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Minutes 09-13-95 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON SEPTEMBER 13, 1995, AT 7:30 P.M. PRESENT Ron Washam, Chairman Wilfred Hawkins, Assistant to the Elizabeth Jenkins, Vice Chairperson City Manager Fawn Bradley Lt. Chris Yannuzzi, Police Dept. Joy Currier Michael Lyons Wayne Patrick Dee Zibelli Belky Cruz ABSENT Blanche Girtman Marie Lengert I. OPENING, PLEDGE, PRAYER Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Mr. Lyons, 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, a woman in the audience introduced herself. IV. AGENDA APPROVAL Mrs. Bradley added an item under Announcements, and Mr. Patrick added an item under New Business. Motion Ms. Zibelli moved to accept the agenda as amended. Mrs. Currier seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 13, 1995 V. MINUTES APPROVAL Motion Vice Chairman Jenkins moved to approve the minutes of the August 9, 1995 meeting as submitted. Mrs. Currier seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Community Playground Project Mrs. Bradley announced that the Community Let's Build a Playground Project will be holding a Trash to Treasures sale Saturday, September 16, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the 1913 schoolhouse. All proceeds will go to the Let's Build a Playground Project. She advised that this project has been moved up to February because we decided we wanted to make it bigger and better. Therefore, it is going to take a little more effort on everyone's part. Mrs. Currier asked if the Rosemary Scrub Project was successful. Mrs. Fawn advised that it was very successful. She said the residents in the north end of the City are taking heed from the few who have fought for years, and it is finally starting to come together. She said she received a couple of telephone calls from residents who want to become more involved in what the City is doing. Mrs. Currier congratulated her for doing a good job on the Rosemary Scrub. Chairman Washam said his property backs right up to the Rosemary Scrub. He stated that the people in the neighborhood have been very pleased that the attention has been given to their neighborhood. B. Michelle Constantino Mrs. Currier welcomed Michelle Constantino back to the business community. VII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE None. 2 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 13, 1995 VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Decision '95 Chairman Washam reported that he and Anne Centi, the Chairperson of the Education Avisory Board, have visited the schools to get them to participate in Decision '95. Five out of the six schools they visited agreed to participate. He commended Ms. Centi for doing a fine job. The schools liked the curriculum and will be teaching it for a week or two. He thanked Vice Mayor Matthew Bradley and Clarence Anthony for bringing Decision '95 to his attention. Mr. Hawkins advised that the City is going to be sending information on our City Government, including a copy of the City Charter and an organization chart, to all the schools. The City is going to encourage the schools to invite the City Officials to their classrooms to make presentations. We want the students' to talk about Boynton Beach, so we will be providing them with the backup material necessary for them to do so. In addition, the City is going to do a proclamation. It is a standardized proclamation provided by the Florida League of Cities, proclaiming Florida City Government Week in Boynton Beach from October 15 through 21. Also, we will be doing a full-scale press release about Decision '95 and Youth in Government Day. We have written commitments and a contact person in each school. It will be easier for the press to go into the classrooms. The teachers who he talked to are very enthusiastic about doing this and bringing the City Officials into the classrooms to talk to the children. The Florida League is also going to do a press release. Chairman Washam said Decision '95 will add more to the schools and make them more aware. Also, when we hold it next year, it will be all that much bigger if we put the commitment behind it. In response to Vice Chairperson Jenkins, Chairman Washam advised that Youth in Government Day is scheduled for Thursday, October 19. B. Unity Day Chairman Washam asked for a volunteeer to head up a committee for Unity Day. 3 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 13, 1995 Ms. Zibelli volunteered to try to get a lot of door prizes and donations. Mr. Lyons asked if Boynton Beach has a sister city and, if so, would the Board like to get them involved in Unity Day. Mrs. Bradley believed our sister City is in Japan. Chairman Washam volunteered to help with donations, prizes, selling tickets, etc. Vice Chairperson Jenkins also volunteered to help. Mrs. Currier volunteered to head up the committee. She will contact all the Board members to let them know when the