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Minutes 06-10-98 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 1998 AT 7:00 P.M. PRESENT Ron Washam, Chairman Wilfred Hawkins, Assistant to the City Manager Joy Currier Maynie L. Boles Blanche Girtman Stephanie Mingo-McCoy Eric Schnetzer Brenda Lee Williams Belky Cruz ABSENT Sheilah G. White, Alternate I. OPENING, PLEDGE, PRAYER Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:29 p.m. Eric Schnetzer led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a moment of silent prayer followed. II. ROLL CALL The Recording Secretary called the roll and a quorum was declared present. III. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Chairman Washam acknowledged the presence of Charlie Fisher, a Member of the Children and Youth Advisory Board, Steven Waldman, Alternate Member of the Children and Youth Advisory Board and Mrs. Lenore Waldman. Chairman Washam stated that the meeting tonight would be brief in order that the meeting can adjourn to a workshop for discussion and planning for a job fair, immediately following the adjournment. III. AGENDA APPROVAL Eric Schnetzer moved that the Agenda be approved. Motion seconded by Ms. Girtman. Motion unanimously carried. MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA June 10, 1998 V. MINUTES APPROVAL Ms. Girtman moved that the Minutes of the May 13, 1998 meeting be approved. Motion seconded by Joy Currier and was unanimously carried. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Ms. Currier stated that the Head Start youngsters would be having graduation exercises th on July 16. There will be a pizza party for the young graduates on July 10th at 2:00 p.m. The graduation exercises will be held at the Civic Center and the pizza party will be rd held at the Head Start Day Care Center on NE 3 Street. VII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE Charlie Fisher , 8069 Stirrup Cay Court, addressed the Board and informed them that the City of Boynton Beach now has their own web site and it might be beneficial if the Community Relations Board presented information about their Board on the City’s web site page. Mr. Fisher stated the easiest way to find the home page is to get to Boynton Beach.com. There is a hyperlink to the actual site. Ms. Currier stated that she resides in Sierra Heights, which is between Seacrest Avenue, I-95, Boynton Beach Boulevard and Woolbright, and there have been three robberies in five days during the daytime hours. Ms. Currier stated it would be beneficial to ask the Chief of Police to attend a Community Relations’ Board Meeting so that this issue can be addressed. Ms. Currier stated that there is no longer a neighborhood crime watch in the neighborhoods and this should be reintroduced. Steve Waldman , 41 Sausalito Driveaddressed the Board and stated that he had attended the last Neighborhood Summit Meeting and that neighborhood groups were organized from the different neighborhood associations to address the issues of crime and safety, as well as better communications within the City. Mr. Waldman suggested that a representative from this Board should contact the City’s Neighborhood Specialist, Hank Ackermann, and ask for his assistance. Discussion continued on bringing the neighborhood crime watch back to the neighborhoods. Also, Chairman Washam stated that before the Chief Gage is invited to attend one of our meetings, an agenda would have to be in place with the issues to be addressed. Chairman Washam suggested inviting the Chief of Police to the August Community Relations Board Meeting, since the July meeting has been canceled. 2 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA June 10, 1998 Chairman Washam stated that the neighborhood groups being formed is the beginning of a means to address these types of issues and concerns. Also, Chairman Washam said that it would be possible to invite other City Officials to attend one of our Board meetings, but first members must decide what issues they would like addressed. It had previously been decided that tonight’s meeting would be devoted to establishing a job fair. Also, it was discussed at the May meeting to cancel the July meeting and this will be re-addressed at the meeting tonight. VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Ms. Girtman stated that the most crucial issues that this Board faces usually occur in the spring and summer months. Ms. Girtman suggested that it would be most expedient if this Board did not cancel its July meeting in order that some of the problems expressed this evening can be addressed at the July meeting. This is an important issue since there are all kinds of nationalities moving into the City and we can’t discriminate against new people in the Community. Ms. Girtman suggested that a motion be made to hold the July meeting. Motion Eric Schnetzer moved that this Board hold its regular July meeting at 7:30 p.m. on July 8, 1998. Motion seconded by Ms. Girtman. