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Minutes 10-07-98 MINUTES OF THE ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1998 AT 7:00 P.M. PRESENT STAFF Shanna St. John, Chairperson Melody Green, Recreation Director Bob Borovy, Vice Chairman Amy DeVries, Student Charles Fisher Angela Girtman ( arrived at 8:25 p.m.) Marie Lengert Hattie Miller Stephen Waldman, Alternate ABSENT Denise Panton Steven Kuehn, Student Ita Murray, Alternate I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson St. John called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. II. MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Following a moment of silent prayer, Vice Chairman Bob Borovy led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chairperson St. John requested that Item VII. C (“Youth Expo”) be changed to Item VII. J and that the Items D through I be changed accordingly in order that more time can be devoted to the Youth Expo. MOTION Upon motion by Steve Waldman and seconded by Ms. Lengert, the Agenda, as amended, was approved. Motion carried unanimously. MEETING MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 7, 1998 IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION Vice Chair Borovy moved that the Minutes of the August 27, 1998 meeting be approved. Motion seconded by Ms. Amy DeVries. Motion carried unanimously. Chairperson St. John stated that since the next Advisory Board on Children and Youth is scheduled for October 22, 1998 and since no recording secretary would be available for that meeting, it is necessary to change the meeting date. After discussion it was Thursday, October 29, 1998 determined to change the October meeting date to at 7:00 P.M. Also, it is noted that tonight’s meeting is actually the regularly scheduled September 24, 1998 meeting that was cancelled due to the closing of City Hall during Hurricane Georges. Motion Vice Chair Borovy moved that the October 22, 1998 meeting be changed to October 29, 1998 at 7:00 p.m. to be held in Commission Chambers. Motion seconded by Charlie Fisher. Motion unanimously carried. Chairperson St. John noted that the regularly scheduled meeting for November falls on Thanksgiving, November 26, 1998. Chairperson St. John noted that this would also be the meeting where the awards are given out. After discussion it was determined to change the November 26, 1998 meeting and Friday,November 20, 1998 at 6:30 P.M. in the awards presentation to Commission Chambers. Motion Vice Chair Borovy moved that the November 26, 1998 meeting be changed to November 20, 1998 at 6:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Ms. Amy DeVries seconded the motion. Motion unanimously carried. Also, the December 24, 1998 meeting date needs to be changed. After discussion it Thursday, was determined that the December 24, 1998 meeting be changed to 2 MEETING MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 7, 1998 December 10, 1998 at 6:30 p.m. in the Library Program Room since there Child Safety in the Home. will be two invited speakers to present a program on Motion Mr. Waldman moved that the December 26, 1998 meeting be changed to December 10, 1998 at 6:30 p.m. in the Library Program Room. Ms. Amy DeVries seconded the motion. Motion unanimously carried. V. PRESENTATIONS, CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Marlene Passell, Public Information Director Children’s Services Council Chairperson St. John introduced Ms. Passell from the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County who was present this evening to introduce the members to the programs offered by the Children’s Services Council. Ms. Passell stated that the Children’s Services Council is a special taxing district of Palm Beach County created in 1986 and there are six districts in the State of Florida. This was created under Florida Legislation with authority to tax property up to ½ mil (50¢ per $1,000). Currently Children’s Services Council is taxing at the rate of 44¢, which generates about $25 million. A council consisting of 5 Governor appointees and five individuals by virtue of their positions governs Children Services Council. These five positions are School Superintendent, a juvenile court judge, a County Commissioner, a member of the school board and the District Administrator of the Department of Children and Families. Ms. Passell explained how funding is disbursed in four areas--birth to 5 years old, which is primarily used in the prevention areas, school age childcare, teen pregnancy and HIV prevention. Currently Children Services Council is funding 121 programs throughout Palm Beach County. A great deal of money is used in the child care area, especially in view of the new welfare reform laws. Ms. Passell stated they fund a very large program for after-school care at the Rolling Green School in Boynton Beach as well as other schools throughout the County. These programs are very important in dealing with juvenile delinquency prevention and teen pregnancy prevention. Ms. Passell noted the importance of the City’s Children and Youth Board and its involvement with children and their relationship to the future of the community. Ms. Passell stated that they have been instrumental in bringing federal and state grants to the County that had never been received in the past. Palm Beach County is now 3 MEETING MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 7, 1998 being recognized as a collaborator. Banks of money have been set aside in childcare and child development areas. Ms. Passell explained how these funds are utilized for different services. This affords families the opportunity for direct services whereas before this type of funding, families had no choice in the services that were available. There now is a network of providers of services throughout the County. Ms. Passell also informed members that the Children’s Services Council works closely with the