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Minutes 06-26-97 MINUTES OF THE ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 1997, AT 7:00 P.M. PRESENT Shanna St. John, Chairperson Wilfred Hawkins, Assistant to the Angela Girtman, Vice Chairperson City Manager Robert Borovy Angela Dencker Hattie Miller, Alternate Jeffrey Davis, Student Amy Williams, Student ABSENT Marie Lengert Denise Panton I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson St. John called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Ms. Dencker was not yet present. Ron Washam, Chairman of the Community Relations Board, 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. Ms. Girtman seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES No additions, deletions, or corrections were made to the minutes of the last meeting. MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 26, 1997 Motion Ms. Girtman moved to approve the minutes of the May 22, 1997 meeting as submitted. Mr. Borovy seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. V. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Correspondence from Sandra Richmond and Kerry Willis Chairperson St. John read Ms. Richmond’s (Vice Chair of the School Board of Palm Beach County) June 3, 1997 letter addressed to Kerry Willis concerning the elimination of the Education Advisory Board and the Advisory Board on Children and Youth. She also read City Manager Willis’ response dated June 13, 1997. B. America’s Promise - Handout Chairperson St. John distributed a printout from the Internet of America’s Promise, which explains what has been done since the Summit. C. Children’s Defense Fund Update - Handout Chairperson St. John distributed an update of the Children’s Defense Fund which she received from the Internet. There is an update every week regarding what is happening in Washington and the bills that are forthcoming. th D. July 4 Celebration at Boat Club Park th Chairperson St. John advised that the July 4 Celebration will begin at 3:30 p.m. and the fireworks will start at 9:00 p.m. E. June 27 - Pre-Budget Workshop and Charter Review - Library - 3:00 p.m. Chairperson St. John made this announcement. She and Mr. Borovy will try to attend this workshop to see how to go about getting some funds for the programs that the board wants to do. At this time, Ms. Dencker arrived. 2 MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 26, 1997 VI. NEW BUSINESS B. Private Industry Council Ms. Girtman was concerned about summer employment for the youth in Boynton Beach. She asked if the City was approached this year by the Private Industry Council (PIC). Mr. Hawkins explained that the City did not accept their offer this year because of past experiences with the youth getting to work on time, transportation, etc. The amount of paperwork required of the City and the amount of work staff has to do in order to participate in that program is voluminous. From a supervisory standpoint and a logistics standpoint, the outcome did not justify the amount of hours and paperwork that had to be generated. In addition, because of everything else that staff is involved with this year, they do not have the time for the logistics, paperwork, and planning that is required to make this program successful. Ms. Girtman hopes that the City will participate in this program or a similar one next summer. She felt it is a worthwhile program and a valuable experience for our youth. If they have good supervisors and counselors, they will learn good work ethics, how to budget and save their money, how to dress for work, how to go through an interview, etc. In addition to keeping idle hands busy, they may need the money, especially if they are planning to go to college. She pointed out that the bus routes are better this year than they were last year and with the new Boynton Beach buses, it should be easier for the youth to commute to and from work. Mr. Hawkins stated that the City supports this concept and intends to continue this type of program in the future. He pointed out that the City and organizations within the community can start programs to accomplish the same goals. A. Create open forum for community related boards Chairperson St. John came up with an idea on how to get the four community related boards to communicate more. She suggested that the four boards meet four times a year at an open forum and take turns hosting those meetings. They would be open to the public and publicized. At these meetings, the boards would discuss the programs they are doing and the programs they would like to do, and get input from the public. Chairperson St. John would like to send a letter to the other boards asking for their input. She suggested holding these meetings on a Saturday so that people who work during the week can attend. In addition, maybe a program can be set up so that the children can be cared for by the Children’s Librarian if their parents need to bring them 3 MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 26, 1997 along. Ms. Girtman advised that the Delteens of her sorority (the Delta Sigma Theta Alumni Chapter) could care for the children. Mr. Washam advised that the Community Relations Board would be amenable to holding these forums. After discussion, the members of this board agreed to host the first forum in October at the Library Program Room. Motion Ms. Girtman moved that the Advisory Board on Children and Youth sponsor the first Community Board Forum during October at the Boynton Beach Library on a Saturday afternoon, the exact date to be determined. Ms. Miller seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Chairperson St. John suggested that a calendar be devised of the events that occur every year around the same time of the year so that other events can be planned around them. Chairperson St. John distributed a pamphlet regarding Community Awareness Passport, a program wherein the members of the community would visit the different governmental and recreational facilities in the City and attend City meetings and events. When they visit a facility or attend a meeting or event, they would get their community passport stamped. Hopefully, when they visit each facility, they will ask questions to find out what services are available in that particular building. When their passport is completely stamped, they would be