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Minutes 04-01-09 MINUTES OF THE YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROJECT MEETING HELD ON APRIL 1, 2009, 5:30 P.M. AT THE CAROLYN SIMS CENTER, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Jose Rodriguez, Chair Stacey Robinson, Director, Youth Violence Prevention Project Buck Buchanan, Boynton Chamber of Commerce Sgt. Suzanne Gitto, Boynton Beach Police Department Lt. Kelly Harris, Boynton Beach Police Department Nate Nichols, Deputy Director, Palm Beach Children's Service Council (arrived at 5:55 p.m.) Kathleen Perry, Palm Beach County School District Vinola Rada ABSENT: Vickie Henderson, Teen Project Specialist Jim Kidd, South Tech Academy Erin McClosky/Robin Johnson, Palm Beach Community College Carly Norsesian, Membership Development, YMCA Laura Elena Santos I. Welcome and Opening Comments – Jose Rodriguez, Chairman Chair Rodriguez welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. II. Roll Call The Recording Secretary called the roll. III. Introduction of Guests None IV. Approval and/or additions to the agenda Ms. Robinson requested the date of March 11, 2009 pertaining to minutes be added to Item V. Motion Mr. Buchanan moved to approve the agenda as amended. Ms. Perry seconded the motion that passed unanimously. 1 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, Florida April 1, 2009 V. Approval and/or additions to the minutes of Wednesday, November 6, 2009 (There were no minutes for March 11, 2009, as a quorum was not been present.) Motion Mr. Robinson moved to approve the minutes as typed. Lt. Harris seconded the motion that passed unanimously. VI. Chairman's Comments Chair Rodriguez commented on the City's annual appreciation dinner for Advisory Board members. Upon his suggestion, the Youth Violence Prevention Project Board members would be participating in the dinner scheduled for May 7, 2009. VII. Old Business Ms. Robinson noted the Boy Scouts had undergone organizational changes and as a result of budget cuts, staff monitoring the non-traditional scouting programs had been laid off. The Boy Scouts withdrew their agreement, and staff at the Center had assumed responsibility for the program. Funds had been reallocated from "Awards/Grants" into "Payment to Non-Affiliated Organizations" in order to continue the programs. Ms. Perry commended everyone involved in the recognition luncheon of February 28, 2009 honoring the participants in the Angela Williams "Girls and their Pearls" program. Approximately 50 people had attended, including family members, to celebrate the girls' graduation. Brenda Oakes, of the Criminal Justice Commission, had attended as well. VIII. New Business A.Summer Programming – Stacey Robinson Eight youngsters and three chaperones were currently on a college tour trip and would be returning on Saturday. Participating students included seniors, juniors, a sophomore and an eighth-grader. Ms. Perry had been putting together a college tour presentation which would include middle-school students, and would provide a similar presentation for the Board. A mission trip scheduled for the second week in July was still in the planning stages. The "Girls and their Pearls" program would continue, and the "Hooked on Fishing" program was expected to be well attended, with additional boating trips planned. 2 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, Florida April 1, 2009 Ms. Robinson had been in contact with Joe Eisenberg in New York, who had agreed to come to Florida, at his own expense, to work with the Boynton Beach Police Department during the summer months. Mr. Eisenberg and members of the Police Department would be working with students from Boynton Beach High School in a nationwide initiative designed to bridge the gap between police and youth. The specifics would be finalized and presented to Chief Immler and Lt. Harris. Keith Oswald, Principal of Boynton Beach High School, would be participating as well, identifying youths in the area to be included in the program. Ms. Robinson recently met with 10 clergymen from Boynton Beach who would be working with youth groups at the Center and participating in back-to-school-programs. In an effort to increase awareness of the Center's programs, Ms. Robinson had been speaking with Homeowners' Associations, the Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce. She noted citizens in West Boynton who were not able to visit the Center had volunteered their time, requesting donations from organizations such as Nike and Pepsi. In order to be eligible to participate in special events and trips, mandatory summer tutoring would be required for students receiving a "C" or below. Ms. Robinson reported she had taken youngsters on a ski outing to Wisp Mountain in McHenry, Maryland. Sgt. Gitto had served as a chaperone. Chair Rodriguez announced, at the request of a member of the Criminal Justice Commission, he would be appearing in a public service announcement for the Youth Empowerment Center. Ms. Robinson noted the service provider for the audio-visual program would be providing students the opportunity to videotape riders