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Minutes 07-24-97 MINUTES OF THE ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN & YOUTH MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1997, AT 7:00 P.M. PRESENT Shanna St. John, Chairwoman Angela Girtman, Vice Chairwoman Bob Borovy Marie Lengert Hattie Miller Denise Panton Jeffrey Davis, Student I. CALL TO ORDER Chairwoman St. John called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. II. MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER A moment of silent prayer was observed. III. AGENDA APPROVAL Vice Chairwoman Girtman moved to accept the agenda as presented. Ms. Lengert seconded the motion which carried unanimously. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. Lengert moved to approve the minutes as read. Mr. Borovy seconded the motion which carried unanimously. V. CORRESPONDENCE & ANNOUNCEMENTS Chairwoman St. John explained the correspondence she distributed to the members. There was correspondence from the Children’s Defense Fund, Children Now, and America’s Promise. (Copies of this correspondence are attached to the original set of minutes on file in the City Clerk’s Office.) Chairwoman St. John made the following announcements: 1. TNT Concert - August 1, 1997, at Oceanfront Park 2. Neighborhood Summit Meeting - Tuesday, July 29, 1997, from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., at the Civic Center 3. City Commission Meeting - Friday, July 25, 1997, 3:00 p.m., in the Library Program Room 4. Recreation and Parks Board meeting, July 28, 1997, at the Madsen Center 5. Family Day Picnic on August 16, 1997, at Boat Club Park 1 MEETING MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN & YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 24, 1997 Mr. Borovy announced that one of our Explorers, Fadi Ghumrawy, won top place in Explorer Camp in Zephyr Hills. A story appears in the Boynton Times. Ms. Lengert was quite impressed with the graduation ceremonies at the HeadStart Program. The only Commissioners in attendance were Shirley Jaskiewicz and Matt Bradley. Ms. Miller announced that the Recreation & Park Department, under the direction of Carolyn Sims and Clyde Harris, put together a track team. They attended the Disney Invitational and one of the members of the team won first place in the 50-yard, 100-yard, and 200-yard dashes. This member also qualified to go to Maryland and won first place in the 100-yard dash, 200-yard dash and the long jump. Mr. Borovy announced that Johann Shudlick is the Florida State representative of the American Legion Boy’s State. VI. NEW BUSINESS Election of Board Secretary A. Chairwoman St. John announced that as a result of the City’s new policy relative to advisory boards, it is necessary to elect a secretary to record the minutes of all future board meetings. Motion Vice Chairwoman Girtman moved to nominate Denise Panton as Secretary. Mr. Borovy seconded the motion which carried unanimously. Skate Park B. Mr. Borovy reported that there is no park in the City of Boynton Beach that can be used for rollerblading or skateboarding. Currently, there is one location at the south end of the County where this activity is permitted; however, that place will soon be taken over. Mr. Borovy would like to see parks in both the north and south ends of the City that can accommodate this activity. Chairwoman St. John advised that she attended the Community Relations Board meeting at City Hall in the Mall, and there was a woman present who expressed concern about the problems they are experiencing in the south end of the City. There is no place available for children's activities. The community would like a park built in the south end, and Chairwoman St. John feels a lobbying effort is needed. Vice Chairwoman Girtman advised that the Neighborhood Summit to be held on July 29th is the appropriate time to bring up this concern. At meetings such as this, the community members express their concerns. It is possible that the City will be able to fund a park in the future with some of the money we are receiving since becoming an entitlement city. Mr. Borovy said he has had conversations with members of the Recreation & Park Department who have suggested that the residents voice their wishes in letters to the City Manager. Motion Mr. Borovy moved that the Advisory Board on Children & Youth send a letter to the City Manager endorsing a skateboard park. Ms. Panton seconded the motion which carried unanimously. Mr. Borovy will draft the letter for Ms. Panton. 2 MEETING MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN & YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 24, 1997 VII. OLD BUSINESS A. Youth Volunteer Bank Chairwoman St. John directed the members’ attention to the packet of information that was provided relative to sponsorships. She advised that the logo was prepared free of charge by Vice Mayor Titcomb. For a fee of $50, the Chamber of Commerce will provide a list of members’ names on labels. She requested authorization from the board to expend $50 of the board’s funds to make this purchase in order to send out the sponsorship letters prior to the next meeting. Mr. Borovy offered to solicit a donation of $50 from the American Legion rather than spend the board’s funds. Motion Mr. Borovy moved to take the funds out of the board’s account, and the American Legion will replenish the account. Ms. Panton seconded the motion which carried unanimously. In