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Minutes 08-12-09 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2009, AT 7:00 PM. IN CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Judy Immer, Vice Chair Belky Cruz (arrived at 7:06 p.rn.) Blanche Hearst-Girtman Joyce Mura Stanley Sorgman Floyd Zonenstein FIeyEl ~ McCoy, Alternate Thelma Lyons, Board Liaison ABSENT: Victor Norfus, Chair Brian Miller Phyllis Stern I. Call Meeting to Order - Pledge of Allegiance Ms. Immer, Acting Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Mr. Zonenstein. II. Roll Call The Recording Secretary called the roll. III. Recognition of Visitors None IV. Approval of Agenda Additions, Deletions, Corrections Acting Chair Immer requested an item entitled "New Regular Board Member" be added under VI. "Announcements, Community and Special Events and Presentations." Motion Mr. McCoy moved to approve the agenda as amended. Mr. Sorgman seconded the motion that passed unanimously. 1 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 12, 2009 V. Approval of Minutes from June 10, 2009 Meeting Minutes Mr. Zonenstein moved to approve the minutes as presented. Ms. Mura seconded the motion that passed unanimously. VI. Announcements, Community and Special Events and Presentations New Regular Board Member Acting Chair Immer announced Mr. Zonenstein was appointed by the City Commission on August 4, 2009 as a regular member of the Community Relations Board. He replaced Paula Melley, who had resigned from the Board. Mr. Zonenstein asserted he would work diligently to promote the Board. Ms. Mura announced certain Board members might be assisting the Fire Department with clerical work at Station #5 after the official opening of the structure. This was currently in the planning stages and had not been finalized. Ms. Cruz announced she would be relocating out of the City and as such, resigned her position on the Board. She expressed her gratitude for having had the opportunity to serve on the Board for more than 19 years and was proud of the Board's accomplishments. The members thanked Ms. Cruz for her years of service to the City. Ms. Hearst-Girtman noted she had undergone surgery and apologized for her absences. She expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to continue her service on the Board. VII. Reports and Updates Pride in Boynton Mr. McCoy noted the area along Seacrest and Martin Luther King Boulevards appeared to be cleaner. He noted that Mr. Norfus had previously suggested engaging the City's youth to clean up areas of the City over the summer months. However, as Mr. Norfus was not in attendance, no further information was available. VIII. Old Business None 2 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 12, 2009 IX. New Business: a.November 11, 2009 Meeting (Veterans Day) – Cancel or Reschedule It was believed the month of November would be an opportune time to discuss the Board's participation in the Holiday Parade. As such, the Board agreed the meeting should be rescheduled. Ms. Lyons would coordinate the schedule with the City Clerk and advise the Board of an available date. b. Set September 9, 2009 Meeting Agenda It was suggested consideration be given to the Board's relevance and purpose. It was believed the Board's intent was to take note of, and attempt to resolve the complaints of residents. Residents, however, voiced their complaints at City Commission meetings, and did not attend meetings of the Community Relations Board. Ms. Lyons suggested members attending City Commission meetings invite the public to attend Community Relations Board meetings. Mr. Zonenstein would be attending the next City Commission meeting and agreed to promote the Board and invite the public to attend the meetings. Ms. Cruz noted the Board had been directly involved with significant projects over the years including the expansion of Gateway Boulevard, improvements to Ocean Avenue and Vision 2020. The members were disheartened and felt they had not recently accomplished much. It was suggested the Community Relations Board attend other advisory board meetings in an effort to achieve recognition. Once recognized, it was believed citizens would be encouraged to reach out and request assistance with neighborhood issues. The Board could then make recommendations to the City Commission. A suggestion was made to communicate with the presidents of the various associations within the Heart of Boynton. These individuals could serve as a source of information relating to the issues of the community. It was proposed invitations be sent to the presidents of all the homeowners' associations in the City, encouraging them to attend Board meetings. Ms. Lyons would provide to the Board a list containing the contact information for the homeowners' association presidents. Prior to inviting the association presidents, an agenda would be developed defining the purpose of the meeting. Board members could also attend the various association meetings to increase awareness and inform the community of the significance of the Community Relations Board. In the past, the Board had "taken the meetings to the people." As the citizens were not attending Board meetings, it was suggested meetings be held in the community, including the Carolyn Sims Center. 3 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 12, 2009 The Board members were pleased with the suggestions proposed and agreed to bring additional ideas to the next meeting, when a full complement of the Board was anticipated. X. Adjournment Motion Mr. Zonenstein moved to adjourn. Ms. Cruz seconded the motion that passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m. ~9- Stephanie D. Kahn Recording Secretary 081908 4