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Minutes 10-11-95 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSIONCHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1995, AT 7:30 P.M. PRESENT Ron Washam, Chairman Wilfred Hawkins, Assistant to the Elizabeth Jenkins, Vice Chair City Manager Fawn Bradley Lt. Chris Yannuzzi, Police Dept. Joy Currier Blanche Girtman Patti Hammer Michael Lyons Wayne Patrick Belky Cruz, Alternate Marie Lengert, Alternate ABSENT Dee Zibelli I. OPENING, PLEDGE, PRAYER Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Mrs. Currier. A moment of silent prayer was observed. II. ROLL CALL The Recording Secretary called the roll. Ms. Girtman and Mr. Patrick were not yet present. III. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Chairman Washam welcomed Commissioner Shirley Jaskiewicz, Lt. Yannuzzi, and Mr. Hawkins to the meeting. Ms. Lengert was happy to have Ms. Hammer on the Board. Mr. Lyons thanked Commissioner Jaskiewicz for attending this meeting at his request. IV. AGENDA APPROVAL Mr. Lyons added Item IX.A (Steering Committee for Boynton's Future). Motion Vice Chairperson Jenkins moved to approve the agenda as amended. Ms. Currier seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. V. MINUTES APPROVAL Mrs. Currier made a correction to the minutes of the September 13, 1995 meeting. Under Item VI.B, she said she welcomed Michelle Constantino back as a volunteer, not as a business person. Motion Mrs. Cruz moved to approve the minutes of the September 13, 1995 meeting as amended. Mrs. Currier seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Ms. Girtman and Mr. Patrick arrived at this time. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Boynton Beach Playground Committee Barbeque Mrs. Bradley announced that on Friday, November 3, 1995, from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m, the Boynton Beach Playground Committee will be sponsoring a barbeque to raise money for the Historical Society and the playground. The barbeque will be held at the 1913 School. Tickets are on sale at City Hall and from the members of the Playground Committee. They cost $10 for adults and $5 for children. B. Senior Center at the Wilson Center Vice Chairperson Jenkins stated that she previously spoke to Mr. Hawkins about the chairs at the Senior Center at Wilson Center. She was happy to report that the chairs are quite comfortable now. However, she stated that the bathrooms and drinking fountains are inconvenient for the handicapped, and asked that this matter be looked into. C. Royal Palm School Legislative Brunch MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOER 11, 1995 Chairman Washam announced that the Royal Palm School is holding a Legislative Brunch on October 24, 1995 at 9:30 a.m. All the legislatures, Federal, State, County, and municipal people have been invited. He said this would be a good opportunity for everyone to question these people on some matters they are concerned about. He asked everyone to let him know if they are going to attend so he can make the necessary arrangements. At this time, Chairman Washam welcomed Mayor Jerry Taylor to the meeting. Ms. Girtman congratulated Mrs. Currier for making the newspaper. There was a nice article in the newspaper about Mrs. Currier's community spirit. Mr. Lyons said his friend, Larry Strength, who has worked with Mrs. Currier in the past, was also mentioned in that article. Mrs. Currier said Mr. Strength is a very important part of our City and gives to all causes. VII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE None. VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Decision '95 Mr. Hawkins reported that the City Commission passed a resolution at the last City Commission meeting designating next week as Government Week. In conjunction with the Florida League of Cities, Governor Chiles also proclaimed next week City Government Week, promoting involvement in City Government. Decision '95--My Vote Counts is part of this effort of partnership between local government and local schools. A packet of information specifically about the City of Boynton Beach has been sent to all the schools participating in Decision '95. Those schools include Congress and Christa McAuliffe Middle Schools, and Atlantic, Santaluces, Lake Worth, and Lake Worth Christian High Schools. The teachers have been asked to teach the curriculum that was sent to them as part of Decision '95, as well as to teach the students about Boynton Beach City Government. 3 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOER 11, 1995 Youth in Government Day is scheduled for October 19, starting at 8:00 a.m. in the Commission Chambers. In the past, the students were taken on many tours of the City's facilities. This year, the tours will be cut back in order to spend more time instructing the students. In the morning, the City Manager and Staff will be instructing the students for 45 minutes. They will be going over the City Charter, talking about the different departments, the Code of Ordinances, and parliamentary procedure. Immediately following that, the students will sit in on the department head meeting. From there they will be shadowing the department heads for an hour or two. The department heads have already submitted their agenda items for the mock Commission meeting. Lunch will be served at the Madsen Center from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. After lunch, the mock Commission meeting agenda will be reviewed with the students. The students will then be dismissed and