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Minutes 07-10-96 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1996, AT 7:30 P.M. PRESENT Ron Washam, Chairman Wilfred Hawkins, Assistant to the Ronald Bair City Manager Belky Cruz Lt. Chris Yannuzzi, Police Dept. Joy Currier Blanche Girtman Natalie Macon Brenda Lee Williams Dee Zibelli Arthur Berman, Alternate ABSENT Elizabeth Jenkins, Vice Chairperson I. OPENING, PLEDGE, PRAYER Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ms. Williams, followed by a moment of silent prayer. II. ROLL CALL Ms. Zibelli advised that Ms. Cruz is at a meeting with a group of Hispanics in West Palm Beach regarding the multi-cultural festival. The Recording Secretary called the roll. Ms. Cruz and Ms. Girtman were not yet present. III. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Chairman Washam welcomed Commissioner Jamie Titcomb to the meeting. IV. AGENDA APPROVAL No additions, deletions, or corrections were made to the agenda. Motion Ms. Zibelli moved to approve the agenda as presented. Ms. Williams seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. V. MINUTES APPROVAL Ms. Zibelli made a correction to Item VIII.C on page 7. She said Charles Frederick was not at the meeting at Rolling Green Elementary School; however, representatives from the Parks and Recreation Department were. Motion Ms. Zibelli moved to approve the minutes of the June 12, 1996 meeting as amended. Ms. Williams seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS A. At the May 21st City Commission meeting, it was discussed that 12 members would be selected for a Visions 20/20 Implementation Task Force. Ms. Williams asked if the members of this Task Force were chosen from the people who participated in 20/20. Commissioner Titcomb was asked to address this item. Commissioner Titcomb explained that the people selected for this Task Force comprised of about two-thirds of the original steering committee, as well as facilitators of Visions 20/20. Those people were chosen because the steering committee people helped implement the process of getting it to Visions, and the facilitators of the individual groups at Visions 20/20 were considered key people in that they were witness to all the discussion and all the behind the scenes talk that went on and did not make it into the document, but was the intent of Visions 20/20. The Task Force met for the first time last night. They will report their first findings at the next City Commission meeting. Commissioner Titcomb pointed out that we do not want dust to settle on this document. We want to move forward, and he hopes this Task Force will take a very active role in keeping things moving forward. Ms. Zibelli asked if anyone from the Community Relations Board was appointed to the Task Force. Commissioner Titcomb was unaware of anyone from this board being appointed to the Task Force. He said several people asked him about the criteria for picking those people. Many people would like to be on that Task Force. He did not know whether or not there is going to be an opportunity for other people to join that process, but will inquire about that at the City Commission meeting. Chairman Washam was sure the people chosen for the Task Force will do a good job. Ms Williams felt that the length of residency in Boynton Beach should have been one of MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 10, 1996 the criteria when selecting people for the Task Force because someone who has lived here a long time would know a lot more history about the City, the direction the City had gone in the past, and the direction in which we do not want to go in the future. Commissioner Titcomb said that was a very important criteria in selecting people for the Visions conference. However, the Task Force that was formed to monitor the Visions 20/20 process, and the criteria is slightly different. It is more of a mechanical function. We want people who are familiar with the process and the outcome of the process to watch the process to make sure it is implemented. These people are not creating ideas or individual elements of the plan. They are watching the process to make sure that the things that were said in the Visions 20/20 document are followed through. He encouraged the members of this Board to attend the City Commission meeting, and if they have concerns about the makeup of the Task Force or would like to see specific things implemented in conjunction with that, to voice them to the City Commission on Tuesday night. Ms. Zibelli asked for a list of the members of the Task Force. Mr. Hawkins asked the Recording Secretary to mail a copy of that list to each member of this Board. B. Wrice Process Ms. Currier reminded the Board about the Wrice anniversary, which begins this Friday, at 12:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. The Unsung Heroes Breakfast will be held on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. at Holiday Inn Catalina. Mr. Hawkins added that there will be a