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Minutes 02-22-96 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD AT ROLLING GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1996, AT 7:30 P.M. PRESENT Ron Washam, Chairman Elizabeth Jenkins, Vice Chairperson Joy Currier Blanche Girtman Patti Hammer Belky Cruz, Alternate ABSENT Fawn Bradley Dee Zibelli Marie Lengert, Alternate I. OPENING, PLEDGE, PRAYER Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Mrs. Cruz, followed by a moment of silent prayer. II. ROLL CALL The Recording Secretary called the roll. III. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS At Chairman Washam's request, Mrs. Cruz introduced her son, Rubin Cruz, who sat in the audience. IV. AGENDA APPROVAL Chairman Washam followed a previous agenda, since a written one was not provided. Mrs. Cruz added Item IX.A (Meeting Between Recreation and Park Department and Rolling Green Elementary School). MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 13, 1996 Motion Ms. Girtman moved to approve the agenda as stated. Mrs. Currier seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. V. MINUTES APPROVAL No additions, deletions, or corrections were made to the minutes of the last meeting. Motion Ms. Girtman moved to approve the minutes of the February 14, 1996 meeting. Mrs. Currier seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS A. P.A.L. Classic Car and Motorcycle Show Mrs. Currier thanked all who attended the P.A.L. Classic Car and Motorcycle Show on March 10th, including the Police Athletic League, Officer Bill Tome, Ms. Hammer, Ms. Lengert, and Betty Verderosa. B. Easter Head Start/Easter Eggstravaganza Mrs. Currier announced that this year the children in the Head Start program voted for a pizza party instead of an Easter egg hunt. The party will be held on April 1st, at 1:30 p.m. She welcomed Ms. Lengert and Ms. Hammer as godparents at Head Start. On April 6th an Easter Eggstravaganza will be held at Hester Park from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Easter baskets are needed. Six hundred children are expected to attend. There will be an Easter egg hunt. Mrs. Currier hoped everyone would attend. She said our children need the community's support. 2 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 13, 1996 C. Basketball Mrs. Currier advised that Officer Tome is proud of our 12 and 14 year old children. They are going to the regional basketball finals. If they win, they will go to the national finals in New Jersey. D. Let's Build a Playground Chairman Washam read a letter from Denise Panton, thanking the board for its contribution to the Let's Build a Playground project. He said this is something the Sun- Sentinel forgot to report on last month when they reported on the bickering amongst the members of this board. He stated that this board has done many wonderful things throughout the community that go unrecognized. In addition, the members do a lot individually. He felt that when the members of this board do something, they represent the entire board. He was very proud of this board and felt we can rise above the petty politicking and move on to do some wonderful things together in the community. E. Welcome New Commissioners and Police Chief The members of the board took this opportunity to welcome Henderson Tillman and Jamie Titcomb to the City Commission. They also welcomed Police Chief Marshall Gage, and wished Lynn Matson well in her future endeavors. VII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE None. VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Article in Sun-Sentinel Re: Community Relations Board Discussion ensued regarding the negative article about the Community Relations Board in the Sun-Sentinel. Mrs. Currier pointed out that this board has been in existence for a long time. She said the bickering is unnecessary and has to stop, and we should get on with business. 3 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 13, 1996 Chairman Washam pointed out that if you are on a board or the City Commission, or part of a municipality, you are going to be under scrutiny. He said this board needs to keep moving in a positive direction and we need to work together to build a better community. B. February Meeting at Rolling Green Elementary School Mrs. Girtman felt the last meeting, which was held at Rolling Green Elementary School, was very informative. She said Dr. Voss was very explicit in her explanations of what was happening, and she found her to be very personable. She also felt that Charles Frederick, Director of Recreation and Parks, explained the City's position well. Chairman Washam felt the board should hold its meetings in different areas of the community more often. C. Publicity for the Community Relations Board Ms. Hammer stated that the purpose of this board is to help people; however, nobody comes to the board for help. She suggested advertising in the Boynton Times so people will know this board exists and get them to attend our meetings. Chairman Washam advised that the media is made aware of the projects that this board takes on. He explained that if people are not interested in a particular project that the board is working on, they will not attend the meetings. He did not think this was as important as the work the board does. He stated that many people do not know that this board exists; however, every City board has that problem. He felt