recognized at a City Commission meeting and receive a certificate. Chairperson St. John felt this would prompt people to find out about and use the City facilities. She would like to present this idea to the other boards at the first Community Board Forum in October. Motion Mr. Borovy moved to discuss this at the Community Board Forum in October. Mr. Davis seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. C. Summer program to tie in with beach concerts Chairperson St. John advised that Ms. Lengert would like the board to sponsor a contest or other children’s activity during the summer to promote our board and do something for children, such as a watermelon eating contest. Chairperson St. John 4 MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 26, 1997 suggested it be tied into the TNT concerts. She was supportive of this idea; however, she did not feel the board has time to plan and sponsor another activity. Ms. Girtman also felt that there was not enough time to plan this. She also felt that the th board would get good exposure if they sponsored a clown at the July 4 Celebration. Ms. Dencker suggested holding a costume contest in October. Chairperson St. John suggested tying the activity around a holiday. Mr. Borovy will speak to Ginny Shea of the Recreation Department about a date that is available after September. D. Revise board’s duties - form committee to research and present final suggestions to Commissioners Chairperson St. John stated that the board previously discussed their duties, which focus on child care, and felt they are outdated and should be revised. She suggested forming a committee to work on the exact wording to present to the Commission and City Manager. Chairperson St. John distributed the goals and objectives of the Task Force on Children and Youth, some of which are still viable. At Ms. Girtman’s suggestion, this item will be placed on the next agenda and discussed by the entire board instead of forming a committee. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. Election of Chair and Vice Chair Chairperson St. John opened the floor for nominations for Chairperson. Motion Ms. Girtman moved to nominate Shanna St. John as Chairperson. Mr. Borovy seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Motion Ms. Girtman moved to nominate Bob Borovy as Vice Chairperson. Mr. Davis seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. 5 MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 26, 1997 B. Youth Volunteer Bank Chairperson St. John stated that she spoke to Dale Sugerman about setting up a computer program for the Youth Volunteer Bank, and he advised her that the City is formulating their own volunteer computer program and it was not feasible to create two different programs. However, the board is welcome to use the City’s program once it is formulated. Chairperson St. John pointed out that the City is going to publicize that this program is public record. She expressed concern about information regarding minors being accessible. Ms. Girtman felt there would be no problem with this if the parents of the minors are advised of this upfront. Mr. Hawkins advised that Nancy Conway in the Finance Department and Hank Ackermann, the Neighborhood Specialist, are working together to come up with a data base of people. Ms. Conway is working on the City employee volunteers and Mr. Ackermann is working on the community volunteers. He also advised that the volunteers will be categorized by their interests and expertise. Also, the volunteers could be coded so that no one would know whether or not a volunteer is a minor. Chairperson St. John advised that she spoke to Titcomb Creative today and they are working on the board’s logo for the flyer. She stated that the members of the board need to start working on the committees that were set up at the last meeting. Ms. Dencker volunteered to work on the Sponsorship Committee. C. Youth Orchestra Mr. Borovy advised that he is concentrating on forming a concert band as opposed to a marching band. The band will be able to practice at Congress Middle School on Tuesday and Wednesday nights from 5 to 9. However, they have to go through Charles Frederick because of the reciprocal agreement regarding insurance, etc. Mr. Borovy also advised that he is still looking for a band leader. Chairperson St. John suggested contacting RSVP. Mr. Hawkins suggested contacting Mike Friedland. Ms. Girtman submitted the results of the survey to Mr. Borovy. Forty-seven young people are interested in a youth orchestra. Nine of them do not play an instrument. Mr. Borovy advised that sponsors are also needed because sheet music, which is expensive, is needed. D. Children and Youth Task Force - Handout 6 MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 26, 1997 This item was discussed in conjunction with Item VI.D. E. Youth Expo Chairperson St. John suggested sending a letter to the teachers, sponsors, and groups who performed at the Youth Expo in the past advising them that the Youth Expo will be held every other year and we would love them to participate in it again next year. Chairperson St. John is going to contact some of the people from the boards that were abolished to see if they are interested in joining this board. F. Other Chairperson St. John announced that the July Education Advisory Board meeting was th canceled. The Community Relations Board meeting will be held on July 9 at City Hall in the Mall at 7:30 p.m. The Senior Advisory Board will not meet again until October. rd The Library Board will meet on July 23 at 4:00 p.m. at the Library. She suggested that the members of this board attend these meetings to show support for other boards and keep abreast of what is going on. Mr. Borovy urged everyone to attend the Fourth of July celebration at which the area veterans’ organizations and the Boy Scouts are going to participate. VIII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE Mr. Washam stated that next month, some of the members of his board are going to attend the Advisory Board on Children and Youth meeting to discuss the Mutli-Cultural th Festival. The tentative target date was set for November 15. He invited the Advisory Board on Children and Youth to have a booth at the festival at no cost. IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m. Eve Eubanks Recording Secretary (One Tape) 7