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Minutes 10-06-08 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2008, AT 7:00 P.M. IN CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Brian Miller, Chair Thelma Lyons, Crime Prevention Liaison Victor Norfus, Vice Chair Belky Cruz Paula Melley Joyce Mura Stanley Sorgman Phyllis Stern Judy Immer, Alternate ABSENT: Blanche Hearst-Girtman I. Call Meeting to Order – Pledge of Allegiance Chair Miller called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Ms. Lyons led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, and the members observed a moment of silence. II. Roll Call The Recording Secretary called the roll and determined a quorum was present. III. Recognition of Visitors None IV. Approval of Agenda Motion Ms. Mura moved to approve the agenda as presented. Mr. Sorgman seconded the motion that passed unanimously. V. Approval of Minutes from September 10, 2008 Meeting Motion Mr. Sorgman moved to approve the minutes as written. Ms. Stern seconded the motion that passed unanimously. Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 6, 2008 VI. Announcements: Neighborhood Leaders’ Networking Summit: What: Free Community Website When: Thursday, October 16, 2008 Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Where: City Hall, Commission Chambers Chair Miller extended a welcome-back to Ms. Lyons. Ms. Lyons distributed a flyer and announced Neighborhood Services would be sponsoring its annual summit. Refreshments would be served, and a presentation would be provided by Police Officer Huntington with regard to a free website and intranet system. The system was designed to link communities together, and would provide an opportunity for the Community Relations Board to have its own website. Ms. Lyons urged everyone to attend, and pointed out volunteers were needed. Mr. Norfus announced Ms. Hearst-Girtman had been hospitalized and could not attend the meeting. He added she did not wish to be removed from the board. Ms. Stern would send a card on behalf of the Board. VII. Reports/Updates: Pride in Boynton Update a)Heart of Boynton and Federal Highway Trash Receptacles – Brian Miller Since the last meeting, Chair Miller and Public Works staff had placed 16 trash receptacles throughout the Heart of Boynton. Prior to the meeting, Chair Miller checked the locations, and one receptacle was missing. He would follow through to determine what happened. Chair Miller was encouraged, as he observed the receptacles were being utilized. It was believed some members of the Inlet Cove Association (INCA) had not been pleased with the appearance of the receptacles. However, it was not known whether this factor had any bearing on the disappearance of the receptacles. Chair Miller indicated the receptacles would have decals. It was noted funding for the receptacles was provided by the CRA. Chair Miller reported homes located in the Heart of Boynton which were to be torn down more than a year ago had finally been demolished, greatly enhancing the appearance of the area and providing a good deal of open space. Most of the homes demolished were behind the Carolyn Sims Center and extended into Poinciana Heights. It was anticipated the demolished homes would be replaced by individual, single-family homes. Another group of homes located off the corner of MLK and Seacrest Boulevards 2 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 6, 2008 would be the next to be demolished. Three new homes had been completed on Seacrest Boulevard and had been purchased. The contractor for these homes was currently under contract with the CRA to build an additional seven homes. The enhancement of Poinciana and the Heart of Boynton would prove beneficial to the City and its citizens. VIII. Old Business: a)Board Discussion: Boynton Beach Community High School Volunteer Program Chair Miller reported Commissioner Hay would be serving as Pastor for the High School football team at all home games. The arrangement had been agreed upon by Commissioner Hay, the football coach, and the school principal. Commissioner Ross had met with the principal as well. Chair Miller noted members of the Board had offered to volunteer their services at the schools, and this would be explored further. b)American Assembly Subcommittee “Road Show” – Joyce Mura Ms. Mura referred to the minutes of the last meeting pertaining to the American Assembly and the City Commission’s recommendation for the Community Relations Board to develop a “Road Show.” She pointed out it was not the Community Relations Board, but rather a Community Relations Team was recommended to be established and create a Road Show. Additionally, she contended the Road Show for the Community Relations Team had not yet been approved by the City Commission. Chair Miller disagreed, noting the Commission approved the recommendations of the American Assembly which included Item 26, the establishment of a Community Relations Team and creation of a Road Show. It was noted the recommendation had been referred to the Community Relations Board for development. Ms. Lyons commented the Community Relations Subcommittee had its own appointed Board and operated through Ms. LeJeune. To that end, Ms. Lyons noted she would obtain a letter from Ms. LeJeune for submission to the Board. Ms. Mura read from minutes of the July 30, 2007 American Assembly meeting regarding the Community Relations Road Show. It was noted in the minutes that the subcommittee proposed the Community Relations Team, not the Community Relations Board, hold meetings in specific communities. Ms. Mura contended the Community Relations Board could only conduct meetings at City facilities. Ms. Lyons asserted the meetings were only required to be open to the public and recorded. 3 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 6, 2008 Chair Miller suggested this issue be continued at the next meeting, as there appeared to be a difference of opinions. The Board agreed. In the interim, Chair Miller would look into the matter. Ms. Stern noted her success in developing a library at the Boynton Beach Community High School. She secured a large selection of books from various sources to be donated. Ms. Pell, of the High School, noted the students had expressed an interest in mysteries and magazines. Ms. Stern looked forward to providing additional books and magazines in the future. Ms. Stern thanked the Board for agreeing to change the date of the October meeting. Ms. Mura suggested the Board consult a calendar to determine whether any religious holidays would coincide with a Board meeting. In this manner, the meeting could be rescheduled earlier, rather than the month before a meeting. Ms. Melley advised she wished to volunteer her time to assist at school plantings. Chair Miller would ascertain the date of Poinciana's first garden club meeting and communicate the information to Ms. Melley. Mr. Norfus reported he attended a meeting of the Historical Society of Boynton Beach, and found the meeting to be very informative. He pointed out he attended the meeting as a citizen, and not as a member of the Board. Mr. Norfus noted he had been working with the Voters' League of Palm Beach County, which previously held two candidate forums and would be holding a third on Monday at Palm Beach City Hall. The League was non-partisan and encouraged citizens to vote and be politically responsible. IX. New Business: None X. Adjournment Motion Ms. Cruz moved to adjourn. Mr. Sorgman seconded the motion that passed unanimf_USIY~ . DJ . r),-: -'C~~~~_~/_ L c.~~J Stephanie D. Kahn Recording Secretary 102308 4