return to City Hall at 7:00 p.m. for the mock Commission meeting. A press release will be done on Monday regarding City Government Week and the activities planned for Youth in Government Day. This year, a lot more information has been disseminated. The students are going to receive a lot more structured instruction on City Government. It will be a much better learning experience for the students and City. Ms. Girtman asked that the students be informed of the educational requirements for each department head position, and that high educational levels be impressed upon them. Mr. Hawkins advised that the department heads were given a list of ten areas to cover with the students, which includes the qualifications for each position. Education will be stressed, as well as diversity in the workplace to show that females, as well as racial minorities, have an opportunity for high level positions in government. Citizen involvement, the voting process, and the importance of being an involved, active voter will also be discussed. Chairman Washam advised that he addressed the Education Advisory Board at their September meeting regarding Youth in Government Day and about how they can participate. He was grateful that this Board voted to expand Youth in Government Day. He was also grateful to Anne Centi and the Education Advisory Board for their help, and to Vice Mayor Matthew Bradley for bringing Decision '95 to his attention. He urged the members of the Board to attend Youth in Government Day. 4 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOER 11, 1995 B. Unity Day Committee Update Mrs. Currier is working on this matter and will update the Board in November. Chairman Washam advised that he solicited some businesses and was promised donations. Commissioner Jaskiewicz previously submitted a list of the people who have contributed toward Unity Day in the past. She suggested writing to them first and then following up with a phone call, if necessary. IX. NEW BUSINESS A. Steering Committee for Boynton's Future Mr. Lyons said he knows 12 of the 17 people who were chosen to serve on the Steering Committee, and they are very committed to the City of Boynton Beach. However, he was disheartened that a member of the Community Relations Board was not selected to be on the Steering Committee. He felt the Community Relations Board has the pulse of the people of the City. He felt there must be representation from the Community Relations Board on the Steering Committee because the members of the Community Relations Board put in a lot of time towards the City. He did not feel that it is appropriate to leave a representative from this Board off the Steering Committee. He felt that without the Community Relations Board's direct participation, it will not succeed as well as it could. Ms. Girtman apologized for being late this evening, but she had another meeting to attend. She said the Community Relations Board is one of the oldest boards in Boynton Beach, and some of its members have served the City for almost 20 years. She stated that the members of the Community Relations Board carry the City in their hearts, minds, and bodies. She felt it was gross neglect or an oversight that somebody from the Community Relations Board was not put on the Steering Committee. 5 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOER 11, 1995 Ms. Hammer advised that she submitted her application to be chosen as one of the 100 people who are going to be selected to participate in the visioning conference. Mayor Taylor said he would be extremely surprised if quite a few of the members of this Board are not at the visioning conference. He stated that we need 100 people from the community who can take two and a half days out of their schedule to participate in the visioning process. He explained that the City hired someone from FAU who has done about 20 of these visioning processes. He said the Steering Committee must consist of a balance of people from five or six categories, including business people, homeowner association people, minorities, etc. This is not a City project. This process must not involve politicals or the Chamber of Commerce. Each Commissioner was asked to submit the names of people to fit into the six categories. Mayor Taylor advised that none of the people he nominated were picked to be on the Steering Committee. Ms. Girtman felt a member of this Board should be represented on the Steering Committee, not at the visioning conference only because this Board contains almost every walk of life. Mayor Taylor pointed out that the Steering Committee is made up of only 15 people. He felt there is a tremendous mixture on the Steering Committee. In fact, there are new faces on the Steering Committee, which he felt were needed. Mr. Lyons felt it was odd that a member of the Community Relations Board is not on the Steering Committee, since it is supposed to be from the community and for the community. Chairman Washam expressed an interest in participating in the visioning conference. Mrs. Bradley pointed out that the Steering Committee is not the entire visioning committee. The 15 people on the Steering Committee are not the ones who are going to be making the decisions. The decisions will be made by the 100 people at the visioning conference. Mayor Taylor said the Steering Committee will hold about eight workshops to select the 100 people to participate in the visioning conference. He advised the members of this Board to call him if they are interested in participating in the visioning conference, and he will submit