addition, Mr. Borovy will talk to Bob from Rainbow Printing to see if he can assist with the printing of the flyers and a brochure. Chairwoman St. John reported that a new member has been appointed to the board. She will be requested to serve on the Publicity Committee for the Youth Volunteer Bank. It will be necessary to compile lists of organizations and businesses that will be sent flyers with respect to sponsorships. Once the letters have been mailed to the prospective sponsors, Chairwoman St. John will allow a week to pass before telephoning them. In addition, she reminded the members of the need to begin approaching churches and organizations that might have volunteer opportunities available. Vice Chairwoman Girtman will begin working on this project, and Chairwoman St. John will contact the United Way. B. Community Boards Open Forum Chairwoman St. John discussed the proposal for joint quarterly meetings at the Community Relations Board meeting, and they were very receptive to this idea. The meeting will be held on October 25, 1997, from 3:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., in the Library Program Room. A flyer will be developed. The letter announcing the meeting is prepared and ready for mailing to the advisory boards. Motion Mr. Borovy moved to accept the letter. Vice Chairwoman Girtman seconded the motion which carried unanimously. C. Board Duties Chairwoman St. John distributed copies of the board’s Ordinance that lists the board’s duties. The board will review those duties and put together proposed changes for review and approval by the City Commission. Once that has been accomplished, the City Attorney will be able to revise the Ordinance. In Mr. Borovy’s opinion, Duty #1 does not relate to this board. Ms. Lengert agreed with his position. Vice Chairwoman Girtman said she did not understand what #1 means. 3 MEETING MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN & YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 24, 1997 Chairwoman St. John explained that she reviewed the minutes of the task force that led to the creation of the advisory board, the main goal of the task force was childcare for the City because there were no childcare facilities available at that time. Vice Chairwoman Girtman explained that many of the board duties are currently being addressed by the County. The City has discussed doing a pamphlet containing phone listings. She feels the advisory board should discuss this item with City staff to ensure that all resources are included. Chairwoman St. John will request that the pamphlet be displayed here at City Hall and at City Hall in the Mall. Chairwoman St. John referred to Duty #3 as listed in the Ordinance which reads as follows: “(3) Development of incentives and enhancements which would encourage the development of new child care facilities.” She explained that this relates to zoning variances and the wavier of permit fees to bring in new day care providers. She feels this can be approached with Childcare Resource and Referral. Ms. Lengert feels this duty is out of the jurisdiction of this board. Vice Chairwoman Girtman does not feel this duty is necessary since growth in the City has resulted in the addition of seven childcare centers here in Boynton Beach. She recommends contacting Childcare Resource and Referral and Childcare Services to determine whether there are waiting lists. If there are waiting lists, the reason is probably more related to cost than availability. Chairwoman St. John recommended contacting Childcare Resource and Referral to ask them to keep this board apprised of what is needed in Boynton Beach. They can provide us with a report. This is not an item that should be spelled out in the board’s duties. Vice Chairwoman Girtman also feels that Duty #4 can also be included on the pamphlet being proposed by the City. This duty can then be eliminated. Vice Chairwoman Girtman would like something included about the Latchkey Program. This is a program that fills up quickly and always has a waiting list. We did a grant to extend funding for additional slots at Rolling Green; however, there were other schools that needed those additional slots. This board can address that issue in September to see if there are waiting lists. Chairwoman St. John reminded the members of previous discussions about taking on the America’s Promise five fundamental resources for children as the board’s duties. They are as follows: 1. An on going relationship with a caring adult: mentor, tutor, coach; 2. Safe places and structured activities during nonschool hours to learn and grow; 3. A healthy start and healthy future; 4. A marketable skill through effective education; and 5. An opportunity to give back through community service. Chairwoman St. John explained that if the board accepts the five fundamental resources, Vice Chairwoman Girtman’s request relative to the Latchkey Program can be included under Resource #2. In addition, she would like to begin investigation into the possibility of a teen center in Boynton Beach. The board should begin looking for a location and the funding for such a facility. She is of the opinion that the same building plans can be used for both the senior center and teen center. Since $125,000 was set 4 MEETING MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN & YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 24, 1997 aside this year for a senior center, the City can set aside the same amount of funding