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Minutes 10-07-09 MINUTES OF THE YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROJECT MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 7, 2009, AT 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 Sg!. Suzanne Gitto, Boynton Beach Police Department Lt. Kelly Harris, Boynton Beach Police Department Vickie Henderson, Teen Project Specialist Vinola Rada Steve Waldman, Chair Education and Youth Board Sg!. Gladys Cannon ABSENT: Erin McClosky/Robin Johnson, Palm Beach Community College Carly Norsesian, Membership Development, YMCA Kathleen Perry, Palm Beach County School District Laura Elena Santos Jim Kidd, South Tech Academy Nate Nichols, Deputy Director, Palm Beach Children's Service Council I. Welcome and Opening Comments - Jose Rodriguez, Chairman Chair Rodriguez 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 Wilmer Rodriguez, Boynton Beach Police Officer, was present to present a program to the Board. This item would be discussed with Item VIII. New Business C. Recommendation for Programming. IV. Approval and/or additions to the agenda Motion Ms. Robinson moved to approve the agenda. Lt. Harris seconded the motion that passed unanimously. 1 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, FL October 7, 2009 V. Approval and/or additions to the minutes Motion Lt. Harris moved to approve the minutes as written. Ms. Robinson seconded the motion that passed unanimously. VI. Chairman's Comments Chair Rodriguez recalled the Board had previously discussed sending the minutes to the County Commission, which was done. He requested the Board reaffirm the practice. Although the Board does not receive a response from the Commission, it was thought they were being read. VII. Old Business A. Update on Youth and Police Initiative - Lt. Harris Ms. Robinson received a letter from the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission indicating the funding for the YVPP was contingent upon approvals from the Department of Justice, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the approval of the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, which has not yet occurred. Currently, they were operating on no budget. It was hoped the approvals would be received shortly. In the meanwhile, the service providers were working without pay. When funding was received, they would be paid retroactively. The funds they have this year were from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal Government. Under these programs, they can use the funds for staffing. Only the Criminal Justice Commission funds could be used for programming. The County approved the budget contingent upon receiving the monies, but they have not signed the Interlocal Agreement needed for the program because the funds were not received from the Criminal Justice Commission. The Criminal Justice Commission was trying to work with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and federal agencies to relax the requirements as they are using the FDLE model as the Violence Reduction Model. The Criminal Justice Commission has asked all the Youth Empowerment Centers to approach their respective cities to allow the grant funds to pay for staffing. The funds freed up in the City's regular budget for the YVPP would be used for programming. It would be a shifting of funds. These provisions became effective October 1, and staff only learned about them on September 26, 2009. There were grants for police officers the City applied for and received. It was unknown whether they could shift the funds at this time and would have to consult with Chief Immler. The Interlocal Agreement was on the October 20, 2009 City Commission agenda in its current form so a determination needed to be made quickly. It was requested a meeting be scheduled with the City Manager, the Finance Director and the Police Chief prior to the October 20th Commission meeting. All of the providers were working for free, in the hope that funding would become available and were advised of such. When funds did arrive, they would be paid retroactively. A meeting was set for Tuesday with all the providers, and they were advised not to layout any funds. 2 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, FL October 7,2009 The funds originally were from the Criminal Justice Commission; but the County Commissioners would not approve the program through the Criminal Justice Commission. The Criminal Justice Commission believes so much in the program that they went outside for funding. B. Graffiti Project This item was discussed under the Member Comments section. C. Update on Van Purchase - Jose Rodriguez This item was not addressed. VIII. New Business A. Update on Teen Council- Vicki Henderson Vicki Henderson, Teen Project Specialist, provided an update as contained in the handout. A new brochure was also distributed and designed by her. A member of the Boynton Beach Youth Empowerment Center on the Teen Council was present to provide a brief update and answer any questions the members had. Ms. Henderson advised there would always be a member from the Teen Council at the meeting. Gemeika Edwards explained September 25, 2009 was their first meeting. There were two returning members to the Council and five new members. They had a great program last year and they hoped to have another great year. Programs they were interested in were the program Officer Rodriguez was present to speak about, which was restoring a 1953 Buick. This year they plan to become involved in the Habitat for Humanity and Great American Clean-up. They planned to attend seminars and workshops to better understand crime in the community, as well as visit community churches and organizations to tell them about their program. The Teen Council members also attended the Crime Prevention Expo this past Saturday to distribute information about the Center. Ms. Edwards indicated they would meet once a month. A chairperson was not yet appointed, and it was thought they would start out with spokespersons first. B. Restrictions on Budget C. Recommendation for Programming Ms. Robinson announced the Teen Council recommended the following providers be renewed: . R.M. Lee . Lamplighters/Questers . Hooked on Fishing . Unlimited Dance . Art of Filmmaking. 