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Minutes 04-10-96 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1996, AT 7:30 P.M. PRESENT Ron Washam, Chairman Wilfred Hawkins, Asst. to the City Elizabeth Jenkins, Vice Chairwoman Manager Joy Currier Lt. Chris Yannuzzi, Police Dept. Belky Cruz Blanche Girtman Dee Zibelli Arthur Berman, Alternate ABSENT Fawn Bradley I. OPENING, PLEDGE, PRAYER Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. Mrs. Cruz led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, followed by a moment of silent prayer. II. ROLL CALL - REGULAR MEMBERS - ALTERNATES The Recording Secretary called the roll. Vice Chairwoman Jenkins and Mrs. Girtman had not yet arrived. III. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS None IV. AGENDA APPROVAL Mrs. Zibelli added "Multicultural Day" to Unfinished Business. Vice Chairwoman Jenkins arrived for the meeting. Mrs. Currier added "Thank You" under Correspondence and Announcements. Motion Mrs. Zibelli moved to approve the agenda of April 10, 1996. Mrs. Currier seconded the motion which carried unanimously. 1 V. MINUTES APPROVAL - MARCH 13, 1996 Motion Vice Chairwoman Jenkins moved to accept the minutes from the March 13, 1996 meeting. Mrs. Currier seconded the motion which carried unanimously. Mrs. Girtman arrived for the meeting. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Thank You - Joy Currier A. Mrs. Currier extended her thanks to everyone who attended the two Head Start Programs, and the two programs at Hester Center. She also thanked Carolyn Sims for her assistance and everyone who donated Easter baskets and candy. Mrs. Currier also advised that today was Children's Day at Hester Park, and it went very well. Mrs. Zibelli announced that she will not be in attendance at the May meeting since she will be in New Jersey caring for her mother who fell and broke her pelvis. Mr. Hawkins reported that Joan Kowal will be present at the Education Advisory Board meeting on May 2, 1996, at 6:30 p.m., in Commission Chambers. The City will be publicizing her appearance at this meeting. Schools, SACs, the Advisory Board on Children and Youth, the Recreation and Parks Board, and others will be invited to attend. He urged everyone to make an effort to be present since this will be one of Superintendent Kowal's first stops in Boynton Beach. Lt. Yannuzzi arrived for the meeting. Mr. Hawkins also announced that the Education Advisory Board will be having an Awards Night tomorrow evening. They have requested that some of the members of the Community Relations Board attend. A flyer is already out for the Annual Boynton Beach Health Fair to be held at Hester Center on April 27. Refreshments will be served free of charge. Volunteers are needed. VII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE None VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Mrs. Zibelli suggested that Multicultural Day have representatives from each of the 2 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 10, 1996 cultures. Those representatives could dress in the costume of their countries, and arrange for music or dances from the country. A suggestion was also made to have foods representative of the different cultures. Proceeds from the sale of the food could go to the homeowners' associations. Chairman Washam felt this was a terrific idea. Mrs. Zibelli and Mrs. Cruz will prepare an agenda, and then subcommittees can meet to make the necessary arrangements. Mrs. Currier reported that she knows of a young man from Argentina who has a beautiful voice and can sing in five languages. Chairman Washam also recommended contacting some of the people who participated in last year's multicultural festival to see if they would like to participate again this year. Chairman Washam commended everyone who worked on the G.A.L.A. He feels they did a splendid job, and he received comments that the G.A.L.A. is one of the finest events in the area. Chairman Washam welcomed Arthur Berman as a new alternate member of the board. Mr. Berman advised that the Community Relations Board was the first City board he served on 20 years ago. Chairman Washam explained that elections will be held next month for Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. He has enjoyed this position, and the Community Relations Board is still the only board he wants to work on. Mrs. Currier advised that there will be a hot dog sale at Wal-Mart's on April 20 and April 21. The proceeds will go to the Godmother Program. Chairman Washam reported that there were some members who chose to move on. This happens on every board. He commended all of the members for the good work they have done over the last year. He pointed out that when there are strong-willed people, there will be differences of opinion. He congratulated Mrs. Girtman and Mrs. Cruz on their reappointments. As the board moves through the rest of this year and into next year, there are other projects that will be addressed. IX. NEW BUSINESS Lt. Yannuzzi reported that the Police Department had an opportunity to have two drug stings over the past two weeks. On March 29th, there was an eight-hour operation which resulted in 21 arrests, and collection of one firearm. This was done with the assistance of the M.A.N. Unit of the Sheriff's Office. 3 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 10, 1996 On Friday, April 5th, a 15-hour operation resulted in 49 arrests. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard area was the focus of both stings. The Police Department is grateful to the Sheriff's Office for providing the personnel to conduct these operations. This joint effort was the result of a meeting between Police Chief Gage and Sheriff McCutcheon. Wrice marches are scheduled to take place on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard on April 13, April 19, and April 27. The background investigation on the replacement for the Wrice facilitator is still in the process. It is hoped this investigation will be completed by the end of the month when the current facilitator leaves the position. Mrs. Girtman referred to a bar in the neighborhood, and inquired as to how soon it will be opening. She pointed out that this establishment had a beer and wine license, and was grandfathered in when the distance requirements were put in place. She is now concerned because it is within 500' of the Episcopal church, 10' of a church on Seacrest and 10th, and the new school, and may have secured a license for hard liquor. Lt. Yannuzzi will check into this situation. Lt. Yannuzzi reported that the State Beverage control rescinded Robert's license to sell alcohol. Further, the Police Department is working with State Beverage officials with regard to violations that were documented at the Bay Club. Mrs. Currier asked that the record reflect the fact that the work she does is done for her City and for the children and elderly. She does not do what she does to make friends. She said she knows her critics, and she respects their opinions. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the board, Mrs. Cruz moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m. Mrs. Girtman seconded the motion which carried unanimously. Janet M. Prainito Recording Secretary (No Tapes) 4