next year for a teen center. She recommends pulling out the blueprints that were prepared for the cultural center in the old high school. Now that funding is coming into the City, it might be the right time to turn this facility into a cultural center. The board is currently working on a mentor program that can be included under Resource #1. With respect to Resource #3, Chairwoman St. John feels the board can address items such as the locations where immunizations are available. The board can work on enhancements to existing programs. Resources #4 and #5 relate to the board’s youth volunteer bank. The Community Relations Board is planning a youth job fair. This board can get involved in that project. Vice Chairwoman Girtman expressed a concern about housing for families. She would like to make certain that there are enough homes and rental properties for families with children since it is very difficult to find affordable housing. This board should work to make sure that any new rental communities in this City set aside a certain percentage of the apartments for families with children. Chairwoman St. John feels this suggestion could be included in Resource #2. Ms. Lengert pointed out that Duty #2 is one of the board’s most important duties. It covers a great deal of territory and should be the board’s first priority. It reads, “Formulation of long and short-range programming to benefit the children and youth of the community.” After discussion, the members agreed this language should be included in the opening paragraph under the section dealing with “Duties”. It will read as follows: “The children and youth advisory board shall act as a fact-finding and advisory board on the following issues and on such other issues as are, from time-to-time, designated by the city commission by resolution, and they should also formulate long and short-range programming to benefit children and youth of the community in these areas:” ? An on going relationship with a caring adult: mentor, tutor, coach; ? Safe places and structured activities during nonschool hours to learn and grow; ? A healthy start and healthy future; ? A marketable skill through effective education; ? An opportunity to give back through community service; and ? Approach developers to provide for a family-friendly community. With respect to Resource #5, Chairwoman St. John reported that the City of Delray Beach has a youth board. She will contact them to try to secure information on how this board was created. At Mr. Borovy’s suggestion, Chairwoman St. John will try to arrange a visit to a youth board meeting. Chairwoman St. John will incorporate all of the information discussed this evening into a document for review by this board at the next meeting. D. Youth Orchestra Mr. Borovy advised that he has contacted 14 people. Three people have agreed to help, but no one wants to lead. A pianist who lives in Leisureville might be the right person to contact. 5 MEETING MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN & YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 24, 1997 VIII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE Ron Bair, 2898 SE 1 Place, commended the board for the list of duties they are preparing. He views Boynton Beach as being a “down on youth” type town. He wished the board luck in creating a teen center. The residents in his area of Boynton Beach have been unsuccessful in getting a park facility for their children. Their section of town lacks everything, and they have not received much cooperation from the City in getting anything established. Mr. Bair asked that the board consider allowing youthful offenders who have community service hours to work off, to participate in the volunteer program. The Community Relations Board loves the idea of quarterly forums to get the boards together. There are many things the boards can work together on, and many areas where duplication can be eliminated. The Community Relations Board plans to conduct a youth job fair program that will involve a large variety of businesses. Last year’s Multi-Cultural Festival was a success even though the attendance was hurt due to the weather. The festival is scheduled for November 15, 1997 regardless of the weather. The board’s th intention was to have the festival at Ocean Avenue and 4; however, the City has denied the request for that location. Therefore, at the present time, no location has been determined. The board is unhappy about this, and Mr. Bair wonders whether there are political motivations behind this. In response to suggested locations from board members, Mr. Bair explained that the City would not allow the festival to be held in any location east of Federal Highway because of ongoing construction. The board has been denied use of the Old School grounds, and the Police parking lot. In addition, the board may not use any private properties. The City has not provided any suggestions as to where the festival can be held. The board voted against using Hester Center since many other festivals are already held at this facility. Ms. Panton recommended using Meadows Park. Mr. Bair is of the opinion that the City is becoming less tolerant of the advisory boards in the City. Mr. Bair requested the assistance of the Advisory Board on Children and Youth at Youth in Government Day on October 18, 1997. IXADJOURNMENT . There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:28 p.m. Janet M. Prainito Recording Secretary (Two Tapes) 6