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Minutes 05-28-09 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2009, AT 7:00 P.M. IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Stephen Waldman, Chair Sherri Claude, Board Liaison Mary Morera, Vice Chair Paulette Ford Carol Lundquist Loretta Wilkinson Robert Chiste, Student-Regular Voting member Jose M. De la Torre, III, Alternate ABSENT: Hattie Miller Lisa Pierre I. Call to Order Chair Waldman called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silent Reflection The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, followed by a moment of silent reflection for our men and women in the Armed Forces. III. Approval of Minutes of April 23, 2009 Motion Mr. Chiste moved to approve the minutes as written. Ms. Lundquist seconded the motion that passed unanimously. IV. Approval of Agenda Motion Ms. Wilkinson moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Chiste seconded the motion that passed unanimously. V. Announcements Chair Waldman announced he received a note from Jeanne Heavilin, President of the 1 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 28, 2009 Sister Cities organization, thanking the Board for its assistance with the International Young Artists' Showcase. Chair Waldman thanked Ms. Claude as well. Ms. Claude announced a check for $400 had been received from the American Legion, Post 164, and a thank-you letter had been sent on the Board's behalf. Chair Waldman noted Bob Borovy had been involved with the American Legion, and the Legion had been contributing to the Borovy Award over the years. VI. Public Audience rd William Orlove, 2459 SW 23 Cranbrook Drive, noted he was appearing before the Board as Vice Chair of the Recreation and Parks Board. The Board had been working with staff for several years on a barrier-free park located on Congress Avenue, between the tennis courts and WXEL. The project was currently in jeopardy of being postponed as a result of the City's financial difficulties. The members of the Recreation and Parks Board had been directed by the City Commission to create a priority list of the projects in the City, and this would be addressed at the Recreation and Parks Board meeting on June 22, 2009. Mr. Orlove believed the barrier-free park would be either the first or second item of importance on the priority list. The Recreation and Parks Board believed it was essential for the barrier-free park to move forward, as it would become one of the "jewels" of the City's parks and facilities. The item had been discussed by the Board for the past six years. The barrier-free park would be constructed in phases. The first phase would encompass the main park area and playground equipment. A recreation building providing therapeutic amenities and a respite from the sun and the elements would be included in the second phase. The park would be totally barrier-free and accessible to every age, ability and disability. The City had already allocated money for the project, and grants had been awarded. Mr. Orlove noted the Recreation and Parks Board sought the support of the Education and Youth Advisory Board for the project. Chair Waldman inquired whether the grant money received would be lost if it were not utilized for the project. Mr. Orlove believed nearly $1 million had been provided in grant funds, while the City had allocated $1 million from its Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) funds. The plans for the project had been completed, and staff had hoped to break ground this month. Ms. Claude believed grants funds of approximately $500,000 had been received from three State sources, and it was her understanding the funds would not be appropriated in the State's budget for next year. 2 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 28, 2009 The importance of the park was noted, as it would also provide educational components, sensory integration and texture for visually-impaired people. The project was shovel-ready and should not be put on hold. Mr. Orlove emphasized no other park in the County could compare to the barrier-free park. The topography of the land was such that an autistic child or a child with Asperger's Syndrome would be able to utilize the park regardless of his or her abilities or disabilities. When asked what type of support he sought, Mr. Orlove responded it would be helpful for a letter to be provided by the Board to the City Manager, with copies to Ms. Rivers and Mr. Majors. The Board was in agreement and, in addition to the letter, it was suggested the members attend a Commission meeting in support of the project. Chair Waldman also suggested the Board adopt a resolution supporting the project. Motion Ms. Lundquist moved that the Board have a resolution supporting the barrier-free park and in doing so, a letter be sent from the Education and Youth Advisory Board to the requisite individuals in the City. Ms. Ford seconded the motion that passed unanimously. Several Board members agreed to attend the budget workshops in July. Mr. Orlove expressed his gratitude for the Board's support. VII. New Business A.Annual Board Election Ms. Ford nominated Mr. Waldman to serve as Chair. Ms. Lundquist seconded the motion. Mr. Waldman indicated his willingness to serve. There were no other nominations, and Mr. Waldman was unanimously elected Chair. Mr. Chiste nominated Ms. Morera to serve as Vice Chair. Ms. Ford seconded the nomination. Ms. Morera indicated