Quantum Foundation, which Foundation resulted from funds of the sale of the JFK Hospital. This is a multi-million dollar foundation primarily focused in health care and education type services. All programs that are funded by Children’s Services Council must also have some type of parenting involvement in the program. All programs are closely monitored and programs that do not provide the services that they are intended to provide lose funding. Children’s Services Council also provides training. Ms. Passell stated that Rep. Lois Frankel will be sponsoring a large seminar on brain research, which will be open to the public, and members were urged to attend. Ms. Passell will advise Chairperson St. John of the dates and times. The seminar is scheduled to be held at Palm Beach Community College. Ms. Passell stated that this Board is a great benefit to the City in recognizing the importance of youth development. Ms. Lengert inquired if the staff of Children’s Services Council were voluntary or received a salary. Ms. Passell stated that Children’s Services Council has over 50 paid employees that include researchers and program monitors and does not use volunteers. Chairperson St. John informed Ms. Passell that the Children and Youth Board would like to have a multi-purpose teen center in Boynton Beach which would provide training in the areas of employment and computers, as well as offering the usual recreational activities. Chairperson St. John inquired if this would be an area in which the Children’s Services Council could assist. Ms. Passell stated their agency does not fund capital outlay projects, like a teen center, but does assist in funding programs that would be offered at the teen center. Also, their funding is in place for the next three years. However, Ms. Passell stated this might be an area that the Quantum Foundation could assist in. Ms. Passell also noted that the schools are not available after hours for activities and this is a problem. The schools should be made available for after-school programs to assist in these types of programs. Ms. Passell stated that each school in the district is run individually by the principal who determines the use for the school. This is also an area that could be looked at. 4 MEETING MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 7, 1998 There being no further questions, Chairperson St. John thanked Ms. Passell for her informative presentation. B. CDF Updates Members were referred to the CDF updates included in their agenda packets. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Speakers Bureau Steve Waldman informed members that he received correspondence from the Speakers Network, which is located in Boca Raton. This organization provides guest speakers, free of charge, to groups and businesses and the speakers are professionals, such as doctors, psychologists, etc. Mr. Waldman informed members of the various topics of lectures available. Chairperson St. John stated that this could be further reviewed at the next meeting. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. Open Forum Chairperson St. John briefed members on the flyer handed out regarding the City’s Four Boards Open Forum to be held on Monday, October 26, 1998 at the Library Program Room from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. All members were encouraged to attend. It was decided that the following members would give a brief presentation on the following topics at the Forum – Butterfly Garden Vice Chair Borovy Youth Expo Amy DeVries America’s Promise Shanna St. John Child Safety Steve Waldman Web Site Charlie Fisher B. Butterfly Garden Chairperson St. John inquired if all the signs have been prepared. Ms. Green stated that the signs are not all completed, but should be ready in about one month. Ms. Green did state that the large signs are ready, but the smaller signs have been delayed. Chairperson St. John noted that a date for the ribbon cutting needs to be determined. 5 MEETING MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 7, 1998 Butterfly After discussion, it was decided to have the ribbon cutting ceremony for the st Garden on Saturday, October 31 at 10:00 a.m. Chairperson St. John informed members that Winn Dixie would be donating the cake for the ribbon cutting ceremony. It was suggested that lemonade be served as well. D. America’s Promise st Chairperson St. John stated that a workshop is planned for Wednesday, October 21 at City Hall in the Mall. Mr. Waldman stated that a workshop meeting had been held previously which included a representative member from the Senior Advisory Board, the Community Relations Board and the Education Advisory Board. This group would serve as the initial team for America’s Promise. It was determined to invite a cross section of st the community to the October 21 meeting. Mr. Waldman stated that he invited the President and in-coming President of the Kiwanis and plans to invite the President of the Rotary Club as well and someone from I Have a Dream Foundation. Invitations were also extended to the principals of Santaluces High School and the Christa McAuliffe Middle School. Chairperson St. John stated that America’s Promise is a community program and the Children and Youth Advisory Board, after the initial meeting, will become a liaison and America’s Promise will no longer be under the direction of this Board. The new committee will have to raise funds and this is not a City funded program, but a City supported program. Ms. Green stated that America’s Promise would tie in with the City’s participation in All America City. D. Child Safety Chairperson St. John asked Mr. Waldman to update the Board on the speakers planned for the December 10th meeting. Mr. Waldman stated that Assistant Fire Marshal Bob Borden and John Becker from the American Red Cross would be giving presentations. Mr. Fisher will prepare a flyer for distribution. It is anticipated that the flyer would be th available for distribution at the Open Forum Meeting on October 26. E. Web Site Mr. Fisher stated he had a meeting scheduled with Ms. Farace, but had to cancel due to illness. He will be rescheduling the meeting to review the web site. Mr. Fisher explained what the web site page would be comprised of and that it can be updated as needed. 