march Friday night. Marchers are to assemble in the Commission Chambers at 7:00 p.m. C. Fireworks and Torch Event Chairman Washam commended the City Commission for the fireworks and torch event. D. City Bus Service Mr. Bair announced that at the City Commission meeting on July 16th, the issue of continuing the City bus service will be discussed. Mr. Hawkins clarified that the Senior Advisory Board is going to make a presentation. He explained that Co-Tran is going to redo their routes based upon the reworking of the entire route system County-wide. A final plan will not be developed at the City Commission meeting on July 16th; however there will 3 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 10, 1996 be discussion about how the City of Boynton Beach can fit their buses into that new routing system. VII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE None. VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Multi-Cultural Festival Ms. Zibelli expressed disappointment in the attendance at the meeting yesterday at the Hester Center, and stated that more Board member participation is needed. She has been in contact with the Sons of Italy and they are very enthused about this festival. She has also been in contact with the German Club, the Indian Club, and the Finnish Clubs. A generic letter is being drafted to send to each group, along with an application if they want to participate in the multi-cultural festival. The festival committee will meet every two weeks. The next meeting will be held at 2:30 p.m. on July 23rd in the City Clerk's Conference Room. Ms. Zibelli reiterated that more member participation is needed at the committee meetings. The festival is scheduled for November 16th, with a rain date of November 23rd. Chairman Washam urged the Board members to attend the July 23rd meeting. He is trying to get some entertainment for the festival. Ms. Zibelli has lined up a wonderful ten piece band. However, she needs a sponsor for it. Ms. Macon volunteered to work with Ms. Zibelli on the festival. Afternoon meetings were not convenient for Ms. Williams. Ms. Zibelli commended Lt. Yannuzzi and Sgt. Scott Dean for attending all the committee meetings regarding the festival. Ms. Currier is having difficulty locating a native American Indian group to participate in the festival. Ms. Williams suggested contacting the Seminole reservation in Fort Lauderdale. B. Progress of Boynton Beach High School Mr. Hawkins advised that the City Commission met with the School Board and presented their request and some ideas. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss financing. The City Commission presented the School Board with some options of how they could finance 4 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 10, 1996 their own responsibility, which is to build schools. The School Board did not commit themselves to any of our suggestions. They told us that they did not want to spend any more money that they did not have. As a result of that meeting, key staff from the City and the School Board will meet to try to hammer out some details based upon the discussions at that workshop. Dr. Kowal is reorganizing and has begun appointing new key staff. Therefore, we do not yet know who their key staff is. We do not know how long this is going to take or where it is going to lead to; however, the City is still keeping the pressure on. Chairman Washam asked if the School Board has asked the City for any commitment. Mr. Hawkins said the City told them that there are some incentives that we could offer to help them accomplish this task and save some money in the process. Mr. Bair asked if we are definitely getting a high school and are just working out the details. Mr. Hawkins advised him that the School Board has not put our high school in their budget. The City is trying to get them to do that when they approve their budget on July 29th. The School Board has purchased the land in Quantum Park. The blueprints for the school have been completed and are on the shelf ready to go. All the necessary documents are prepared to go to bid on the project. The issue now is funding and when construction is going to commence. Mr. Bair asked if traffic impact studies have been coordinated with development. He understands we are getting some commercial development in Quantum Park along I-95 and he would hate to see the roads redesigned and redone for the traffic for that development only to have to be torn up again. Mr. Hawkins advised that the traffic impact has already been looked at and is minimal. No redesign will be necessary; however, a traffic light may be needed. Chairman Washam pointed out that we have banded together to get a high school and to save Poinciana. We have accomplished the latter and have to keep the pressure on until a high school is built in Boynton Beach. He pointed out that an election is coming up, and he urged the Board members to call the School Board members and write letters to the editors of the newspapers. He felt if we keep the pressure on, they will build the high school. At this time, Ms. Cruz and Ms. Girtman arrived. 