her willingness to serve. There were no other nominations, and Ms. Morera was unanimously elected Vice Chair. B. Poinciana Tour Report Chair Waldman and Ms. Morera had taken a tour of Poinciana Elementary School, and both agreed it had been a rewarding experience. Ms. Morera noted she was impressed with the programs offered and, in particular, the Science Department. Experiments 3 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 28, 2009 were ongoing within the Science room, and the students were being taught to program Lego robots. Ms. Morera was also impressed with the Planetarium, where kindergarten students were outfitted in National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) spacesuits while jogging on a treadmill to simulate jogging in space. Chair Waldman added the students painted the walls of the School in the "Impressionist" style, and he commended the teachers for allowing the students the freedom and flexibility to utilize their artistic talents in this manner. The students created models of the Wright Brothers' airplane and the British "Sopwith Camel" aircraft, both of which were displayed in the cafeteria. County Commissioner Shelley Vana joined Chair Waldman and Ms. Morera on the tour, and Chair Waldman believed Commissioner Vana would contribute in some manner to the School. Chair Waldman would be meeting with County Commissioner Steve Abrams to determine whether the Commissioner would tour the School in the fall and to discuss the Education and Youth Advisory Board. Chair Waldman would be contacting Senator Nelson as well. The question was raised as to the action taken by the Board regarding the "Odyssey of the Mind" project. Chair Waldman advised the Board had voted to provide $220 to the "Odyssey of the Mind" project and $200 to the "FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League." Chair Waldman had received a telephone call from County Commissioner Vana's office, and it appeared the Commissioner would be contributing $2,000 to the School for aftercare programs. Chair Waldman had left a message at the office of Gloria Gibson, Aftercare Director at Poinciana, in order to provide the Commissioner's telephone number. Ms. Ford offered to relay the information to Ms. Gibson, as her daughter was a student at Poinciana. VIII. Old Business A. Contribution of Boynton Beach Community High School Theatre Department Chair Waldman noted the individual in charge of the Theatre Department sought funding from the Board for next year's programs. Chair Waldman believed the funds would be used for costumes. The Board had previously purchased an advertisement in the Theatre's playbill. With the consent of the Board, Chair Waldman wished to assist by making a financial contribution. Comments from the Board were requested. It was commented Poinciana school officials had provided a breakdown of the School's financial needs, and as such, the Board was able to arrive at a reasonable amount to contribute. It was suggested the Theatre Department provide similar information. Chair Waldman articulated the individual with whom he spoke felt it would be "helpful" 4 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 28, 2009 if the Board could contribute $500. Chair Waldman indicated a contribution of $100 or $200 might be feasible. A suggestion was made to offer a one-time pledge to advertise in all of the Theatre Department's playbills, which the Board believed was worthwhile. It was suggested a generic form be created and provided to organizations requesting assistance. The form could include the organization's needs and the funding sought. The Board concurred, and Ms. Claude would draft the form. Chair Waldman would communicate with his contact at the Theatre Department to obtain the necessary information, and the issue of the contribution would be revisited at the next meeting. B.Youth Volunteer Bank In an effort to continue the Youth Volunteer Bank, Chair Waldman had communicated with the Principal of Galaxy Elementary School, indicating a Board member would be visiting the School in September to promote the Volunteer Bank with the students. Chair Waldman offered to work with the High School, Ms. Ford agreed to be the point person for Poinciana and Ms. Lundquist offered to assist at Galaxy. Chair Waldman would also assist Ms. Ford and Ms. Lundquist in encouraging the students' participation. C.Fundraising Chair Waldman noted Vice Mayor Hay had indicated at the recent Advisory Board dinner he would contribute $1,000 from his Community Investment Funds. It was hoped this item would be placed on the City Commission agenda in the very near future. IX. Future Meeting Dates: June 25, 2009 July 23, 2009 Ms. Wilkinson announced she would not be attending the next Board meeting, as she would be out of town. It was noted Workforce Alliance would be relocating from the Boynton and Delray areas to the Glades. It was questioned whether the Board could offer any suggestions on how to connect with underprivileged youths, 18-24 years of age, who might be in search of summer employment. Suggestions included posting flyers, and checking with houses of worship, the Sims Center, WXEL and the City's Police and Fire Departments. 5 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 28, 2009 x. Adjournment Motion Ms. Lundquist moved to adjourn. Mr. Chiste seconded the motion that passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m. ~~ Stephanie D. Kahn Recording Secretary 060409 6