at the summer horse shows. This would not only provide on-the-job training, but the students would be paid for the DVD they produced as well. Ms. Robinson had been working with Michael Low of the City's Utilities Operation. Mr. Low had been volunteering for the Center's Employment Skills program and had been instrumental in providing internships for five or six students, aged 16-18, to work in Utilities this summer. As part of an alternative sanction program, Riviera Beach's Judge Alvarez had ordered a young man to perform community service hours at Boynton Beach's Youth Empowerment Center. Ms. Robinson noted applications had been received for the Explorer Program and Teen Police Academy. Chair Rodriguez would contact Sheriff Bradshaw to determine whether tours of County jails were permitted. 3 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, Florida April 1, 2009 B.2008-2009 Budget – Sgt. Suzanne Gitto The proposed budget for the year ending September 30, 2009 had been included with the meeting materials. Sgt. Gitto noted a determination had been made to move $30,000 from "Grants/Awards" into "Payment to Non-Affiliated Organizations" to fund the following: ?"Take a Knee for Character" and "Skills for Life" programs previously offered by the Boy Scouts; and ?The "Gang Resistance Training" program with the Police Department. As noted earlier, The Boy Scouts had withdrawn their agreement as a result of budget cuts. The Gang Resistance Training Program would still be offered, but would be facilitated through an independent contractor. The "Skills for Life" and "Take a Knee for Character" programs would be monitored by staff at the Center, and payments would be made directly to the facilitators. It would be necessary to hire and train someone for the "Skills for Life" program. While the Center shared service providers with other centers, many of the providers were employed full time and were only available on certain evenings. Ms. Robinson ensured fees paid to service providers were reasonable, and credentials were considered. It was noted the Boynton Beach Youth Empowerment Center was currently recognized for providing top-notch programs and for holding its providers accountable. Motion Mr. Buchanan moved to approve. Ms. Perry seconded the motion that passed unanimously. In response to her inquiry, Ms. Perry was advised staff had looked into participating in the "Digital Divide" program with Palm Beach County to provide internet and wireless access to the youngsters at the Center. The free program also provided training for youngsters to repair and upgrade computers taken out of service. The Center currently provided internet access. While WiFi wireless service had been requested, it had not as yet been connected. Lt. Harris would follow up with Tech Services to determine the cause of the delay. It was noted Commissioner Hay was involved in the training program with the School Board, and it would be determined whether he should be contacted. 4 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, Florida April 1, 2009 IX. Member Comments Chair Rodriguez noted since the inception of the Board, there had been no re-elections. As such, he had continued to serve as the Chair, and Ms. Perry as the Vice Chair. He inquired whether there was any interest in holding a re-election on a future agenda. Motion Ms. Rada moved to keep things as they are. Mr. Nichols seconded the motion that passed unanimously. Chair Rodriguez thanked the Board. Mr. Buchanan commended all for their excellent work on the budget. Mr. Nichols had recently discussed the Youth Violence Prevention Project at a County Commission meeting, and he hoped the Board and County Commission would continue working together. Ms. Rada commended Ms. Robinson for doing an excellent job. Ms. Robinson emphasized the importance of monitoring the funds and the programs, and to ensure that deserving youngsters participated in the programs. Ms. Perry commented on the caring and concern for the youngsters exhibited by the members. She questioned the sustainability of funding and suggested other sources be explored. Chair Rodriguez commended Ms. Robinson on her tenacity and interest in the City's youth. He opined the work performed by the Board would be continuous and funding would remain a challenge. It was his hope the County Commission would continue to at least fund the centers that had been successful. It was suggested a copy of the minutes of the Youth Violence Prevention Project be provided by Chair Rodriguez to Chair Koons at the County Commission. The minutes would reflect the configuration of the Board, content of the work, and manner in which County funds were utilized. Thereafter, it could be determined whether it was appropriate to provide the minutes to all of the County Commissioners on a regular basis. Chair Rodriguez agreed, and there were no objections from the Board. 5 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, Florida April 1, 2009 x. Guest Comments None Adjournment Mr. Buchanan moved to adjourn. Mr. Nichols seconded the motion that passed unanimously. ~~D- Stephanie D. Kahn Recording Secretary 40609 6