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Minutes 02-14-96 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD AT ROLLING GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1996, AT 7:30 P.M. PRESENT Ron Washam, Chairman Lt. Chris Yannuzzi, Police Department Elizabeth Jenkins, Vice Chairperson Charles Frederick, Director of Recreation Fawn Bradley and Parks Joy Currier Blanche Girtman Patti Hammer Dee Zibelli Belky Cruz, Alternate Marie Lengert, Alternate ABSENT Michael Lyons I. OPENING, PLEDGE, PRAYER Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Ms. Lengert. A moment of silent prayer was observed. II. ROLL CALL The Recording Secretary called the roll. Vice Chairperson Jenkins was not yet present. III. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Chairman Washam welcomed the following people to the meeting: Dr. Gay Voss, Principal, Rolling Green Elementary School Karen Abbott, School Advisory Chairperson, Rolling Green Elementary School Michelle Constantino Henderson Tillman, candidate for District IV City Commission seat Jim DiPaola, Sun-Sentinel IV. AGENDA APPROVAL Ms. Hammer added Item IX.B (Discussion Re: The Bay Club). Ms. Zibelli added Item VIII.A (Unity Day Picnic) and Item IX.C (Community Unity Day Conference). At this time, at Ms. Hammer's request, a moment of silence was observed in memory of Commissioner Sidney Rosen. Ms. Lengert added Item VIII.B (Building on Gateway). At this point in the meeting, Vice Chairperson Jenkins arrived. Mrs. Bradley added Item VI (Discussion Re: Community Relations Board purchasing a picket for the Let's Build a Playground). Motion Ms. Girtman moved to approve the agenda as amended. Mrs. Currier seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. V. MINUTES APPROVAL Ms. Zibelli asked that the words "such as T-ball and a choir" be stricken from the last sentence in the first paragraph of Item IX.B. Also, she requested that the first sentence in the second paragraph be changed to read, "Ms. Zibelli advised that we could get an instructor from Palm Beach Junior College." Motion Ms. Zibelli moved to approve the minutes of the January 10, 1996 meeting as amended. Ms. Lengert seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Let's Build A Playground Picket At Mrs. Bradley's suggestion, each member of the board agreed to donate $2.80 to purchase a picket at the new playground from the Community Relations Board. Ms. Hammer purchased one in memory of Commissioner Rosen. MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 14, 1996 B. Wrice Process Ms. Zibelli thanked the marchers, Al (our leader from Pompano Beach), and the Boynton Beach Police Department for the marches in the north end and for their concern for our well being. C. P.A.L. Classic Car and Motorcycle Show Mrs. Currier announced that on Sunday, March 10th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at John Prince Park, the Boynton Beach Police Athletic League will be sponsoring a Classic Car and Motorcycle Show to benefit the P.A.L. kids. At this time, Ms. Zibelli pointed out that Mr. Frederick is present to address recreation for the Rolling Green subdivision; however, this item is not on the agenda. Chairman Washam added it under New Business. VII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE Mr. Tillman is seeking the District IV City Commission seat. He has grown up in Boynton Beach and believes in community policing and the need to redevelop to increase the tax base. He stated that it is time for Boynton Beach to move forward. No one else wishing to speak, Chairman Washam declared the Public Audience closed. VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Unity Day Picnic Ms. Zibelli would like to put Unity Day back on the agenda for November 1996. She would like the board to hold a special meeting to discuss having a Unity Day Picnic in the park. She has prepared an outline should that meeting occur. Ms. Lengert and Ms. Hammer were not in favor of bringing this item back up. Ms. Cruz and Vice Chairperson Jenkins were in favor of having a special meeting to discuss a Unity Day Picnic. Chairman Washam felt we need other groups to work with us on this. 3 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 14, 1996 Motion Ms. Zibelli moved to meet to discuss a Unity Day Picnic. Mrs. Cruz seconded the motion. A roll call vote was polled by the Recording Secretary. The motion failed 4-5 as follows: Ron Washam - Nay Elizabeth Jenkins - Aye Fawn Bradley - Aye Joy Currier - Nay Blanche Girtman - Nay Patti Hammer - Nay Dee Zibelli - Aye Belky Cruz - Aye Marie Lengert - Nay B. Building on Gateway Ms. Lengert informed the board that the home on Gateway and Seacrest has been taken over by the City and is going to be turned into an office building within a few weeks. C. Recreation in Rolling Green Mr. Frederick advised that we had hoped to provide some type of recreational programs at this site in 1988/89; however, due to heavy budget cuts, that did not occur. He stated that if additional programming is required in this neighborhood, it will take money, cooperation from the school, and most important, the community must participate in the