There will be a small reception preceding the City Commission meeting on Tuesday, March 18, 1997. At 5:00 p.m. tomorrow, the City Commissioners will be interviewing the four finalist planning firms to do the master planning project according to the findings of the Visions 20/20 assembly. This will be an engagement lasting a minimum of 14 to 18 months. The selected firm will look at the following areas of the City: ? Federal Highway, including the downtown area along Ocean Avenue; ? the north end area along Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard between the canal and Boynton Beach Boulevard, and; ? I-95 to Federal Highway. They will also investigate: ? zoning laws; ? parking and neighborhood designs; ? older neighborhoods (in an effort to determine how they can be aesthetically improved); ? housing stock in Boynton Beach; and ? neighborhood designation plans. Mr. Hawkins urged the members to attend this meeting. He explained that this is a very important endeavor on the City's part. In addition, by Ordinance, the City Commission made the Visions 20/20 Task Force a City advisory committee, and expanded its membership to 15 members. The terms of the current members will expire in June. At that time, new appointments will be made. The purpose of the committee is to work to help the City accomplish the Visions' goals and move the master plan process forward. One of the important components of the master plan process involves the consultant getting citizen input on different aspects of the planning process. In the past, a number of charrettes and plans have been done for downtown, Boynton Beach 2 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 12, 1997 Boulevard, and the type of theme we wanted for the downtown. The consultant will use all of the existing plans as background information to develop the new plan. This new plan will be used going into the 21st century, and will be instrumental in determining the amount of money the City needs to spend to implement the plan. It will be an important tool in putting costs into perspective. Mrs. Girtman questioned whether the marina development was approved. Mr. Hawkins advised that the City Commissioners passed a variance, on a 3-2 vote, to allow the marina to be built. However, there were over 100 staff comments that must be worked out with the developer in the form of a developer's agreement. In the agreement, the City Attorney and staff will work out how the developer intends to meet those technical review comments. This project is another major event for the City. Mrs. Girtman pointed out that there once was a vital business section on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. She advised that the community would like that business area reestablished. Mr. Hawkins advised that as part of the master planning process, the MLK Corridor and surrounding area will be looked at to devise a master plan. The business area that once existed will be taken into consideration when the area is master planned. The planners will address the area and provide recommendations. Mrs. Girtman expressed the concern of the community that MLK Boulevard does not lose its business area because of the potential growth of the area. In the past, there were many businesses along MLK. They are hopeful that the master planning will open avenues for people to reinvest in MLK Boulevard with businesses that will be profitable to the community. In response to Ms. Williams' question, Mr. Hawkins advised that there are various zoning districts along MLK between Federal Highway and Seacrest Boulevard which include mixed use, residential and commercial. Part of the master planning process may address that issue of zoning. Mr. Bair referred to the HUD grants and questioned whether the considerations of that program will tie in with the considerations of the planning consultant. Mr. Hawkins explained that the processes will be separate. The master plan will be the overall plan for the future. State, Federal and local ordinances come into play in bringing the master plan to fruition. If the master plan includes some of the CDBG target areas, the Federal guidelines will have to be taken into consideration as far as the master plan is concerned. The CDBG funds can help the master plan come to fruition because there is a potential funding mechanism included in that program. The City will have to work with both consultants. Mr. Hawkins said these are the types of discussions that the City is encouraging in the communities. When the master planning consultant begins, he will need to hear these comments from the citizens. When redevelopment of an area is considered, it is important to understand the reasons why certain neighborhoods deteriorated and the businesses moved away. All of that history must be taken into consideration. A major consideration will be whether or not there are enough people in that community to support a commercial base. In addition, it is important to look at the earning potential of the people who live in that community since that will be a consideration as to the kind of commercial that would be successful. Ms. Williams requested that the citizens be given a longer notice period when public input will be accepted. She explained that she missed the HUD grant workshop because she did not find out about that meeting until the day of the meeting. She is certain that, given advance notice, the people 3 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 12, 1997 will attend and provide input. Mr. Hawkins agrees that community input is very necessary. He explained that there are community forum meetings held monthly at the Bible Church of God. This provides an opportunity for the people of the community to learn about upcoming and ongoing projects. Mr. Hawkins, the Police Chief, and at least one City Commissioner attend these meetings. He encouraged attendance at these forums which are held on the last Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for March 25. Everyone who attends the meeting and signs in has his/her name included on a mailing list. From that point forward, those people are notified by mail of the meeting. Mr. Hawkins reminded the members that meetings have been held with property owners with regard to the MLK Corridor. Mrs. Girtman has been in attendance at some of those meetings. The City will continue with those meetings throughout this process. In addition, Mr. Hawkins advised that this board will be kept updated. He urged the members to spread the word that people need to pay attention to what is going on. He further urged the members to contact their City Commissioners or himself when they have questions. The final public hearing for the HUD funds will be held at the first City Commission meeting in July. Flyers and newspaper notification will be provided. Mr. Hawkins explained that this City Commission wants formal lines of communication established with organized groups of people. The Community Relations Board members can take a proactive role by helping to organize their own communities as a first step. The City Commission has established a goal of organizing neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Specialist position has the responsibility of organizing people so that there will be a better vehicle to inform the public. He asked that the members inform the City Manager's Office if an organization already exists since a list is being compiled. Chairman Washam thanked Mr. Hawkins for the information he provided this evening. He pointed out that in the five years he has been associated with this board, the major note he has made is that communication is the strongest available in accomplishing anything in this City. Communication and education is the way to take care of most endeavors. This board has done some great things; however, there is a lot of exciting things that will be happening and there are many people who do not know what is going on. These people need help. This board is one of the places where people can learn about what is happening in the City. Ms. Cruz thanked the Police Department for getting Bruce and Eric back into her community with community policing. She commended them for the great job they are doing. Mr. Bair reminded the members of Chief Gage's presentation last month and his explanation of the difficulties he is experiencing in trying to recruit minority police officers. Following that meeting, an article appeared in the Sun-Sentinel reporting that the new Palm Beach County Sheriff has hired a recruiter for the specific purpose of gaining minorities for the Sheriff's Department. Mr. Bair feels this will make Chief Gage's work more difficult because of the competition. Mr. Bair reported that the individual who was hired is one of the principals in one of the four firms that will be interviewed by the City Commission with reference to the Visions 20/20 master planning process. Mr. Bair suggested that the City address this issue by looking into a professional-type individual to assist Chief Gage in these recruitment efforts. Lt. Yannuzzi agreed that it will be more difficult to recruit a person who has never been in law enforcement, and possibly more difficult to retain those who are already on the job because the 4 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 12, 1997 Sheriff's Office provides more benefits than the City. The potential exists to pirate our minority officers. Chairman Washam pointed out that we know the problem areas. We need to provide better packages and make the job more enticing. Everyone knows the people who are responsible for enacting that type of legislation. He recommended that people come together, prioritize what needs to be done, and bring those suggestions to the City Commissioners. This is one way for the people to have some control over this problem. While there are other reasons why we are losing minority officers, the pay and benefits are aspects that can be addressed by the public. Chairman Washam feels the City boards like the Community Relations Board need to educate people and bring them into the process of City government. City government is the only form of government that the people have any type of control over because it allows people to talk directly to those in control. IX. NEW BUSINESS A. Review of Board's accomplishments this year and plans for next year Chairman Washam expressed pride in the accomplishments of this board over the last year. However, he pointed out that there are areas that need the board's involvement so that life can be made better for the citizens of this City. The board needs to take on the responsibility of bringing solutions to the people. The following is a list of issues the board members are interested in addressing during the upcoming year: ? Taking the board "on the road" to meet in different communities throughout the City to allow the people of the communities an opportunity to talk about anything they wish to discuss. ? Continuation of the Multi-Cultural Festival. ? Youth in Government Day Chairman Washam pointed out that there are other areas this board will address as the year progresses. He reminded the members of the upcoming elections for chairperson and vice chairperson that will be held next month. He feels this board must look at ways to make the 21st century better. Ms. Williams recommended that a letter be sent to the neighborhood organizations advising them that the board would like to meet with their groups. Chairman Washam was in agreement with this suggestion and pointed out that this board must go to all areas of the City. Chairman Washam feels 1997 will be a banner year for this board. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:30 p.m. 5 MEETING MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 12, 1997 Janet M. Prainito Recording Secretary (Two Tapes) 6