5 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 10, 1996 C. Taking the Meetings on the Road At this point in the meeting, Chairman Washam mentioned that he would like to hold the Community Relations Board meetings in different areas of the City. He would like to come up with some new avenues to meet people so they can find out more about this Board and the City of Boynton Beach. He said we may want to do this in conjunction with promoting the festival. D. Introduction of New Members At this time, Chairman Washam welcomed Ronald Bair and Natalie Macon to the Board and asked them to tell the Board a little about themselves. Ms. Macon has been a resident of Palm Beach County her entire life, and a resident of Boynton Beach for about four and a half years. She was looking forward to working with the members of this Board. Mr. Bair has lived on S.E. 1st place for approximately eleven and a half years and has resided in Palm Beach County since 1972. He has been involved in organizing a crime watch in his neighborhood, which has been quite successful. He joined this Board at Commissioner Titcomb's suggestion. He has a four year old son and would like him to attend all his school years in Boynton Beach. He looked forward to serving on this Board. Chairman Washam stated that the purpose of this Board is to advise our leadership of what is happening in the community, how they can better serve the people of Boynton Beach, and how we can make life better for the citizens. He was grateful to all the members who serve in this voluntary capacity. E. New Appearance Code Ms. Zibelli stated that she spoke to Scott Blasie with regard to a house across the street from her that is a mess, and he told her that they are starting to implement the new Appearance Code. They are doing a clean sweep of the north end, starting from Boynton Beach Boulevard. They are tagging cars and advising people that their lawns have to be mowed and their homes have to be painted. Ms. Zibelli was happy to hear that because the north end has been neglected for a long time. 6 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 10, 1996 F. Wrice Process Anniversary Lt. Yannuzzi announced that the one year anniversary of the Wrice Process will be celebrated this weekend. Dr. Wrice is scheduled to return for these events. The events will start at noon on Friday in Commission Chambers. We will march to the Boynton Child Care Development Center. From there we will go to the Provident Missionary Baptist Church until 3:30 p.m. There will be free time from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. At 7:00 p.m., everyone will meet in Commission Chambers for a 45 minute presentation. Then we will march across 1st Avenue to Cherry Hill, down to Martin Luther King Boulevard and back to City Hall. The Unsung Heroes Breakfast will be held on Saturday at the Holiday Inn Catalina from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Chairman Washam stated that this is a big milestone and it is very important that the community show their support. Lt. Yannuzzi asked the members to RSVP for the Unsung Heroes Breakfast by calling Jim Culver, the Public Information Officer/Wrice Process Facilitator, at 375-6124. Ms. Currier said she heard rumors that the Wrice Process is going to end. Lt. Yannuzzi stated that Police Chief Marshall Gage intends to make this the last Wrice Process anniversary. There appears to be a focus on having the drug problem eliminated by the first of the year. Chief Gage is looking at it from the perspective that if there is no drug problem, then there should be no need for a march. Mr. Hawkins further explained that Chief Gage is looking at it from the standpoint of eliminating the reason for the marches, which is the drug trade in that particular area. There are specific areas where open drug selling occurs. If we eliminate that, the concept of the Wrice march is not applicable. However, one of the things that we want to move into from the Wrice march is our Citizens on Patrol (COP) program. We hope to develop this program in communities City-wide. Lt. Yannuzzi explained the COP program. He advised that we already have three units in operation in Village Royale on the Green, Boynton Leisureville, and Palm Beach Leisureville. This program involves citizen volunteers, who drive marked police cars. They are given a cellular telephone, walkie talkies, and a permanently mounted radio inside the vehicle. The volunteers check houses. We have about 200 volunteers for the three units that we already have on the road. Three additional vehicles are being prepared to expand this program. We intend to create a COP unit for the Martin Luther King area. We hope to focus on this program to assist us in eliminating the drug problem. 