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Minutes 06-14-95 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 1995, AT 7:30 P.M. PRESENT Ron Washam, Chairman Wilfred Hawkins, Assistant to the Elizabeth Jenkins, Vice Chairwoman City Manager Fawn Bradley Lt. Chris Yannuzzi Joy Currier Carel Fisher, Deputy of Public Blanche Girtman Works Director Michael Lyons Dee Zibelli Linda Boone, Alternate Marie Lengert, Alternate ABSENT Wayne Patrick Elizabeth Verderosa I. OPENING, PLEDGE, PRAYER Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag wads led by Joy Currier, followed by a moment of silent prayer. II. ROLL CALL The City Clerk, Sue Kruse, called the roll. III. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Chairman Washam welcomed Mr. Carel Fisher, the Deputy of Public Works, to the meeting. He has attended to answer any questions. Vice Chairwoman Jenkins stated that Mr. John Lee, Property Manager of Boynton Beach Terrace Apts. had an emergency and will try to attend the meeting later. IV. AGENDA APPROVAL Chairman Washam stated that the following item will be added to the agenda under New Business: A. Discussion on area from 28th Street to Ocean Parkway by Ms. Girtman. Motion Ms. Girtman moved to approved the agenda as amended. Mrs. Currier seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. V. MINUTES APPROVAL Motion Mrs. Bradley moved to approve the minutes of the May 10th, 1995 meeting as submitted. Ms. Girtman seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Centennial Celebration Mrs. Currier reminded everyone of the Centennial Celebration beginning June 23, 1995 through July 4, 1995 at the beach. Various activities will include volleyball, pancake breakfast, duck races, etc. Ms. Zibelli questioned the safety of the ducks. In response, Mrs. Currier stated that there would be three men in the water to see that the ducks are protected. Chairman Washam stated that the Centennial Celebration will be a once in a lifetime event. He suggested that the Board should urge people to volunteer their time and stress the importance of participation in this celebration. He volunteered himself for the beer tank. Ms Lengert stated that there is a store in the Boynton mall next to Penny's selling new and old items such as antique milk jugs, etc. and would like people to take turns running the store. B. Man Against Drugs Mr. Hawkins states that Herman Rice has a program called "Man against Drugs" which should have a major effect in the City of Boynton Beach. Mr. Rice has been financially supported by the U.S. Justice Department. He has organized various programs throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. This program will be in partnership with the Boynton Beach police department and the City of Boynton Beach to help address, fight and control street level drugs. Mr. Rice provides training and material to the community. Mr. Hawkins requested that the Board play an important role with this program, such as: A. The Board should meet with Mr. Rice, the police dept. and the community. B. The Board should participate in a march against drugs. C. The Board should play an active role in the initial meeting and afterwards, help identify the areas to be cleaned up and in what area to have the march. Mr. Hawkins stated that the Board will be notified as soon as a definite date and time are set for the meeting with Mr. Rice. Only one meeting and only one march will be held with Mr. Rice and then it will be up to the community after that. Ms. Lengert thanked Mr. Hawkins for his effort on trying to control the drug problem. Mrs. Bradley state that the next meeting is July 12, 1995 and since it took almost 9 months to get Mr. Rice here, we should call people to attend this meeting and make things happen. Chairman Washam stated that the Board should read articles about globe study and workshops in the Palm Beach Post and Sun Sentinel to come up with a road map for the future of Boynton Beach. Larry Gross came up with a draft of a plan. Community input is needed to see where Boynton Beach is going. Mayor Taylor is going through the process of community sessions to make this happen. Approval is needed from the Board for a cross-section on how this process will work. Some enthusiasm about the future of Boynton Beach is needed What is yet to come will be exciting. C. Police Dept. Publicity Lt. Yannuzzi asked for the Board to help with the negative publicity that the police dept. is getting from the media. He stated that a small article on a police officer found not guilty of a criminal offense was put in the middle of the Palm Beach Post and an article about a police officer resigning was put on the front page. Various officers received officer of the year awards which were not publicized at all even though press releases were sent out. Investigator Griswald was awarded State VFW Officer of the Year out of 206 officers from the state. The local VFW is giving Investigator Griswald $200 to take his family to Disneyworld while he receives the award. Lt. Yannuzzi asked the Board to use whatever influence they had with the media to make this story happen. Chairman Washam asked for some suggestions to be acted upon immediately. Mrs. Bradley stated that this would be something for a Public Relations person to do but the past administration had decided that the