first meeting of the committee will he held. IX. NEW BUSINESS A. Review article from the Palm Beach Post - August 24, 1995 - Young Riviera Residents Plant Seeds of Renewal An article regarding Adopt-A-Family's Project Grow was attached to the agenda at Ms. Zibelli's request. This program involves the neighborhood children planting flowers and shrubs in their community. Ms. Zibelli felt this project would fit in beautifully for the big expansion in front of the apartments on Seacrest Boulevard. She suggested soliciting donations for this project, and was willing to be the first to donate $25 towards a prize to the child who grows the nicest garden. She advised that this project has proven to be very successful, not only in Riveria Beach, but in several other communities. The members of the Board agreed that this was a good idea. They will bring back their ideas on how to implement this project. Mrs. Bradley said she works with the Adopt-a-Family organization, and they do very positive things throughout the community. Ms. Zibelli suggested that Kevin Hallahan, the Urban Forester, could help with this project. B. Wayne Patrick Mr. Patrick told of an incident that he was involved in on Friday night. He explained 4 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 13, 1995 that he was supposed to appear in court on August 15 with regard to a traffic ticket; however, he had forgotten about it. He was at a seminar and when he returned on Friday, he talked to the bail bondsman, who told him to wait until Monday and he will get him a new court date. On Friday evening, he was standing on the corner of Seacrest and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard where the E-Z Mart is located and the police told him there was a warrant for his arrest. They handicuffed him, but did not put him into the police car. He stood there for about 20 minutes until the drug march came. Mr. Patrick said the police knew the drug march was coming. He said his name has been scandalized in Boynton Beach. Chairman Washam thanked Mr. Patrick for being open and hoped his difficulties pass. He offered the Board's support. He hoped that no matter what happens, that Mr. Patrick will continue with the work he has started. He pointed out that Mr. Patrick has done some very positive things in the City. Lt. Yannuzzi advised that he is investigating this incident. C. The Wrice Process Lt. Yannuzzi distributed copies of an Overview of the Wrice Process, dated September 8. He stated that the Police Department alone has spent over $20,000 on overtime, and equipment and supplies for the Wrice Process. He reminded everyone that the Wrice Process meetings are held on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m at Heritage Park. They will be held at Heritage Park until further notice. The schedule of the remaining marches in September is as follows: Saturday, September 16 Saturday, September 23 Friday, September 29 Everyone will meet at Public Works before the marches begin. He recommended that the members of the community attend the next Wrice Process meeting to select the dates, times, and locations of the marches in October. D. Operation Chain Saw 5 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 13, 1995 Lt. Yannuzzi reported that the large trees near the two residences on the 3000 block of North Seacrest Boulevard have been cut down so that they no longer provide shade to the drug dealers. He advised that this was accomplished thanks to a tremendous amount of local cooperation and Officer Danny Vargas. He also reported that Shop Quick now has a large spotlight in the parking lot. Also, Officers Vargas and Wisniewski, along with the Community Police Officers, helped clean up the Rosemary Scrub. In addition, Utilities will be erecting a fence around the lift station within the next couple of weeks. Mrs. Currier said she heard drugs are hidden in one of the trees in Cherry Hill. Vice Chairperson Jenkins expressed concern about cutting down too many trees in the community. Lt. Yannuzzi advised her that that particular tree is not targeted to be removed at this point. Mr. Patrick inquired about marching during the day. Lt. Yannuzzi advised him that this is a topic that should be discussed at the Wrice Process meetings. He stated if the community as a group decides that this is what they want, the Police Department will be there to provide security and assistance. Mrs. Cruz advised Lt. Yannuzzi that some young people are working on cars on Gateway Boulevard. Lt. Yannuzzi was aware of the situation. He also advised her that in response to her concern at the last meeting, the property at 2140 N.E. 1st Court has been resecured. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Lyons moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:27 p.m. Mrs. Currier seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Eve Eubanks Recording Secretary 6 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 13, 1995 (One Tape) 7