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Minutes 04-24-97 MINUTES OF THE ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 1997, AT 7:00 P.M. PRESENT Shanna St. John, Chairperson Angela Girtman, Vice Chairperson Robert Borovy Angela Dencker Marie Lengert Hattie Miller, Alternate Amy Williams, Student ABSENT Denise Panton Jeffrey Davis, Student I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson St. John called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Vice Mayor Jamie Titcomb was present in the audience. II. MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER A moment of silent prayer was observed. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA No additions, deletions, or corrections were made to the agenda. Motion Mr. Borovy moved to approve the agenda as presented. Vice Chairperson Girtman seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. IV. APPROVAL OF MINTUES No additions, deletions, or corrections were made to the minutes of the last meeting. MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 24, 1997 Motion Ms. Lengert moved to approve the minutes of the March 27, 1997 meeting as submitted. Ms. Miller seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. V. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Presidential Voluntary Summit - April 27 through April 29, 1997 Chairperson St. John advised that this summit will be held in Philadelphia with President Clinton and former presidents. They are going to be pushing for more volunteerism in the community and discussing how to get more active volunteers. The two presidents leading this effort believe that the solutions to community problems lie in communities. Much of the work of America cannot be done by government. The solution must be the American people through volunteer service. Both agreed that the cause for volunteerism was to promote community spirit, and it overrode partisan concerns. Changes in self-centered attitudes and new-found corporate interest in the community service and volunteer organizations’ efforts to adapt to new trends have led to unprecedented numbers of Americans to volunteer. The percentage of adult volunteers in all activities has fluctuated between 45 and 54 percent. Teens are volunteering at even a higher rate. Chairperson St. John referred to the youth volunteer bank that this board is in the process of forming and felt now is the time for this board to pursue this a little more readily. B. Teen Conference - Saturday, May 3, 1997 Vice Chairperson Girtman announced that this is the fifth year that her sorority, the Delta Sigma Theta Alumni Chapter, is sponsoring this Teen Conference. It will be held at the Royal Palm School, 6650 Lawrence Road, Lantana, Florida, starting at 8:30 a.m. The event is free and lunch will be provided. Pre-registration is encouraged so that they will know how many people to plan for. This conference is for all teenagers, not just Boynton Beach teens. Workshop topics will include teen date violence, self- esteem, child abuse, and related teen issues. Introduction of New Board Member At this time, Chairperson St. John welcomed Ms. Dencker to the board. Ms. Dencker told the board a little about herself. 2 MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 24, 1997 Election of Chair and Vice Chair Chairperson St. John asked the members of the board if they wanted to elect a Chair and Vice Chair or table the same. Motion Mr. Borovy moved to hold the elections. The motion died for lack of a second. The election of a Chair and Vice Chair was tabled until the next meeting. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Possible Sunsetting or Combining the Advisory Board on Children and Youth with the Education Advisory Board Chairperson St. John asked Vice Mayor Jamie Titcomb to give a brief synopsis of what was discussed at the workshop. Vice Mayor Titcomb clarified that he was not speaking on behalf of the entire Commission. He advised that there was a great deal of discussion regarding how the City can more efficiently consolidate efforts and lessen the financial impact of all the boards by combining some of them that have overlapping duties. Efficiency is not only being addressed with regard to advisory boards. It is a City-wide effort and includes employment issues, etc. Certain Commissioners felt that the Advisory Board on Children and Youth and the Education Advisory Board should be merged, but Vice Mayor Titcomb was not aware of any specific plans regarding this merger. He did not share this view; however, he felt these boards should interact more with each other on projects. He understands that this board and the Education Advisory Board are not interested in being merged. He stated that it is important for any board to articulate their plan to each Commissioner at an early date, referencing some of their successes, and advising them of what they are currently doing. He liked Chairperson St. John’s suggestion of having these boards rotating and meeting on the same evening. This will be cost efficient and the boards could share speakers and programs. He told of other boards that the Commission is considering consolidating. He expressed concerned about over consolidating boards and having generic meetings. Chairperson St. John pointed out that this board has not had a City representative since the Public Information Officer resigned. Vice Mayor Titcomb suggested she contact the City Manager about this matter. 3 MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 24, 1997 Puppetry Arts Center Before leaving, Vice Mayor Titcomb advised that he is still working on trying to find the Puppetry Arts Center a temporary home. He felt a cultural entity like this would be an asset to the City. This entity has the potential to be very successful and grow into a destination attraction. The traffic that it would generate would allow shopping centers to raise their other tenants’ rents. Visions 20/20 identified the desire to expand cultural opportunities in the City. Chairperson St. John suggested using the Civic Center or the empty spaces at Sunshine Square Shopping Center. Ms. Lengert suggested one of the church halls. Chairperson St. John thanked Vice Mayor Titcomb for attending this meeting. Possible Sunsetting or Combining the Advisory Board on Children and Youth with the Education Advisory Board Discussion reverted back to the consolidation of City advisory boards. Motion Vice Chairperson Girtman moved to write a letter to the City Commissioners emphasizing the President’s volunteerism effort, outlining the board’s proposed volunteer bank program, highlighting some of the board’s accomplishments, and referencing some of the things that came out of the Visions Conference. Ms. Lengert seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Vice Chairperson Girtman volunteered to write this letter. She and Ms. Lengert volunteered to speak at the next City Commission meeting. Chairperson St. John advised that she is personally writing a letter to all the Commissioners and the City Manager regarding her feelings about this board and suggesting alternatives. She stated that people are not trained and advised about what they are actually going to be doing on their boards. She is involved in Leadership and advised that they went over the duties and requirements of each board and explained why each was formed. Then they had a brainstorming session. She gave some examples of how boards could communicate. This board could mix with the Recreation and Park Board and the Golf Course Advisory Committee to set up a youth golf tournament. This board could also mix with the Code Enforcement Board in regard to the youth volunteer program and get a list of the people who need their yards cleaned up. Chairperson St. John suggested having a brainstorming session with all the boards. She also suggested putting out a newsletter advising the citizens what each board is doing. They could be mailed or picked up at City Hall. 4 MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 24, 1997 Ms. Lengert suggested attending other board meetings. Youth Orchestra Mr. Borovy has contacted several people who are interested in the Youth Orchestra, and will continue to pursue this matter. His contacts included Lee Buffan, the Gold Coast Band, a French horn player, and Mrs. Fitch from the Palm Beach School of the Arts. Chairperson St. John felt this board could be doing a lot more and requested that each board member bring in two youth related items that they hear about in the media so that the board can start more programs. Dangerous Traffic Situation Vice Chairperson Girtman advised that a child was hit by an automobile on Seacrest Boulevard today. This is the third accident on Seacrest in a year; the second one between Boynton Beach Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. She wondered what can be done to slow down the traffic in this area. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Youth Volunteer Bank Update Chairperson St. John advised that the Sun-Sentinel is in the middle of their grant period; therefore, we are not going to be able to get the entire amount that we want from them. However, she spoke to a gentleman from Bethesda Hospital who felt this program was a wonderful idea and invited her to provide him with further information. She suggested that if we cannot get all the money from the Sun-Sentinel, we can approach different businesses and perhaps get even more money. Each volunteer will be responsible for keeping track of their own volunteer hours. The Senior Citizen Volunteer Coordinator offered to arrange to have people call to verify the hours. Wilfred Hawkins, the Assistant to the City Manager, offered to help set up a computer program to keep track of all the information. VII. PUBIC AUDIENCE None. VIII. ADJOURNMENT 5 MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 24, 1997 There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Eve Eubanks Recording Secretary (One Tape) 6