Board did not need a PR person. However, applications have been accepted for the position. Mr. Hawkins said that 10-12 applicants have been picked out for a test and interview. By the end of June or early part of July, a Public Relations person will be hired and they will work in conjunction with the Police Department to help with positive rather than negative publicity. Mrs. Jenkins asked if it would be possible to use the old PR person until a new person is hired, but it isn't possible. Chairman Washam stated that it was a very good suggestion. He would like to see the PR person meet with the Board and work hand in hand for good PR. Ms. Currier said that the Board will get Lt. Yannuzzi good media support for the following day when the investigator receives the check from the VFW. Chairman Washam suggested that the Board take time tomorrow and call all media contacts to have them coordinate with Lt. Yannuzzi and set a convenient time when the check is to be given so that there will be media coverage. It was also suggested that we ask for more positive publicity. VII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE Chairman Washam acknowledged the Cruz family and thanked them for taking an active interest in the community. A. John Lee, Property Manager for Boynton Beach Terrace Apts. Mr Lee has not yet arrived at the meeting. B. Carel Fisher, Deputy Public Works Director Mr. Fisher stated that there is a misunderstanding. He has heard a number of complaints about the Solid Waste Authority at the north end is not doing as well as on the south end. He commented that more effort is put forth on the north end because the task is greater. The way that the trash is placed at the curb constitutes how well it can be picked up. Ordinances indicate the procedures that people should follow but people don't understand the necessity in waste collection. Over 1000 tons of trash and garbage is collected and transported each day to the Palm Beach solid waste facility. Private industries and other cities can't understand how the city of Boynton Beach can achieve this task in 6 hours by using 1 truck with 3 men for 1300 single family houses. Chairman Washam stated that for the most part, they are outstanding statistics and he congratulated Mr. Fisher. He then opened the floor for discussion. Mrs. Zibelli stated that up on Ocean Parkway, it has been a very fine job done. She said that people don't understand that they can not put their car engines, old tires and rims by the curb because they just sit there. Mr. Fisher stated that the problem is more of the trash and garbage contamination mixture. He went on to explain that waste has 4 different categories: recycling, vegetation, bulk and contaminated garbage in order to comply with the state laws. Most people don't know that garbage can't be placed on top of tree trimmings or vegetation. Non-contaminated garbage is weighed and paid by the city to be dropped off. At the end of the year, the money is credited back to the city. Mrs. Currier asked if the city has gotten any of this money. Mr. Fisher stated that it happens every year and Boynton has been way ahead and getting back money every year. In fact, the recycled materials have paid for a new truck and the people to work on the truck. The credit from Solid Waste Authority is a lot more than a junk yard would be. As a matter of fact, SWA had planned to reduce waste by 50% at the landfills at the end of 5 years, since Florida is running out of landfills, and Palm Beach County has met the 50% goal in 3 years. Mr. Lyons asked if instructions should be given in Creole and English to inform people. Mr. Fisher stated that door hangers in Creole, Spanish and English are already being circulated. A fine of $25.00 has been proposed for improperly disposed of garbage, but as of this date, no money has been collected. Ms. Girtman complimented the improvement on NW 10th Avenue. Mrs. Bradley stated that at the corner of Miner Rd. and Seacrest Blvd., there is a convenience store that the front is owned by the store owner and the back is owned by the county. At the completion of project Rosemary Scrub, the county owned area looked gorgeous. This should be a 2 times a year project. She asked if it would be possible to get trash containers in the front of the store. Mr. Fisher said that if the city manager wants it, then they will support it. Mrs. Jenkins asked if it were possible for the city to furnish bags to put garbage in it and charge apartment owners. Mr. Fisher said no owner can be singled out. It must be done to all owners. Code enforcement can bring a property owner to bear for not maintaining property. In order for this to be effective, a target date must be set and code enforcement could ticket the owner for not maintaining the property by that date. The Cruz family commented on the abundance of garbage on Gateway Blvd. off I-95. Nothing has been done to clean up the area even though they have made several complaints to the code enforcement. Chairman Washam suggested that the Board should be made aware of any complaints so that they can take them back to the proper people. Mrs. Zibelli stated that the city is in need of more code enforcement offices. At one point, the city had 5 officers and now they only have 2. Especially if we are working on bring the north end up to par. Mr. Hawkins