3 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, FL October 7,2009 New programs anticipated were Project Restoration and African Drums. There were other programs they wanted to set funds aside for and it was noted the recommendations were based on funding. Officer Rodriguez explained crime in society starts from the bottom up and he wanted to engage the youth. While the Police Athletic League engaged youth that liked sports, there was nothing for youth that were mechanically inclined. Growing up, Officer Rodriguez was intrigued with mechanics and his interest in mechanics outweighed his interest in hanging out on corners. The focus of the initiative was to take youth and find out what their interests were while instilling honor, work ethics, loyalty, teamwork, respect and other moral principals. The foundation would provide the strength for the youth to move forward, leave the neighborhood and focus on their future. The program would expose youth to a variety of automotive work such as engine, transmission, bodywork, interiors and all other aspects of the trade. Concurrently, it would distract the youth, place them in a location away from society and focus them on someone who has hope for them to succeed. It would be a positive direction for the community. This would be a collaborative effort with businesses in Boynton Beach and it leveraged resources. National Transmission would help with the transmissions. Car Star donated a bay, 3M would donate, McDonald's offered to assist with lunch and the Holiday Inn was willing to donate their time and effort as well as funds, budget permitting. Officer Rodriguez spoke with Mr. Kidd of South Tech Academy about the program, but because of the liability issues, it cannot be done. Officer Rodriguez's goal was to have the program up and running and have the car completed for the 90th anniversary of the Police Department. The car would be donated to the Police Department and then logged as a tool that could be used for parades, crime prevention, the Shop with a Cop program, and other functions. Based on approval of the Board, the Police will offer funding through its Fine and Forfeiture Fund. There was $21,000 being given and the Board would give $10,000. Officer Rodriguez had a tentative project proposal, and he noted there were many items that could be donated. Many businesses were willing to work with them but wanted to see the program running and then they would donate what they could. It was noted the Teen Council loved the idea. Chair Rodriguez suggested raffling the vehicle off for the programs. He noted a lot of money could be raised selling $100 raffle tickets or some other amounts. This was a potential avenue to pursue. Another program discussed was "Commit to be Fit." This program would be a citywide initiative, which the Youth Empowerment Center could take part in. The program was a community program to declare Boynton Beach as a Commit to be Fit municipality, which includes presentations, programs, walks and various other avenues to promote fitness in the City. The program was in 17 schools in Palm Beach County and was a mindset. The initiative will come before the City Commission for adoption. The cost is minimal, approximately $20 per book. The commitment is to have five servings of vegetables and fruits. It was thought vending machines have to be adjusted. The environment has to be conducive to the program. When additional information was received regarding the program, Ms. Robinson would bring it back to the Board for approval. 4 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, FL October 7, 2009 Motion Mr. Buchanan moved to approve the recommendation for programming on the restoration program. Mr. Waldman seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Motion Mr. Waldman moved to approve consideration of the Commit to be Fit program for the youth. Mr. Buchanan seconded the motion that unanimously passed. There was discussion of the budget and it was noted there was $50,000 allocated under payments to non-affiliated organizations. Ms. Robinson explained that on occasion there would be one-time programs. Motion Mr. Buchanan moved to approve the recommendations for programming. Mr. Waldman seconded the motion that unanimously passed. IX. Member Comments Steve Waldman, Chair of the Education and Youth Advisory Board, advised the Board had funds they could donate to the program. Their next meeting was December 17, 2009 and if a spokesperson would attend and make a request, it would likely be approved. He explained in the past they have donated to school programs such as Scientist of the Month and for swimming lessons. It was reported the Graffiti Project was moving forward. They had a successful first day a few weeks ago. The next Graffiti Day will be October 15th. The artists who teach the Graffiti Art were ex-taggers, who now are paid to paint. The students related to the teachers and it is a collaborative effort with the different departments within the City. X. Guest Comments None. XI. Adjournment Motion Mr. Buchanan moved to adjourn. Mr. Waldman seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 6:17 p.m. {!f1tlvu,fltL ~uJ_ Catherine Cherry . {- Recording Secretary 101309 5