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Minutes 09-02-09 MINUTES OF THE YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROJECT MEETING HELD ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2009, AT 5:30 P.M. AT THE CAROLYN SIMS CENTER, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Jose Rodriguez, Chair (arrived at 5:37 p.m.) 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 Vickie Henderson, Teen Project Specialist Jim Kidd, South Tech Academy Nate Nichols, Deputy Director, Palm Beach Children's Service Council (arrived at 5:38 p.m.) ABSENT: Erin McClosky/Robin Johnson, Palm Beach Community College Carly Norsesian, Membership Development, YMCA Kathleen Perry, Palm Beach County School District Vinola Rada Laura Elena Santos I. Welcome and Opening Comments – Jose Rodriguez, Chairman Ms. Robinson welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. II. Roll Call The Recording Secretary called the roll. III. Introduction of Guests None IV. Approval and/or additions to the agenda Motion Sgt. Gitto moved to approve the agenda as written. Ms. Robinson seconded the motion that passed unanimously. V. Approval and/or additions to the minutes As there had been no recent meetings, there were no minutes to approve. 1 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, Florida September 2, 2009 VI. Chairman's Comments None VII. Old Business None VIII. New Business A. Update on Teen Council – Vickie Henderson Ms. Robinson noted the Teen Council had not met over the last few months, as Ms. Henderson had been ill. As such, a report would be presented at the next meeting. Students had consistently participated at the Center and new students would be invited to join the Teen Council. The students would also be participating in community service opportunities available over the next year. B. Graffiti Art Project – Stacey Robinson Ms. Robinson advised it had been the intent to decorate the racquetball court in the vicinity of MLK and Seacrest Boulevards. She had been attempting to work with Art in Public Places (AIPP) to enlist youthful taggers in the area to work with local, professional graffiti artists to create a mural for the wall. Target Stores would have helped with the landscaping. An in-kind contribution of $1,000 from the City was necessary in order for the County to approve the funding for the program. As the in- kind contribution had not been forthcoming from the City, it appeared the project would not move forward. Chair Rodriguez would determine whether he would be able to contribute $500 from his Community Investment Funds. It would also be determined whether monies could be received from the forfeiture fund. If the appropriate funding was secured and the project were to move forward, Ms. Robinson would work diligently st to ensure the artists were engaged by October 1. Motion Mr. Kidd moved to approve the project contingent upon receiving the in-kinds funds. Mr. Nichols seconded the motion that passed unanimously. C.Update on Van Purchase with CRA – Jose Rodriguez The CRA wished to assist the YVPP, utilizing unallocated budget funds. Ms. Robinson had advised the CRA of the YVPP's need for its own transportation. Once the CRA's 2 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, Florida September 2, 2009 budget was approved, a determination would be made as to the allocation of the funds. If possible, the CRA would fund the van, coordinating efforts with the City through Steve Weiser, Fleet Manager. Chair Rodriguez and the Police Chief had discussed the issue and agreed $25,000 for the YMCA van was excessive. While the YVPP had at times utilized the Police Athletic League (PAL) and Explorers' van, there were a number of occasions on which the van was unavailable. Chair Rodriguez would follow up on the matter. D. 2009-2010 Budget Approval – Stacey Robinson Ms. Robinson noted funding in the amount of $279,900 had been received from the Byrne Grant which emanated from the Criminal Justice Commission's desire for the program to continue. The students in the program consistently attended programs at Youth Empowerment Centers in Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, Riviera and Lake Worth. Belle Glade's youth empowerment center had recently become operational. Students who had offended in the past were not offending while participating in the programs. Rather, they were building relationships, attending classes and improving in school. For the past three months, the YVPP had been working directly with an alternative sanctions program through Judge Alvarez and the juvenile court system. Ten students had been referred to the Youth Empowerment Center, eight of whom had participated in the Center's activities and three of whom continue to attend regularly. The majority of the students were from Boynton Beach or the County. Students visiting the Center from other areas benefited from the program as well. Of the youngsters participating in the employment skills class, art of filmmaking, dance class and utilities internship programs, only a 3% rate of recidivism existed. While last year's budget amounted to $285,000, this year's budget had been cut to $279,900. The service providers would suffer a cut to their budget as well. Awards and grants totaled $86,000. Ms. Robinson was not prepared at this time to make a recommendation as to the providers to be funded next year. She would be meeting with the providers during the month to resolve outstanding issues and would be in a better position to make a recommendation at the next meeting. The Teen Council was not offering any recommendations at this time, but this could change after meeting with the service providers. Sgt. Gitto noted the fiscal year had been incorrectly set forth in several places in the budget materials. The correct fiscal year was October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010. The figures were accurate. In an effort to conserve funds, stipends would be provided to Ms. Robinson and Ms. Henderson for telephones. The amount of the stipend would equal the City's rate paid to police officers (approximately $30). Nextel costs were approximately $250 a month. 