stated that efforts in the various departments will be needed to address this problem. It will be a team effort on code enforcement, the police dept. the dept. of public works, the health dept. and any other govt. agencies to address some of these problems. With Mr. Rice's program, it is the beginning of taking care of some of these problems and will teach the community how to help themselves. VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Poinciana Mr. Hawkins said the school board is getting construction under way. Equipment is going on-site at the end of the month or the beginning of July. They want to have a 12- 15 month schedule for completion. We are very enthusiastic about the new school being built starting next month. B. High School Mr. Hawkins stated that the high school is being brought to the commission to make it a priority and light a fire under the issue. C. Boynton Terrace Apts. Mr. Hawkins stated that things are starting to develop. Since Mr. Lee should be attending this meeting soon, Mr. Hawkins will let him discuss the issues himself. IX. NEW BUSINESS A. Board Elections Chairman Washam said he will take nominations for chairman at this time. Motion Mrs. Bradley moved to have Ron Washam for chairman of the Board. Mrs. Currier seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Elizabeth Jenkins stated that Ron Washam will continue to be Chairman of the Community Relations Board of Boynton Beach. Chairman Washam stated that he hoped to do well and looks forward to next year. He thanked the Board for their confidence. Chairman Washam opened the floor for nominations for Vice Chairperson. Motion Mrs. Currier moved to nominate Elizabeth Jenkins for Vice Chairwoman. Mr. Lyons seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Chairman Washam stated that Mrs. Jenkins did an excellent job and they were in constant communication throughout the year. Mrs. Jenkins and Chairman Washam appreciate everyone's support. B. Decision '95 - My Vote Counts Chairman Washam said the Board made this successful in the past and would like it to flourish. The schools would have a 9 week curriculum, before and after the government day. This would get more students involved. It would take place in the fall. Anne Sent will be at the next meeting to help the Board enhance this day and make it successful. We could possibly get to more schools and students and would like the board to consider making changes. Chairman Washam opened to floor for discussion. Mrs. Bradley suggested the involvement of younger children and gradually progressing toward the older children. Mrs. Zibelli asked if material needs to be sent for, and if so, we should do it. Motion Ms. Lengert moved to send a request for the packet on information for Decision '95 - My Vote Counts. Mrs. Zibelli seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. C. Set Goals For CRB Mrs. Bradley stated that the board has done a lot of things, but unity come in setting goals. We represent the entire community and would like everyone to bring forth any goals and add to the vision of the entire city. Chairman Washam said that we stood behind more planning in different areas that needed help and will accomplish even more this year. Mr. Lyons suggested that the board should meet with different boards to concentrate and work together on various efforts. Mrs. Bradley suggested a workshop to bring new ideas and maybe meet with other boards. Chairman Washam stated that there are listings of all meetings that can be sat in on within our community and even other communities. It is a positive step to have a goal setting workshop, but still remembering that the primary function of the board is to advise the city commission. At the next regular Board meeting, a time and date will be set in which to hold the goal setting workshop. Mrs. Jenkins stated that a unity date would be a nice thing to have again to try and bring the communities together. Chairman Washam stated that this will be put on the agenda for next month under New Business. Mrs. Jenkins asked Mr. Hawkins about the possibility of getting chairs replaced at the Senior Citizens Center. Mr. Hawkins will address this at the time of the new budget. Mrs. Zibelli stated that on Gateway Blvd. just east of I-95, cars are being repaired in the garage and being put out for sale over the weekend. These cars are sometimes left in the street for two weeks at a time and code enforcement hasn't done much to deter this. Mrs. Zibelli also stated that the sprinkler system is incomplete and has not been fixed by NW 28th and Seacrest, including Ocean Pkwy. People have fixed up the area so nicely, it would be nice to have the sprinklers fixed. If the sprinklers can be adjusted to go on about 2 p.m., this would deter the school children from walking on the median and destroying the trees. Ms. Lengert extended the Board's condolences to Commission Jaskiewicz and his sister on their loss. At this time, Mayor Taylor stood up and thanked each and every member of the Board for taking their time with the community. He hopes that we make a great difference and looks forward to a great year ahead. X. ADJOURNMENT Motion Chairman Washam moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:17 p.m. Ms. Lengert seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Sherri Ragion Recording Secretary