7 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 10, 1996 Mr. Bair understands that the minimum criteria for this program is 300 residents and 28 volunteers. He asked if Chief Gage believes he would be able to assemble such a group in that particular neighborhood, or if he plans to utilize citizens from other areas of the City to patrol that neighborhood. Lt. Yannuzzi pointed out that the whole concept is that you patrol your own neighborhood. It does not make sense to bring people in from another area. It is that partnership and cooperation, and that sense of ownership that you have with a neighborhood that makes this situation flourish. There are 300 residents in this area and hopes to get 28 volunteers. Lt. Yannuzzi explained the Community Policing concept. He advised that 12 officers and one sergeant are assigned to community patrol. Those 12 officers are already assigned to neighborhoods in groups of two. We already have everything north of Boynton Beach Boulevard covered. He hoped to get 28 citizens in and around that area that would be willing to patrol on a regular schedule. He believes the minimum requirement is three hours a week. Chairman Washam requested that Chief Gage be invited to the August or September Community Relations Board meeting. Ms. Currier commended all the police officers for the wonderful work they did with regard to the Wrice Process. On behalf of the Police Department, Lt. Yannuzzi thanked Ms. Currier for her commendation. He said he read a quote in the newspaper made by Ms. Jenkins. He is aware of how things can be twisted and misquoted in the media. Therefore, he attributed this to be a misquote of Ms. Jenkins' words. He said perhaps she was speaking of another situation. He did not believe she was referring to the Wrice Process. He pointed out that at last month's meeting, Ms. Jenkins commended the Police Department for its involvement in the Wrice Process. Ms. Zibelli noticed that since we have not been marching in her area, they are dealing on the corner of N.W. 27th and Seacrest Boulevard. Lt. Yannuzzi advised her that activity has also increased opposite the Shop Quick, which is being addressed. We are hoping to create an office in that area for our community officers. He pointed out that the store itself has been extremely cooperative. Ms. Girtman appreciated everything that the Wrice Process has done; however, she did not think it was fair that property owners have to pay to have their property cleaned up when other people are throwing cans, bottles, and thrash on it. She is experiencing this problem with the property that she owns on N.E. 10th Avenue. She said something should be done to help these taxpayers. She pointed out that she is on a fixed income. She has 8 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 10, 1996 called the Police Department about this, and has filed a complaint with Pete Roy of Code Enforcement, who promised to do what he can. She said she would sell her property if she could. She also stated that without her permission, someone has cut down the beautiful tree that was on her property Lt. Yannuzzi advised that there are a multitude of issues dealing with Martin Luther King Boulevard and we are addressing in several ways. First, there is a group of men that the City is paying to attempt to keep the area clean. In addition, we have a subcommittee of a community forum that is working on redevelopment. The City Manager's Office is involved in getting potential contractors. He suggested that Ms. Girtman hold onto her property and see what develops over the next several months. Also, we have two officers who have made Martin Luther King Boulevard a part of their neighborhood project. They have been assigned specifically to that area to work with residents and business owners in identifying specific problems and working toward a solution. We are attacking it from multiple fronts, in addition to using outside agencies to come to help with undercover drug buys and arrests. Over the past couple of months, we have made several hundred arrests in that area. We are targeting that area and helping to clean it up as best we can, and we will continue to do that and improve as we go along. Chairman Washam thanked Lt. Yannuzzi, Mr. Hawkins, and Commissioner Titcomb for their input. G. Multi-Cultural Festival Ms. Cruz said she attended a Hispanic function this evening and spoke to many representatives of the Hispanic community. They are interested in participating in the multi-cultural festival, but she has to go to all their meetings and speak to their groups. Chairman Washam thanked Ms. Cruz, Ms. Zibelli, and Ms. Currier for all the hard work that they have put into this so far. He reminded the members to attend the Wrice Process celebration this weekend, as well as the July 23rd festival committee meeting. IX. NEW BUSINESS None. 9 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 10, 1996 X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the board, Ms. Girtman moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Ms. Currier seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Eve Eubanks Recording Secretary (One Tape) 10