planning and support process. He was willing to meet with a group in the community to try to find out what we can do to help the neighborhood in terms of recreational programs. He said the people in the neighborhood have to tell us what they need and what type of activities they would like to see. He pointed out that there is an after school program at the school, and we need to figure out how we can reach the age group that is not being reached through this program. He heard that the children in Rolling Green have a problem getting to Hester 4 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 14, 1996 Center. If so, perhaps the City can arrange to transport them. He needs to know these things in advance so that he can project them in the budget. Dr. Voss advised the board that she continually tries to assist the children. She is seeking a grant for counseling, tutoring and recreation next year. The school presently has dance classes on Friday afternoons. Tutoring and recreation are available through the I Have A Dream Foundation. The playground is utilized in conjunction with the after school program. She felt more can be offered, but we need to schedule new programs so that they do not conflict with the existing programs. Mrs. Bradley felt there is a lot of space that can be utilized better. For instance, she has never seen anyone playing on the tennis courts. She said the needs of the community need to be looked at. Mr. Frederick felt part of the problem is perception. He said the people need to be made aware that it is a community school and they can use the facility. Dr. Voss advised that the tennis courts have been in need of maintenance since November, 1993. Since they were put in by the City, the County did not feel it was their responsibility to maintain them. Mr. Frederick advised that the City spent over $200,000 on this site, and a lot of it has been destroyed by the people in the community. The City replaced the water fountain twice before finally shutting it off. He said we need to get a community group together to take on the task of developing some respect for the site so that we do not have to continually spend dollar after dollar on repairs that we should not have to be doing. Mr. Frederick said he is responsible for the tennis and racquetball courts. He took action this week to initiate repair of the tennis courts. They will be back in playable condition, but they will not remain so for long unless we create some type of neighborhood supervision. Mrs. Bradley said if we are going to run any type of program, paid supervision is needed. Mr. Frederick suggested the board select a group to represent the community and set up a meeting. He advised that a consensus needs to be reached no later than April 15 for budgetary purposes. Ms. Constantino suggested that children be included in this group, since they are affected the most by this. 5 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 14, 1996 Chairman Washam pointed out that this is only an advisory board and that the community needs to approach the Commission with their needs. IX. NEW BUSINESS A. Neighborhood Crime Watch Program Ms. Zibelli advised that we have patrol units; however, they are holding back on this until the new police chief comes on board. B. The Bay Club Ms. Hammer thought the Bay Club was supposed to be closed due to an injunction. He advised that it is open Thursday through Saturday, and the drag racing and noise are disturbing the neighbors. The last information Lt. Yannuzzi received was that Code Enforcement cited the Bay Club for numerous violations, including operating without an occupational license. This case went before a judge, who allowed the Bay club to remain open while they researched proper ownership, made the necessary repairs, and endeavored to get a license. Lt. Yannuzzi heard that all the code violations have been corrected; however, he did not know if they have a license now. He advised that the best source for further information on this matter would be the City Attorney's Office. C. Community Unity Day Conference Ms. Zibelli asked Chairman Washam if it is in our purview to host a Community Unity Day Conference with representatives from all the homeowners' associations within the City of Boynton Beach to discuss our mutual interests. The goal of the conference is to unite the City, and the key to that is communication. Chairman Washam suggested that we talk to Wilfred Hawkins about this at the next meeting. Motion Vice Chairperson Jenkins moved to put this item on the agenda for discussion next 6 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 14, 1996 month. Ms. Zibelli seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. D. Wrice Process Lt. Yannuzzi reported that participation in the Wrice Process has been good. The Monday night meetings continue to be held at the Police Department at 7:00 p.m. A Wrice Process facilitator has not yet been selected. E. Other Chairman Washam reminded the members to call the City Manager's Office if they have an item to place on the agenda. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Eve Eubanks Recording Secretary (Two Tapes) 7