6 MEETING MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 7, 1998 F. Community Relations Job Fair th Mr. Fisher stated that the Job Fair will be held on Saturday, October 17 at 9:00 a.m. in the cafeteria at the Galaxy Elementary School. The Job Fair is aimed towards young adults, ages 16 and older. At this meeting job related issues will be covered. On th October 24 the actual Job Fair will be held with interviews taking place by several companies in the City. Mr. Fisher stated that the Community Relations Board is currently holding a workshop to discuss the procedures with the hiring managers. Chairperson St. John asked Mr. Fisher which companies would be participating. Mr. Fisher stated that Mr. Washam would have the complete list of participating companies. Mr. Fisher indicated that flyers have been distributed at local high schools and churches. It is anticipated that there will be 15 to 20 facilitators available. Everyone is welcome to help. Ms. DeVries inquired if the job fair was available for 15 year olds. Mr. Fisher stated Ms. DeVries would be welcomed to participate. H. Kaleidoscope Mr. Waldman briefed members on a recent newspaper article stating that the City of West Palm Beach would not be funding Kaleidoscope, which is a multi-cultural program run over a two-day period. This program would tie in nicely with the GALA or could be held in conjunction with the Community Relations Board multi-cultural festival, or with Unity Day, if it is reinstated. Ms. Green indicated she would follow through on this. I. Youth Council Chairperson St. John stated that the program is ready to be initiated. Chairperson St. John stated that Robin Matchett, a City employee, has offered to become a mentor and noted that Ms. Matchett is a mentor for the Boynton Beach Bulldogs. There is also a teacher from the Congress Middle School who has expressed an interest in mentoring. Chairperson St. John briefed the members on Delray Beach’s Youth Council, which is active in fundraising, City Commission meetings and in youth related issues. Chairperson St. John stated it is this Board’s responsibility to get this program started, but once it is organized it will operate in the same manner as America’s Promise by an independent committee. thth Ms. Green suggested that since the Youth Expo is scheduled for November 7 and 8, there could be an information table available to determine if there is any interest. Chairperson St. John suggested inviting all the children on the mailing list to attend the th October 29 meeting to determine how many children would be interested in starting a 7 MEETING MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 7, 1998 youth council. It was decided that a flyer would be prepared for distribution at area high th schools inviting them to attend the October 29 meeting. Bob Borovy would be listed as the contact person on the flyer. I. Teen Center Mr. Waldman offered to form a committee to investigate the possibility of establishing a teen center. Ms. Green stated that it is possible that a team could be established to look into a possible location for a teen center and also potential funding sources would have to be identified. Ms. Green stated that the Recreation Department has a grant writer and this could be a means for funding. Ms. Green stated that members from this Board should meet with staff members from the Recreation Department to set up a planning team to determine the feasibility of a teen center. Also Ms. Green stated that each County Commissioner has discretionary funds available each year and some of these funds might be utilized for a teen center if the plans were in place now to request funds in a future year. Ms. Green did state that the City has the Hester Center which is used as a teen center, but this facility cannot accommodate the types of activities that this Board is anticipating and is not large enough for a variety of activities. Also, Ms. Green noted that at some point, the Civic Center will be replaced and it is going to be recommended that the new building be at least twice the size of the current building. It is possible that the new Civic Center could include space for a teen center. Vice Chair Borovy inquired if the Old School House, which will be housing the theatre group, could include rooms for a teen center. Vice Chair Borovy stated that the youth using the Library are out of control and something needs to be done about these children. Mr. Fisher stated that a workshop should be held to specifically deal with the teen center issue. Chairperson St. John suggested that at the January meeting a date be set for this workshop. Ms. Green stated that Ms. Carolyn Sims of the City’s Recreation Department would be working on teen programs for the City. Ms. Sims will have an office at the Civic Center and will be working with Virginia Farace to come up with programs for youth, both at the Library as well as at the Civic Center. Ms. Green stated that the high schools currently do not meet codes for other types of activities. J. Youth Expo Chairman St. John said that workshops need to be scheduled each week to formalize plans for the Youth Expo. It is anticipated that members will meet each Tuesday th evening from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. beginning October 13 at the Civic Center to discuss the Youth Expo. It also was decided to have a meeting to discuss the Youth 8 MEETING MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 7, 1998 Expo after the ribbon cutting for the butterfly garden. The