3 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, Florida September 2, 2009 Ms. Robinson and Ms. Henderson would turn in their phones and Blackberries. A second air card would be necessary for laptops at a cost of $50 per month. Lt. Harris and Sgt. Gitto would explore the costs of wireless service. Wi-Fi cards would be needed for five workstations at a total estimated cost of $85 per month. Motion Mr. Nichols moved to approve the budget with the modifications to the dates. Mr. Buchanan seconded the motion. Ms. Robinson pointed out the budget could be amended at a later date if necessary. She noted that "awards and grants" had decreased because of the reduction in the overall grant amount. Some of the funds from "awards and grants" had been reallocated into "payment to non-affiliated organizations" in order to facilitate payment of the twice-yearly programs. The non-affiliated organizations were outcome-measured and funding for trips had been allocated from this category as well. Expenditures exceeding $300 required a budget necessitating County approval. Chair Rodriguez questioned the $5,500 expenditure for printing and supplies. The Board did not feel the cost was out of line. Ms. Robinson pointed out printing and publication costs alone amounted to $2,000 which included four flyers per year and a new brochure. Costs would be incurred to advertise the programs. The cost to provide tee-shirts amounted to $900, and new fees would be incurred for additional tee-shirts and updated brochures to reflect the new service providers. All brochures were distributed immediately. The budget was evaluated regularly to determine what had been spent and what funds would be needed. Allocations were made if necessary. The motion passed unanimously. E.2009-2010 Program Approval – Stacey Robinson Ms. Robinson requested the Board consider a proposal for "Youth and Police Initiative: Train-the-Trainer," a national program that had significantly impacted high-crime areas. One of the trainers was from Boynton Beach and as such was familiar with many of the challenges encountered by the community. The program was outcome-measured, provided practical solutions to challenging situations, reduced crime and brought at-risk youth together with police officers to build relationships and develop new levels of communication. The program, which had been established 15 or 20 years ago, was managed by experienced, nationally-recognized police officers, and agencies from New York to California had been participating. The program had been presented to the County and was approved for the YVPP, provided the funding was authorized by the 4 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, Florida September 2, 2009 Executive Board. The Criminal Justice Commission also supported the program and agreed it should be brought into the community. The cost of the program was $60,000. If approved, the initiative would commence immediately and as such, a portion of the $60,000 funding would be allocated from budget year 2009 and the remainder in 2010. Lt. Harris noted funding for the program would result in budgetary issues for the Police Department. Salaries would have to be considered. It would have to be determined what type of buy-in was available from the Police Department and whether the officers would be willing to participate in the program. (Mr. Buchanan left the meeting at 6:10 p.m.) Chair Rodriguez believed it would be more suitable for the program to be implemented through the Police Department and incorporated into the Police budget. He suggested the proposal proceed through the proper channels for evaluation and/or approval. Lt. Harris felt the YVPP and Police Department should work together if the program were to be implemented. As payments were required for each phase of the program, rather than approving the $60,000 in its entirety, it was suggested the Board proceed with Phase I which would include an initial assessment by a training team. Thereafter, a determination could be made as to whether the Board wished to proceed with the program. The cost for the initial assessment would be $1,275. Chair Rodriguez suggested the buy-in of the Police Department be determined prior to proceeding. Motion Lt. Harris made a motion to move forward with the assessment phase of the Youth and Police Initiative. Mr. Nichols seconded the motion that passed unanimously. Interested Board members would be attending the initial assessment. F.Update from Boynton Beach Commission – Jose Rodriguez Chair Rodriguez noted the City was in the midst of a budget crisis and Police and Fire contracts were being negotiated. Responses were anticipated for RFPs (Requests for Proposals) for the new police station and City Hall. IX. Member Comments None 5 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, Florida September 2, 2009 X. Guest Comments None Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, the meeting properly adjourned at 6:32 p.m. ~~~ Stephanie D. Kahn Recording Secretary 091109 c cYZ~ 6