picking up some new projects would help let the community know we exist. D. Unity Day Conference Vice Chairperson Jenkins asked if the Unity Day Conference was discussed with Mr. Hawkins. Chairman Washam advised that nothing has been done about this yet. He has been out of commission for a while, but will pursue this matter. IX. NEW BUSINESS 4 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 13, 1996 A. Meeting Between the Recreation and Park Department and Rolling Green Elementary School Mrs. Cruz announced the Ms. Zibelli had surgery and was in extreme pain this evening. Therefore, she was unable to attend this meeting. Mrs. Cruz reported that the meeting between the Recreation and Park Department and Rolling Green Elementary School went very well. Dr. Voss was very enthused and is willing to work with this board and the City. She explained the Latch Key Program which is offered at the school, and there was discussion about implementing other programs in conjunction with Hester Center. Mrs. Cruz advised that Hester Center is quite a distance for some children, and transportation is a problem. She said Ms. Zibelli would like to see a program, such as T-ball, held on Saturdays at Rolling Green Elementary School to get the kids in the area motivated. In addition, Melody Green, the City's Recreation Superintendent, is going to see if the City bus could stop a little closer to Hester Center. Mrs. Cruz advised that Hester Center is not being utilized to its full capacity, and the people are not aware of all the programs offered there. Rolling Green Elementary School is going to send a survey to the parents, asking them what services for the children they feel are lacking in the community. Mrs. Currier reminded everyone that about two years ago, the North Boynton Task Force wanted to hold a carnival at Rolling Green Elementary School, and there was a lot of community interest at that time. She was interested in reviving that. Chairman Washam did not think transportation was the underlying problem. He felt people are afraid to go to Hester Center and Rolling Green. He said we need to prove that Dr. Voss' staff and City staff are competent and caring individuals and that Hester Park and Rolling Green Elementary School are safe environments. He said people are safer at Hester Park than they are at the Boynton Mall. Mrs. Cruz said there is a misconception in the community that Hester Center is only for the people who live in that area, and not for everyone. 5 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 13, 1996 Chairman Washam recalled having dances at Boynton Junior High School and at the Civic Center at night years ago. He believes we could have those same kinds of dances and multi-cultural events again. He pointed out that the north end has a lot to offer people, and we need to get the people to go there. Mrs. Currier suggested holding a multi-cultural sock hop at Rolling Green Elementary School or Hester Center to bring the people there. Chairman Washam said the people in the south end of the City do not know what is going on at Hester Park, and the people who reside in the west do not know what is happening in the east. He felt many people would be interested in the programs that are offered at Hester Center if they knew about them. He suggested that this board hold its meetings in different areas and do some PR to get the people to come out, and let them know that Hester Park is for the entire citizenry of Boynton Beach, and that they should not be afraid. Mrs. Cruz pointed out that Hester Center also has facilities for the handicapped, and trained staff to handle handicapped children. Mrs. Cruz mentioned that not everyone in the City gets the Fun Fare Magazine through the mail. She said she has lived in Boynton Beach for five years and only recently has started to receive it. Chairman Washam said the Boynton Times is not delivered in his neighborhood. Ms. Hammer said it is not delivered in her neighborhood either; however, it can be picked up in many of the shops. Chairman Washam felt the board has some wonderful ideas, and agreed with Ms. Hammer that we need to do some PR work. He felt working with Rolling Green Elementary School might bridge the gap between four different cultures. He said we need to figure out how to bring everyone together at Hester Park. Ms. Hammer suggested placing flyers in the lobby of City Hall and the shops. Mrs. Currier suggested holding a multi-cultural sock hop. Mrs. Cruz advised that we have had an influx of Hispanics coming into the Boynton area. She asked Dr. Voss to send out a letter, in Spanish, to all Hispanics to let them know what is going on in the community. She also asked her to send out a letter in Creole because we have an influx of Haitians in our community. She did not want anyone to feel left out. Mrs. Cruz said she was asked if the board could arrange to hold an Hispanic festival. 6 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 13, 1996 This festival would be for everyone, not just Hispanics. Mrs. Cruz is going to meet with Carolyn Sims, Melody Green, and Sharon Golden of the Recreation and Park Department to discuss a date and time. Chairman Washam offered Mrs. Cruz the board's support in this endeavor. Chairman Washam asked Mrs. Cruz to update the board next month and let us know how we can help. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Eve Eubanks Recording Secretary (One Tape) 7