meeting would be held from 10:30 a.m. until noon and Ms. Green will check on the availability of the Library Program Room for that purpose. Ms. Lengert inquired if the photo contest would be in honor of Sid Rosen. Chairperson St. John referred members to the flyer that was prepared by the Sun Sentinel. Chairperson St. John inquired if members distributed the flyers to their assigned schools. Chairperson St. John displayed the banner that was prepared by the Sun Sentinel and it was decided that the logo presented tonight would be used on all future banners. Chairperson St. John informed members that the Sun Sentinel has indicated that it will be sponsoring the Youth Expo in future years. With regard to a logo, it was decided that the Board would continue to use the City of Boynton Beach logo on the banner. Motion Ms. Lengert moved that this Board use the City of Boynton Beach logo as the logo of the Advisory Board on Children and Youth. Motion seconded by Vice Chair Borovy. Motion carried unanimously. Since the Board was unable to find four sponsors as originally anticipated, it has been decided that all three sponsors would be contest sponsors and that some of the funds from the Sun Sentinel would also be used as contest prizes. Mr. Waldman stated that he contacted the Kiwanis for a contribution, but they declined to make a contribution. Mr. Waldman also stated that he wrote a second request asking the Kiwanis to reconsider. Mr. Waldman indicated that the Kiwanis Club was upset with the City for taking funds realized from the GALA from the sale of beverages. Ms. Green requested to go on record regarding the Kiwanis remark and stated the City did not take any funds from the Kiwanis. The Kiwanis had a signed agreement with the City as the sole vendor to sell beverages at the GALA, which has given the Kiwanis a great deal of money each year. Unfortunately, the Kiwanis was unhappy about giving the City a percentage of their sales during a particular year when it was rainy and the Kiwanis did not give the City any funds whatsoever. Therefore, the City terminated the agreement with the Kiwanis. Chairperson St. John stated that the following contributions were received from the Sponsors – 9 MEETING MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 7, 1998 Sun Sentinel $2,500.00 Hunters Run $1,000.00 Plastridge Insurance $ 500.00 All three sponsors’ names will appear as sponsors of all four contests. Ms. Lengert inquired if balloons would be placed at each table. Vice Chair Borovy stated he would solicit a contribution of balloons from the new party store in the Boynton Commons Shopping Center. Chairperson St. John stated there would be an in-kind donation board on display that would list all in-kind contributions. After discussion, it was determined that nine banners should be ordered, four sponsor banners, four contest banners and one Advisory Board banner. The next matter discussed was the entertainment. Entertainment for the main stage will take place on Saturday between 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Chairperson St. John read the list of entertainment that will be presented over the two-day period. Mr. Fisher stated he spoke with the story time reader from Barnes and Noble to read both days. This could be done on the second stage. Chairperson St. John stated that Ronald McDonald and the Panther mascot would appear. Mr. Waldman will contact the Police and Fire Departments on having “McGruff” and “Sparky” appear. To date, Mr. Waldman stated there are approximately 16 to 18 tables, but did not have the list with him. To the best of his ability, Mr. Waldman recited the list of tables for the Youth Expo as follows: Mac & Company America’s Promise Sun Sentinel Police and Fire Department City Library City Recreation Department Boy Scouts of Palm Beach School District Girl Scouts of Palm Beach School District Boys and Girls Club United Way Angela’s Group Puppetry Art Center (one day) Palm Beach County Work Force Palm Beach Zoo 10 MEETING MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 7, 1998 Caring Foundation Children’s Museum International Museum of Cartoon Art We Change Foundation Mr. Fisher read the list of schools for which each member was responsible for distributing flyers: Public Schools: Atlantic High School Bob Borovy Santaluces High School Angela Girtman Lake Worth High School Charlie Fisher Lantana Middle School Steve Waldman Congress Middle School Angela Girtman Carver Middle School Bob Borovy Manatee Charlie Fisher Plumosa Bob Borovy Rolling Green Angela Girtman Christa McAuliffe Steve Waldman Citrus Cove Charlie Fisher Crystal Lake Steve Waldman Forest Park Denise Panton Galaxy Angela Girtman Hagen Road Bob Borovy Poinciana Angela Girtman Royal Palm Steven Waldman Lantana Elementary Steven Waldman Private Schools Gold Coast Junior Academy Angela Girtman St. Mark’s Denise Panton Unity Shanna St. John St. Joseph’s Shanna St. John Seacrest Christian Bob Borovy Lake Worth Christian Bob Borovy Chairperson St. John stated that the schools should be contacted after the flyers have been posted in order to determine the response. With regard to the contests, the chairpersons in charge of each contest are as follows: 11 MEETING MINUTES ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 7, 1998 Creative Writing Bob Borovy Drama Charlie Fisher Photography Angela Girtman Art Steve Waldman Discussion ensued regarding judging of the contests. It was decided that this would be resolved at a workshop. VIII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE None IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairperson St. John asked for a motion to adjourn. Motion Vice Chair Borovy moved that the meeting adjourn. Motion seconded by Steven Waldman and carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _______________________________ Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (3 tapes) 12