their names. B. Update - Lt. Chris Yannuzzi - Police Department Chairman Washam stated that his neighborhood has vastly improved due to all the 6 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOER 11, 1995 work that the Police Department has done. Lt. Yannuzzi advised that some good press was received last week with regard to Operation Chainsaw. With regard to the Wrice Process, Lt. Yannuzzi advised that the next three marches will be as follows: Friday, October 13 - 7:00 p.m. Saturday, October 21 - 7:00 p.m. Saturday, October 28 - 7:00 p.m. The weekly Monday night meetings continue to be held at Heritage Park at 7:00 p.m. There was no march this past weekend because many of the participants from Pompano Beach went to Columbus, Georgia for the National Anti-Drug Fighters Reunion that is held annually. Lt. Yannuzzi announced that the Red Ribbon Committee is part of the partnership for a drug free community and is associated with the United Way. The Red Ribbon concept was developed shortly after the torture and murder of a DEA Agent in 1985 in Mexico to honor anti-drug activities. This week, the City was selected as a Red Ribbon Award Winner for the Wrice Process. That award will be presented on Friday, October 27, 1995, at a drug seminar that will be held in West Palm Beach. Lt. Yannuzzi advised the Board that the United Way facility has several different size rooms available to the public. He mentioned this in case the Board ever needs a place to hold a meeting and the Commission Chambers is not conducive to its needs. Lt. Yannuzzi reported that several vehicles were cited at 230 N.E. 22nd Avenue, where there is allegedly a garage being conducted out of that residence. One vehicle was scheduled to be removed by tow truck the week of October 1. He saw another vehicle tagged within the past three days, a small grey compact car, that was parked on the roadway. Code Enforcement already had this information and were already working on it by the time he got to it. Mrs. Cruz lives in this area and thanked Lt. Yannuzzi. With regard to the issue raised by Mr. Patrick at the last meeting pertaining to an arrest 7 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOER 11, 1995 that took place on September 8, Lt. Yannuzzi advised that an extensive review was conducted. The entire length of time that the officers had contact with Mr. Patrick, based on radio transmissions from the master tapes in Dispatch, was ten minutes. He believed Mr. Patrick indicated that he was held for 20 minutes or more. During three or four minutes of those ten minutes, Mr. Patrick was not even in handcuffs yet. The warrant that he was arrested on was valid. It was a totally legitimate arrest, and it was coincidental that the marchers were heading into the area at that time. Lt. Yannuzzi said he had spoken to Mr. Patrick, as well as Lena Rehming, and hopefuly this matter has been placed to rest. Mrs. Currier advised that the area of S.W. 4th Avenue by I-95 has not been mowed in six months. Ms. Girtman inquired about the FOP Boynton Beach Booster stickers and other law enforcement agencies that are soliciting funds. Lt. Yannuzzi advised that the FOP solicits by mail only, and mailings should take place by the end of this week or next week. He advised that some agenices may be legitimate, and some may not. Some may assist locally, and some may not. The FOP and the Palm Beach County Policemen's Benevolent Association are associated with the Boynton Beach Police Department. Any other entity may have a slight affiliation with the City, or they may not give any money to the City at all. They could be County or State organizations. Mrs. Cruz noticed an increase in police patrol in her area. Lt. Yannuzzi was happy to hear that. He said we have been directing the bicycle unit into designated areas. They have been taking care of a lot of problems. The bicycle unit should grow by three officers by the first week in November, for a total of ten officers. Commissioner Jaskiewicz asked to address the Board. She felt one of the major objectives of the Community Relations Board is the health and safety of our residents. The most negative impact on that objective is the drug trade, which has affected everyone in the City. She encouraged the Board to give their wholehearted support to the Wrice Process. It is definitely making a difference. She stated that if you get involved in the Wrice Process, you will appreciate our Police Department 100 percent more. You will see what they have to contend with. She felt this is a wonderful project for this Board to get involved in. She referred to the Steering Committee and stated that this is what we tried to 8 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOER 11, 1995 accomplish with Unity Day. It involved every faction of the City. Unfortunately, only so many people can be involved. She said the major goal of Unity Day is to bring the entire City together. She stated that the members of the Steering Committee were not chosen by the City Commission. Chairman Washam thanked Commissioner Jaskiewicz for attending the meeting. At Chairman Washam's request, Ms. Hammer introduced herself. She advised that she wanted to be a member of this Board because she wants to serve the community, and felt she can be an asset. Chairman Washam wished her a good tenure. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, Ms. Girtman moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Mrs. Currier seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Eve Eubanks Recording Secretary (One Tape) 9