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Girtman stated that anyone who cannot attend the July meeting should call in. Also Ms. Mingo-McCoy stated that she has made vacation plans since it had been previously agreed that the July meeting was going to be cancelled. Also Ms. Williams informed the Board that she would be on vacation in July. Chairman Washam stated that if a member missed the July meeting, it would not be held against them since they relied on the May meeting where it was suggested that the July meeting would be suspended. IX. NEW BUSINESS A. Chairman Washam offered an update on the 20/20 Visions Reunion held on June 3, 1998 at the United Way Conference Center in Boynton Beach. The original 100 participants in the Visions Program and invited guests attended the Reunion. Chairman Washam felt this was a wonderful meeting and the presentation was done very well. 3 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA June 10, 1998 The meeting began with an overview of the outcomes of the prior four meetings and a review of the original visions 20/20 report. A review of the quick victory projects was presented, as well as a presentation of the Visions 20/20 master plan. After lunch, the meeting reviewed priority projects and financing options. After the presentations, a question and answer segment was held. A plan of action was presented with the priority projects. Chairman Washam inquired if there were any more books available from that Reunion. Mr. Hawkins stated that more books have been ordered, however, they are designated for people who attended the reunion and did not receive a book. If anyone else wants a book it will cost approximately $20. Chairman Washam stated the book is worthwhile, very informative and would be worth obtaining a copy. Mr. Hawkins stated the reason for the cost of the book is due to it being printed in color. Anyone wanting to make a Xerox copy is welcomed to do so. B. Ms. Currier informed the Board that the School Board announced the construction of the new High School while she was turned in to Channel 20, the County’s television station. Mr. Hawkins stated that at the next Wednesday School Board meeting, the Committee that has been working on the planning of the new high school would be making a formal presentation to the School Board. C. Ms. Girtman informed the Board that in her neighborhood several new homes have been built, all with new sidewalks. Ms. Girtman would like to rd see the sidewalks be extended on NW 3 Street similar to the new construction in that area in order that the entire neighborhood be uniform in appearance. Also, Ms. Girtman stated sidewalks would be a lot safer for children to walk on their way to and from school and would keep them off the residents’ properties. D. Ms. Cruz raised the question of whether a multi-cultural festival will be formalized this year? Chairman Washam stated that this has to be discussed among the Board members. Ms. Currier stated that the mission of the Board tonight was to formalize a job fair for students and other residents in need of jobs. 4 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA June 10, 1998 Mr. Hawkins informed the Board that the City has to turn their amenities into attractions. This means in effect that a lot of infrastructure projects that are being planned for the GALA are going to be expanded. Also, activities must be constantly provided to attract people to the City. It is anticipated to triple the attendance to the GALA and turn the GALA into a world class event. This means in effect that this Board needs to be prepared to participate and to turn the projects into community based projects. More festivals are being planned. Mr. Hawkins advised the Board to keep a list of events that the Board would like to have planned which could include the multi-cultural festival. Chairman Washam pointed out that if a multi-cultural festival were planned in November, it would take a great deal of planning and a great deal of commitment. Chairman Washam stated that when the committee meets to discuss the GALA, at its next meeting, it could be discussed to add a multi-cultural festival to the GALA. (Ms. Girtman left the meeting, as she was not feeling well.) Discussion regarding the planning of a multi-cultural festival was held at length. Chairman Washam acknowledged the festival was a priority with Ms. Cruz, but in order for the Board to institute such a festival, it will take the full cooperation of the entire Board. Chairman Washam stated that after the 1996 multi-cultural festival, there was not enough interest to schedule the Festival again in 1997 and it was put off until 1998. There is no consensus on the Board to work on a multi-cultural festival at this time. Mr. Hawkins stated that the City is in the process of a three year strategic planning for GALA and asked Ms. Cruz to put her ideas in writing for the multi-cultural festival and present it to the City’s Recreation Department. The Recreation Department could consider this Board’s formal recommendation and this Board can go on record as recommending this specific idea for future GALA’s. Ms. Cruz stated she would put her ideas in writing and present them at th this Board’s July 8 meeting. E. Ms. Currier asked the Recording Secretary if the letters that were requested at the last Board meeting to be sent to department heads and school personnel thanking them for making the Youth Government Day a 5 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA June 10, 1998 success had been prepared. The Recording Secretary stated that this is not a function of the Clerk’s Office. Mr. Hawkins instructed Ms. Currier to prepare any letter she would like sent and the City Manager’s Office will make sure they are sent out. Chairman Washam thought that letters had already been sent out. Mr. Hawkins will follow through on this issue and report back to the Board. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Eric Schnetzer moved that the meeting adjourn. Motion seconded by Ms. Currier. The meeting properly adjourned at 8:20 p.m. to a Workshop Session immediately following adjournment. Respectfully submitted, _________________________ Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (one tape) 6